My Absolute Favorite Cleaner for Removing Denim Transfer Stains

February 19, 2019 by 1 Comment

A while back I shared a big issue I was having with denim transfer on the leather seats of my car. Since my leather driver's seat was so badly stained, in desperation I tried several products that normally you wouldn't use on leather. The one that worked the best at that time was 409, but again, I wouldn't really recommend that for leather, I was just desperate and willing to try anything. Though 409 got … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: ,



After All That Garage Dish Storage, What’s Left Inside?

February 18, 2019 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 525th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Hope you had a great one! It rained here a lot so I mostly stayed inside. One of the questions I'm often asked in comments is where I store all the dishware you see me using in table settings for Tablescape Thursday. If you've been following BNOTP for a while, you may remember that back during the summer of 2017, I added several cabinets … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, My Nest Tagged With:



This Was Not How I Wanted to Kick Off Spring

February 4, 2019 by 66 Comments

Welcome to the 523rd Metamorphosis Monday! I'm dreaming of spring and some porch time.   But before spring arrives, I'll need to fix this thanks to a very bad mouse. Either a mouse or rat, not sure which, decided to chew his way in through one of the screened porch doors. In an effort to stop the intruder from getting onto the porch and decks again, my pest control guy blocked the hole. He … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, My Nest, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , ,



An Ornery Weather Station

January 14, 2019 by 40 Comments

Welcome to the 520th Metamorphosis Monday! Unfortunately, I'm still sick with some kind of virus. My throat is still really swollen. If I'm not better in the next day or two, I'm going for a strep test.  I don't really have a Before and After to share since I spent much of yesterday (when I felt up to it) doing boring stuff like putting wreaths back into storage under the eaves in the upstairs family … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: ,



Easy Storage for Winter Boots, Keeps Them Upright-No Slouching or Falling Over

January 7, 2019 by 28 Comments

Welcome to the 519th Metamorphosis Monday! Whooo, I'm back home. I got in quite late last night after the always-long drive home from Ohio. The drive went by relatively fast since the weather was awesome (no rain!) and I was listening to a really good book all the way home. The book I was listening to via Audible was, Influenza: The Hundred Year Hunt to Cure The Deadliest Disease in History by Dr. Jeremy … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Closets & Pantries Tagged With: , , , ,



Oh, The Surprising Things You’ll See Through a Ring Doorbell!

December 18, 2018 by 50 Comments

Back on November 28th, I blogged about my intentions to add a Ring Doorbell to my home for increased security and convenience. If you missed that original post, you'll find it here: Finally Doing It-I'm Adding a Security Camera to my Front Porch. Today I'm sharing how the installation went along with one hiccup I encountered and how I solved it. If you have any questions after reading this post,  leave … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Repairs and Fixes, Entry/Foyer, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , ,



A Wreath Switcheroo: Staying With a Natural Green Wreath From Now On

December 17, 2018 by 29 Comments

Welcome to the 516th Metamorphosis Monday! A week or two ago I shared how the porch was decorated for Christmas. You may remember I wasn't thrilled with how this ornament wreath looked against my red door. I'm using it elsewhere, it looks great out on the screened porch.   So, here's how the porch looks now.   I was a little worried at first about the performance of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Porches, Porches & Decks



Did Those Boxwood Shrubs Bounce Back? Sharing a Few Landscape Updates!

September 24, 2018 by 41 Comments

Welcome to the 504th Metamorphosis Monday! Back in May 2016, I redid the landscaping directly in front of my home. I chose Green Beauty Boxwood shrubs as my foundation plants and this was how they looked on the pallet at the store just prior to having them delivered.   Here's how they looked after I planted them over the course of a few days. It was a challenge keeping them watered until I … [Read more...]

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



From Broken to Better, This Project is Done! Well, at Least for Now.

September 22, 2018 by 36 Comments

I'm considering this little project complete for now. When I last shared this room, one of the little Dept. 56 lit houses I had purchased on eBay had not arrived. There's a story about that--I'll share it toward the end of this post. For the picture below, I had the shutters in the office closed and all the lamps in the office turned off. I lit a couple of candles to help my camera capture the lit … [Read more...]

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Cozying Up The Office with Dept. 56 Lit Houses and a Few New Bookcase Additions

September 17, 2018 by 74 Comments

Welcome to the 503rd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! For this week's Met Monday, I thought I'd give you a quick update on what I've been up to with the bookcases here in the office. There have been a couple of additions but also quite a few subtractions.   Can you tell I've reduced my collection a bit? I took a huge stack (probably a shelf's worth) to Goodwill this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , ,



A New Autumn Wreath for the Front Door

September 14, 2018 by 50 Comments

Summer is still very much with us here in Georgia with temps in the upper 80's and low 90's every day. I love the hot weather so I'm not complaining. Though it's not feeling one bit like fall, I came across a beautiful fall wreath recently that I couldn't pass up. I usually have a hard time finding a wreath I like because often they are just too small. I like a nice big wreath that fills out my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Halloween Decor, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor, Thanksgiving Decor Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Fun Lighting Update for My Home Office

