Today is Christmas, and I wish you the merriest! Good tidings to you…!
The only old Christmas photo that I could find was teeny tiny. That’s the Fidler family when we lived in St. Clair Shores, MI. Christmas was always a magical time!
To my family… I MISS YOU GUYS… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
To all of you… I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and I thank you for checking in with me! Have a wonderful day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
I can’t believe I remember this photo like I did the one a year earlier! I remember it because I was mad. I dressed up for Santa. We had our little skirts with matching shirts on, but because of the cold Michigan snow, we had to wear our leggings (really mom???? ha ha), then I wanted to take mine off first, but it was my turn to hop up on Santa’s lap, and since Santa “knows when you’ve been good or bad” I decided to go with it. I felt a need to explain “the look”! Can’t you just see the excitement in Bridget’s face? The way she’s got her hands clasped together tightly? PRECIOUS. Santa is awesome!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I’m trying to think up some unique gifts to showcase peppered in amongst my normal posts… Have you seen a Mark Roberts Fairy? They are the most magical little creatures! Every year there are new designs. They come showcased in a nice box. It’s a great gift for that someone on your list that LOVES Christmas and decorating! They have fairies for specials causes (for every purchase of selected Limited Edition Fairies, a portion goes to breast cancer research)…
The Support the Troops Fairy, for every purchase of selected Limited Edition Fairies, a portion goes to The Wounded Warrior Project…
They have fairies for different life events, like a new baby, etc…
And… of course there are many Christmas fairies to choose from!
Google MARK ROBERTS FAIRIES to see more! I received my first one as a gift many years ago, it came from Nordstrom. Locally we have bought them at Finnicky Filly on King Street, to give as gifts… It doesn’t look like any of the online sites are operated BY Mark Roberts, but they do use his name…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Wow, I didn’t think I remembered back when I was four, but hey, I totally remember this! I remember going to see Santa (such excitement), and I remember my sister Bridget wouldn’t have her picture taken with Santa. Afraid of Santa? Geez… that’s gutsy, not me, I hopped up on his lap, and recited my list that I had most likely practiced for quite some time. (Don’t remember what was on the list, ha ha…).
Part of the happiness of Christmas, or the holidays in general are the memories that come with making the meals, decorating the tree (or setting out the Menorah, etc.). It doesn’t matter what nationality you are, each of us, if we’re fortunate, has good memories that we want to replicate year after year. I was so fortunate to have such a great childhood. No worries, just had a great time, all the time (or at least that’s what I remember). Great parents, a sister who was a best friend, even though she did follow me around and repeat everything I said. It was cool to be the “old one” as my dad refers to me now… I always got to be the teacher (sorry Bridget), I got to be the cashier, while Bridget had to push a chair around with canned goods… Christmas was magical. It still is. Pass the magic on. If you know of anyone who is missing the magic, spread the cheer. No one should be lonely any time of year, but especially this time of year… Be an angel, remember… LIFE IS GOOD!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Several years ago on Christmas night my husband and I were riding around downtown Charleston, SC. Then he covered my eyes and told me he was taking me to my Christmas gift… WHAT???!!! I was trying to pay attention (good luck, I don’t do so well when I can see, HA), but we kept making turns so I had NO idea where we were. He stopped the car. Still unable to see he helped me out of the car and walked me up to the window… I opened my eyes, took in the sight and said… “ME Barbara, YOU Fred?????!!!!!” Not meaning to sound like Tarzan, I just couldn’t believe that the tag on the painting in the window that everyone can see was TO: Barbara FROM: Fred. Holy Cow! That was so special. Thanks to Eva and to Karin Olah, the gallery manager at the time, for making it so special! Do I have a cool husband or what? What fun!
You know how it is when you know about something so wonderful that you just want to get the word out? Last year my parents bought me this Down and Fleece Throw from Eddie Bauer. We were in Michigan, it was cold, I used it immediately. I. COULD. NOT. BELIEVE. IT! This thing radiates heat just like an electric blanket with the added bonus of no plug! It’s filled with 550 Goose Down and let me tell you it could not be warmer. It’s good looking, generously sized, does great in the washing machine/dryer. So if you’re looking to give a wonderful gift, this is a start! It’s $99 OR $49 WITH ANY PURCHASE! Trust me, it’s worth every penny!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
DO WHAT YOU LIKE – LIKE WHAT YOU DO, the motto for Life Is Good. How brilliant for a company to come up with positive messages on high quality t-shirts, a simple but happy design. They have a few Christmas long sleeve t-shirts for women. I happen to love them both (dilemma)…
I like their short sleeve, long sleeve, holiday, regular, yoga, and pssssst, their socks to wear at night… AWESOME! Enjoy! Oh, did I mention free shipping and free returns? Yep. A great company indeed. Note: Locally they also sell LIFE IS GOOD on Market Street downtown Charleston, SC…!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
My husband and I took a ride through a few of Charleston’s beautiful cemeteries. Let me just say, you go back in time. They are old, very very old and the photo ops are amazing. YES, it would help to have a camera with you… These were taken with my phone on a cloudy day, but I think you can still see how spectacular the view is. The magnificent grand live oak trees are everywhere, it’s a beautiful place. There were several people out with big cameras taking advantage of the day… NEXT TIME I will bring a camera, sigh…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Is this one sweet pan or what? We bought it a few years ago at a neat Kitchen Shop in Mount Pleasant, SC (Coastal Cupboard). I was looking at it and a man walked by, said he had it and that it was THE BEST pan… EVER. Well, I have to agree… Made by J.A. Henckel, this is more than just a pan that looks good, its performance is top notch! Everything that I’ve made in it has turned out divine. Today, I’m making a wee little pork sirloin roast. My roasting pan bit the dust, so I’m going to sear in this pan and then put it in the oven… It can handle temps to 500 degrees fahrenheit, so at a temp of 350F I’m set! So if you find yourself needing a great sauté pan that can do more than sauté this is the ticket! For more info on J.A. Henckel cookware, click HERE…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Artist Betty Anglin Smith and her husband own the sweetest cottage in Meggett, South Carolina. It’s a place to sit and read, watch the beautiful view on the water, and for Betty a place to paint. This photo was taken back in 2006 at an oyster roast there for an guest artist in the Smith Killian gallery in Charleston, SC. It was a beautiful night with a spectacular sunset. The reflections were just gorgeous!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
An artist friend of ours had an oyster roast back in 2006 when I snapped this photo. This is in Meggett, South Carolina. The beauty is unrivaled! Can you imagine seeing this everyday? Ahhhh! It just looks so relaxing!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Years ago I picked up this gigantic pumpkin from Target after Halloween. Bought it for $10. Every year we put it on the front porch and plug it in on Halloween night. Everyone thinks it’s real. Every. Year. It was a great find. Sometimes I get a real pumpkin and sometimes I don’t… this one gets all the attention!
Be safe on the roads, watch out for the kiddies… HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Those of you who know me know how I love Taco Boy restaurant. The ambiance can’t be beat, and luckily neither can the food… Every day is a party at Taco Boy… and although I’m not one that stays up late, I want to let the rest of you know there is a PARTY at Taco Boy tonight… there will be live music, games, contests AND the best costume wins $1000! Whaaaat? So what are you going to be?? Hey, get a group together, best group costume is $500! Spend a few minutes, come up with something creative and go for it! Have fun, and if you go, I’d love to hear about it!
Is there truly any way to feel better than to do good for someone else? There is nothing that will make you feel better than helping someone who needs it, especially during the holiday season. I normally don’t start talking about the Christmas season so early, but this is for a good reason. FAMILIES NEED YOU. Kids need you. Senior citizens need you. YOU can make a difference in someone’s life. Families Helping Families is a great organization that my husband and I have been involved with. There are different ways that you can help make a big difference.
You can make a tax-deductible donation by going to the FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES WEBSITE. Once on their website click on the MAKE A DONATION link. These funds will allow FHF to provide gifts for unsponsored families and cover their relatively low operating expenses. PERFECT!
The other option…
You can become a sponsor for a family (or families) by clicking here to go to the FHF website, click on the SPONSOR A FAMILY link by Nov. 18. FHF send you a profile of your family that will include specific needs and the children’s wish lists. Most sponsors say they spend an average of $50 on each family member. This my friends, is what the holiday season is all about. Bringing a smile to someone’s face on a day that can be difficult for so many. Can you imagine being a child on Christmas and not having one single gift to open? I was fortunate, I never had that worry. No child should. Don’t let the $50 scare you. The average is $50 spent per person, but with larger families that may be $30 or $40 per person. Whether you adopt a family on your own, go in with some friends or neighbors or get your office to adopt a family/families – please do it today. They’ve made it so easy. The process goes something like this:
You fill out the form. If you like, you can specify the number of people you would like in the family and they will try their best to match it (i.e. a single parent family with 3 children, or a senior citizen, or hey… BOTH!).
You will be sent a packet with information on your family, it will give their names, ages, and a wish list. A wish list is just that… it doesn’t mean you have to purchase everything on the list. If you have big plans (TV, Computer, Bike) you may want to mention that when requesting a family so they can hook you up with someone who has big wishes :) Sometimes the adult may ask for an item, sometimes they just want everything to go to the child. Hey, it’s Christmas for us all… the last family we had the mother asked for a clock. A simple everyday item we take for granted. We shopped the sales and got her some great things, and a clock was one of them. I cannot tell you how much fun we’ve had shopping for our FHF Christmas Families… you can’t help thinking about them, you’re excited on Christmas Eve for them to open their gifts the next day. You wonder if they enjoyed their gifts. You. Care. AWESOME!! It’s nice when Christmas is all about someone other than ourselves…
A nice thing to include is a gift card so the family can buy food for dinner. If you pick a place such as Walmart, if they don’t have items for a Christmas meal they can use the gift card, or if they need household items… they can pick. Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be fancy, but it’s nice to know with a small gift card, that your family is enjoying their own Christmas dinner. That’s perfect!
And did I mention the bonus for you?? Families Helping Families is a tax deductible contribution. You just keep your receipts (or make copies if you want to include the receipts for your family to exchange if they need), along with a copy of the letter that comes in your packet and voila! You have a tax deduction!
Can you get some people together who may be interested in participating?? Maybe instead of exchanging gifts at the office everyone chip in some $, then have a wrapping party…
After the purchase you wrap the gift, put a name tag and include the Family ID# (will be in your packet), then if possible, put the gifts in a big clear plastic trash bag labeled with their Family ID#.
Drop off of gifts is at the Strobel Tire Warehouse located at 1101 N Main Street/Hwy 17A, Summerville, off I-26, Exit 199. If you need help getting your gifts to that location you may contact FHF, please DO NOT BE DETERRED if the drop off location is not near you, they will work with you to get the gifts there!
If you have any questions, here’s the email: FHFCharleston@PalmettoProject.org
I would love to hear any of your stories! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Ok, this is a heads up to everyone out there who can help make a difference. The Lowcountry Komen Race for the Cure is next Saturday, October 15 on Daniel Island.
If you can’t be there to run or walk, there are other options, check out their website it’s a good one. A site that offers not only race information but breast cancer information as well.
Check it out HERE – here’s to everyone making a difference. Somethings got to happen!
Hang in there, it’s almost the weekend…!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
