Romantic Dining For Two, Including A Beautiful Raspberry Lemon Cake Dessert

Welcome to the 805th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Leap Year Day! Earlier this week I shared a beautiful Valentine's Day table setting that Martha created for her Supper Club. If you missed that table setting, you'll find it here: Velvet & Sequins for Metamorphosis Monday—Pretty Daffodils, Too!)   That tablescape had an interesting change made, a twist ending that I just recently learned … [Read more...]




Velvet & Sequins For Metamorphosis Monday—Pretty Daffodils, Too!

Welcome to the 787th Metamorphosis Monday! So I had an exciting weekend! Not! After an appliance repairman diagnosed and fixed an icemaker problem (it's ALWAYS the icemaker, isn't it?!) I spent the weekend giving my refrigerator a full, top-to-bottom cleaning that included pulling out all the shelves and drawers and replacing two smallish light bulbs inside, one of which had burned out at some point … [Read more...]




2 Beautiful Valentine’s Day Tables—One Created By A Loving Hubby & One That’s Budget Friendly

Welcome to the 803rd Tablescape Thursday! I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day yesterday! ❤️  I know for sure Brenda did because she wrote, "I wanted to share with you a Valentine's table setting my husband set all himself and surprised me. Normally I am the lead and he is what he calls himself “the beast of burden” carrying things in and out."   Brenda's hubby created the … [Read more...]




Romantic Valentine’s Day Table Setting With Heart Cake Dessert & Spring Tulips

Welcome to the 802nd Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day just a week away, I decided it was time to bake some cute heart cakes. It has been ages since I made these for Valentine's.   I did the dumbest thing this time, though! I always, always grease and flour a cake pan when baking a regular layer cake, but for some crazy reason, I didn't flour the heart cake pan after greasing it this … [Read more...]




Beautiful, Dramatic Valentine’s Day Centerpiece That You Can Make In Mere Minutes!

Welcome to the 784th Metamorphosis Monday! Valentine's Day is just 9 days away. Could you use a fabulous, easy-to-make centerpiece to celebrate? My dear friend, Teresa, shared this stunning photo with me of a beautiful, whimsical arrangement created by a friend of hers, also named Teresa. I loved it the second I saw it! After a few text messages back and forth, Teresa, the owner of this lovely centerpiece … [Read more...]




Spring Valentine’s Day Table With A Most Unusual Floral Centerpiece

Welcome to the 799th Tablescape Thursday! When I awoke at 4 am this morning and came downstairs to set a table for Tablescape Thursday, it was 15 degrees out on the porch. As I type this, the temps have finally reached a balmy 30 degrees. All this cold weather has me yearning for spring! Today's table is a combination Spring/Valentine's Day table with a most unusual centerpiece.   Springtime … [Read more...]




A Woodland-Themed Valentine’s Day Table With A Touch Of Spring

Welcome to the 750th Tablescape Thursday! Happy (almost) Valentine's Day! I put this table together very late last night and it was super cloudy out as I took these photos. I long for sunny days! Spring is coming, we just have to hang in there a little while longer.   My Australian friends are winding down their summer. I've always wondered what it would be like to experience Christmas in a … [Read more...]




5 Whimsical Ways to Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day Table

Welcome to the 749th Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day just a couple of weeks away, here are a few fun ideas to spice up your Valentine's Day table. I am definitely not the most experienced baker but these heart cakes were super easy to make.   The hearts can be filled with raspberry jam or whatever you wish. (Find the cake recipe I used here: Make Raspberry Heart Cakes for … [Read more...]




This Will Have You Dreaming Of Spring–Guaranteed!

Welcome to the 747th Tablescape Thursday! I've been working on a table but it's not ready for prime time, so yesterday I decided to take a little trip to my nearby Pottery Barn to scope out the new Valentine's Day, Easter/spring goodies. Currently, we are in a yucky, never-ending rain pattern here, so PB was the only store I visited. There was just 1 table set in PB and I didn't take any photos of it … [Read more...]




A Cozy Valentine’s Day Table by Lamplight

Welcome to the 746th Tablescape Thursday! I'm starting to think ahead to Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day dinners are usually romantic affairs for two, but I couldn't resist setting a full table.   Yesterday was busy around here with appointments. The storage room in the basement was measured for its door and other repairs were being made, so it was kind of late before I had an opportunity to … [Read more...]




