Delicious, Cheesy Baked Potatoes: The Perfect Winter Comfort Food

January 6, 2026 by 17 Comments

I saw these cheesy baked potatoes being made recently on Instagram and thought they were the perfect comfort food for a cold winter's day. They are so easy to make that I didn't try to create a printable recipe; however, I'll link the Instagram video at the end of this post showing how to make them in detail in case you have any questions.   So, here's how they are made: Note: These will bake … [Read more...]

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16 Delicious Homemade Recipes For Thanksgiving Day & Beyond

November 27, 2024 by 3 Comments

Welcome to the 844th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving—it's almost here! Since I know so many of us are busy preparing for visits with family and friends, for this week's Tablescape Thursday, I thought I'd share some favorite recipes that you may find helpful for Thanksgiving Day and beyond. Click on any link below to access a printable version of that recipe. Delish Breakfast Casserole: My … [Read more...]

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Merry Christmas from Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph!

December 25, 2023 by 27 Comments

Welcome to the 778th Metamorphosis Monday! Merry Christmas! Just popping in on Christmas morning to share a cute idea for breakfast/brunch for the little ones on Christmas Day, or really any time of the year. I made these cute reindeer pancakes for my grandsons this morning and they loved them!   They are super easy to make--just make one large pancake for the head, a medium side pancake to … [Read more...]

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Whimsy In The Kitchen, My Favorite Lemon Pepper Seasoning & Incredible Cookware

October 17, 2023 by 15 Comments

So, you all know that I'm a bit of a lazy cook. I do enjoy cooking/baking when friends or family are here, but the rest of the time, I go for the fastest, easiest meal I can make. My favorite food that I enjoy at least once a week, sometimes more, is Lemon Pepper Chicken. Over the years I've tried various Lemon Pepper seasonings and I've found them all to be about the same--until recently! Oh my gosh, have … [Read more...]

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Favorite Frozen Pizza That Doesn’t Taste Like Frozen + Silicone Liners for Air Fryers

August 14, 2023 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 759th Metamorphosis Monday! I hope you had a fun, relaxing weekend! I had four things that I wanted to share today, and I swear, as soon as one of those things entered my brain, it exited right out the other side. I don't know what's wrong with me but sometimes I'll think of something that I need to purchase at the grocery store and seconds later I've had 5 more thoughts and can't even recall … [Read more...]

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How to Make a Beautiful Tarte Soleil

June 24, 2023 by 15 Comments

Happy weekend! For this past Tablescape Thursday, I shared a wonderful table setting Norma put together when she was expecting friends over for a luncheon.   As mentioned in that previous post, Norma also made this beautiful Tarte Soleil to serve as an appetizer. I asked Norma if she would mind sharing her recipe, I would love to try making this stunning appetizer one day, although it's so … [Read more...]

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A Refreshing Summer Drink, Super Useful Yeti Addition & 50% Off Sale-On-Sale

June 13, 2023 by 5 Comments

Recently, I saw a drink recipe online that sounded really good, but I changed it up a bit with the addition of another ingredient that I think makes it tastes and look even better. This drink is so yummy, it feels like you're having a fancy cocktail when it's really just a refreshing summer drink. Below are the ingredients although it's very easy to change them up for variety, so feel free to experiment … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Recipes



Wish I Had Discovered These 2 Years Ago–Such A Time and Labor Saver!

March 15, 2023 by 37 Comments

Thanks so much for all your comments, advice, and input in the comments of Monday's post! From reading your comments, I can see so many of us have had similar experiences. I've heard from several BNOTP readers who've said that reading about your experiences has helped them so much! So thank you for sharing those--you've definitely helped others by doing that! ♥ If you've been reading BNOTP for a … [Read more...]

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My Favorite Leafy Green Salad Recipe & My Favorite Salad Dressing, What’s Yours?

August 6, 2022 by 36 Comments

I may have mentioned a time or ten that I don't really enjoy cooking. The only time I get excited about it is when I have family coming to visit or friends coming for dinner. It's so much more fun when there's the anticipation of a great dinner party with friends or family. Whenever I visit my grandsons, I get some good cookin'! My daughter-in-love, Nancy, is a wonderful cook, the kind that can whip up a … [Read more...]

