3 Beautiful Tables for Thanksgiving With Handmade And Cherished Family Heirlooms

Welcome to the 791st Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! I have two beautiful tables to share with you on this wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Sheri set this special table for her family's Thanksgiving. A family member celebrated their birthday a little before Thanksgiving and the table was also used for that special occasion.   Sheri said, "Mike made the cedar box … [Read more...]




2 Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Settings, Lovingly Prepared for Family

Welcome to the 790th Tablescape Thursday! I have two delightful tables to share with you for this week's Tablescape Thursday! Kathy has her Thanksgiving ready for her family, and it's beautiful!   I was so excited to see Kathy set her table with Plymouth Turkey dinnerware. I've seen this pattern when visiting my local William Sonoma, so it's exciting to see it in a real Thanksgiving table … [Read more...]




A Cozy, Warm, Candlelit Table For Fall, Mixing The New With The Vintage

Welcome to the 789th Tablescape Thursday! My favorite table settings, especially during the fall and winter, are always by candlelight.   This time of year, when nightfall begins arriving so early, I crave anything that feels cozy, warm, and comforting. Candlelight definitely gives me that.   A few days ago I purchased these rattan chargers that are currently on sale. I … [Read more...]




A Washer Update, A New Purchase + 4 Beautiful, Affordable Designs for Thanksgiving

Welcome to the 771st Metamorphosis Monday! Did you make it through the time change okay? I thought I read a couple of years back that we were going to stop the changing of the clocks every fall and spring. Does anyone else remember reading that? I guess something didn't get passed or make it all the way through for it to become a reality. I was really looking forward to that. I've just returned from a … [Read more...]




A Cozy Autumn Luncheon With Friends

Welcome to the 784th Tablescape Thursday. Recently, Norma, whose beautiful al fresco garden table settings I've shared before, set a beautiful fall table for a luncheon with friends.   Warm, beautiful colors for autumn...so pretty!   About the pretty leaf plates, Norma said, "The little plates are by Swinnerton, an English company founded in 1885 and are now part of the Royal … [Read more...]




Welcome Autumn!

Welcome to the 783rd Tablescape Thursday. We are still nice and warm here. Are you seeing some autumn weather in your area, yet?   I almost set this table on the porch since the temps out were so nice,  but it was so cloudy I decided to just stay inside.   Are you tired of seeing these two deer in my fall tables? lol   I found these guys many years ago in Lowe's … [Read more...]




Fall Dining: Celebrating the Glorious Colors of Autumn

Welcome to the 782nd Tablescape Thursday! I had planned to share a new table this week, but as the time grew closer, my mind was way too preoccupied with a major home update that was supposed to begin yesterday. At the last minute, the company doing the work had to reschedule to start tomorrow. My yard right now is littered with red, orange, and yellow flags from the various utility companies. I'll be … [Read more...]




A Late Summer Table Setting–Sunflower Inspired

Welcome to the 778th Tablescape Thursday! Did you know sunflowers normally bloom starting in July and can bloom all the way into October? I didn't realize that until I researched it today. I love sunflowers so much! The info I found online said that you can have non-stop flowers from July through October if you sow new seeds/plants every couple of weeks. I wish my backyard wasn't so shady because I would … [Read more...]




14 Beautiful, Whimsical Flatware Designs & A Strategy For Acquiring Them All! ;)

Welcome to the 766th Tablescape Thursday! Have you ever done an online search for unique flatware? Every so often I do that just to see what fun, whimsical flatware has been created. I love a beautiful elegant table setting, but my favorite tables are the fun ones, those tables that make you smile or feel a bit like a kid again. Sometimes it's the flatware that can really bring a bit of magic or fun to a … [Read more...]




How I Store/Organize My Napkins + Some New Additions For Spring and Summer

Welcome to the 756th Tablescape Thursday! If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you know that I store a lot of the goodies I use in table settings in these cabinets here in my garage. I've been doing this for quite a few years now and it has worked out really well. It's super convenient having so many things grouped in one place and so close to the three areas where I normally set tables in my … [Read more...]




Cozy Autumn Table With a Nandina & Pumpkin Centerpiece

Welcome to the 736th Tablescape Thursday! After my long 8-9 hour drive back home on Tuesday, I was pretty tired yesterday, but I was itching to set a table with one of my favorite fall dinnerware patterns. It was getting dark by the time I finished this table, so the lighting is not the natural lighting I would have preferred.   This morning I took a few photos in lower lighting and I … [Read more...]




