Renovating on a Miniature Scale... Welcome to the 59th Metamorphosis Monday!

Metamorphosis Monday:
I know you're going to be shocked, but I've been thinking about moving. Yes, you read that right...your eyes have not deceived you. You see, I found this old house...you know how I love old homes. It's a great house...just a bit smaller than my current home. Problem is, it's a real fixer-upper...we're talking fodder for Met Monday posts from here to Christmas.

I've taken some "Before" pics of the house to share--don't have any "Afters," just yet, since it will be a work in progress for quite a while. Come on in and I'll show you all the work that needs to be done.

Starting here at the front door...take a look here at this hole. Not sure what used to be there...maybe a doorbell? A welcome sign?



Here's the living room...I will definitely need to do a little caulking in some areas.



The hardwoods floors will need work...they are popping up in places.




There's a piece of window trim missing off a window--now, how does that happen?  Ummm...




Not sure what this wall surface is.  I might leave it since it reminds me a little of grass cloth. But that baseboard trim has got to be fixed.




You can see it was around Christmas when I took pics in the house. This is the kitchen.  I like the window seat in the bay window.




The parquet flooring in the kitchen is definitely outdated, but it gives the house a bit of a vintage feel. I think I may leave it.




Kitchen wallpaper definitely has to go.  You can see it's damaged.




I think the whole kitchen will need to be renovated.  I'm picturing a sunny kitchen with white cabinetry.




Let's head upstairs and I'll show you around the bedrooms. Looks like the crown molding is coming down in the Master Bedroom.  You know how these older homes can be. They left the curtains behind in this room. I'll probably leave them for now.  I can always change them out later.




I like the wainscotting.  That will definitely be staying.




Wallpaper is kind of cute--yellow irises and butterflies. I've sort of missed having a bedroom with wallpaper in my current home, so I'd probably leave it if it were in better condition. Unfortunately, it's stained, so it will need to go.




They left the curtain rods. Not sure I'll keep them, though.




Let's take a look in another bedroom. The pink gingham curtains make me think this room may have been a nursery. More hardwood floor issues to fix.



It has an attic.



And, the attic has two really cute dormer windows with plantation shutters. Well, as you can see it's definitely a fixer-upper. Oh,  I forgot to show you the exterior of the home.




Here it is! As you can see, it's the only house around for miles, so, it's a really quiet neighborhood.  I'll keep you posted on the renovations. ;-)




Looking forward to your "Before and Afters!"



Metamorphosis Monday is an opportunity to show a "Before and After" project in your home. It can be as elaborate as a whole new room addition or as simple as re-doing your decor with the changing of the seasons. Maybe you have a "trash to treasure" project to share...we'd love to see it! If you don't have a "Before" pic to share, describe as best you can what the room or item looked like prior to the renovation.

If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click HERE for detailed instructions.

Don't forget to copy and paste the Met Monday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Met Monday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Metamorphosis Monday.

Please be sure to link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch, so your fellow bloggers who are participating today, will get lots of visits, as well.

Please do not add your link below until your Met Monday post is actually published to your blog.

Fabulous "Before and Afters" await your visit:

Baking with Mark Ballard

Something tasty for your Sunday...Mark Ballard has a fun video posted at Macon.com. He's making a yummy Strawberry Cake. (Sorry about this teeny pic...it really distorted badly when I tried to enlarge it.)



Did you know about Swans Down Cake Flour? I do now...and I will definitely be using it for my next cake! Thanks, Mark!

Mark shares a lot of great tips about which hand mixer he prefers to use, how to flour your cake pans for the best results...he even shows us how to pipe icing for a pretty cake. I always love Mark's cooking videos at Macon.com because not only do you learn a few new tricks to use the next time you're baking, but you come away feeling like you just had a nice visit with a good friend. :-) Oh, and you're gonna love the Lazy Susan idea!

Mark, if you see this...how much confectioner's sugar do we use in the icing? I don't remember seeing that part in the video. If anyone else catches it, please let me know...I'd love to try this recipe sometime.

Click HERE to watch Mark make a delicious Strawberry Cake, Southern style...no cheating with a box mix allowed. ;-)

If you'd like to keep up with Mark, you can follow him on Facebook, HERE.