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Crunch Wraps You Can Make at Home, Super Easy Recipe

July 31, 2022 by 33 Comments

Welcome to the 705th Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever had a Crunch Wrap? I had not until a few visits back when my daughter-in-law made them for lunch one day They were really tasty so I thought for today's Met Monday I'd share the super easy process for making these. You'll need some ground beef, taco seasoning mix, small flour tortillas, large flour tortillas, and small corn … [Read more...]

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Delicious Chicken Pueblo Soup Recipe: Make a Big Pot Because It’s That Good!

May 14, 2022 by 10 Comments

My friend, Linda, is a wonderful cook! I've shared a couple of her recipes here on the blog in the past and they are always a big hit. You'll find those underneath the "Recipe" category HERE at the top of the blog's Home page. Recently, while traveling to Waco, Texas, Linda and hubby, Ben, stopped at a restaurant for dinner. During the course of their meal they had a delicious chicken soup that they … [Read more...]

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My Favorite Snack and An Awesome Kitchen Tool for Making It

May 2, 2022 by 37 Comments

Welcome to the 692nd Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend! If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you know cooking is not one of my fave activities. Love to eat, but not so much to cook. I do like it when I come across something that's healthy, tastes great, and that I can prepare quickly. I've always liked roasted Brussels sprouts and sometimes buy them already cooked in … [Read more...]

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Fast, Easy Recipe for Chicken Lettuce Wraps

April 27, 2021 by 6 Comments

One of my favorite parts about visiting with my grandchildren is I get to eat the awesome meals my son and daughter-in-love prepare. My son is the Grilling King and my daughter-in-law, Nancy, creates some incredible recipes from scratch. She's one of those great cooks who can open up the fridge and put together an incredible meal with whatever she finds waiting inside--no recipe needed. I, on the other … [Read more...]

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Recipe: Minnesota Wild Rice Soup

February 23, 2021 by 6 Comments

Last week for our Tablescape Thursday party, I shared this beautiful table setting created by Phyllis who blogs at The Relevant Tea Leaf.   Phyllis prepared a wonderful meal for her dinner party, including a delicious Earl Grey Tea Cake served with a London Fog Latte. (A printable recipe for both the Earl Grey Tea Cake and the London Fog Latte are available here: Earl Grey Tea Cake and London … [Read more...]

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London Fog Latte

February 23, 2021 by 4 Comments

Last week for our Tablescape Thursday party, I shared this beautiful table setting below created by Phyllis who blogs at The Relevant Tea Leaf.   Phyllis prepared a wonderful meal for her dinner party, including a delicious Earl Grey Tea Cake. (A printable recipe for the Earl Grey Tea Cake is available here: Earl Grey Tea Cake.) Phyllis made each of her guests a delicious London Fog Latte … [Read more...]

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Earl Grey Tea Cake

February 22, 2021 by 6 Comments

Welcome to the 630th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! This past Tablescape Thursday, I posted this beautiful table setting created by Phyllis who blogs at The Relevant Tea Leaf.   Phyllis prepared a wonderful meal for this dinner party, including a delicious Earl Grey Tea Cake for dessert. Several BNOTP readers asked about the recipe so I e-mailed … [Read more...]

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A Festive Drink and Delicious Appetizer for Your New Year’s Celebration

December 30, 2020 by 9 Comments

I know most of us won't be throwing a big New Year's party this year, but the two recipes I'm sharing today are awesome for any size gathering, be it small or large. This is my absolute favorite punch recipe ever! At Christmastime, I dip the champagne rims in colored sugar for a festive look.   When I make it for New Year's, I dip the rims in these adorable nonpareils. I love how festive … [Read more...]

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How an Air Fryer Has Changed My Life & Some of my Favorite Air-Fried Foods

October 11, 2020 by 49 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I shared a new addition to my kitchen, my Air Fryer. Adding an air fryer to my kitchen has been one of the most transformative experiences in how I cook. The only thing I can't think of that comes close to being as life-changing would be the invention of the microwave. Seriously, if right now you said I had to give up either my microwave or my air fryer, I'd say, "Bye-bye … [Read more...]

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There’s a New Guy in Town! Love My New Air Fryer with 2 Baskets!

September 28, 2020 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the 609th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! There's a new guy in town! Do you see him there on my counter?   Each time I visit my son, daughter-in-love and grandchildren, Nancy cooks up the best meals in her Air Fryer. I've been hoping to add one to my kitchen and I finally did that this past week.   This is the one I chose. … [Read more...]