We’re Off on a Safari for this Week’s Tablescape Thursday!

Welcome to the 733rd Tablescape Thursday! I wasn't sure what I'd be sharing for Tablescape Thursday this week because it's been a crazy, busy week. I'm typing this at 4 am because I literally can't sleep! When I'm planning home renovations, I find it hard to turn my brain off. This week I've been getting a lot of painting, electrical, and plumbing quotes. Today I had painters, plumbers, and electricians … [Read more...]




A Taste of Autumn with Beautiful Xavier Gold

Welcome to the 730th Tablescape Thursday! It was late evening when I completed this table setting. It's definitely getting darker out a lot earlier these days, isn't it?   With the cooler temps at night and the first day of fall behind us, I was in the mood for a tablescape with an autumn feel.   Not sure why but I always equate pheasants with autumn. No fall foliage in my yard … [Read more...]




3 Autumn Table Settings & 1 Broken Computer

Welcome to the 729th Tablescape Thursday! My goodness, it's been a week and a half around here. My computer decided it no longer wanted to connect to the internet except at very low speeds or sometimes not-at-all. At first, it appeared to be an internet issue but after a visit from a Comcast technician, followed by a second visit from a Comcast Supervisor (not at my request but by the 1st tech) they … [Read more...]




A Colorful, Festive Moroccan-Themed Dinner with Friends

Welcome to the 725th Tablescape Thursday! Whew! I've been moving stuff around in the garage this morning since the painters are coming back today to do a lot of touch-up work. Hopefully, after tomorrow, the painting will finally be complete and I can move all my dishes back into the cabinets this weekend. In the meantime, I have a festive, Moroccan-themed table to share, created by Norma who lives in the … [Read more...]




Creative Ways To Use Soup Tureens in Your Table Settings

Welcome to the 695th Tablescape Thursday! With snow in the forecast this past weekend, it really put me in the mood for homemade soup. At least once or twice during the wintertime, I have to make my favorite vegetable soup.   This vegetable soup recipe is available here: Vegetable Soup.   Another great cold-weather soup that I occasionally make is a roasted butternut squash … [Read more...]




2 Beautiful Tables, A Snowy Christmas Mantel & A Lovely Hand-crafted Church

Welcome to the 690th Tablescape Thursday! Jackie shared her beautiful Thanksgiving table just after Thanksgiving. It was so pretty, I couldn't wait another whole year to share it with you!   Being a Thanksgiving table, Jackie went with a color scheme in beautiful autumn browns, reds, creams, and deep greens for this tablescape.   Of course, being Thanksgiving, there had to … [Read more...]




Beautiful Equestrian-Themed Table Featuring Ralph Lauren’s, Wedgwood, Balmoral-Hunt China

Welcome to the 688th Tablescape Thursday! I have a beautiful table setting to share today, one I couldn't wait to see as soon as Elinda, a lovely BNOTP reader whose tables I've shared before, first told me about it. Elinda and I both have a love for all things "equestrian." I've never had a horse but I just love the beautiful clothing, collections and accouterments normally associated with horses and the … [Read more...]




Invasion of the Crows: An Autumn Table with a Bit of Spooky for Halloween

Welcome to 682nd Tablescape Thursday! Pssst: Would you like to know when I share a new post? Sign up for email updates HERE and whenever I post, you'll get an update in your email Inbox letting you know a new post is up. It was a tad chilly on the porch yesterday so I decided to set this autumn table inside here in the breakfast room.   I had plans to set a Halloween table since … [Read more...]




Double the Autumn Beauty and Color for This Week’s Tablescape Thursday!

Welcome to 681st Tablescape Thursday! I have two wonderful autumn treasures to share with you for this week's Tablescape Thursday. Sheri has set a beautiful table setting for fall. Sheri said, "I have my house ready for the fall and wanted to share some photos with you."   Sheri's tablecloth for this fall table goes with her lovely Heartland dinnerware. She paired this Heartland pattern … [Read more...]




Autumn-Fall Entertaining: 3 Autumn-Inspired Table Settings

Welcome to 679th Tablescape Thursday! I had planned to create a table setting this week but life had other plans. I've been working on replacing my 14-year-old hybrid SUV for the past several months since the hybrid battery could go at any time and that would be a very expensive repair in the ballpark of $7,000 to $8,000--definitely more than I would want to spend on a car of that age. So a few months … [Read more...]




