St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church – Charleston, SC against a stunning blue sky! If you’ve visited Charleston, SC, chances are you’ve seen this beautiful church – we have many stunning churches, this one is located across from Marion Square (where the Farmer’s Market is on Wednesdays). So much history in Charleston, SC!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
We found a little bit of Michigan while at Bowens Island Restaurant a few weeks ago (Charleston, SC). How cool is that? You NEVER know what you’ll find – that’s the cool part about that place – other than their food… AMAZING!
(Bowens is closed Sunday and Monday) – Catch you back here tomorrow!
A few weeks ago we had dinner at Bowen’s Island then perused the dock before we headed back to the car. I can ALWAYS capture great photos at Bowens Island – in addition to a fabulous dinner!
Looks like a painting, doesn’t it? Too cool!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Recently I heard about a very “Art, Food, Home” type event. It’s called “The Conference on the Front Porch” and it’s being held at The Mill at Plein Air – in Taylor, MS – so if you are anywhere near Mississippi and want to be part of something really cool, you may want to check this out. This event is October 18-19, 2017.
Here’s a quick summation from Campbell McCool:
Our conference focuses on the significance of what the front porch represents. What forces drove it out of popularity after WWII. What brought it roaring back. How communities changed as a result.
This year John T. Edge is keynote speaker – head of Southern Foodways Symposium. Bill Dunlap is speaking on the front porch and art. Scott Baretta on how the blues came to be as a result of the front porch. Cooter Ramsay, (from Beaufort), on the resurgence of front porch communities.
As you’ll see from their website, this event celebrates the front porch – music & food, but even more than that – there are going to be some great speakers including:
John T Edge (writer and more), Scott Barretta (blue’s historian), William Dunlap (artist and sculptor), John Maxwell (theater), Cooter Ramsey (architect with Allison Ramsey Architects), Jay Watson (Professor of Faulkner Studies), Curtis Wilkie (journalist, college professor and historian), Tricia Walker (singer/songwriter), Garlan Gudger, JR (owner of Southern Accents – the South’s largest collection of architectural antiques), Michael Dolan (journalist, television writer/producer and author) and Ralph Eubanks (author). Read more about each of these speakers on their website!
This conference is open to architects, developers, planners, social historians and everyone who loves a porch. I usually try to feature house plans with at least one porch. Porches are vital living spaces – a place to congregate with friends or neighbors, a place to have your morning coffee and read the paper, or a place to spend the day. I grew up with a house with a porch overlooking the river in Michigan. In the summer it seems watching the river, the boats, the activity is much more fun than being inside watching the television.
Registration for this unique event include six meals, an evening porch concert and a porch play. This is so creative and sounds like such a good time!
Click HERE to register – this is the second year of this conference and it’s a hit! Registration is limited to the first 180 people who sign up.
Wondering where to stay – oh, so beautiful!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I skimmed my photos looking for a photo that doesn’t make it look like I am my age. Ha. Good luck with that. The fact is, as time goes on, even though you feel the same way you always have in your heart (well, add in a few aches and pains) it’s an undeniable fact that if you are lucky to still be on this earth, you are going to age.
I remember the exact day I discovered I was no longer “young”. My parents had flown in from MI and we were all going on a cruise out of Charleston, SC. We were on a shuttle full of young, very excited kids. I didn’t think anything of it until one young girl said “Ma’am, I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re on a bus full of young people – it’s SPRING BREAK!!”
My first inclination was to turn around and look behind me. Surely there was a very old person sitting there. No… she was talking to me. Then it hit me. Wow. I AM NOT YOUNG. I really never thought of myself any other way, so that was a big HELLO! It didn’t make me sad, it made me laugh actually. I mean, really, what else can you do? (After a week with young college age kids on Spring Break let me tell you – I was never so happy to not be young. Ha ha… I am completely happy exactly where I’m at!)
There are magic potions and treatment to help reverse. I clearly don’t use them. I’m trying to be positive here, every wrinkle is from a life well lived. I am so fortunate to be married to such a wonderful man, have a great family who are all healthy – this is truly a gift, the best birthday gift you could ask for when you think about it!
So I spend my birthdays going forward feeling blessed, and thankful. Thankful for friends and connections made over the years, for the ability to spend time with my husband and little beast Charlie (and of course for the ability to write this blog 😉). I’m thankful for my parents and sister and all my family in MI and sprinkled throughout the country – I’m thankful for Fred’s parents and family, all nearby… When you wake up in the morning – it’s a good day! Be mindful of all you have to be thankful for. If you see someone in need, do your best to help, in whatever way is possible for you.
Now, when your birthday rolls around – remember these words – don’t stress about the small stuff. Life is short – enjoy each day…
As for the “another year wiser” – lets hope so!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is the The Meridian Residence House Plan by Lake + Land Studio. This plan is 1,894 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. This is a gorgeous home designed to be built like they used to build them. Quality and class. I think this plan has so much curb appeal. Especially since it DOES have a garage, you just drive behind the house to access it. So nice! Another bonus… those dormers – precious windows add so much character!
