8 Months of Procrastination Finally Ends

Welcome to the 224th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  This was one of those weekends where I had a long list of things I really wanted to get done but Mother Nature had other plans.  It rained "monsoon style" all day long on Saturday, but being the determined, crazy woman that I am, I dragged the tall urns from the deck onto the porch and replanted those as I had planned. … [Read more...]


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Solar Post Caps for the Decks

Exhausted!  That describes me today. Every year or two I have a company come out to pressure wash the decks and screened-in porch.  The process is exhausting but everything always looks great once it's done.  I had to take the sheers back down.  I also covered up the outdoor speakers and the table since it was too large to really move anywhere. The outdoor wicker was moved onto the deck. Table … [Read more...]


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A Whimsical Spring Table Setting with a Floral Centerpiece

Welcome to the 242nd Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so much for your generous comments yesterday regarding the live interview I participated in with Bekah and Lynne from the Mid-Morning show at WBCL. You are so supportive, always got my back.  Thank you! It's good to stretch our wings and try new things and I feel so blessed by the wonderful dearhearts I've met via blogging. That includes YOU! ♥ After … [Read more...]


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Spots and Spotlights: A Live Interview with the Mid-Morning Show on WBCL

Shaking in my boots.  Okay, it was more like shaking in my sneakers. ;) This morning I had the pleasure of being interviewed LIVE for the radio show, Spots and Spotlights, hosted by Lynne Ford and Bekah Shaffer. It was that "live" part that had me just a tad nervous but Lynne and Bekah are so wonderful, they quickly put me at ease. If you're here visiting for the first time, Welcome!  So glad you're … [Read more...]


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The Morning Room

Welcome to the 223rd Metamorphosis Monday! Do you have a room in your home that's your absolute favorite spot to be in the early morning? My upstairs family room is that room for me. You may recognize the next 2-3 pictures since I've shared them before here on BNOTP.  This room is a cheerful, bright room, but early in the morning it's truly a sunny, happy spot to be.   One of the reasons this … [Read more...]


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The Rescue

Each week when I take Max to Georgia Veterinary Specialist for his chemo treatment, I pass by a wonderful sculpture just outside their front entrance.  I've been meaning to take my camera to capture some pics for you but unfortunately, I keep forgetting it.  While there today I took a few pictures with my cellphone. They aren't the greatest but I hope you'll enjoy them. The sculpture is called, The … [Read more...]


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Sabrina: Thomas Fairchild’s Cozy Garage Apartment

This week I shared two of the three homes in the 1995 remake of the 1954 classic movie, Sabrina.  We toured Salutation House, a grand mansion located in Glen Cove on Long Island in this post: Sabrina: Tour the Beautiful Glen Cove Estate in the Movie   We also visited an adorable Menemsha Cottage on Martha's Vineyard in this post: Sabrina: Tour the Waterfront Cottage on Martha's … [Read more...]


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Navy and White: Great for a Nautical Themed Table Setting

Welcome to the 241st Tablescape Thursday! Spring is here  and I couldn't wait to experiment with a summer-beach themed table setting here on the porch.   I love a blue and white themed tablescape.  They always feel so crisp, so fresh.   This was an inexpensive table setting to create.  The dishes are from a 6 place setting I've had for a few years.  The set was only $19.99 … [Read more...]


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Sabrina: Waterfront Cottage on Martha’s Vineyard

Yesterday we toured the beautiful Long Island estate located in Glen Cove that was used in the filming of the 1995 version of the movie, Sabrina.  During the movie, Linus Larrabee does everything he can to keep his brother David away from Sabrina who has just returned from living in Paris for an extended period.  Sabrina left for Paris an awkward young girl, but she returned a beautiful, sophisticated … [Read more...]


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Sabrina: Beautiful Glen Cove

I'm a  total sucker for romantic comedies. Life may not always turn out the way it does in the movies, but it sure is fun to "escape" to a fantasy world where the guy always gets the girl and the girl always gets her Prince Charming, even if he is slightly flawed in the beginning. Sabrina, a 1995 remake of the Billy Wilder 1954 original with Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden, is a rom … [Read more...]


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Cover Metal Swing Chains for a Softer Look on the Porch

Welcome to the 222nd Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend?  We had nice weather here and I decided it was time to get to work on priming the new screened door out of the porch.  While I was priming it, I had a "uh-duh" moment.  I wish it had been an "Ah-ha" moment, but unfortunately it wasn't.  No, it was definitely an "uh-duh" moment. I suddenly realized in the midst of priming, there was … [Read more...]


