Duck, Duck Goose

I almost named this post "Goose Dynasty." ;) Recently Bonnie created a beautiful fall tablescape and I couldn't wait until Tablescape Thursday to share it with you.   This table celebrates the beautiful, rich colors of fall.   The centerpiece is a wonderful tureen disguised as a fat, fall goose. Do you think he's a Canada goose heading south for the winter? I think he's just … [Read more...]




Table Setting Ideas for Fall & Halloween

Today I was on a mission, unfortunately my mission failed. I was trying to find small-to-medium size cookie cutters in the shape of flowers. I struck out in Michaels, Party City (it was next door so I gave it a shot), Bed, Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn and the Dollar Store. The cookie cutters I found today were either way too big or were in large sets and were too expensive. I finally gave up and decided to … [Read more...]




Going on Safari: A Safari Themed Table Setting

Welcome to the 254th Tablescape Thursday! Recently, I received an e-mail from Laura who reads BNOTP. She and her daughter, Claire had created the most amazing tablescape for a birthday celebration. Laura's hubby (Claire's Dad) Paul, was turning 56 and they wanted his birthday to be memorable. They decided to create a table setting that pays tribute to where he served for several years during his military … [Read more...]




A Christmas Dinner Party

Welcome to the 224th Tablescape Thursday! Three or four weeks ago I posted this tablescape below for a Tablescape Thursday.  Sunday I had a little dinner party and at first I set the table with my Lenox, Winter Greetings pattern.  At the last minute, I decided the table was feeling a bit more formal than I wanted for this gathering.  I wanted our party to feel more cozy and casual.  So I decided to … [Read more...]




A Cozy, Woodland Setting

Welcome to the 221st Tablescape Thursday!  (Pssst:  The seasonal footer at the bottom of BNOTP is all decked out with Christmas and Holiday posts.) As I put this table setting together yesterday, I thought I was creating a Christmas tablescape.  Once I sat down and began writing my post, I realized this is really a great "transition" table, a table that's as much at home for a fall or Thanksgiving dinner … [Read more...]




Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to 220th Tablescape Thursday!  I'm posting Tabescape Thursday early this week since tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and it will be a busy day for everyone. I'm excited to share my friend, Bonnie's beautiful Thanksgiving table this week! Come a bit closer and soak up all the wonderful details. I love, love, love all the  rich fall colors in this setting.  Such a warm, inviting table for … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Tablescape, 2012

Welcome to the 219th Tablescape Thursday! I'd also like to welcome listeners from the Bekah, Lynne, Thursdays show!  Thanks so much for stopping by and thanks to Bekah and Lynne for the shout-out today on their mid-morning show!   If you're looking for the home tour of the adorable cottage in the movie, The Holiday, you'll find it here:  Tour Rosehill Cottage from the movie, The Holiday. Thanksgiving … [Read more...]




Never Buy Place Cards for Your Tablescape Again

I've been working on my Thanksgiving table setting this week and I had it almost finished when I realized how much I didn't like the way the place cards I was using looked with the autumn colors in my tablescape.  The only place cards I have are some I purchased a few years ago and they are stark white. I hopped in the car and headed over to a couple of home stores thinking I might find something in more … [Read more...]




Best in the West: The Best-Dressed Table at the County Fair

Welcome to the 218th Tablescape Thursday! Recently, I was chatting via email with Dawnette.  She was telling me how she was inspired to participate in a competition for "the best dressed table" at her county fair this year.   Does the county fair do that in your town, too? Dawnette said, "The two table themes to chose from were Victorian for 2, which was the formal table and an Engagement Party for 4. … [Read more...]




Fall Dining on the Porch & A Book-Themed Centerpiece

Welcome to the 212th Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday, I posted some pictures of the mantel in the family room all dressed for autumn.  It became the inspiration for this week's Tablescape Thursday.   Often, the treasures we love and use when decorating our home work well in a centerpiece for a table setting, too.   I almost put this tablescape in my dining room since the colors are … [Read more...]




