Do I have a treat for you today! Last week, a reader saw my Mr. and Mrs. McGregor inspiration boards ... then sent me pics of a Mrs. McGregor's Garden Party table she has done -- two actually! I love to get emails from you, and they're extra special when they include photos! Since Katherine doesn't have a blog of her own, I'm sharing her photos and "behind the scenes" commentary right here at My Place to Yours. I always like knowing how a table comes together, don't you? Enjoy! This table was part of the 2013 annual Entirely Entertaining event at the Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It all started with a flower show requirement of green only. I chose to use herbs, and my co-designer added vegetables to our ... Keep Reading...
Mackinac Island Fourth of July Notecards
It's time for another Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. I love this party! Since the Fourth of July will be here soon, this flag-waving blogger wants to share some favorite pics from last Summer's trip to Mackinac Island. It was hard to choose, but I limited myself to the Stars & Stripes -- and beautiful blues. This visual reminder of sacrifice and freedoms ... I think it's beautiful! Have you made any Fourth of July plans this year? More from Mackinac Island ... More flag-waving from Mackinac Island GRAND HOTEL Expectations Fabulous Fudge! Lighting the Way: A Grand Hotel Finale ... Keep Reading...
FATHER’S DAY: Just Another Day …
So you say Father's Day is "just another day." Well, Renaissance Man, I guess it is... Another day to say I love you more than you can imagine! Another day to marvel at how someone with no "fatherhood experience" turned out to be -- and still is -- one of the best "hands-on" Dads I've ever known. Another day to say thank you for loving my little girls ... and their mother ... when they very much needed a consistent, every-day man in their lives. Another day to recognize the sacrifices you have made for our family. I realize that's the nature of "family," but many men aren't as gracious as you. Another day to be grateful for the laughter and smiles you bring into our home. ... Keep Reading...
Greetings from the girls at Hope Unlimited in Brazil …
These girls (and their friends) send a big THANK YOU to everyone who sent Valentine cards for this week's Day of Love party. If you've prayed for these girls, thank you! If not, it's never too late ... Here's the scoop. This picture makes me happy because I know the party was a time of love and encouragement for the girls ... and a time for talking about what it means to live a wholesome, pure life ... even when it means having to overcome the tragic realities in her past. These precious girls are right where they need to be. At Hope Unlimited for Children they're getting the tools they need to construct a bright future for themselves and their future generations. The picture also reminded me ... Keep Reading...
His & Her Tablescapes … Garden Theme
Wouldn't it be fun to do these two theme tables? Mr. McGregor's Garden Focus on vegetables (and perhaps fruits) Mrs. McGregor's Garden Focus on flowers ... of course! How do YOU envision the McGregors' tables? Surely I'm not the only one who's ever thought about it ... am I? * * * * * Join me for Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch. ... Keep Reading...
There’s Always Time to CELEBRATE LOVE … but the best time is NOW!
Last Valentine's Day, many of you sent cards for the girls living at Hope Unlimited for Children in Brazil. Hundreds of cards ... from Blogland, civic groups, and churches. Families and individuals. You sent them when you sent your own Valentines ... because I told you: the Day of Love in Brazil isn't until Summer. Well, it's Summer, and tomorrow, June 12, some beautiful young ladies will receive Valentines and learn ... many for the first time ... that they are loved by people they don't even know. These girls and their friends, whose young lives were once filled with abuse, exploitation, and even forced prostitution, will learn about healthy relationships and family and God's love. And ours, ... Keep Reading...
What the Creator Wants Most …
So why do I care who you are? Because I do. Because it helps to have a "face" in my mind when I sit down to write. When I try to send a little inspiration, encouragement, or challenge ... from My Place to yours. I realize you never know what you'll find when you stop by here for a visit. Guess what? I don't always know what I'm going to give you. But one thing I do know: Although we meet in this place of "virtual reality," we are both real people living in real world circumstances ... experiencing real world feelings. Sometimes the real world threatens to overtake us ... and we try to stop it on our own. Perhaps, on this traditional day of worship, it's time we refocus. God our ... Keep Reading...
Wherever the wind blows …
Wherever the wind takes you this weekend ... I hope you enjoy yourself! Join me for Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. It's the place to be if you like pink! ... Keep Reading...
The Rose By Any Other Name … is Still Grandma’s
This was Grandma's rose ... but it's mine now. My first memory of this pretty pink climber is when it lived in south Texas at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Then, thanks to my parents, it moved 350 miles north and was cared for until I was ready for it ... years later. When the time came, Mom and Dad dug up my portion of this beauty and drove it almost 1000 miles northeast to Tennessee where Renaissance Man planted it along the fence line where its subtly soft flowers always brought sweet memories of Grandma. But then we moved, and we left the rose behind. We said we'd bring it with us ... but we got busy renovating an old house in town and planning a daughter's out-of-state wedding ... and the rose was ... Keep Reading...
When Quiet Time Takes a Detour …
The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. (Numbers 11:8) This verse caught my eye the other day ... for a couple of random reasons that will soon become apparent. But (thankfully) the first thing that jumped out at me was the one that matters most: the Truth. This verse is about the people of Israel. God's chosen. The "it" is the manna God provided for their nourishment while they were wandering in the desert. The bread of Heaven was sent every day. Without fail. Exactly what they needed ... and never late. But you see, in the midst of ... Keep Reading...
Who Are You? … and What Do You Want?
When's the last time you were unsure how to proceed? When there were many doors from which to choose ... all seemingly good ... but you just couldn't get clarity about which one to approach. Doors of Campinas, Brazil My "last time" started a few years ago, and things still haven't gotten much clearer. Plan A: (2010) Open Etsy shop selling vintage linens and dishes. Start blog and do tablescapes featuring items for sale. (2012) Add My Place To Yours SHOPPING and feature more sale items. Reality: I was loving writing this blog and doing tablescapes, but the inventory overflowed and packing supplies cluttered my house ... and the whole thing was sucking my spirit dry. Besides, there ... Keep Reading...
Tablescape Inspiration: DAILY BREAD
Welcome to My Place to Yours! I'm so glad you stopped by today. It's a "catch-up" week around here, and I don't have time for a full-blown tablescape ... but I'll share a few thoughts and an inspiration board instead. I was thinking about the Table with Heart ... and how it draws me in while giving daily sustenance to children who so desperately need it. I couldn't help but think of myself as a recipient of that same "daily bread" ... from the same Source. Me ... who so desperately needs it. My heavenly Father provides for all of my needs ... and so very many of my wants. He blesses me with calm and peace in the midst of confusion and stress ... I have but to ask. I have but to remember how He ... Keep Reading...
HAUNTED … by Two Tattered Flags
It's a quiet weekend here at My Place, and I'm celebrating 23 years of marriage to my best friend. Seems like the perfect time to reprise a quiet, reflective post ... Haunted ... in Broad Daylight (Originally published Memorial Day 2011) While scanning the military section of a large Tyler, Texas cemetery last week, I spotted you. Two small American flags, side-by-side, obviously once placed at the same time on two adjoining graves. How do I know? Well, quite frankly, you both looked alike ... but not at all like the other American flags surrounding the many graves in your vicinity. You were no longer red, white, and blue but rather red, dirty-brown, and blue -- and you were tattered. Very tattered; pieces of your ... Keep Reading...
How I Was Drawn to the Table with Heart …
Welcome to the weekend! A long weekend at that. Nice! When last I was here, I shared with you several tables with heart ... and gave you a sneak peek at the newest one. I also told you how surprised I was to know it existed ... and how humbled to be one of the first invited to sit around it. I also promised to tell you "the rest of the story." Here 'tis ... Once upon a time, not so very long ago, this property was home to our girls at Hope Unlimited for Children. We called it the Girls' Ranch. Creative huh? It was "home" for many years, but the property is adjacent to the new, "under construction" Campinas airport ... and we had an opportunity to sell it at a great price. Even so, ... Keep Reading...
The Table With Heart …
Whew! Are you rested up after our trip to Brazil? I'm not quite up-to-speed yet, but I'm getting there. Hopefully you are, too. Those of you who have "traveled" with me in the past will probably remember the table with heart. I told you about it in The Very BEST Tablescape Ever. If you missed the story, stop and read it now so this post will make more sense. Go ahead. I'll wait ... Last week, while traveling on behalf of Hope Unlimited for Children, I had a chance to see several more tables with heart ... and got to share a meal (and smiles!) around most of them. The Nave Mae Preschool located in the Rosalina favela (slum) in Campinas, Brazil 430 little ones whose tummies get filled with nourishing ... Keep Reading...
Day 8: Home again, home again … Jiggety-jig
When last I left you here, we were sitting in the São Paulo, Brazil airport with a "stand-by" ticket -- hoping to make the overnight flight back to D.C. ... then the 7 hour drive home to Tennessee. I'm happy to report that Renaissance Man and I are now back home after a successful week in Brazil. I still have stories to tell you; events that blessed, encouraged, and challenged me ... and I think they'll bless, encourage, and perhaps challenge you, too. But those stories will have to wait just a little longer until I catch up on some rest (and laundry). Tonight, though, I'll leave you with two quick updates: 1) The new Hope Unlimited thrift store inaugurated HERE on Day 3 raised $5,000 the very first day it was open ... ... Keep Reading...