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Bunnies and Lambs for Spring or Easter Dining: The Children’s Table

Welcome to the 240th Tablescape Thursday! I know Easter is long gone but I couldn't resist sharing one more table setting with you created this year by my friend,  Marie for her 6 grandchildren.  It's over-the-top adorable.  Love all the soft, pastel colors.  Do you think Marie will adopt us all and make us honorary grandchildren for a just a little while? ;) Cute, cute cupcakes. Some … [Read more...]


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Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine

I couldn't stand it.  It was a gorgeous day yesterday and the porch was calling, begging me to come out and play.   Pollen, you are not the boss of me! I liked Lisa's idea from yesterday's post of just covering the seating areas with sheets during this high pollen season.  Then when you want to enjoy the porch, you just remove the sheet and replace it when you're done.  Sounds like a plan! The fans … [Read more...]


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The Attack of the Yellow Stuff

I'm always getting questions about how I keep the porch looking so clean.  Wellllll, it isn't always so clean.  I think it just appears that way in pictures.  Every spring around April, a monsoon of pollen hits.  When I got home from the hospital on Friday, here's how I found the porch.  Notice how the table seems to have a yellowish cast? It's all pollen and it's just getting started! You … [Read more...]


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A New Screened Door for the Porch

Welcome to the 221st Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all the wonderful comments you left on Friday's post. I'm so grateful for all your well wishes and prayers...please know that. I'm way behind in responding to e-mails so if you e-mailed me in the last week or so and haven't heard back, I hope to get caught up on my e-mail correspondence over the next few days. Each day I'm getting stronger and … [Read more...]


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Miss You This Tablescape Thursday

My tablescape these days. Writing on iPad...very slow. Miss you all! XO … [Read more...]


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Unexpected

I'm in the hospital...Piedmont hospital.   Getting great care.  Writing this on iPad, so must be brief.  Not sure when going home...they are running tests for abdominal pain and bleeding.  Max is in good hands. … [Read more...]


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Barbara Eberlein: Beautiful Rooms!

Recently I came across a designer with whom I was unfamiliar.  Her name is Barbara Eberlein and I love her work.  Her portfolio includes a variety of work in the areas of Preservation, Classic, Contemporary and Second Homes. Here are a few of the spaces she has designed.  You'll find many more at her website which I'll link to at the end of this post. I love this blue and white bedroom.  Notice the … [Read more...]


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Adobe Photoshop Tip: How to Remove Unwanted Objects from Photos

Welcome to the 220th Metamorphosis Monday! A while back I took you on a little tour of my home town.  It was around Christmastime and the homes were decorated for the holidays. This house has always been one of my faves.  It reminds me a little of the home in the movie, Father of the Bride.  (You can tour that movie house here: Father of the Bride Movie House Tour) When I used this picture in a … [Read more...]


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Easter Table Setting with Bunny Plates and Baby Chicks

Welcome to the 239th Tablescape Thursday! Though Easter has past now, I still have a few more Easter/Spring table settings to share with you.  Marie created wonderful tablescapes this year for all the dining areas in her home and not only are they great for Easter, they work wonderfully for springtime, too. This week's tablescape is in her breakfast room where she has the amazing Easter/Spring tree I … [Read more...]


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Bedrooms, Baths and Back Porch of Historic 1833 Home

Sandi's been sharing pics of her historic 1833 home with me this week .  Today I'm taking you into two bedrooms and their accompanying baths.  I'm also sharing a photo showing the back of the home and a special screened door Sandi designed and had built for her back door that's not a standard opening. I added a fun little fact to yesterday's post later in the day.  I thought I'd mention it again in case … [Read more...]


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Beautiful Blue and White Bedroom and Bath

Today we're are continuing our tour of Sandi's beautiful 1833 home.  Sandi shared a fascinating fact about her home with me yesterday.  She said the home was originally built about 15 miles down the road.  In 1895 it was taken apart, all the pieces/parts numbered and then rebuilt on it's current location.  Sandi said, "The reason it was because Mr. Willis asked for his lady’s hand in marriage and she said … [Read more...]


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Master Bedroom and Bath in Historic 1833 Home

Welcome to the 219th Metamorphosis Monday! A while back I shared a wonderful Mardi Gras table setting in the dining room of Sandi's beautiful historic home.  You'll find that tablescape here: Mardi Gras Table Setting and Decoration.) Sandi's home was built in 1833 and she's been restoring it since 1991.  For this Met Monday, I'm sharing some of the ways she transformed her historic … [Read more...]


