It's Mother's Day week, and I'm wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to every woman who brings a maternal love and influence to a child ... whether they're part of the child's family tree or not. Sometimes a child's best mother is not really their mother. Sadly, I see that a lot in Brazil in our work with Hope Unlimited for Children. Many of the children we serve have had their welfare sacrificed by their own mothers. They've been neglected, abandoned, abused, prostituted ... by their mothers. I don't get it. I don't get it at all. I thank God every day that wasn't my experience. Last week I did an early Mother's Day tablescape for my own Mom. She's a good one. No, she's a ... Keep Reading...
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Sunday Morning Reflection
I received an email late last night from a blogging friend whose comment brought a quick response in my mind ... and it was still there first thing this morning. In her email she told me the story of how God had orchestrated her son's life journey, bringing him to this week's trip to Cambodia to build a playground for children who have been rescued from sex trafficking. I hope you'll join me in praying for him. The exciting thing is that she didn't see God's hand until recently when pieces of the last SIXTEEN years of his life came together to make a beautiful picture ... and today she stands amazed at how God works. Her email ended with these words: "I know this is part of your regular life ... but it isn't ours ... ... Keep Reading...
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Suh-weet!
When you hear "SF" in Fort Bragg, NC, home of the 82nd Airborne Division (which includes my Favorite Fatigue Wearer), it usually means "Special Forces." But I've discovered another SF in the area ... Little Man and his family introduced me to it ... and it's yummy! The many flavors of frozen yogurt are delicious ... but the toppings are my favorite part. On my first visit (yes, I've had more than one!), I was intrigued by the name "SweetFrog." On my second visit, I looked around more beyond the tasty treats ... and was pleasantly surprised to see what the Frog in SweetFrog stands for. If you look closely, you can see it on the green t-shirt ... or just keep reading. Look at this cute ... Keep Reading...
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Early Mother’s Day Table
This week's tablescape began with these "Marrakesh" dishes by Baum Bros. Similar sets were made in different colors for Pier 1, but I stumbled upon these at a local overstock store a couple of years ago. Lucky me! I thought their creamy-white color would be pretty with the white roses blooming in the garden. Look at all this pretty texture ... ... and color ... and scalloped edges. I added a little more texture with these unmarked basketweave saucers ... And more shape with this simple glass dessert dish ... A vintage Italian embroidered linen set ... placemats, runner, and napkins. "Italian Countryside" flatware by ... Keep Reading...
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It’s A Family Thing …
If you've visited here before, you know I love children! I come by it naturally. My Dad laughs at Mom because she can often be found on their back porch playing with the neighbor kids. (Truth is, Daddy's almost as bad good.) So it shouldn't surprise you that they've been driving from Texas to Tennessee so that we can all go to North Carolina to see their new great-grandson. It only seemed appropriate last night to do a quick "in the spirit of children" tablescape... I couldn't decide if I was leaning toward Little Boy Blue come blow your horn; the sheep's in the meadow... OR Mary Had a Little Lamb. Either way, two little boys whose middle names both start with H were on my mind ... ... Keep Reading...
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Displaying the Wares
Hello all! If this is your first time here, I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit ... and I hope you'll come again often. To those of you who've become faithful friends, I'm honored that you're choosing to drop in today. Friendships, both "in real life" and in Blogland, are celebrated here! A couple of months ago, I agreed to be a vendor at an "upscale" market to be held in conjunction with a fundraiser luncheon and fashion show benefiting the Women of Vision organization at Carson-Newman College. In this year of de-cluttering and downsizing, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to pass on some pretties to the next person. The event was Saturday, and what a fun day it was! Of course, at the time I agreed ... Keep Reading...
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Simple Pleasures
I promised myself that if I hit one of several deadlines tonight I would take time to visit with you. I barely made it. It's a silly, simple pleasure I'm giving myself really, but you see I haven't missed partying at Tablescape Thursday since I started blogging almost two years ago. Not always a tablescape, mind you, but something table-related. My debut tablescape was in celebration of the 100th tablescape celebration at Between Naps on the Porch. This week is the 190th Tablescape Thursday. Hard to believe ... but what a fun ride! Tonight's simple table was one I quickly threw together on the porch a few weeks ago. It was a slightly cool morning, and a friend I hadn't seen in awhile had ... Keep Reading...
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Feeling Like Royalty: Grandparent finds royal monogram
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged. Proverbs 17:6 I was already feeling like royalty after an unexpected two weeks of playing with Little Man ... and then four days of snuggling with his new little brother. In case you missed this post last week, Little Sir has joined our family ... finally! Since purple is the color associated with royalty, it seemed rather appropriate that virtually all of the flowers blooming upon our return home yesterday were (you guessed it) purple. Imagine my surprise today, though, when I pulled out a damask tablecloth to prepare for sale and found a small, beautifully hand-sewn royal monogram. I've had the cloth for a long time ... sitting in a stack of ... Keep Reading...
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How to care for wooden utensils and serving pieces: WOODEN it be nice if …
Hello all! Today's post is less tablescape than it is preparing for tablescapes ... AUTUMN tablescapes. Huh? It's barely Spring ... As you know if you're a regular visitor here at My Place, WOOD is one element I love to use in my Fall decorating. Wooden pieces are especially beautiful when well cared for. Unfortunately, I've never been faithful about doing that on a regular basis, but I was recently inspired by Sandie at With All My Heart ... and she oils her woodenware at least once a year (sometimes twice, depending on how much usage a piece gets). I think Spring is the perfect time to do a little woodenware care -- right along with the Spring cleaning. To see the original tablescape post, click ... Keep Reading...
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Finally … Let the Stories Begin!
If you're new to My Place, this is a post I've been waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting to write. When last I was here, I left you with a journal full of blank pages just waiting for a story to begin. Well, my friends, it's Story Time! A nursery full of storybook characters was ready ... ... but the not-so-little guy waited a full two weeks after his due date before he took the hint. This morning at 2:47 AM EHN 10 lbs. 14 oz. 22.5" long He was born at a military hospital. Let's call him Little Sir. By 9:00 AM, guess who arrived at the hospital with big brother (aka Little Man) to meet our newest family member? Easy, guess, ... Keep Reading...
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Journaling the Journeys: Writing Letters to the Grandsons
Two Easter cards ... for two little grandsons. I was certain we'd need them both, but it's 6:00 PM on Easter evening, and Grandson #2 (now 12 days late) seems to be quite happy right where he is, thank you. I guess this Nonna is a year ahead on her card shopping! I like to journal, and I've been looking forward to starting this one. Soon, surely ... I have one for Little Man, too. It contains letters I've written to him over the two-and-a-half years of his sweet life; the first one was written in August 2009 at 7:15 AM and begins, It looks like today is going to be your birthday! I wrote seven letters to him throughout that day while we waited. Some were only a paragraph ... Keep Reading...
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Pins and Needles …
Click pic to see source "to be on pins and needles" (American & Australian) to be anxiously waiting to see what is going to happen It's Day Nine and counting since Grandson #2 was due, and we're still waiting. We sure are anxious for him to get here. Of course, Renaissance Man and I are thoroughly enjoying our time with Little Man and his parents, and the thought of two little guys to love on is a blessing almost beyond what we can imagine -- and certainly more than we could ever deserve! But ironically, tonight, even while I'm surrounded by all things "boy," my mind is being tugged at by girls. Some of you will remember when I told you about the Very BEST Tablescape Ever. If not, I hope ... Keep Reading...
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New Life Walking …
Spring ... It's that time of year when the earth smiles with new life, and color is everywhere. Where I live, we didn't really have much Winter, but even so, the barrenness of color had me ready for the change. You too? In THIS post I took you for a walk around our yard so you could enjoy Renaissance Man's beautiful flowers. Today, I thought I'd share with you a walk in the woods I took recently ... in case you haven't done that this Spring. There's so much to see, and most of the time I miss it ... because I don't take time to slow down and pay attention. But not this year. You see, slowing down and paying attention is on my Sally List. How's YOUR Sally List coming, by the way? If you don't know what that is, ... Keep Reading...
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Tablescaping: Plan B
Tablescape inspiration can come from anywhere. Really ... anywhere! I wrote about being Inspired! in an early blog post, and more tablescape ideas can be found by clicking the Tablescapes tab above. I don't remember where I found this picture, but I've been hanging on to it until "tulip time" ... just waiting to share it with you. I absolutely love it, and one day I hope to use a centerpiece just like this in a tablescape; I have a large brandy snifter-shaped vase that belonged to my Grandmother that should work perfectly. Anyone know the source? Please tell me so I can add it. I actually used a slightly different interpretation of this centerpiece in last week's Laid Back ... Keep Reading...
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ON THIS DAY IN FASHION… Did You Get the Memo?
Fashion? Are you wondering if you're at the wrong blog? You're not ... but if you're here for the first time, let me just say that this post is not at all my "usual" style -- although I'm not sure what my "usual" blog topic is exactly -- but I know what's it's NOT: Fashion. So what brought this up? Well, I'll tell you ... All I needed was a simple pair of black, flat, slip-on sandals to replace the ones that broke at the end of last Summer. I'd bought them at Kohl's a couple of years ago, and they were so comfortable that I hoped they'd have some more just like them (or at least the same comfy brand), so a quick in-and-out of Kohl's was on my weekend schedule. Now, I should tell you that it's been awhile since I've been in ... Keep Reading...
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Laid Back Tulips … Spring is Here!
Just when I was sure my "first days of Spring" tablescape would include vibrantly bright tulips in pinks and reds and oranges like you saw the last time I was here, I got a surprise. These creamy-white ones decided to bloom ... and I couldn't resist! I wanted something elegant but not fussy. Simple but not plain. And, I wanted a non-traditional, asymmetrical centerpiece ... ... so I laid the tulips to one side and stuck in a little monogrammed brandy snifter with a floating candle. From above, all you can see is the goblet, but here's a bunny's eye view ... Noritake "Bluedawn" plates are paired with two different patterns of gold-rimmed dishes. I decided to forgo chargers in ... Keep Reading...