The first floor plan starts with an large front porch, a place that expands the foot print of the house in terms of usability. (Can you imagine the time that can be spent on that wonderful porch?) The porch leads into the main area living/dining/kitchen area – note the side porch with an entrance to the master bedroom – wow! There is a nice size master suite, plentiful closets – I’m not sure if this is a viable option, but for us, we aren’t tub people, so I would see if there would be a way to move the laundry into the master bath and turn the existing laundry into a pantry. This is a sweet plan, with great storage and livable options…
Upstairs only adds to the options… that bedroom on the front with the three dormer windows – LOVE IT! It could also make a good studio, that still leaves you with a guest room! I think it’s great that Lake + Land thought of using attic space for storage, we all need that… well, most of us!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Are you going to be one of the many people to watch the eclipse next week (August 21, 2017)? If so you want to be sure you have safe eclipse glasses – regular sunglasses are in no way sufficient! (The eclipse glasses shown above are by American Paper Optics).
We have ours and are ready to watch! There is so much interesting information going around about what happens during an eclipse. I thought this was so interesting: Weird Things That Happen with a Total Solar Eclipse from a blog (Astro Maven).
Read more from NASA re: Eclipse 2017 Safety!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is the New Wyntuck house plan (572) by architect John Tee. This gorgeous home has so much visual appeal with its stacked stone and cedar shingle siding! As always, there are modifications that can be made to this plan to better suit your needs if you desire. This plan is 2,638 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
I do like how the garage on the left doesn’t look like a garage from the front. You enter from the side, very nice.
Areas of this plan are open where others are not. Which comes in handy, especially if you have small children or pets that you need to contain at times. There is a bedroom/study on the front of the house that I would use as a library – a place to get away where it’s quiet. However, if you need another bedroom… Ta-da! Also notice the stairway, it’s an option – it can go down to a basement or upstairs to a loft/second floor. Without the stairway this could be configured into a very cool area. So many options!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
All images via JohnTee.com, used with permission…
Sometimes images in black and white are more dramatic, don’t you think? Gas lights have so much character – they give off such nice warm light.
Happy Sunday to you! Can you believe tomorrow is already Monday? Where does the time go?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is the Wiggins Street Cottage house plan (113102) by Allison Ramsey Architects. This plan is 2,258 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. It’s a classic beauty, isn’t it? So much curb appeal! Love the front porch, dormers, roof line, etc. but just wait until you see the layout of this plan!
The main floor has a generous great room, as well as a kitchen, sun room, powder room and master suite. So many possibilities regarding layout! That’s what’s so nice!
The upstairs has two more bedrooms, a sitting room, bathroom, laundry room and large finished bonus room. Think of what you could do with that space! Check out their website for more plans!
Check their website for real images! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Sullivans Island Buoy – South Carolina
You can tell it’s hot from this photo. It looks hot. Steamy even. How nice to be a bird, catching the breeze, taking a dip and then swooping up and into the breeze once again.
Enjoy your Sunday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
Saltwater Rest by Flatfish Island Designs
This is the Saltwater Rest house plan by Flatfish Island Designs. This plan is 2,686 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. In addition to the front porch, you will see a wrap around porch in the back/sides of this plan. Can you imagine? This is a classic design that will look beautiful anywhere you place it!
I especially love how the bedrooms are situated. Master bedroom/bathroom on one side and two guest rooms, each with their own bathroom on the opposite side of the house. Lovely if you’re a guest!
This is an open plan (living/dining/kitchen) with a stunning kitchen and a separate dining room (or office, etc.) – flexibility – Flatfish Island Designs have beautiful plans that are perfect for good living!
Check out their website for more plans – Catch you back here tomorrow!
All images via FlatfishIslandDesigns.com, used with permission…
This is the 78 Biloxi Street House Plan by Our Town Plans. This plan is 2,473 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Two stories of front porch, can you imagine? This plan can also be situated on a lot in a few ways – which makes it quite a gem! I love a screened porch upstairs – when the mosquitoes come out you can head up to your very own sanctuary – what’s not to love about this?
Another nice feature with this plan is the carport that attaches to the house. It’s a sharp look! This plan has an open Living/Dining/Kitchen – it also has a pantry/laundry (woohoo!) as well as a downstairs Study/Den – which is so convenient, a great place to read, or as a separate Den or guest room. It’s also nice to have a little nook to set up your computer, perfect for pulling up recipes while cooking! Click HERE to see some real life photos, from the OurTownPlans.com website!
There are three bedrooms upstairs, each with their own bathrooms. Two of these bedrooms have a private screen porch. Heavenly! You can always count on Our Town Plans to deliver top notch plans with so many quality details.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Beautiful right? I waited for those birds to glide into this photo, and they made it amazing! That and the rays from the sun. This was taken at Crosby’s Seafood (Folly Road) – Charleston, SC several years ago. Check out their Facebook page – gorgeous photos!
🇺🇸 Holiday week 🇺🇸 – Back to normal posting – TOMORROW!
Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
I snapped this photo with my phone while at Hyams Garden Center. Oh, what a treat this place is! Love the sky reflected in the water! These lilies are absolute perfection!
🇺🇸 Holiday week 🇺🇸 – posting photos daily for the many of you who are away from the computer. Not a bad idea, enjoy yourselves! Back to normal posting next week…
Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
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