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Bedroom Ideas for Spring: Children’s Bedroom

While I was visiting with my friend, Marie recently, I asked if she had decorated her granddaughter's bedroom for spring.  I remembered how cute it was decorated for Christmas (shown below). She said she had made a few changes in the room for spring so I couldn't wait to see it and snap a few pics to share with you. There's plenty of room for all 4 grandchildren when they are all here on the … [Read more...]


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Easter Spring Table Setting

Welcome to the 238th Tablescape Thursday! Marie created some wonderful table settings for Easter/spring.   The one I'm sharing today is in her beautiful dining room. Marie will enjoy this table setting with her family this year for Easter. A few close-ups...love the pierced chargers, pierced egg cups and pierced napkin rings. You'll find a list detailing where Marie found all the … [Read more...]


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Spring Table Setting for Two

We recently visited Sandi's  home when she was having a special Mardi Gras brunch.   If you missed that post, you'll find it here:  Mardi Gras Table Setting and Decorations.  This afternoon I wanted to share a sweet table for two she put together for spring. I love the Bakelite flatware, lacy dinner plate and charger, lettuce leaf salad plate, sheer napkin sheaths and the adorable polka dot bow as a … [Read more...]


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Kitchen Decorated for Easter

Today I'm sharing some of the fun ways Marie has decorated inside her home for spring and Easter.  Lately, we've had such cold weather and rainy days, it was wonderful to be inside her home surround by reminders of springtime. Let's start here in Marie's wonderful kitchen. Marie created a fun display for her kitchen island.  This is such a great spot to decorate for the seasons and holidays since … [Read more...]


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Decorating for Easter

Welcome to the 218th Metamorphosis Monday! Last month I shared how my friend, Marie decorated her beautiful Victorian home for Valentine's Day.  The Valentine's Day decorations served a dual purpose since they were also in honor of the 4th annual "Hearts for Heroes" reception Marie hosted in her home in honor of the armed forces and our local military personnel. Marie has her spring/Easter decorations … [Read more...]


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Dish Storage & A Serious Case of Pantry Envy

Hooky Day!  This post is going up a bit late because I took a little time off today to play.  I'm blaming it all on my friend, Marie. ;)  Today we had a "girls day out."  It started with a yummy lunch at a local cafe, then we headed out to shop some of our fave haunts.  I didn't buy anything (yet) but I found a table umbrella for my seating area out on the deck that I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy. I … [Read more...]


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Camellia Centerpiece for an Easter or Spring Table Setting

Welcome to the 237th Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday was the first official day of spring.  I'm so happy about that!  I love spring and summer so much!  The day started out a bit  chilly but it warmed up just enough to get me out on the porch for this week's Tablescape Thursday.  The table setting I'm sharing today would be great for Easter and that's more or less what I had in mind when I created it, but … [Read more...]


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Houmas House Plantation and Gardens: Take the Tour

One of my most favorite things about blogging is meeting dear-hearts who share similar interests, like an interest in beautiful old homes.  Recently, I was chatting (via email) with Linda.  Linda has visited Louisiana bunches of times to tour the beautiful plantation homes along the Mississippi River.  She shared some photos she's taken of several of the homes, including Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. … [Read more...]


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Make a Starfish Napkin Ring: A Pottery Barn Knock-off

Welcome to the 217th Metamorphosis Monday! This week for Met Monday, I'm sharing a crafty Before and After. I made a quick pass through Pottery Barn a few nights ago and spied some cute starfish napkin rings. It's kind of hard to see in this pic I snagged from the PB site here, but the ring part of the napkin ring is covered in jute yarn. I couldn't tell what the yarn was wrapped around while in the … [Read more...]


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Mardi Gras Table Setting and Decorations

Welcome to the 236th Tablescape Thursday! Recently, I received an email from Sandi and she shared some wonderful pictures of a Mardi Gras brunch she held a few weeks ago in her home.  Though Mardi Gras is behind us now, the pictures and her home were too wonderful to not share. Regarding the brunch, Sandi said, "This was a "thank you" brunch for a lovely young lady named Allison who spent between 100 … [Read more...]


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Water Plants While Away on Vacation

I spent this past weekend in Highlands, North Carolina.  It was a fun getaway and the weather graciously cooperated giving us unseasonably warm temps.  I'll share a few pics from the trip including the home where we stayed real soon. While there, we had to do a little shopping.  That's pretty much mandatory when you're visiting Highlands.  There are lots of cute shops, some filled with antiques and … [Read more...]