September 8, 2018 by 48 Comments

Welcome to the 502nd Metamorphosis Monday! Happy weekend to you! I hope you're having an awesome one! I know it's not Monday yet, but I have an appointment on Monday so I thought I would go ahead and put this post up now. Before we dive into a mini-project I'm working on in my office, if you're a Talbots credit card holder, Talbots is having a big sale right now sitewide. (I got this yesterday, so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , ,



The Easy Way to Dry or Preserve Limelight Hydrangea Blossoms

August 25, 2018 by 25 Comments

How is your weekend going? I've been working a little outside. I need to be working A LOT outside! There's tons of weeding to be done...and other stuff. One little project I knocked out was cleaning out the interior and exterior of this Lazy Hill Farms birdhouse. I didn't think I'd be posting about it so neglected to take any "Before" pictures, but it was yucky. We've had soooo much rain this spring and … [Read more...]

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



It Took a Year to Get It Right, But Finally This Makeover Is Complete

August 6, 2018 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 497th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments on Saturday's post. It was so heartwarming and encouraging to read your comments and stories! You shared so many of the same thoughts I have and I truly appreciate each and every comment. I was so surprised by how many of you had actually had the opportunity to visit A Classy Flea in person! I know a lot of folks … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Living Room (Downstairs) Tagged With: , , , ,



Hang a Little Painting Where It Will Surprise and Delight

July 25, 2018 by 34 Comments

Earlier in the spring I shared this wee painting of one of my tablescapes. (View this little teascape in detail here: St. Patrick's Day Tea.) The painting was a surprise painting done by a lovely artist and reader of BNOTP named, Fifi. After she let me know she had created the painting, I purchased it from her but never got around to having it framed.   Life got in the way and I never got … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , , , ,



A Few Porch Updates & A Garden Seat Makeover

July 9, 2018 by 45 Comments

Welcome to the 493rd Metamorphosis Monday! Did you go out of town for the July 4th week? This past week always seems like a big week for travel. This weekend has been a productive one for me as I've worked on a few things I've been putting off for a while. One chore I had been procrastinating on was giving the wicker seating group a good cleaning. I've had the two chairs and the settee (all made of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



Deck Updates, Great Deck Cleaner and a Little Garden Whimsy

June 4, 2018 by 57 Comments

Welcome to the 488th Metamorphosis Monday! Last week I shared some deck updates I was working on. In between all the big storms we've been having this past week, I've been working on spiffing up the deck for summer. Before In this photo from last week, you can see the decking was super dirty from all the yucky stuff that had fallen from the giant tree whose trunk you can see there at the end of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, My Nest, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , ,



51 Reasons You Need a Screened Porch

May 29, 2018 by 36 Comments

  1. Spring 2. Summer 3. Fall 4. Winter (depending on where you live) 5. Shade 6. No mosquitoes 7. No flies 8. No bugs. Period 9. Your dog will thank you 10. Your cat will thank you   11. Ceiling fans swirling overhead 12. Soft music + breezes and birdsong = heaven 13. Rainstorms 14. Sweet tea tastes better on a porch 15. Coffee tastes better on a porch 16. Wine … [Read more...]

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A Bottle Tree Makeover for Summer & A Bit of Furniture Re-arranging

May 28, 2018 by 55 Comments

Welcome to the 487th Metamorphosis Monday! For this week's Met Monday, I have more of a "Before and Middle" than a "Before and After." See the bottle tree that's out on the deck in this photo below? (View this beach-themed table setting here: Beach-themed Tablescape.)   I love bottle trees, love their folklore and whimsy. If you've never heard of bottle trees, they have an interesting … [Read more...]

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



Dharuma Hydrangea, A Low-Growing Hydrangea That Loves the Sun

May 23, 2018 by 23 Comments

Back in the summer of 2014, I planted a few flowers around my mailbox including a Dharuma Hydrangea that was supposed to do well in full sun and be low-growing. I didn't want a big shrub in this spot since space was limited. Do you see it there, just behind the mailbox?   Here's a photo of it a few weeks after it was first planted.   As I was leaving to go someplace one evening … [Read more...]

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



Home Water Softeners, Whole House Filters, De-Stressing & A Few Shopping Finds

May 21, 2018 by 53 Comments

Welcome to the 486th Metamorphosis Monday! This past week while I was out of town was definitely a challenging one. It all started when I had a plugin update appear on the dashboard of the blog that turned out to be a bad update. You may have noticed some issues last week with Between Naps On The Porch. In the process of trying to fix the issues the bad update caused, my hosting company actually … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, My Nest, Porches & Decks



Trying Once Again, But Still Coming Up Short

April 23, 2018 by 84 Comments

Welcome to the 482nd Metamorphosis Monday! I wasn't sure if I'd be able to write this post this morning. Last night while working on a puzzle here in the office, I started noticing I couldn't see very well out of my left eye. Immediately I could tell it was another ocular migraine. This is only the 3rd or 4th one that I've ever had. With the previous ocular migraines, there was no headache afterward, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: ,



