Nostalgic Christmas: Beautiful Snow-Covered Cottages & A Charming Gingerbread House

Welcome to the 792nd Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday was an interesting day with a few false starts at setting a table for Tablescape Thursday. It started with me discovering that the centerpiece I had planned to use was way too wide for my dining room table, so I had to completely scratch the table I had originally planned. As I worked on ideas for another table, I started feeling a bit queasy. I lay down … [Read more...]




It’s Currently Sold Out–But I Found It + Fave Phone/iPad Stand & A Puzzle Board Hack

Recently I decided to resubscribe to Netflix. I had unsubscribed years ago because I didn't really care for much of their programming. The reason I decided to give them one more try is that I'd like the ability to watch movies while walking on my treadmill here in the office. My treadmill has a slanted thingy that I could lean my iPad against, but it's really low so would be kinda hard to view. Then I … [Read more...]




This Year I Ordered My Fresh Greenery Wreath Online & Here’s How It Turned Out!

Welcome to the 774th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope you had a great one! Have you started working on your Christmas and holiday decor? I spent most of the weekend doing a bit of Christmas decorating and lots of organizing. You may remember a few months back I moved all the Christmas decor I had stored here under the bonus room eaves (including my window wreaths that normally were on the … [Read more...]




Favorite Black Friday Sales & Some Have Been Extended!

Whoo, hoo! The sales are amazing today! This adorable gingerbread bag that I purchased recently at 50% off, has just been marked down another 25% for Black Friday! You'll find that amazing sale here: Gingerbread House Bag, Half Off + An Additional 25% off! The cardholder is also discounted another 25% here: Gingerbread CardHolder.   Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I can't wait to wear this … [Read more...]




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...]




A Wish List Item I Finally Purchased AND Some Great Holiday Gift Ideas!

A few days ago someone left a comment that they were having a tough time finding the Newman's Own Lemon Pepper that I mentioned during a previous post that was about making Lemon Pepper Chicken. They also mentioned that they thought it was being discontinued. What?! That put me in a bit of a panic and I immediately bought two more. I hope it doesn't get discontinued since it's my favorite for seasoning … [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 Peloton Seat Upgrade, Paul’s Pot Pies & Favorite Puzzle/Lego Advent Calendars

Welcome to the 772nd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! Have you started your holiday shopping? I did a bit of shopping for family this weekend, and I ended up picking up something for myself, too--a very special bag. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Cutest Thing Ever--I Couldn't Resist! Plus, It's On Sale 50% Off. For this week's Metamorphosis Monday, I have a smallish … [Read more...]




Cutest Thing Ever–I Could Not Resist! Plus, It’s On Sale 50% Off!

Over the years, Kate Spade has produced some of the cutest, most adorable handbags you can imagine or dream up. As much as I have always loved them, I've been able to resist getting one. Until now.   When I saw this enchanting Gingerbread House bag, it was instant love and I knew I had to have one. Of course, it didn't hurt that it's on sale 50% off right now! (Gingerbread House Bag is … [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...]




The Last Halloween Table Setting for 2023! Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Are you ready for your Trick or Treaters this evening? It's going to be very cold here in Ohio tonight with temps in the 30s as we head out with the boys for trick or treating. Just a few days ago, we were enjoying short-sleeve weather--wish it could have lasted just a few more days! I still remember the year I was here for Halloween and it snowed! That was a first--Trick or Treating in the … [Read more...]




Eek! Uninvited Guests Crash Jackie’s Halloween Dinner Party!

Welcome to the 787th Tablescape Thursday! This is our last Tablescape Thursday before Halloween is here, and I have a very creative, fun table to share with you this week. Recently, Jackie had a special dinner party planned with friends, but before her dinner guests arrived, some uninvited dinner guests crashed the party! Yikes!   Jackie said, "This year the theme is ''An Evening with … [Read more...]




3 Whimsical Halloween Tables + A Gardening Project That Ended With A New Tablecloth

Welcome to the 786th Tablescape Thursday! I have not one, but three delightful Halloween tables to share with you today! BNOTP readers are so creative and I know you'll find these tables as imaginative and fun as I did. Recently, Norma, who lives in the south of France, was having some extensive landscaping and structural work done in her garden that required some very large equipment. Would you ever … [Read more...]




