New Year’s Dinner Party Tablescape with a Winter Theme

Welcome to the 278th Tablescape Thursday! On New Year's day this year, I had a little dinner party here in my home. Originally it appeared as if 8 would be attending but that number happily grew to 10. Since my dining room table will only seat 8, and that's always a bit of a tight fit, I decided to set two tables, 6 in the dining room and 4 in the breakfast room. Last week I shared a few pics of the … [Read more...]




New Year’s Day Table Setting with Lenox Winter Greetings

Welcome to the 277th Tablescape Thursday! So how was your first day of 2014? I hope it was awesome! Yesterday I had 10 friends over for a New Year's Day dinner. I barely remembered to snap a few pics of the tables before everyone arrived. Since there were 10 of us, I ended up setting the dining room table for 6 and the breakfast table for 4. The centerpieces for each table were similar, but … [Read more...]




New Year’s Eve Party Ideas

Welcome to 276th the Tablescape Thursday! New Year's Eve is just 5 days away! Here are a few past table settings and a couple of other links that may prove helpful getting ready for your New Year's celebration. New Year's Eve Table Setting, 2013     New Year's Eve Table Setting with Vintage Style Pottery Barn Clock Plates   New Year's Eve Tablescape with Black … [Read more...]




Christmas Tree Napkin Fold Tutorial

Welcome to the 256th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm putting Met Monday up early since this next week is going to be super busy for us all. Also, this "Before and After" is something you may want to use for Christmas so figured getting it up today will give you a little more time to plan. This past week, I posted a Christmas tablescape with a Christmas-tree theme. Tablescape can be viewed here: Christmas … [Read more...]




Christmas Table Setting with a Christmas Tree Theme

Welcome to the 275th Tablescape Thursday! How's your week going? Finishing up any last-minute Christmas shopping? I still have a little left to do so you know what I'll be doing this weekend. Next Week's Tablescape Thursday: Since next Thursday is the day after Christmas and a very busy time for all of us, if you don't have a new table setting to link up, feel free to link up your favorite tablescape … [Read more...]




Dashing Through the Snow

Welcome to the 274th Tablescape Thursday! Thanks sooo much for all the comments yesterday helping me decide which garden seat I should use beside the blue and white check chair in the guest room. I had planned to return the bluebird seat if I didn't use it in that room but you definitely convinced me to go ahead and keep it no matter if I use it in that room or not. If you get a chance, be sure and … [Read more...]




How to Create a Lit Centerpiece with Dept. 56 Houses

Yesterday after sharing this table setting for Tablescape Thursday, I received a few emails and some comments from folks asking how I handled the wiring/lighting for the lit mercury-glass trees.   Another question I received was regarding the little glowing orbs. Someone asked if they were actually lit or just reflecting light from the trees.   The lighting was actually really … [Read more...]




Christmas Table Setting: Sparkle with a Touch of Whimsy

Welcome to the 273rd Tablescape Thursday!   Today we're tablescaping in the dining room. This room can be a bit of a challenge for taking pictures since it's on the north side of the house where there's very little natural light and it has deep, red walls painted Benjamin Moore, Raspberry Truffle. Someone mentioned once in a comment that all the paint colors I've used in my home have food … [Read more...]




A Christmas Table Setting Inspired by Nature

Welcome to the 271st Tablescape Thursday! This week I'm sharing a Christmas table setting for Tablescape Thursday. Since I've already shared two fall tablescapes and one Thanksgiving table setting this season, I was in the mood to create something Christmas themed. I love Christmas tablescapes so there will be several more coming your way before Christmas arrives. Can you believe it's just 33 days until … [Read more...]




A Thanksgiving Fall Tablescape Out On The Porch

Normally, this time of year would find me tablescaping inside, but with temps like this I couldn't resist tablescaping out on the porch.   Mr. Turkey was already out here from last week, still posing as the perfect centerpiece for an autumn table setting.   Fall has finally arrived here in Georgia. The trees are changing colors and are beginning to look bare. More sun is … [Read more...]




