Welcome to the 771st Tablescape Thursday! When my son was little, one of his favorite books was a Caldecott Medal-winner by Chris Van Allsburg (author of Jumanji and The Polar Express) called, Two Bad Ants. As I was setting this table, I couldn't help but think of that book. The cousins of those two bad ants in Van Allsburg's book have found their way to my table this … [Read more...]
Sometimes It’s the Little Things That Can Make Life A Lot Better!
July 3, 2023 by 37 Comments
Welcome to the 753rd Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever had something annoy you for a long time, then one day that final straw hits and you realize you have to do something to fix it, or at least find something that works better? That's what finally happened to me with these super annoying tape dispensers I've been using for ages. The red one normally lives in the basement and I have another one just like … [Read more...]
Planning a Last-Minute 4th of July Table-Celebration, So Many Wonderful Finds!
June 29, 2023 by 16 Comments
Welcome to the 770th Tablescape Thursday! It has been a crazy week around here. The plumber has been here checking to see if I can move my washer connections to another wall in the laundry room for a possible future laundry room renovation, and he's coming back today for a follow-up. The roof cleaning company is also coming back today to touch up a few places that didn't come clean when they were here … [Read more...]
2023 Version Of 21 Favorites That I Buy Over And Over Again–Can’t Do Without Them!
June 28, 2023 by 6 Comments
Last summer I created a post where I shared 21 things I buy over and over again because they are just that awesome! I thought it would be fun to do that same post again for 2023. I'm sure there are going to be some repeats because that's what it's all about--those things that I love so much that I can't and won't stop buying them! I know I'm a broken record about these Ecco Yucatan sandals but I can't … [Read more...]
Sharing 4 (Actually 5) New Updates For This Week’s Metamorphosis Monday!
June 26, 2023 by 21 Comments
Welcome to the 752nd Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope it was an awesome one! If you saw Saturday's post where I shared Norma's recipe for making this beautiful Tarte Soleil, you may want to revisit that post and print the recipe out again. Norma provided some additional details/corrections so I made a few changes, so definitely take a moment to print it out again if you would like a copy … [Read more...]
How to Make a Beautiful Tarte Soleil
June 24, 2023 by 15 Comments
Happy weekend! For this past Tablescape Thursday, I shared a wonderful table setting Norma put together when she was expecting friends over for a luncheon. As mentioned in that previous post, Norma also made this beautiful Tarte Soleil to serve as an appetizer. I asked Norma if she would mind sharing her recipe, I would love to try making this stunning appetizer one day, although it's so … [Read more...]
A Charming, Rustic-French Table Setting, Complete With A Beautiful Tarte Soleil Appetizer
June 22, 2023 by 16 Comments
Welcome to the 769th Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so much for all your comments on yesterday's post. I have so much to share about how things went yesterday. Let me just say, I think I see a Speed Queen TR5 or TR7 washer in my future. More about that later--for now, we've been invited to a wonderful luncheon in the south of France! ♥ Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader who has become a friend over the … [Read more...]
A New Washer Has Me Yearning For A Laundry Room-Butler’s Pantry Renovation
June 21, 2023 by 40 Comments
The time was June 1979 and we had just graduated from college. During that final year of school, we lived on campus in a tiny apartment in what was referred to as "married student housing." With our studies now completed, we loaded up a small U-haul and headed off to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland for Officer Basic Training. Four months later, with that commitment completed, it was time to … [Read more...]
A Beautiful Addition To The Front Porch, Can You Guess What It Is?
June 19, 2023 by 44 Comments
Welcome to the 751st Metamorphosis Monday! Quite a few years back I added two benches to my front porch. If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember this porch below. I came across this home/porch many years ago in a Southern Homes magazine and it was the inspiration for the front porch that I had added to my home back in 2008. Notice the benches on the inspiration porch. I … [Read more...]
They Arrived & They’re As Nice & Well-Crafted As Expected
June 16, 2023 by 6 Comments
Happy Fri-yay! The weekend is officially here! I hope you have a fun, relaxing one planned. I badly need to get out in the yard and do some weeding, although it may be way too hot for that this weekend. A few weeks ago, I put together a post with some gift ideas for Father's Day. You may remember in that post I shared a really nice waxed canvas tote from L.L. Bean. Of course, this bag would be great for … [Read more...]