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Tomato Veggie Tortellini Soup: Great for a Quick Meal During the Week

August 17, 2020 by 32 Comments

Welcome to the 603rd Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all your comments on the last post where I shared one of Nancy's (my daughter-in-law) delicious meals that included Marinated Chicken Breasts, a Quinoa-Vegetable Melange and a delicious green salad. This weekend I updated that post with a printable version of the recipe. If you would like to print it out for future use, you'll find the recipe … [Read more...]

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Marinated Chicken, Quinoa-Vegetable Melange & Green Salad

August 14, 2020 by 27 Comments

Whenever I'm visiting with my son, daughter-in-love, and grandchildren, I'm always treated to some amazing meals. I'm sure I eat a lot healthier than I do when I'm at home because cooking is not a favorite activity of mine unless I have family visiting or I'm having a dinner party. Nancy, my daughter-in-law, has that awesome talent I admire in real cooks. She can conjure up a wonderful dinner on the fly, … [Read more...]

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Comfort Food: Two Hearty Soups for Cold Winter Days

January 5, 2020 by 22 Comments

When my son, daughter-in-love and grandsons were visiting during the Thanksgiving holidays, I made Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. My dil really loved it and requested I make it during my visit to see them during Christmas. Since I've been here, we've made it twice, including yesterday. It never gets old!   If you're in the mood for something a little different, delicious and healthy, you need … [Read more...]

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Healthy Breakfast Casserole, Delicious & Easy to Make

July 12, 2019 by 19 Comments

On Monday I shared a photo of a delicious breakfast casserole my daughter-in-law frequently makes for her family. I snapped the photo in the midst of her making it during my recent visit to see them in hopes I would remember all the ingredients once I was back home. After sharing that photo, several folks including my friend, Teresa, left comments or emailed asking for the recipe. Teresa was due to have … [Read more...]

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Testing Out a New Appetizer: Martha Stewart’s “Devils on Horseback”

May 20, 2019 by 42 Comments

Welcome to the 538th Metamorphosis Monday! Update: Please note the two updates I've added to the bottom of this post. I made a slight change/addition to this recipe and it was big, big hit at the party, so be sure and note the updates at the end of this post. I'll be attending a party later this week and will be bringing a dish to share. They'll be around 20 in attendance for this gathering. I found a … [Read more...]

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Making Smoked Barbecue in a Big Green Egg

December 24, 2018 by 20 Comments

Welcome to the 517th Metamorphosis Monday! Good Morning! Hope you're having a great Christmas Eve! I'm spending time with family this week and I don't have my usual "Before and After" to share, so I thought I'd share something my son, Chip, was working on throughout the day, yesterday. In the wee hours of the morning, he got a Boston Butt/Pork Butt going in his Big Green Egg smoker-grill. We spent … [Read more...]

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Banana Bread: Delicious with Some Surprise Ingredients

April 30, 2018 by 38 Comments

Welcome to 483rd Metamorphosis Monday! Thank you so, so much for all the kinds words left in the comments of Thursday's post! I was traveling all day on Thursday and was out of town over the weekend, so I haven't had a chance to personally reply to everyone, but I'll be working on that throughout the week. I am so blessed by all the lovely dearhearts who stop in each day and want you to know I never … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, Recipes, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Home-Made Salsa Recipe: Delicious & Easy to Make

April 16, 2018 by 18 Comments

Welcome to the 481st Metamorphosis Monday! I have a yummy treat for you for this week's Met Monday! My friend, Linda, a native Texan, makes a fabulous salsa that's always a big hit with all of her friends and family. Whenever there's a get-together in the works, she always gets requests to bring her delicious salsa. Recently when Linda made it for a party, she took some photos of the process so I … [Read more...]

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Biscuit Making, Take II & What I’m Stalking-Loving for the Table

October 13, 2016 by 60 Comments

Welcome to the 421st Tablescape Thursday! Every so often I have to spend some time working on the technical end of the blog...this past week was that time. With my hosting services help, BNOTP was moved to a newer, faster server, so hopefully, you're finding things a bit speedier each time you visit. Pagination Now Works! If you were one of the dearhearts who has emailed or asked how to get to the … [Read more...]

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Milk and Yogurt For Those Who Are Dairy Intolerant Due to Casein Proteins

July 18, 2016 by 42 Comments

Welcome to the 390th Metamorphosis Monday! I was away this weekend visiting family so don't have a Before and After to share from home, but I do have an interesting discovery to share. During my visit I stopped by one of my favorite grocery stores in the area, Dorothy Lane Market. While shopping in Dorothy Lane, I overheard one of the product vendors talking with another customer about a milk they have … [Read more...]

