Sweet, huh? I love this photo… I remember this day vividly, because I dressed nice. I had a cute skirt and matching shirt, but then had to put those big leggings on (that’s what they were called way back when). Oh the stress of being young, ha ha… wouldn’t it be nice to only worry about little things that don’t matter? Most of us probably still do… I need to get better about not worrying about the little stuff… join me in my crusade, ha ha…
This photo was taken several years ago… at Christmas time… the grass was beautifully blanketed with snow just in time for the arrival of my in laws. I was thrilled that they would see the beauty that I spoke of. They did great driving around in it. We had a wonderful time. It seems like during the winter you cook… and eat… and cook… and eat… Whew! My parents live on a big river, and across the river is Canada. Big hunks of ice float by, sometimes getting jammed. The river is entertainment all year around!
By the time you read this I am headed back from this magical place. Back to the sunny south. That same sun that I curse in the summer I adore in the winter months. When you live in Charleston, you really shouldn’t complain about the winter, ha ha… I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
Update… today, 12.14.13 – funny that I chose this photo for today… over a week ago I wrote this post. Today, as I get ready to pack up and head to the airport it will be the snowiest day of the year 4-6″ expected by tonight! Windy and snow… absolutely beautiful, but…
Catch you back here tomorrow! I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
Warm golden light. That gorgeous light that makes you look healthy and tan (ha ha)… it gives you a glow. Well, it does the same thing for the buildings. Charleston, SC is such a beautiful city. The history, architecture, food, and art galleries are beyond compare. Everywhere you look you see gorgeous settings just like this one! If you aren’t from this area, stop by, check it out… visit the restaurants, stores and galleries. You’ll be coming back year after year!
Truly, one of the best places to walk around – Especially with a camera! This golden light is incredible, just as it is in a painting, to see it in real life, well, it just makes everything look so much better!
The Dock Street Theater is a beautiful building with quite a bit of history! Did you know that this was “America’s First Theater”? Wow… It’s one of my favorites to photograph… check it out next time you’re in town! They have a wonderful lineup of shows, we’re very fortunate to have them in our city!
Here’s a blip from their website (click the link to read more!):
America’s First Theatre
On February 12, 1736 the Dock Street Theatre opened with a performance of The Recruiting Officer. Built on the corner of Church Street and Dock Street (now known as Queen Street), the Historic Dock Street Theatre was the first building in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances. Flora, the first opera performance in America, took place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.
Philadelphia Alley (nicknamed “Dueling Alley”)… located between Cumberland and Queen Street in the French Quarter of Charleston, SC, this is one historic alley. Read more about it HERE. Fascinating, isn’t it??
This is also Charlie’s favorite little walk downtown… gotta keep the puppy happy, right? If you get a chance, check it out… too cool for words!
A friend of ours came to town for a visit… I made lasagna… we were starving… *DING*ahhhh, time to take it out of the oven, woohoo!! It smelled wonderful… I reached into the drawer and grabbed a few hot pads, opened the oven door, reached in and grabbed each handle with a hot pad and WHOOSH! What??!!!!!! The handle from the lasagna pan broke and it spilled down the front of the door of the oven (inside)… Immediately Ken DeWaard (what a guy) said, IT’S FINE, JUST SCOOP IT BACK IN THE PAN… Fred was wonderful… If it were anyone but those two I probably would have had at least a brief, ahhhh, “moment”, but Ken’s next words were… POUR HER A GLASS OF WINE… that was funny to me. Really, I don’t get that worked up. But, I WAS hungry… I scooped it back in and we ate out of the side that didn’t break… then tossed the rest. I should probably always have a pizza in the freezer or something… what else would I say? Can I offer you a bowl of Raisin Bran? ha… If you own a Giada lasagna pan from Target – there is a RECALL! Take it back…. No one got hurt or burned, the stove is just a disaster…
This is why you always fill out a registration card (if there is one… there wasn’t for this):
Broken handle… pan used three times…
The result… (this is after a few cleanings, yes, really!)… this looks better than real life… believe me!
