Just a few months after I moved in, in October 2012, I  had an open house and many of you came.  It was such a fun time of sharing the house post-renovations and getting to show off the hard work that my dad and I accomplished (along with some contractors along the way).  It was truly a wonderful moment to have many of my readers and fellow blog friends stop by and visit.
Since so much had been done since that time, I decided to do it again. Â Over 100 of you signed up and it was a great turnout. Â I want to apologize to those of you who did not get my email with the address. Â I used Eventbrite to sign up, so I could keep up with who was coming and know how to plan. Â Five days before the Open House, I sent out a personal email via Eventbrite to all who had signed up. Â It said that 114 emails went out, so I thought things were good to go. Â I began to get emails toward the end of the week and a few comments from folks who had signed up, but didn’t get my email with the address. Â Eventbrite then sent out an automated reminder email 48 hours before with only my city listed on there, since that is all I had on the original form. Â The personal email should have reached everyone, but unfortunately it did not. Â I still don’t know why, but I’m so sorry for those of you who were driving around trying to find me. Â I really tried to keep it simple and easy and for some reason the emails didn’t all make it.
Anyway, just wanted to get that out of the way to let you know what happened on my end. Â The day was so much fun and many of you did turn out and I loved meeting every one of you. Â It was such a pleasure for me to open my doors to my readers and let you all inside the house that we worked so hard on.
I had lemonade ready in the kitchen.
With my special Southern greeting on the chalkboard.
I had some friends volunteer to  make some desserts for me and I set it all out in the dining room.
I made Pecan mini muffins and my roommate, Rhonda, made pumpkin muffins.
Sweet friends from church brought pecan pie tarts and lemon tarts, which were to die for!
Water with lemons and limes on the porch
Fresh flowers around the house too, makes a special touch.
My friends from church (we are in choir together), Andrea (married to David below), Beth from Orlando, and my mom.
Dad had fun talking to David since they are both former preachers. Â David is the baker and brought those delicious tarts to the party.
My friend, Karen, snapped pics for me with her phone. I took a few with my camera, but then got too busy talking and meeting everyone, so Karen took over. Â Thanks, Karen! Â My family was there, my mom and dad and sister, Renee.
It just amazes me how many loyal readers are out there reading my blog all these years. This sweet couple, Carole and Ted, drove all the way from Little Rock, AR to attend my open house and make a weekend of it here in Atlanta. Â I was just astounded at that and so honored and humbled that my blog reaches so many folks. Â She was the sweetest and told me how much she loves my blog and my family. Â She calls me Rhody-girl, which completely cracks me up. Â My niece, Lauren, has been calling me Rhody all her life and I’m sure Miss Parker will be calling me the same. Â Sweetness!
I loved meeting so many wonderful folks who know my house inside and out and all the projects we’ve done, as well as feel like they know my family. Â My dad and mom were busy chatting too. Â Dad, about the projects we have done and many talked to mom about those family meals we eat together. Â It was a precious time of sharing and getting to meet so many of you wonderful people out there. Â I don’t remember everyone’s name (forgive me, I’m terrible with that), but your faces will be with me forever. Â Thank you to all who came by, it was such a fun time.
We tried to get pics with everyone and it was a joyous day for sure.
Lots of hugs going on. Â I remember this lady is Kat. Â So fun to meet her and get a hug in person.
I told everyone they were going to be on the blog, so hopefully all of you who were here will see this. Â I want to show you all off! Â I really do have the best readers around and am still amazed that I get to do this blog thing.
I wish I could have listened to my dad talk to everyone, but we were all scattered and I only heard bits and pieces of conversations, but I’m sure he was entertaining telling everyone about what we did.
Mom got to talk to a lot of folks too with the topic of conversation their garden and food she puts on the table. Â People relate to down to earth and that is what my family is….down to earth.
Dad holding court with a group of folks in the den. Â I am quite sure he was entertaining and funny, he’s such a good man.
My sweet mama with one precious reader who stopped by.
The porch was a popular spot too, since it was warm outside and it was a comfy spot to sit.
More sweet faces. Â One blog friend came by, Bobbi from BluWater Life (2nd from left, sweet lady!).
The first 2 hours were busy and bustling. Â I asked my family to stay for 2 hours and they did, meeting a lot of folks in the process.
Lots of talking and laughing ensued.
That’s my friend, Karen, there on the left, my picture taking buddy.
We tried to take pics with most everyone who came. Â This sweet lady to the left of me goes to my church, so fun meeting her.
My wonderful friends, Rachel and Douglas, came by and I was so happy they did.  They are old house renovators themselves and I’ve blogged about their beautiful Trammell House before, that they restored from top to bottom.  They live off the Marietta Square.
Everyone had fun roaming around every single room. Â My roommate, Rhonda, hung out upstairs to chat and answer questions.
So nice to sit and visit with these sweet folks from Arkansas. Â Still amazed they drove that far for my Open House, they definitely get the prize for distance driven!
Cheers and fun!
Dad telling stories again. Â He’s so good at that.
He can’t talk without talking with his hands.
Another couple traveled from Anderson, SC to attend and it was great meeting them too. Â There are so many nice folks out there.
Beth got some great candid photos for me and I’m so glad she did. Â This will be a memorable day for me.
Dad getting ready to leave and chatting with someone on the sidewalk.
These sweet gals had me all teary-eyed when they talked about the impact my blog has had on them. Â I’m so happy my story can inspire others that when life is hard, keep your faith. Â Faith has gotten me through some very hard days and I’m so happy to be living on the other side of grace.
Such precious and happy faces all through the day.