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Cheese For Those Of Us Who Are Lactose Intolerant

July 9, 2016 by 55 Comments

I have become quite the Trader Joe's fan. I'm always amazed how much I can buy and not go into shock at the register when it gets rung up. Their pricing is so much better than the chain grocery stores, at least on the items I usually buy. Today I stopped by and picked up some of my favorites, as well as a few things to take when I visit my son, dil and grandsons soon.   I love their … [Read more...]

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Fruit Infusion Pitcher, Love This Thing!

April 22, 2016 by 30 Comments

Pssst: Little Reminder, I'll be posting photos periodically each day on Instagram while I'm in Holland and Belgium. If you would like to follow along on this adventure, be sure to follow me on Instagram here: Between Naps On The Porch on Instagram.  Instagram is the easiest way for me to share something with you in real time. :) Recently while shopping in Marshalls, I came across an Infusion Pitcher. … [Read more...]

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Squash Casserole Recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Anytime

November 24, 2015 by 18 Comments

Greetings this beautiful fall day! Are you busy preparing for Thanksgiving? I haven't had Thanksgiving here at my home in a while, so I'm excited to have family coming here this year. I picked up a Honey Baked Ham yesterday and bought a fresh turkey today to cook on Thanksgiving Day. I know they'll be lots of left overs but that's fine with me. Who doesn't love leftovers! I always prepare a squash casserole … [Read more...]

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A Roasted Pumpkin Soup For Cozy, Fall Dinners

November 6, 2015 by 26 Comments

Happy Friday! Yesterday I shared a fall table setting and my centerpiece for the table was the prettiest little pumpkin casserole from Martha Stewart. (Pumpkin Casserole is currently on sale here: Martha Stewart Pumpkin Casserole)   The pumpkin casserole came with a yummy recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Soup. This soup was very easy to make, the trickiest part was cutting apart the sugar pumpkins. Those … [Read more...]

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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, Perfect For A Party!

September 14, 2015 by 29 Comments

Welcome to the 346th Metamorphosis Monday! For this week's Met Monday, I'm super excited to share an awesome recipe from my friend, Linda. I am so making this the next time I have friends over for a night on the porch. This is one of those recipes that not only taste delicious but it looks impressive when you serve it, too! To make this recipe, Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, these are the ingredients you'll need. … [Read more...]

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The Best Blueberry Jam Recipe

August 17, 2015 by 53 Comments

Welcome to the 342nd Metamorphosis Monday! I love blueberries, they're my favorite fruit in the whole world. I eat them every single day, even during the winter if I can find them. When my son was little, we used to pick them every summer at a local farm, Berry Patch Farms, that's around 30 minutes from our home. My son was just 4 years old when this picture was taken. We loved picking berries at this … [Read more...]

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Watermelon Mojitos For A Summer Party

June 11, 2015 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the 351st Tablescape Thursday! I was out of town until Monday evening and since I wasn't able to create a table setting, for this week's Tablescape Thursday, I thought I'd share something I made last week while visiting my son and dil. It's at least table related, a yummy summertime drink I came across at Pottery Barn that can be made as an adult beverage with rum, or minus the rum for a … [Read more...]

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Fast & Easy Juicing For The Lazy Cook

April 27, 2015 by 81 Comments

Welcome to the 326th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I'm  sharing an edible "Before and After" for this Met Monday. I love to eat but don't necessarily enjoy cooking unless it's for a party or a gathering of friends or family, then I do look forward to cooking. But if it's just me, I'm more prone to grab a handful of nuts or eat a piece of salmon and call it a meal. Recently I've … [Read more...]

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Make A Snowman Spice Cake

January 9, 2015 by 59 Comments

Recently while shopping in Williams-Sonoma, I came across a Nordic Ware snowman cake pan. It was on sale, greatly reduced from $39.95 to $10.39 so I couldn't resist trying my hand at making this cute cake. Update: You can still find this pan here: Snowman Cake Pan   The cake ended up being a centerpiece for yesterday's winter table setting seen in this post: Winter Table Setting With Snowman … [Read more...]

