Make a Greenhouse from Old Discarded Windows

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




Mad About Plaid

Welcome to the 66th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving, this Tablescape Thursday! After posting Thanksgiving tablescapes all week, how about a whimsical Christmas table setting? I took pics in different types of lighting...amazing all the different looks you get by just changing the lighting.   Tilted the shutters closed to enjoy the candlelight a bit.   Love those … [Read more...]




Sweet Potato Casserole, Southern Style

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...]




Silver-Tiered Centerpiece for Christmas

Welcome to the 63rd Tablescape Thursday! A few months ago, I was shopping in one of my favorite antique/thrift stores, and I came across a pretty multi-tiered, silver server. It was a bit more than I really wanted to spend at $50 and it seemed a bit on the high side for the Flea...but it grabbed hold of me and refused to let me leave without it. I'd been planning on putting together a formal tablescape … [Read more...]




Mark Ballard Decorates for Christmas

Have you ever met someone and after only five minutes in their company, you knew you just loved 'em. Well, that was my reaction the first time I ever met Mark Ballard. Mark Ballard is an artist, designer, decorator, speaker, author, columnist, chef, television personality and has been described as "a true Renaissance man with a Southern flair!" I had the pleasure of seeing Mark in person when he … [Read more...]




Strawberry Cheese Ring Appetizer

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...]




Winter Greetings by Lenox

Welcome to the 20th Tablescape Tuesday! A couple of weeks back I posted this tablescape... You may remember the china I used, Winter Greetings by Lenox. I wanted to share a bit more information about this china for this Tablescape Tuesday. This beautiful wreath and bird design was created for Lenox by wildlife artist, Catherine McClung...click HERE to access her website and see more of her … [Read more...]




Williamsburg Apple Tree Centerpiece for Your Christmas Table

Welcome to the 19th Tablescape Tuesday! When I posted a Christmas tablescape a few weeks ago, I received several questions about how I made the fruit tree centerpiece. Even though Christmas is over, I thought it might be helpful to see how it's made, just in case you would like to make one next year. Honestly, I think this would be beautiful for any occasion, not just Christmas. So for this Tablescape … [Read more...]




A Champagne Punch Your Guests Will Love

When I have a Christmas or New Year's Eve party, I always serve this easy to make, Champagne punch.   This is the recipe but you'll find a printable one at the end of this post. Champagne Holiday Punch Ingredients: 1 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 3 cinnamon sticks 4 whole cloves 2 cups cranberry juice 1/2 cup pineapple juice 1 bottle champagne (Korbel Brut works great) Small amount of Grand Marnier (or any … [Read more...]




Christmas Table Setting, Cottage Style

Welcome to the 18th Tablescape Tuesday! Christmas is only two days away...hard to believe! This is an exciting Tablescape Tuesday for me because two very special ladies, who are also dear friends of mine, have graciously agreed to let me post some of their wonderful holiday tablescapes. You most likely know them from their beautiful postings on Rate My Space...they are Carol, Cedwards55 and Linda, Mom of … [Read more...]




Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree…

Over the years, I've added a tree here and there, throughout the house. This one is in the family room and it's decorated with just glass-blown ornaments. A few of the ornaments on this tree...you can see the beaded garland that drapes the tree... One of the Christopher Radko ornaments... Since I have kind of a "hunt" theme going on in my judges paneled family room, I decided to carry that theme … [Read more...]




Mischievous Christmas Mice

I caught them...in the act! It's Michael's mice! Last night I curled up for a good read of that wonderful Christmas classic by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Sipping on a steaming mug of hot chocolate, with a crackling fire close by, I must have dozed off. I couldn't believe my eyes when I awoke! After stuffing themselves silly with tea and scones all night at Gollum's, these two … [Read more...]




Decorating with Wreaths for Christmas

I'm not sure what it is about wreaths, but I just love them! I think it's their "wholeness"...the way they feel so complete. The circular shape is said to represent eternity--no beginning and no end. When I first moved into my current home 18 years ago, I continued a tradition I had started at my previous home...that of hanging wreaths outside on the windows at Christmas time. I was the only one in my … [Read more...]