Autumn Table Setting with Spode Woodland

Welcome to the 268th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Halloween! Are you ready for the Trick or Treaters? Have you been sampling the Halloween candy this past week like I have? You know that's necessary, just to make sure it isn't stale or anything. Okay, remember when I decked out the hutch on the screened porch with pumpkins for Fall?   For this week's Tablescape Thursday, it was time to … [Read more...]




Broomstick Place Cards for Your Halloween Tablescape

Welcome to the 267th Tablescape Thursday! A couple of weeks ago I shared this picture from Country Living online. I thought it would be fun to make some of these broomstick place card holders. I didn't see a tutorial for them at CL but they looked pretty easy to make, and they are!   To make broomstick place card holders, you'll need raffia, yarn or jute thread in any color you prefer, … [Read more...]




Halloween Table Setting with a Lantern Centerpiece

Welcome to the 266th Tablescape Thursday! It's rainy and little chilly out today so we're tablescaping in the breakfast room. This table setting started out with super practical glasses but I changed them toward the end to these pretty amber glasses from Noritake.   Love these silly plates... I found these cute Blueberry & Thyme lollipops in Marshalls and tucked … [Read more...]




Quoth the Raven, Nevermore!

Welcome to the 265th Tablescape Thursday! When I created a fall mantel in September...   ...mischievous ravens took up roost among the books, candlesticks and antlers. (Mantel can be viewed here: An Autumn Mantel and Fire Screen)   Then they threw a Halloween party out on the porch and invited all their friends!   Some nerve, huh?   At least … [Read more...]




Halloween Decorating and Table Setting Ideas

Welcome to the 264th Tablescape Thursday! I'm sharing lots of Halloween inspiration in today's post starting with this fun display. I encountered this unfortunate fellow just inside my local Pottery Barn store. So what do you think he was reading at the time of his untimely demise? I'm looking forward to your comments! This table setting from Martha Stewart online would work well for Fall or … [Read more...]




A Booo-ti-ful Setting for Tablescape Thursday

Welcome to the 262nd Tablescape Thursday! My friend, Marie, has six adorable, much loved grandchildren. When they visit her home, they eat at the same table their parents ate at while growing up. Love that! Marie creates the most whimsical, fun table settings for her grandchildren for all the holidays throughout the year. Can you guess which holiday the table is dressed for now? Yep, … [Read more...]




Table Setting Ideas for Fall & Halloween

Today I was on a mission, unfortunately my mission failed. I was trying to find small-to-medium size cookie cutters in the shape of flowers. I struck out in Michaels, Party City (it was next door so I gave it a shot), Bed, Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn and the Dollar Store. The cookie cutters I found today were either way too big or were in large sets and were too expensive. I finally gave up and decided to … [Read more...]




Enjoy Dining Outdoors for Summer

Welcome to the 256th Tablescape Thursday! For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I created a little table setting out on the deck.   Just as I finished putting it together, I heard thunder. Yikes! Some fast picture-taking took place and just as I took the last photo, the raindrops began to fall. Whew, it was a close one.   Hope you enjoy this table setting for two. As I was … [Read more...]




101 Things You Can Do With Old Jeans, No.3: Denim Napkin Rings

Okay, I'm joking with that post title, but they're probably 101 things you could make or create with old jeans! If you're new to reading BNOTP, recently I cleaned out my closet and found three pairs of old jeans that were out of style and had magically shrunk while hanging in the closet. How DOES that happen?! Since the jeans weren't in the greatest shape, I decided to repurpose them for a fun … [Read more...]




4th of July Table Setting: Beautiful and Budget Friendly

Welcome to the 252nd Tablescape Thursday! When Sandi sent me pictures of the table she set for a small 4th of July gathering, I knew I had to share it with you.  I often get emails from BNOTP readers asking for tips on setting tables that are budget friendly, yet beautiful. One great way to stretch that tablescaping budget is to mix pieces or sets you already own or when you're out … [Read more...]




