Build a Potting Table, Great for Parties, Too!

February 26, 2014 by 146 Comments

Love! That perfectly describes how I felt when I saw this picture of the Abbott Potting Table online. Was it the orchids that lured me in, those wonderful old windows or was it that fabulous potting table? I've always wanted a potting bench or potting table. I was doubly smitten when I realized the table could also function as a serving table for parties! Awesome!  There was just one problem, it was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decor Knock-offs, DIY Decorating, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: ,



Ice, Ice Baby!

February 12, 2014 by 105 Comments

The ice is here and still falling. I think it ends around mid-day tomorrow. The birds don't appear to be coming to the feeders. I can't see the food so I'm pretty sure it's frozen up inside the feeder and not dropping down. Or maybe it's the ice on the ring where they would normally stand that's keeping them away. I put bird seed on the rails of the deck last night before turning in, but it's all iced over … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden



Build a Garden Shed From a Child’s Play Gym Set

February 10, 2014 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 263rd Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, I came across a Before and After online that just blew me away. Angela who blogs at UnFussy Fussiness had a large play set in her backyard that her children had sadly outgrown and were no longer using. Shouldn't it be against the law or something for our children to do that? They grow up way, way too fast! Angela decided it was time to do something … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden



A Little Bit of Everything

January 28, 2014 by 86 Comments

It's snowing a teensy bit in Georgia today, nothing too serious although I do see the cars crawling very slowly on the road back behind my home. Think I'll stay home and not get out in it.   I wanted to give you a little update on the dovecote in the garden. I'm afraid things have gone from bad to worse.   Remember this?   I'm pretty sure it was caused by a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden



Decorate A Lantern For Christmas With Greenery From The Garden

December 2, 2013 by 66 Comments

Welcome to the 253rd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and an awesome weekend! I worked on Christmas decorations for the front porch and it's basically done, but it feels like something is missing. I'm not sure what just yet, but I'll figure it out and share it soon. So, for today I thought I'd share how I've decorated the gas lantern this year. Throughout the year, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, The Holiday Home



Wildlife Visitors to the Autumn Garden

September 7, 2013 by 37 Comments

My friend Bonnie lives in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, the state of Oregon. She and hubby Leon have a lovely home surrounded by the most amazing gardens. They share it with some real characters, too! There's Pearl who loves to remove to the top off the bird feeder and carry it as far away as possible in an effort to keep Leon from placing it back on the feeder.   She … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



A Brick Walkway Redesign

September 3, 2013 by 63 Comments

In my front yard, there lives a Southern Magnolia, Grandiflora. And grand she is! I didn't place her here. Even with my limited knowledge of gardening, I know better than to plant a Southern Magnolia 10 feet out from a house. (Remember when the yard looked like this?)   Let's take a little ride in my time machine. The year is 1989 and we are house hunting or "trying out houses" as Chip who … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



Boxwood Topiaries for a Traditional Landscape

September 2, 2013 by 86 Comments

Welcome to the 240th Metamorphosis Monday! How's your Labor Day weekend going? I hope you're having a fun one! Well, it took some doing but I finally found a couple of matching boxwoods for the planters I purchased recently for the front porch area. Remember these large containers I purchased a couple of weeks ago?  They replaced the too-small concrete pots that had been there for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



Living in the Garden of Weeden

August 30, 2013 by 63 Comments

I have a dirty little secret, actually it's more like a weedly little secret. While I've been working on this side of the yard... I've been trying hard to ignore this side. I just wasn't ready to face the disaster that awaits on the other side of the driveway. Years ago my perennial garden contracted a terrible weed infestation. I'm talking super-dooper, on steroids, kind of weed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden



Dinner on the Porch and A Garden Tour

August 27, 2013 by 38 Comments

Thanks so much for your wonderful comments on yesterday's post! Posts like that are a little hard for me to write because I can easily feel overwhelmed with emotions when looking back at old photos. I know all you Moms and Dads know what I mean. Thanks so much for all the well-wishes for Chip and Nancy. As you get older you realize there are so many seasons to life and soon I'll be moving into another … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden



How To Create a Watermelon Flower-Garden Centerpiece

August 23, 2013 by 41 Comments

  Each summer I like to create a table setting with a carved watermelon centerpiece. I missed last year but I couldn't let this summer get away without trying a new one. They are just so much fun to do! (You'll find the table setting below here: Summer Table Setting with Carved Flower Garden Watermelon Centerpiece) Two summers ago I carved this whale centerpiece. You'll find the tutorial for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Independence Day Recipes, Recipes, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes



Create a Small, Sun-Loving Perennial Garden

August 19, 2013 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 238th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I did a little more planting and if the rain will let up, I'm headed to a nursery today in search of plants for the large planters I purchased recently for the porch. I'm in a bit of a conundrum, though. Two of the nurseries I have talked to told me they will be getting large shipments in for fall, so I'm trying to decide: Do I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest



New Lattice Planters for the Porch

August 16, 2013 by 68 Comments

You know those days when you run and work, work and run, but at the end of the day you're not real sure what you've gotten accomplished. Lately some of my days are feeling that way. I'm kind of in never-never land or maybe a better term is landscaping limbo. I have about forty-eleven projects running through my head and some require decision making, some require additional money and some require input … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest



A Landscaping “To-Do” List and a Surprise “Before and After”

August 13, 2013 by 150 Comments

I've been putting off a major landscape renovation for several years. I knew it would have to start with some serious tree removal and the process would be expensive and emotionally taxing. I hate cutting down trees but there is no shortage of trees in my yard, my neighborhood or this area. If anything, as I drive around my area I see so many houses in the same situation mine was in--buried behind and under … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest



Adding Color and Whimsy to the Garden

August 12, 2013 by 80 Comments

Welcome to the 237th Metamorphosis Monday! This weekend was a first for me. It was the first time I've ever planted annuals in August. When I went shopping, I wasn't sure if I'd find any since I've never shopped for them this late in the season. Surprisingly the usual places (hardware stores, big box discount stores and garden centers) do have them, even in August. The selection isn't what it is in mid … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Water New Grass with an In-ground Irrigation System

August 9, 2013 by 40 Comments

One of the chief components to ensuring a newly installed lawn takes root and establishes well is water, lots and lots of water. I was told by my landscaper and the sod farm to water it at least twice a day for the first two weeks. If we were having a really super hot August (thankfully, we're not) I'd probably have to water even more. Fortunately, when I moved into this house 22 years ago, I installed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest



Chipmunk Baths

August 6, 2013 by 52 Comments

When I decided to sod my yard with Zeon Zoysia, to save money I planned to do it in two stages: Front yard, followed by the back yard next summer. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that was probably not such a great idea. I was concerned the grass in the front yard would get damaged next summer when the backyard sodding process got underway. I'm so glad now I went ahead and did both at the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, For the Love of Birds, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest Tagged With: ,



A Sweet Bird Girl in the Garden

August 5, 2013 by 97 Comments

Welcome to the 236th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I spent all day Friday and Saturday at the Haven Conference in Atlanta. On Sunday, I finished putting out another 25 bags of mulch. That brings the total to 102 bags of mulch! Normally it wouldn't take that much mulch but many of the beds/islands are empty, awaiting shrubs this fall. Today I'm taking you into the yard to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest Tagged With: , , , , ,



Zeon Zoysia for the Front Yard

July 31, 2013 by 93 Comments

Yesterday was definitely a day of mixed emotions, first excitement, then some disappointment.  Though things didn't go quite as planned, I still have some fun "after" photos to share. The Zeon Zoysia sod was delivered and installation got underway. As the day wore on, it became apparent there wasn't enough sod to complete the job. The side yard and a portion of the back still needs sod, so instead … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest Tagged With: , ,



Sod Day!

July 30, 2013 by 48 Comments

Today is another crazy day in the neighborhood.  This morning there was still a little work to be done in preparation for the sod, but the sod is here. 12 pallets waiting to be installed in the front and back. I went with Zeon Zoysia.  I have plenty of sun out front but the back is kind of shady. Zeon is the most shade tolerant of all the warm-season turf grass varieties. It's a fine-textured … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , , , ,



A Gardening “Before and After”

July 24, 2013 by 29 Comments

Wow, crazy day! This post was suppose to be up hours ago but so much has happened today, I'm running way behind.  I've decided to go ahead and sod the back yard at the same time the front yard is being done.  Since the job has grown, we've decided to wait and start it on Monday. Monday will be prep day and Tuesday will be install day, barring no more rain. The sod farms can't cut sod when it's standing in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , ,



Landscape Renovation: Big Changes and Ready for the Sod

July 17, 2013 by 57 Comments

Things are starting to happen quickly now with the front landscape renovation. The stump grinder guy didn't make it out yesterday but he is on his way now as I type this. Then the slate will be clean for the sod installation on Tuesday. Yipee! Last week I drove by a few of the lawns installed by the company I've chosen to install my sod.  I've decided to go with Zeon Zoysia.  I like what I've read online … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



