FEATURED POSTS

Attractive, Waterproof, Patio-Deck Storage For Outdoor Cushions, Toys, Gardening & Grilling Tools

Welcome to the 756th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! Well, it has been a process spanning several years, but I have finally managed to move all the toys I saved from my son's childhood--to my son's home in Ohio for his children to enjoy. Of course, I didn't save every toy from his childhood, but I did try to save the best ones that I felt were perennial and would never be outdated. Back story: When my brother, who was much older than me, had … [Continue Reading...]

A Few of My June Favorites

Cooler Light

Happy weekend! Hope you're having a great one! I'm visiting with family right now so there's been a lot of Catan playing, cooking out, and assembling of cat towers and storage boxes. lol I'll share more on the storage part for Metamorphosis Monday. In the meantime, here are some of those things that made my life easier and a lot better during the month of June. (Catan Game is available here: Catan.)   I've mentioned these PJs a bunch here on the blog … [Continue Reading...]

Dining in the French Countryside, A French Farmhouse Table Setting With Wonderful Antiques

French Table, Farm House Style, Jams, Cheeses, Bread

Welcome to the 773rd Tablescape Thursday! We are dining outdoors in the French countryside today for Tablescape Thursday. Norma, who lives in the south of France, has invited us over for a wonderful luncheon, French-Farmhouse style!   Norma sewed a delightful red and white bunting for the occasion. The bunting makes this outdoor gathering feel extra special and I love that Norma always makes bunting for her outdoor gatherings!   The red … [Continue Reading...]

These Pierced Charger Plates Appear to Be Available Now In Very Limited Quantity

Floral Spring Tablescape with Bath's Pink Dianthus

I've been blogging now for 15 years, and in all those years of sharing table settings here on the blog, the item I've received the most questions about has to be these pierced, cream-colored charger plates I purchased from Horchow back in 2008.   Though I've look several times over the years, I've never seen them available again at either Horchow or Neiman Marcus.   They aren't hallmarked and I remember when they arrived, they were in … [Continue Reading...]

How Do I Like My Speed Queen Washer & Would I Recommend It

Best Washing Machine, 2023 Speed Queen Washer, TR7

Welcome to the 755th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope you had a great one! If you've been following along with my recent washing machine saga, you may remember my 43-1/2-year-old GE washing machine recently started having issues. The appliance repairman I've used in the past when my icemaker acted up, confirmed that parts are no longer available, so it was time to go washing machine shopping.   My first attempt at buying a new … [Continue Reading...]

So Many Summer Sales, Including Beautiful, Classic Villeroy & Boch!

Breakfast with Fruit Glasses, Fruit Tart, Villeroy & Boch Melina Fruit China

Welcome to the 772nd Tablescape Thursday! July is turning out to be a fun month for sales. Amazon just had their huge 2-day Prime Days Sale, Nordstrom is in the midst of their once-a-year Anniversary Sale which opens up to everyone on Monday and a lot of my favorite stores are celebrating Christmas in July. With so many great sales happening, I decided to see what's on sale for us dish lovers. Pottery Barn has these adorable Seahorse and crab napkin rings on … [Continue Reading...]

Prime Days Are Here & Here’s What I’m Eyeing & Have In My Cart!

If you shop a lot on Amazon and are a Prime member as I am, there are some awesome sales going on right now for Prime Members. I've been scoping out the sales today and so many things that I've personally purchased or given as gifts are currently on sale. If you start your holiday shopping early as I normally do, you're going to love the sales! Note: The Prime Days discount shopping is only going on today and tomorrow...so it's just for two days. I purchased … [Continue Reading...]

Why I Returned My Brand New Washer And The Washer I’ve Chosen To Replace It

Speed Queen TR7Washer and Dryer

Welcome to the 754th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I mentioned that my beloved 43-1/2-year-old washing machine, the only one I've ever owned, had to be replaced. The washer I purchased to replace it was delivered on June 21st and within 24 hours I was calling the store from which I purchased it, asking them to please come pick it back up.   The Speed Queen washing machine you see on the left below is the machine that will be delivered tomorrow. In … [Continue Reading...]

It’s Here—Talbots is Having Their Biggest Sale of the Season!

Update: Talbots just announced a flash sale today (Sunday) so it's 40% off everything right  now, even the items that weren't already on sale! Check out the flash sale here: Talbots Flash Sale. Whooo, Hooo! Talbots is having its biggest sale of the season. This sale only happens twice a year and what makes it so amazing is it's an extra 40% off everything that's already on sale, and there's a lot of good stuff on sale! Unfortunately, the sizes are going pretty … [Continue Reading...]

Naughty Ants & They’re Stealing All The Strawberries! It’s An Invasion!

Naughty Ants Stealing Strawberries, Summer Table Setting

Welcome to the 771st Tablescape Thursday! When my son was little, one of his favorite books was a Caldecott Medal-winner by Chris Van Allsburg (author of Jumanji and The Polar Express) called, Two Bad Ants. As I was setting this table, I couldn't help but think of that book.   The cousins of those two bad ants in Van Allsburg's book have found their way to my table this week.   Either that or the strawberries have sprouted feet because … [Continue Reading...]