Sunday, July 11, 2010

READYING THE HOUSE FOR A SPECIAL GUEST


I've linked up this post with
link party. Those of you visiting through her wonderful site, keep scrolling down to see my version of some summer scenes.
Thanks so much for visiting!


A very special house guest will be arriving this evening, and I've been working 'round the house the past few days preparing for her arrival.

Dear Son No. 1's girlfriend, whom he met in college and has been with for well over a year now, is coming up from North Carolina for a visit. It'll be a rather short visit, but I know they'll be so happy to see each other. They haven't seen one another since school ended back in April.

Banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and
good ole Toll House Chocolate Chip cookies.


So, in an effort to make her stay as pleasant as possible, I've been cleaning and fluffing and baking and making yummy snacks and shopping for her favorite drinks and goodies.


I'm really diggin' this new coverlet I picked up at Kohl's. Can you make out the design? And the color . . . it's my fave - red!

New bed linens were purchased for the room in which she'll be staying, along with a little "welcome" basket.



I also ~ finally ~ created some new tablescapes and vignettes around the house to better reflect the season. Lots of shells, stones, starfishes, blues, aquas and naturals used here and there to remind me of the beach . . . even if I can't get there as often as I'd like.

The hutch by the kitchen table . . .

And, no, I haven't painted that yet either!



I love incorporating books into my tablescapes. And, I never have any trouble finding books whose bindings/covers match the color scheme I'm creating.



The kitchen table has a new look. Out with the patriotic red, white and blue, and in with a more natural, beachy look.






I sewed this table runner from a piece of painter's cotton drop cloth and upholstery strapping top stitched down the center with little ruffles on the ends.
I just LOVE how it turned out! :o)




One corner of the kitchen counter by the counter eating area has a new look as well. I released my summery "warm" colored dishes from the cabinet. I wanted it to look as if I just tossed them into that chicken wire basket. Of course I didn't!



We inherited this marble top table from Hubby's grandmother. I have it in the powder room.


I've always wondered about it's origins. It appears as if it might be hand made? Notice how primitive looking the engraved detail is on the front apron of the table. I should really do some family detective work to find out more about this piece.

It's decked out in a summer look as well.


I almost forgot I had this little guy. It was a souvenir from our honeymoon trip to Bermuda almost 26 years ago. I found it a few months back up in the attic in a box of old stuff. He's nestled in a bed of lavender blooms from my garden.

It'll be so nice to see her again. Dear Son has lots of fun things lined to do during her short visit . . . the beach, Philadelphia Zoo, Hershey Park to name a few. It might be a tiring 3 days for her, but I'm sure they'll have tons of fun!


Thanks for visiting!
Leave a comment so I can get to know you.

14 comments:

Kerin said...

My goodness!! Everything looks so welcoming and warm and inviting! Love all the time and thought that you've put into everything. It looks like a high end B&B !!
Enjoy your company :)

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

WOW Carla!!! You have really outdone yourself here! Dear Son's girl may just cancel her return trip. : ) I LOVE it all. The whole beach-theme is so dreamy. Your tablescape on the dining room table is wonderful!!! And when you drop by next time you'll see how much we love aqua and cream over here too. :-D
Enjoy your visitor,
Mary Lou

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

How pretty Carla...love those books in the summery blues/oranges!
She will feel special, probably won't want to leave!

Tracy said...

Carla I LOVE IT... Enjoy the visit.. How fun.

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

Very nice! She will truly feel welcome! I especially like that table runner you made. I might have to pull out the sewing machine for that one!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That's so sweet, Carla! I'm sure they will have a great time. Love your vignettes, especially tha banding/strapping. Your table runner reminds me of the one I made with some scrap toile for my dining room ~ very similar with the ruffle and in length! Love the dressed up dollar store candles ~ the starfish are a nice touch!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

You sure are a good mom and hostess to go to so much trouble to make her feel welcome and I am sure she will truly appreciate it. I love the webbing you have put around the candle holders and love the runner you made. I am just getting ready to start sewing some more. I am going to attempt ruffles. Love your table vignettes. I like to use books too in mine. Love your style and thanks so much for coming by. Now I am going to check out more of your lovely home.

Rachel said...

Talk about hostess with the mostess! Your special guest will def feel special!!!! I love that you tookthe dust covers off the cookbooks to match your color scheme!!!! GENIUS!

Painter's Place said...

Love your tablescapes! Your son's girlfriend should enjoy everything you've prepared for her. I think I'll hitch a ride from here in NC and come with her...LOL! Everything looks so nice! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll definitely be back!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

LOVED ALL YOUR VIGNETTES WITH THE SHELLS LOOKS SO SUMMERY ABD BEACHY.
ALSO LOVED THE NEAT TABLE RUNNER YOU MADE, HOW CLEVER!! I AM SURE SHE IS GONNA FEEL VERY WELCOMED. LOVELY DINING TABLE AS WELL. HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL VISIT AND THE TIME GOES BY SLOWLY!! LOL
BLESSINGS, NELLIE

Unknown said...

G'morn, Carla ~ #1 son's friend should be thrilled with such a grand welcoming. EVERYTHING is absolutely lovely ... she should feel like part of the family immediately.

Have a lovely week ~
TTFN~ Marydon

http://jackieinsurrey.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Hi Carla, you are certainly making your guest feel welcomed, I would love all those items that you are preparing for her!!

Have a great time with her and you never know she could be a daughter in law in a few years and mother to your grandchildren, or is that looking too far ahead!!

Enjoy, Jackie in UK

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Wow, this is the most exquisite guest room I have ever seen. Every single detail is just stunning. Love all of your starfish and the way you have used the burlap ribbon bands. Stunning vignettes. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Everything in your guest room looks so pretty and welcoming. What a lucky friend you have! Your blog is so sweet I'm happy to have found you. I'm a follower too.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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