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Wide Ironing Boards Make Ironing Easier

Welcome to the 216th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I made an upgrade most folks would probably not get too excited about, but I'm actually pretty excited!  While out shopping a couple of weeks ago, I found myself in the ironing board isle of a local home product store. Guess what I discovered?  Ironing boards come in wider sizes! Did  you know this?  I had absolutely no idea. I didn't buy an ironing … [Read more...]


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Birdwatching Fun for Your Weekend

Have you heard about Phoebe?  She's a Channel Island Allen hummingbird living in Orange County, California.  She lays 4-5 clutches a year and a gentleman in CA has a web cam set up to capture it all. When I was last watching, she had a baby in the nest and an egg about to hatch. You can see both the baby and the egg in these pics. Here's Phoebe, returning back to the nest to feed the … [Read more...]


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Tour Two Beautiful Historic Homes, One in New York and One in Georgia

I love historic homes.  Before I ever landed on my first blog site back in 2008, I used to get my house fix by "touring" houses online via real estate listings.  Of course, it's much easier now to tour all the gorgeous homes and interiors you're little heart could desire, but I still have to stop by some of my fave historic home sites periodically to check out what beauties have recently come on the market. … [Read more...]


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A St. Patrick’s Day Table Setting with Help from the Easter Bunny

Welcome to the 235th Tablescape Thursday! This week while I was creating a tablescape for St. Patrick's Day, the funniest thing happened. The Easter Bunny came by for a visit.  I told him he was a little early but he explained he was stopping by early because he had something I needed for this week's table. He hopped right into the center of my St. Patrick's Day table and presented me with … [Read more...]


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Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew, Perfect For A Cold Winter’s Day

All this cold weather we've been having put me in the mood for some home made soup. One of my fave things to make anytime of the year is a big ole pot of vegetable beef soup. The way I make it, it's super rich and loaded down with veggies, so it's really more of a stew than a soup. I make as much as I can possibly stuff into my big Dutch oven.  I just went downstairs and measured to see how much it holds … [Read more...]


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4-Leaf Clover Napkin Fold for St. Patrick’s Day Table Setting

Last week for Tablescape Thursday, I shared a fun St. Patrick's Day table setting with a Shamrock Cookie Tree centerpiece.  If you missed that tablescape you'll find it here:  St. Patrick's Day Table Setting and you'll find the recipes for Shamrock cookies and icing here: Shamrock Sugar Cookies and Icing Recipes   The tablescape also included a napkin fold in the shape of a 4-leaf clover. … [Read more...]


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Inching Toward Spring: An Update for the Porch

Welcome to the 215th Metamorphosis Monday! For this Met Monday, I had planned to post a tutorial for the fun napkin fold I used in last week's St. Patrick's Day table setting.  I know several folks asked for that and I promise that will go out in my very next post, which should be tomorrow.  For this Met Monday, I have a little change out on the porch to share, one I've been needing to make for a long … [Read more...]


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Shamrock Sugar Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day

For this week's Tablescape Thurday, I created a St. Patrick's Day themed table setting with a sugar cookie shamrock centerpiece.  (St. Patrick's Day Tablescape can be viewed in detail in this post:  St. Patrick's Day Table Setting with Shamrock Cookie Tree Centerpiece) Sugar Cookies and Icing Recipes Today I'm sharing the recipe for both the sugar cookies and the icing.  The icing really works great for … [Read more...]


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St. Patrick’s Day Table Setting with Shamrock Cookie Tree Centerpiece

Welcome to the 234th Tablescape Thursday! Wow, the days seem to just fly by, hard to believe it's Thursday already.  But Thursday it is and I have a fun table setting inspired by the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday.   I know it's a bit early but I thought I'd share it with you now to get those ideas flowing for your St. Paddy's Day celebrations.   This table setting includes … [Read more...]


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Mystery Song Solved & Growing an Edible Shamrock Tree

What a fun day yesterday!  I loved reading your comments and suggestions concerning the mystery song playing on the cute Easter/Spring water globe I found recently in Marshalls.   I learned something new yesterday, too!   Did you know there are apps you can download to your cell phone or iPad that will "listen" to a song that's playing and will identify it for you?  I had no idea!  The two mentioned in … [Read more...]


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Name That Tune, What Song is This?

Thanks so much for all the comments and e-mails yesterday about the newsletter, Postcards from the Porch.  When I thought about putting together a newsletter to send out each week, the first thing that popped into my head was, "Ummm, wonder if anyone will be interested?  Will anyone sign up?"   I was just a wee bit worried I'd spend several hours working on something each week that very few folks would ever … [Read more...]