Russet Shades of Autumn: A Table for Two on the Deck

Welcome to the 210th Tablescape Thursday! It's been beautiful weather here...perfect time for another tablescape out on the deck.  Try to ignore my slightly bedraggled plants.  I haven't done the greatest job watering them lately.   This fall table setting is all about the colors of autumn...reds, golds and touches of green.   Bird's-eye view...   I didn't have … [Read more...]




6 Autumn Tablescapes

Welcome to the 209th Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so, so much for all your supportive comments yesterday.  A special thanks to all the dear-hearts who signed up for the BNOTP RSS feed, e-mails and "Liked" BNOTP on Facebook.  I feel so blessed to have you here reading.  I've said it before and it's still true. You are the very best part of BNOTP!   Appreciate you so much! Autumn is in the Air I'm just … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Table Setting with Nature Themed Centepiece

Welcome to the 171th Tablescape Thursday! I'm a week late but for this Tablescape Thursday I'm sharing the Thanksgiving table setting I had been working on when my camera cat-astrophe occurred. All the pics in this post were taken with the new camera, a Nikon D5100. This camera is super, duper light sensitive, which is why it works so well in low lighting situations. It will take me a little while to get … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Turkey Napkin Fold Tutorial

Recently, for Tablescape Thursday, I posted a Thanksgiving tablescape with the little ones in mind.     (Tablescape below can be viewed here:  A Thanksgiving Tablescape for the Kids) It included a fun turkey napkin fold.   Today I'm sharing a tutorial showing how it's made, in case you would like to incorporate it into your Thanksgiving table this year.     To create your turkey … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Tablescape for the Kids

Welcome to the 169th Tablescape Thursday! Thanksgiving is only one week away!  Wow, this month has flown by.  For this Tablescape Thursday I put together a tablescape with the little ones in mind.  Do you set up a "kids" table each year for Thanksgiving?  Sometimes I think sitting at the kids table would be more fun than the grown-ups table.   Though this table was created with little ones in … [Read more...]




Fall Dining on the Porch: Celebrating the Russet Shades of Autumn

Welcome to the 167th Tablescape Thursday! It was a gorgeous day here so I spent some time playing outside on the porch. The leaves are changing and the fall colors are spectacular. I brought those colors to my table setting for Tablescape Thursday.  I shopped the house and snagged a floral arrangement from the family room for my fall tablescape.   I liked it, but ultimately I changed it out … [Read more...]




Warming Up on the Porch

Welcome the the 163rd Tablescape Thursday! Cool fall nights are perfect for hot chocolate out on the porch. Where would you like to sit?   How about on the swing?  There's a soft, warm blanket to keep you warm and a great book awaits.   The late afternoon sun is so wonderful streaming in across the porch.     The evening breeze carries the … [Read more...]




A Colorful Autumn Table Setting

Welcome to the 161st Tablescape Thursday! Though the leaves on the trees are still very green and the temps reached well int the 80's today, I was so in the mood to for a fall table setting.  Besides, Friday is the first official day of fall.   I've always wanted to create a table setting with magnolia leaf chargers.   I just thought it would be for a Christmas tablescape. … [Read more...]




A Country Rooster Table Setting

Welcome to the 137th Tablescape Thursday! It was gorgeous here today. It was so pretty I was tempted to put this tablescape out on the porch, but the pollen is insane right now. If you look closely, you can see it out there on the porch floor. That isn't dust...that's pollen! Yikes! We'll tablescape out there soon, but for now let's stay inside where it's a little less messy.   So come on … [Read more...]




How Many Place Settings Should I Buy?

I receive a good many emails each week from the wonderful readers of BNOTP and one question I get over and over again is: How do you decide how many place settings to buy of a particular china? Here's just three of the e-mails I've received on this topic: 1. "Whenever I see a dish sets (usually come in set for 4/box). I am not sure if I should just buy the 4 (in 1 box) or buy 2 boxes. Is hard to find set … [Read more...]