Dining on the Porch for the 4th of July

Welcome to the 251st Tablescape Thursday! Happy 4th of July! With the constant rain we've been having, it was super dark out on the porch all day yesterday. So, I waited until this morn to take some pics of this 4th of July tablescape.   This morning it was still dark and gloomy out, not exactly the sunny weather we normally have in July. That just means we have to create our own … [Read more...]




A New Use for Your Old Jeans

I'm trying to keep myself busy these days, it's part of the way I've been coping with Max's passing.  I've been clearing out closets and I came across these old jeans that are very much out of style and ahem, a little too small.  Do you have jeans in your closet like that? A little light bulb went off, something I've been wanting to do in a tablescape for a while.   I cut the back pockets off … [Read more...]




4th of July Table for Children

Welcome to the 250th Tablescape Thursday! Marie always sets the cutest children's table for each holiday or event. The one she created for her 6 grandchildren for this year's 4th of July is a delight!   The table has a "star" theme with red and white polka dot star salad plates and blue and white striped salad plates.   An overhead view...   This was the same table Marie … [Read more...]




Stars & Stripes Patriotic 4th of July Table Setting

Welcome to the 249th Tablescape Thursday! I'm excited to share another wonderful 4th of July table setting created by my friend, Marie. Marie always sets wonderful tablescapes for each holiday and this fabulous  patriotic setting is in her breakfast area. Marie found this fun dishware on eBay.  So festive for a 4th of July celebration! I've seen the flatware available on sale at Horchow but I found … [Read more...]




Table Setting Ideas for a 4th of July Party

Welcome to the 248th Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday I got together for lunch and a little antiquing with my friend, Marie. As the wife of a former Georgia Governor, patriotic holidays like Memorial Day and the 4th of July are important occasions.  Their home was decorated beautifully and I'll be sharing the decorations in an upcoming post. Today, I'm sharing two of the table settings Marie created for … [Read more...]




Three Summer Tablescapes: Patriotic and Nautical Inspired

Welcome to the 245th Tablescape Thursday! There's a Pottery Barn store just a couple miles from my home.  Dangerous, right? A few days ago while out running errands, I stopped in to see what's new for summer. I didn't buy anything, just window shopped that day.  They had three really cute tables set up so I had to snap some cell phone pics for you.  Their displays are always so creative! Are you … [Read more...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




Make a Wintry Snow Globe

I've had so much fun checking out all the "Before and Afters" linked for yesterday's Metamorphosis Monday party! Yesterday for Met Monday, I posted a garden transformation.  The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is beautifully illuminated now for their Garden Lights, Holiday Nights event.  Today's post is about another transformation, one you can make and give for Christmas or use for an upcoming dinner … [Read more...]




A Christmas Tablescape on the Porch

Welcome to the 222nd Tablescape Thursday! Here we are, on the porch in December!  This is the very first tablescape I've ever created on the porch during the month of December.  With temps in the 70's, I couldn't resist.  Seems a little strange having a bottle tree in view while gazing at a Christmas table setting.   This regal-looking guy was the inspiration for this weeks tablescape.  I … [Read more...]




A Cozy, Woodland Setting

Welcome to the 221st Tablescape Thursday!  (Pssst:  The seasonal footer at the bottom of BNOTP is all decked out with Christmas and Holiday posts.) As I put this table setting together yesterday, I thought I was creating a Christmas tablescape.  Once I sat down and began writing my post, I realized this is really a great "transition" table, a table that's as much at home for a fall or Thanksgiving dinner … [Read more...]




Colonial Williamsburg Apple Tree Form: Make Your Own

Back in December 2008, just 3-4 months after I began blogging, I created this Colonial Williamsburg style centerpiece for a Christmas party I had coming up.  I also used it for our Christmas table that year.  I make this centerpiece almost every Christmas.   It has to be my all time favorite Christmas table centerpiece. Sorry about the awful photography.  The camera I was using back in 2008 couldn't … [Read more...]




Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to 220th Tablescape Thursday!  I'm posting Tabescape Thursday early this week since tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and it will be a busy day for everyone. I'm excited to share my friend, Bonnie's beautiful Thanksgiving table this week! Come a bit closer and soak up all the wonderful details. I love, love, love all the  rich fall colors in this setting.  Such a warm, inviting table for … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Tablescape, 2012

Welcome to the 219th Tablescape Thursday! I'd also like to welcome listeners from the Bekah, Lynne, Thursdays show!  Thanks so much for stopping by and thanks to Bekah and Lynne for the shout-out today on their mid-morning show!   If you're looking for the home tour of the adorable cottage in the movie, The Holiday, you'll find it here:  Tour Rosehill Cottage from the movie, The Holiday. Thanksgiving … [Read more...]




Never Buy Place Cards for Your Tablescape Again

I've been working on my Thanksgiving table setting this week and I had it almost finished when I realized how much I didn't like the way the place cards I was using looked with the autumn colors in my tablescape.  The only place cards I have are some I purchased a few years ago and they are stark white. I hopped in the car and headed over to a couple of home stores thinking I might find something in more … [Read more...]




Two Whimsical Halloween Tablescapes

Welcome to the 217th Tablescape Thursday! What a night!  I had so many Trick-or-Treaters for Halloween.  Did you have many goblins and witches visiting your home last night?  Halloween is so different now than when I was a kid and out trick treating.  Back then (in the dark ages) the rule was you couldn't start until dark and we were always out really late.  Now, the kiddies start arriving early, usually … [Read more...]




Halloween Tablescape with Spider Cupcakes

Welcome to the 216th Tablescape Thursday! The Witching Hour: Ever since I made knock-off Pottery Barn clock plates, I've been eager to use them in a table setting.  They are finally making their appearance in a table  I'm dubbing, The Witching Hour, a term (per Wikipedia) first used in Washington Irving's short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, to signify midnight. When I read that in Wikipedia, I … [Read more...]




Elegant & Eerie Halloween Tablescape

Welcome to the 215th Tablescape Thursday!  I'm so excited to share a fabulously spooky table from my friend, Bonnie.  I must caution though, be sure to watch where you're walking.  Bonnie seems to have a bit of a bat and crow infestation in her home at the moment.  I think I see one now above that gorgeous mirror.  Shhh, if we're really quiet, maybe we won't disturb him.   Come have a seat, your … [Read more...]




Make a Crow Tree Centerpiece for Halloween

Welcome to the 194th Metamorphosis Monday!  So, tell me!  How was your weekend?  It was really pretty here in Georgia, perfect fall weather.  I've been finishing up some last-minute decorating on my porch...I'll be sharing that soon. A few days ago for Tablescape Thursday, I shared a fun Halloween inspired table setting with a crow tree centerpiece.   For Metamorphosis Monday I'm sharing … [Read more...]




Halloween Tablescape with a Crow Tree Centerpiece

Welcome to the 213th Tablescape Thursday! Last Valentine's Day I created a little "heart" tree for a Valentine's Day Tablescape. (Tablescape can be viewed here: Valentine's Day Tablescape)   Ever since, I've been itching to try that again.   Recently, I spied this spooky tree in a Pottery Barn catalog.   PB calls it a "Spooky Aspen Branch" and it can be found here where the two photos … [Read more...]




Pottery Barn Clock Plates, Make Your Own

Welcome to the 189th Metamorphosis Monday!   Back around New Years I posted a wonderful tablescape my friend, Bonnie put together for a New Year's Eve dinner party with friends.  I love vintage/antique clocks and this table was so perfect for a New Year's Eve gathering with its clock theme.   Bonnie used her Pottery Barn clock plates for this tablescape.   These plates were … [Read more...]




How to Make Rose-Scented Sugar

Welcome to the 187th Metamorphosis Monday! One of my favorite books is Roses for the Scented Room by Barbara Milo Ohrbach.  In fact, I love all her books including Antiques at Home, The Scented Room and Tabletops.  I just ordered A Passion for Antiques this evening.   All her books are very affordable at Amazon, especially if you buy them used in "Good" or "Like New" condition, which is what I almost … [Read more...]