Adorably-Scary, Figural Halloween Pillows at Budget-Friendly Prices

A few years ago I came across these adorable fuzzy pumpkin pillows in Pottery Barn. Though they were a bit on the pricey side, I couldn't resist collecting one or two.   They came in three sizes/colors and I liked them so much, I ended up collecting the whole bunch. Hard to see but the smallest one is a deep green color.   They seem to end up in a different place in my home … [Read more...]




A Whimsical Halloween Table Set With My Absolute Favorite “Halloween” China

Welcome to the 785th Tablescape Thursday. It's gettin' chilly around here so I had to take advantage of the warmer weather today for at least one more table setting here on the porch.   This table is similar to the one I set for Halloween last year except for a few changes in the tablecloth, glassware, centerpiece, and its location here on the porch.   The arched-back, … [Read more...]




My September Favorites & Some Are Prime Day Deals! Perfect Timing for Holiday Shopping!

Thanks so much for sharing yesterday how autumn is looking in your area! I loved reading your comments--they made me feel so much more connected with what you're experiencing where you live. We are way behind here in leaf-color-changing compared to so many of you. It was really interesting hearing from those who live in areas that don't necessarily experience a big change--a great reminder that fall isn't … [Read more...]




Porch Decorated for Autumn With Hints Of Halloween

Welcome to the 767th Metamorphosis Monday! I had a bit of fun out on the front porch this weekend.   Having just purchased these black and white striped bench cushions this past summer, this is their first autumn here on the porch.   The cushions are currently on sale in several colors/ patterns here: Bench Cushions and here: Bench Cushions.   Since were only a … [Read more...]




Whimsical Fitz & Floyd Halloween Serving Pieces, Hidden Away & Almost Forgotten

Welcome to the 780th Tablescape Thursday! Today's Tablescape Thursday is a bit different. As mentioned in an earlier post this week, the next few weeks are going to be crazy busy, at least my definition of crazy busy. Ha! I got a bug in my bustle a few weeks ago, actually, it started around the time I was having the new irrigation controller installed in the garage. In order to install an outlet on the wall … [Read more...]




Planning a Last-Minute 4th of July Table-Celebration, So Many Wonderful Finds!

Welcome to the 770th Tablescape Thursday! It has been a crazy week around here. The plumber has been here checking to see if I can move my washer connections to another wall in the laundry room for a possible future laundry room renovation, and he's coming back today for a follow-up. The roof cleaning company is also coming back today to touch up a few places that didn't come clean when they were here … [Read more...]




3 Special Table Settings Featuring Beautiful Vintage Tablecloths!

Welcome to the 762nd Tablescape Thursday! Oh my gosh, it's been a wild week around here! I had planned to complete the work on the unfinished part of my basement at a gradual pace over the next couple of months, but I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to go full-steam ahead. I'm eager to get my workbench and freezer moved back into the room as soon as possible, so that means going ahead and scheduling to … [Read more...]




A Ray of Sunshine On A Beautiful Spring Day!

Welcome to the 758th Tablescape Thursday! I'm currently visiting family and it has turned cold again! I jokingly told my son and DIL that their weather hates me because it was in the 70s just before I arrived and goes back up to the 70s the day after I leave. Hope you are seeing some sunshine and warmer temps where you live! Recently I heard from Norma, who lives in the south of France. Norma said, "I am … [Read more...]




A Spring Table Setting With The Most Adorable Bunny-Themed Dinnerware

I have a wonderful spring table setting to share with you today! Brenda, a lovely BNOTP reader, set a beautiful table for Easter and I found myself wanting to collect everything I saw on her table. lol I know you're going to love it as much as I do!     In this photo, we get a glimpse of the dinnerware Brenda chose for her table--do you see the adorable bunny … [Read more...]




A Colorful Saint Patrick’s Day Table Setting, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Welcome to the 755th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Saint Patrick's Day--it's almost here!   Usually, when I put together a Saint Patrick's Day table setting, it's almost always just in the colors green and white. Not sure why, but when I started thinking about a Saint Patrick's Day table this morning, I was craving color, lots of bright springtime color!   This is definitely the … [Read more...]




12 Table Settings for Saint Patrick’s Day + A Fun 4-Leaf Clover Napkin Fold

Welcome to the 754th Tablescape Thursday! I had planned to set a table this week in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, but I had such disappointing news at my dental appointment yesterday, it zapped all the creativity right out of me. I'm getting a "second opinion" on Friday, but I'm sure it will probably be the same. With Saint Patrick's Day just a little over a week away, I hope you enjoy this … [Read more...]