I've previously posted links to Mark's website and some of his other videos...you will find those, HERE, as well as pics of Mark's beautifully decorated home.

BTW, I loved reading the results of your "Color Career" tests from yesterday. It seems most of us felt the test was pretty accurate. :-)

See you tonight for Met Monday!

What Should I Be When I Grow Up? Take this Quick Color Test to See!

Recently, my friend, Mary, sent me a link to a Color Career Test...thanks, Mary! It only takes about a minute to take, and I was pretty surprised at how well it nailed my interests. It also picked up on an ongoing struggle I have...the immense joy I feel when I'm being creative and the comfortable safety net I seek in being organized, systematic and practical. Do you have any little battles raging inside of you? :-)

I've posted my results below. If you'd like to take the test, click HERE . Oh, when it asks for your e-mail, you don't have to give it. Also, just click "no thanks" to scoot pass the ad that pops up.

If you take the test, please leave a comment letting me know if you think the results were accurate for you. :-) Here are my results...

Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR

Keywords
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.


2nd Best Occupational Category
You're an ORGANIZER

Keywords:
Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate
These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

Nature Tablescape... Welcome to the 79thTablescape Thursday!

(If pics appear to be cut off on the right side, please try adjusting your screen resolution to a higher setting.)

Hi Everyone! Hope your day was awesome!
Little reminder...The Tassel House Give-a-Way is going on all this week. If you haven't yet thrown your name into the hat for one of Angela's amazing tassels, just click HERE to leave a comment on the Give-a-Way post. The winner won't be announced until our next Met Monday, so you have all week to enter. Don't forget to leave your entry comment on the Give-a-Way post (not here) to be entered.

I had plans to share a new tablescape with you this evening, took pics this past weekend. But, there were a few more things I wanted to include in the post, and unfortunately, I just don't have it quite ready. So, I've been perusing the archives this evening and found a tablescape I put together right after I started blogging. It seemed perfect for this time of year because the birds are just starting to return here...and they are already looking for the perfect spot to nest this spring. I've even had a sweet pair of bluebirds visiting my feeders recently. :-)

I decided to leave most of my original wording with this tablescape. I had just purchased 2 tall, red candlesticks at Hobby Lobby in their discount isle and was very excited to get home and create a tablescape. Hope this tablescape puts you in the mood for spring...I'm already there!



When I purchased these red candlesticks recently from Hobby Lobby, I wasn't exactly sure how I would use them. Sometimes my inspiration for a tablescape will come from the pattern or the colors in the china itself. But occasionally, I trip over a little treasure (like the candlesticks) and they just jump right into my buggy and insist I take them home. When that happens, I'm hoping when I get home they will work with some of the china I already have.

Upon arriving home, I was happy to discover I did have some china with a bold red color in the pattern. It was a Villeroy and Boch collection I had purchased around 20 years ago...the pattern is called Melina.

As I began putting the table together, I really liked the look and contrast of the more rustic candlesticks with the dressier, bone china. I decided to go with that theme, mixing rustic elements, along with the more formal.


You truly do not have to spend a lot of money to create a pretty tablescape. Often you already have just what you need on display in the various rooms in your own home. Shop the house! If you love that adorable bunny in the guest room, chances are you are going to love it in the center of your Easter table...and so will your dinner guests. Be bold, use the unexpected...your heart will tell you if it works or if you need something else.

Hope you enjoy viewing the tablescape below. But mostly, I hope it will embolden you to use the pretties you already have and love, in a whole new way.


Bird's nest just fascinate me...I've collected several from my yard over the years, of course only after the birds were done using them. :-) I think they are just amazing...little works of art. I can't begin to understand how a little bird can make something so intricate and perfect. I decided to try them on the table, and when I did, I liked the way they looked against the red of the candlesticks. Of course, you can purchase faux bird's nest almost anywhere these days.

I remembered having seen some little bird napkin rings on a previous trip to Pier 1, which is only about 2 miles from my home. So after a short trip over to Pier 1...I had everything I needed for this tablescape.



The rustic gardening tools on this flower pot, went well with the iron elements in the candlesticks. I like the way the ivy heart-shaped topiary in the center...pulled in another main color from the china.