Beach Escape

April 19, 2018 by 36 Comments

Welcome to the 499th Tablescape Thursday! I almost pulled out bunny plates again today. lol I still had one more table setting in mind using bunny plates, but it was such a gorgeous day and so warm out, I ended up going a completely different direction.   We are headed to the beach for this week's Tablescape Thursday with  a fun beach-themed table setting.   Do you have a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beachy Tablescapes, My Nest, Porches & Decks, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Okay, But I Could Set the Building On Fire…

April 18, 2018 by 25 Comments

Yesterday I was stapling some papers together when my stapler up and died. The spring inside broke and after several frustrating moments trying to reconnect it, I gave up. Normally I would have persisted but I've been ready to ditch that stapler for a long time since it has always jammed about every other time I used it. In searching for a new stapler I came across one I knew I had to get. Do you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Inspire, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , ,



Tips for Cleaning Pollen Off a Screened-in Porch & A Feeder for Dried Mealworms

April 9, 2018 by 67 Comments

Welcome to the 480th Metamorphosis Monday! Yesterday I had a comment from Mark who said: Have a similar porch to yours and we love it already. It is coated in pollen. Do you ever hose yours off??? What is your cleaning routine? We are in NC and the pollen is 3 ft thick 🙂 There is not an easy way for water to run off, like yours, but wondered what you normally do. Normally when I'm using the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , ,



The Hunt for a Pretty Spring Wreath

March 26, 2018 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 478th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I was watching a YouTube video where the vlogger had just purchased a large, floral wreath for her front door. It had huge hydrangea blossoms all around it, and I loved it. Update: It may have been peonies now that I think about it!  I checked to see if I could order one online for my front door, but was unable to locate the shop. The vlogger had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: , , , , ,



A Little Spring Update for the Porch

March 19, 2018 by 73 Comments

Welcome to the 477th Metamorphosis Monday! Good Morning! Sharing a mini-Met today that may be opening a big 'ol can of worms. I'm good at that...opening up cans of fat, wiggly worms! See those striped cushions on the chairs in this older photo taken back around the 4th of July?   They were never quite what I wanted for the porch, but worked in a pinch a few years back when I couldn't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , ,



How Did Those Brown Deck Railings Hold Up This Winter? An Update!

March 14, 2018 by 41 Comments

Last summer I shared an issue I was having with my white painted deck railings. I love having a white porch and loved my white deck railings, but...   ...I was not at all happy with how the tops of the deck railings were always looking. Even after having them freshly painted, they would be back looking like this in no time at all! Argggg!   It's pretty much impossible to keep … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Repairs and Fixes, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



A New Toy in My Cleaning Arsenal & Bunny Plates for Easter

March 10, 2018 by 52 Comments

I follow a few kitty Instagram accounts and they keep me in stitches daily. One account that I follow (bonnieclydekitties) shared the coolest tool for helping keep hardwood or tile flooring clean. I don't have pets now, so I don't have to worry about fur as she does, but I do have a lot of hardwood flooring to keep clean. My whole house is hardwood flooring now, except for one room, my upstairs family … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , ,



A Closer Look at Where I Work and Play: My Home Office Space

March 7, 2018 by 53 Comments

Today as I was dusting and tidying up the office, I realized it's been a long time since I shared any photos of this room. Not a lot has changed in here, but I thought it would be fun to post a little tour of this space where I spend so much of my time. Pssst: To view other rooms in my home, click on the category "Home Tours" at the top of the blog, then click "My Nest" where you'll find links to every … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,



The Perfect Mudroom Hall Tree with Bench, Drawers & Cubbies

January 22, 2018 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 469th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all your input on which bag to go with in yesterday's post! I need to tally up the votes but reading through all the comments, I'm pretty sure the Prada bag came out the favorite, followed by the Chloe Drew. Based on your comments, I went ahead and ordered the Prada bag that night. I will compare it with Chloe bag that I had already ordered … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Laundry Room, My Nest



Closet & Door Updates: Small Storage Bench for Putting on Boots and Shoes

November 6, 2017 by 44 Comments

Welcome to the 458th Metamorphosis Monday! So what do you think? This door was a struggle! I'll spare you all the details, but here's the final finish.   This was the "Before" with a cat door that was no longer needed and the other side badly scratched up by a previous home-owners dog.   The new door was installed, and unfortunately cut too short by the installer. So sadly, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, Closets & Pantries, DIY Organization and Storage Tagged With: , , , , ,



How to Get a Sample of Any Paint Color, Even Older Colors No Longer Available

October 30, 2017 by 41 Comments

Welcome to the 457th Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever come across a great paint color online, perhaps on a blog or on Pinterest, only to discover it's an older color that's no longer available? I often get emails or messages from BNOTP readers asking how they can get the color formula for the yellow paint I've used in so many rooms of my home.   This yellow is an older Duron color … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, Dining Room, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Entry/Foyer, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs), My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



Deck “Before And After” with “Lodge Brown” Solid Stain for the Deck and Railings

October 23, 2017 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 456th Metamorphosis Monday! Sorry this is going up a bit late. The painters are here finishing the staining of the basement door so I've been downstairs working with them this morning. The makeover of the two decks on the back of my home is complete. I like the brown railing a lot more than I ever thought I would. The stain color is Sherwin Williams, Lodge … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, My Nest, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



