My favorite homes here in the South have big front porches with huge hanging baskets of lush green Boston ferns. Apparently I'm not alone. At this time of year, the garden centers sell out quickly. Renaissance Man and I recently bought our usual six for the front porch ... plus the "necessaries" for planting them. You'll have better luck if you don't leave the plants in their original plastic pots. Instead,replant them using coir-lined wire baskets and a good-quality potting mix. The pics below show you how. Step 7 isn't always necessary, but you want to be sure your chains are secure before hanging. Ferns get very heavy when wet, and you don't want them to fall! Step 8 is an absolute "must" when it comes to ... Keep Reading...
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How to Set the EASIEST Tablescape Ever!
My Favorite Fatigue Wearer doesn't "get" my love of tablescaping. In fact, we have a good-natured, running conversation that goes something like this ... He: I prefer a "plain" table. Just a wood table with a plate, knife and fork. Me: ... and a napkin. You need a napkin. He: Nooooo (with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and a slow swipe of his arm across his face from his elbow to his wrist) Me: (laughing and shaking my head at the "boy") Yes, you need a napkin! The last time we had this conversation, I was issued a challenge: Set a "plain" table ... and make it look good. I'm sure he didn't mean something like this. Source After giving it some thought, I remembered a "minimalist" table I once set ... Keep Reading...
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I’M NUMB: Will You Pray Us To The Summit?
For those of you willing to pray ... Later this week, Renaissance Man and I will be in Nashville attending Summit 9, an international conference sponsored by Christian Alliance for Orphans. It's my first chance to participate and, quite honestly, I have mixed emotions. I'm excited about joining with ... and learning from ... other people and organizations who care about orphan I wonder if most of the sessions will be led by "normal" people like me -- or ones whose language and everydayy demeanor is "over the top advocate for social justice." I'm curious if God will use this conference to draw me even further out of my comfort zone. I have a feeling He might How will my spirit be ... Keep Reading...
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PRIDE AND PRESIDENTS: The Opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
It was a Texas-size celebration with lots of presidential presence ... plenty of protocol and pomp ... ... and one Proud Papa (and Mama, and Wife, and children). As a young girl growing up in Austin, I had multiple opportunities to visit the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library. I vividly remember the old campaign buttons ... and the ball gowns worn by Lady Bird, Lynda, and Luci ... and the White House china. Imagine that! A few short years ago, Renaissance Man and I toured the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. Because the events it recalled took place when I was an adult, my experience was less superficial ... but I still loved the china! There's ... Keep Reading...
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The Old Dogwood Tree
I absolutely love the wonderful dogwood tree that graces the front yard of my old house. When I saw that Mary at Little Red House had chosen TREES as her prompt this week, it seemed like the perfect time to share these pics with you. From the upstairs windows, it's like looking through lace ... a view that brings a smile every.single.time. From the other direction ... Do dogwoods grow where you live? ... Keep Reading...
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FESTIVAL OF TABLES BRUNCH: A Celebration of Gratitude
A recent call from a blog reader wanting to purchase Restoration Linen Cleaner led me to new friends ... and a chance to share with you yet another tablescape event. Donna, I'm so glad you called! Thank you to all of the wonderful women in Rutledge, TN who welcomed me to last weekend's Festival of Tables brunch. Your tables and hospitality were delightful! Now it's my turn to welcome you to My Place to Yours! If you're a new visitor, I invite you to look around awhile. As you'll see, tablescapes and tablescape events are a big deal here. I promise ... you'll find lots of Pinterest- and Google+-worthy inspiration! By the way ... When I share a tablescape, my goal is not necessarily to show you the entire table but ... Keep Reading...
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A STITCH (BACK) IN TIME SAVED: Treasure in a Trunk
There it sat. An old trunk once belonging to my Great Aunt Floe. My heart raced. I'd been wanting to go through it for years, but it was stored away at my parents' house. But last November, when I arrived for Thanksgiving, Daddy had it sitting out in the garage ... and said I could go through it if I wanted to. IF I wanted to? Are you kidding? There was enough in the trunk for weeks and weeks worth of blog posts, but today I'll just share with you the one special thing I got to take home: one of Aunt Floe's notebooks ... an early "loose-leaf" style, no less. There's no date, but she graduated in 1923, so it's prior to that. Check out the class ... DOMESTIC ... Keep Reading...
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Promises, Promises …
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise; butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a ... Keep Reading...
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Spring Favorites Tablescape
Sunshine and Springtime ... I love them both! I also love how these softly-colored salad plates from Williams Sonoma really "pop" when set atop my Italian basket weave plates. The six plates each have a different handpainted design ... and the flowers, butterflies, and insects just seem to shout SPRING! I've never used them in a tablescape here before. Don't you think it's about time? I thought these vintage damask napkins with their showy dahlias were the perfect complement to the yellow rim on the plates ... and the morning sunshine streaming onto the breakfast table. This Fitz and Floyd tea set is something else I've never showed you. It was a Mother's Day gift years ago, and I absolutely love its vibrant ... Keep Reading...
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A SEE-THROUGH Notecard Party
It's time for the monthly Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee which means it's time to share four pics previously used here at My Place to Yours that could be made into notecards. You know me. I like themes, so here's my theme for April ... See-through NYC Tablescapes: What Color is Tiffany Blue? HERE Split Personality HERE Grand Hotel Expectations: Mackinac Island HERE The Big House HERE For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 King James Version Another translation ... easier to understand: Now we see things ... Keep Reading...
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Lord of the Rings 1st Birthday Party … and How to Make Hobbit Feet
4/22/13 update: This party received the Best Decorations badge from Party Pail for the hard work, creativity, and dedication of Little Sir's parents to making their son's birthday spectacular! We like stories in our family, especially when they include big antics of little boys ... and last week was full of them. It's hard to believe that an entire year has passed since Little Sir's stories began. Little Man and Little Sir's parents have a philosophy: Because one-year-olds are too young to choose their own birthday party theme, the parents get to pick the one THEY want ... since it's the only time they'll be able to. Guess what theme Mommy and Daddy wanted? It was a magical afternoon complete with an ... Keep Reading...
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SPRING CLEANING SPREE …
Happy Monday to all! Has Spring arrived at your house? It has at mine ... finally ... and with it come blue skies, baby birds, vibrantly-colored flowers and "Spring cleaning." Those of you who come here often may remember that Carbona is one of my favorite go-to companies for non-storage stains in vintage linens (or everyday laundry). I love these babies ... I also smile when I use these. I wrote about them HERE. If you're getting ready to do some heavy-duty Spring cleaning, do yourself a favor and check out Carbona. By the way, if you have storage stains in vintage linens and want to do some Spring cleaning on them, I recommend Restoration Linen Cleaner. It's available HERE in my Etsy shop ... and ... Keep Reading...