Years ago, I bought these iron accent pieces. In my shopping trip through the house, I stole them from the family room book shelves...thought they worked well with the iron accents in the candlesticks.


A little ruby flash salt cellar...



Whenever I purchase china, I love to use an accent plate in a coordinating color, as the salad plate. I love the way it looks and it frees up the actual salad plates to be used for dessert.


Another little iron accent piece...found this one in the guest bedroom when I shopped the house...


I took some greenery and blossoms from the magnolia tree in my front yard. Since it was toward the end of the blooming period, the tree only had a few blossoms left. So, I incorporated a few silk magnolia flowers I already had into the tablescape, too.


Since I had kind of a nature theme going here, I couldn't resist using this little piece. What could be under there? :-) Grab the little bee on top and lift the lid to see...


Bug bites! You can find these in the cookie isle of your grocery store. (They are by Keebler and I found mine at Publix.)


A different look with crystal stemware instead of tea cups...

Thanks so much for for stopping by...

Looking forward to seeing your beautiful tablescapes!

China: Villeroy & Boch, pattern Melina
Red, Ruffled salad plates: Home Goods
Sterling Flatware: Towle, King Richard
Crystal Stemware: Waterford, Araglin
Candlesticks: Hobby Lobby
Chargers: Horchow, online
Napkin Rings: Pier 1
Silverplate server with dome lid: A Classy Flea





If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click HERE for detailed instructions.

Please copy and paste the Tablescape Thursday logo button to your computer. Then you can upload it to your side bar and use it in your tablescape post so your visitors will know you are participating.

Please link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful tablescapes posted for this Tablescape Thursday.

Please do not add your link below, until your tablescape post is actually published to your blog.

Beautiful Tassels! Welcome to the 58th Metamorphosis Monday!

Yipee...time for another Met Monday! I can't wait to see what amazing changes you've been working on this week!

Important: Please include the Met Monday button in your Met Monday post, a sentence that says you are participating in this blog party and a link back to this post . This is important because the other bloggers who are participating today would love to have your readers stop by their blogs, as well. If you are not able to add the button to your post, please be sure to include a sentence that says you are participating in Met Monday and a noticeable link back to this post.

Before I show you a little metamorphosis I've made in my home recently, I wanted to let you know, I've posted some directions for adding the little header topics across the top of your blog, the ones you see just under my header pic. I received a few e-mails asking about it, so I just added the steps I did to the Blogging Tips post that you'll find on my sidebar.

Just look for the picture of Max, click on Max and it will take you to a post I did a while back. You'll find the directions for adding the headers or what Blogger calls "pages" posted at the very end of that Blogging Secrets post. If I've left something out, let me know and I'll add it in...hopefully it's detailed enough to prove helpful. :-)

I have a little metamorphosis to share this week and it ties in beautifully with our Give-a-Way. (I've created a special blog just for Give-a-Ways...the link is posted at the bottom with information about the Give-a-Way.)

By now, you all know I do love me some tassels...I use them in every room of my home. Before Christmas I had a regular ole boring tassel hanging on the armoire in my family room shown below.


Angela, at The Tassel House, came to the rescue and helped me with my Christmas decorating with this precious "Joy" angel tassel.


She was perfect for hanging here on the armoire because the Christmas tree was just to the right, where you see the table in the above pic of this room.


Now that Christmas is over, it was time for a metamorphosis. Can you tell I am sooooo ready for spring?!


Angela, I love my plump little birdie...he makes my heart sing each time I see him. :-)


The Tassel House is all stocked up for spring with both elegant...


and whimsical tassels! Plus...


Angela is generously giving away one of her amazing tassels to a Follower of BNOTP. You'll find the Give-a-Way posted on the BNOTP Give-a-Way and Review blog. Click HERE to reach BNOTP Give-a-Way and Reviews, where you'll see the adorable tassels Angela has created for the Give-a-Way...and where you'll be able to leave your comment to enter. Please be sure to leave your comment on the Give-a-Way post, (not here) to be entered in the Give-a-Way. Of course, you can leave me a comment here ;-) but your Give-a-Way entry comment will need to be left on the Give-a-Way post, HERE.

