Can you believe it? After weeks of very little tablescaping, the mood struck this morning, and I prepared a sweet little table to share with you. It'll have to wait ... Instead, while I was doing some work for my sweetheart, he fired up the smoker and surprised Yours Truly with smoked chicken, fresh corn, heirloom tomatoes, and crowder peas from the garden. And freshly-brewed iced tea ... in a crystal pitcher. And flowers. He surprised me with those, too. No wonder I call him Renaissance Man! How did I ever get so lucky? Seriously ... the man can cook! Apparently he tablescapes, too ... It's amazing what happens when the weather starts to turn ... Keep Reading...
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When A Blogland Friend Disappears …
Early in the Summer while riding along the highway, I thought of her. Kelley. Writer of the blog Kelley Highway. Do you know Kelley? She and her husband are missionaries in the Philippines. I realized she hadn't been around My Place in awhile ... and I hadn't stopped by to visit her either. Time to remedy that! I pulled out my iPad, linked up to the iPhone Hotspot, and typed in her address. I was ready to see this ... Instead, I saw this ... Whaaaaaat? Since Kelley and I had previously emailed from time to time, I had her address -- so I contacted her to see if Blogger had done something crazy ... like kidnap her blog! I've heard of ... Keep Reading...
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Where Are You Carving Your Name?
Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. Charles Spurgeon I've been attempting to carve my name on hearts lately, so I've been a bit absent here. As much as I've missed you, it's the right choice. I know you'll agree. I'll get back in the swing of things soon ... During this really busy Summer of travel for my husband, it's been nice having him home for a few days ... spending time together canning and freezing our harvest. Making Spider-Man birthday memories with Little Man ... Will someone please tell me where the past 4 years have gone? Helping with design work for a church project -- a new entrance for an old cemetery; a living gift from one spouse to another. There's more, but you get the ... Keep Reading...
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Painting My Old House Porch: The Rest of the Story
Happy weekend! Remember when I told you we'd had the front porch of our old house painted after a roof leak took 106 years of paint back to the raw wood? Well, there was more to the story. When you're blessed with an old house, there always is ... And remember when I told you how to have hanging ferns that are the envy of the neighborhood? Well, those gorgeous ferns are part of the same story. The not-so-pretty part. This past week, it was the wood porch floor that needed attention. You see, a few weeks ago when the wrap-around porch was being painted, we noticed that some of the floor boards across the front of the house were damaged. Strike that. They were rotten. Why? Because years ago, when we hung ferns for the first time, ... Keep Reading...
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Memory-making and Magnolias …
This week's tablescape is a reprisal of one I shared a couple of years ago. Based on the results of my recent Reader Survey, it will be new to many of you ... This tablescape features a favorite Southern flower: the magnolia. I'd never had a magnolia tree in my yard until we bought our old house, but there was a big one in the back yard. I got so excited thinking of the gorgeous blossoms and fragrant breezes it would provide. But when we began plans for adding a garage at the back of our house, Renaissance Man said the magnolia would have to go. I don't THINK so! We started negotiating ... and adjusting the plans ... and finally, together, we came up with the perfect solution. The tree would ... Keep Reading...
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The Ministry of Music
Yesterday I had the privilege of singing at a celebration of life service for a friend who died very suddenly and tragically a week ago. She was older than me by 20 years, but the church choir was our "common ground." I'm so thankful I was in town to join fellow choir members in tribute to Jan as we sang two of her favorite songs. One of the pieces was Chris Rice's Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) ... because Jan especially loved its text. It's one of my favorites, too. There's just something about this song that touches the deepest part of my soul, especially when I'm singing. Today, no matter what season of life you're in -- or what's happening in your life -- let this song minister to you ... Keep Reading...
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Two Quick and Easy TRIFLE BOWL Recipes: A Favorite Summertime Salad AND Dessert
My goodness! Where has this week gone? I sat down to do a quick tablescape post (thinking it was Wednesday) only to realize today is Thursday ... already. AND it's afternoon ... already. Oh, well. Could it be my attention has been elsewhere? Yours, too? George Alexander Louis His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge July 22, 2013 8 lbs. 6 oz. Source But what really occupied my time ... Perhaps the recipes I'm sharing with you today will be worth the wait! I made both of them last week when we had a 20-year-old house guest -- and they were a hit! I like that they're both "make-ahead" and offer a quick and easy way to get food on the table at the end of a busy ... Keep Reading...
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Are You My Typical Blog Reader? SURVEY SAYS …
Three years ago today I hit "publish" on my very first blog post. My debut tablescape raced into Blogland, and my heart raced right along with it, as I wondered what I was getting myself into. Would there be anyone "out there" to receive me with the same sense of friendship I was extending? There was! Some of you have been there since Day One, and I'm still amazed by that. Thank you for being such wonderful friends! After a few months, I shared more of myself with you besides tablescapes ... and then a little more ... and then I started challenging you ... until sometimes recently I've wondered if I'm running you off. That's why I decided to take my recent Reader Survey. I needed some feedback.You're ... Keep Reading...
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The Royal Birth Certificate
Click HERE to see the notecards While putting together the Royal Baby Watch notecards in my last post, my mind started wandering ... and wondering what the royal birth certificate will look like. And so I searched for Prince William's ... and was greatly disappointed. It's boring. Source At least he has one ... and so will the newest little royal whenever he or she arrives. As it turns out, all of my mental wandering led me to recall another birth certificate ... and a story I've never shared with you. Her name is Diana. She's a graduate of Hope Unlimited for Children. When she came to us, very little was known about her. As is common with children in such circumstances, basic ... Keep Reading...
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THE ROYAL BABY WATCH: Sending notecards while waiting …
Are you one of the many people on Royal Baby Watch? If you are, perhaps you'll like these notecards I'm sharing today at A Haven for Vee. It's time (already!) for the July Notecard Party ... Click HERE to read Transferware Heaven: Old House Love Click HERE to see this and the next pic in Motherhood: The Mother of All Roller Coaster Rides I was waiting on the birth of Daughter the Older when Princess Di was waiting for the arrival of Prince William. It's hard to believe he's now waiting on his firstborn ... What's your guess? Pink or Blue? Still in the mood for "royalty"? Check out these "royal" posts: A Royal ... Keep Reading...
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THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP: Meeting a Blogland Buddy
Last week, Renaissance Man and I received the gift of new friends. Technically, I suppose, I brought my sweet husband along to meet one of my "old" friends ... someone I met right here at My Place almost three years ago ... right after I started blogging. You've met her here, too, through her gorgeous tablescapes. In Blogland, she goes by Bonnie Bee. Click HERE to read "Owning Provenance" Click HERE to read "Shamrocks and Artichokes" Well, Bonnie was blessed with a sweet husband, too ... because he was willing to tag along and see if her "imaginary" Blogland friend was real. Guess what? Bonnie and I are both real ... and so are our husbands! The four of us spent a ... Keep Reading...
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Whatcha Doin’?
I'm still here! I hope you are, too. It's turning out to be a really busy Summer at My Place! I've been busy playing ... See below for how to make these cute t-shirts. ... and PLAYING! And that man I married has been gardening ... Sure wish I'd had time to do a tablescape with these gladiolus! ... so we've been freezing and canning ... and too tired to cook! Anybody else have that problem? We've had the front porch repainted after a roof leak removed 106 years of paint. Yikes! I've also been reading ... and reflecting. Reading and reflecting on your responses to my recent Reader Survey, too. I'll share the results with you soon. You are an interesting ... Keep Reading...
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Do You Sparkle and Shine?
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. -- Elizabeth Kubler Ross If it's dark in your world right now, I pray you've found the Light ... Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 If you're not dealing with the dark, perhaps it's a good time to take a look around and search for someone living in the shadows. Maybe a little creative caring is in order. Just a thought ... Thanks for stopping by! I hope you always find encouragement, inspiration, and challenge ... at My Place to Yours. ... Keep Reading...
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Life Colors of a ’70s Teenager …
These beauties are blooming in the garden. Their timing is perfect! Their colors make me think of my sister ... and her birthday is today. It's a big one. *Smile* I was actually with my sister about a year ago when we came upon this shop window. We had a good laugh. Seriously? ... Sister and I grew up in the '70s ... and lime green and orange were the colors we chose for our shared bedroom. They were the only ones we could agree upon. Just imagine ... floral bedspreads (with a touch of yellow and white thrown in for good measure) and window treatments of bright orange tied-back draperies with lime green sheers. It was the perfect room for two tween-turned-teen girls. ... Keep Reading...
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CITY GIRL or COUNTRY GIRL?
All across Blogland ... and Main Street America ... I'm seeing red, white, and blue. Is it just me, or does it seem more people are decorating for Independence Day this year? I'm curious ... If these were your dishes, what "feel" would your Fourth of July tablescape have? Would you take the City Girl approach? Or are you more of a Country Girl these days? I'm feeling a little bit country, myself. See these dishes on a Springtime Farmhouse Table. See more tablescapes by "feel" HERE. I'll be joining: Let's Dish! @ Cuisine Kathleen Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch \ ... Keep Reading...
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My Place to Yours & Hometalk: CLEARLY A GREAT IDEA!
Hello all! If it's your first visit here, thanks so much for stopping by. You're always welcome ... at My Place to Yours. If you're a long-time friend here, I'm really glad you're back. You make meeting at My Place a true pleasure. It's no secret how much I love clear crystal and glass. If it's etched or embellished with silver, so much the better! So when Hometalk saw my post on How to Have Personalized Etched Glass Without the High Price and asked me to curate a "decorative glassware ideas" clipboard, I jumped at the chance. Clearly, a no-brainer. So here they are ... Some of my favorite clear glass projects on Hometalk Just click on the clipboard for the how-to on all these ... Keep Reading...