4th of July Table Setting

Welcome to the 199th Tablescape Thursday! Greetings! Hope your week is going great.   Look what I found on my front porch today.  A package!  I wonder what could be inside? Oh, there's a little note.  Let's take a closer look and see what it says.  The note says, "Enjoy!" and it's signed, Mary.   Any guesses what might be inside?   I'll give you a big hint.  Tucked inside this … [Read more...]




A Patriotic Celebration

Welcome to the 198th Tablescape Thursday!  Hope your week is going great!  It's 12:25 AM Thursday morn as I write this.  I am a bit late finishing up my tablescape post for this week because I've been hanging with my blog friends at Haven.  We all went out to dinner this evening after the kick off of the Haven Conference and I just got home around 11:30. So, that means the pictures I'm sharing this week … [Read more...]




Easy 4th of July Centerpiece Table Decoration

Yesterday was flag day and that started me thinking about another patriotic holiday just a couple weeks away.  Last year I created this table setting for the 4th of July.     The centerpiece was so much fun to make.  I never got around to sharing just how I made it last year.   If you're looking for a festive, easy-to-make centerpiece or table decoration for an upcoming … [Read more...]




Easter Table Setting with Floral Centerpiece

Welcome to the 191st Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so  much for all the wonderful comments left on yesterday's post.   I so appreciate each and every one.  Your encouragement is giving me the perseverance I need to finish the project. I know Easter has long since past but I'm still not quite done with bunnies. This time the bunnies are in a springtime breakfast table setting. Lately, I've been … [Read more...]




Table Setting with Spode, Chinese Rose

Welcome to the 190th Tablescape Thursday! Greetings!  For this week's Tablescape Thursday, we're stopping by Cornelia's beautiful home in Switzerland.  Recently, Cornelia prepared a wonderful table setting to share with friends and family for Good Friday. Cornelia said, "I set the table with Spode’s Chinese Rose.  Chinese Rose is the most popular and long-lived of all Spode patterns, and is derived … [Read more...]




Easter Spring Table Setting with Tulip Centerpiece

Welcome to the 188th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Spring and welcome to Tablescape Thursday, a party where we celebrate our love for entertaining and creating pretty table settings for our friends and loved ones.  A beautiful table setting is really just an expression of caring and love for those who'll gather there. Tulips make such a wonderful centerpiece for a spring or Easter table … [Read more...]




Double Bowl Hurricane Floral Centerpiece: Pottery Barn Knock-Off

I've been using a lot of fresh flowers in table settings lately.  Once those cold winter months are behind us, it's such a joy to bring fresh flowers into our homes.  One of my favorite flowers is the tulip.  It's almost impossible to think of spring and not think of beautiful tulips. Tulips are a wonderful flower to give or receive for a birthday or for Mother's Day.  I've been the happy recipient of … [Read more...]




Spring Easter Table Setting with Daffodil and Moss Centerpiece

Welcome to the 187th Tablescape Thursday! Greetings!  Hope it's as beautiful where you are as it is here in Georgia.  This has been such a wonderful spring!  As I looked through the photos for this post, I noticed the background is changing with each week's table setting here on the porch.  It's getting green and woolly out there...love this time of year!   For this Tablescape Thursday, … [Read more...]




Make Heart-Shaped Sugar Cubes for Parties: A Tutorial

Recently while reading a Country Living magazine, I came across the cutest heart-shaped sugar cubes.  The magazine shared where they could be ordered but I decided to try making my own.  I thought they would be fun for parties, especially tea parties or to offer guests with coffee after dinner. Instead of white cubes as shown in the article, I decided to color mine.  Since it's so close to Easter, I … [Read more...]




