A Beautiful Table Setting to Honor a Special Life

Welcome to the 441st Tablescape Thursday! Elena  planned a special Valentine's Day table this year. She wanted it to be extra special for her family, especially since her sister Anna would be attending. Anna had a heart transplant in January 2000 and during the past year she had been very sick.   Unfortunately, Anna didn't have the opportunity to attend this special dinner in person, … [Read more...]




Bunny Hopping Into Spring

Welcome to 440th Tablescape Thursday! We've always had a soft spot in our hearts around here for cats and bunnies. When my son was very small, we had a sweet bunny named Phineas.   Phineas was a much-loved bunny and even enjoyed cuddling with our hamster, Ralph, nearby.   So when I stumble across a cute bunny bowl, I can rarely resist. A few weeks ago I shared this adorable … [Read more...]




Beautiful Valentine’s Day Table Settings & A Clever Idea for Candle Storage

Welcome to the 439th Tablescape Thursday! Last week I used the very latest version of InLinkz for Metamorphosis Monday and Tablescape Thursday. For most folks, it worked fine, but I've heard from 4-5 readers who were unable to see the party links. Until we can figure out what's causing that issue, I've gone back to using the old version of InLinkz for today. If you were having an issue seeing the … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Decorations: Decorate the Porch, Front Door and a Valentine’s Day Tree

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope your day was absolutely grand! The weather here continues to be amazingly beautiful. I'm sure Mother Nature is going to wake up at any moment and realize that while she was napping, spring snuck in. Until she does, we will continue to enjoy these 60 and 70 degree, sun-filled days. Even the birds in my backyard were chirping up a storm today. They seem as excited about these … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table with Vintage Copeland Spode, Tower

Welcome to the 438th Tablescape Thursday! Please Note: I'm using the latest version of InLinkz for today's Tablescape Thursday party. If you have trouble seeing the links (or the button to link up to the party) please check to make sure you are using the latest version of your browser. You may have trouble seeing the links or linking up if your browser is an older version. Thanks so much for all your … [Read more...]




Spring Table Setting Ideas…Hurry Up Spring!

Welcome to the 437th Tablescape Thursday! I'm so sorry Tablescape Thursday is late going up. I thought today was Wednesday, I kid you not! I think my mix up started with having a doctor's appointment yesterday (just a check up, nothing serious) and for some reason I had it in my head all last week that the appointment was on Tuesday of this week. So this morning when I awoke, I was thinking it was … [Read more...]




Blue and White Table Setting for a Special New Year’s Eve Dinner

Welcome to the 435th Tablescape Thursday! Recently I received an email from Gina saying, "Some friends gathered at our house for the annual New Year's dinner and the blue and white china was used.  It's was a fun time in that we discussed what we learned and (won't do again) and what we expect to accomplish for 2017." What a fun dinner that must have been. I would love to have heard what everyone … [Read more...]




Can’t Wait Another Whole Year To Share This!

Welcome to the 433rd Tablescape Thursday! When I visited my friend, Marie, it was only a few days before Christmas, so I never had a chance to share all the delightful tables she had created for the holiday before Christmas arrived.   One of my favorite tables of Marie's is always the "Kid's Table." I don't know about you, but the kid's table never looked this fabulous when I was growing … [Read more...]




Debbie Mumm’s Twelve Days of Christmas & New Year’s Champagne Punch Recipe

Welcome to the 432nd Tablescape Thursday! Happy Upcoming New Year to you! I've been out-of-state visiting family, just got back late Tuesday evening. I spent yesterday unpacking and running errands, picking up birdseed and suet for the birdies and doing a little grocery shopping. I also managed to squeeze in some clothes shopping, lots of great sales going on right now including THIS one. I picked up a … [Read more...]




A Holiday Table for Metamorphosis Monday

Welcome to the 413th Metamorphosis Monday! Good morning! If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you had a great one! Since I'm spending time with family this week, I don't have a regular "Before and After" to share for this Met Monday, but I thought you would enjoy seeing another one of the beautiful tables Marie created for her Christmas feast this year. Marie puts together several tables for the holiday … [Read more...]




How Santa Prepares for the Big Night, Christmas Eve

When Marie decorates for Christmas, she includes a bit of Christmas in every room. The master bedroom has beautiful green walls and red draperies so it looks especially beautiful at Christmastime.   A pretty tea set is ready for when the mood hits for a spot of tea.   Each room in Marie's home gets its own Christmas tree. The living room and master bedroom are the only rooms … [Read more...]




Beautiful Christmas Table with Lenox Holiday & Whimsical 2016 Biplane Accent Plate

Welcome to the 431st Tablescape Thursday! For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I'm so excited to share the beautiful Christmas table setting Marie has created in her dining room.   The dining room is located under the wonderful children's bedroom we toured yesterday, so it also has the turret space. Such a perfect spot for this gorgeous Christmas tree!   Marie has a lovely … [Read more...]




A Christmas Fantasy Home Tour

I've received a few comments asking if I'd be posting some photos of my friend, Marie's home decorated for Christmas. Marie and I got together recently for some last-minute Christmas shopping and I snapped some of her beautiful home decorated for the holidays.   In this photo from a previous year, you can see how beautiful it looks lit up at night. Today we're going inside the turret seen on … [Read more...]




A Little Porch Decorating to Celebrate the Holidays

Happy Weekend to you! Hard to believe Christmas will be here in just 9 days! I've had the porch decorated for a while now, but just haven't gotten around to sharing photos of how it turned out this year.   Probably the biggest change for this year are the benches I added to the porch this past summer.   I never realized how much I would enjoy having them here. They are the … [Read more...]




Easy Christmas Centerpiece Ideas and Tips, Plus, 2 Stylish Gift Ideas

Welcome to the 430th Tablescape Thursday! Amazing the healing effects of sleep, I feel so much better this evening as I type this after sleeping about 12 hours last night. I think I'm on the winning side of my cold virus now. Thanks for all your tips and advice in yesterday's post. I'm eyeing THIS after reading some of the comments. It sounds like it would be helpful for dealing with allergies and … [Read more...]




24 Books I’d Love to Find Under the Tree on Christmas Day

I'm a bit under the weather right now with a nasty cold virus. You never realize how wonderful the ability to breathe through your nose is until it's gone. I think what I really need most right now is to get into bed and stay there for a while...like 9-10 hours would work. lol I hope you are staying well! Wash your hands a lot! Glad I got sick now and not two weeks from now! 24 Books I'd Love to Find … [Read more...]




‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, A Visit from St. Nicholas

Welcome to the 411th Metamorphosis Monday! Light Repair Tip, In Case It's Helpful You know how you hear about those people who are always causing electrical things to break? I'm starting to think I'm one of them. Seriously! Last year, the tree I normally use here in the living room, had an entire string of lights go out. I spent many, many hours trying to fix it, including using one of the light … [Read more...]




Bringing Home the Tree: Christmas Table Setting

Welcome to the 429th Tablescape Thursday!   After bringing home a tree in the back of their red truck last week for the living room, Mrs. Deer realized she still needed a tree for their screened porch.   For this trip to the tree farm, Mr. Deer decided to drive his new wagon that he had just gotten for Christmas.   This week's table is a cozy one for two, hope … [Read more...]




The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour, 2016

Welcome to the 410th Metamorphosis Monday! Was hoping to share my front porch decorated for Christmas, but we've been getting some much-needed rain the last few days, so couldn't snap any photos. So for this Met Monday, we'll go on a Christmas Home Tour in Marietta, Georgia to see how others are decorating and transforming their homes for the holidays. This home reminded me a lot of the cottages you … [Read more...]




Found! Adorable Red Christmas Truck & Station Wagon with Tree & Wreath

What a crazy day yesterday, can you believe that on December 2nd, 23 days before Christmas, there's no garland to be found in any of the Home Depots or Lowe's garden centers near my home! It's all sold out except for a couple of strands that were all withered looking and dry. After visiting three stores without any luck (one Lowe's and two Home Depots) I decided to try Pike Nursery, the same place I … [Read more...]




Bringing Home the Christmas Tree

Welcome to the 428th Tablescape Thursday! It rained all day yesterday so I had to wait until this morning to take photos. The early morning light was just starting to stream in through the windows. I'll try to add some brighter photos to this post later today.     Brown rattan chargers are available here: Rattan Chargers Their rich brown color adds a woodsy feel to this table … [Read more...]




Shopping for the Best & Most Realistic Artificial Christmas Tree

Welcome to the 409th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm having a tree dilemma this year. This is the tree that I normally set up in my living room.   And this is the tree I usually set up in my kitchen. Both trees were purchased many years ago in a Home Depot Expo during a big sale they had going on Black Friday. They have served me well for around 10 years now, but the last couple of years they … [Read more...]




Snowflake Sweaters and A Conversation With My Son

Conversation with my son via phone today: Me: Hey, I want to run something by you. I have some really neat things I'm considering buying you for Christmas, but I want to see what you think. Son: (Laughs) Ooookay. Me: So, you know how L.L. Bean is famous for their duck boots, well they finally seem to be caught up with their production and for once they are actually available during the wintertime! … [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...]




21 Gift Ideas for The “Hard-to-Buy-For” Folks On Your Holiday List

Hope you're having an awesome weekend! I'm recovering from planting 80 bulbs and three small flats of violas. lol Feeling much better today. Looking forward to sharing some updates for Met Monday, tomorrow! Recently I shared some of my favorite gift ideas that were under or near the $25 range. If you missed that post, you'll find it her: 22 Gifts That Won't Break Your Holiday Budget. As promised in … [Read more...]




A Beautiful Fall Thanksgiving Feast with a Sassy Turkey Centerpiece

Welcome to the 426th Tablescape Thursday! This Thanksgiving Gina, who reads BNOTP, will be hosting not one, but two Thanksgiving feasts! She shared photos with me recently of the table she created for her first dinner and it is stunning! Look at all those darling acorn tureens! Love the little green pumpkins perched atop the tall candlesticks...so cute!   There are so many wonderful … [Read more...]




13 Favorite Ways to Get Ready for the Holidays

Here they are, all in one post: 13 of my favorite ways to get ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! Hope you find this helpful as you decorate, craft, cook and prepare for the holidays! Click on the BLUE title below to access that post for more details. Follow Between Naps On The Porch on Instagram for more of my holiday posts: BNOTP on Instagram Turkey Napkin … [Read more...]




An Enchanting, Magical, Interactive Experience

Welcome to the 407th Metamorphosis Monday! I have the most beautiful, fun and enchanting thing to share with you today. It's not exactly a metamorphosis but in a way it is because after I "play" with it, I feel so relaxed. If you're not already in the mood for Christmas, it will definitely put you in the mood! This weekend, my friend, Sheila, shared the cutest thing I've seen in a while! Have you ever … [Read more...]




22 Gifts That Won’t Break Your Holiday Budget

The title of this post started out as, 22 Gifts Under $25, but along the way I kept remembering some pretty great items I wanted to include that were slightly over the $25 mark. So I gave up trying to keep every gift in this list under that set amount, but many of the gifts highlighted below are under that price or close.   If time allows, I'll try to put together two more "Gift Giving Ideas" … [Read more...]




7 Tables of Thanksgiving

Welcome to the 425th Tablescape Thursday! Thanksgiving is just two weeks away! This month is flying by, but then the holidays always do. For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I'm sharing seven past Thanksgiving table settings. Hope they will provide a bit of inspiration for your Thanksgiving this year. Will you be cooking this year or traveling to be with family?   Click on any title or … [Read more...]




Christmas Pillow Crazy & Shopping at T.J. Maxx Online!

Hi! My name is Susan, and I think I have a Christmas pillow problem. ;) Just in case you suffer with this affliction, as well, I thought I'd share my collection and a few of the new ones I just picked up this year. This year is turning into a fabulous year for us Christmas pillow lovers because they are everywhere and they are delightful!   Starting with those I've collected over the … [Read more...]




5 Delightful Ways To Get Ready For Christmas

1.  Snowflake Swizzle Stirrers I came across these "Swizzle Stick Ice Molds" in Williams-Sonoma recently and bought one set to try them out.   Here's how they looked once frozen...cute!   They would be great for serving a mixed drink, or really any drink for the holiday season. I tried them out in some cranberry juice. No, I don't have my Fa La La plate out yet, just … [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...]




Visit Marie’s Victorian Home Decorated and Lit for Halloween

It's almost that time! Do you have your candy ready for all the ghosts and goblins who'll soon be visiting your home? My friend, Marie has decorated her home for Halloween and it's over-the-top awesome! I've featured her home in the past decorated for Halloween and this year she's added a lot of new things to her exterior decorations. If you want to trick or treat here, you must first get past the big, … [Read more...]




Halloween in Pumpkin Hollow: Whimsical Table Setting

Welcome to the 422nd Tablescape Thursday! The leaves in my yard are changing color and both they and the acorns are falling like crazy right now. The oak tree in my front yard must have a special vendetta against my home. It's hurling acorns day and night at my bedroom windows and the metal roof of the front porch. Who knew autumn could be so violent. And noisy! lol Despite the falling leaves, the … [Read more...]




Tour the William Root House In Mourning, Oldest Home in the City of Marietta

Recently a friend and I visited the William Root House Museum & Garden. The Root House was almost demolished back in the 1980s because it had fallen into terrible disrepair. Fortunately, some savvy folks realized it was the oldest known home in the city of Marietta and preservation efforts got underway just in time. In 1989, the Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society acquired the home and it was moved … [Read more...]




Decorate Your Porch for the Autumn Season

Welcome to the 402nd Metamorphosis Monday! Linda has a beautiful 3-season porch that I've shared before here at BNOTP. It's so much fun seeing how she decorates it for the seasons and holidays. When we last visited Linda, her porch was all set for summer, decorated in a wonderful navy and white nautical theme. (See that post here: Nautical Decor & Tablescape)   With the arrival of … [Read more...]




Halloween Table with MacKenzie-Childs Inspired Dishware

Welcome to the 420th Tablescape Thursday! The cooler days have me in the mood for a Halloween table this week. I have a friend visiting and she and I had fun putting this one together.   It all started with some whimsical black and white dinner plates I spotted in HomeGoods earlier in the week.   They reminded me so much of MacKenzie-Childs dishware, but the price was a lot … [Read more...]




Decorate Your Porch for Autumn & Halloween

Welcome to the 401st Metamorphosis Monday! How was your first weekend of October? When the calendar says "October" I guess there's no denying fall is here. Everything is still lush and green here in Georgia but I know that's about to change. Blog Update This weekend I had a big update come across for my blog. After the update had completed, the slider that's normally at the top of the blog was … [Read more...]




Two Beautiful Table Settings & A Brilliant Storage Idea for Napkin Rings

Welcome to the 417th Tablescape Thursday! A while back I shared some bins I had purchased as a possible solution for storing my napkin rings. I ended up returning the bins, they were just too large and took up way too much space for napkin ring storage. Candace who reads BNOTP sent me a photo sharing how she stores her napkin rings and I think it is such a clever idea! She uses a slacks or pants … [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...]




Celebrate Independence Day With a Nautical-Themed Table Setting, Plus An Amazing Find

Welcome to the 405th Tablescape Thursday! I have to start off this week's Tablescape Thursday with an incredible find. You know this nautical, sailboat flatware you've seen me use so often in table settings?   I just found it available this morning for $26.99 for a 20-piece set!!! I know I paid way more than that when I purchased it several years ago. I think I paid $99. I've never seen it … [Read more...]




A Spring Table Setting for the Little Ones

Welcome to the 394th Tablescape Thursday! For Easter each year, my friend, Marie, always sets the cutest table for her six grandchildren. This year's table was especially adorable because there were already some very soft and colorful guests seated in each chair around the table. :)   You can find these online at the Peeps website. Just Google for Plush Peeps and it's the first thing that … [Read more...]




A Springtime Table with Cabbage Plates & Floral Egg Centerpiece

Welcome to the 393rd Tablescape Thursday! When I visited Marie a couple of weeks ago, she had set several tables in her home in anticipation of the large family gathering she would be having for Easter. This table was set in her dining room near a tree Marie decorates for all the holidays and seasons. (View the tree HERE.)   Marie used Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plates and topped those off … [Read more...]




A Visit to Marie’s Beautiful Home for Easter

Welcome to the 374th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've had a wonderful spring weekend! I'm putting Monday's post up a bit early since I'll be away from my computer tomorrow for much of the day. Recently when I visited with my friend, Marie, I so enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful decorations she had put up for spring and Easter. Her mantel was decorated with a egg garland in the colors of spring: … [Read more...]




Marie’s Beautiful Spring Easter Table Setting

Welcome to the 392nd Tablescape Thursday! This past Monday I spent a fun day shopping and lunching with my friend, Marie. If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you know Marie decorates her beautiful Victorian home for all the holidays and seasons. I couldn't wait to see what she had done this year for spring! Marie creates whimsical vignettes throughout her home for her six grandchildren to enjoy. … [Read more...]




Spring Easter Table Setting With Spode Emma’s Garland & Bunny Centerpiece

Welcome to the 391st Tablescape Thursday! We're out on the porch this week for Tablescape Thursday. The weather has been so nice, running in the mid 70's every day, so I couldn't resist putting a table outside. Has spring arrived early in your area, too?   I've put together a table that will work for an Easter or springtime gathering.   This is the first time I've used the … [Read more...]




St. Patrick’s Day Table with 4-Leaf Clover & Shamrock Dishes

Welcome to the 389th Tablescape Thursday! I was so hoping to put a table out on the porch this week since we've been having warmer weather, but it turned cold again the day I set this table, so we're back in the breakfast room for this week. I pulled out my favorite centerpiece for this St. Patrick's Day table.   This friendly little leprechaun only comes out to play during the month of … [Read more...]




8 Festive Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Welcome to the 388th Tablescape Thursday! St. Patrick's Day is just a few weeks away so today I'm sharing a few St. Paddy's Day tablescapes along with some other fun ideas and inspiration for your St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Click any of the titles below to see a table, hutch, recipe or napkin fold in more detail. St. Patrick's Day Spring Table   St. Patrick's Day Table With … [Read more...]




Found: Not One, But 3 Bunnies with Baskets!

Each time I set a table and use Mr. Bunny in the centerpiece, I get lots of emails and comments from folks asking where I found him. He was designed by artist, Marjolein Bastin and I found him several years ago in a small gift shop in Marietta, Georgia called The Whimsical Nest. I've heard from several readers who have called the shop and were told that they no longer carry him. I think they only had him … [Read more...]




Spring and Easter Table Setting Ideas

Welcome to the 386th Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so much for all the lovely congrats and well-wishes you left on yesterday's post. These are the moments that really matter in life and I love being able to share them with you, dear Friends! ♥ Last Tablescape Thursday, I shared a Valentine's Day themed table. On Friday we went on a field trip to Pottery Barn to see all the wonderful tables they … [Read more...]




Valentine’s Day Table Setting with Vintage Copeland Spode Tower

Welcome to the 385th Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day just a couple of weeks away, I'm sharing a fun Valentine's Day table setting today. Valentine's Day is normally a romantic celebration for two, but I couldn't resist putting together a whimsical setting for the holiday.   Mr. Bunny is back and he brought us some goodies! He has acted as the centerpiece in many previous … [Read more...]




Ideas for Valentine’s Day Tables

Welcome to the 384th Tablescape Thursday! Valentine's Day is just a couple of weeks away. Here's a little inspiration for making it a special day. ♥ Click on and the title below to access that post for more information! ♥ Make Heart Shaped Cakes with this Recipe   Make Music-Covered Hearts for Valentine's Day   Valentine's Day Table with a Heart-Tree … [Read more...]




A Snowy Winter Table Setting

Welcome to the 382nd Tablescape Thursday! We're celebrating winter with a snowy winter tablescape for Tablescape Thursday.   It was a cold but sunshine-filled day yesterday when I created this table setting in my breakfast room.   For the centerpiece, I used the little tree I had previously used for our Hot Cocoa Bar on the porch. (See more of the Hot Cocoa Bar in this post: … [Read more...]




The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour

Welcome to the 362nd Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Year! How were your holidays? I hope you were able to spend them with those you love most. I was away for a while, visiting my son, dil and grandson. It was wonderful seeing them! Unfortunately, the trip back home was an adventure, and not in a good way. I'll share that story very soon, complete with pictures, because there are lots of lessons to be … [Read more...]




Christmas Table: Lenox Holiday Tartan & Fitz & Floyd Centerpiece

Welcome to the 380th Tablescape Thursday! Elena created a beautiful table setting for her family for this year's Christmas dinner. If you're a fan of the beautiful pieces produced by Fitz and Floyd, you'll love this stunning tablescape.   Elena decorated her sideboard to coordinate with her table, as well.   The highlight of the centerpiece is a wonderful Fitz and Floyd … [Read more...]




DIY Hot Cocoa Sign for a Hot Chocolate Bar: A Tutorial

A couple of days ago I shared a Hot Cocoa bar I created out on my screened porch. The bar area included a sign I made that was inspired by a sign I had seen floating around blogland a few years back. After not having any success locating a similar sign, I decided it was time to head downstairs to my basement workshop and make my own. (Inspiration sign and detail views of the Hot Cocoa Bar can be seen in … [Read more...]




Toile Christmas Table Setting with Bon Jour Yuletide

Welcome to the 379th Tablescape Thursday! Recently Gina shared some wonderful photos of her Christmas table setting and I loved it! In her email Gina said, "You posted on your blog a year ago, to take a second look at ornaments that do double duty for other things.  Well I did!  I have used ornaments as napkin rings this year on my Christmas Table."  I immediately recognized the beautiful toile pattern. … [Read more...]




Create a Hot Cocoa Bar for Winter Entertaining

Happy Holidays to you, dear Friends! We're out on the porch today and I know it's a little chilly. Don't worry though, I have just the thing to warm us up. Step right over here and belly up to the bar--the Hot Cocoa Bar, that is. :)   I've been envisioning a Hot Cocoa Bar for years out here on the porch, but I could never quite gather together all the bits and pieces I needed to create it, … [Read more...]




Decorate the Porch in Tartan for Christmas

Welcome to the 360th Metamorphosis Monday! Last summer I shared Linda's beautiful porch as it looks during the summer in this post: Patio Becomes a Three-Season Porch   In October I shared how it looks during the fall months: Decorate a Porch for Autumn   Linda has transformed it again for the holidays and it's a winter wonderland with lots of great accent pieces pulled … [Read more...]




I’m Dreaming of a White Feather Christmas

Welcome to the 378th Tablescape Thursday! Have you ever tried to take a photo of a cloud or a ghost? That's a kinda how it felt this week as I tried to take pictures of this week's table setting. lol Feather centerpieces can be a challenge! I wish the chandelier didn't hang down in the way, try to imagine this table without it there. I wish I had placed this setting outside on the porch but I wasn't … [Read more...]




A Christmas Tree at Last

Several folks have asked when I was going to share my Christmas tree for this year. Well, I finally called "uncle." Where does that phrase come from anyway? lol   After spending 3 hours one night changing a million fuses, two hours another night examining a million bulbs, and an hour a third night fiddling and fussing, I finally gave up (for this year) on trying to get the lights to work on … [Read more...]




26 Holiday Gifts They’ll Never Return

How's your holiday shopping coming along? If you're like me, I usually get it about 95% done but get stuck on those last few gifts. There's always a few folks on my list for whom I struggle finding the right gift. I've put together a list of 26 wonderful gift ideas. The list includes gifts for men, women and children so there's something here for everyone. Many of these are products I currently use and … [Read more...]




Christmas Dinner in Toyland

Welcome to the 377th Tablescape Thursday! Have I mentioned how much I love this time of year? I have a wee obsession with Christmas dishware. I love how it can be whimsical, playful or just stunningly beautiful! The two patterns I'm using this week (really three if you count the charger) are all about the fun, playful side of Christmas.   This is a table setting that would appeal to both … [Read more...]




Decorating the Chariot for Christmas

Happy Friday! I'm sooo excited this evening because tomorrow I'll be doing one of the things I most love doing this time of year: I'll be heading out with friends for a nearby Christmas home tour. Each year when we attend this particular tour, we almost always buy their "combo" ticket which includes seeing three homes by daylight and three by candlelight. I love both types of tours but the candlelight … [Read more...]




A Thanksgiving Tablescape With a View

Welcome to the 376th Tablescape Thursday! Recently my friend Bonnie, shared some photos of the beautiful table setting she created for Thanksgiving this year. Her dining room overlooks this stunning view!   The gorgeous autumn foliage must have been the inspiration for this wonderful Thanksgiving tablescape.   The beautiful beaded, leaf placemats work so well with the fall … [Read more...]




A Red Christmas Door

Just popping in with a few photos of my front porch progress. I took these photos this evening after dark to give you an idea of how things look at night. The porch doesn't feel complete just yet; it needs a little greenery around the bottom of the urns and a little something else, but it's getting there.   In years past, I've alway hung the garland lower on the door as seen in this photo … [Read more...]




Looking For Some Christmas Decorating Inspiration

Greetings to you! How has your day been going? Before we get into today's post, I have a little update: I changed over to a new email service on November 12th, and I'm starting to hear from a few folks who aren't getting their email updates when a new post is up here at the blog. If you haven't been receiving those, please sign up again using the subscribe box at the end of this post. Or, e-mail me at … [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...]




Squash Casserole Recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Anytime

Greetings this beautiful fall day! Are you busy preparing for Thanksgiving? I haven't had Thanksgiving here at my home in a while, so I'm excited to have family coming here this year. I picked up a Honey Baked Ham yesterday and bought a fresh turkey today to cook on Thanksgiving Day. I know they'll be lots of left overs but that's fine with me. Who doesn't love leftovers! I always prepare a squash casserole … [Read more...]




Tartan Christmas Table Setting, Vintage Style

Welcome to the 374th Tablescape Thursday! Before we get into this week's Tablescape Thursday, I think I have some good news. It appears the Tartan Chargers are back in stock again, at least they are as I'm writing this on Saturday evening. You'll find them here: Tartan Chargers Recently Jeri who reads BNOTP, shared some pictures of a tablescape she created for work. Jeri has the enviable job of … [Read more...]




Decking the Halls…and the Beds…and the Sofas

I've always loved pillows, have them all throughout my house. The last few years I've started collecting Christmas pillow and oh. my. gosh...there are some really cute ones out there. The "Love" pillow I purchased one year after Christmas is actually a Christmas pillow, but I think it's perfect to pull out again in February for Valentine's Day.   The Love pillow is currently on sale with free … [Read more...]




7 Christmas Porches

Welcome to the 355th Metamorphosis Monday! Ahoy Matey! As  you read this, I'm somewhere out floating in the Caribbean, hopefully NOT in the Bermuda Triangle!!! ;)  I'm off sailing with the The Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott on their "Sailing With The Scotts, Ultimate Design Cruise." I have lots of posts ready for you this week. If I can find a Wifi connection, I'll also share some photos … [Read more...]




20 Ways To Make Your Christmas Merry & Bright

Welcome to the 354th Metamorphosis Monday! Christmas is just 45 days away and I've noticed lots of folks are Pinning and Instagramming Christmas ideas for inspiration. At the top of BNOTP, you'll find a category called, Holiday Home. Under Holiday Home, you'll find a subcategory called, Christmas. Under Christmas you'll find lots of decorating ideas, house tours, crafts, movies, recipes, tablescapes … [Read more...]




A Roasted Pumpkin Soup For Cozy, Fall Dinners

Happy Friday! Yesterday I shared a fall table setting and my centerpiece for the table was the prettiest little pumpkin casserole from Martha Stewart. (Pumpkin Casserole is currently on sale here: Martha Stewart Pumpkin Casserole)   The pumpkin casserole came with a yummy recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Soup. This soup was very easy to make, the trickiest part was cutting apart the sugar pumpkins. Those … [Read more...]




Tartan Chargers for the Holiday Table

We dish lovers watch out for each other, have you noticed that? Recently, a reader of BNOTP alerted me that chargers are now available for the tartan dishware pattern I love and use so much in table settings for Christmas. What! How had I missed that? I immediately found them online and ordered eight. (Thanks Chloe for the heads up!) Update: The chargers had sold out but it appears they have restocked … [Read more...]




Awesome Deal for Preserved Boxwood Wreaths

I don't normally post on Sundays but I came across a deal this weekend that expires today, so I'm sharing it in a quick post just in case it's helpful in your upcoming holiday decorating. Update added 11-2-15: It looks like they still have the 10% off deal going on, which is great! Tip: If it shows the wreath is out of stock for your store, click in the box that looks like this one below and you'll be … [Read more...]




Halloween Craft: Mummy Candle Holders

Halloween is almost here and I have a super fun, easy craft to share. I've been itching to make some Mummy Candle Holders for Halloween for a while now. They always make me laugh when I see them in magazines around this time of year.   I didn't have a tutorial to go by, just gathered together the items that I thought I'd need: pint size mason jars from True Value, gauze, glue gun and some … [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...]




Decorate a Porch or Sunroom for Autumn

Welcome to the 351st Metamorphosis Monday! Earlier this year in June, I shared Linda's beautiful 3-season porch. You may remember that this space was once a concrete pad with just a pergola overhead. Linda and her hubby transformed it into a porch they now enjoy almost all year-long.   They kept this room and the adjoining living room light and bright by using a clear, acrylic roof … [Read more...]




7 Ways To Decorate Your Home for Autumn & Halloween

How did it get to be October so quickly?! With fall here and Halloween just a few weeks away, how about a little inspiration for your autumn and Halloween decorating. Thanks so much to Town and Country Magazine for sharing my Chinoiserie DIY pumpkin craft in their article titled, "Everyone is Turning Their Pumpkins Into Chinoiserie Pieces of Art." Also, thanks to House Beautiful for sharing that project … [Read more...]




A Patriotic Table For Two

Welcome to the 363rd  Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so much for all your great suggestions yesterday! Appreciate those so much! With Labor Day weekend upon us, I had fun putting a patriotic tablescape together out on the deck.   The whole time I was working on this table, the tree-form hydrangea on this end of the deck kept poking me in the head. :) Taking a photo behind the hydrangea … [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...]




4th of July Nautical Table Setting

Welcome to the 355th Tablescape Thursday! So, remember that table setting I didn't get to post last week because a big storm came along and put an end to any thoughts of taking pictures for the day?   It's a week late, but better late than never, right?   I ended up setting this table with two different centerpieces.   The first centerpiece was a flag and … [Read more...]




Celebrating the Red, White and Blue

Welcome to the 354th Tablescape Thursday! Late yesterday afternoon, as I was just finishing my table for today, a big storm blew in. I quickly grabbed the food I had already placed on the table, along with a few other items I thought would get wet or blow away and made a hasty retreat inside. It stayed almost this dark out for the rest of the evening, even after the worst of the storm had passed. We … [Read more...]




5 Tabletop Crafts & Recipes for Independence Day

Welcome to the 352nd Tablescape Thursday! I'm working on a table I'll be sharing next week. With the 4th of July just a couple of weeks away, here are a few fun crafts, centerpieces and recipes you can make for your upcoming 4th of July table. Some of the centerpieces would work on a sideboard or buffet, too. Click on the TITLE to access each tabletop craft, tutorial or recipe below. Make a … [Read more...]




Watermelon Mojitos For A Summer Party

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...]




Delphinium & Bunnies For Spring

Welcome to the 347th Tablescape Thursday! Today I'm sharing a tablescape I had hoped to share back around Easter but couldn't quite get it ready in time. It actually works great for spring or summer, too.   I kept the centerpiece simple with bunnies and a big pot of Delphinium.   I love Delphinium but whenever I've planted them in my garden, they never come back the next … [Read more...]




Spring Tablescape With Williams Sonoma Damask Bunny

Welcome to the 346th Tablescape Thursday! Elena put together the most adorable table for Easter this year. Though perfect for Easter, this tablescape would be great anytime during the spring and summer months. In her email, Elena said, "It all started with Williams Sonoma blue damask bunny plates that absolutely stole my heart."   Elena added, "I loved the bunny plates so much that I … [Read more...]




Patriotic Table Setting For Memorial Day & 4th of July

Welcome to the 345th Tablescape Thursday! One of my favorite tablescapes for summertime dining on the porch is one celebrating our patriotic holidays. Over the next few months we have three coming up: Memorial Day in May, Flag Day in June and Independence Day in July. Time to break out the red, white and blue!   It was a beautiful day as I played out on the porch. Love seeing the trees … [Read more...]