Saturday, 21 February 2009

Questions...Do You Have Questions?

Do you have a question for me?



I often have this nagging feeling that I've missed answering a question someone has asked. One day when I was surfing Blogland, I noticed another blogger had a "Question Day"...so to speak.



So here's your chance! :-) Do you have a question for me? Would you like to know where I purchased something you have seen on my blog? Are you curious what I do all day that keeps me from being able to visit your wonderful blogs as often as I'd like? Do you want to know how to embed a video into your blog...something I've just learned to do recently? Whatever you want to ask, I'll try to answer...if I can.



E-mail your question to me at betweennapsontheporch@gmail.com and sometime soon I'll post your question, minus your name, of course...with hopefully an answer. All questions will be anonymous...so ask whatever you like. (If you leave your question here in the form of a comment, I am guessing you won't mind my publishing it with other comments.)

It's a gorgeous day here in Georgia, albeit, a bit chilly. The sun is shining brightly so it seemed like the perfect day to share a cute little present I bought just before Christmas. I had intended on making it a Christmas gift for someone, but, the night I wrapped all my Christmas presents, I was watching Desperate Housewives and got distracted. (LOL) So....I forgot to put a name tag on it...have you ever done that?

A couple of weeks ago, I finally got around to opening the box to see what was in it...it was this neat bulb kit, complete with bulbs, "soil" and a little basket. Don't worry...I bought several presents for the person for whom the gift was intended...so all is well! :-)

I followed the directions and stuck them down in the peat mossy looking stuff they came with...and LOOK...



They are starting to shoot up...



I'm having a little trouble remembering exactly what they are...



But, I'm pretty sure they are supposed to be Paperwhites. Now if I can just remember to water them from time to time, you might be seeing these in a future tablescape. :-)



Monday is Metamorphosis Monday...Yipee, I can't wait! What have you been re-doing in your neck of the woods? Can't wait to see all the great Before and Afters!

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Game Night with Trivial Pursuit... Welcome to the 26th Tablescape Thursday & the First Ever Foodie Friday!

It's game night, grab a Coke and come join in. In pursuit of some fun, I'm hoping you won't think it too trivial if I share this little tablescape, and a little tale of a night I'll never forget. :-)


Many, many years ago, when my DH was a mere Captain in the U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps), we were invited to dinner at the home of one of my DH's superiors, a Colonel, who was also an Officer in the JAG Corps. After dinner, the Colonel and his wife eagerly suggested a game of Trivial Pursuit.


They suggested we team up..."them" against "us." Though I knew my DH was one smart cookie, so was the Colonel and his wife. He was an Attorney, like my DH, and she had her PhD in Psychology. Plus, they were both licensed pilots...we were just a little bit intimidated.


You could sense their excitement...they made a point to tell us they had NEVER, EVER lost a game of Trivial Pursuit. Well, up until that night, neither had my husband. I, on the other hand, have a memory like a sieve! (LOL)


I knew I was probably going to be next to useless, in answering questions throughout the game. However, I had complete confidence in my DH. I had often accused him of being a "walking set of encyclopedias." This was before the days of Google or would have accused him of being a "walking Google!" :-)


The game commenced and we were holding our own...thanks to my DH. Each couple was allowed to confer with their partner when their turn came up. As I had anticipated, I was of little help to my DH throughout the game.


We had been playing for what seemed like FOREVER! The Colonel and his wife were getting edgy because we were tied, neck and neck.


We had each been in the center once. And now, as the dice was rolled by my DH, we were in the center again, needing just one last pie slice to win the game. With raised eyebrow, the Colonel read the question...you could have cut the tension with a knife!


I don't remember the exact wording of that final question...but it basically went like this: What substance, sometimes used as a sweetener, can also be used as an antiseptic for a cut or wound?


FINALLY, I KNEW ONE! I eagerly leaned over and whispered into my DH's ear...it's "honey"...the answer is "honey." He looked at me like I was nuts and asked, "Are you sure?" "YES, yes," I whispered. "The answer is honey!"


My DH didn't know what to think; he slowly and somewhat reluctantly turned to the Colonel and his wife and asked, more than stated, "honey?"