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Decorating in Blue and White

I don't know when I first fell in love with decorating in blue and white,  I just know I passionately love it.   We're talking, a-big-kiss-right-on-the-mouth, love it!   I think it may have started when I found this Ralph Lauren comforter set for my guest room.  I love flow blue transferware and have collected a few pieces over the years, so I guess the bedding reminded me of beautiful flow blue porcelain. … [Read more...]


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A Gathering of Friends

Welcome to the 233rd Tablescape Thursday! Recently I was invited to a dinner party at the home of my friend, Ginger.  I didn't have my camera with me but I snapped a few pics with my cellphone. Fortunately, I have a new cell phone and wow, cellphone cameras have come a long way!  My other phone was just over 2 years old and though it had a pretty good camera, I do not think it could have handled the low … [Read more...]


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My Dream Home

At some point during the day, nearly every single day, I catch myself dreaming about living in an adorable cottage in a small town or rural area. I've never been a city girl so living 20 minutes outside Atlanta is definitely not my cup of tea. The city I live in is super congested and traffic is always bad unless it's 10:00 AM on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday or 10:00 at night.  I do all my grocery … [Read more...]


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Yummy Devil’s Food Toffee Trifle Recipe

Recently, I was invited to a small dinner party, a gathering of friends.  I was asked to bring dessert, specifically the Cranberry Trifle I made for this past Christmas.  You'll find the recipe for the Cranberry Trifle here:  Yummy Cranberry Trifle.   You'll find a post about the Christmas dinner party here: Christmas Dinner Party Guess what I discovered?  You can't find fresh cranberries in February.  The … [Read more...]


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Small Entry Makeover: Add Storage and Function

Welcome to the 213th Metamorphosis Monday! Spring has come early to the Atlanta area.  I'll have to take some pics to share what's popping up around here.  The daffodils are up, the red bud trees are blooming and the tulip magnolias are gorgeous!  Are things beginning to bloom where you live?  Love this time of year! Update for a Small Entry: I have an inspiring "Before and After" to share for this … [Read more...]


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Valentine’s Day Table Settings, Great for the Kids

Welcome to the 232nd Tablescape Thursday and Happy Valentine's Day! Before Valentine's Day gets away, I have two last Valentine's Day table settings to share.  A visit to the home of my friend, Marie, is always so much fun.  I love seeing how she decorates her beautiful home for her grandchildren's visits and for the holidays. The basement/terrace level has a full kitchen and is a great spot for the … [Read more...]


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A Mardi Gras Table Setting Celebration

Did you celebrate Mardi Gras this year?  I know almost nothing about Mardi Gras but per Wikipedia, Mardi Gras is the "Carnival Season: and it starts on or after Epiphany and ends the day before Ash Wednesday.  Mardi Gras is actual a French word meaning Fat Tuesday.  Apparently, it's called Fat Tuesday because on the last night before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season (which begins on Ash Wednesday) … [Read more...]


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Screened-in Porches: How Much Do They Cost to Build?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is how much did it cost to build your screened porch? With spring just a couple of months away, I thought I'd share all the details, facts and figures, in hopes it will help answer some of the questions I know many folks have about adding a porch. Having a screened-in porch had always been a dream of mine.  We had a small screened porch at our very first … [Read more...]


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A Comfy Desk Chair for the Office

Welcome to the 212th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend?  Were you in blizzard territory?  The pictures I've been seeing online are amazing! For this Met Monday, I'm sharing a "comfort" change I made in the office this weekend.  It was one I was reluctant to make but finally decided it needed to be done. If you have been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember when I purchased my desk … [Read more...]


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Valentine’s Day Table Settings: Casual and Elegant

Welcome to the 231st Tablescape Thursday! For this week's TT, I'm excited to share two more wonderful Valentine's Day table settings put together by my friend, Marie.  Marie created these for Valentine's Day but with just a few small changes, they would really be beautiful for any time of the year. Remember the casual eating area located in Marie's family room?  At Christmastime the table in that area … [Read more...]


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Carbon Monoxide Detectors and a Masked Visitor

How is that for a crazy post name?  I often have  things I want to share or blog about, but sometimes it's just not enough to warrant a full post.  So today I'm lumping a few things together, thus the wacky title. Recently, I've been feeling sooo tired...just want to sleep, sleep and sleep.   I can't make it through the day without taking a nap and even after a nap I'm still tired.  Very strange and … [Read more...]


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Beautiful Wedding Decorations, Centerpieces, Dresses and Ideas

Southern Living Weddings Giveaway:  Thanks so much to everyone who left a comment to enter the giveaway from Southern Living.  Chosen by a random number generator, the winners of the copies of Southern Living Weddings are:     Wedding Planning Ideas: Decorations, Centerpieces, Dresses, Venues, Flowers Recently, the folks at Southern Living Magazine sent me a copy of their 2013 … [Read more...]