A Closet Update: Hacking Shelves for Boot & Shoe Storage

October 20, 2017 by 34 Comments

Years ago, shortly after my home was built in the early 1980's, the first owners turned the bedroom that's beside the master bedroom, into a dressing room/closet area. (Read more about that in this post: If These Walls Could Talk: A Mystery Alcove. The bedroom was around 12 x 13 feet and they closed off the door/entrance from the upstairs hallway and cut a large double opening from the master bedroom, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Closets & Pantries, DIY Organization and Storage, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



Door & Deck Progress and A2 Milk Finally Reaches Georgia

October 16, 2017 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 455th Metamorphosis Monday. During the summer of 2016, I visited my son and daughter-in-law in Ohio. While shopping in a nearby grocery store I learned all about A2 Milk and gave it a try, not expecting it to really "work." A2 Milk comes from cows that naturally only produce the A2 protein in their milk and not any of the A1 protein. From what I've read, milk from cows who naturally … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, My Nest, Porches & Decks



Running Away From Home & A Dragon Finial

October 3, 2017 by 120 Comments

Stain decisions...Ugg. I'm running away from home. Today. How I dislike making these type decisions, but it's time and it has to be done. I visited a Sherwin Williams store today near my home to choose a stain color. Shockingly, they didn't have a single stain-chart brochure that I could take back home. They told me they were all out and so were all their other stores. Not one Super Deck sample stain … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Repairs and Fixes, My Nest, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , ,



A Belleek Castle Lamp Gets a Major Makeover: The Before & After

October 2, 2017 by 109 Comments

Welcome to the 453rd Metamorphosis Monday! When I was in Ireland the last week of August, I visited the Belleek Pottery Factory. After a tour of the factory (see that tour HERE) we shopped inside the gift shop where I fell in love with this castle lamp and placed an order for one. The lamp would be built and delivered to my home in approximately 6-8 weeks. While I was still in Irleand, I shared the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , ,



Plant Stand Makeover, Forever-Dirty Deck Railings and a Mopnado Update

September 25, 2017 by 62 Comments

Welcome to the 452nd Metamorphosis Monday! I've made a decision about which company I'll be using for cleaning and staining the decks. They will also be pressure washing the exterior of the house and staining the door that was recently replaced inside. (Read more about that HERE.) Unfortunately, the door may hold up the deck cleaning since the replacement door was cut too short and will have to be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, My Nest, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , ,



A Gazillion Little Tweaks

September 4, 2017 by 52 Comments

Welcome to the 449th Metamorphosis Monday! I really didn't know what to name today's post because I've been like a frantic little bee ever since returning from Ireland. I've been buzzing all over this house, working to tie lots of little loose ends together. You would think it was spring...this urgency to get things spiffied up around here. Maybe it's the early morning waking hours that has me so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, Living Room (Downstairs), Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs)



Tablescaping Storage for Dishware, Flatware, Napkin Rings, Napkins and Glassware

August 10, 2017 by 132 Comments

Welcome to the 464th Tablescape Thursday! Update: Since I had some issues with the shelves that came with these cabinets not holding the weight they are "supposed' to hold without bowing, I had melamine shelves cut to the size needed at Home Depot. I replaced every single shelf that wasn't a "fixed" shelf with the Home Depot melamine shelves at the cost of $7 a shelf. The HD shelves are thicker and much … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Closets & Pantries, DIY Organization and Storage, Tablescape Thursday



CabinetGate: Progress Has Been Made

August 7, 2017 by 88 Comments

Welcome to the 445th Metamorphosis Monday! When I last left you in the saga of what I'm now dubbing CabinetGate, ;) I had just two of six cabinets in place, the other four having been completely destroyed during delivery.   Little recap: After assembling the two cabinets that arrived in good shape (they were delivered by a different delivery company) I filled them with napkin rings, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Closets & Pantries, DIY Organization and Storage Tagged With: , , , , ,



Answering Your Questions

July 31, 2017 by 36 Comments

Welcome to the 444th Metamorphosis Monday! As I've been blogging about adding storage cabinets for some of my dishware down one wall of my garage, I've received a lot of questions about this project. I thought this Met Monday would be a good time to answer those all in one post. If I miss one, feel free to ask it in the comments and I'll add that question to this post. As you may recall, these are the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Closets & Pantries, DIY Organization and Storage



How I’ve Spent the Last 48 Hours

July 25, 2017 by 48 Comments

I've been a busy bee the last 48 hours. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I've been going non-stop! After this Frye tote arrived recently, I decided I wanted to add a bag organizer to it so it would have more support across the bottom whenever I carry heavy items like my laptop. I researched online forever and even contacted Frye. No one makes an organizer for this bag, but I found one that was a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Closets & Pantries, DIY Organization and Storage, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



Completed for Now: Storage for Charger Plates, Flatware, Napkins and Napkin Rings

July 20, 2017 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 461st Tablescape Thursday! If you've been reading BNOTP the last few weeks, you know I had some big plans for one wall in my garage. I purchased four of the cabinet below on the left and two of the cabinet on the right in hopes of creating some awesome storage for organizing a lot of  my entertaining/tablescaping wares. I thought it would be great to have everything together in one place … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Closets & Pantries, DIY Organization and Storage, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , ,



Not Again!