I will never forget the look on their faces. It was all we could do to keep from jumping onto their table and doing a little jig right there! As my Father-in-Law was often known to say, "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then." That would pretty much describe my talents at Trivial Pursuit. :-)


Hope you enjoyed this tale of Trivial Pursuit. Please take time to visit each of the tablescape links posted above. I can't wait to see all the wonderful tablescapes on this Tablescape Thursday! :-)

(Several folks have asked about the Trivial Pursuit paper plates and napkins used in this little tablescape. I'm sorry to say, I'm not sure now where I purchased those because they were bought so many years ago.)




Friday is the first Foodie Friday and I'm joining in with my Tablescape Thursday post. Ok, I know I'm just serving up good ole Coca-Colas and Popcorn...but I can't miss out on the first ever Foodie Friday, hosted by our dear Gollum, at Designs by Gollum. To view some wonderful foods that weren't popped in a microwave or poured from a bottle :-) just click HERE.

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 on the pink TT logo in my sidebar 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 on this Tablescape Thursday.

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

The following blogs have beautiful tablescapes awaiting your visit:

Monday, 16 February 2009

Welcome to Three or More Tuesday!


Yea! I'm so excited to participate in Three or More Tuesday, sponsored by Tam, a wonderfully talented blogger. If you've never visited her blog, The Gypsy's Corner, then you are in for a wonderful treat! Just click HERE to view some great Three or More post.

I'm not sure why, but I love anything that's monogrammed. A few weeks ago, I went online to check the pricing on embroidery/monogramming machines...thought it would be fun to monogram some of my existing linens. Wow, don't think I'll be ordering one of those gadgets. The prices were very expensive...even on good ole e-Bay. ~SIGH~

Today, for Three or More Thursday, I'm sharing four items I often use that are monogrammed. This soft pink stationary was purchased from Neiman Marcus a while back, primarily to use for Thank-You notes. I'm getting close to running out of it...time to start shopping for some more.


I love crisp, white linen napkins. These are also, from Neiman Marcus and are sold in sets of 12. NM frequently offers free shipping AND free monogramming on their napkins.



Cocktail napkins...again from NM. These were so reasonably priced, I bought 4 dozen for use at parties.



And finally, hand towels for my guest bath...you guessed it...from Neiman Marcus. I have these monogrammed in a variety of colors. I like to use the red ones in my guest bath at Christmas time and the more neutral ones throughout the year. I don't think I've ever paid for monogramming or shipping. If you are patient, NM has some good sales on their linens throughout the year, frequently with "free monogramming and free shipping." I often give their monogrammed towels as gifts because they always seem to run a great sale just before the holiday season.



Thanks again for stopping by and don't forget to visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for links to lots more Three or More posts.

Sunday, 15 February 2009

Hiding Metal Swing Chains... Welcome to the 5th Metamorphosis Monday!



I can't wait to see all the great "Before and Afters" posted for this Met Monday!

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 on the Metamorphosis Monday logo in my sidebar 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.

The following blogs are participating in this Metamorphosis Monday:





Of all the transformations I've ever made in my home, the one I'm about to share may be the easiest and least expensive for the largest impact or improvement. While my screened-in porch was under construction, I searched high and low online and locally for a white, outdoor wicker, swing. I finally found one I loved online at Wicker Paradise. (Click on their name to go to their website.) When it arrived, it was exactly what I had anticipated and I loved how it looked once it was hung...well, all accept for the ugly chains and the scary GIANT HOOKS! Did you hear JAWS music playing just then? :-)


Yep, their ugly aren't they?! Well, they were not exactly fitting in with my vision for the porch. So what to do?

I came up with this idea...while shopping at Hobby Lobby, I found these nifty sleeves designed to cover electrical cords...like a cord you might have running along a wall to a lamp or down the chain from the ceiling to a chandelier.



My contractor helped me remove the GIANT HOOKS...did you just hear JAWS music? I swear I think I heard JAWS music. Ummmm, anyway...I bought additional chain at The Home Depot to extend the length for the high porch ceiling.



The covers stay up nicely and hide all the mechanical "stuff" where the swing attaches to the ceiling.



A little closer view...click on pic to enlarge...



And another...