Decorating the Front Porch for Christmas, 2008

Today, I'm sharing a bit of my outdoor Christmas decorations. If you come see me, as you pull into the driveway, you'll see the Lazy Hill Dove Cote on your immediate left. Sadly, there are no bluebirds nesting there this time of year. But stay tuned...they just may be back in the spring since they nested in there three times this past spring. If you would like to see some cute pics of the bluebirds feeding … [Read more...]




Christmas Table Setting with Lenox, Winter Greetings

Welcome to the 17th Tablescape Tuesday! The table is set for a Christmas feast... China is Winter Greetings by Lenox. The pattern features classically rendered holly branches, mistletoe, chickadees, cardinals, berries, and ribbons. It was designed by artist Catherine McClung who is beloved by collectors for her accurate and vibrant bird portraiture. When I came across this Lenox … [Read more...]




Christmas Decorating on the Porch

I'm coming up for air!  I've been running around like a chicken with it's head...well, you know... getting ready for the neighborhood cookie party. Last count...expecting around 25 people. I've been grocery shopping, vacuuming, cleaning, cleaning some more, dusting...did I mention I've been cleaning! I've been de-furring the chairs...Max has his favorite spots for his afternoon naps and I don't think my … [Read more...]




A Christmas Tree for the Porch

I've been busy this last week decorating for Christmas and preparing for the neighborhood Ladies Cookie Party that will be at my house Sunday afternoon. Even though the weather is a bit chilly for hanging out on the screened-in porch, I thought I'd dress it up a bit since it's visible from inside. And maybe, just maybe, Sunday will be nice enough to venture out for a bit. Last week was in the 30's and today … [Read more...]




Christmas in Miniature, A Sweet Dollhouse

While out antiquing in December two years ago, I came across a wonderful old doll house. The exterior was already decorated for Christmas with garland strung across the banister rails and wreaths on several of the windows. It stole my heart but it was priced at $250, so reluctantly, I walked away. All during Christmas I kept thinking about the house. I knew absolutely nothing about dollhouses, having … [Read more...]




Stairway Banister Decorated for Christmas

During the month of December, I will be posting more pics of some of the holiday decor I have in my home. But today I wanted to share pics of a wonderfully decorated staircase that belongs to a good friend of mine, Joy. Joy lives in the beautiful state of Oregon. Unlike me, she actually enjoys cold weather and that white stuff we so rarely see here in Georgia. Can you believe she gets out and goes … [Read more...]




A Plate for All Seasons

In my kitchen, I have a little plate holder that for years held a red and white "rooster" plate. A while back I decided to make it more than just a plate holder with a decorative plate...now it's a fun way to mark the changing of the seasons, as well. So when February rolls around, it's time to think about cupid... And as it get closer to Easter... Once Easter has past, it's time to … [Read more...]




Decorating for Christmas

Over the years, I've collected a good many vintage Christmas ornaments. I had originally planned to have a "vintage" tree, but this year I decided to group a few of them together in a footed glass container here in the family room. Instead of the expected tassel...I hung a little berry wreath from the key. Merry Christmas! … [Read more...]




A Feather Christmas Tree for the Guest Room

Recently I found this cute feather tree at Michaels.  Wasn't sure how I'd use it but once I got home, I knew just the place. I placed the tree in my Guest bedroom. When I have guest during the holiday season, I always plug it in just before it gets dark. That way, when my guest are ready to retire for the evening, they are greeted by this view as they enter the room. Last year, I bought this … [Read more...]




Winter Table Setting with Swarovski Crystal Ornament Centerpiece

Welcome to the 12th Tablescape Tuesday! Let's celebrate the approach of the holiday season with a tablescape that has the feel of a snowy evening. I've dimmed the lights and lit the candles...so glad you've stopped by this chilly winter night. The centerpiece for our winter-scape is a silver "tree" covered in 17 Swarovski crystal ornaments. I've been collecting them since 1991, when Swarovski … [Read more...]