A Tablescape of Thanksgiving

Welcome to the 118th Tablescape Thursday! This post is dedicated to you...the readers of BNOTP. I was so touched by all the expressions of thanksgiving you left on Mikasa's Facebook wall, I decided to let you write today's Thanksgiving post. I am thankful for each day with my husband of 42 years, time spent with our children and 6 grandchildren. As well as my Mom who will be 89 this year. We are … [Read more...]




Fall Dining with Feathered Friends

Welcome to the 115th Tablescape Thursday! I started this tablescape on the porch a week or so ago when the weather was still in the 70's. By the time I took pics today, it was rainy and somewhat chilly out. I had so much fun playing though, I forgot all about the dreary weather. As you view this tablescape, imagine it with woven or ratan chargers in a warm brown. Unfortunately, I didn't have any but … [Read more...]




A Tablescape Celebrating Autumn’s Bounty

Welcome to the 114th Tablescape Thursday! I've been working on a tablescape this week out on the porch...the weather here has been in the 70's all week! Love it! But, the last few days have been raining...not great for taking pics to share. Fortunately, Cornelia recently sent some great pics of a wonderful tablescape she's created in celebration of the autumn season. It's always such a treat when … [Read more...]




A Tablescape to Celebrate Fall

Welcome to the 111th Tablescape Thursday! We are finally starting to get some cooler temps here in Georgia. I have to be honest with you guys...I'm just not a cool weather fan. But I do love fall colors so putting together a fall tablescape was a lot of fun. I kept my centerpiece simple since I had a lot going on color wise in this tablescape. Ummm, wonder how a few acorns from the huge oak … [Read more...]




Three Tablescapes: Baby Shower, Beachy & Thanksgiving

Hi Everyone! Hope your week was fabulous! Any great plans for the weekend? I hope wherever you live...the weather is as awesome there as it is here. A few months back, I was blessed to receive some delightful pics of tablescapes created by three readers of BNOTP. I thought I'd share their wonderful tables today...along with the info they sent about how they were inspired to create them. Kathy from … [Read more...]




Monogramming Sterling Flatware, Great Idea or Huge Mistake

Welcome to the 80th Metamorphosis Monday! I love monogrammed silver. I suppose I could attribute it to having been "raised" here in the south where  monogramming has long been a standing tradition. Actually, I've never known anyone who had monogrammed silver, or if they did I don't remember seeing it. But for me, it's a reminder that family is important, family traditions are important and … [Read more...]




Holiday Table Settings by the Readers of BNOTP

Happy Saturday! Are you having a fabulous weekend? Shopping done, or are you still looking for that perfect gift? I'm done (thank goodness) except for a few more gifts for stockings. Several weeks ago, I announced that on Saturdays, during the month of December, I'd love to posts pics of tablescapes created by Non-bloggers who are readers of BNOTP. Well, you guys got busy tablescaping and I've been … [Read more...]




Turkey Day is Almost Here!

Wow! 152 participants in yesterday's Metamorphosis Monday! So many fabulous "Before and Afters!" When you have some spare time this holiday weekend, come back and check them all out. I promise you will come away inspired to tackle that project you've been putting off around your house. You may have noticed a little trend this week here at BNOTP. I wanted these last few days before Thanksgiving to be a … [Read more...]




Decorating for Autumn and a Thanksgiving Tablescape

Welcome to the 45th Metamorphosis Monday!   For this weeks Met Monday, we're going to Bonnie's beautiful home to see how she has transformed her hutch in her breakfast room. When we last saw it around the end of October, it was all decked out for Halloween. Remember this amazing pic? Well, honey, that was so, three weeks ago! Feast your eyes now! Wow...quite a transformation from Halloween...love … [Read more...]




