A Monday Twofer...or...My Front Door Plus Some Frenchy Finds

It's Monday and since I'm doing a make-over with thrifting finds, I'm doing another twofer! I'm participating in Metamorphosis Monday with our hostess with the mostest, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Today's Thrifty Treasures with the undisputed queen of thrifting, Rhoda at Southern Hospitality! Please be sure to drop by and pay a visit to both of these amazing blogs to see some great before and after projects and wonderful finds that will inspire you!



Today, I am showing you my front door. This is the wreath that has been there for longer than I care to admit! You know I love grapes...so frenchy! But...change is good!

I happened across some grape vine wreaths at the flea market near me for $1.00 and decided to create a new door treatment.

And... voilà! Here's one I created for Easter! The flowers and ribbon were half-price at Hobby Lobby. But I couldn't stop there! I became obsessed with wreaths!!!

Here's one I found while Goodwill hunting with my friend Linda at Nina's Nest. Don't you love it? Sunflowers make me think of Provence!

I have shown you this one already...geraniums in a door pocket from a local flea market. Hmmm...notice anything? My Command hook is showing. So...

...I hot-glued a leaf over it! lol

Now it's gone!! I was tired of having to work my arrangements around hiding that big, white thing!

This is the one I have decided on keeping for a while. The basket is a $3.00 GW find and the flowers were half-price at Hobby Lobby also! Love that HL!!

However, an even better, but certainly random, source of silk flowers is Goodwill! You can find some really nice bunches of them for around $3.00...like this forsythia that Linda found and offered to me! There's another vase full of these, also!

Or these sunflowers that I found...woo hoo! Lovin' them in my frenchy Marshalls clearance aisle pitcher!

Here are some more recent thrifting finds...a pair of cat pitchers from GW. I had the big one in my arms and Linda spied the little one being rolled out and grabbed it fast as a jack rabbit waited patiently as they put it on the shelf and handed it to me! What a good friend! lol

Here is my bargain of the week...a sheep from Pier 1...58 cents!! Wooo hooo!! They had their Easter stuff 90% off and I grabbed the last 4 of these. If you know me, you know I have a thing for goats, and sheep are the next best thing. Besides, I think they are so frenchy!

Isn't this great??? A frenchy chair from the local flea/antique market to go with my bargain Ballard outlet area rug. They will go in my toile guest room that I blab about but never finish!

And finally...here is a little bunny tureen that I have been eyeing at the antique/flea market since January, but it was $59, then marked down to $45...still too expensive. :-( Soooo...

...imagine how thrilled I was to find this bunny clock for...$6.00!! I'll take it instead!

I put it on my mantel between my bunnies on a stick. (Yes, they are still there!) Isn't it cute? And as Linda says, way more useful!! And what's really fun is that I just realized that this is the same bunny clock Yvette at The Wait for Kate showed me when I first posted the tureen back in January! She said the tureen reminded her of her bunny clock! And now I have one! Cool, huh?

So there you have it...my metamorphosis with thrifting finds, plus some extra frenchy finds to boot! Thanks so much for dropping by! Please be sure to head on over to Susan's and Rhoda's to see some more make-overs and treasures! See you next time! A la prochaine!
*Thanks to Diane and Linda for helping me with the strike-out the words thingy!

Wordless Wednesday...or...Salt and Pepper

Welcome to another Wordless Wednesday with our hostess Miss Dixie from way down there where the stars at night are big and bright...French Lique, Texas! Be sure to drop by her wonderful blog to find a list of who is playing along this week and to find out how to join us! Our phrase this week is...

...salt and pepper!

Be sure to visit Miss Dixie and get in on the fun!! Thanks for dropping by! See you next time! A la prochaine!

Tablescape Thursday And Foodie Friday...or...Breakfast at the Black Walnut Inn

I am so excited this week because I get to do a twofer...Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday! Be sure to visit our two wonderful hostesses, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see some fabulous tablescapes and Michael Lee...our dear Gollum...at Designs by Gollum to find some yummy recipe ideas!

