Happy 250th Birthday, America!

July 3, 2026 by 20 Comments

Happy 250th Birthday, America! Seeing photos and hearing all the accolades from those who have been visiting for the World Cup have made me realize how little I've seen of the United States. My goal over the next several years is to see more of this beautiful country. As varied as the features, landscapes, and cultures are in each state, traveling in the U.S. in some ways is almost like traveling across 50 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Independence Day Crafts, Independence Day Decor, Independence Day Recipes, Independence Day Table Settings



10 Fun Ideas For 4th Of July Or Summer Party

June 24, 2025 by 13 Comments

Summer is officially here! That means more time outdoors for grilling out, playing cornhole, and enjoying time with family and friends. For us Americans, the 4th of July is just around the corner. Today, I've pulled together a few recipes, crafts, and centerpiece ideas that would work for a summer party. I've included some 4th of July decor ideas, too. Would you like to make a flag for your porch this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Independence Day Crafts, Independence Day Decor, Independence Day Recipes



A Spode Blue Italian Sale & Some Fun, Tasty Ideas For Your 4th Of July Celebrations

June 5, 2025 by 7 Comments

Welcome to the 871st Tablescape Thursday! My friends are enablers—in the best way! Ha! Recently, I received an email from a friend letting me know about a great sale on Spode's iconic dinnerware, Blue Italian. Her timing was perfect, as just a few days ago, I was thinking about how much I miss the Blue Willow china that is my daily dinnerware back in Georgia. During my visits to the Dollhouse, I've come … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Independence Day Recipes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , ,



5 Ideas, Crafts and Recipes for Your Memorial Day Weekend

May 25, 2021 by 10 Comments

The 4th of July is just over a month away. I was thinking today, this would be a great time to work on some patriotic crafts because they could be used for Memorial Day this upcoming weekend and you would be all set for our 4th of July celebrations a month from now. One of the most fun projects I've ever completed was this wood flag. It was easy to make and actually a lot of fun!   You'll … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Independence Day Crafts, Independence Day Decor, Independence Day Recipes, Independence Day Table Settings, Memorial Day 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...]

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



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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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



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...]

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



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: ,



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: , ,



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...]

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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: , , , , , , ,