I thought this looked like quite a festive painting… no holiday decorations of any kind, but the cool blue of the sky, all the “twinkling” lights from the cars and St. Michael’s fabulous steeple…
As I write this it is chilly outside. Freezing cold chilly… OK, not freezing cold, because I am in Charleston, SC, but 48 degrees F, “feels like 42” and windy feels like -10F… I guess its because I’ve been here so long? There is nothing like a toasty fire to warm your bones (and your feet!)… I’m looking so forward to one this evening!
I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite things with you on occasion… and Jo Malone perfume is definitely on that list! I’m not a big perfume wearer. I’m not one who likes to walk around in a heavy cloud of scent. I am sensitive to other people possibly not liking my choice in perfume, so I keep it light. I like clean fresh scents. A light spritz will do, although with Jo Malone perfume you can use more without being overpowering, which is nice. One cool thing about their perfume, is that some of the scents are unisex. The fresher scents tend to be that way, like the Lime, Basil & Mandarin scent. It’s so nice…
You can also layer perfume with different scents. I haven’t done that yet, and most likely won’t, I’m happy with a spritz of one or the other… But if this interests you, Nordstrom has a Fragrance Combining Menu for Jo Malone fragrances. For example, it shows you can mix the Lime, Basil, Mandarin (top) with Grapefruit (above). I’ve also read that those who wear citrus scents are perceived as being up to 8 years younger than those who wear other scents… excuse me while I go spritz!!
One of my last favorites is the Amber and Lavender… lovely scent, so unique. A clean, calming scent… I like this one a lot in the winter… don’t know why. These photos are 3.4 oz bottles, but they also come in 1 oz bottles which last a long time. It’s wonderful if you visit a store that carries Jo Malone. Nordstrom carries it in the store and online – free shipping and free returns… can’t beat it!
I know I’ve mentioned it before… but, if you haven’t made your way to Botany Bay you don’t know what you’re missing! It’s like traveling back in time. There is a short, but beautiful walk you can take to the beach. You aren’t allowed to take shells (big fine), which is actually kind of nice because you see what a beach would look like if no one were to mess with it. It’s awe inspiring! This day just happened to rain while we were walking to the beach, but you can see the clear sky peaking through the clouds!
This geranium sits in an office window on Broad Street. It is beautiful year after year… wonder if it’s the same one? Look at that wonderful light! As I write this we are in the midst of an “arctic blast” of cold weather. My fingers feel like they are about to crack… some of this sun would feel mighty nice right now! As you read this I believe our temps are supposed to warm up quite nicely! Woohoo, gotta love Charleston, SC!
INLET RETREAT – House plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
Allison Ramsey Architects always has fabulous house plans to choose from. They have homes of all shapes and sizes with all sorts of layouts, if you’re in the market to build a new house I would not hesitate contacting these people. They truly know what they’re doing. This is the INLET RETREAT plan (C0037). This house is 2210 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It has been built with all kinds of different looks on the outside. From the cottage look to a mountain cabin look, each is unique and inspiring!
INLET RETREAT – House plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
This is a nice open plan with a master bedroom downstairs, as well as a guest bedroom/bathroom. I like the living room in the back of the house, it seems more private that way. Personally I would make the den an office/reading room. Matter-of-fact, since we don’t have guests that often, I think I might make the den the guest room and make the front bedroom and office/reading room. I would make it nice and cozy… Oh, yeah, that sounds delightful! I could work on my blog, then curl up with a good book as light streams in through the window… This is what you call gracious living…
INLET RETREAT – House plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
The upstairs is the third bedroom/bathroom as well as loft space. I might even make this loft space and storage (stick the dreadmill, oh, I mean treadmill up there… where you can’t see it). Maybe build some nice storage space around the perimeter where there aren’t windows. Storage space is always a good thing!
See images of actual INLET RETREAT homes that were built, it really helps you get an idea of what it will look like, and see how differently the house can look depending upon your personal style!
Contact the architects at info@allisonramseyarchitect.com or 843.986.0559 to verify square footage, house dimensions and additional information or to purchase a set of plans. Their house plans show how their attention to detail time after time makes them a great architect to choose!
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