The covers/sleeves have zillions of tiny snaps running the entire length...so you just put them around whatever you want to cover and snap away. I used four sleeves, one for each of the long parts of the chain and then one for the small sections, cutting it in half...so each half went over each small section. I used fabric glue (also purchased at Hobby Lobby) to "hem" the raw edges where I cut the sleeves in half. You can see a better photo of the covers for the swings in THIS post.



Don't you love it when you make a little change that has a big impact, for not a lot of expense and effort! :-) And the best part...no more scary JAWS music...whew!


Don't forget to check out all the awesome Met Monday posts! Happy Met Monday!

Friday, 13 February 2009

Welcome to Pink Saturday and a Valentine's Tablescape With A Video Extra!


Also, if you are a Georgia blogger or a Blogger who lives in a surrounding state, and wouldn't mind a bit of a drive, you are invited to a luncheon on March 2nd, 11:00 AM at La Madeline French Bakery and Restaurant in Marietta, Georgia. Why are we getting together for lunch? For no other reason than to meet some fellow bloggers and have a fun time...that's it. If you would like to come, please R.S.V.P. to betweennapsontheporch@gmail.com by February 23rd so we'll be able to tell La Mad how many folks to expect. Ok...on to that pink tablescape for this Pink Saturday.

A comment was left suggesting I post my recent pink Valentine's Tablescape for Pink Saturday, especially since Saturday is Valentine's Day. So, for those who didn't see it two days ago on Thursday, welcome and hope you enjoy this table setting...it's loaded with lots of that wonderful color, PINK.

If this is your first time visiting, and you enjoy viewing tablescapes, stop by each Thursday and you will find lots of links that will take you to tablescapes all across Blogland. After you visit all the wonderful Pink postings at How Sweet the Sound, stop back by and scan down to Thursday's post to find 64 links to wonderful tablescapes.

This following whimsical tablescape is all about the color, PINK . I pulled my inspiration from this little dish I found on sale right after Valentine's Day last year at Kohls.



Do you see the pink feather boa around the centerpiece? :-) (Click on pics to enlarge)



Apothecary jar came from Marshalls several months ago...



Found these cute, pink "heart" dishes at Michaels this year for only $1 each...



Salad plate is Homer Laughlin...not sure of the pattern since the name isn't shown on the back. I found six, 5-pc place settings on eBay for around $35...including shipping.



Bet you recognize this china...it's the one used on our TT button. It's made by International and the pattern is Glenwood. Found it while out antiquing one day...got twenty+ pieces for around $14 and then bought some fill in pieces off eBay. Lace chargers are from Horchow online, a couple of years ago.



I joined a Red Hat group when I was only 48 years old. If you are a member in a Red Hat Club and you aren't yet 50, you can't wear the true Red Hat Society colors, red and purple. Instead, you are supposed to wear what they call the "watered down" colors, pink and lavender. I like the colors pink and lavender much better anyway...so I was quite happy about that! As you know, Red Hats really dress up when they get together. This cute little fluffy thing was part of a set of wrist thingies...not sure what they are called.



I thought they looked cute around the stems of the glasses in this whimsical tablescape.



Continued the "conversation hearts" theme in my centerpiece...
I used a pink feather boa left over from my Red Hat days, around the base of the jar.



A little closer view...



Around 5 years ago, I received these sweet bees wax candles as a gift from a friend. They are kind of an unusual size and I've never been able to find a use for them. I loved how they looked , surrounded by the little conversation hearts.



Candlelight, so romantic...





Speaking of conversation hearts, I was stunned when I stopped during my tablescaping to actually read some of the hearts. Guess Brach's is trying to keep up with the times...check out these messages... (Email Me, Top Chef and I.M. Me)







I couldn't resist these edible love notes...found these at Wal-mart...



The pen really works and I ate one...tasted pretty good. :-)







This adorable video seemed perfect for Valentine's Day. I know many of you have probably already seen it, but if not...be sure to watch it to the end...the best part is toward the end. :-) It takes just a few seconds to load.



Thanks for stopping by! See you on Monday for Metamorphosis Monday. Have a fantastic Valentine's Day!  You can visit the other "pink" posts at How Sweet the Sound.