July 19, 2017 by 48 Comments

Is there such a thing as bad tree karma? If there is, I think I have a terrible case of it. A few months ago, a large tree in my back yard that had been leaning since the day I moved in 26 years ago, decided it was tired of leaning and gently laid itself down across the length of my backyard. Scared the willies out of me when it fell since it was late at night. I sat listening inside my office wondering … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding



Lazy Hill Farm Feeder: A Beautiful Accent Piece for the Garden

July 17, 2017 by 50 Comments

Welcome to the 442nd Metamorphosis Monday! When I had cute Eastern Phoebe birds nesting in the corner of my front porch...   ...I was offering fresh mealworms a couple of times a day via this pitiful setup. lol The mom and dad Phoebe would get super excited each time I brought out mealworms and placed them in the bowl. Occasionally, I would look out the window and see them perched on the … [Read more...]

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



Stacks of Dishes, An Unwanted Visitor and A New Accent Piece For the Garden

July 5, 2017 by 59 Comments

It's utter chaos at my house right now. I'm in the "has-to-get-worse-before-it-can-get-better" stage of reworking my dish storage. I've been pulling out all the dishes, chargers, etc... that I think I will want to store in the new cabinets that I've ordered. (Sorry about the dark photo, took this very early this morning.)   If you missed that post about the cabinets, you'll find it here: … [Read more...]

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



Limelight Hydrangeas in Bloom and Sweet Visitors To The Porch

July 2, 2017 by 41 Comments

Just popping in this Sunday afternoon with a quick post...a couple of random things that are going on right now that I thought you might enjoy. You may remember last year I purchased a Limelight Hydrangea to go in front when I was landscaping the front yard with boxwood shrubs. I already had one of these tree form hydrangeas but decided I wanted one on each side of the front porch. This photo is from … [Read more...]

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



Superga Sneakers & a Fun Edition to My Upstairs Living Room

June 10, 2017 by 40 Comments

I'm declaring this the summer of the sneaker! lol I don't know what's gotten into me, but I'm on a sneaker tear. I think I could live the rest of my life wearing only Sperry Topsiders and Superba Sneakers! Recently, after reading the book, Classic Style, I added a pair of Stan Smith sneakers to my shoe wardrobe.   You can read more about these legendary sneakers in this previous post: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Living Room/Bonus (Upstairs) Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Patriotic Porch & A Refreshing Drink for Summer Gatherings

May 29, 2017 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 435th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Mine was busy, but fun! This weekend I finally took time to reattach the covers over the swing chains.   I had taken them off this spring to wash once the pollen attack was over, and had just never gotten around to putting them back on. It requires climbing a tall step ladder which always yields … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Independence Day Decor, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , ,



A Few Garden Updates and A Plant I Wish I Had Never Placed In My Yard!

May 1, 2017 by 77 Comments

Welcome to the 431st Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Week! Hope you had a great weekend! I spent part of mine working in the yard and I still have so much more to do out there. For the last couple of years I've known that I should trim-reshape the Green Mountain Boxwoods I placed in planters on either side of the front porch a few years back, but I've been worried I would totally mess them up. Here's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, My Nest



A Cute Footstool with Storage Gets a New Look

April 4, 2017 by 38 Comments

A couple of months ago a large tree fell in my back yard, gently laying itself down across the length of the yard.   I'm beginning to think I may have a tree jinx going on because I was on the porch a few days ago and discovered this below! In talking with my neighbors and others in this area, I learned that we had a big storm with 70 mph winds come through about a week before I returned home … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Denim Do Over, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decorating, DIY Organization and Storage, DIY Repairs and Fixes, In the Garden, Office/Craft/Sewing Room



Hat Storage That’s Both Functional and Decorative

April 2, 2017 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 427th Metamorphosis Monday! A couple of months ago I purchased this adorable sunhat pictured below. After it arrived, I liked it so much I ordered a second one in the navy-ribbon style. With my hat collection rapidly growing, I decided it was time to find a better way to store them other than just tossing them onto the top shelf of my master bedroom closet where they were impossible to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Organization and Storage, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , , ,



Washing Benches at O’Dark:30, Birdie Nesting, Hat Storage and Garden Updates

March 31, 2017 by 54 Comments

I awoke this morning long before daylight. The numbers on the ceiling showed 4:00. Apparently my body is still on Morocco time which is 5 hours later. Ugh. After laying there for about an hour, I gave up on sleep and got on up. So what do you do at 5:00 AM? I gave both the benches on the front porch (and the porch itself) a good wash, they were seriously covered in pollen.   I took this … [Read more...]

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



No Tub for the Master Bath: Good Idea or Regrettable Trend?