A Valentine’s Day Celebration with Friends

Welcome to the 698th Tablescape Thursday! Valentine's Day is just a few days away. Jackie shared a table with me recently that would be perfect for inviting friends over for a Valentine's Day celebration and the first thing I noticed was her beautifully decorated chandelier!   So pretty! Love the beaded garland! It's a little hard to see since the chandelier is on in the photo below, but … [Read more...]




Emily in Paris Inspired Table Setting with Cheesecake for Dessert!

Welcome to the 697th Tablescape Thursday! Are you an Emily in Paris fan? I do not subscribe to Netflix so had never heard of the series until I received an email from Brenda. Brenda said, "I was excited about this table setting as we are paying tribute to the show Emily in Paris. We were testing different cheesecakes for the bakery side of our business for Peaceful Valley Farm. We even make the candles … [Read more...]




Love, Lust, Passion & Romance–This Cozy Valentine’s Day Table Has It All

Welcome to the 696th Tablescape Thursday! It's the yearly meeting of the Valentine's Day Book Club and this year it's all about love, lust, passion, and romance. ♥♥♥   When it's cold out, I crave candlelight and cozy plaids.   Hope you enjoy this cozy meeting of the Valentine's Day Book Club.   I kept all the titles facing forward for … [Read more...]




Kissing Booth, This Way Please!

Welcome to the 629th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! Hope you had an awesome Valentine's Day yesterday! If you didn't get to spend it with a special someone, I hope you spoiled yourself and spent the day doing whatever you enjoy most! Elinda, whose lovely tables I've featured previously for Tablescape Thursday, shared some delightful photos with me yesterday of … [Read more...]




Sparkly Beading is the Star of this Beautiful Valentine’s Day Tablescape!

How about one more Valentine's Day table before we head into Valentine's Day weekend! Maureen recently shared some photos of the beautiful table she has put together this year for Valentine's Day and I'm in love with all the beautiful beaded pieces she's used in her table.   Love the beaded table runner down the center, you'll see a closer photo of it a bit further down in this post. Maureen … [Read more...]




Porch Dining: A Valentine’s Day Table on a Warm February Day + A Tree Update

Welcome to the 646th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! It was sunny and 70 degrees out on the porch yesterday! Since I stay inside hunkered down this time of year, I discovered it purely by accident when I walked outside to refill all the bird feeders. I was astonished and couldn't pass up the chance to set a table outside. It happens every year, the … [Read more...]




3 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Tables

Welcome to the 645th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! I was feeling a little nostalgic this morning as I was looking back through some of my previous Valentine's Day table settings. If you are looking for a bit of inspiration for your upcoming Valentine's Day, you'll find all the tables I've set over the past 12 years for Valentine's Day here: … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table: Adorable and Budget Friendly!

Welcome to the 644th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Jackie, whose beautiful tables I've shared a few times in the past, has put together a fun table for Valentine's Day this year.   I love how Jackie always adds a little something to her chandelier for her holiday dinners. The roses are the perfect touch for a Valentine's Day … [Read more...]




A Woodland-Themed Valentine’s Day Table—Not Your Usual Valentine’s Day Table

Welcome to the 595th Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day tomorrow, I thought it would be appropriate to place this week's tablescape here in my very red dining room. lol   This table is not your usual Valentine's Day table.   But there are definitely some red hearts here and there.   The idea for this table popped into my head a few weeks ago when I came … [Read more...]




A Romantic Candlelit Table for Valentine’s Day

Welcome to the 541st Tablescape Thursday! Never seems to matter what time of the morning/day I begin putting a table together for Tablescape Thursday, I never seem to complete it until after nightfall. Candlelight pictures are nice, right? :) But I would still like to share some daytime photos with you, so you'll find those further down in this post. These were taken last night and the daylight … [Read more...]




