Hello, hello. I hope you've had a fun and festive St. Patrick's Day weekend (unlike me ... because I'm totally boring when it comes to this particular holiday). Back in January I told you that Renaissance Man and I (and a couple of fantastic helpers!) were sprucing up the inside of this old building in preparation for a cross-country move ... and I promised to show you some befores and afters. Today's the day. While the rest of us tackled a few final tasks, Renaissance Man flew to California, loaded up the office, and drove the 2500 miles back to Tennessee ... in two days. Some of my "before" pics were taken the very first time I set foot in this space ... before the previous tenants moved out their stuff. Others, as you'll see, ... Keep Reading...
SIMPLY ST. PATRICK: A Budget-friendly Tablescape
You've probably heard it said that a person often decorates with the same colors they wear. That's not always true for me ... but this week it sure isn't! I don't have a single green thing in my closet. Pinch me if you must. On top of that, I passed along virtually all of the few green linens and dishes I had during my 2012 Year of Downsizing. Still ... for a "lover of all things Christmas," you'd think I'd have more Kelly green stashed somewhere, but I don't. So what is this gal to do when I feature tablescapes on my blog --and St. Patty's Day's a-comin'? Hmmm ... I first thought about doing an elaborate, all-white, Irish linen tablescape showcasing a stunning shamrock plant as the pièce de ... Keep Reading...
Little Readers: Inspired by Baby Jane Austen
Welcome to a new week! Let's make it a good one, okay? Have you seen the Jane Austen board books for children? I hadn't until a few months ago when I visited Daughter the Younger. She began reading when she was four years old and -- thankfully -- hasn't stopped since! Of course she would discover these books for her little ones ... And of course she's putting together the cutest little reading space in her house ... and Jane Eyre is helping her. As Jane counted 10 BOOKS, Daughter the Younger thought, "Hmmm" ... then started designing. Then, this Nonna got invited to play, too! I pulled out my Silhouette cutter, downloaded her design, cut it out in vinyl, put it in the mail ... and now a Baby Jane-inspired bookshelf ... Keep Reading...
Gripe or Gratitude: My Choice … What’s Yours?
Happy weekend! I'm soooooo glad it's finally arrived -- even if we do lose an hour Saturday night. To see another pink sunset, go HERE. Here at My Place, it's been one of those weeks. I got up Tuesday morning finally ready to spend a day ... one day ... tackling some put-off-far-too-long projects. Nothing too difficult, but things that needed my full attention. 1. Update computer operating system 2. Troubleshoot printer/scanner 3. Update financial software 4. Finish taxes Easier said than done! Not a single thing was as simple as it should have been. Not one thing. Warning: Do NOT update your Mac computer to Mountain Lion if you still want RSS feeds to come to your inbox because they won't ... Keep Reading...
Brazen Roses
bra·zen /ˈbrāzən/ Adjective Bold and without shame When I looked up to see my sweet husband walking toward me with these gorgeous roses, all I could think was WOW, that is the boldest, most fantastic deep orange rose I have ever seen in my entire life. The pictures don't begin to do justice. It was his way of saying "thank you" for my help on a little cross-country project we've been working on. I had to enjoy them fast, though, because I was headed out of town in a couple of days. I had some playing ... and "seeing circles" ... in my future. What a treat it was to spend time with both of my daughters and two sweet little boys! But before I left home, there was no way I was going to pass up a chance to use those ... Keep Reading...
A Valentine Thank You!
The winner of the My Place to Yours Ramsign Giveaway is Debbie @ Words on Wheels Congratulations, Debbie! Example of the Highlander style -- Debbie's favorite I hope the week is off to a great start for all of you. I'm headed to NC for some sweet little hugs, but before I leave, I want to say thank you to everyone who has already sent Valentines for the girls of Hope Unlimited for Children. I stopped by the office last week and saw a bunch of new ones ... some with addresses I recognized from some of you! Do you know how good that felt? I just love how God has brought us together here in Blogland to support His work ... and His little ones ... in Brazil. Brazil's Day of Love isn't until early Summer, ... Keep Reading...
Mackinac Island Mystery Door
Today I'm joining Mary at Little Red House for Thursday's Inspiration: White I first saw this door last summer while visiting Mackinac Island ... but I chuckled all over again the other day when choosing pics of doors for The Doors of Our Lives. I assume there are four apartments behind it. I would have probably just put 201-204 ... but Someone was number-happy! I wonder why Someone decided to center the numbers based on the old transom rather than the new door. I also wonder if the smaller old door was replaced because it was rotted? Required by new building/ADA codes? On a whim? Do you wonder things like that, too? I don't know the answers, but today this WHITE door has inspired me to look closely. To pay attention to ... Keep Reading...
The DOORS OF OUR LIVES …
It's time for another Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. I have a thing for notecards, so I try to join the party as often as possible. It's a really fun party! I also have a thing for doors. All kinds of doors. In fact, DOORS is the theme I chose for my February notecards. Since SHELTER is my word for 2013, it kinda makes sense, don't you think? Yes, I know some of you came expecting to see dishes. Just keep reading. Transferware Heaven is behind Door #3! The Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee is home to this Little Cabin in the Woods. Read about it HERE. This door is in Santa Fe, NM. You can read my Santa Fe posts HERE and HERE and HERE. Old House ... Keep Reading...
Little Cabin in the Woods
I'm so glad you stopped by today. Have I got a treat for you! More on that in a minute ... I don't know about where you live, but here in East Tennessee the weather last weekend was absolutely gorgeous! COLD, but gorgeous! Renaissance Man and I invited some friends to head to the mountains with us. It was the first visit to the Smoky Mountains for one of the gals. What a treat it was for her. For all of us! She especially enjoyed seeing this "little cabin in the woods." It's part of a long-abandoned farmstead that was home to Noah "Bud" Ogle from 1883 to 1925. The place is called "Junglebrook" after the dense growths of rhododendrons and magnolia that bordered the streams. Using axe, plow, and gun, the ... Keep Reading...
With Thoughts of Spring: A Valentine’s Day Tablescape
I guess you already know: Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! If you're in the mood for a sweet but non-traditional tablescape, you've come to the right place. I've seen some fantastic red and white ... and red and pink ... tables here in Blogland, but I wanted a little something different this year. How about a delicate pink with lime green? (Can you guess the two items in the picture that came from Dollar Tree?) A simple Table for Two ... Tip: Keep your eyes open for little girl's ponytail holders (at Dollar Tree). They make great napkin rings! The salad plates are part of a beautiful Haviland set of 12 I won from Cherry Kay at Entertaining Women. The centerpiece is simple ... but notice the repetition of ... Keep Reading...
Life-Changing Valentines …
If you visit here often, you may remember that my word for 2013 is shelter. Simply hearing the word brings to mind thoughts of safety ... stability ... home. I suppose it's because I'm one of the fortunate ones. Many (most?) of you are, too. While I've had my share of challenges in life ... some I pray none of you will ever experience ... there's never been a time when I wondered if I was loved or a time I questioned my long-term safety or whether I would have a roof over my head. In the grand scheme of things, I suppose I've been "sheltered" in more ways than one. I'll be forever grateful. I realize not everyone is so fortunate. I once shared a tablescape with you that I said was the Very BEST Tablescape Ever. ... Keep Reading...
CELEBRATE LOVE: This One’s for the Girls
Everywhere I turn these days, I see hearts. You, too? Especially here in Blogland, where soft, sweet, girly creativity abounds, the message is loud and clear: Blogland ♥ Valentine's Day! Once again this year, I'll be sending Valentines to the girls of Hope Unlimited for Children, and I'd like to invite you Valentine's Day-loving blog friends to join me. Many of you joined me last year ... and some of you have already made plans to join me again! Thank you. For those of you who don't know about the Valentine Project for Hope Unlimited ... or want to refresh your memory ... When we think of LOVE, we often think of dating ... that human courtship ritual filled with social activities and relational assessment. That ... Keep Reading...
Russian Winter Tablescape
This week's tablescape was inspired by these beautiful beaded napkin rings Daughter the Older recently made for me. Can anyone say VERSATILE? I love them! My first thought was to do something with peacock feathers, but I'll save that idea for another day. Instead, I was reminded of Renaissance Man's trip to St. Petersburg, Russia several years ago -- and the pictures he took of beautifully colored buildings ... Is anybody besides me seeing circles? ... and gorgeous handpainted Russian nesting dolls (aka Matryoshka or Babushka dolls). And then I remembered the gorgeous set he brought home for Yours Truly. It's a large set with 10 dolls that nest inside each other, each doll painted with a different Wintertime ... Keep Reading...
BUBBLE WRAP: Cheaper Than Therapy
I don't remember being introduced to it, but I remember introducing my daughters ... and Little Man. I hope I'll be there someday to see the look of surprise -- then glee -- on Little Sir's face, too. What is it about bubble wrap? I know of few things in life that can turn an otherwise (you pick) hectic/rotten/boring day into at least a few minutes of smiles and contentment; a distraction (and metamorphosis) of the very best sort! Be honest. Isn't the bubble wrap sometimes waaaaay more exciting than the package's contents? Admit it. Don't you secretly enjoy hearing an occasional POP! escape from that shiny plastic? Of course you do. Doesn't everyone? I wonder ... Do you prefer to squeeze or roll the bubbles to pop ... Keep Reading...
Seeing Circles: Fire and Ice
Welcome to the weekend! As I told you recently, my shape for the year is a CIRCLE. I just love all the places they show up ... See berries in decorating HERE and HERE I actually started "seeing circles" three years ago when keeping Little Man while his Mommy worked. As a very little guy, he had a "thing" for circles. They were his go-to shape; it was amazing to watch. And so I've continued to watch ... and circles "jump out" everywhere. Sometimes they're associated with warmth ... See more of my family linens HERE See these bowls in a TABLESCAPE Sometimes I see them and think "icy cold" ... See these beauties used in tablescapes: ... Keep Reading...
Winter Memory Revisited …
Since I've been busy with a big DIY project this week, I haven't had time for playing in the dishes. Darn! I guess my Russian Winter tablescape will have to wait a little longer. Instead, I'm going to do a rare reprisal here at My Place to Yours. This Winter Memory tablescape was first posted here in January 2011 and is one of my ten most popular with you readers. For the second time ... or the first ... Enjoy! Many of us have snow at our houses this week -- some of you for the first time in a very long time! Are you enjoying it from inside ... where it's warm ... like I am? Hopefully this poem and tablescape will help you keep the memory of its beauty alive for a little longer. A Winter Memory Joan ... Keep Reading...