A Woodland-Themed Valentine’s Day Table With A Touch Of Spring

Welcome to the 750th Tablescape Thursday! Happy (almost) Valentine's Day! I put this table together very late last night and it was super cloudy out as I took these photos. I long for sunny days! Spring is coming, we just have to hang in there a little while longer.   My Australian friends are winding down their summer. I've always wondered what it would be like to experience Christmas in a … [Read more...]




5 Whimsical Ways to Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day Table

Welcome to the 749th Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day just a couple of weeks away, here are a few fun ideas to spice up your Valentine's Day table. I am definitely not the most experienced baker but these heart cakes were super easy to make.   The hearts can be filled with raspberry jam or whatever you wish. (Find the cake recipe I used here: Make Raspberry Heart Cakes for … [Read more...]




This Will Have You Dreaming Of Spring–Guaranteed!

Welcome to the 747th Tablescape Thursday! I've been working on a table but it's not ready for prime time, so yesterday I decided to take a little trip to my nearby Pottery Barn to scope out the new Valentine's Day, Easter/spring goodies. Currently, we are in a yucky, never-ending rain pattern here, so PB was the only store I visited. There was just 1 table set in PB and I didn't take any photos of it … [Read more...]




A Cozy Valentine’s Day Table by Lamplight

Welcome to the 746th Tablescape Thursday! I'm starting to think ahead to Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day dinners are usually romantic affairs for two, but I couldn't resist setting a full table.   Yesterday was busy around here with appointments. The storage room in the basement was measured for its door and other repairs were being made, so it was kind of late before I had an opportunity to … [Read more...]




A Winter Holiday Birthday Celebration in Purple and Gold

Welcome to the 745th Tablescape Thursday! Happy New Year to you! Thanks for all your well-wishes on my previous post. I'm not quite 100% yet, but getting there! I have one last holiday table to share with you. Though this table definitely works for Christmas, I think it would be wonderful to enjoy anytime during the winter months. Warren has always wanted to set a purple table during the holiday season. … [Read more...]




Whimsical Lenox Nutcrackers In An Elegant Christmas Table Setting

Welcome to the 744th Tablescape Thursday! Do you ever shop for Christmas collectibles or Christmas decorations in the after-Christmas sales? I never think to do that but after hearing about the amazing find Warren and his wife, Kathie, came across last year, I think I need to start! Warren said, "Kathie and I prowl the stores after Christmas looking for decorating bargains. Last year, The Christmas Shop … [Read more...]




Touring 2 Homes Beautifully Decorated For The Christmas Holidays

Welcome to the 726th Metamorphosis Monday! I hope as I write this, you are enjoying a warm, relaxing, cozy time wherever you are. It's been super cold here in Ohio over the past few days. I've never lived where I saw negative temps! Notice the "feels like" temp: -31°! That's scary cold! As I type this, it's 17° outside and feels like 8° per the weather app on my phone, plus, more snow is expected today. … [Read more...]




Jackie’s Beautiful Dining Room Is Dressed And Ready For Christmas

Welcome to the 743rd Tablescape Thursday! Oh, I have such a treat for you today! I had planned to drive up to see family for the holidays this Friday. Well, Mother Nature had different plans! A big winter storm was predicted to hit Ohio this Friday so I had to leave two days earlier than planned which disrupted my plans for setting a table this week. Now the weather has changed again and it looks like the … [Read more...]




My November Favorites + A Few Extras

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you! I just realized yesterday that I had never gotten around to sharing my November favorites. This time of year, Cutemol always makes the list as I'm using it at least once a day to avoid having my fingertips crack in the dry cold weather. Cutemol is a life-saver. My daughter-in-love loves it so much, she subscribes to it for monthly deliveries. It's also a miracle … [Read more...]




It’s Finished! Welcome to My Cozy Bookstore Book Nook

I should have known when I purchased a book nook kit I wouldn't be able to leave it alone until it was finished. I'm the same way when doing a puzzle. I'm always so eager to see it completed, it calls my name and haunts me until it's done. When I last shared this Bookstore Book Nook that I had just started, it was only this far along: a few pictures and a couple of shelves on one side wall, and a cute … [Read more...]