Planning Ahead for Autumn and Thanksgiving Holiday Tables

Welcome to 678th Tablescape Thursday! Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma are having some of the same issues a lot of companies are having right now, they are having trouble getting stock into the stores. When I visited Pottery Barn yesterday, I didn't see nearly as many holiday-themed goodies as I would normally expect to see.   I thought these pumpkin-shaped bowls were really cute! There … [Read more...]




Celebrating a Bountiful Harvest, Italian Style

Welcome to 677th Tablescape Thursday! It's still warm here in Georgia and summer is very much still with us, but the evenings are definitely feeling a lot cooler. The cooler evening temps have put me in the mood for an autumn table this week.   I kept my centerpiece very simple using a lantern I've had for many years.   I found this dinnerware in HomeGoods many years ago. … [Read more...]




A Gorgeous Tablecloth Was the Inspiration for this Beautiful Table Setting

Welcome to the 675th Tablescape Thursday! I am often asked where I get inspiration for the table settings I create for dinner parties, family gatherings, and Tablescape Thursday. Sometimes inspiration will come from the season we're in or a holiday that's coming up. Or, inspiration may come from a new set of salad plates, or even something as simple as new napkin rings. It's so fun and exciting when that … [Read more...]




Planning Ahead for Autumn-Fall Dining and Entertaining

Welcome to the 671st Tablescape Thursday! Thanks for all your input on yesterday's post and all the wonderfully kind comments you left! Those are much appreciated and it's so nice to know that many of you still love the classic design styles as much as I do. If you ever wonder if you're alone in your love for traditional, classic decor, check out the comments left on yesterday's post HERE and you'll find … [Read more...]




So About Those Pierced Chargers–Here’s The Skinny, Plus a Sale Update

I came across something recently that I thought those of you who enjoy following Tablescape Thursday, would enjoy seeing. It's a receipt from January 2008. Over the years as I've created table settings for Tablescape Thursday, the most often asked about item that I use in many of the tables I set are these cream, pierced chargers. (Table setting below can be viewed here: Limelight Hydrangeas in a Summer … [Read more...]




Don’t Have the Perfect Tablecloth? Use a Cozy, Colorful Throw Instead

Welcome to the 632nd Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! I know this has been a terribly stressful week for everyone, so how about something fun and relaxing today! I don't have my main computer back, yet--still waiting to hear if it can be saved, but I had an idea for today's post. A while back in the comments on a Tablescape Thursday post, someone … [Read more...]




7 Tables for Autumn and Halloween

Welcome to the 631st Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions. For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I'm sharing 7 tables for a bit of autumn-Halloween inspiration. Many of these would be very easy to recreate. Click on the title of any table setting to see more of that table in detail. Happy Autumn! Blue Willow and Floral Pumpkin Centerpiece for an … [Read more...]




Halloween Table Craft Featuring Edgar Allan Poe’s Poem, The Raven

Several years ago I shared this wonderfully creative Halloween table craft by Stephanie at the blog, Brooklyn Limestone. After seeing this idea on her blog, I really wanted to do this for a Halloween table setting. I even went as far as buying the plain white plates to create it. Unfortunately, I never got around to making this clever Halloween design featuring Edgar Allan Poe's poem, The Raven, because … [Read more...]




Autumn-Fall Table with a Woolly Throw Tablecloth and a Cozy Pumpkin Centerpiece

Welcome to the 628th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions. Hope you like a lot of photos because this post has a bunch! Last week we were chatting in the comments about using throws as tablecloths. I love that look, especially for a fall or winter tablescape. I need to do a round-up sometime soon of tables I've created in the past where a throw was used as … [Read more...]




4 Beautiful Autumn Table Settings + A Cozy Made Bed

Welcome to the 627th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions. After being away for over two months helping my son and daughter-in-law with my two grandsons, I'm back home now. The boys are only back in school for half-days but at least they are back in school for the mornings. After being diagnosed with pneumonia on Wednesday of last week, I was not looking … [Read more...]




Answering a Question, 2 Charger Additions & Dishes I’m Eyeing Right Now

Welcome to the 624th Tablescape Thursday! Recently I received a lovely email from Anne who had a few questions about the charger plates I so often use in table settings. Anne wrote: I enjoy your blogs very much because you have so many different subjects. I have bought things you have suggested, enjoyed your home and family. Thanks for sharing. Where do you find chargers? Are some of them plastic? I … [Read more...]