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Restoration Hardware Inspired Bathroom Renovation

Welcome to the 211th Metamorphosis Monday! I have had so much fun reading your comments on the Downton Abbey Personality Quiz.  Y'all know your characters and your reactions to the quiz results were too funny!  The comments kept me laughing all weekend as more and more folks took the quiz and left a comment.  Thanks to Derrick (aka Lord Grantham) for humoring me and choosing the foxhunt/cigar/billards … [Read more...]


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Downton Abbey Personality Quiz: Which Character Are You?

Recently, a dearheart (thanks Sandi!) sent me a fun link where you can take a quick, 7-question quiz to see which Downton Abbey character you most resemble.  I finally got around to taking the test today and guess who I am? Anna, the head housemaid!  :)   Here are my results below.   I had to struggle with a few of the questions...really wanted to pick two answers.  Is it wrong when asked how I'd … [Read more...]


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Children’s Valentine’s Day Table Setting

Welcome to 230th Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so much for all the great comments you left on yesterday's "Brass is Back!" post.  You made some amazing points and I so enjoyed hearing your perspective on the resurgence of quality brass pieces in the home.  I especially love that so many of you don't let the latest trend pressure you into changing or discarding that which you truly love. If you've been … [Read more...]


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Brass is Back, Baby!

I am a lover of polished brass.  There, I said it...right out loud! I'm sure you've noticed, brass has been getting a bad rap over the last few years.  Its cousins chrome, nickel and oil-rubbed bronze have squeezed it out as the metal of favor. Now granted, I have seen some not-so-great brass in my days, the kind that looks lifeless and dull, or worse, pitted.  But I never really understood why quality … [Read more...]


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Natural Fiber Ottoman or Stool for the Office

Welcome to the 210th Metamorphosis Monday! Last night I happened to turn on the TV while Downton Abbey was on.  I can never remember exactly when it comes on so I always end up watching it in bits and pieces over the week as the episode is replayed over and over on PBS.   I watched last night until the foreshadowing became too foreboding.  An arrogant, know-it-all doctor and talk of swollen ankles was … [Read more...]


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An Enchanting Blue Hour Sky

In April 2009 I posted a "garden party" table setting out on the porch.   Do you remember this tablescape?  The flower pots are actually Oreo "Dirt" Cheesecake dessert.   The chargers  for this setting were large terracotta saucers, the type that go under terracotta pots.  The little elastic band on the garden gloves acted as napkin rings.  (You can view this garden party table setting and get the recipe … [Read more...]


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Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas

Yesterday I shared my friend, Marie's whimsical Valentine's Day tablescape, HERE featuring lots of cute little froggies.  Just off to the right, tucked backed into the corner, is a large white tree Marie decorates for various holidays.  I realized later, I probably should have taken pics when I first arrived, but I was hungry, hungry and had lunch on my mind.  We had so much fun shopping, it was starting to … [Read more...]


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A Valentine’s Day Table Setting, Elegant and Whimsical

Welcome to the 229th Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day just a few weeks away, I'm excited to share a wonderfully, whimsical Valentine's Day table setting created by my friend, Marie.  This table setting has it all!  There's plenty of whimsy, but with touches of glitz and glamour, too! For her centerpiece, Marie assembled a sparkly collection of red vases and filled them with lots of fluffy, … [Read more...]


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Porch Decorated for Valentine’s Day

Today I played hooky and it was soooo much fun.  I highly recommend it!  ;)  I guess it wasn't really hooky since I snapped some fun pics and garnered some great Valentine's Day decorating ideas to bring back and share with you. Such a great way to spend a cold January day.  I had lunch with my friend, Marie, followed by a fun day of shopping.  We visited all our favorite shopping haunts around town and … [Read more...]


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Resin Candle Covers and Silk-Wrapped Bulbs for the Bedroom Chandelier

Welcome to the 209th Metamorphosis Monday! I have a little master bedroom update to share for this Met Monday.  You may remember, back in November I updated the candle covers on the chandelier in the dining room. The old plastic covers had gradually yellowed over the past 16+ years and were looking pretty bad.  I also replaced the regular bulbs that were so glaring on the eyes with silk-wrapped bulbs. … [Read more...]


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Top 10 Faves On My Winter Survival List, 2013

Last winter I put together a list of a few of my favorite things that help get me through the cold winter months.  I ask in that post what helps you survive the winter and your comments were filled with wonderful ideas and suggestions.  Thanks so much for sharing your fave winter survival tips. Since we're well into the throes of another winter, with at least two months ahead of us, I thought it would be … [Read more...]