I wanted to share the Open House for all of you who didn’t get to attend and again, I’m so sorry that you all didn’t receive my email with the address.  Writing this blog  has been the happiest thing I’ve ever done and I’m still so grateful that God has allowed this to be my job now.  I don’t take it for granted and I don’t take all of you out there for granted either.  I’m truly SO honored that you still stop by and visit with me and want to hang out on my corner of the internet. There are so many blogs out there now and I know time is limited, so the fact that you are all still here just blesses me to no end.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for following my blog, house renovations, travel adventures and family life! Â I couldn’t do it without all of YOU and your support and friendship.
I was so sorry to miss this time, Rhoda ~ would’ve loved to have seen your changes and your sweet folks! Let’s get together soon. xo Heidi
What a terrific time y’all must have had! I followed all the work you did on your blog and I remember being so taken with your daddy! Your parents are adorable and I know that you don’t take them for granted being able to be so involved at their age. My parents were both 86 when they died 18 days apart 2 years ago so seeing your Momma and Daddy brings sweet tears to my eyes. Thankful we both have strong foundations in The Lord and precious parents as our legacy. We are both truly blessed! Thank you again for the pictures, it is all stunning!
Thank you for sharing the Open House. I, once again was unable to attend but with all the wonderful pictures I sure felt as if I had been there. Thank you again and maybe next time I’ll be able to attend.
What a sweet post filled with so many great photos I feel as though I was there. 🙂
Oh, Rhoda, I wish I lived close enough to meet you. I feel like I know you and your family! BTW, am I the only one wondering about dessert buffet recipes?? Any chance of publishing those? Love you and your home. I check your blog every M-F and it is always so fun to see what you’re up to.
So glad that it went well. Looks like everyone had a great time. So fun to see all the smiling faces. maybe the next I will be able to attend : ))
I knew you would have an incredible turnout- wish I could have been there too!
Catherine
Rhoda, Thanks so much for sharing the pictures of your open house. Your life is a great example of what Faith and Love can do. With the help of family and friends, your projects all came together beautifully. You are truly an inspiration!
Well, I am all the way over here in Texas and I would have loved to come. But, these photos give a great wrap up of what looked to be a really fun open house. Besides the fact that your home is gorgeous, your parents are awesome, your projects are interesting, you seem to be one of the nicest people one would ever want to meet. I would love to have a friend like you. It all comes out in your posts. Lucky us that you have chosen to share so much with us!
Loved all the pictures of your open house. I agree with the others, you’ve done a wonderful job of making it pretty AND inviting. My mother would say you’ve made “a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”. Your parents remind me of my own, now deceased, with their involvement in your life. They always had projects going on, and my mama loved nothing better than to “feed” us and our families. When I had a house built, my parents hung the wallpaper for me!
Seeing your zebra/chevron living room rug again, I just had to ask you to share yet one more time the source. And, please, what is the color of the green paint on the table in the living room and the laundry room door? I love the combination of colors you’ve used.
Again, thank you for sharing your home with us! You’ve done a beautiful job.
Hi, Debbie, that rug is called Zebra and is from Shaw Floors, HGTV Collection in Teal. I can’t find it under rugs anymore, but here is the carpet link:
https://shawfloors.com/hgtv-home-flooring/carpet/details/zybra_12_tv243-classic_tan
The green paint on my table is St. Anne by Maison Blanche. The back door green is Antibes by Annie Sloan chalk paint. Both are very similar colors.
Wish I lived closer.Really sweet of you to have an Open House…not once, but twice!!
Rhoda~Glad your open house was a big success! Looks like so many of your readers enjoyed stopping by. Your home is always beautiful and inviting. Looks like your Dad can talk, as much as I do.
What a special day for you and your parents! I know every person who attended was blessed by your southern hospitality and amazing home. How gracious of you to open your home, just as you have your heart on your blog! Congratulations on the successful open house.
Love you, friend,
Vic
I think it’s amazing that you open your home like this for others to come and enjoy! How fun! And I enjoyed being able to share in it through your photos on this post. Your house looks wonderful. Congratulations on all the fine work you have done on your home.
How fun and what a special day! Your home is beautiful and your family even more so!
I am so surprised you remembered my name! (It’s Cat with a C, BTW) Bob and I had SO much fun meeting you, and your folks, and friends! They are all wonderful people. I especially loved your dad; I could have chatted with him all afternoon. We marveled at his wood work. And, Rhoda, your eye for color and pattern is AMAZING! I have never seen an entire house so well coordinated, and relaxing. Wish you could redecorate mine!!! lol. You are very talented, successful, and blessed. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. Big Hug!
Thank you, Cat, for coming by! It was great to meet you too. Thank you so much for the compliments!
Thanks for sharing the fantastic pics from your open house, sorry that I missed it. I drove down from Dalton without your address but just knew I could find you. Maybe you can have a Christmas Open House, that would be fun!
Hello Rhonda,
hat a talented lady and wonderful family. Your house is beautiful I wished you lived near so you could help me. You know how to put things together. You can have nice things but arranging and putting them together is the key. Love you and your family. May God bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rhonda, my e-mail messed up. What a talented lady and wonderful family you have. Can I e-mail you for some decorating advise sometime? Your friend in Christ Jesus!
HI, Ann, thank you for stopping by. I really have limited time these days to help with any decorating projects. So sorry!
Thank you so much for sharing your God given talents with all of us. You are
such a blessing to us. I do have three questions: Where did you get your top,
your Mom’s top and that pretty round coffee table/ottoman?
HI, Rene, thank you so much! The top I have on is by Cabi Clothing, which is online. It was given to me by a friend, so it probably is a past season. I’ll have to find out where Mom’s top came from, maybe Steinmart. The coffee table/ottoman in leather is by Bernhardt and I got it almost 10 years ago.