Spring Easter Table Setting with Wisteria Centepiece

Welcome to the 186th Tablescape Thursday! Greetings!  Hope your week is going great.  Spring is in full swing here; everything is blooming up a storm!  For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I did something I've always wanted to do in a table setting.   I've always wanted to use Wisteria in a centerpiece.  It's just so beautiful and fragrant and it grows wild here in the south.   Each spring … [Read more...]




A St. Patrick’s Day Table Setting on the Porch

Welcome to the 185th Tablescape Thursday! Spring officially arrives on March 20th, but it's already here in Georgia.  The temps have been in the upper 70's; they even went above 80° today. It was so beautiful out the day I captured these pics.  I'm looking forward to seeing green leaves filling out the trees real soon.  I don't think it will be long now.   The sheers were dancing in the … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table Setting: Candlelit and Romantic

Welcome to the 181st Tablescape Thursday! It was another gorgeous day here...is this really February?  Since the temps reached 67 degrees today, I headed for the porch for this Tablescape Thursday. I know Valentine's Day is behind us now, but I had to squeeze in one more Valentine's Day table setting before we say good-bye to that holiday for another year.  I had envisioned this tablescape with red … [Read more...]




Decorating for Valentine’s Day

Welcome to the 160th Metamorphosis Monday! Valentine's Day is tomorrow.  I love that holiday.  How can you not love a day that's all about chocolate, romance and ♥ LOVE! ♥ It makes me smile when I remember bringing Valentine's Day cards to school.   If I close my eyes, I can still see all the colorful construction-paper folders we made and decorated.  They were strung along the wall where they … [Read more...]




Make Music-Covered Hearts for Valentine’s Day: A Tutorial

Yesterday for our Tablescape Thursday, I shared a Valentine's Day table setting with a sweet, romantic easy-to-make centerpiece.  I had been plotting thinking for some time about creating a willowy little "tree" with the River Birch branches I'm always picking up from my front yard. I decided to decorate my little birch tree with hearts so I checked several places online.  During my search I came … [Read more...]




Table Setting with Music & Mercury-Glass Heart Tree

Welcome to the 180th Tablescape Thursday! Valentine's Day is just a few days away.   Did you forward your Valentine's Day cards to the Valentine, Texas Post Master to have them postmarked with their famous stamp?  Such a cute idea!   We've been having spring-like weather for weeks here in Georgia.  Even the daffodils are in full bloom.  The porch was calling, begging me to come out and play.   … [Read more...]




Elegant New Year’s Eve Table Setting

Welcome to the 175th Tablescape Thursday!  Can you believe this is our 175th Tablescape Thursday?  Wow!  That's a lot of fabulous tablescapes when you consider how many are linked here each week.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to all you talented ladies and gents who share your amazing eye for detail and beauty.  It's so wonderful to visit your blogs.  The world just melts away for a while as I lose … [Read more...]




Elegant Dining in Brumby Hall

Welcome to the 175th Tablescape Thursday! Early this morning I posted a tour of the downstairs of beautiful Brumby Hall.  If you missed that tour, you'll find it here: Brumby Hall.  For Tablescape Thursday, I'm taking you into the dining rooms.  Yep, Brumby Hall has two dining rooms, probably due to its function as a special events facility now. This dining area was at the very back of the home. … [Read more...]




Ice Chiller for Wine or Champagne: A Tutorial

I shared how to make this wine chiller last year, but I thought it would be fun to share that post again in case you're looking for something fun for your Christmas table or for your New Year's eve celebration.  It's easy to make...you'll just need a couple of containers, water and cranberries.  Sliced lemons and limes would work, too. Tutorial:  Make a wine chiller: Last year I received a catalog in … [Read more...]




Christmas Tablescape with a Lemon & Lime Centerpiece

Welcome to the 174th Tablescape Thursday! Greetings!  Hope you’ve been having a wonderful day!  My day has been a little wacky.  I had an eye exam this morning and I forgot when you go for an eye exam, they dilate your eyes.   So, if these pics look a little blurry, you’ll know why.  lol  It was definitely a challenge taking photos and sorting them with partially dilated eyes. I love the “Colonial … [Read more...]