Thinking Ahead to Autumn For This Tablescape Thursday

Welcome to the 622nd Tablescape Thursday! Have schools opened up yet in your area, yet? Here in Ohio, where I'm currently helping with my grandsons, the opening date has been delayed, but it looks like they will opening for half days very soon. Just wondering what you're seeing in your area? I was thinking ahead to fall and Halloween this morning. I love Halloween, it was always one of the most … [Read more...]




Incredible Auction Finds & Dining with Faenza Garofano Carnation

Welcome to the 609th Tablescape Thursday! I wish I lived near Jackie so she could teach me her ways. During this lockdown we've all been experiencing, Jackie scored some amazing deals on both furniture and dinnerware via some of the auction houses in her area. She had been hoping to update her dining room table and chairs. Jackies was able to acquire the beautiful table you'll see in today's table … [Read more...]




A Winterberry Candlelight Table Setting

Welcome to the 604th Tablescape Thursday! If you only read Between Naps On The Porch on Thursdays for Tablescape Thursday, you may be wondering why you haven't been seeing any tables from me lately. I've been visiting with my son, daughter in law and grandsons for the past five weeks, helping to homeschool and watch my grandsons during the day while my son/dil work. Fortunately, they have been able to … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea, Featuring Spode Woodland & Pheasant, Magnolia, Nandina Centerpiece

Welcome to the 582nd Tablescape Thursday! This is the table I'll be setting up for Thanksgiving this year. My grandsons, ages 3 and 5 will be here for Thanksgiving but won't be here for Christmas, so I want to do something fun for them.   They've never really watched the movie, Christmas Vacation, since they aren't quite old enough. They could probably watch it if we skipped past some of … [Read more...]




Beautiful DIY Lit Pumpkin Centerpiece for Autumn

Welcome to the 560th Metamorphosis Monday! Good Morning from Ohio. I'm visiting family over the next few days and looking forward to sharing some of Ohio's beautiful autumn foliage. My Before and After for this week's Met Monday is a wonderful idea my daughter-in-law, Nancy, created for a beautiful fall table centerpiece.   She placed a pierced ceramic pumpkin down inside a gorgeous autumn … [Read more...]




On the Porch for Halloween

Welcome to the 577th Tablescape Thursday! I set this table inside, then moved the whole thing outside onto the porch. Though overcast, it was just too nice out to be cooped up inside.   I tried to explain to Mr. Pheasant that he's an autumn centerpiece better suited for Thanksgiving tables, but he wasn't having it.   He insisted on holding our Halloween bouquet of black … [Read more...]




An Early Autumn Table Setting

Welcome to the 575th Tablescape Thursday! We're still in 80s and 90s here and everything is still beautifully green. Georgia doesn't say goodbye to summer easily or quickly, we like to savor those last warm moments of summer until autumn insists we let go.   When I bought Mr. Pheasant last week, I really had him in mind for a Thanksgiving table, but I decided to go ahead and use him right … [Read more...]




Halloween-Thanksgiving Dinnerware Shopping & What I Couldn’t Leave Behind

Welcome to the 574th Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday I stopped by two of my favorite stores to check out the autumn dishware offerings. At first, I was completely underwhelmed, every table I saw was done in neutral tones. There were at least four dressed that way. I didn't take photos of all of them because I was really in the mood for some gorgeous fall color.   If you love neutral colors … [Read more...]




An Enchanting Candlelit Table Setting for Fall

Welcome to the 571st Tablescape Thursday! I'm back home now, had a great drive yesterday in beautiful sunshine the whole way. And no wayward ties attacked my car as I drove home this time! Whew! After the 9+ hour drive, it was too late to put a table together once I arrived, so today I'm sharing a wonderful table from Noemi who wrote: Hey Susan! I have been a fan of your blog for a couple of years … [Read more...]




Fall-Autumn Table Inspiration & a Stunning Autumn Pumpkin Candlelit Centerpiece

Welcome to the 570th Tablescape Thursday! I always love it when I hear from readers of Between Naps On The Porch, especially when they share photos their beautiful porches and tables with me. Autumn weather and the holidays are just around the corner! Hard to believe, isn't it? Recently I received an email from Maureen with pictures of a beautiful table she created for Thanksgiving this past year. … [Read more...]