Front Yard Landscape Renovation

July 1, 2013 by 109 Comments

Welcome to the 231st Metamorphosis Monday! Before I dive into this week's Met Monday, just wanted to take a second to answer a question I've been getting about the BNOTP newsletter, Postcards from the Porch. I haven't sent one out since Max passed because I just didn't have the energy to create blog posts and put together the newsletter, too. I will be starting it back up soon though, most likely this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest



Front Yard Landscape Makeover: The Beginning

June 28, 2013 by 96 Comments

Atlanta has a lot of nicknames, Hotlanta and The Big Peach to name a few.  My favorite has always been, the City in the Forest. Apparently, it got that name because when flying into Hartsfield Jackson, Atlanta appears to be nestled down into a forest.  The drought has taken its toll on a lot of trees over the last few years though, so not sure if Atlanta is still living up to its City in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest Tagged With: , , , , ,



Shady Porches, Lazy Hammocks and Tire Swings: A Garden Tour

June 18, 2013 by 35 Comments

Last spring, or maybe it was the spring before that...I forget, a friend and I went on a spring garden tour.  Even though it was a garden tour, I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of some of the wonderful houses we saw along the way. I'm such a sap for a yellow cottage. Love the double peaks, the red chimneys on either end contrasting against the butter-yellow color of the home and of course that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Tabletop Greenhouse for Growing Herbs

June 3, 2013 by 80 Comments

Welcome to the 227th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! Hope your weekend was wonderful! Today for Met Monday, I'm sharing a small update out on the porch.  I don't often change things out here since I'm pretty happy with it, as is.  If I make a change something else usually has to leave. A while back I made an update to the small oval table under the Summer Breeze sign.  You may remember, it got … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Backyard Paradise Perfect for Entertaining

May 22, 2013 by 33 Comments

It's spring!  The flowers are blooming, the birds and bees are busy do birdie and bee things and it's time for a garden tour!  Phyllis who blogs at Around the House has one of the most beautiful backyards I've ever seen.  Wait until you see what's behind this fabulous gate!  I love the basket of flowers on the gate because it a small hint of the beauty just on the other side. Ready?  Let's go! As we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,



Fill Those Summer Pots and Planters Without Blowing the Budget

May 10, 2013 by 89 Comments

This past Sunday I managed to get a little planting done before the rain started back.  Most of the planting took place on the deck off to the right of the porch, the one with the bottle tree. Come spring, I'm always looking for ways to spruce up and add color and life to the deck without spending a whole bunch.  Bottle trees are a great way to add color and liven things up and they require no … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, Porches Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,



The Rescue

April 26, 2013 by 88 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Water Plants While Away on Vacation

March 12, 2013 by 52 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Atlanta Botanical Garden: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

December 10, 2012 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 203rd Metamorphosis Monday! Recently the Atlanta Botanical Garden went through an amazing metamorphosis.  Each year during the Christmas season, the gardens become a magical fairyland.  A lovely friend of mine works there as a volunteer and she invited me along for the opening night this year.  It truly was awe-inspiring and I'm taking you along, too! Can you just imagine all the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Dining in the Garden at Greenwood’s on Green Street

August 21, 2012 by 23 Comments

A friend and I recently had dinner at one of my fave restaurants, Greenwood's in Roswell, Georgia.  When you visit Greenwood's, not only do you enjoy a great home-cooked meal, but you get a wonderful garden tour, too.  Here's a view of one section of the sidewalk out front of  the restaurant.  On the other side of the brick wall is a large courtyard where folks either dine or wait for a table to become … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



A Beautiful Mosaic Planter for the Front Porch

June 8, 2012 by 38 Comments

Moving a blog is a lot like moving in real life.  Do you remember the last time you moved?  You know it's going to be a big job but you really don't know how big until you are in the thick of it.  And while in the midst of it, you probably think to yourself, "I'll never do this again."  Once you're all settled in your new home, you're happy you did it.  I'm not quite to the happy stage, but I'm getting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: ,



A Secret Garden Tablescape

May 28, 2012 by 42 Comments

Welcome to the 195th Tablescape Thursday! Wow, what a week!  This is turning out to be one of the busiest and most exciting weeks I've had in a while.  My son and his sweetheart were here last night.  We're all in wedding mode since the big day is just 4 days away.  After dinner out we came back home and stayed up late into the night talking.  I miss them terribly and love it when they are here … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , ,