A Valentine’s Day Table, Plus a DIY Heart-Wreath Topiary Craft

Welcome to the 490th Tablescape Thursday! How was your Valentine's Day? I hope it was lovely and that you were surrounded with lots of loved from those you love the most. I have a beautiful Valentine's Day table to share with you today. Elinda, who reads BNOTP, enjoys entertaining and creating beautiful table settings for her family. She recently shared some wonderful photos of the table she put … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table Setting with a Guest Appearance by the Easter Bunny

Welcome to the 488th Tablescape Thursday! We are in the dining room for this week's Tablescape Thursday.   It was quite late when I took these photos, so please excuse some of the darker pics.   Update: Adding a photo taken this morning with a bit of natural light coming in through the windows.   Have you ever wondered what the Easter Bunny does during the off … [Read more...]




17 Charger Plate Ideas for Your Next Dinner Party

Welcome to the 454th Tablescape Thursday! Whenever I set a table for friends or family, I often use a charger plate underneath the dinner plate. I love the way they enhance a setting, adding another pretty layer and providing a base for each place setting. They are also practical as they help catch drips that would otherwise fall on the table or tablecloth. Back in early 2008, before I ever began … [Read more...]




A Beautiful Table Setting to Honor a Special Life

Welcome to the 441st Tablescape Thursday! Elena  planned a special Valentine's Day table this year. She wanted it to be extra special for her family, especially since her sister Anna would be attending. Anna had a heart transplant in January 2000 and during the past year she had been very sick.   Unfortunately, Anna didn't have the opportunity to attend this special dinner in person, … [Read more...]




Beautiful Valentine’s Day Table Settings & A Clever Idea for Candle Storage

Welcome to the 439th Tablescape Thursday! Last week I used the very latest version of InLinkz for Metamorphosis Monday and Tablescape Thursday. For most folks, it worked fine, but I've heard from 4-5 readers who were unable to see the party links. Until we can figure out what's causing that issue, I've gone back to using the old version of InLinkz for today. If you were having an issue seeing the … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table with Vintage Copeland Spode, Tower

Welcome to the 438th Tablescape Thursday! Please Note: I'm using the latest version of InLinkz for today's Tablescape Thursday party. If you have trouble seeing the links (or the button to link up to the party) please check to make sure you are using the latest version of your browser. You may have trouble seeing the links or linking up if your browser is an older version. Thanks so much for all your … [Read more...]




Where Did You Get That Flatware?

Welcome to the 409th Tablescape Thursday! I've been out of town visiting with family for the last five days and just got back late yesterday evening. Since I wasn't home to create a tablescape, I thought it might be fun to put together a post all about flatware. Flatware is to a table setting what jewelry or shoes are to an outfit. The right flatware can be the perfect finishing touch to a beautiful … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table Setting with Vintage Copeland Spode Tower

Welcome to the 385th Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day just a couple of weeks away, I'm sharing a fun Valentine's Day table setting today. Valentine's Day is normally a romantic celebration for two, but I couldn't resist putting together a whimsical setting for the holiday.   Mr. Bunny is back and he brought us some goodies! He has acted as the centerpiece in many previous … [Read more...]




Plaid, Paisley and Velvet For Valentine’s Day

Welcome to the 333rd Tablescape Thursday! This week I'm sharing a Valentine's Day table setting that's a little different. I experimented around with mixing different patterns including plaid, paisley and velvet-edged napkin sheaths with a burlap-like look. The overall result is a Valentine's Day table setting with a bit of a masculine feel.     A red lantern worked well as a … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table Settings, Napkin Folds & Recipes

Welcome to the 332nd Tablescape Thursday! Before we get into this week's Tablescape Thursday, I just wanted to say you guys are GOOD! It didn't take long for you to name every single one of the books yesterday! Can you imagine being the person who designed the Quotes throw. I don't know how they ever decided what books to feature, that would have been torture! Saving At Checkout I also wanted to … [Read more...]




Moonlight & Magnolias, Romantic Table Setting for Two

Welcome to the 299th Tablescape Thursday! The magnolia trees are in bloom here in Georgia, I love their sweet "lemonade" scent.   It was warm out, but not too warm for a tablescape for two on the deck.   I cut a few magnolia blossoms for our centerpiece and tucked them down inside a white pitcher.   Rarely do I find two magnolia blossoms really close together … [Read more...]