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An After-Christmas-Sale Haul

January 4, 2015 by 47 Comments

Well, "haul" may be a slight exaggeration. It's more like a mini-haul. Have you done in after-Christmas shopping? I haven't been in the mood, probably due to being sick. Thankfully, I'm all better now! It's 63 degrees here today, sunny and gorgeous! I decided to stop by the Williams-Sonoma that's a couple miles from my home to see what's shaking. In the past I've found some amazing deals there after the … [Read more...]

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Fruit And Nut Granola, Great For Holiday Gifts & Entertaining

December 1, 2014 by 27 Comments

When the holiday season rolls around each year, I'm always looking for a yummy treat to give to friends and family and the other dearhearts who give so much to me throughout the year. This year I decided to try something different, something I've never made before. I've always wanted to try my hand at making granola so when Planters offered to send me some of their nuts to try in a recipe, I was totally on … [Read more...]

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Brussels Sprouts So Delicious, Kids Will Even Eat Them

October 21, 2014 by 38 Comments

Recently I had the urge to visit Trader Joe's, I hadn't been there in ages. While shopping I came across a bin filled with stalks of Brussels sprouts. I've seen them in TJ's before and each time it always amazes me to see how they really grow.  (Photo below from bonnieplantsdotcom)   In this photo from Wikipedia, you can see how they grow along the stalk of the plant. Isn't that the neatest … [Read more...]

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5 Hearty Dinners For Fall

September 12, 2014 by 24 Comments

Fall is in the air here in Georgia. Nightfall comes a little earlier each day and the mornings and evenings are feeling a bit cooler. Sweater weather is coming. When I went outside this evening to bring in the bird feeders, a strong wind rustled the trees and I looked up to see leaves swirling in the air overhead. Some fluttered down to the deck and a big yellow one landed on the rail. All these … [Read more...]

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Cool Off This Summer With Iced Coffee Popsicles

August 8, 2014 by 13 Comments

It's here! August, the hottest month of the year has arrived and when you live in the south, you're always looking for a way to stay cool. I'm not much of a hot coffee drinker but I do love iced coffee. It's perfect when I start feeling that afternoon lull that always seems to hit around 3:oo each afternoon. I don't have time for a nap so I head downstairs for something cold and refreshing to perk me … [Read more...]

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Refreshing Sangria, Perfect Beverage For A Summer Party

May 27, 2014 by 29 Comments

I LOVED all the stories you shared in the comments of yesterday's post. They were awesome and some had me laughing! Thanks so much for those! Yesterday I shared some pics of a yummy party beverage I made on Sunday for a porch party with friends. Today I'm sharing the recipe, including a printable copy below. Note: The Sangria looks a little darker in this picture than it does once it's served because just … [Read more...]

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Pork Chops With Biscuits & Tomato Gravy

March 18, 2014 by 25 Comments

Is your mouth watering from that post title, because mine sure is! One of my fave blogs to visit when I need a good recipe is Madonna's yummy blog, Make Mine Lemon. Since it's selfish to hoard a good find and not share it with you, I asked Madonna if she would be kind enough to share a recipe with us here at BNOTP, and she happily obliged. Take it away, Madonna! Following post by Madonna from the blog: Make … [Read more...]

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25 Scrumptious Valentine’s Day Desserts

January 21, 2014 by 25 Comments

Valentine's Day is only about 3 weeks away and it's got me thinking about yummy desserts. I've put together a collection of 25 beautiful, delicious, makes-your-heart-go-pitter-patter desserts. ♥ Hope you enjoy this Valentine's Day inspired collection of scrumptious desserts!   Hope you find something yummy and inspiring for your Valentine's Day! Just click on the title and it will … [Read more...]

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Slow-Cooker Pot Roast, Easy and Delicious!

January 18, 2014 by 49 Comments

Recently, I had a little New Year's Day dinner party and for the party I decided to prepare a roast. Normally, I'd cook it in the oven or if I was really in a hurry, I'd pull out the pressure cooker.   I get bored making the same old thing so this time I decided to check online for a new recipe. I was especially interested in something that could be cooked in a crock-pot since that would … [Read more...]