7 Centerpiece Ideas for Your Christmas Holiday Table

Welcome to the 742nd Tablescape Thursday! Over the past few weeks, my internet has been cutting in and out. With all the rain we've had recently, it's gotten 10x worse. The cable company is supposed to arrive any time now so this post will be short on words, but hopefully, you'll find it helpful as you prepare your holiday tables this year. Sometimes the toughest part of setting the table is coming up … [Read more...]




3 Fun, Unique Gift Ideas, Including One for the Person Who Already Has Everything

I'm always trying to think of fun gifts for my friends and family. I usually try to give them something from their wish list, but I also like to sneak in something they weren't expecting--a little surprise, or maybe even a BIG one. Ha! Explosion Gift Boxes: If you have someone on your gift list who is impossible to buy for, one idea is an Explosion Gift Box. I purchased two of their Halloween Explosion … [Read more...]




Caught Some Amazing Sales Today & Finished My Christmas Gift Shopping

I've been shopping for Christmas gifts over the past week and I've found some wonderful treasures. If you've got a few friends and loved ones still on your list, I hope some of these suggestions will be helpful. So when you're shopping for gifts, you have to buy a little something for yourself, right? Hee, hee. I have been wanting one of these adorable book nooks for a long time, but the ones I always … [Read more...]




Cozy Candlelit Dinner with Lenox Winter Greetings

Welcome to the 741st Tablescape Thursday! We're dining by candlelight in the dining room this week. Why do I have the sudden urge to insert "with Colonel Mustard" into that sentence? ;)   Most of these photos were taken by candlelight or the early morning light coming in through the windows, along with a little bit of light from the lamps on the sideboard. One great thing about taking these … [Read more...]




Am I Skipping Christmas This Year?

Have you ever read the book, Skipping Christmas, by John Grisham--THE John Grisham who normally writes exciting mystery/adventure novels? It's a good one if you haven't read it. It was eventually made into a movie that was similar but not exactly like the book. So am I skipping Christmas? Well, not exactly, I did get my favorite Christmas decoration up--the wreaths. Those are always an absolute must, I … [Read more...]




Sharing Two New Purchases That Would Make Great Gifts or Stocking Stuffers

When I shop for Christmas presents each year, I always try to shop for those things that I already know the recipient wants or has on their wish list. If I don't have that information to go on, then I look to those things that I enjoy and know to be wonderful or add value to my life. One of those "add-value-to-my-life" things is this Hagerty Jewelry Keeper that's designed where we can actually see our … [Read more...]




Can You Guess What Robin Used To Create This Charming Christmas Village For Her Holiday Mantel?

My son was always a huge Lego fan growing up and he often received a Lego set for birthdays and Christmas, but I never expected to buy a Lego set for myself. Then Lego produced the Home Alone house and they had my full, undivided attention. Ha! I was so influenced by that home when I saw the movie, I know it subconsciously influenced my choice of home--including the one I've lived in for the past 33 years. … [Read more...]




My 4 Favorite Christmas-Winter China Designs & What I’m Adding To My Collection From The Sale

Welcome to the 740th Tablescape Thursday! If you've ever wanted to purchase a beautiful, classic, never-going-out-of-style Christmas china, this is definitely the time! The sales are excellent right now for all my absolute favorite Christmas and Winter designs! Are you a fan of Lenox Holiday? It doesn't get much more classic than this gorgeous pattern. I chose it for this whimsical Christmas table … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Table with Spode Woodland, Waterford Araglin & Towle King Richard

Welcome to the 739th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year, but after the freezer was delivered yesterday, I put together a small table for four late last night that I hope you'll enjoy. This post is a mix of photos taken last night in low lighting and a few taken this morning in the natural light coming in through the breakfast room … [Read more...]




26 Festive, Beautiful Ways to Decorate & Prepare Your Home for the Holidays!

I'm so ready and excited to add wreaths to the front of my home! I hope to get that done this weekend. I know a lot of you have started your decorating, many are already done!  It's exciting and fun to have our homes all decorated and festive for the holidays, especially when family we rarely get to see visits us for Thanksgiving. In today's post, I've rounded up 26 ideas that I hope you'll find helpful … [Read more...]




A Special Halloween Birthday Tea Party

Welcome to the 738th Tablescape Thursday! Selma throws the most amazing tea parties! In a recent email, Selma wrote, "I wanted to do something special for my granddaughter for her birthday, and my first thought was a Princess Tea, but when her mom mentioned how much Gia loves Halloween, I asked (Gia) if she wanted a Halloween Birthday Tea. The answer was, YES! So, you know how it goes with the grandbabies-- … [Read more...]