February 6, 2017 by 207 Comments

Welcome to the 419th Metamorphosis Monday! A few weeks ago when I was replacing all my surge protectors around the house for new ones, I discovered an outlet in my office wasn't working. I called in an electrician to fix it. While he was here we started talking master bathroom renovations. During our discussion, he told me something really surprising. Did you know that some folks who are renovating … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Before & After, DIY Decorating, DIY Repairs and Fixes Tagged With: , , , , ,



A Small Beverage Cooler for the Upstairs

January 23, 2017 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 417th Metamorphosis Monday! I've often thought about adding a small refrigerator to the upstairs for those times when I'm in the mood for a cold drink but reluctant to stop working to go downstairs. Also, going downstairs makes it a little too convenient for snacking, one of the dangers of working from home. Adding a Peloton Cycle to my dressing room just off the master bedroom, gave me … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest



A Music System So Hot, The Remote Caught Fire!

January 21, 2017 by 50 Comments

Ha! That post title will make more sense in just a second. :) I've been a Bose fan ever since I purchased their Lifestyle® 12 surround sound system for my living room over twenty years ago. When something went wrong with the large acoustimass module after many years of use, Bose was still in business (unlike a lot of companies these days) and were happy to assist.   They mailed me a very … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Revisited: 5 Projects I Want To Do In My Home, But Probably Never Will

January 16, 2017 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 416th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes and comments on Saturday's post. You are amazing and I truly feel so blessed by your lovely words! As I always say, YOU are the very best part of BNOTP! A while back I wrote an unusual post where instead of sharing some projects I hoped to do in my my home, I shared five projects that I was pretty sure would never … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest Tagged With: ,



Getting More Organized in the Office

January 14, 2017 by 120 Comments

Happy Weekend! Did you survive Friday the 13th? ;) I'm not really the superstitious type, but it's always kinda funny when my birthday falls on a Friday the 13th. Saw this online just now and it made me laugh. I've never seen any of the "Friday the 13th" movies, but apparently this covers them all. lol   Yesterday was one of those "Friday the 13th" birthdays and it was a biggie--one of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY Organization and Storage, My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , , ,



Brad Nailer for a Small Gate Repair & Deer Ate My Violas!

January 9, 2017 by 112 Comments

Welcome to the 415th Metamorphosis Monday! I've been on a mission the last several months, really going all the way back to last summer, to clear out anything and everything that I don't use on a regular basis. That has included going through all the closets in my home. There are 12 closets in this house: 10 upstairs and 2 on the main level. That's not including the eve storage off the upstairs living … [Read more...]

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



A Little Porch Decorating to Celebrate the Holidays

December 17, 2016 by 85 Comments

Happy Weekend to you! Hard to believe Christmas will be here in just 9 days! I've had the porch decorated for a while now, but just haven't gotten around to sharing photos of how it turned out this year.   Probably the biggest change for this year are the benches I added to the porch this past summer.   I never realized how much I would enjoy having them here. They are the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks



Realistic “Beeswax” Resin Candle Covers for the Office Chandelier

December 6, 2016 by 33 Comments

If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember when I changed out all the yellowed, plastic, candle covers on my dining room chandelier for resin covers that look much more like real candles. (Tablescape can be viewed here: Sparkle with a Touch of Whimsy   I love the look of the "dripping wax" sliding down the sides of the faux candles and it definitely beats the look of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , ,



Planting Tulips and Violas & A Little Christmas Table Shopping

November 21, 2016 by 29 Comments

Welcome to the 408th Metamorphosis Monday! Yesterday I cut and brought in the last of the Limelight Hydrangea blossoms. Can you believe this hydrangea was still producing new blooms! The temps have been dipping toward the freezing point each night, so I knew these last few flowers were about to be gone. Limelight Hydrangeas truly are amazing, giving blooms throughout summer all the way into fall. … [Read more...]

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



Home & Decor Updates: The Good and The Not-So-Good

November 7, 2016 by 77 Comments

Welcome to the 406th Metamorphosis Monday! I have several small Before and Afters updates I've been wanting to share, so I'm grouping them all together in one post. Before we get to those, a couple of folks emailed and messaged me recently to let me know the Better Homes and Garden dishware that many of us have been collecting over the years, is back in stock again. (Thanks for that!) They have added … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, For the Love of Birds, Garden, Office/Craft/Sewing Room



Erma Bombeck Would Have Loved This!

October 31, 2016 by 81 Comments

Welcome to the 405th Metamorphosis Monday! Imagine you arrive home one evening an hour or so before nightfall. As you pull into your driveway, you glance over and see something rather shocking. Your next door neighbor is outside in her front yard, merrily vacuuming the lawn while grinning and laughing maniacally. Do  you: A. Smile, wave and act like everything is normal Or B. Call the … [Read more...]

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



Can a Fashion Piece Become a Decorating Accessory?