Whimsical Valentine’s Day Tablescape, Alice in Wonderland Style

Welcome to the 283rd Tablescape Thursday! Happy "day-before" Valentine's Day! I love creating whimsical table settings and I love creating themed tablescapes. This table setting is a combination of both, a Valentine's Day setting with an extra-large helping of whimsy on the side.   It all started when I stopped by the dollar store about a week ago to check out their gift wrap. While there … [Read more...]




3 Valentine’s Day Table Settings

Welcome to the 282nd Tablescape Thursday! I've been working on a little project this past week that's taking a fair amount of time...hope to share it before long. Since I didn't have a chance to put a tablescape together for this week, I'm sharing links to three oldies but goodies from the past.   Just click on the title of the tablescape to visit that past table setting where you'll find … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Napkin Fold Tutorial

Welcome to the 280th Tablescape Thursday! Two years ago, the day before Valentine's Day, I posted about a few Valentine's Day decorations in the guest room.  I decorated the foot of the bed with heart garland.   I placed a little teascape on a wicker tray along with a few sweet-scented daffodils cut from the garden.   For this cheerful tea setting, I created a cute, heart … [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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




A Valentine’s Day Table Setting with a Sweet Centerpiece

Welcome to the 128th Tablescape Thursday! Today I'm sharing a Valentine's Day tablescape with a fun, tasty centerpiece. I've posted the tutorial showing how it's made Ice Cream Candy-Car Sundae.  This sweet treat makes a great Valentine's Day or birthday gift. You'll love how easy and inexpensive it is to make. Also, you'll find a tutorial for the napkin fold I used in this tablescape here: Pocket Napkin … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Breakfast

Welcome to the 127th Tablescape Thursday! A few months ago, I came across flavored chocolate "coffee spoons" at Marshalls. The flavors are: Hazelnut, Mocha, Mint, Irish Cream, French Vanilla and Amaretto. On a trip to Trader Joes I decided to try their gingerbread. Do these not sound like the perfect winter "comfort" foods? They also sound like the perfect ingredients for a Valentine's Day … [Read more...]




Romantic Table for Two on the Deck

Welcome the 91st Tablescape Thursday! She Walks in Beauty Like the Night by Lord Byron She walks in beauty, like the night   Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the … [Read more...]




Make Heart-Shaped Cakes for Valentine’s Day

I've received several comments and e-mails asking about the cake recipe I used to make the little heart shaped cakes featured in last week's Tablescape Thursday.  They were made with a cake recipe given to me by my mother-in-law many years ago. It's a basic cake recipe called a 1234 Cake, and it's the same recipe I use when I make a coconut cake each year at Christmastime.  You'll find a printable version … [Read more...]




Romantic Valentine’s Day Tablescape

Welcome to the 76th Tablescape Thursday! Pssst, come over here a sec. Shhh, have to whisper, so your Valentine Sweetheart doesn't hear. Guess what I just found out?! It's the neatest thing! If you put all your Valentines in a big envelope and send them to the Postmaster in the tiny town of Valentine, Texas, she will stamp them all with a big RED stamp that says: VALENTINE, TEXAS! Imagine your Valentine's … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Tablescape: Be Mine

Welcome to the 75th Tablescape Thursday! Have you ever wondered about the origin of those little candy hearts with the cute and sometimes corny messages? Last year, I had some fun putting together a tablescape using them in some creative ways. Since Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching, I thought I'd share that tablescape again, along with some interesting facts about this well-loved candy. This … [Read more...]




Fireside Dining in the Library with Spode Woodland

Welcome to the 27th Tablescape Thursday! When I came across this room in a magazine, the thing that really caught my eye stopping me dead in my tracks, was the gorgeous tablecloth. It was just so over-the-top and impractical, which of course, was exactly why I loved it! I started pricing lace tablecloths online and quickly realized I would not be buying one any time soon--some were over $1,000! A … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table Setting with Yummy Heart Cakes

Welcome to the 24th Tablescape Thursday! Ok, I know it's really the first Tablescape Thursday...but I didn't want to start the count over just because our tablescaping day moved two days down the week. I'll be sharing a Valentine's Tablescape today and I'd love to know where you think it looks best...the breakfast room or the dining room.  I put together a little Valentine's table to share today. I … [Read more...]