Gift Ideas for the Holidays & Sharing a Special Love of Mine That I’ve Never Shared Before

With Christmas just 43 days away, I'm sharing some of my absolute favorites that I know from personal experience make great gifts--either for you or for someone else. Before we go holiday shopping, if you plan to hang wreaths this year, especially outdoors, the shop where I purchased mine when I replaced all mine a few years ago, has them back in stock again this year.   The bows with the … [Read more...]




Entering Into the World of James Bond for Halloween This Year, Happy Halloween!

Welcome to the 718th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Halloween! Did you go to any great Halloween parties this year? Jackie, a lovely BNOTP reader who has become a friend over the years, hosts an amazing Halloween party each year! She always chooses a theme for the party, then completely transforms her home around that theme. You may remember last year's theme which was Star Trek.     If … [Read more...]




Gifted Stemware Sets The Theme For This Halloween Tablescape

Gina, a lovely BNOTP reader, received some fun stemware this year as a gift, and it was just in time for Halloween!   I love the color scheme of this Halloween table setting! The orange really pops again the black and white.   Gina included her ravens from Hobby Lobby in her centerpiece. I need to do a search to see how to tell Ravens from Crows. Anyone … [Read more...]




A Spooky, Fun Halloween Dinner Party, Plus, Some Clever Ideas for Your Halloween Decor

Welcome to the 735th Tablescape Thursday! Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader whose tables I've shared before, recently had friends over dinner. She created a whimsical table setting with a fun Halloween theme.   Norma always finds the neatest things in her local charity shops in France, so many of the items she used in her decorations were thrifted.   Norma said, "I made the napkins … [Read more...]




Autumn Foliage, Sunshine Puddles & Last Minute Inspiration for Your Halloween Porch

Happy Autumn! It's definitely looking like fall here in Ohio. Our unseasonably warm temps have vanished and we're back to cooler weather now. The trees are so beautiful, they take my breath away!   I love driving down the tree-lined neighborhood streets and soaking in all this glorious autumn color!   Speaking of autumn colors, Hobbes, one of my son's kitties, is dressed for … [Read more...]




Take a Tour of This Beautiful Home Decorated with Lots of Halloween Whimsy!

Welcome to the 717th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, my friend, Teresa, who lives in the great state of Texas, was invited to tour a beautiful home that was all decked out for Halloween. Teresa asked the lovely homeowner, Ann, if she could take photos of her fun decorations and Ann graciously agreed. Thanks so much to Teresa and Ann for sharing this wonderful tour!   Ohhh, I think I see a … [Read more...]




Shopping The Early Access Sale And A Favorite Out-of-Stock Item is Back!

Back in 2015, I made a small change to my front porch that had a huge impact. I changed out this dinky, not-so-nice-looking doormat for a bigger, better one.   I was amazed by how it transformed my entrance! What a dramatic difference a doormat can make! This one below looked beautiful for many years. After about 5 years, I decided to order a new one since the original one shown below was … [Read more...]




Decorate Your Home for Autumn with Whimsical Touches of Halloween!

Welcome to the 715th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Week! I have a delightful fall decor makeover to share for this week's Met Monday! Jillian is all ready for Halloween and Autumn and the fun starts right here at the front door.   Please note: This area is designated for "Broom Parking Only, Violators Will Be Toad!" Ha!   Eeek! Bats everywhere! Love the cattail … [Read more...]




Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.” A Candlelit Table for Halloween

Welcome to the 732nd Tablescape Thursday! I rarely buy new dinnerware these days since I have plenty for entertaining and such, but every once in a while I'll stumble across some salad plates that steal my heart and I can't pass them up.   One of my favorite Halloween decorations, maybe even my favorite, are these spooky blackbirds that I came across quite a few years back in Hobby Lobby. … [Read more...]




It’s Here–My Fortnum & Mason Bespoke Hamper Arrived & It’s Delightful!

The Fortnum and Mason hamper I ordered a few weeks back arrived this week. If I ever make it back to London again, I would love to visit their Piccadilly store in person. In today's post, I thought I'd share what I ordered. I also have a sneaky plan for the hamper, looking forward to sharing that very soon.   When I placed my order, I chose their "Large" size hamper. I knew it would be a … [Read more...]




Even Better Than I Expected! Love It When That Happens!