Looking forward to seeing all your "Before and Afters!"



Metamorphosis Monday is an opportunity to show a "Before and After" project in your home. It can be as elaborate as a whole new room addition or as simple as re-doing your decor with the changing of the seasons. Maybe you have a "trash to treasure" project to share...we'd love to see it! If you don't have a "Before" pic to share, describe as best you can what the room or item looked like prior to the renovation.

If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click HERE for detailed instructions.

Don't forget to copy and paste the Met Monday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Met Monday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Metamorphosis Monday.

Please be sure to link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch, so your fellow bloggers who are participating today, will get lots of visits, as well.

Please do not add your link below until your Met Monday post is actually published to your blog.

Fabulous "Before and Afters" await your visit:

Cutest Pic Ever!

Something to make you smile this gorgeous Sunday afternoon...a Mama swan transporting her little ones to the other side of a pond.



I love the little guy who is trying to peek out...precious!

You can read the full article HERE.
Be sure to stop by for Metamorphosis Monday and a fabulous Give-a-Way! :-)

St. Patrick's Day Tablescape! Welcome to the 78th Tablescape Thursday!

If I show you a St. Patrick's Day tablescape now, will it make spring come faster? I wish.  I couldn't make up my mind which napkin rings to use, so I used four different kinds. The frilly ribbon one is actually a hair tie from Big Lots. They only had two hair ties, so I used one as a napkin ring and took the other one apart and used the ribbons and various parts to decorate the stems of the wine glasses. If I had been able to find 3 more, I think those are the ones I would have chosen for my napkin rings...just love the way they look.
Hope you enjoy!

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.
~Adrienne Cook



For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
~Author Unknown

Saint Patrick was a gentleman, who through strategy and stealth
Drove all the snakes from Ireland, here's a drink to his health!
But not too many drinks, lest we lose ourselves and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick, and see them snakes again!
~Author Unknown




An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of grass to keep from falling off the earth.
~Irish Saying

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

There's a dear little plant that grows in our isle,
'Twas St Patrick himself, sure, that set it;
And the sun on his labor with pleasure did smile,
And with dew from his eye often wet it.
It thrives through the bog, through the brake, and the mireland;
And he called it the dear little shamrock of Ireland...
~Andrew Cherry

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter
Lullabies, dreams, and love ever after.
Poems and songs with pipes and drums
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes.
~Author Unknown




When Irish eyes are smiling,
'Tis like a morn in spring.
With a lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
~Author Unknown



For 'tis green, green, green, where the ruined towers are gray,
And it's green, green, green, all the happy night and day;
Green of leaf and green of sod, green of ivy on the wall,
And the blessed Irish shamrock with the fairest green of all.
~Mary Elizabeth Blake



When after the Winter alarmin',
The Spring steps in so charmin',
So fresh and arch
In the middle of March,
Wid her hand St. Patrick's arm on...
~Alfred Percival Graves




Oh, the music in the air!
An' the joy that's ivrywhere -
Shure, the whole blue vault of heaven is wan grand triumphal arch,
An' the earth below is gay
Wid its tender green th'-day,
Fur the whole world is Irish on the Seventeenth o' March!
~Thomas Augustin Daly

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.
~Irish Blessing


May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
~Irish Blessing

Chargers: Horchow (2-3 years ago)
China: Dinner Plates-Gibson, Claredon, Big Lots; Salad-Marshalls, this year
Large Platter: HomeGoods
Stemware: Wine, A Classy Flea; Beverage...too long ago to remember
Flatware: Big Lots
Napkins: HomeGoods
Napkin Rings: Large beaded-Old Time Pottery; White ceramic-came with Gibson china set from Big Lots; Large Beads-don't remember now; Ribbon hair ties-Big Lots.
Centerpiece: Marshalls

Looking forward to seeing your beautiful tablescapes!




If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click HERE for detailed instructions.

Please copy and paste the Tablescape Thursday logo button to your computer. Then you can upload it to your side bar and use it in your tablescape post so your visitors will know you are participating.

Please link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful tablescapes posted for this Tablescape Thursday.

Please do not add your link below, until your tablescape post is actually published to your blog.