The Book Club Meeting: A Cozy, Candlelight Setting

Welcome to the 537th Tablescape Thursday! I was in the mood for a candlelight setting this week, something cozy to chase away the rain and the cold days of January.   This post was delayed this morning due to a technical issue my host company is working on. So if BNOTP is running a bit slower than normal, they are working on it. I had this table all set and was ready to start taking … [Read more...]




Happy Thanksgiving to You!

Welcome to the 530th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving to you! For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I'm sharing links to 8 previous Thanksgiving table settings. If you're looking for any last-minute ideas this morning, I hope these will provide a bit of inspiration for your Thanksgiving table. Click on any title or picture below to open that particular Thanksgiving Tablescape … [Read more...]




Dining in a Country Lodge, An Autumn Inspired Table Setting

Welcome to the 529th Tablescape Thursday! It's very cold here in Georgia right now, so I'm dreaming I'm in a beautiful lodge. There's a roaring, crackling fire blazing away in the massive stone fireplace. I'm curled up under a cozy, warm throw, reading The Secret Garden for the thousandth time while sipping the yummiest hot chocolate. What's that? It's time for dinner?   A dark … [Read more...]




5 Creative Tablescapes for Halloween and Fall

Welcome to the 523rd Tablescape Thursday! This week I'm taking you back to a few of my favorite Halloween and Autumn table settings.  If you're new to reading here at BNOTP, you'll find all the Halloween tables linked under the category "Tablescapes" at the top of the blog. To access those, click on: Tablescapes/Holiday/Halloween. Or, you'll find them all here: Halloween Tablescapes. Fall Tablescapes … [Read more...]




Welcoming Autumn with a Colorful Table Setting in Shades of Red, Gold and Brown

Welcome to the 521st Tablescape Thursday! With the official first day of autumn just a couple of days away, I'm  sharing a fall-ish table setting for this week's Tablescape Thursday. Still very warm here--reaching the 90's each day (which I love) but I know the cooler temps will be headed this way before too long.   I kept the centerpiece simple, using a red lantern I've had for several … [Read more...]




French Cottage Becomes a Greek Taverna

Welcome to the 520th Tablescape Thursday! We're off to France for this week's Tablescape Thursday to visit my friend, Norma. Norma resides in an adorable cottage in the French countryside alongside the Argenton River. Recently, she had friends staying with her for a few days, and one evening she prepared a scrumptious Greek feast. Norma wrote: Hi Susan I thought that you might like to see these … [Read more...]




Fall Dinnerware Shopping & Beautiful Embossed White Chargers On Sale

Welcome to the 518th Tablescape Thursday! I always have to be dragged kicking and screaming into fall. I know it's not that way for a lot of folks who can't wait for a bit of relief from the heat. When it comes to checking out the new dishware offerings for autumn, no dragging is needed. Ha! Yesterday I stopped into the Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma near my home to see if they had their fall/autumn … [Read more...]




Celebrating 10 Years & 500 Tablescape Thursdays!

Welcome to the 500th Tablescape Thursday! Wow! It blows me away to type that number: 500! How did that happen? :) Tablescape Thursday, initially called Tablescape Tuesday, got its start on August 24th, 2008. This was the first table setting I ever posted for our tablescape party. I had just added on the porch the previous fall/winter and was so excited to set a table with the beach-themed dinnerware I … [Read more...]




Going to Miss the Cozy Tartan Plaids of Winter

Welcome to the 492nd Tablescape Thursday! A few week's back I posted a winter woodland table for Tablescape Thursday.   Shortly after posting that table, Elinda shared photos of a recent woodland table she had put together. Though spring has arrived early here in Georgia (everything is blooming up a storm now!) I had to share this delightful cozy woodland table. Recognize the deer in … [Read more...]




A Cozy, Woodland, Candlelight Dinner for Cold, Winter Nights

Welcome to the 487th Tablescape Thursday! During the winter months, I love surrounding myself with plaid as much as possible, be it a plaid throw at night when I'm reading, a plaid scarf to keep me warm when I run errands or colorful, plaid plates for cozy dining.   This winter table has a woodland-deer theme. I kept the centerpiece simple, using two cute deer I've had for several years … [Read more...]




Noritake Xavier Gold: Perfect for an Autumn or Holiday Table

Welcome to the 474th Tablescape Thursday! Too cold to create a table setting on the porch this week...   ...or, on the new seating area on the deck.   Since we're inside in the dining room for this week's Tablescape Thursday, it's the perfect time to share a candlelit table with a cozy, autumn feel.   This table wanted to become everything. It wanted to be a … [Read more...]