A Mercury-Glass Christmas Tree Table Setting

Welcome to the 173rd Tablescape Thursday! Several months ago I was shopping in Marshall's and I came across a mercury-glass Christmas tree. It was very early in the season and the stores were just starting to get Christmas stuff in. The tree was only $12.99 so I purchased it with the idea of buying a few more for my Christmas table setting this year. I was envisioning a centerpiece filled with pretty, … [Read more...]




Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Welcome to The 172nd Tablescape Thursday! Greetings and Happy Holidays! I've been working on a tablescape in the dining room this week, but I'm short one thing I need to complete it. So, last night I put together a totally different table setting in the breakfast room.  While taking pics today, I played around a little with a setting on my camera called "effects."  I've included a few pics taken in the … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Table Setting with Nature Themed Centepiece

Welcome to the 171th Tablescape Thursday! I'm a week late but for this Tablescape Thursday I'm sharing the Thanksgiving table setting I had been working on when my camera cat-astrophe occurred. All the pics in this post were taken with the new camera, a Nikon D5100. This camera is super, duper light sensitive, which is why it works so well in low lighting situations. It will take me a little while to get … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Turkey Napkin Fold Tutorial

Recently, for Tablescape Thursday, I posted a Thanksgiving tablescape with the little ones in mind.     (Tablescape below can be viewed here:  A Thanksgiving Tablescape for the Kids) It included a fun turkey napkin fold.   Today I'm sharing a tutorial showing how it's made, in case you would like to incorporate it into your Thanksgiving table this year.     To create your turkey … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Tablescape for the Kids

Welcome to the 169th Tablescape Thursday! Thanksgiving is only one week away!  Wow, this month has flown by.  For this Tablescape Thursday I put together a tablescape with the little ones in mind.  Do you set up a "kids" table each year for Thanksgiving?  Sometimes I think sitting at the kids table would be more fun than the grown-ups table.   Though this table was created with little ones in … [Read more...]




Halloween Table and Mantel…Spooky!

Happy Weekend! Are you making final preparations for all the goblins and ghouls who will soon be knocking on your door? I'll be heading out today to buy candy.  Then I'll be trying hard to not eat it all by Monday!    What's your tactic for not digging into the candy and eating it before Halloween arrives? Some folks purposely buy stuff they don't like, but where's the fun in that? lol My friend, Bonnie, … [Read more...]




Halloween Tablescape with Mercury Glass Centerpiece

Welcome to the 165th Tablescape Thursday! With only two Thursdays left between now and Halloween, I was itching to create a fun Halloween table setting.   Since this table setting is all about candlelight, I didn't wait for nightfall to light the candles. I came across the large mercury-glass pumpkin candle holders recently in Marshall's and they inspired this table setting.  They were only … [Read more...]




Warming Up on the Porch

Welcome the the 163rd Tablescape Thursday! Cool fall nights are perfect for hot chocolate out on the porch. Where would you like to sit?   How about on the swing?  There's a soft, warm blanket to keep you warm and a great book awaits.   The late afternoon sun is so wonderful streaming in across the porch.     The evening breeze carries the … [Read more...]




Romantic Candlelight Table Setting

Welcome to the 157th Tablescape Thursday! You may feel like Bill Murray in the movie, Groundhog Day as you view the following tablescape.  In last week's Tablescape Thursday post, I mentioned I had created a tablescape on the porch and it somehow mysteriously moved itself right out on to the deck, turning into this romantic table setting. Since the original table on the porch was still set, I … [Read more...]




Romantic Table Setting for Two

Welcome to the 156th Tablescape Thursday! Tomorrow, August 18th, Between Naps on the Porch turns 3 years old.  The last three years have flown by so very quickly.  Thank you for visiting and being here every day.  I appreciate so much that you share your time with me! Let's have dinner on the deck tonight.  It feels so nice out. I'll pour the wine...you just sit and enjoy. So romantic, dining … [Read more...]