As I am sure I have told you by now...lol...I am such a lucky duck because I spent several days last week at the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. I am lucky because...

...I got to meet Barb at Grits and Glamour and Kathysue at Rate My Space, two dear blogger friends of mine! (That's l to r...moi, Barb and Kathysue!) We had a wonderful time exploring Asheville and the inn itself! And I must say that one of the best parts of the inn was...

...you guessed it!...the dining room...for several reasons!! Here is the beautiful window seat where we had breakfast! Of course, you know me, I had to check out the...

...plates! Each of the tables was set in a different china pattern, from elegant...

...to floral...

... to simple, yet pretty...

...and quietly refined! But, believe it or not, what fascinated me most were...

...the napkin rings! I have never seen a more interesting assortment in my life! They were all Reed and Barton silverplate...very nice! The first one I noticed was this one...the froggy! I love his outfit! He makes me think of Toad in The Wind in the Willows or Beatrix Potter's Mr. Jeremy Fisher! But when I looked around, I saw...

...a doggie chasing a squirrel...

...a bear going after some honey...

...a funny little monkey...

...a beautiful swan...

...a very patriotic eagle...

...a frenchy rooster...

...an elegant peacock...

...and a cute little bunny! Aren't they charming? I think the froggy is my favorite, but this bunny certainly is sweet! We actually did manage to eat! The breakfast was wonderful! The best part was ...

...the baked French toast! I ate mine so fast that I didn't take a picture, but I did find their recipe online and made it at home! Here it is:

Baked French Toast from the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn in Asheville, NC

1 loaf of Raisin Bread

1 8-ounce package cream cheese

7 eggs

3 cups milk

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

Icing sugar (1/4 cup confectioners sugar and 1 tablespoon milk)

Maple syrup
Slice and cube bread in one inch cubes. Cube cream cheese into small pieces and toss together and slightly greased 9 by 13 inch dish. Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg together and pour over bread mixture. Ensure that bread is completely covered. Keep refrigerated overnight or at least 5 hours.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake tester inserted into center comes out clean. Serve with maple syrup and icing sugar.
Serves 8

It is very light and delicious! I also sprinkled a little confectioners sugar on top! Yum!

I hope you have enjoyed my breakfast at the Black Walnut Inn! You have to admit that I more than got my money's worth out of that visit...a week's worth of posts!! lol

Be sure to stop by Susan's to continue your tour de tablescapes and swing by Gollum's to complete your gastronomical tour of blogland! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll see you next time! A la prochaine!

Outdoor Wednesday...or...A Visit to the Balck Walnut Bed and Breakfast

It's time for another tour of beautiful gardens and outdoor rooms from our hostess Susan at A Southern Daydreamer! Be sure to visit her wonderful blog to see her gorgeous home and gardens and find a list of this week's participants! I am afraid that a lengthy drought and late frost have kept me from posting any pictures of my own yard. But...

... last week I went to Asheville, NC, to meet fellow bloggers Barb at Grits and Glamour and Kathysue at Rate My Space and was thrilled to find myself on the grounds of a gloriously beautiful old home surrounded by fabulous gardens....the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn! Let me take you for a little tour!

Driving up the driveway and through the portico, you are greeted by the first of two ponds complete with waterfalls! This one was a double pond and was filled with huge koi and wonderful waterlilies! A net had been added to keep the herons from making a tasty and expensive meal of the koi!

A second smaller pond was tucked away in a secluded part of the yard. It was surrounded by native plants.

Bursts of colorful flowers dotted the yard, such as this wonderful blue lace cap hydrangea! I think this was my favorite!

We were fortunate enough to be there when the rhododendron were in bloom! Isn't that a wonderful shade of lavender? In front of the bird bath were several groupings of columbine...a flower that I have not seen very often.

Here is a close-up of one of the varieties. I love the contrast of the dark purple with the cream!