Blue Willow & Floral Pumpkin Centerpiece for an Autumn Table

Welcome to the 472nd Tablescape Thursday! We've decided to skip fall and winter here in Georgia this year. As you can see, the trees are still green and leafy in my back yard, and yesterday was in the 80's. Today we'll reach 85! I'm really not complaining, though. I love summer and love the heat. I wonder when fall arrives, if it will just hit all at once and all the leaves will change and fall off the … [Read more...]




Found: The Perfect Bark-Edged, Wood Chargers for Woodsy Holiday Tables

I love using chargers in a table setting. They add so much to a table, another lovely layer that beautifully highlights the other plates in the place setting.   Over the past 10 years I've gradually added to my charger collection whenever I've found them on sale or greatly discounted. I've also enjoyed making them when a design I wanted wasn't available anymore, or was more than I wanted to … [Read more...]




The Sales Have Begun! Tablescape Shopping for the Upcoming Holiday Season

Welcome to the 470th Tablescape Thursday! As we head into the holiday season with Halloween only a month away, one of my favorite things to do this time of year is to visit my nearby Pottery Barn. I always love their displays and it totally gets me in the holiday mood. I was surprised to see so many things are already on sale!   These adorable pumpkin plates are currently on sale here: … [Read more...]




Dinner in a Country Lodge

Welcome to the 469th Tablescape Thursday! It's still warm here in Georgia, but some David Carter Brown plates I purchased recently have put me in the mood for a bit of fall fun.   I almost placed this table setting in the dining room since it has more of an autumn feel with its red walls.   But in the end I decided to stay on the porch since it was so nice out with temps in … [Read more...]




Inspired By Our Cooler Weather, But Not Quite Ready to Say Goodbye to Summer

Welcome to the 467th Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday: Awoke at 5:00 am--body still on Ireland time. Decided to make the most of it and headed down to the garage to start replacing the bowed shelves.   Took a while to unload and reload all the shelves since several had to be removed at once to get them out. Afterwards: much better---no more bowed shelves!   Ditto for all the … [Read more...]




17 Charger Plate Ideas for Your Next Dinner Party

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




Whimsical Ideas for Spring Tablescapes

Welcome to the 448th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Spring! My friend, Marie, had a big family gathering this year for Easter. She decorated and set her tables well in advance, but with my trip to Morocco, we could never find a good date to get together for photos. Just before I left to travel out of state to see family for Easter, I was able to stop by Marie's home to take photos, but unfortunately she … [Read more...]




Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to the 427th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Though I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year, I put together a table setting to share using the acorn soup tureens I just recently purchased .   I started out with the idea of creating a woodland centerpiece using deer, but it just didn't feel right leaving Mr. Turkey out of the picture. I only get to use … [Read more...]




A Porch Hutch Decorated for Autumn

Welcome to the 424th Tablescape Thursday! I didn't get a chance to set a table this week so I thought I'd share how I dressed the porch hutch a few weeks ago.   I pulled out some of my most favorite autumn/fall dishes and combined those with cute, pumpkin-shaped soup bowls.   The leafy glassware is from Dollar Tree several years ago. I love using it in table settings this … [Read more...]




The Last Halloween Table of the Season

Welcome to the 423rd Tablescape Thursday! I'm squeezing in one more Halloween table setting before Halloween is gone for another year. I thought I'd be putting this week's table inside until I realized it was going to be 78° outside today. So we're back out on the porch for this week's Tablescape Thursday.   I had a black and white table setting in mind, but somewhere along the way I … [Read more...]




Fall Tablescape with a Beautiful Hydrangea Blossom Centerpiece

Welcome to the 419th Tablescape Thursday! Mary, a reader of BNOTP, shared some wonderful photos with me recently. She is an avid gardener and grows a lot of beautiful hydrangeas in her garden.   Mary enjoys using hydrangeas in arrangements and centerpieces all around her home.   She recently shared some pretty table settings with me including this wonderful summer table with … [Read more...]




A Woodland Table Celebrating the Beauty of the Northwoods Forest

Welcome to the 416th Tablescape Thursday! We're still having beautiful weather in the 80's each day, but the table I set for this week has more of an autumn feel.   Have you been wondering what's happened to the seat cushions I normally have on the chairs around the table? I still have them, I've just been removing them for photos each week if the colors in the cushions detract from the … [Read more...]