Kimberly Queen: The Shed-free Fern

May 8, 2012 by 41 Comments

Thanks so much for all your input yesterday!  So far, the tall file organizer seems to be leading in the voting.  You all made so many great points about the pros/cons for both the short and the tall.   It is tempting to keep them both as so many folks suggested. This week I've been working on spiffying up the porch a bit more for spring and summer.  I just discovered a plant I didn't know about before … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , ,



A Garden Seat for the Porch

April 21, 2012 by 24 Comments

When I last left you I had purchased this cute little garden seat for the screened-in porch.  That was the plan.   Well, you know what they say about "best laid plans."   Once I brought it upstairs...   And tried it out as a little side table for this reading corner in the guest room, I didn't want to take it away. I really, really liked how it looked here.   So … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Before & After, Blue & White Design & Decor, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , ,



Garden Seat, So Versatile for the Home or Garden

April 17, 2012 by 33 Comments

As the years pass things wear out, my ideas for a room in my home may change, or I find something better for a space than what's currently there.  Does that happen in your home, too?  It gives us an opportunity to "freshen up" and revive our rooms, giving them new life. A while back, just for fun, I created a "wish list" board at Pinterest.   It's a virtual pin board where I can store a picture or idea … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Blue & White Design & Decor, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest, Nature, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: ,



Wake Up the Porch & Decks for Spring

April 9, 2012 by 53 Comments

Welcome to the 168th Metamorphosis Monday! Preparing the Porch and Decks for Spring: Cleaning and Planting At the start of this past winter, I decided to try something new.  Instead of tossing the big geranium that lives all summer on the porch, and the three smaller ones visible behind this summer table setting below, I tucked them all away in my garage for the winter. Amazingly, they lived.  They … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Double Bowl Hurricane Floral Centerpiece: Pottery Barn Knock-Off

April 3, 2012 by 49 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decor Knock-offs, Easter Crafts, Easter Decorating, Easter Holiday Home, Easter Table Settings, Easter Tablescapes, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Sometimes the Grass Really Is Greener on the Other Side

November 25, 2011 by 63 Comments

A while back I set up a little cozy, fall  'scape out on the porch.   A few weeks before creating that little tablescape, I had purchased some real acorns on Amazon.  They were reasonably priced  and perfect for  fall.  (You'll find more pics of this fall tablescape, HERE.)   The funny thing is, I have a HUGE oak tree in my front yard.   But for some crazy reason, 99.9% of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Seasonal Decor, Thanksgiving Decor, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , ,



Make a Wind Chime from Old Spoons and Forks

October 17, 2011 by 49 Comments

Welcome to the 143rd Metamorphosis Monday! For Met Monday, I'm sharing a fun Before and After you can make at home.  Recently, I posted a movie house tour of the amazing house in the movie, Practical Magic.  While watching the movie, there was a scene that reminded me of  something I had seen recently while out antiquing.  In the movie, the Aunts (Aunt Jet and Aunt Frances) have a fun wind chime hanging … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Movie Houses, Nature, TV & Movie House Fun Tagged With: , ,



Green Card

September 4, 2011 by 49 Comments

Take a Tour of the Beautiful, Historic Apartment in the movie, Green Card While putting together a recent post listing a whole bunch of my fave decorating and design books, I came across my copy of The Conservatory Book by Peter Marston.  This book is filled with pictures of beautiful greenhouses. The book reminded me of another beautiful greenhouse, the one in one of my favorite movies, Green … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Movie House Tours, Movie Houses, Nature, Valentine's Day Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Movies Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Bottle Tree Dreams in Abundance

August 26, 2011 by 48 Comments

When I last shared a few pics of my bottle tree, it was looking pretty puny.   (If you're wondering what in tarnation a bottle tree is, check out this previous post: Bottle Tree: The Poor Man's Stained Glass   I've been waiting for Hobby Lobby to have another "glass" sale.  In the meantime, I've collected 3-4 more, via consumption.  Plus, my BFF, Jan, dropped a couple by recently, too.  I think she took … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Jan’s Beautiful Bottle Tree

July 26, 2011 by 32 Comments

A while back I shared some images of a bottle tree I had purchased at the Ballard Designs store in Atlanta.  It was on sale, marked down from $349 to $60.   I've gradually been adding a few bottles to it, including the glass float ball you see on the top. It's still a bit naked...a work in progress.   While in Savannah on vacation a couple of months back, I told my friend, Jan, all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Bottle Tree Shopping

