I hope you’re enjoying this holiday week and staying warm & cozy. I’m recovering from a cold that’s been hanging on so I’m enjoying a little R&R by the twinkling lights of the tree this week and looking forward to a visit with my sister as we celebrate the New Year.
Thank you for all your visits and comments this past year! My top posts are always a surprise since comments and pins aren’t always indicative of the ones with the most views -> thank you Hometalk. Here’s the wrap of the my top 10 posts of the year. Click on the links in red if you’d like to revisit or for more details.
Number 10:
Beautiful and Blooming Window Boxes of Charleston
Charleston window boxes which are always lush and blooming no matter what the season. No matter how many times I visit, I always enjoy taking a stroll in the early morning hours with my camera.
Number 9:
Seasonal or Holiday Table Centerpiece DIY
Tips and ideas for creating a seasonal runner and centerpiece for your fall or holiday table. This is an easy method to dress the table, using items from the grocery store or your backyard.
Number 8:
Woodland Friend Fall Table and DIY Natural Table Runner
Daisy the Fox, Chloe the Jack Rabbit and Mazey the Squirrel are dressed for the season with natural DIY table runner with leaves, acorns and dried hydrangeas.
Number 7:
Potting Shed Featured in She Sheds: A Room of Your Own
My Potting Shed was honored to be included in She Sheds: A Room of Your Own, by Erika Kotite, published by Cool Springs Press/Quarto Publishing Group. You can find her in the “Sheds for Gardeners” chapter.
Number 6:
Oh So Good & Easy Patriotic Dessert: Star-Spangled Slab Pie
Slab pie serves more people than your standard 9-inch pie with much less effort. Less work makes for an ideal holiday dessert and more time for celebrating the Red, White and Blueberry!
Number 5 :
25+’Tis the Season Recipes for Holiday Entertaining
Recipes for appetizers, cookies, cocktails, food gifts and more!
Number 5:
Window Dressing for the Potting Shed: Board and Batten Shutters DIY
Adding decorative shutters to the Potting Shed was on my to-do list for several years. The challenge was finding the size and width I needed and three shutters, to hang one in the middle between the windows to frame the window boxes. Building the shutters was an affordable and easy project that you can tackle in a weekend, with the painting most time-consuming part.
Number 4:
Growing a Garden Hose Wreath with Blooming Wellies
A garden hose wreath to welcome spring and gardening season on my Potting Shed door. Wellies or rainboots function as vases to hold a bouquet!
Number 3:
No-Bake Chocolate Strawberry Ganache Tart with Chocolate Cookie Crust
This easy no-bake chocolate tart requires only 4 ingredients~ 5, if you add berries on top! It’s impressive enough to serve company, can be made ahead, and is a splurge-worthy dessert!
Number 2:
Winter Fun DIY: Create a Birdseed Cottage Feeder
A fun winter activity for feeding your feathered friends, an edible birdhouse! Click on the link to see the variety of birds that I saw visiting these edible birdhouses!
And Number 1 Post of 2017:
Garden Bouquet DIY and Recycling Flower Arranging Hack
Garden Bouquet Tips and Flower Arranging Hack using something you usually throw away!
Hope you’re stay warm and cozy in this cold weather. ♥
Thank you for your visit!
WOW!!!! Thank you for the recap of 2017 and can not wait to see what you have instore for us in 2018
I was so lucky to find your blog this year. I am so looking forward to more uplifting and inspiring posts in 2018. Happy healthy coming year to you and your family!
Thank you for another awesome year! I look forward to another year of beauty and inspiration! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Lots a good posts to review in frigid New York! Happy New Year! 🎉
I found several blog posts I’d missed before I started following and pinned some fun stuff to do with my grandkids!
Happy New Year! Thank-you for adding so much beauty and joy to 2017!
All of your posts are so terrific. You are a real inspiration for me. Happy New Year – enjoy your time with your sister, and I’m glad you’re on the mend.
It was fun to look back at your top posts, Mary. You always inspire us with your creativity. Enjoy your special time with your sister and hopefully that lingering cold is gone. Happy New Year to you, your hubby and Chloe and Gracie!
At first glance, I thoughtChloe and Gracie were a pom pom garland….adorable!
Thank you for these re-caps of past blogs. All of your blogs remain favorites for me. Looking forward to 2018 and new ones…may you get the rest you need in order to be well to enjoy the beginning of a glorious Happy New Year!!!
In an era where blogs have become just another advertisement, your clean pages free from pop-up ads are a welcome diversion. Thank you for your beautiful photographs, delicious recipes, and delightful vinettes. Happy New Year.
Oh I SOOOO agree. The pop ups get so annoying. I understand that people are making a living but I love your ad free site!!!!!
Love your fut babies. They are adorable and so white and clean as my fur baby does not stay so white and clean. I really look forward to your posts and was so lucky to find you, a short time ago. I have made one of your desserts for 28 ladies in my garden club. Many of them wanted the recipe. Your tables are so fun and neat. I am looking forward to your 2018 posts. Hope your cold is gone soon. Have a wonderful visit with your sister.Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Mary! Your posts are always full of fabulous eye candy, beautiful photos and happy wagging tails! I hope you feel back to normal asap and enjoy your visit with your sister~ Stay warm!