September 16, 2016 by 49 Comments

If you love handbags, chances are you've collected a few over the years. I don't have a big collection, but the bags I do have I really love and try to care for them as best I can so they'll last and look nice for a long time. Lately I've been doing a little reading about the best way to store a handbag when you're not carrying it. Normally the recommendation is to keep handbags inside a closet away from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Blue & White Design & Decor, DIY Decorating, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, My Nest Tagged With: , ,



Create An Autumn Porch That Will Invite Guests To Linger

September 5, 2016 by 65 Comments

Welcome to the 397th Metamorphosis Monday! Even though it's still nice and warm here in Georgia, the mornings are feeling wonderfully cool. I come downstairs each morning and throw open the doors to the screened porch and let the cool morning air fill the house. Some days are so nice now, I can leave the doors open all day.   This weekend I went ahead and hung my favorite fall wreath … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY Decorating, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor



A New Chair for My Home Office

August 29, 2016 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 396th Metamorphosis Monday. I've had several different desk chairs here in my home office over the years. The last one I purchased was this one from Pottery Barn. This is actually my second one of these. The first one I literally wore out. Well, sort of. What happened was the first few weeks/months I had it, I didn't realize that each time I pushed back away from the desk and spun … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room Tagged With: , , , ,



Master Bedroom Flooring Updates & Some Furniture Rearranging

July 11, 2016 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 389th Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst: Did you know BNOTP is on Instagram? You'll find my latest Instagram posts here: Between Naps On The Porch Recently I shared a mini-disaster I discovered in my master bedroom. While vacuuming that room one day, I lifted up the seagrass rug and discovered it had been deteriorating underneath and the rubber latex backing had welded itself to my hardwood … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, My Nest



The Metamorphosis of a Limelight Hydrangea

July 4, 2016 by 47 Comments

Welcome to the 388th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Independence Day! Hope you're having a fabulous one! Thanks for sharing all your experiences in the comments on yesterday's post about my Windows 10 update nightmare and the following scam telephone call I received. I learned yesterday from two different readers that someone actually sued Windows over the damage their update caused to their computer … [Read more...]

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



How to Remove Deteriorated Rug’s Latex Backing Stuck on Hardwood Flooring

June 28, 2016 by 116 Comments

When updating or making improvements to your home, do you ever feel sometimes like you take three steps forward, only to take two steps back. You get a few things done and start to feel like you're making some headway, while unbeknownst to you little gremlins are at work messing something else up. I tell ya, home ownership is not for weenies! Recently, I had hardwood flooring installed in my guest room. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Master), Before & After, DIY Repairs and Fixes, My Nest Tagged With: , , , ,



Periwinkle Blue for a Whimsical Potting Bench

June 20, 2016 by 57 Comments

Welcome to the 386th Metamorphosis Monday! When I ordered this potting bench, I had plans to give it a few coats of marine varnish. (Potting Bench can be found here: Potting Bench.) But somewhere along the way I changed my mind and decided to have a little fun with it. I wanted to paint it, but what color? I searched online for painted potting benches and found lots of cute ones, but still didn't see a … [Read more...]

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



How I Plant Trees and Shrubs in Georgia’s Red Clay Soil

June 7, 2016 by 34 Comments

Recently someone asked in a comment if I had written a post showing my process for planting shrubs. I was thinking about that today and remembered that I had written a post about 1-1/2 years ago that showed how I planted some Leyland Cypress trees in my back yard. I figured a refresher is never a bad idea, so hope you find this post helpful. I don't have the best luck with keeping indoor plants alive, … [Read more...]

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



A Front Yard Makeover With Boxwood Shrubs, Benches & Copper-Roof Dovecote

June 6, 2016 by 109 Comments

Welcome to the 384th Metamorphosis Monday! A while back I started a big makeover for my front yard landscape. Bushes were removed and transplanted to the back yard and a Japanese Waterfall Maple was transplanted to another area of the yard. The tree is doing well in its new home, as are the shrubs that were transplanted to the backyard.   It's taken me a while to add shrubs back. I had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Before & After, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



Hardwood Flooring for the Guest Room: A Reveal

June 3, 2016 by 90 Comments

Happy Friday! How was your day? Mine was especially wonderful because I became a grandmother for the second time! My son and dil welcomed their second son early this morning. Mom, Dad and Baby are all doing great. My son shared several videos with me today and I can't wait to hold him in my arms. No matter how old I get or how often it happens, I am always completely awed and amazed by the miracle of a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bedroom (Guest Room), Before & After, Blue & White Design & Decor, My Nest Tagged With: , , , , ,



Should Burlap Be Removed From a Ball & Burlap Plant, Prior to Planting It?

May 31, 2016 by 49 Comments

Got a question for ya. When you're planting a balled and burlapped shrub or tree, do you remove or do anything to the burlap before planting it? If you've always wondered about that, I have the answer once and for all from one of the most respected growers out there. In the past when I've planted shrubs that were ball and burlap, I've always been told by a well-known, popular nursery with many locations … [Read more...]

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



Landscaping with 4 Varieties of Boxwood Shrubs

May 30, 2016 by 50 Comments

Welcome to the 383rd Metamorphosis Monday! Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters for this Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Memorial Day to  you. This weekend I've been working out front. When I last left you, I had a couple of shrubs in the ground. See them there in the back?   Today, this side looks like this. Yay for progress! So far I've planted 5 Green Beauty Boxwood, … [Read more...]

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



Two New Benches for the Front Porch

May 27, 2016 by 196 Comments

A few days ago I blogged about ordering a couple of the Luciana benches from Grandinroad when they were having a good sale on their outdoor benches. (View that post here: Whimsical Garden Bench for the Front Porch)   As mentioned in that previous post, my front porch was built from this photo found in a Southern Homes magazine many years ago. This is the beautiful historic home at Gainesway … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



Progress is Messy!