June 14, 2011 by 26 Comments

Has anyone seen my computer mouse? I was planning on posting again today, but I can't seem to find the mouse. ;)   Bottle Tree Shopping: Not to beat the bottle tree "horse" to death, but I do want to share a resource I found recently in case you have a bottle tree and are looking for hard-to-find colors and unusual shaped bottles. Turns out Hobby Lobby carries bottles of all sizes and in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Bottle Tree Dreams and Yard Art Fantasies

June 10, 2011 by 62 Comments

Help! I'm becoming one of those people! You know the one...the crazy neighbor down the street who has so much yard art, the addition of just one more tchotchke will take his yard from tasteful to tacky, from whimsical to wacky. Okay, I'm not that bad. Yet. But I'm working on it. ;) If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember I started saving bottles about a year ago for a future bottle … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Wormsloe

May 24, 2011 by 28 Comments

I've been to Savannah, Georgia many times over the years. Each time I've visited this historic city, when it came time to leave and head back home, I always thought, "Fiddlesticks! I did it again!" I came all the way to Savannah and didn't find that awesome road...the one with the arching trees overhead. I was always so disappointed and mad at myself that I kept forgetting to ask where it was and how to get … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, Travel Tagged With: ,



Debutante Camellias in a Springtime Tablescape

March 24, 2011 by 83 Comments

Welcome to the 135th Tablescape Thursday! It was such a gorgeous day here...70's and breezy. I decided to set this week's tablescape in the breakfast room. My camellia bush has almost finished blooming. Amazingly the blooms are much deeper and richer in color now than they were a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it's the warm weather we've been having for the past two weeks. I couldn't resist … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Backyard Paradise

March 23, 2011 by 29 Comments

Y'all, Phyllis from Around the Househas been holding out on us! I've got the goods on her now, though. Phyllis spends her days blogging in a beautiful paradise and it's right in her own backyard. Come along for a little garden tour...and try to not be as jealous as I am! ;) What a gorgeous way to use a fountain! Let's go for a stroll in her lush garden. This waterfall must sound … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: ,



Beautiful Camellias

March 5, 2011 by 51 Comments

My camellia bush was positively covered in buds before the week-long winter storm hit in January. It made me sad to see them all ruined. This past week we had some warmer than normal temps and once again the camellia is covered in buds...some just beginning to open. Camellias look as if they should have a scent, but they do not...or at least the camellias I've seen do not. They come in quite an array … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , ,



A Dovecote in the Garden

February 25, 2011 by 32 Comments

A Dovecote in the Garden Landscape Recently, I posted about a kind soul who came to my "rescue." That post contained lots of photos of the large dovecote in my perennial garden that runs along my driveway. I received several e-mails from readers asking for more information about this bird house and where I found it. My interest in a dovecote for my garden came from years of going on garden tours. Often, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Garden, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,



Growing Orchids

January 21, 2011 by 42 Comments

My sweet son sent me this beautiful orchid for my birthday last week. The enclosed card said he thought I would enjoy having it near my computer during the day while I work. He knows me well. I've never had much luck keeping orchids alive. All you fabulous orchid growers out there...anything special I should know? I'm a little worried about it being inside a container that doesn't have a drainage … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Moss Garden Table Setting

January 6, 2011 by 65 Comments

Welcome to the 124th Tablescape Thursday! Hi Everyone! Hope your week is going great! Recently, for our Blogging Bloopers 2010 Party, I shared some of the gaffes I've made this past year, including a tablescape that didn't quite turn out the way I had planned. Since I let that cat out the infamous bag by sharing a few pics, I thought I'd share the rest of the info about how I put that table together, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: ,



15 Minute Holiday Centerpiece

November 19, 2010 by 58 Comments

Beautiful Christmas Centerpiece or Table Decoration, Ready in 15 Minutes: To get you in the mood for a little holiday decorating, I'm sharing a super easy and inexpensive decorating idea. In fact, this is so simple and easy to do, you could create it the day of your holiday party or family gathering in just 15 minutes using a few items available at the grocery store and from your yard. Ya gotta love … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



Natural Greenery Christmas Mantel in Southern Living Idea House

November 16, 2010 by 56 Comments

Recently a friend and I toured the Southern Living Idea House in Senoia, Georgia. Senoia is a very small town about an hours drive from Atlanta. We were allowed to take pics inside since the home had already been published. :) I took a bunch of pics but I wasn't able to get full views of many rooms because there were always a gazillion people around. I have too many pics to share them all in one post … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, Nature, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