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A New Year’s Eve Table Setting

Welcome to the 228th Tablescape Thursday! Every year I plan to create a New Year's Eve table setting to share here on BNOTP and every year, time gets away from me and I never seem to get one done.  I've had an idea brewing in the back of mind forever.  Even though I didn't have a New Year's party this year, I decided to go ahead and put a table together just for fun.  Before I share my New Year's Eve … [Read more...]


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The Proposal

Have you ever wondered where the house in the movie, The Proposal, is located?  Or, have you ever wondered if it's a real home, a movie set or a "fake" house built just for the movie? The House in the Movie, The Proposal Imagine one day there's a knock at your door.  You answer and a smiling movie-location-scout is asking to use your home for the upcoming movie, The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and … [Read more...]


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Office Update: Finally Found the Right Spot

Welcome to the 208th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend?  We've been having unusually warm weather...70 degrees out on the porch yesterday and today.  Crazy!  This is January, right?  Yesterday was my birthday and I'm not sure when I remember a birthday this warm.  Loving it while it last, though. I have a small Before/After for this Met Monday, one I thought I'd share in case it's helpful or … [Read more...]


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A New Year’s Table Setting with Pottery Barn Clock Plates

Welcome to the 227th Tablescape Thursday! My friend, Bonnie, rang in the New Year with a wonderful dinner party.  Bonnie said, "The day started out on a beautiful note.... with snow!"   What a gorgeous view! Let's go inside where it's nice and warm.  The table is all ready, even the chandelier is decorated for this celebration.  And look!  It's the Blue Hour! Bonnie's dining room is so … [Read more...]


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The Christmas Tree Post: 23+ Themed Christmas Trees

Though Christmas is behind us now, I couldn't end this wonderful tour without putting together a Christmas Tree Tour post showcasing ALL the Christmas trees we saw while visiting Governor Roy and Marie Barnes beautiful home.  Marie told me she puts up 16 trees, 14 artificial and 2 live but there are lots of little ones all throughout the home and on the veranda, too.  Plus, there's the Christmas forest on … [Read more...]


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A Fabulous Gift-Wrapping and Craft Room

Welcome to the 207th Metamorphosis Monday!   The last few weeks I've been sharing the amazing metamorphosis that happens each Christmas in the home of Governor and Marie Barnes.  It's been a joy to share their home decorated for this special holiday. This will be our last post, although I may put one together showing all the trees.  Marie decorates 16 trees and I don't think that's counting the fairyland … [Read more...]


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3 Party Table Settings with Coca-Cola Dishware and Coke Memorabilia

Welcome to 226th Tablescape Thursday! Greetings!  How is your week going?  I've been dragging my feet taking down my Christmas decorations.  I decided this year to not rush things and just enjoy them a little longer. The last few weeks we've been touring the wonderful home of Governor and Marie Barnes decorated for the Christmas season. Today we're going down these stairs for a tour of the … [Read more...]


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Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part VI

We're back today to tour the absolutely adorable room Marie Barnes, wife of Governor Roy Barnes, created for her four precious granddaughters.  I was thinking this would be the last post but I may have one more to share with you showing their terrace level with a wonderful "gifting wrapping station."  I had serious envy over that gift-wrapping room! As you enter this whimsical, delightful room Marie … [Read more...]


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A Cabin Renovation & Restoration on the Russian River

Welcome to the 206th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I shared a wonderful Christmas table setting created by Julio who blogs at Beaux Mondes Design.  It was all I could do to not spill ALL the beans last Tablescape Thursday because I was dying to show you more of this wonderful cabin. When Julio and Dan bought their "Russian River Dacha" it was in need of some serious restoration love.  The previous … [Read more...]


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Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part V

Happy Weekend!  I don't always post on the weekend but we're smack-dab in the middle of touring this beautiful Victorian home belonging to Governor Roy and Marie Barnes, so I didn't want to leaving you hanging for too long.  If you missed any of the previous posts, you’ll find links to those at the end of this post. Today we'll be touring some of the upstairs bedrooms, but before we head up I'll share a … [Read more...]


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Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part IV

This week we’re continuing our tour inside the beautiful Victorian home belonging to Governor Roy and Marie Barnes.  If you missed any of the previous posts, you’ll find links to those at the end of this post. The Barnes home is perfect for entertaining and family gatherings.  The kitchen/breakfast area is open to this beautiful great room.  I love the coffered ceiling!  See the doorway on the left?  The … [Read more...]