A Beautiful Thanksgiving Tablescape

Recently, Babs, a lovely reader of BNOTP, shared a few pics of her beautiful Thanksgiving tablesetting. Babs told me she wanted to set a casual Thanksgiving table with some of her recent purchases from Cracker Barrel. (If you are a follower of BNOTP on Facebook, you already know about the amazing 40% off sale Cracker Barrel recently had on much of their autumn tabletop merchandise.) Feast your eyes on … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Tablescape with Spode, Woodland China

Welcome to the 65th Tablescape Thursday! With Thanksgiving only a week away, I thought I'd share a "hunt themed" Thanksgiving tablescape this evening. This tablescape is similar to the one I did last year, but I've changed quite a few things and added a bit more whimsy.   Let's dim the lights a bit... Acorn tureens from Williams-Sonoma are just right for a hearty Butternut Squash … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving with Candlelight and a Natural Centerpiece

Welcome to the 64th Tablescape Thursday! Recently I was "chatting" with my friend, Kathysue...we met via Rate My Space and have been friends every since.   Kathysue has created a beautiful tablescape for Thanksgiving and she graciously agreed to let me share some pics of her table setting, as well as her beautiful dining room. I've always loved the striped wall paper in Kathysue's dining room...it's … [Read more...]




Fall Dining on the Porch

Welcome to the 61st Tablescape Thursday! I'm often asked, "How many sets of dishes do you have?!"  Well, I'm letting you in on a big secret tonight. You really don't need that many sets of dishes to create different tablescapes...you just need to be a little creative and change a few of the elements. Let me show you what I mean. Remember this tablescape I posted about 4 weeks ago with my Pier 1 china, … [Read more...]




Beautiful Wheat Centerpiece with Pumpkin Tureens

Welcome to the 59th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Fall, Y'all! Last week I shared a "fall inspired" tablescape out on the porch. This week I'm sharing another "fall" tablescape created by Bonnie, a talented, reader of BNOTP, who shares our love for tablescaping. You may remember the post I did a few weeks ago showing several of Bonnie's beautiful tablescapes. Feast your eyes on Bonnie's gorgeous fall … [Read more...]




Fall Tablescape: To Autumn

Welcome to the 58th Tablescape Thursday! It's just starting to feel a bit like fall here in the deep south. So let's celebrate with a simple tablescape brimming with all the rich colors of autumn. After you visit all the wonderful tablescapes posted for this Tablescape Thursday, be sure to scroll on down to Met Monday's Give-a-Way. To Autumn by John Keats Season of mists and mellow … [Read more...]




Seasonal Table Settings

Welcome to the 23rd Tablescape Tuesday! ANNOUNCEMENT: Tablescape Tuesday will be moving to Thursday, beginning, Thursday, February 5th. That means we will not be tablescaping Tuesday, February 3rd. You will have a couple extra days to get your next tablescape post ready. The poll that was runnning on my sidebar indicates the majority of you are looking forward to this change. I personally would … [Read more...]




A Thanksgiving Table Setting with Spode Woodland

Welcome to the 14th Tablescape Tuesday! Recently I had a "china" panic attack! A china panic attack is what happens when you hear or read that a particular china manufacturer is trying to sell their business because they are fast headed in the direction of closing their doors. Unfortunately, there's a lot of that type news going around these days. The company I heard about was Spode and my little … [Read more...]




A Fall Table Setting

Welcome to the 5th Tablescape Thursday! Recently, I asked Lynne (Decorator101 on RMS) if she had put together a fall table setting? Fortunately for all of us, the answer was, YES!   She sent me these beautiful pics and they were just too good to keep to myself. I ask Lynne for some information about how she put her fall table together and here's what she shared: "I am so honored to be asked once again … [Read more...]




A Table Setting to Welcome Autumn

Welcome to the 4th Tablescape Tuesday! Fall is definitely in the air here in the Atlanta area. I blew all the leaves off the deck on Saturday and was shocked to see how many more had accumulated by Sunday morning. This will be my first fall on the porch, since the porch was just finished in early spring. So you know what that means...time to go shopping for some fall goodies for the porch, including fall … [Read more...]