It is sooo nice when you order something online and when it arrives, you discover it's even better than you had expected. That's pretty much the way it always is when I order from L.L. Bean. So many things have changed over the years with so many companies going out of business or just not offering the same level of goods or services that they have in the past. L.L. Bean is one of the few companies where … [Read more...]




A Unique Birthday/Holiday Gift Idea + 2 Awesome Sales from Two Favorite Stores

Thanks so much to Gail for letting me know about a sale I would have surely missed. Gail knows how much I love Fair Isle sweaters, especially the beautiful ones L.L. Bean carries every winter. This one below was one I purchased a few fall seasons back and I still wear it often during the winter months. It' sooo warm!   They have some really pretty ones on sale right now. This one has been a … [Read more...]




Celebrating the 4th of July with a Patriotic Table Setting! Happy Independence Day!

Welcome to the 718th Tablescape Thursday! I haven't had a chance yet to thank you for all the wonderful suggestions left on my June 24th post. They were all incredibly helpful. I will do a follow-up post very soon because I think I may have figured out what was causing the issues I've been having--more on that real soon. But I just wanted to say Thank You and let you know how much I appreciated each and … [Read more...]




8 Patriotic Table Settings for the 4th of July

Welcome to the 717th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Summer! I can't believe how fast spring went by. I just realized Independence Day is less than two weeks away! For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I'm sharing some festive, fun ways to celebrate this year. I hope you find these tables helpful as you plan for your 4th of July celebrations. Click the title of each post below to see more of that … [Read more...]




Springtime Table for Two, A Celebration of Beautiful Spring Flowers

Welcome to the 709th Tablescape Thursday! The geraniums on my deck are really starting to bloom. They inspired this week's table setting that's all about beautiful spring flowers. I love this time of year when everything is waking up and coming back to life!   Just a cozy table for two...   Happy, happy geraniums...       You may remember … [Read more...]




Spring-Easter Table Setting + Sneak Preview of a New Addition to the Screened Porch

Welcome to the 707th Tablescape Thursday! Yay! It's porch time again! We've got 70+° weather on tap for the whole week so it's practically a sin to spend it inside every day. I spent the last couple of days cleaning away the pollen from the porch. Still have more cleaning to do to ready the porch for spring and summer, but it's getting there. How is the pollen in your area? It's been pretty intense here … [Read more...]




My Catan Obsession: The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had Playing a Game!

Do you enjoy playing board games? I've never been that interested in them, especially if they drag out for a long time. Also, with so many board games, it often feels like the same old game every time you play it. Well, my thoughts about board games completely changed on my last visit to see family in Ohio! My son introduced me to the game, Catan, and I am officially hooked! During my visit, my son told … [Read more...]




3 Happy Spring Table Settings

Welcome to the 706th Tablescape Thursday! Last night we had a huge thunderstorm here. Unable to sleep because it was so loud and there was so much lightning, I got back up and was sitting at my desk, reading,  when a super loud, explosive thunderclap/lightning strike happened. Simultaneously, I heard a loud, ear-piercing pop close by. It was so loud, it sounded like a firecracker had gone off a few feet … [Read more...]




Elegant Spring Table with a Hand-Crafted Centerpiece & a Nod to the Gilmore Girls

Welcome to the 705th Tablescape Thursday! Recently I received an email from a lovely BNOTP reader. Sheri said, "I just created a Spring tablescape for my dining room that I thought I would share with you. It all started with the candle in the centerpiece. A sweet, dear young friend won a silent auction of a bag of goodies that were "Gilmore Girls" themed. She knows I am a HUGE fan and she bid on it and … [Read more...]




Antique Bavarian China in a Beautiful Candlelight Table Setting

Welcome to the 704th Tablescape Thursday! St. Patrick's Day was a week ago but I couldn't wait until next year to share a beautiful table setting Warren created and shared with me just a few days ago. Warren put this beautiful table setting together for a recent family gathering. Warren said, "Recently, eleven members of our family gathered to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with our traditional buffet … [Read more...]




Daffodils, Daisies, and 4-Leaf Clovers for St. Patrick’s Day

Welcome to the 702nd Tablescape Thursday! The daffodils in my front yard are blooming--they've been blooming for the last couple of weeks--I love seeing their sunshine faces so much!   Every year when they bloom, it makes me want to plant even more. I currently have them around the gas lantern (above), in this island under the Crepe Mrytle tree where I'd love to place a Little Free Library … [Read more...]




An Elegant, “Dress-up” Dinner Party for 10

Welcome to the 701st Tablescape Thursday! I have a wonderful treat for you today! Recently, I received an email from Warren about a special dinner party he and his wife Kathie hosted in their home. Warren said, "After setting too many holiday tablescapes, I felt like I had lost my mojo and was suffering from "tablescaper's block." (I am in all of Susan's talent and skill to have created over 600 … [Read more...]




A Valentine’s Day Celebration with Friends

Welcome to the 698th Tablescape Thursday! Valentine's Day is just a few days away. Jackie shared a table with me recently that would be perfect for inviting friends over for a Valentine's Day celebration and the first thing I noticed was her beautifully decorated chandelier!   So pretty! Love the beaded garland! It's a little hard to see since the chandelier is on in the photo below, but … [Read more...]




They Mystery of the Bumpy Plates: Sarah Needs Your Help to Solve This Mystery!

A few days ago, Sarah, a lovely BNOTP reader, left a comment on a previous spring shopping post where I had shared some bunny plates I came across in Pottery Barn. She had a question about the plates due to something really odd she was seeing on Peter Rabbit bunny plates she had purchased both last year and this year. Sarah said, "Do you find the Pottery Barn Peter Rabbit stoneware to have bumps on them? … [Read more...]




Emily in Paris Inspired Table Setting with Cheesecake for Dessert!

Welcome to the 697th Tablescape Thursday! Are you an Emily in Paris fan? I do not subscribe to Netflix so had never heard of the series until I received an email from Brenda. Brenda said, "I was excited about this table setting as we are paying tribute to the show Emily in Paris. We were testing different cheesecakes for the bakery side of our business for Peaceful Valley Farm. We even make the candles … [Read more...]




Love, Lust, Passion & Romance–This Cozy Valentine’s Day Table Has It All

Welcome to the 696th Tablescape Thursday! It's the yearly meeting of the Valentine's Day Book Club and this year it's all about love, lust, passion, and romance. ♥♥♥   When it's cold out, I crave candlelight and cozy plaids.   Hope you enjoy this cozy meeting of the Valentine's Day Book Club.   I kept all the titles facing forward for … [Read more...]




Ending the Year with 3 Truly Beautiful Christmas Holiday Tables

Welcome to the 692nd Tablescape Thursday! Though Christmas has passed, I couldn't pass up the chance to share three beautiful tables Warren set during the holidays. Warren said, "On 12/17, we held a family celebration of our son-in-law's 60th birthday. (I can hardly believe I am old enough to have a 60-year-old son-in-law!) In honor of his birthday, I set a new tablescape which I called the "Holly … [Read more...]




Delicious Spiced Champagne Punch: Great for Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning

Just popping in on Christmas Eve morning to suggest a really delicious champagne punch if you're looking for something to serve on Christmas Eve or with your Christmas morning breakfast or Christmas Day brunch. Note: You'll want to make it a few hours before you plan to serve it to give it a chance to cool down and to chill it before mixing in the champagne.   I often make it the day before I … [Read more...]




This Magical Christmas Dinner Begins Here in the Foyer with a Very Special Memory

Welcome to the 691st Tablescape Thursday! I have a truly beautiful table to share with you for this week's Tablescape Thursday. Jackie invited us into her home this week and before we enter the dining room, let's pause a moment to enjoy this wonderful, memory-filled centerpiece she has created for her entry table here in the foyer.   Jackie said, "This past summer, my Mom gave me my sled … [Read more...]




A Peacock-Themed Christmas Tree & A Festive Laundry Room

Recently I shared the beautiful Christmas ornaments, Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader, painstakingly makes each year for her Christmas tree. Each year, Norma chooses a different theme/color scheme for her tree. This year she chose a Peacock them and her ornaments turned out beautifully! (To view a brief tutorial sharing how Norma makes her ornaments, check out this previous post: Handmade Christmas Ornaments … [Read more...]




These Shoppes Are Still Promising Delivery by Christmas

It's 4 days before Christmas and if you are still shopping online for gifts, these are my favorite shops that are still saying they can get your gifts to you before Christmas. Talbots has a sitewide 40% sale going on right now.   They are promising delivery by the 24th for all orders placed by 2:00 PM today. You'll find the sale here: Talbots.   Ralph Lauren is advertising … [Read more...]




The Magic of Christmas Lights, Truly Enchanting!

Welcome to the 673rd Metamorphosis Monday! My friend, Teresa, and I have had some fun adventures over the past few years, including a trip to Egypt that I don't think either of us will soon forget.   Sadly, we live many states apart but recently we were able to spend a week together at her beautiful home.   Teresa and her hubby, Frank, have their home beautifully lit for … [Read more...]




Awesome Stocking Stuffers & Gift Ideas, Plus I’m Crazy About My New Floor Lamp!

Happy Weekend! I bet you are busier right now than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! I hope this post helps with the last-minute rush for gifts and stocking stuffers. But first...how about a bit of decorating! Recently, I shared a new update to my bedroom. I finally got around to adding draperies to the windows, something I've wanted to do for a very long time. During that process, I … [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...]




So, You’re Not Going To Believe What I Just Ordered!

Initially, I tried to resist, but in the end, it was futile! Soooo, a month or so back I tripped across this new, just-out LEGO set while shopping for Christmas gifts online. These days, I never look at LEGO sets unless I'm specifically shopping for a gift for one of my grandsons. I used to buy them all the time for their dad who loved them as much as they do now. This new set caught my eye because it … [Read more...]




All The Things! A Gift Giving Guide for Christmas & the Holidays

How's your Christmas/Holiday shopping going? If you're struggling a bit or looking for some last-minute items, here are some of my favorites. You hear me rave about L.L. Bean's Wicked Good Slippers allll the time because my son and daughter are always asking for these when their birthday or Christmas rolls around. They are crazy about them! They come in a ton of different styles.   This is … [Read more...]




Toy’s Delight, A Fantasy Christmas Table Setting

Welcome to the 689th Tablescape Thursday! Merry Christmas! I hope your December is going amazing and is not too stressful. I had a rather stressful day yesterday involving a delivery gone very wrong--can share more on that later in case you're interested, so this table didn't get set until very late last night. Some of the photos were taken last night but I was also able to snap a few this morning. I … [Read more...]




25 Beautiful, Festive, Fun Ways to Decorate & Prepare for Christmas

Welcome to the 671st Metamorphosis Monday! Here they are, rounded up all in one post, some of my most favorite ways to get ready for the Christmas holidays! I hope you find this helpful as you decorate, craft, cook, and prepare for Christmas! You may want to bookmark this post for future reference if you see something you would love to make or do as Christmas draws closer. Also, please feel free 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...]




Handmade Christmas Ornaments, Inspired by the Colors of a Beautiful Peacock

I have a wonderful Christmas DIY decorating idea to share with you today. Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader who has become a friend over the years, makes the most beautiful handmade ornaments and flowers each year at Christmastime.   You may remember Norma from this post when I shared a beautiful table setting she created for friends where she decorated the entrance to her French cottage to look … [Read more...]




Decorate a Tree for Your Home Office–Love the Snowman Tree Topper!

Welcome to the 670th Metamorphosis Monday! Every year, my friend, Teresa, decorates a Christmas tree for her home office/study.   It's filled with a mix of colorful, fun ornaments, many collected during Teresa's many travels around the world.   I love a full tree, one filled with a plethora of ornaments. It makes it even more special when the ornaments carry so many memories … [Read more...]




11 Favorite Christmas Decor Books + Two On My Wish List

Do you have any favorite Christmas or Christmas-decor-themed books that you love pulling out this time of year? I have several that I always relish looking through to get the ideas flowing for my holiday decorating. I've gathered all my favorites together below in case you could use a bit of inspiration for your Christmas or holiday decor. The only one I was hesitant to include in this post was Martha … [Read more...]




Gathering with Friends for a Beautiful Thanksgiving

Welcome to the 687th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! I'm blessed this Thanksgiving to be surrounded by friends in this beautiful setting.   My friend, Teresa, put together a beautiful table for this year's Thanksgiving celebration. Her hubby, Frank, is in charge of the turkey and it's been brining away all day today in a special mixture he prepared. I'm … [Read more...]




20 Toys They Will Love Getting for Christmas This Year

Do you have little ones on your shopping list? In today's post, I've put together a list of both play and learning toys that I've given to my grandsons in recent years. These are the ones they always ask me to play with them whenever I visit. If you've got little ones on your shopping list, I hope you find these ideas helpful. My oldest grandson has always loved this game, now the youngest one really … [Read more...]