In the midst of the summer the sun beats in our sunroom windows and heats up the space immeasurably. We had to do something… So we ordered custom solar shades. We weren’t working with a standard width window. We ended up having to get two, because the weight of one in the width we needed would be much too heavy. These shades help so much! We get morning sun in those windows, so we pull the shades and it helps block some of the heat. In the afternoon, sun reflects off of the house next door which makes the glare brutal. These blinds protect the interior from glare and harmful UV rays. They look spectacular, are easy to pull up and down and are just such a nice addition. Another bonus, during the day, you can still see out, even though it looks like the blinds would be solid from the outside. So it is nice to be able to see… it’s like having your cake and eating it too!

Back to normal posting next week – catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Please Close the Gate – enamel sign….

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Featured Artist… Tom Soltesz!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      James Whistler Art Quote

When I see all the beauty in this area, all I can think of is that someone needs to paint it! I guess that someone should be me… but it’s hard to find time to write about art as well as do it. Still, I think I would like to pull out my paints, and instead of going in the direction I was going… maybe try something different… it could be interesting, right? Get out and go try something new today ;)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Charleston Photo: Bowens Island

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Featured Artist… Gene Costanza!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      Most comfortable chair in the world… by Ekornes!

These trees are quite like something in a fairytale… like they could reach out and shake your hand, or move about and speak to each other. They are graceful yet strong, and stunning in every way!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                TGIF!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Butter Bean Salad Recipe

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      Artist to watch… Kevin Beers!

A few years ago we were walking and came upon a few ferns left by the side of the road in the trash. They were beautiful. They were a little tired and thirsty, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. We took them home, repotted them, gave them water and they have been on our front door step ever since. Absolutely gorgeous and so easy to care for!

They’re called a Bottlebrush Fern (also know as a Fox Tail Fern) they are the coolest plants ever! If you live in a climate where these plants thrive, they are definitely something to think about! They’re beautiful and lush green!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Roasted Sweet Potatoes… Recipe by Tyler Florence!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Featured Artist… Elizabeth Tolley!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      Bose Radio – slick as can be!

Sweet, isn’t it? I love African Violets. June, 6, 2007, when our Jack Russell “Reggie” passed away, a sweet neighbor gave us a beautiful violet. The violet florished for years. Then it started to droop seriously. We just repotted it, so I am hopeful. But I have been on the lookout for another. I used to see them everywhere. Grocery stores, Lowes, but all of a sudden… nowhere. Well, one of those sick days last week when Fred was running to the store he ran by Hyam’s Nursery on James Island (SC), and found this. Someone came in and bought every large one, but they had these small ones, and they’re beautiful. He bought a self watering pot which is beautiful, but how do you use it? Do you leave water in it? How much? If not how often do you water? I watered my old one once a week (setting it in a container with water so it could soak in from the bottom)…

It’s a beauty! Thank you Fred!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:               X Factor Auditions – Charleston (2013) 

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Featured Artist… Robert Spooner!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      Richard Diebenkorn Quote

High tide… much prettier than low tide. Stunning with these live oak trees with the moss…

Have a great Sunday! Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Tiptoe through the tulips…

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Featured Artist… Kim English!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      A gorgeous kitchen faucet from ELKAY!

I took this photo the other night while I was in the study… after a week of having flu like symptoms (had a flu shot, so not sure what it was), I am still trying to come back to the land of the living. This day I couldn’t make it off the sofa, and food still doesn’t have any appeal whatsoever… whaaaat??!! Yeah, I know. One heck of a diet, ha ha… Anyway, thankful for my phone camera, I saw Fred sitting down to eat, Charlie underneath his feet, the light in the window, the wine glass… this looks perfectly staged, like in a magazine. I’m not here to say it always looks like this, ha ha… it doesn’t. I love this photo!

That’s my post for today… keeping it short the next few days…  Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Featured Artist… Craig Mitchell!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Gas lantern: A great way to dress up a house!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      2011 Time Change…