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Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

December 31, 2013 by 49 Comments

A couple of days ago I shared plans to make a butternut squash soup for a New Year's Day dinner party. I found a recipe that sounded and looked pretty yummy at "Chow" online.   One of the things I like about this recipe is that it can be made up to 3-4 days in advance, then reheated prior to serving. So many foods actually taste better if they are made a few days in advance since it gives the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, New Year's Recipes, Recipes, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Recipes Tagged With: , ,



Emergency Substitutions for Common Ingredients

November 27, 2013 by 26 Comments

There's nothing more stressful when preparing a big holiday dinner than running out of a key ingredient, especially when there's no time to run back to the store. Here's a list I compiled of popular substitutions for some of the more common ingredients we sometimes run low on. Hope this helps your cooking go a bit smoother this holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving! Image from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, Easter Recipes, Halloween Recipes, Independence Day Holiday Home, Independence Day Recipes, New Year's Recipes, Recipes, St. Patrick's Day Recipes, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Recipes, Valentine's Day Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Recipes



21 Delicious Party Drinks for the Holiday Season

November 20, 2013 by 35 Comments

It will soon be party time! Even if you're not having a big party this year, chances are you will have family and friends stopping in during the holidays. Treat them to a special drink that's as pretty as it is tasty! I spent several hours yesterday searching for the yummiest and most beautiful party drinks I could find. I'm pretty excited about this list, I think it will be my go-to spot for holiday … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, Independence Day Holiday Home, Independence Day Recipes, New Year's Recipes, Recipes, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Recipes, Valentine's Day Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Recipes



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



Canning Peach Preserves and Some Exciting News!

August 2, 2013 by 33 Comments

Exciting News! I have some exciting news!  True Value asked BNOTP to be a part of their DIY Squad this year! You know what that means...time to kick my DIY mojo in high gear! I'm kicking off my first project with a detailed tutorial sharing the steps for making yummy Peach Preserves. Living in the peach state, I couldn't resist putting up some fresh Georgia peaches while they are in season. My … [Read more...]

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Patriotic Punch for the 4th of July

July 3, 2013 by 48 Comments

It's monsoon season again here in Georgia. Doesn't Mother Nature know tomorrow is the 4th of July and celebrations are planned? Rain or no rain, the festivities will go on and we will enjoy every minute, even if the sunshine is in liquid form. Speaking of liquids, today I'm sharing an easy to make, red, white and blue patriotic punch. It's perfect for a 4th of July celebration, especially for the kiddos. … [Read more...]

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Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew, Perfect For A Cold Winter’s Day

March 6, 2013 by 56 Comments

All this cold weather we've been having put me in the mood for some home made soup. One of my fave things to make anytime of the year is a big ole pot of vegetable beef soup. The way I make it, it's super rich and loaded down with veggies, so it's really more of a stew than a soup. I make as much as I can possibly stuff into my big Dutch oven.  I just went downstairs and measured to see how much it holds … [Read more...]

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Shamrock Sugar Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day

March 1, 2013 by 32 Comments

For this week's Tablescape Thurday, I created a St. Patrick's Day themed table setting with a sugar cookie shamrock centerpiece.  (St. Patrick's Day Tablescape can be viewed in detail in this post:  St. Patrick's Day Table Setting with Shamrock Cookie Tree Centerpiece) Sugar Cookies and Icing Recipes Today I'm sharing the recipe for both the sugar cookies and the icing.  The icing really works great for … [Read more...]

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Yummy Devil’s Food Toffee Trifle Recipe

February 19, 2013 by 76 Comments

Recently, I was invited to a small dinner party, a gathering of friends.  I was asked to bring dessert, specifically the Cranberry Trifle I made for this past Christmas.  You'll find the recipe for the Cranberry Trifle here:  Yummy Cranberry Trifle.   You'll find a post about the Christmas dinner party here: Christmas Dinner Party Guess what I discovered?  You can't find fresh cranberries in February.  The … [Read more...]

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Halloween Tablescape with Spider Cupcakes

October 25, 2012 by 70 Comments

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

Filed Under: Halloween Holiday Home, Halloween Recipes, Halloween Table Settings, Halloween Tablescapes, Recipes, Tablescape Thursday, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



A Quick, Tasty Meal for Busy, Hectic Days

August 29, 2012 by 22 Comments

I'm always in a big hurry when it comes to lunch which means I'll usually eat something that's fast and not always very healthy.   It's just never easy for me to find something that's fast, healthy and delicious.   I may find two of the three but rarely do I hit the trifecta. Recently, when I was shopping in Publix, I was craving a salad.  I decided if I was going to eat salad, I wanted something … [Read more...]