A Summer Tablescape Transitions Beautifully Into Fall

Welcome to the 413th Tablescape Thursday! Pssst: From time to time I get questions about the items used in table settings here at BNOTP and if they are still available. If there's an item you've previously seen in a table setting, if I can find that item still available online, I will add it to the "SHOP-Favorites for the Table" category at the top of the blog. So if you're ever looking for an item you … [Read more...]




An Autumn Table with Woodland Friends

Welcome to the 412th Tablescape Thursday! Thanks to everyone who left a comment on the decorating trends post. I really enjoyed reading those! I purposely sat on my hands and didn't comment/reply because I wanted to hear your thoughts and opinions. One thing I did want to mention, from reading the comments on that post, it sounded like a few folks thought the compiled list I included in the post was … [Read more...]




Taper Tipper: Easiest Way To Trim Down the Base of a Candle

Welcome to the 393rd Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I shared this summer table setting for Tablescape Thursday. Thanks so much for all the lovely comments you left on that post--appreciated those so much!   The centerpiece for that table was all about candles, lots and lots of candles. (Tablescape can be viewed here: Romantic Candlelight Dinner on the Porch)   In that post I … [Read more...]




Where Did You Get That Flatware?

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




On Safari: An African Safari-Themed Tablescape

Welcome to the 399th Tablescape Thursday! When I was on safari in Kenya last September, I stayed in romantic Giraffe Manor for one of  the nights I was there. Giraffe Manor, built in 1938 in the style of a Scottish Hunting Lodge, is truly like something out of a storybook. The Rothschild Giraffe is endangered and the good folks at Giraffe Manor are doing what they can to increase the population. Did … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Table With Spode Woodland & A Whimsical Turkey Centerpiece

Welcome to the 375th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving! We'll be having our Thanksgiving feast here in the dining room today. I'm not planning on serving soup (wish I still had some of the roasted pumpkin soup I made recently) but just for fun I added the turkey soup tureens to see how they would look. Whenever I use Mr. Turkey in the center, I can't resist brining out the turkey tureens since … [Read more...]




Fall Table Setting with Limelight Hydrangea Centerpiece

Welcome to the 373rd Tablescape Thursday! When I first started putting this table together, it was in the 50's outside, a little too chilly for playing out on the porch. By the time I was done, I was wishing I had set the table there because it was already up to 63 degrees outside.   I'm using a few of the souvenirs I brought back from Italy in today's … [Read more...]




Autumn Table Setting with Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Welcome to the 372nd Tablescape Thursday! I've heard a rumor that there's this thing called "sunshine." It's supposed to be really bright, but I think it may be just a myth. How is it in your part of the world? I hope you're seeing some sunny days. If I don't start seeing some pretty soon, I'm going to have to buy one of those light machines like Police Chief Celia Bachelor used in the show, Men in … [Read more...]




Get Ready for Holiday Entertaining & Dining, Everything Is On Sale!

Yesterday I ran a quick errand and while I was out, I stopped by Williams-Sonoma to see what was new for the holiday season. Oh my gosh, if you are in need of Autumn, Thanksgiving or Christmas dishware, they have some of the cutest patterns in that I've seen in a long time! I went online to see if I could find any good coupons and I noticed they are having a 20% off any item sale along with free shipping … [Read more...]




What I’m Loving For Fall & Halloween

We've been having some really wonderful fall-like days here lately. It's hard to believe this is August because it has felt more like October. How has it been where you live?  I've been throwing the doors to the porch open every morning, letting all that cool morning air into the house, then I close them around 10:00 when it starts to warm up a little. With the cool temps, I'm starting to think about … [Read more...]




A Seafood Boil + 5 More Tablescapes

Welcome to the 362nd Tablescape Thursday! When I visited Cresswind on Lake Lanier with a friend recently, each home had a pretty table setting inside. Let's check them out! Now this is the way to start the day, with a breakfast of croissants, fruit, wine and chocolate! :)   Notice how they tucked the spoon under the napkin ring for the bowl of beans cereal. Interesting, … [Read more...]




In The Library With The Candlestick

Welcome to the 337th Tablescape Thursday! I began putting this table together a couple of weeks ago but couldn't quite get it ready in time for last week's Tablescape Thursday. It was freezing at the time and I was craving warm and cozy. What a difference a week makes! Yesterday as I worked to finish the table, the birds were chirping so loudly outside you would have thought spring had arrived. I … [Read more...]