Beautiful, Vintage, Copeland Spode Tower in a Springtime Tablescape

September 2, 2010 by 105 Comments

Welcome to the 106th Tablescape Thursday! How was your day? Are you looking forward to a nice long Labor Day weekend? Any cookouts planned? I hope whatever you do...it's fun and relaxing. Enjoy these last treasured days of summer. I'm almost in the mood for fall...but not quite. With temps still in the 90s in Georgia and the blessing of low humidity, I'm still tablescaping out on the porch. This week I'm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , ,



When Life Gives You Lemons…

August 28, 2010 by 50 Comments

What do you do? I'm a firm believer in just digging in my heels and pushing forward. Don't waste time asking why... Or, why me? Listen to your heart and find your strength from within... How's that old saying go? "If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." Be sure to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Inspire, Nature Tagged With: , ,



A Backyard Renovation

August 8, 2010 by 45 Comments

Welcome to the 82nd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I spent my Saturday at Vision Computers in Norcross, Georgia...drooling over their awesome computers. I have computer fever something terrible.   Next, a friend and I headed to dinner at Six Feet Under in the Grant Park area of Atlanta. Six Feet Under is located across the street from Historic Oakland Cemetery, thus its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: ,



Knockout Rose Trees Knock Out Squirrels

August 7, 2010 by 60 Comments

In early spring, April to be exact, I went in search of "something" to fill the two tall urns that stand on one of my decks. The past two springs I had purchased tall hibiscus, but Mr. Squirrel, who lives in my backyard, tip-toed onto my deck every. single. day. and stole almost all the leaves off the two hibiscus, one leaf at the time.   I was not amused!   So, this year I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, For the Love of Birds, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature



A Shade Garden with Waterfalls and Ponds

June 30, 2010 by 32 Comments

Hi Everyone! I've been enjoying all the wonderful "Before and Afters" linked for Met Monday! Did you get a chance to check some of them out? There are lots of amazingly creative and talented bloggers in Blogland who are making their homes more beautiful by the minute! How is your summer going? Is it as hot where you are as it's been here in Georgia? We've been having August temps all month long. Wonder … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Foxgloves in the Garden

June 26, 2010 by 43 Comments

A few days ago, I shared some pics of the beautiful gardens around the home of Arthur Blank, a co-founder of The Home Depot and the owner of the Atlanta Falcons. One of the things I especially love about this tour, Gardens for the Connoisseur, is it always takes place on Mother's Day weekend and the foxgloves, my very favorite flower, are always in bloom. These pics were taken in another garden on the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: ,



Arthur Blank’s Garden, Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour

June 19, 2010 by 40 Comments

Almost every year, I go on a garden tour sponsored by The Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The tour is called, Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour, and this was it's 26th year. The tour always includes around 12 gardens, and occasionally, a well-known/famous person's garden will be on the tour. This year, we had the pleasure of touring the garden of Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot and the current owner of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , , ,



Barnsley Gardens, A Bittersweet Love Story

June 12, 2010 by 42 Comments

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Adairsville, Georgia and toured the hauntingly beautiful, Barnsley Gardens with two good friends. I'd been there before, but it was many, years ago. The story of Barnsley Gardens is a bittersweet one. From the Barnsley website online: "Behind Barnsley Gardens Resort's storybook setting is a true story filled with as many twists and turns as a work of fiction. The original … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: ,



A Whimsical Idea for a Garden Bench

June 5, 2010 by 50 Comments

This was just outside a shop I was in recently...isn't it a hoot?! Someone has cut holes in the seat and sunk the pots down into it. So, don't throw out that old piece of furniture...just paint it with an outdoor grade paint and you'll have a delightful planter for your garden.  Love it! Visit How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday fun! A Classy Flea: A few weeks ago, my all time favorite … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Romantic Table for Two on the Deck

May 20, 2010 by 72 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, Romantic Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tables for Two, Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , ,



Knock-out Roses, Just in Time for Mother’s Day

May 8, 2010 by 41 Comments

I've planted pink Knock-out Roses in tall urns on my deck. I've been using hibiscus here for the past two summers, but the squirrels tip-toe onto the deck...yes, they tip-toe, they know they are doing a bad thing...and they completely strip off all the leaves on my hibiscus. After two summers in a row of that nonsense, it was time to try something new. So, this year, it's Knock-out Roses...and these … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: ,



Bottle Tree Shopping at Trader Joe’s

April 18, 2010 by 52 Comments

So, here I am on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, and I'm bumping around inside of one of my most favorite stores ever, Trader Joe's. If you've never been in Trader Joe's you HAVE to go. It's that good! I was on a mission this day. I'm cruising the "beverage" isles, checking out all the goodies that come in colored bottles. If you are regular reader of BNOTP, you know where this is going.  I'm determined … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: ,