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How to Make Rose-Scented Sugar

August 20, 2012 by 59 Comments

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

Filed Under: Before & After, Easter Holiday Home, Easter Recipes, Recipes, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, Valentine's Day Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Recipes, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: , ,



Make Your Own Beverage Tags: A Ballard Designs Knock-Off

July 17, 2012 by 51 Comments

Recently, I received an "End of Season" Ballard Designs catalog in the mail.  Excuse me, but would someone please tell Ballard Designs to not rush my summer.  It's just mid July and here in the south summer lasts at least until the end of September, sometimes well into October. Max and I curled up in the green and white chair here in the office and had fun oohing and ahhing from one page to the next.  So … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Decor Knock-offs, Halloween Crafts, Halloween Holiday Home, Halloween Recipes, Independence Day Crafts, Independence Day Holiday Home, Independence Day Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , ,



Make Marshmallow Flowers for Cupcakes: A Tutorial

April 11, 2012 by 21 Comments

Last week's Tablescape Thursday included yummy cupcakes. Here's a wider view of the tablescape...   The cupcakes were decorated with little flowers in celebration of spring.   Today, I though I'd share how I made the little flowers.  It's soooo easy, you're gonna love this! To begin, take a hand full of miniature marshmallows and cut them in half on the diagonal.  It's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Holiday Home, Easter Recipes, Recipes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: ,



Make Heart-Shaped Sugar Cubes for Parties: A Tutorial

March 28, 2012 by 50 Comments

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

Filed Under: DIY, DIY Decor Knock-offs, Recipes, Tablescapes Occasion, Tea Party Tablescapes, The Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Recipes, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Yummy Iced Coffee Recipe

February 8, 2012 by 37 Comments

I'm not a big coffee drinker, which is too bad now that I think about it.  It sure would have come in handy back in my college days when I had to occasionally pull an all-nighter to finish writing a paper. When I do drink coffee, it's always iced coffee.  Actually, when I make iced coffee, it's end up being more like a milkshake that happens to be coffee flavored.  I adore milk and can easily go through … [Read more...]

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Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe

January 2, 2012 by 69 Comments

Welcome to the 154th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm sharing an edible "Before and After" for this Metamorphosis Monday. This past Christmas I decided to shake things up a bit.  I made the traditional Coconut Cake and Ambrosia (recipe for Coconut Cake HERE) but I decided to make a pie, too. Years ago, I used to make a Lemon Meringue pie using a recipe from an old Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk recipe … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Independence Day Holiday Home, Independence Day Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: ,



Linzer Cookies for Halloween

October 21, 2011 by 33 Comments

Beautiful and Halloween-festive tablescapes were linked for yesterday's Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to scroll on down and check them all out. How about a little something to put on top of those table settings? A couple of months ago I stopped by a local craft store to check out the Halloween stuff and I came across cookie cutters with a Halloween theme.  They were especially made for making Linzer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Halloween Holiday Home, Halloween Recipes, Recipes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Carved Watermelon Whale Centerpiece

September 17, 2011 by 26 Comments

Carved Watermelon Party Centerpiece This past Tablescape Thursday, I shared a table setting with a carved watermelon centerpiece.   (View that tablescape here: Summer Tablescape with Carved Watermelon Centerpiece)   For a party many years ago, I cut the top off a watermelon and hollowed it out to hold fruit.   That was cute, but I've always wanted to try my hand at carving one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Children's Tablescapes, Independence Day Holiday Home, Independence Day Recipes, Recipes, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Summertime Salad: Arugula with a Fresh Berry Dressing

July 15, 2011 by 19 Comments

Happens every time. Yep, I'm a rule breaker...a real rebel. ;) (hee, hee)  Okay, technically when you have friends over for dinner or a party, you are NOT supposed to try out a new dish/recipe you've never made before. I guess that's in case it doesn't turn out right or you just don't like it. But, wouldn't ya know, that's when I always get in the mood to experiment and try something different...not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Independence Day Holiday Home, Independence Day Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: , ,



Peach Trifle, Great Summertime Dessert

July 6, 2011 by 34 Comments

One of my favorite desserts for this time of year is a trifle made with fresh Georgia peaches. Georgia is the "peach" state so you just can't get much better than a yummy peach trifle for a summer party on the porch.   This dessert is super easy to make and is loosely based on one I tore out of a magazine many years ago.  The recipe didn't make enough for the huge trifle dish I use and I wanted it to … [Read more...]