And here is her paler sister...a lighter purple with white! I am now on a mission to find out if I can grow these in our heat!

We were not the only ones enjoying the gardens! There was a nice variety of birds...cardinals, blue jays and woodpeckers in particular...taking advantage of the feeder, as well as this very agile squirrel! It was a very relaxing sight to watch the creatures and their antics from the window seat in the large window of the dining room! Ahhhhhh!!!

Alas, it ended too soon! I hated to leave my dear blogger friends and this wonderful place! That's us...l to r...Barb, moi and Kathysue! I am ready for another trip to this beautiful inn and its surrounding gardens! Let's go back soon!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed our little tour! Please head on over to Susan's to be inspired by wonderful gardens and beautiful blossoms! See you next time! A bientôt!

I Met Barb and Kathysue!...or...We Partied on the Porch!

I have just returned from one of the best experiences of my life! I got to meet two of my favorite blogger friends....Barb at Grits and Glamour and Kathysue of Rate My Space! As bloggers, I am sure you are aware of the closeness that develops among fellow bloggers even though you have never even met! So when we had an opportunity to meet in person, we jumped at the chance! Here we are...l to r...moi, Barb and Kathysue!


And since we will be partying on the porch, I am hooking up with Barb again for her Porch and Patio Party!! So be sure to swing by her wonderful blog to see who else is joining us! Wooo hooo!

We planned our stay at the beautiful old Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. We could not have chosen a better setting! It is an historic home designed by the architect of the Biltmore House! Isn't it gorgeous?

Barb was the first to arrive, next me, and then finally Kathysue! Barb and I were waiting in the driveway when Kathysue pulled up. Needless to say, there was much squealing and hugging when she got out of her car! This is our first photo together...meeting in person at last! Don't we look happy? We had two whole days to spend together!

We owe this wonderful opportunity to Kathysue's sweet hubby, Doug! He was the one who made all of the arrangements for a getaway to the nearby Biltmore Estate for Kathysue...a lifelong dream come true for her! He was also very patient as we gabbed and laughed, smiling at Kathysue as only a loving husband can. We also have Doug to thank for the photos you are seeing! What a great guy!! Thanks, Doug!!

We immediately set off for a tour of the inn...just beautiful! Imagine three women interested in decorating checking out every detail of the place...the furniture, the paint color, the wallpaper, the drapes, the lighting, the carpet...

...and even the shower!! lol

Next, we toured the beautiful grounds, but I am saving that for an Outdoor Wednesday post!

We sat on the big front porch in rocking chairs and had a chance to really get acquainted. So does this count for Barb's Porch and Patio Party? I say...yes! We sat on the porch and had a party...right??? lol Barb is just as you imagine her...funny and full of energy! Her wheels are constantly turning and she never tires of taking on a new project! I loved to hear her talk because now when I read her blog, I will hear her voice!

We had brought each other little goody bags. Here is Kathysue showing Doug one of her surprises. She is also just the way I imagined...funny and sweet! I love her laugh! It's contagious! The colors she wears are just what you expect...black and white with pops of other colors! Soooo Kathysue! lol Barb and I Southernized her, as she says, and introduced her to chicken biscuits and dirty rice at Bojangles!! And, once again, I am so happy that I will be able to hear her voice when I read her words!

We had a wonderful afternoon rocking on the porch and really getting acquainted. It was like best friends from high school who had not seen each other for a while who pick up right where they left off! When we told the staff our story, they were surprised and said they thought we were old friends! And that's just how it felt!! We had a lovely supper together and then, after chatting into the night, we got up early to check out the Goodwill hunting in Asheville! I have reported on my finds in my previous post. What fun!! I will also be showing you some shots of the tea room for Tablescape Thursday!

I hated for our time together to end! Two nicer, more wonderful ladies do not exist on this earth! I miss them so much already! It was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life! And now I want to meet more of my blogger friends! If you get a chance, jump at it! You will be so glad you did! And don't forget to drop by Barb's to see who else is partying!!