Bottle Tree Dreams

April 14, 2010 by 31 Comments

Hi Everyone! Bottle Trees...Give me some bottle suggestions! :-) A couple of weeks ago I shared these fab pics and the history behind bottle trees, HERE. (Image from Southern Style by Mark Mayfield) Several folks left comments naming some of the drinks you can purchase that just happen to come in nice, big, colorful bottles, perfect for creating your own bottle tree. The suggestions were … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , , ,



Make a Greenhouse from Old Windows for Holiday Displays

April 10, 2010 by 75 Comments

Remember back around Christmas time when I took you shopping at the Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta, Georgia? C'mon...sure you do. Remember, you kept begging on the drive over to stop by the Dairy Queen to get a milkshake and I told you that we had to hurry and get to the Queen of Hearts before all the good stuff was gone. Ahhh, now you remember! Well, while we were there, we saw this: Yep, it's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Easter Crafts, Easter Decorating, Easter Holiday Home, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Easter Tablescape with Daffodil & Camellia Centerpiece

April 8, 2010 by 97 Comments

Welcome to the 85th Tablescape Thursday! Easter is behind us for another year, but I thought I'd share one of the tablescapes I did this year.   Centerpiece is just a basket I've had for years...filled to overflowing with the last of the spring camillas and daffodils. I layered pretty salad plates I received as a gift this past Christmas with cabbage plates from HomeGoods. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Holiday Home, Easter Table Settings, Easter Tablescapes, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,



Bottle Trees: The Poor Man’s Stained Glass

March 28, 2010 by 48 Comments

Love this book...it's one of my favs. I look through it time and time again. Inside, I found this. Know what it is? (Image from Southern Style by Mark Mayfield) It's a bottle tree!  Most often you see them in gardens, although this one looks pretty awesome on this veranda. Bottle trees go way, way, way back. Some folks think the first bottle trees were created in Africa in the 9th … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , , , , ,



The Tree That Owns Itself

January 30, 2010 by 50 Comments

Several years ago, when my son was attending the University of Georgia, I drove over for an afternoon visit and a little shopping. As we were driving around Athens, doing a little sightseeing in the historic neighborhoods, my son turns to me and says, "Do you want to see the tree that owns itself?" Huh? "What did you just say?" He looks at me and repeats, "Do you want to see the tree that owns itself?" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , , ,



Roses for Mother’s Day

January 16, 2010 by 63 Comments

The beauty of that color, pink...it can take your breath away... It can make your heart sing... Especially, on your birthday...when a wonderful son sends his love. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature



Make a Greenhouse from Old Discarded Windows

November 30, 2009 by 89 Comments

Welcome to the 46th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I've been out of state visiting my son and his sweetie. It was a whirlwind trip and so much fun. My son gave me a tour of the law school he's attending, as well as a tour of the wonderful historic building where he works with a local firm. We did a little shopping on Black Friday and went to see A Christmas Carol on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Biltmore Estate

August 15, 2009 by 63 Comments

A while back, I had an opportunity to tour Biltmore in Asheville, NC. I'd been there many years before and really enjoyed the tour, but I remembered having been a little disappointed that so little of the upstairs was open for viewing. Well, all that's changed now and it's an awesome experience! They continue to restore more rooms each year, so more and more are opened up for tours. The tour took us 1 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, Historic Homes, In the Garden, Nature, Travel, United States Tagged With: , ,



Creating a Planter from a Chair

August 3, 2009 by 75 Comments

Welcome to the 29th Metamorphosis Monday! I don't have a before pic of this chair I found recently at A Classy Flea, but I was told the seat was in very bad condition and was not salvageable. So...what to do? Turn it into a lovely planter! The seller at A Classy Flea, attached a square wire planter container to the chair. I'm sorry, but I've forgotten where she said she found the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY, DIY Decorating, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature Tagged With: , , , ,



Beautiful Topiaries

July 15, 2009 by 70 Comments

A few weeks ago, I spent the weekend in Greenwood, South Carolina attending the Festival of Flowers...a yearly event in Greenwood. You may remember the post I did last Wednesday about Park Seed, which is located in Greenwood. Park Seed also owns Wayside Gardens...and recently, Jackson & Perkins. If you are a gardener, you well know these companies. If you missed that post you may read all about it, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Festival of Flowers: Historic Home and Garden Tour