Warming Up The New Year With A Woodland Table Setting

Welcome to the 329th Tablescape Thursday! Have you ever gotten a surprise call from a friend who was in town and suddenly realized you were going to have company for dinner? When that happened to Laura, instead of panicking like I may have :) she seized the opportunity to put together a warm and inviting Woodland themed table setting. Laura is definitely quick on her feet because the table she created is … [Read more...]




Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to the 324th Tablescape Thursday! Pssst: Putting this week's tablescape up early since tomorrow will be a busy day for so many. Since I'm not hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, for this week's Tablescape Thursday I'm linking back to previous table settings I've created over the years for Thanksgiving.     Hope you enjoy and hope your Thanksgiving Day is … [Read more...]




A Pancake Breakfast On The Porch

Welcome to the 322nd Tablescape Thursday! A couple of years ago I was in Marshall's and came across these cute, little individual milk bottles for $3 each. An idea instantly popped into my head. Wouldn't it be fun to use them in a breakfast table setting. I could fill each one with milk for cereal or with a preferred beverage then each person would feel extra spoiled having their own little milk bottle … [Read more...]




They Only Look Like Ornaments…

Welcome to the 301st Metamorphosis Monday! Pssst...come over here a second, I want to show you something. We're in the Christmas section of Wal-mart...what do you see? Looks like ornaments, right?   I'm seeing something else. Those antlers, the ones in a circle shape there on the top row...   To me, those look like great napkin rings...   ...for a Christmas … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving & Christmas Tablescapes With Pottery Barn

Welcome to the 320th Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday I popped into Pottery Barn to get a look their tabletop goodies for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. The PB near me was under construction last time I visited because they were expanding the size of the store. With construction complete, things looked very different on this trip. They had lots of pretty tablescapes set up throughout the … [Read more...]




Hootin’ It Up For Halloween

Welcome to the 316th Tablescape Thursday! The owls hooting up a storm in my backyard recently must have been the inspiration behind this table setting. (Hear that recording here: Night Sounds From The Porch)   I found Mr. Owl in Wal-mart around this time last year. He's actually a cookie jar. I placed him atop two cake pedestals to give him some height in the center of the … [Read more...]




The Best-Dressed Table At The County Fair

Welcome to the 315th Tablescape Thursday! It's that time of year. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to change color and there's a cool crispness to the evening air. That can only mean one thing; the smell of cotton candy and funnel cakes will soon fill the air.  Source The Country Fair is in town! Each year Dawnette bravely takes up a most unique challenge--she enters a … [Read more...]




5 Autumn Table Settings

Welcome to the 314th Tablescape Thursday! Before we dive into this week's Tablescape Thursday, I have a little update about Postcards From The Porch, the newsletter for Between Naps On The Porch. As it looks right now, I should be sending out the first newsletter this Saturday. Yay!   If you would like to receive the BNOTP weekly newsletter, sign up HERE. Or, you can use the subscribe box … [Read more...]




Dapper-Dressed Animals Gather: Whimsical Tablescape

Welcome to the 312th Tablescape Thursday! My table setting this week did its best to become an autumn table setting. At one point it was sporting a centerpiece of fall leaves and sparkly, brown pine cones. I'm just not quite ready to succumb to fall. So I took the leaves away and decided to go with something lighter, something that hints of fall but still has one foot firmly planted in these last warm … [Read more...]




Make Pine Cone Napkin Rings for a Nature-Themed Table Setting

I absolutely love it when readers of Between Naps on the Porch are inspired by something they've seen here in a post. Recently, I received an e-mail from Terri who had seen something in this past fall table setting that she really liked. Can you guess what it was? I guess the title of this post sort of gave it away, huh?  Tablescape can be viewed here: Woodland or Nature-Themed Table Setting Yep, … [Read more...]




A Thanksgiving Fall Tablescape Out On The Porch

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




Autumn Table Setting with Spode Woodland

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




Celebrating the First Days of Autumn

Welcome to the 263rd Tablescape Thursday! Sunday was the first day of autumn. It doesn't really look like autumn here but it is definitely beginning to feel that way.   It's been raining for the last two days and was still raining out when I took these pics. You can see the leaves haven't started changing color yet, at least not in my yard, but it won't be long. Are they changing where you … [Read more...]