Jenna
Terrific year of posts Mary, thank you so much for your help, encouragement and inspiration and especially for the “In Style Parties” book. I have really enjoyed browsing through it and since the new year will start off with a little more time I intend to sit down and study it. Happy New Year to you and your husband and the pups.
Your blog site is my very favorite. Husband and sons are car enthusiasts, soooooo
I am doing the motoring tablescape. Everyone is going to love it. All I have to purchase
are the ornaments. Grateful for after Christmas sales.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.
Thank You for all your beautiful and inspiring posts this year….for sharing your creative vision, skillful talents, and the precious things that are dear to your heart. You have brighten many days this year. Happy New Year Blessings!
I loved all of those posts. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2018. Happy New Year.
I’ll be going back through all of these and pinning away too! Wishing you a happy, healthy and blessed 2018! So look forward to what you will be sharing!
Morning, Mary! What a great way to end 2017 and visit a sampling of your wonderfully inspiring past posts! I was partial to the birdseed-covered mini feeders…as I am a devout bird watcher…we have so many cardinals visit our feeders! Thank you again for your uplifting blog!!! Keep up the extraordinary work in 2018! Happy New Year and enjoy your time with your sister…tip the glass to good health in the coming year!
Thank you for a year long wonderful gift of beauty from North Carolina. Looking forward to more brilliant shed updates and Chloe and Gracie love. Happy New Year to all.
Thank you for all the inspiration in 2017 and even before. I love your blog and I can’t choose a favorite. They are all my faves. Hoping you and your family have a wonderful2018. Get well soon!
Thank you for a recap of your beautiful blog I missed some of the posts and am so happy to be able to pin them. Love looking at all your beautiful photos. Thank you for making 2017?a bit more joyful and looking forward to a lovely New Year
Thanks for another year of fun posts and great inspiration Mary! I hope you feel better soon-Happy New Year:@)
PS-It’s snowing in Philly, 3″ so far, looks so pretty!
Mary, I wish you a speedy recovery, renewed strength and a joyous New Year with hubby, sis and the fur babies. Thank you for the year in review, I so enjoyed making the garden hose wreath and we LOVED the No Bake Chocolate Strawberry Tart. As stated before you are my “go to girl” for recipes and inspiration, love ya! Happy New Year and looking forward to more fun in 2018!🎉
I just recently found your blog and I am always looking for your email to pop up. Thanks for being so creative and I look forward to 2018. Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing so many lovely posts throughout the year. Wishing a warm, healthy 2018
Hi Mary! Stopping by to wish you a very Happy New Year! Hugs to Chloe and Gracie💜💜
Wishing you and yours a Blessed,Healthy and peace-filled 2018.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Joan,Marilyn and Marion
What fun to revisit each one of these, Mary. I hope you are feeling much better to enjoy time with your sister. My sister arrived this afternoon, but is staying with one of her daughters. The nice thing is she will be here for the month of January. Yippee! I love sister time!
It goes without saying that I eagerly anticipate an new year filled with your creative posts. You are an amazing individual! Thank you for all the time and effort that goes into creating your incredible blog posts.
Happy New Year! ~ Sarah and Sadie
Mary, your beautiful blog full of inspiration and stunning photos is like opening a magazine! I enjoy every post. Enjoy the time with your sister and hoping you continue to feel better! Happy New Year!
Ohhhhh, how I have enjoyed ALL the post of 2017! It has been an exciting year of following your beautiful blog! It is a refreshing part of my day when you post! I am looking forward to all the posts coming in 2018!!! Feel better, Mary, enjoy your sister and may 2018 be another wonderful year of your lovely posts!
Mary, hope you feel better soon…always enjoy your posts and the ideas..keep them coming..HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family!! 🎉🥂🍾🎈🍷
Mary, Happy New Year to you & your husband & fur babies! I hope you feel better quickly & enjoy time with your sister.
Your blog is my number 1 go to! Every Saturday morning with a cup of coffee, I eagerly anticipate looking at the amazing beauty & details in your posts! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us! I’m looking forward to your creativity in 2018!
OK, I have to admit I am completely surprised that these are your top posts for 2017. I like your tablescape posts so much more than the DIY projects and recipes! In fact, most of the time I skip those or just skim them quickly. I guess there are a lot more bakers and gardeners out there than I realized. At any rate, I do appreciate your blog and look forward to seeing it every time you write a new one. I’ll be praying you have a quick recovery and a very happy new year. Many blessings in 2018, and thank you for sharing.
Mary, I hope you are feeling better and enjoy your time with your sister.
Happy New Year! Thank you for your inspiring posts all year.
I am looking forward to more of your beautiful posts in 2018! Happy New Year!!!!
Oops…P.S. Hope your cold goes away soon and have a great time with your sister!!!