July 8, 2009 by 75 Comments

This post is picture intensive, but light on wording...so enjoy! I've been traveling a good bit this summer, so I'm sharing some pics from one of those trips. This post has something in it for everyone...gardening, a tablescape and even an historic home tour! How many of you gardeners out there have heard of Park Seed? Yep, I see all those heads nodding! If you garden, you know Park Seed. Did you know … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, Historic Homes, Home Tours, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



The Silver Comet Trail

June 3, 2009 by 72 Comments

The web site for The Silver Comet Trail describes it this way: Imagine gliding along on your bike through the north Georgia countryside, crossing a 500-foot-long trestle over a rushing river below, winding between rock cliffs and weaving among tall stately pines. Imagine doing this without having to worry about cars and trucks. Now imagine doing this for 60 miles on one trail! No, that's not a dream, it's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , , ,



Deck Transformation, Winter to Spring

May 5, 2009 by 70 Comments

Since most everyone who visits Between Naps on the Porch has seen my two porches, I thought I'd share a different area today. There are decks off either side of my screened-in porch and one of those decks has a cozy little corner over near the grill. It's the perfect spot to sit if you want to be near the grill while you are cooking out. This is the winter view...pretty blah. And here's the summer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With:



Flower Cubes For a Summer Party

May 3, 2009 by 48 Comments

Summer is waning and fall is just around the corner. I can feel it the air when I'm out on the porch during these late summer evenings. Before long, at least here in the south, gardeners will be pouring into the nurseries in search of pansies for their annual beds. Pansies enjoy the cooler weather and if planted in early fall, they will put down good roots that will carry them through the colder temps we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Holiday Home, Easter Recipes, Easter Table Settings, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, Recipes, Valentine's Day Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Recipes, Valentine's Day Table Settings Tagged With: ,



A Garden Party Table Setting

April 30, 2009 by 175 Comments

Welcome to the 36th Tablescape Thursday! Let's have a Garden Party out on the porch!   Come on over and have a seat...so glad you're here.   Garfield says, "Life is short, eat dessert first." I like the way he thinks! We're having Oreo Dirt Cheesecake, complete with yummy worms.   I lit the candles in our little greenhouse. I know it's not dark out yet, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Recipes, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,



St. Patrick’s Day Tea Party

March 12, 2009 by 124 Comments

Welcome to the 29th Tablescape Thursday! St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner...let's celebrate with some tea out on the porch!   And of course, we must have green tea, since we are celebrating St. Paddy's Day. (The green tole tray was a wedding gift 30 years ago.)   I picked fresh flowers from the garden..  Ahhh...their sweet, sweet fragrance is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, St. Patrick's Day Holiday Home, St. Patrick's Day Table Settings, St. Patrick's Day Tablescapes, Tables for Two, Tablescape Thursday, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, Tablescapes Occasion, Tea Party Tablescapes Tagged With: , , ,



Creating a Perennial Garden

February 23, 2009 by 113 Comments

Welcome to the 6th Metamorphosis Monday! My Metamorphosis for this Met Monday is a perennial garden I "built" many years ago.  I want to apologize in advance for the quality of these pics. They were taken many years ago, long before I'd ever heard of this thing called blogging. Plus, I had to take pictures of pictures to show you this transformation...but I think you will still be able to appreciate the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Dreaming of the Outdoors

January 21, 2009 by 62 Comments

Ok, I know it's cold and you don't really want to venture outdoors a whole lot right now. After all, it's still January...or is it?  In Blogland it can be summer anytime we want. Just think of Blogland as a magical time machine. Ok, get your garden clogs or tennis shoes on...whatever you like to wear when you're out puttering around in the yard. Let's go see what's blooming in my garden on this Outdoor … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature Tagged With: ,



A Magnolia & Lemon Centerpiece

November 4, 2008 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 11th Tablescape Tuesday! On one of my trips to A Classy Flea this past summer, I came across this happy daisy china.  It was love at first sight! I used place mats and matching napkins I already had. The faux bamboo flatware is from Big Lots...very inexpensive but I love it. This is an American made dishware and it dates back to the 1960s. It was made by Metlox Potteries out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Bluebirds Nesting in Lazy Hill Dovecote

August 25, 2008 by 30 Comments

For many years I've attempted to attract bluebirds to my yard. My interest in bluebirds started when I worked as a volunteer with the Chattahoochee Nature Center. During that time I learned bluebirds had in years past, (1960's and 70's) dramatically decreased in number. (Image from Wikipedia) This decrease was found to be due to use of pesticides and a loss of their natural habitat (natural nesting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , , ,