It's 5:30 AM as I write this, I've been up since 3 AM. The previous two mornings, I awoke at 4 am. This pretty much happens every time I travel to Europe. I'm not sure when my body will get back on Georgia time, but for now I'm enjoying the peace and quiet you experience when you get up before the birds even open their eyes. It's amazing all the stuff you can get done when you awaken at 4 … [Read more...]
Search Results for: a christmas story
Luxury Travel to Ireland, Without the Luxury Price
June 20, 2017 by 80 Comments
Ever since I saw the movie, Waking Ned Divine, I've wanted to visit Ireland. Have you seen that movie? If you love comedies with endearing, quirky characters similar to those in Doc Martin, great scenery, beautiful Irish music and happy endings, you'll love it! It's one of my most favorite movies. After seeing Waking Ned Divine, Ireland immediately went on the bucket list. I spent much of this past … [Read more...]
17 Charger Plate Ideas for Your Next Dinner Party
June 1, 2017 by 76 Comments
Welcome to the 454th Tablescape Thursday! Whenever I set a table for friends or family, I often use a charger plate underneath the dinner plate. I love the way they enhance a setting, adding another pretty layer and providing a base for each place setting. They are also practical as they help catch drips that would otherwise fall on the table or tablecloth. Back in early 2008, before I ever began … [Read more...]
The One Part of Travel I Always Dread and a New Tactic for Managing It
March 4, 2017 by 47 Comments
Email Update: I just noticed today that the company I use to send out emails for BNOTP, has been using the wrong return email address. It's been changed to the correct one which is [email protected] . So please add that address to your "approved contacts" or your email addresses. That will help to ensure that you'll receive email updates when a new post is up here on the blog. If you're one … [Read more...]
A Much Wanted Shirt Is Found & Spring Wardrobe Updates
February 13, 2017 by 57 Comments
Welcome to 420th Metamorphosis Monday! Did you hear a crazy woman screaming on February 5th? If you did, that was me having a happy fit when Elaine, a reader of BNOTP, e-mailed to say she had seen the birding shirt I've been trying to find forever for sale on Etsy. I leapt over to Etsy and couldn't believe my eyes! The ad stated that it was brand new and had never been worn. I think it will fit based on … [Read more...]
How I’m Using My Spoons & Building My Spring Wardrobe
January 3, 2017 by 37 Comments
A while back I shared some adorable Hand-Stamped silverplate spoons that were the cutest ones I'd ever seen. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: They Arrived and I Love Them! Plus, a Special Bird Sighting I gave the "Drink Tea" spoon shown below to a special friend for Christmas, ...along with a cute reindeer drink cozy like the one you saw in my previous porch post. The … [Read more...]
21 Gift Ideas for The “Hard-to-Buy-For” Folks On Your Holiday List
November 19, 2016 by 21 Comments
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...]
10 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter: My Winter Survival List, 2016
October 22, 2016 by 54 Comments
Those wonderfully high temps we had here in the Atlanta area this past week are starting to fade away. It got rather chilly last night. As I write this mid-afternoon, it's still 59° outside. I know that's not cold to most folks but it definitely falls into the category of "sweater weather" for this girl. Each year I put together a post with my favorites for surviving winter in comfort. Since our temps … [Read more...]
On Safari: An African Safari-Themed Tablescape
May 12, 2016 by 55 Comments
Welcome to the 399th Tablescape Thursday! When I was on safari in Kenya last September, I stayed in romantic Giraffe Manor for one of the nights I was there. Giraffe Manor, built in 1938 in the style of a Scottish Hunting Lodge, is truly like something out of a storybook. The Rothschild Giraffe is endangered and the good folks at Giraffe Manor are doing what they can to increase the population. Did … [Read more...]
Favorite Finds, Free Monogramming and an Ingenious Device
February 2, 2016 by 27 Comments
It happens almost every year here in Georgia,one of those strange weeks when you would swear spring has arrived. The daffodils are poking their little heads up out of the ground and the temps actually reached the 70's on the porch today. I just checked and the low for tonight is 63 degrees! Crazy, but I'm loving it! It won't be long before the porch will be back in business. It's needs a good vacuuming … [Read more...]
A Metamorphosis of the Animal Kind: Baby Elephants Playing and Feeding
January 11, 2016 by 39 Comments
Welcome to the 363rd Metamorphosis Monday! My metamorphosis this week is an unusual one, one of the animal kind. During my week long visit to Africa back in September for a photographic safari, on my last day there before my flight late that night, a guide took me to several fascinating places. I visited a bead factory where I didn't buy anything but was super tempted. I toured the home … [Read more...]
How To Get Your Car Out of the Mud: A Roadside Service Fail
January 5, 2016 by 132 Comments
Last Monday I went through one of the worst experiences I've ever had while traveling. In fact, I would say this ranks as the worst. Grab a cup of coffee or hot tea because this story is a bit long. I hope it saves someone from experiencing what I went through a few days ago on a long trip back home. I've had car insurance and roadside assistance with the same company for over 35 years. My insurance … [Read more...]
A Quick Access Bag That Keeps Out Prying Eyes
September 15, 2015 by 45 Comments
Everything is ready. My house-setters are ready, the bird feeders are all filled to the brim and I even took time to change out the food in the hummingbird feeder so they would have fresh nectar while I'm away. I was thinking today that I'm a little crazy. Okay, quit nodding your head in agreement! I'm the only one who's allowed to think that, much less say it out loud! ;) For my first trip out of the … [Read more...]
A Few Of My Favorite Reads This Past Year, What Were Yours?
February 4, 2015 by 45 Comments
I listen to a lot of books on Audible...around 8-10 each month. If I'm driving on an errand, sitting in traffic or on a long trip, a book is playing. If I'm sorting through the way-too-many pictures I've taken for a post and cropping or editing them, a book is playing. If I'm washing dishes, folding laundry, staining the deck, planting shrubs, spreading pine straw or cleaning out the garage, a book is … [Read more...]
Has To Get Worse Before It Gets Better
January 26, 2015 by 96 Comments
Welcome to the 313th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Hope it was restful and fun! I been working the last few days in the upstairs family room. When I put away all the Christmas decorations this year, I decided it was time to get better organized. Each year when it's time to pull out the Christmas decorations, I dread it. This is why. As you can see, it's jam-packed up under … [Read more...]
Make A Snowman Spice Cake
January 9, 2015 by 57 Comments
Recently while shopping in Williams-Sonoma, I came across a Nordic Ware snowman cake pan. It was on sale, greatly reduced from $39.95 to $10.39 so I couldn't resist trying my hand at making this cute cake. Update: You can still find this pan here: Snowman Cake Pan The cake ended up being a centerpiece for yesterday's winter table setting seen in this post: Winter Table Setting With Snowman … [Read more...]
Create a Winter Retreat With Tartan Bedding
November 4, 2014 by 92 Comments
So, apparently landscaping the front yard wasn't a big enough project to take on this fall. Somehow I've also embarked on a little makeover in the master bedroom. Here's how my bedroom has looked for the last 10 years. I still love this bedding but I've always dreamed of having both a "winter" look and a "summer" look for my bedroom. These colors are great for spring and summer but they have always … [Read more...]
A Closet Makeover Marathon
August 25, 2014 by 87 Comments
Welcome to the 291st Metamorphosis Monday! A couple of years ago, I opened up a big ole fat can of worms. Have you ever purchased something because it was a great price or maybe it was on sale, then before you knew it, it ended up costing you a lot more than you had planned? I'm not sure if the project I'm sharing today is one you would want to undertake or if it's more of a cautionary tale. ;) I am … [Read more...]
Where Am I?
July 22, 2014 by 80 Comments
I'm traveling today, headed back home. I can't wait to share pictures of where I've been the last few days. This photo is a big hint! Can you guess? :) Update: Check out THIS POST to see where I was when this picture was taken. … [Read more...]
How To Repair A Large Hole In Sheetrock Or Drywall
July 14, 2014 by 75 Comments
Welcome to the 285th Metamorphosis Monday! Last December I shared the story behind a mystery alcove located just outside my master bedroom doors. That previous post can be found here: If These Walls Could Talk: A Mystery Alcove. I've always been glad this little alcove was here because it has been the perfect spot for a chest that was once was a changing table for my son when he was a baby. When I … [Read more...]
In The BNOTP Library: At Home in Nantucket
July 1, 2014 by 11 Comments
After touring a wonderful waterside home with an island feel this morning, what better book to share from my library than one about another popular island rich in history and beautiful homes: Nantucket. I've never been to Nantucket but this book has made me want to visit there more than ever. In the BNOTP Library: At Home in Nantucket Author: Lisa McGee Hardcover: 204 pages Book size: … [Read more...]
Pickiest Lamp Person In The World
June 30, 2014 by 109 Comments
Welcome to the 283rd Metamorphosis Monday! I love lamps, but I guess you kind of knew that when you saw this picture of my screened-in porch. I mean, who has a porch added to the back of their home and doesn't have a single overhead light installed? In the immortal words of Jim Carrey in the movie, Liar, Liar, "It was meeeeee! " ;) I do love lamp lighting in a room because it's gentle on … [Read more...]
Greenwood Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana: Part I
May 20, 2014 by 33 Comments
Greenwood Plantation, A Greek Revival Home in St. Francisville, Louisiana Greenwood Plantation, a Greek Revival home in St. Francisville, Louisiana, was one of my favorite homes of all the homes my friend, Linda and I toured on our trip to Louisiana. Greenwood is located in West Feliciana Parish which is about an hour's drive north of Baton Rouge. In 1960, something terrible happened to … [Read more...]
Gail Claridge’s Country Meadow Equestrian Ranch
February 4, 2014 by 52 Comments
What do you see in this picture below? Just an ordinary old barn, right? Gail Claridge, an Interior Designer and the owner of Gail Claridge Interiors in Westlake Village, CA envisioned much more for this modest 50+ year old barn. Much more! Talk about a transformation! As amazing as this exterior looks, it doesn't compare to the inside! Let's go inside and take the … [Read more...]
Touring the Beautiful Hill-Huggins Home in Madison, Georgia
February 1, 2014 by 13 Comments
There was one more home we toured in Madison during the Town & Country Holiday Tour back in December: the Hill-Huggins Home built in 1832. It was late evening and just before dark when I took these photos. This beautiful Greek Revival has a really fascinating history. While on the tour we were told that the home belonged to Senator Joshua Hill during the time of the Civil War. He … [Read more...]
Madison Town & Country Holiday Home Tour
January 31, 2014 by 45 Comments
Back in December, I went on a holiday tour of homes in Madison Georgia. I had planned to share these photos before now but I've been unable to download them from my phone. Does anyone have a Samsung Galaxy III? Got an easy method for downloading pics to your computer? In the past, with all the other phones I've ever owned, I just connected them to my computer via a USB cable and my computer automatically … [Read more...]
Dining Room Upgrade: Add Picture Molding Beneath a Chair Rail
January 13, 2014 by 89 Comments
Welcome to the 259th Metamorphosis Monday! I don't have a major Before/After to share this week for Met Monday, but I do have one I'm resurrecting because it has been on my mind recently. My son and his wife recently bought a new home so paint, hardwood flooring and other "home stuff" has been a hot topic in all our conversations. And can I just say, I'm loving it! It's so much fun to talk "house" stuff … [Read more...]
Classic, Timeless, Traditional: Decorate For The Fall-Winter Season
September 13, 2013 by 61 Comments
I love visiting Mary Carol Garrity's online website for her shop, Nell Hill's. There are always so many beautiful things to see. This made my heart sing! If you have ever wondered if it was okay to mix brass/gold with silver, I think this answers that question once and for all. This is so much more beautiful than if the candlestick lamps had been all matchy matchy in brass. Picture above and below … [Read more...]
Dining in an English Country House: A Visit to Chatsworth House
August 15, 2013 by 52 Comments
Welcome to the 257th Tablescape Thursday! Have you ever visited Chatsworth House? Unfortunately, I've never been to England but I'm determined to get there one of these days. Chatsworth House is a large country house located in the county of Derbyshire in the East Midlands region of England. It was built beginning around 1553 but went through a rebuilding process beginning in 1696. Chatsworth is home to … [Read more...]
My Fave Yellow Paint Colors: Duron Sugar Cookie and Duron Tea Biscuit
July 19, 2013 by 73 Comments
One of my fave paint colors I go to time and time again is an old, old Duron color called Sugar Cookie. There's a little story how I first discovered this color. Many, many years ago, through a job I had at the time, I met a delightful lady who was the wife of a professional coach for a local university. I can't remember now if he was a footfall or basketball coach. Anyway, when I visited their home, … [Read more...]
My Dream Home
February 20, 2013 by 137 Comments
At some point during the day, nearly every single day, I catch myself dreaming about living in an adorable cottage in a small town or rural area. I've never been a city girl so living 20 minutes outside Atlanta is definitely not my cup of tea. The city I live in is super congested and traffic is always bad unless it's 10:00 AM on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday or 10:00 at night. I do all my grocery … [Read more...]
Brass is Back, Baby!
January 29, 2013 by 147 Comments
I am a lover of polished brass. There, I said it...right out loud! I'm sure you've noticed, brass has been getting a bad rap over the last few years. Its cousins chrome, nickel and oil-rubbed bronze have squeezed it out as the metal of favor. Now granted, I have seen some not-so-great brass in my days, the kind that looks lifeless and dull, or worse, pitted. But I never really understood why quality … [Read more...]
Beeswax Candle Covers and Satin-Wrapped Bulbs for Chandeliers
November 6, 2012 by 55 Comments
I've been working on a lot of little small projects around the house lately. One of the projects I have going right now involves the chandelier in my dining room. In a previous post, I mentioned there was a little story that goes with this piece so I thought today might be a good day to share it. Do you like little stories? If so, grab a cup of coffee or a glass a wine and I'll share my chandelier … [Read more...]
9 Tips for Better Blog Photos
January 28, 2012 by 102 Comments
Over the past year I've gotten a lot of emails/comments asking if I would share some information about taking photographs for blogs. I've been a bit reluctant to write this post because I'm totally an amateur in every sense of the word when it comes to the subject of photography. But I'm happy to share what I have learned. Just please keep in mind, I'm still learning, too. I'm writing this post as if … [Read more...]
Brumby Hall: Tour the Upstairs of This Historic Home
January 3, 2012 by 13 Comments
In early December I had the opportunity to tour Brumby Hall while on a Christmas Historic Home Tour in Marietta, Georgia. One of the homes open during the tour was Brumby Hall. I previously shared a tour of the downstairs of this beautiful home HERE and a tour of the two dining rooms HERE. In case you missed those previous tours, here's a brief history of this historic home. In the previous posts, we … [Read more...]
Beautiful, Historic Brumby Hall: Take the Tour
December 28, 2011 by 22 Comments
This week between Christmas and New Years is such a special time. In a way, it feels like time is standing still. For some, life may have returned to normal with normal working hours and schedules. But if your household is anything like mine, you're still reveling in all things Christmas with New Year's Eve/Day waiting in the wings. My family is still here visiting and the memories we're making are … [Read more...]
Tour the Historic Whitlock Inn
December 16, 2011 by 25 Comments
Recently, a friend and I went on a Christmas historic home tour in Marietta, Georgia. Included in the tour was the beautiful Whitlock Inn. This Victorian home was built in 1900. A brief history found online states, "One hundred and ten years ago, the M.G. Whitlock House, the famous 150 room Marietta resort, burned to the ground. Before the Civil War, it was a popular showplace for tourists taking the … [Read more...]
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
May 27, 2011 by 67 Comments
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: Touring Mercer House I've just recently returned from a few days in the port city, Savannah and my trip had me thinking about the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The movie was based on the book of the same title written by author, John Berendt. I've visited this beautiful Georgia city several times over the years, including back in June 1995, the … [Read more...]
A Dovecote in the Garden
February 25, 2011 by 32 Comments
A Dovecote in the Garden Landscape Recently, I posted about a kind soul who came to my "rescue." That post contained lots of photos of the large dovecote in my perennial garden that runs along my driveway. I received several e-mails from readers asking for more information about this bird house and where I found it. My interest in a dovecote for my garden came from years of going on garden tours. Often, … [Read more...]
Abercorn Place: Southern Living Idea House in Senoia Georgia
January 4, 2011 by 30 Comments
While we continue enjoying Jennifer's wonderful kitchen renovation and all the fabulous "Before and Afters" linked for yesterday's Met Monday, lets take a little tour of some more of the rooms in Abercorn Place, this year's Southern Living Idea House in Senoia, Georgia. I've been sharing the rooms in this 4 story home over the last few weeks and today we're touring three rooms: the Living Room, the … [Read more...]
The Holiday
December 17, 2010 by 113 Comments
It's Friday! How about another fun movie house tour? This weekend I'm taking you on a tour of my second favorite Christmas movie house, Rosehill Cottage from the movie, The Holiday. The home in Home Alone will always be my first "movie house" love. ;) The Holiday, hit the theaters in 2006. Did you see it? I am a total sucker for romantic comedies but it was the cottage in the movie that completely stole my … [Read more...]
Party Planning: An Ornament or Gift Exchange Game Your Guests Will Love
November 10, 2010 by 26 Comments
Ornament/Gift Exchange Game: I'll be honest with you, I normally don't like games at parties because they always take so long and I'd much rather just stuff my face and visit with my friends. But this game is different. It's a super-fast game, literally. It's over in about 3-5 minutes and it leaves folks laughing. It really is a lot of fun! Here's how it works: In the invitation, I always ask folks … [Read more...]
Party Planning: Sending Out the Invites
November 8, 2010 by 55 Comments
Welcome to the 94th Metamorphosis Monday! Holiday Party Planning: Earlier today, I posted the Top 10 Reasons many of us give for not hosting a holiday party in our home. Over the next few days, I want to help you overcome those objections and fears. I am not a certified party planner...just got a few parties under my belt. :) I've always worked outside the home full-time, matching my schedule to my … [Read more...]
Burlap and Organza Tableskirt
January 11, 2010 by 109 Comments
Welcome to the 52nd Metamorphosis Monday! Okay, I'm cheating a tad for this Met Monday. I have my "Before" pic to show you in my bedroom and an "After" pic from another home to show you what I'm thinking about doing. This is a round table that's currently between two windows in my bedroom. Eventually, I hope to place chairs on either side, but that's another story for another day. Notice the … [Read more...]
A Special Tablescape Filled with Memories
December 10, 2009 by 89 Comments
Welcome to the 68th Tablescape Thursday! A Tablescaping Story Once upon a time, long, long ago, a happy, young couple graduated from college...He from lawschool, She from undergraduate. A few days later they celebrated their 1 year wedding anniversary and as summer came to a close, the starry-eyed couple loaded up a U-haul, and along with their sweet kitty, headed off to a far-away land, all alone. He … [Read more...]
Six Feet Under, Awesome Porches and Bats in the Belfry
October 31, 2009 by 60 Comments
Earlier this year, actually around mid-summer, a friend and I had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta, Six Feet Under. They have the BEST fish tacos and their potato chips are beyond yummy. I think they make them in-house. You may wonder how this restaurant got it's name. Six Feet Under is located directly across the street from this. Yup, it's a cemetery...but not just … [Read more...]
A Kitchen Renovation
February 9, 2009 by 95 Comments
Wecome to the 4th Metamorphosis Monday! Welcome to my modest kitchen renovation. Okay, if you have a weak stomach, you might want to look away at this point. This was my kitchen before renovation...dark and dreary. This is the only "before" pic I have to share...but it really tells the story of what the kitchen looked like prior to renovation. You can't see it in this photo, but the genuine … [Read more...]