May 25, 2016 by 75 Comments

I think it's official, I have just a few too many irons in the fire. lol If I write something completely nonsensical in the next few days, just know it's because there's a lot of stuff going on here and my brain may be on overload. It's good stuff, but it's going to get crazier before it gets better, I'm afraid. Today I went to visit my bushes. If I go to Pike Nursery one more time, they will probably … [Read more...]

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



A Whimsical Garden Bench for the Front Porch & Some Landscape Updates

May 23, 2016 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 382nd Metamorphosis Monday! See that chart below? Yay, for sunshine! Finally, the re-varnishing of the screened porch floor can start tomorrow. It was scheduled for almost two weeks ago, but the weather has not cooperated. Finally, we have sunny days ahead.   Boxwood Shrubs for the Front Yard Landscape While I've been awaiting sunny days, my focus has returned to the … [Read more...]

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



Makeover a Hutch with a Nautical-Beach Theme

April 14, 2016 by 31 Comments

Welcome to the 395th Tablescape Thursday! Recently I de-pollened the porch and gave it a little spring makeover.   I dressed the porch hutch with my fave porch dishes: Tabletops Unlimited, Ma Maison.   For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I decided to give the hutch a little beach makeover using a dishware I purchased back in right after the porch was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks, Seasonal Decor, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday



Screened Porch Updates: Welcome Spring!

April 11, 2016 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 376th Metamorphosis Monday! The past couple of weeks have been busy ones. With friends coming to stay for a few days, I threw it into high gear and cleaned all those places that never seem to make it to the top of the cleaning list...things like shutters and molding. During my cleaning frenzy, even though the pollen siege wasn't quite over, I wet a tissue (a la Mom) and tried to get … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,



My Favorite Chest Is On Sale & An Update for My Deck

April 8, 2016 by 46 Comments

Yesterday I stopped by Pier 1 to look at their outdoor furniture. I really need to replace the table and chairs I currently have out on my deck. I didn't find the outdoor set I wanted but while I was there, I noticed they have my favorite chest on sale. I purchased this chest a few years ago when I was creating my home office. Back then, I searched and searched for months for a chest to go beside the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Nest, Office/Craft/Sewing Room, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , ,



Shopping for Bathroom Vanities: A Guest Bath Renovation

March 30, 2016 by 98 Comments

I'm currently in the planning stage of a bath renovation. My bathrooms are all over 30 years old, so it's time. The bath I thought I'd start with is the upstairs hall/guest bath. The toilet has been replaced (see that post HERE) and now I'm looking at vanities. (Update: I've called this a guest bath in this post since that's how it is being used in my home now. But for future families living here, it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baths, Before & After, My Nest Tagged With: , ,



A Faucet Installation & Some Fabulous Spring Sales

March 23, 2016 by 30 Comments

Whew! What  a day! It started out with mulitple plumbing installations followed by a Leaf Guard Gutter visit mid day to reroute a downspout and ended with getting two estimates, one for hardwood flooring and another for some much-needed landscaping. I think I'm ready for a nap now! lol So, you know that part on the HGTV show, Fixer Upper where JoAnna Gaines always tells the couple whose house they are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen & Breakfast Area



Some Kitchen Updates: A Moen MotionSense Faucet and Soap Dispenser

March 22, 2016 by 24 Comments

I think spring fever has gone to my head! This week I'm getting estimates for tons of things I've been needing to get done. Not sure what all I'll try to do right away and what will have to wait, but tomorrow is the start of a few of the updates. The first update is here in the kitchen. The Grohe faucet I had installed back in 2001 when I completed a modest kitchen renovation, has been acting up over the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, My Nest



I’m Steaming! Steaming Happy, That Is!

March 21, 2016 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 373rd Metamorphosis Monday! Several years ago my sister gave me a My Little Steamer, steamer. She had a very generous and loving nature and often when she saw something advertised on TV that she thought I could use, she would buy it and surprise me with it on my next visit to her home. At the time she gave me the steamer, I wasn't sure how I would use it, but I thanked her and tucked it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Living Room (Downstairs), My Nest



Install a Long Swing-Arm Hook for Hanging Plants or Bird Feeders

March 1, 2016 by 22 Comments

I have several bird feeders hanging off the pergola that extends over one of my decks. The feeders hang from long swing-arm hangers. The hooks work great for hanging squirrel-proof feeders because the length of the rod helps deter the squirrels. They also keep the feeders out away from the deck, which keeps the decks cleaner and encourages the birds to come dine. Since my decks and porch are a full story … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Porches, Porches & Decks



A Waterproof Wicker Outdoor Lamp For The Porch

February 29, 2016 by 59 Comments

Welcome to the 370th Metamorphosis Monday!   When I added a screened porch onto my home in 2008, I knew I wanted to light the porch at night with just lamp light, no overhead lighting. I love the ambiance lamps give to a space. Once the porch was complete, I ran around the house borrowing lamps from various rooms until I could purchase lamps that felt suited for a porch, particularly a porch with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , , , , ,