Charlie’s BFF! A sweet lady with Southern hospitality!

Charlie had such an adventure on second Sunday last week (Second Sunday is an event downtown where they close off part of King Street to car traffic on the second Sunday of each month. You see people walking in the streets, vendors are set up, some of the stores expand a little outdoors, some of the restaurants offer outdoor dining, it’s a great time to be downtown Charleston, SC) , I just had to share! Here he is on his way… he’s having the time of his life, make no mistake! There is nothing this dog loves more than riding in the car! And there’s nothing like feeling the wind in your hair fur, right Charlie?

I happen to get this shot on a quieter part of the street. Even though it had rained briefly and the humidity rose to approximately 999% we headed out on an adventure with Charlie… headed downtown window shopping! We had the best time, went in Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Ω (I think was the name of it, a cool new yoga clothing store), and a few others… then we entered… heaven in his eyes… Charleston Place Hotel. For those of you who haven’t stayed it’s a treat. They treat you like royalty. The food… DIVINE. The people that work there… AWESOME! Even if you live here, it’s a nice place for a special occasion… it’s more than a hotel, there are lots of shops as well, Gucci, etc. etc. well we walked Charlie through it without going in any stores, then grabbed a bench where he was beyond delighted to see other people as well as a few dogs! Then to his surprise he met his new BFF (Best Friend Forever)… she offered him water. She put down a white napkin and set out a cup of water. This dog was so thirsty, bless her for that. It was very warm and humid outside and we were attempting to recover. Charlie is shy around people. He’ll usually run behind me and hide until he gets to know you OR unless you have a piece or two of bacon… I’m telling you it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! Bonita is her name, and she is the nicest person. We truly enjoyed talking with her! We’ll go back to the Palmetto Cafe one day for breakfast, just so we can thank her and tell her hello! A bright light in a day that truly felt like one of the warmest saunas ever!

It wasn’t easy to snap a shot, this dog was EXCITED! He’s never had bacon before… and let me tell you HE LOVED IT! Now if you say the word “bacon” or “Bonita” he goes crazy! I’m quite sure he will remember her all the days of his life!

That’s the cool thing about Charleston, SC. The hospitality. Where else in the world could you go and have a stranger offer you water for your dog as well as a treat? Just the nicest kindest woman ever. Truly a person that likes people and it shows. I wonder if Charleston Place/Palmetto Grill knows what an asset they’ve got in an employee like that?! Someone who can make a difference in someones life with a simple gesture. Bless you Bonita, you’re too cool!

Hey, go make a difference in someone’s life and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

House renovation – Charleston, SC… this one’s going to be a winner!

There has been a house in our neighborhood that has been sold “as is”, it needed quite a bit of work. Recently a developer purchased it and he and his team are renovating it. It’s a cool house and we had all hoped that he wouldn’t tear it down and build a new house, however… once they started to gut the house they found issue after issue (it had to be gutted, no way around it, the house needed maintenance in the worst possible way and lets just say either there are some ginormous termites running around Charleston or there was dry rot or something, but it seems like every wood surface was eaten or rotten (yep, my professional opinion since I know so much about it… ok, so that’s what it looked like to me anyway). These people are fixing this house the right way. I think each time they start another project on this house they find more problem which results in higher costs to tear out and fix, but in the end this house is going to be a beauty! Riverland Builders also built a cottage on an empty lot on this same street and it’s lovely. Has a front porch that is so inviting, a side porch that is screened with a gas fireplace, perfect for reading the paper with your cup of coffee on nice days. The house is sweet as can be. They built a larger home in the next subdivision over where the homes are larger. Another beauty with meticulous details. I am looking so forward to seeing the end result of this house. I saw the before and it was horrible… beyond horrible. So kudos to those who work hard to save what’s there. It really is such a cool house with a fabulous porch, and will be a dream come true for some lucky family once they finish!

The horrible fence is now gone, whoa did that ever help the appearance! They’re adding on a laundry room and a porch (rumor has it)… will keep y’all posted on the progress. It’s going to be very cool! I hear they’ve added a bit more upstairs, you can see by the brick how much has been added… new roof which looks very nice… This project is being taken on by Riverland Builders – website is coming soon!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo… Charlie’s momma…

When Charlie, our Jack Russell Terrier, starts acting crazy I tell him he looks like his momma… not me, i’m dog momma, thankyouverymuch… he looks like his real momma… Miss Oakley (pictured above). Sure she looks quiet and sweet in that photo… but she’s wild and crazy, all in a very good way. I believe this is who Charlie gets his wild moments from. They are hilarious.

Have to add a picture of our Charlie… can you see the resemblence?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Photo: Peonies… gotta love them!

Peonies. My absolute-all-time-without-a-doubt-favorite-in-the-whole-wide-world flower is growing (in Michigan) at my parents house, my sisters house, the neighbors house and no one is cutting them and putting in vases. “WHY??” I asked. Because they’re full of ants… what? I couldn’t just leave a bumper crop of gorgeous pink beauty sitting out on a shrub in the backyard, so we cut a few, put them in a mason jar, it was BEAUTY! Until… the darn ants. Not one, not two, but LOTS of ants… I tried setting the vase in a bowl of water, my thought was that it would make a mote and the ants would croak (I just know the PETA people are going to get me one day, but bugs and I simply cannot coexist. No. Possible. Way. Period.). We plucked ants off the blooms until we couldn’t take it anymore and took them back outside. So what’s the deal? Can YOU bring peonies inside YOUR house? If so what’s your secret? Why the darn ants? I wonder if you cut the blossom before it bloomed if that would work, or are the ants already fast at work? I know the peonies that I’ve gotten from Harris Teeter (grocery store) have been gorgeous and ant free :) we may not be able to grow peonies here, but we can have them in a vase, hee.

Hey! Want to mention one more thing… H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y  M A X ! ! Our godson Max is 14 today! Whoa, time flies! Hey, Max… do you remember this photo (ha… taken in 2000) with “Uncle Fred” on the front porch? Good times! You were a cutie then, you’re a cutie now and we love you more than anything, even if you are taller than me now! Have a great birthday! xoxo us

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Gardenias… the party is almost over!

When the gardenias start to bloom in Charleston, SC there is the most fabulous aroma that drifts through the air… usually during that time we are able to have our windows open, which is an added bonus for sure! The gardenias are on their way out… We’ve enjoyed them so much and look forward to them again next year! Thankfully, now the hydrangeas are in full bloom… woot woot! Need to go grab that mason jar… makes a nice little vase!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: St. Phillips Episcopal Church…

Here’s a photo of St. Phillips Episcopal Church (founded in 1680!) located in downtown Charleston, SC. It’s a gorgeous church, one that has been photographed and painted oh so many times. It’s in the heart of the city, near the market and all the other happening locations.

Hope you are all having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Wow, Memorial Day… ALREADY!?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC

Well the Spoleto Festival is here! The city is packed with people and the Dock Street Theatre is a happening place! Don’t you just love this door color… it’s so… Charleston! Click HERE to read about the history of the Dock Street Theatre!

Enjoy your time here if you’re visiting… and if you live here, are you attending any of the performances? Let me know, I’m excited to hear about what people are going to see and how they liked it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

This will be Fred and I moving to Maine… 137 sq feet!

Tumbleweed Tiny Houses – Fencl Plan

This is how I picture Fred and I moving to Maine… we’ll pack up the house and find a nice little spot near water, a general store, a bakery, and a grocery store… ha ha. IS THIS NOT THE COOLEST PHOTO? Look at this house! This is one of the bigger in the Tumbleweed Tiny House plans... it’s the Fencl plan. Could you do it? I’m thinking we could maybe do it if we parked the U-Haul under a tree to store all of our stuff in, ha ha. Click on the link under the photo to see the interior shots (shown furnished). Is it ever SWEET! Take a look at the other houses they have, it’s just so interesting to me! I first heard about these tiny houses on Colin Pages Journal. Colin is a cool guy that mentions not only art, but all kinds of neat things, this being one of them! The smallest house starts at 65 square feet AND INCLUDES A KITCHEN AND BATHROOM! The larger cottages range from 261-874 square feet. These things are cool, check out the interior photos!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Let me start of by saying how thankful I am for having such an awesome mom. She’s the coolest of all moms, funny, sweet, loving and strong. Very, very strong. I bet she doesn’t realize that (do you mom?)… Anyone that can get through cancer is a tough cookie, and to go through it with a great attitude is a big accomplishment, as well as being such an inspiration. I think I’m going to start calling my mom “Grace”… she’s got lots of it!

I’m also thankful for my mother-in-law. I know there are the standard jokes about mother-in-laws being dragon ladies… I lucked out (again) and got a super sweet lady, just like me, hee…

I know some of you no longer have your moms… I’m so sorry, holidays can be so tough. I hope you are able to keep your mom in all your good thoughts. You do know she can still hear you when you talk to her, right? That’s a small comfort…

Lots of you are mom’s… hard work no doubt. Personally, I’m a dog mom. The cards didn’t fall in my favor with the ‘having a kid’ thing, so Mother’s Day has it’s moments for me as well… But I am Charlie’s mom (woof)… and I’m a good dog mom, ha ha… (PSSST, Charlie you’re a lucky dog!)

H A P P Y  M O T H E R’ S  D A Y ! ! !

Come on Charlie, lets go play in the sprinkler! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Vintage Image via: VintageScrapbooking.blogspot.com

Charleston Photo: Fishing at Bowen’s Island…

Last time we were at Bowen’s Island we met the coolest group of women. They were out on the dock fishing and having the time of their lives. They had such a great attitude. It was chilly, it was windy, and eventually they all left, EXCEPT for this lady… she stayed to catch all the fish. I hope she did, she was a trip!

I love people who have great attitudes, what a difference they can make in other people’s lives! It’s not what you have (materialistically), its all about what you have in your heart, and this woman had plenty!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Dog Show, Saturday May 5, 2012… LOOK AT THIS DOG!

Is this not the most hilarious dog you’ve ever seen? It truly looks like an old fashioned mop… maybe dreadlocks? I don’t know, but I’m thinking if it were my dog I would name it SWIFFER…? Ha ha… What a sweetie this dog is! This image isn’t from the Charleston Dog Show, it’s an image that’s been circulating Facebook, so I’m not sure who to give credit to, just know that I did not take this photo, wish I did, but…

Well, it’s that time of year… the Charleston Dog Show is TODAY. The location is at Marion Square  (downtown Charleston, SC) and the time is from 9AM – 2PM. Click HERE for the Class Schedule! Admission is free, there are ‘canine concessions’ and a good time is to be had by all! Bring your dog (must be vaccinated and on a regular (non-retractible) leash. From the Charleston Dog Show website:

We are pleased to invite you to the 9th year celebration of the Charleston Dog Show…….a fun family event for Lowcountry dogs and their owners.

We will begin with a Blessing of the Dogs, followed by friendly canine competition, dog vendors and silent auction with pet art, microchipping and dog demos in our new Show Ring, dog rescue village, children’s activities, educational booths, canine concessions and much more! 


Another event that goes along with the dog show is the… Bambu Best in Show Bash! A blip from the Charleston Dog Show website

Back by popular demand, the Bambu Best in Show Bash offers fashionista canines the chance to rock the red carpet in a spring fashion show.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and include appetizers, beer and wine. Canine model entry fee is $15.

All proceeds benefit the Charleston Dog Show. Tickets can be purchased at etix.com.

Click HERE for more info! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Did hell freeze over? Did the fat lady sing?

Nope, but Ken DeWaard came to town and got me to paint! A miracle? Yes, indeed! If you aren’t familiar with Ken’s work, check it out! He’s got a great website… http://kendewaard.com !

I was quite thankful that I had backup… had a great time no doubt! My painting was more of an exercise, takes the pressure off, well, for the most part anyway!

Ken’s painting… genius! AND it looked so easy… If you look closely you can probably see steam coming out of my ears I’m thinking so hard… but had the best time! Thanks Ken! (And thank you Fred!!)

Hey, this is the perfect opportunity to mention Florida’s Forgotton Coast Plein Air Invitational – Ken will be participating in this plein air event, and from the photos of last years work WHOA!… so be checking his website after the event is over for the latest pieces!

Hey! I want to also give a shout out to Carlisle Stroud… (Fred’s dad)…

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y ! ! We wish you the happiest birthday. EVER! xxoo us

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Jack’s Cosmic Dogs, the best hotdogs of all time… a cool concept no doubt!

We have the coolest restaurants in Charleston, SC. Some are fancy and expensive, some are cheap and bare bones… then we have some really creative people that come up with the coolest concepts. As Holly Herrick described Jack’s Cosmic Dogs where the Jetson’s meets “Happy Days”!” The other day when we were there we each got a hotdog, shared (which was hard because they were really good) fries, coleslaw and an iced tea. It was too tasty! Here are a few quotes from Jack’s Cosmic Dogs website , photos from their website, photo above is from their Facebook page! If you haven’t been… go now!

“Jack’s serves up the best hot dogs I’ve ever had. Ever.
Food Channel star Alton Brown

“Out-of-this-world dogs, flash back to the fifties at
this hot dog shack, and enjoy heaven on a bun.”

Southern Living Magazine- November 05

“The Jetson’s meet ‘Happy Days’ at this hip, hot dog joint.”
Post and Courier Food Critic Holly Herrick

“The Cosmic Dog…almost a new food group.”
Channel 2 Reporter

“This retro slice of American nostalgia, Voted Best Hot Dog in Charleston last 5 years.”Charleston City Paper

Catch you back here tomorrow!