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Dinner In A Cabin On The Russian River

Welcome to the 225th Tablescape Thursday! This week you are in for a special treat.  Julio who blogs at Beaux Mondes Designs created a beautiful tables setting in his wonderful cabin in Russian River, California.  I'm absolutely mad about plaid so when I saw this setting, I couldn't wait to share it for Tablescape Thursday. Julio's dining room is amazing, even without a wonderful table setting.  What … [Read more...]


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Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part III

This week we’re continuing our tour inside the beautiful Victorian home belonging to Governor Roy and Marie Barnes.  If you missed any of the previous posts, you'll find links to those at the end of this post. The Barnes' have a dream kitchen!  The red accents really pop against the cream/ivory cabinets and the black island.  The island is distressed and has red tones showing through in the distressed … [Read more...]


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Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas, Part II

Welcome to the 205th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Holidays!  All this week we'll be continuing our tour inside this beautiful Victorian home belonging to Governor Roy and Marie Barnes.  If you missed any of the previous posts, I'll link to them at the end of this post. This beautiful home has been transformed for the holidays.  Marie starts the metamorphosis in August so everything is ready in time for … [Read more...]


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Birdwatching: Cardinals, Bluebirds and Woodpeckers Came Calling

A few minutes after I put up this mornings post, a male Eastern Bluebird stopped by...sooo cute!  The following photos were taken through the glass of my bay window with a Nikon D7000 and my 18-200mm zoom lens.  Hope you enjoy. Then along came Mr. Cardinal which didn't please a little Nuthatch who waited patiently for him to leave. Mrs. Cardinal came by to check out the new … [Read more...]


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Solmate Socks and Wild Birds Unlimited

I noticed this morning my feeder was almost empty so I headed over to my very favorite birding store, Wild Birds Unlimited on Piedmont Road in Marietta, GA.  The folks who work in this location are so wonderful.  They bend over backwards to help you solve any squirrel problems and can answer any question you can dream up about birds. I bought a bag of Choice Blend.  The birds love this stuff!   In … [Read more...]


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A Christmas Dinner Party

Welcome to the 224th Tablescape Thursday! Three or four weeks ago I posted this tablescape below for a Tablescape Thursday.  Sunday I had a little dinner party and at first I set the table with my Lenox, Winter Greetings pattern.  At the last minute, I decided the table was feeling a bit more formal than I wanted for this gathering.  I wanted our party to feel more cozy and casual.  So I decided to … [Read more...]


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Tour a Beautiful Victorian Home Decorated for Christmas

Last week for Tablescape Thursday,  I took you inside the beautiful Victorian home of Governor Roy and Marie Barnes.  If you missed that post where I shared four beautiful tablescapes Marie created for Christmas, you'll find it here: Four Beautiful Table Settings, One Gorgeous Victorian Home. I have so many wonderful rooms to share with you, it's going to take several posts to share them all.  I want to … [Read more...]


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Coping, Or So I Thought

I've been kind of in a deep funk all day.  I was so busy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, getting everything ready for the small dinner party I had Sunday night, I really didn't have time to think about much else.  Over the last few days I've been listening to the news about the horrible tragedy in Connecticut and reading a good bit about it online.  I think the culmination of it all just finally got to … [Read more...]


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Decorating the Porch with Cedar Garland and a Snowflake Wreath

Welcome to the 204th Metamorphosis Monday! For this Met Monday, I'm sharing my front porch decor for the holidays. Once again I used my Pottery Barn Knock-off Garland along with fresh cedar around the door.  (Pottery Barn Knock-off Garland tutorial can be found here: Pottery Barn Inspired Garland Tutorial: Make Your Own for 1/3 the cost.)   One change this year...the cedar garland has … [Read more...]


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Preparations for a Christmas Dinner Party

I'm having a little dinner party for eight this Sunday evening.  I've been busy decorating, cooking and cleaning, decorating, cooking and cleaning.  And, occasionally I've been doing some decorating, cooking and cleaning.  Did I mention I'm having a blast!  I love getting ready for a party, be it big or small. The porch is looking festive.  I'll share more of it with you on Monday for our Metamorphosis … [Read more...]


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Four Beautiful Christmas Table Settings

Welcome to the 223rd Tablescape Thursday! One of the absolute best parts about blogging is meeting wonderful readers who share similar interests.   A few months back I received an e-mail from Marie Barnes, inviting me for a "visit to her porch."  Marie and her husband, Governor Roy Barnes, moved four years ago from Mableton to Marietta to be closer to their children and grandchildren.  Before moving they … [Read more...]


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