by Debbee | Oct 8, 2019 | Decorations, Fall, Wreaths
Fall season finally arrived over the weekend — hurrah!
But the week before, temperatures were still a toasty mid to high eighty degrees. Regardless, I planted mums and placed large pumpkins on either side of the front door and on the back porch. Because company was coming, I waited until the last minute, hoping they wouldn’t roast in the heat.
Hubby and his brother ran Pittsburgh’s annual Great Race. Mr. Buzz has run the 10K many times, but missed it the last two years because we were on vacation in Spain and Greece. It was his brother’s first time running the hometown race.
My sister-in-law and I took the trolley into town to cheer them on. Luckily it was a cloudy morning, which helped keep the temperatures from overheating runners . Afterwards, we walked into Market Square to enjoy brunch al fresco. Later that evening we ate outdoors again at a local brewing, enjoying seasonal flavor beers and delicious BBQ.
Despite the heat, I’ve been delving into fall season crafts, decorating the house, and cheering on our favorite football teams. (more…)
by Debbee | Sep 2, 2019 | Fall
It’s been a long time since the boys started kindergarten, headed back to school or even college. Wherever has the time gone?! Labor Day weekend always evokes happy memories of those days. So, I decided to set a back to school table to mark the occasion. 
We are fortunate to live in a suburb of Pittsburgh, with a nationally recognized and award-winning public school district. In fact, the schools are one of the primary reasons Mr. Buzz and I decided to build our home here. We were just newlyweds at the time, planning for our future family.
It feels more like a town here than a suburb, with a historic commercial district we call, “Uptown.” Adding to the old-fashioned charm and ambiance is that we are both a Tree City USA and Main Street America community.
Children walk to school; along mostly tree-lined streets with sidewalks. There are no buses. Seven neighborhood elementary schools, two middle and one high school draw students from vibrant neighborhoods.
Seeing the kids heading out, hand-in-hand with their parents, wearing new backpacks and sometimes carrying little bouquets of flowers for their teachers, warms my heart. Come have a seat at the back to school table and reminisce with me.
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by Debbee | Aug 12, 2019 | Summer
After a number of false starts and considerable frustration, I’m relieved to finally be able to share a palm leaf and birds of paradise tropical tablescape.
Consider this setting plan Bee. Or, maybe it’s C or D? I had to come up with a new table styling plan when my initial vision didn’t pan out. Finally, a lovely bird of paradise stem provided new inspiration and direction.
Hosted by Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate, today’s post is part of the Late Summer Tablescape blog hop.
I’m really excited to see what so many talented and clever table stylists have to share. With several weeks of August still left, I’m in no hurry for summer to end. Are you? I especially like the opportunity to dine alfresco.
Come on and join me, outside, on the covered porch. Imagine a paddle fan circling overhead, creating a cool breeze while you sip a refreshing, frozen concoction.
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by Debbee | Aug 6, 2019 | Spring, Summer
Ever since I purchased a beautiful tablecloth, embroidered with olive branches, I’ve been wanting to create a Greek tablescape.
Last September, while on a Visit to Amazing Ancient Athens, I noticed shops selling cotton clothing and linens everywhere. Later, on an excursion outside the capital to Delphi: Center of the World, we saw cotton being harvested. Lining the road, on both sides of the highway, were little cotton balls that had escaped during baling and transport. It actually looked it had snowed in Greece!
Our guide explained that Greece is a major producer and exporter of cotton — accounting for more than 80 percent of European production. Neighboring Turkey, imports over a third of the cotton. Making up eight percent of Greece’s agricultural output, high-quality Egyptian cotton is very important to the economy.
The evening before boarding a Small Ship Greek Island Cruise, a tablecloth embroidered with black olives, caught my eye. I knew it would go perfectly with my china back home. And, linens were one of the few souvenirs that would also fit in my luggage!
It’s taken me nearly a year to style a Greek tablescape, and it’s got me longing to return there!
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by Debbee | Jul 20, 2019 | Home Design, Summer
With a heat index of 100+ degrees, I spent the morning in the cool of our finished basement working on a few organization projects. Now, I’m back upstairs on the computer, finishing up the rest of my summer coastal decor tour.
So what are you doing to keep cool during this oppressive heatwave?
Eldest son in NYC called this morning with one of his two central AC units not working. He wanted to consult with his dad, the retired engineer, to try to fix it himself.
All I could do was suggest they go see a movie. After a nice lunch out, with free ice cream desserts, Mr. Buzz and I went to see the Avengers movie yesterday. At first, it was so cold in the theater, I shivered even with a lightweight sweater on. But, mid-way through the three-hour movie, it got stuffy and uncomfortably warm. Theater staff were nowhere to be found before, during or after the movie. At least we missed the downpour outside.
So, not so sure my suggestion for a movie is a good one? Being in a packed theater in NYC during a heat wave may not be such a good idea? Fortunately, our son was in Colorado for the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival during Saturday’s huge blackout. He can skip the subway this weekend, but living in a rooftop apartment makes it hard to avoid taking the elevator!
Click your flip flops together and imagine you’re at the beach instead. Having some coastal decor around the house helps. Let’s pick up from where I left off in, Kitchen Coastal Decor for Summer.
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