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Create Your Own Ice Bucket or Wine Chiller

November 14, 2010 by 93 Comments

Welcome to the 95th Metamorphosis Monday! Update: If you like this ice chiller but don't want to make one from scratch like I did, you'll find similar ones available for purchase here: Ice Chiller. Also, here: Ice Chiller Recently, I received a catalog in the mail and it showed a picture of a silver ice bucket that could be used to make a diy ice chiller. I was tempted to order it until I realized the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, DIY, DIY Decor Knock-offs, Recipes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , ,



Yummy Cranberry Trifle for Your Christmas Holiday Party

November 12, 2010 by 50 Comments

Earlier today I posted the recipe for the Champagne Punch I always make when I have a Christmas Party. A couple of folks e-mailed and asked for the trifle recipe, too...so here ya go.   The recipe comes from the December 2008 issue of Everyday Food.   Cranberry Trifle 2 bags (12 oz each) cranberries, fresh or frozen (I used fresh) 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar 2 Tablespoons … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, Recipes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , ,



Champagne Punch Great For Christmas or New Year’s Party

November 12, 2010 by 71 Comments

Several folks have asked for the punch recipe I mentioned in our last Party Planning post. I'm happy to share it.   You'll find a printable version of this recipe at the bottom of this post.   The Recipe: Champagne Holiday Punch Ingredients: 1 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 3 cinnamon sticks 4 whole cloves 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail 1/2 cup pineapple juice 1 bottle champagne (Korbel Brut works … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, New Year's Holiday Home, New Year's Recipes, New Year's Table Settings, Recipes Tagged With: , , ,



The Best Lasagna Ever

November 5, 2010 by 42 Comments

Okay, that's a really bold statement...but I do love this recipe! Here in Georgia, it's getting cold and rainy out...time for some comfort food. A Recipe: Lasagna When I was just a teenager, Rosemary, the wife of the Minister of Music for the church I attended, invited all the choir members to their home for a youth party. She made the most amazing lasagna, the best I'd ever tasted. A few years later, … [Read more...]

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Make Heart-Shaped Cakes for Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2010 by 35 Comments

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

Filed Under: Recipes, Valentine's Day Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Recipes, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , ,



Coconut Cake Recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas

December 30, 2009 by 67 Comments

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic these days.  Holidays have a way of doing that to us, don't they? As I was looking back through some of my older posts, I came across one written around this time last year and couldn't resist sharing it with you guys again. It's a post about a family tradition that I hope you'll enjoy. But first, I have to share something that had me laughing so hard on Christmas Day, I was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, Recipes, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Recipes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , ,



Sweet Potato Casserole, Southern Style

November 18, 2009 by 52 Comments

With Thanksgiving just 9 days away, I sat down today and started creating my grocery/shopping list. In the past you would have found me rooting through scraps of paper and note cards, trying to pull together all the recipes for those traditional Thanksgiving dishes my family enjoys this time of year. A few years ago, I typed up every single recipe, all pretty and neat. I printed them all out on cute little … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, Recipes, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Thanksgiving Recipes Tagged With: , ,



Lemonade on the Porch

July 16, 2009 by 133 Comments

Welcome to the 47th Tablescape Thursday! I love summer time here in the south. Yeah, I know it's hot, but we can fix that. Some fresh-squeezed, ice cold, lemonade out on the porch, should do the trick. Found this neat beverage dispenser while kicking around inside Old Time Pottery last week. It was only $19.95 and it's HUGE! We need munchies to go with our lemonade...Double … [Read more...]

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Sweet Potato Chips Snack or Appetizer

June 12, 2009 by 33 Comments

Looking for an appetizer or snack that's a little different...not the same old avocado dip or chips and salsa? If you like sweet potatoes...and maybe even if you think you don't like sweet potatoes, here's a great Paula Deen recipe you just might want to try. It's called Sweet Potato Chips and I found it in her cookbook, The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook.   When I had friends over … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Independence Day Holiday Home, Independence Day Recipes, Recipes 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: , , , , , , , , , ,



Strawberry Cheese Ring Appetizer

February 27, 2009 by 73 Comments

Today, I'm sharing a yummy appetizer I've made several times and it is always a big hit. It's super easy and fast...can't beat that! The recipe comes from Paula Deen's cookbook, The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook.  Love this cookbook!  It's filled with lots of good Southern cooking.  I've also linked to one more of her yummy recipes at the very end of this post...Sweet Potato … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Recipes, Independence Day Holiday Home, Independence Day Recipes, New Year's Recipes, Recipes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , ,