Birthday gift idea: a gold chain for his furry chest…

Happy 2 year birthday Charlie!! You’ve turned out to be an angel… thank you God!

I can’t seem to come up with a good excuse, other than the fact that time got away from me… I have good intentions but I get stuck in my everyday routine and completely forget the important things sometimes. Argh! It’s our little beast’s two year birthday today. I really wanted to find him a nice gold chain, maybe with a peace sign or something, to hang on his furry little chest. Hee hee… Can you imagine. Kind of like something for a furry man maybe in the 70’s with the shirt unbuttoned low (mid-life-crisis look), ok, maybe a little too disco… humph! I think we’ll order him a box of bully springs that he loves to chew on and call it a day! I need to find his birthday hat, it’s here somewhere. Last year I was in Michigan, so it was a challenge for me to get it on AND snap a picture in the nano second that he left it on…  We love this little guy. Things started out a little rough. He’s never been bad, just so afraid of everything. Of me, of Fred, of the outside, the fire hydrant, the grass and on and on… slowly (and with the encouragement of cooked chicken pieces) he’s learned not to be afraid of things… he’s definitely NOT afraid of other dogs. He’s the official Walmart greeter, he greets every dog no matter where we go, it’s the sweetest thing to watch. Now people, hmmm, it’s a slow process and they definitely have to EARN his affection. This can take time, but it’s worth the wait. He’s a special little beast. And WOOHOO CHARLIE, it’s raining today… NO WALK IN THE HEAT TODAY! (Don’t feel too sorry for him, he gets walked practically before the sun comes up and then he flies into the backyard where he jumps up on the teak table waiting to be hosed off to cool down. This dog has so much personality…  He is accepting cards and gifts, hee hee… HAPPY 2 YEAR BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!

 
Here’s one of the pictures from the breeder… it was love at first site…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When I told him he was being neutered...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ahhh, went through LOTS of TP!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Last year's birthday pic!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ahhh, yes, I am thankful that he’s grown up some. We can now have toilet paper on the roll instead of up high out of his reach. It’s the little things in life, ha ha… Truly, Charlie is a joy to be around, and I can’t imagine how quiet things would be here without him! Happy birthday Beast!
 
If you are one of the few that hasn’t heard about Charlie’s blog (from his first year), if you want a laugh, click HERE… I wish I could publish that into a book!
Catch you back here tomorrow!

Great CD… KOOP – Koop Islands

Image: Amazon.com

 Recently while meandering through ESD, a local design shop near the house, I heard this CD playing and just HAD to know WHO this was… it was interesting music, the kind that you can just sit and listen to for hours on end. The music that was playing was the first song on this CD, and it made me feel like I was in Italy! It was fabulous… the CD cover talks about this as jazz and a combination of 1930’s swing and carribean music… I’m not sure that I would describe it that way, but I know I thoroughly enjoy it! I don’t know much about the group other than it’s a duo from Stockholm… read more about them here and click to listen to some tidbits (from Amazon)… http://www.amazon.com/Koop-Islands/dp/B000VI6T9C – hope this makes you as happy as it did me :)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com if you have time!

Y’all, it’s HOT, this will help keep you cool!

Image: GarnetHill.com

It seems that we went from winter to summer all in the snap of a finger. Cool one day and *POOF* hotter than Haiti the next! Well, this is for the ladies… I cannot sleep if I’m hot. Even though the AC is running (bless its little heart) and the fan is blowing if you don’t have the right sleepwear you can work yourself up into a frenzy! I ran across this from Garnet Hill (I. LOVE. GARNET. HILL!). I read the reviews about this “Flutterby gown” and they were ahhhh-mazing! Most said that this was PERFECT for the Southern summer climate… woohoo… cool to sleep in, whaaaat? That’s it!! Like an infommercial junkie I was sold, and ordered it tuit de suite! It arrived a few days later and woohoo I am in heaven! So if you’re looking for a gift to give someone who’s hot (ha ha)… this is the ticket!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com

 

Finally! A table you can dance on!

Image: SundanceCatalog.com

The Brickmaker’s coffee table… now THIS is a table you can dance on! This table is large (55″ L x 36.5″ D x 17.5″ H). It’s sturdy and it has a fabulous look. It’s the perfect marriage of old and new. The wood is old, both the wood and the metal base are recycled, so you’re doing your part to be green! You don’t have to worry about water rings or getting a scratch. You can plop your feet on it, sit on it, stand on it and yes, dance, if you’re so inclined. Like I said this table is large and we have it in a small space so it really makes a statement.

I’m sure you’ve seen this table in many places, this image is taken from Sundance catalog… my oh my, what wonderful treasures they have!
 
Enjoy your day, I’ll catch you back here tomorrow…

Majby… Where comfort meets style AND low price!

What a sweet deal this is! Comfort and style you would think would come at a high price, but not MAJBY…  My husband and I love furniture… We’ve bought a ton of it (probably literally) over the past years, however within the past few years we’ve decided that the more formal look wasn’t really our thing, and we’ve moved it on, we now have furniture that feels more like us, a down sofa that’s slipcovered in a natural twill, an antique pine farmhouse table, a wooden brickmakers coffee table (future post), and the list goes on… We’ve had numerous types of dining room chairs, none of them inexpensive and none of them were “just right” for the long haul… A few years ago we decided to use two Mitchell Gold wingbacks, also slipcovered in natural fabric as our dining room chairs. After all there are only two of us… Now if we have people over, a few occasional chairs would be nice… since two more wingbacks would be overpowering at this long narrow farmhouse table…  In the winter we really use that dining room alot. We build fires in the winter (nothing better than watching the fireplace!). One night we were watching our favorite designer (Sarah Richardson… is there ANY house that woman can’t make right? It amazes me how she tears down walls, digs basements, changes entryways, and WHOA the difference it makes… although she has a mighty hefty budget AND a ton of workers… she can visualize like no one I’ve ever seen!). She was renovating a dining room in the house she bought and she had rather expensive furnishings, then it came to the chairs, she needed lots of them. (Click HERE to see) ENTER… THE MAJBY chair. We’re trying to remember how we figured out the chair name… I’m sure it was with the close assistance of our friend… GOOGLE. Anyway, saw that it came from IKEA. Closest Ikea to us is in Charlotte, NC. You can’t call and pay for it and then go pick it up, you can’t put it on hold not even for a minute, so a neighbor of ours was in Charlotte and picked them up for us (THANK YOU MARGARET!). We weren’t sure what to expect not seeing them in person, but for $79.99 YOU CANNOT BEAT THEM. They’re comfortable, great looking, and did I mention affordable? We use them as desk chairs until we need them for an occaisonal/dining room chair. So if by chance you are on the lookout for a sharp looking chair that is high on style and low on cost, check it out!

If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com – catch you back here tomorrow!

“Bessie Mae” by Jonathan Green…

Image: GalleryChuma.com

I would like to introduce you to BESSIE MAE. She is a strong presence in our house – and, may I say, how can she not be? We bought Bessie Mae during Spoleto (art festival) many years ago, she was created by artist Jonathan Green. He is a wonderful artist depicting the southern experience in the most interesting detail. If you aren’t familiar with his work, check it out, it’s facinating! Jonathan moved back to the lowcountry several years ago and resides on Daniel Island. Check out his website with his gallery information (click HERE) as well as Gallery Chuma’s website (click HERE)…

We like to collect original work. Bessie is an exception. Bessie is an original lithograph. The process that Jonathan uses is impressive, click HERE to learn more about it!
 
Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day mom! I just want to let you know how much you mean to me (the world), and what a inspiration you have been in my life. I was SO FORTUNATE to grow up in a happy home with great parents, and YOU are the best mom in the world. From taking care of us if we were sick, to just being so much fun to be around. We’ve had such a great time shopping and eating, and just hanging out on the front porch (and still do!). I want to thank you for all you have done for me and know that I am here for you… always! I love you! me

Happy Mother’s Day Bobbie! We just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all you have done for us. You are always willing to help with any/everything! I have heard stories of Fred’s childhood and he had THE BEST time! From your support with showing horses, the two of you building fires, the family camping trips for the summer (whooooa, you are a trooper!)… all the things that make him who he is! So THANK YOU for being so wonderful to me, and for being such an awesome mom to Fred, WE are always here for YOU. We love you! Us

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Mother’s out there (Bridget!!)… I wish you the happiest day ever…

Catch you back here tomorrow… if you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Charleston Farmer’s Market Poster

Image: charlestonarts.sc

The Charleston (SC) Farmer’s Market is on Saturday’s at Marion Square from 8AM until 2PM. For more information, click HERE.  It’s a good time with lots of good vendors, fresh fruits and veggies, both organic and conventional as well as arts, treats and pretty much everything else you can imagine.

This years poster entitled PETER PIPER’S PEPPERS by Ginny Versteegen captures the essence of the Farmer’s Market perfectly. A great souvenier if you’re visiting, or nice to hang in a poster frame in kitchen! If you get a chance, check it out!
Catch you back here tomorrow!

Townie By Electra… nice casual riding bike…

Image: bluestarbrewing.com

Let me start by saying I am not a hard core biker bicyclist, more of a pedal and visit around the neighborhood kind of gal. My husband bought me this bike for Easter many years ago, and what a treat. I was like a kid… riding the bike down the street with my pajamas on! I love the way a bike makes you feel such freedom… you’re free to go where you like, LOVE IT! If you’re looking for a good comfortable bike (well, comfy for about 30 minutes, lets be real!) check out the Townie by Electra. I have a three speed, I’m not trying to get anywhere too quickly! Since Harris Teeter opened down the street from us, I now have a nice basket on the front, so I can ride my bike to the grocery store ;) 

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Happy May Day!

Image: skiptomylou.wordpress.com

HAPPY MAY DAY! If you’re one of the lucky people you will open your door this morning and there will be a pretty cone of flowers tied with ribbon around your door knob. What a neat thing to do for someone… hey, if you’re up early, run out and pick a few flowers, wrap the stems in foil or something with a wet paper towel to keep them fresh, and tie it with a ribbon on your neighbors door… boy, will they ever be surprised!

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

A good belly laugh is good for you! Watch this…

Image: IMDB.com

They say laughter is good for you. Not a hee hee, but a rolling hard laugh that works your abs and brings you to tears. You know what I’m talking about, right? If not, RUN to your local place to grab a movie (or via Internet for those of you who are fancy) that makes you laugh. This is one that had me in tears. Bringing Down The House with Steve Martin and Queen Latifah. LOVED. IT. What movies make you laugh…?? I’m gathering a list of movies that really make you laugh and I need your help!

 
Have a great weekend and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow… !

T-T-T-TIVO… best thing since indoor plumbing!

Image: Tivo.com

TIVO. It’s like CHER, it needs to explanation, I don’t need to say TIVO DVR, well, because TIVO is TIVO… simply the best! It is so user friendly that anyone can figure it out. It has truly revolutionized television watching for me! I can’t make it through commercials. I’m not a commercial snob, I LOVE a clever commercial, something witty and concise without being irritating (NO YELLING), but those are few and far between (think DAYQUIL commercial… “it even cures the MAN COLD”…  darn. BRILLIANT.)

With a TIVO you can set shows to record, then watch them at a later date, where you have the ability to fast forward through the commercials. You can also pause and fast forward through live TV. So if you start the show a little late you can fly past those annoying commercials, stop to let the dog out, then sit back down and not miss a thing! Our TIVO is an older model. I hope hope hope nothing ever happens to it, I treat it with care, ha ha… like an old friend! The newer ones have more features such as the ability to record more than one show at a time, ability to record and view your NOW PLAYING list (shows you’ve recorded) from your iPad… woohoo, wouldn’t that be a treat. I have the Series 2 Tivo, and I can still record a show using my Blackberry or using my computer. We also have the wireless adapter so we can rent movies, but we haven’t yet. I’m sure with my old Tivo I haven’t taken advantage of all it has to offer, but I can use it in my sleep, it is THE BEST THING since indoor plumbing. Truly! If you get a chance check it out! www.tivo.com!

Pledge an act of green – Happy Earth Day!

HAPPY EARTH DAY! Pledge an act of green by clicking HERE. Whether it be planting a tree, conserving water or recycling, the choice is yours. If everyone does SOMETHING it will make our planet a better place. Even if you don’t click to make the pledge it still counts if you just do it anyway! Switch off your computer monitor when not in use, turn off the water when brushing your teeth, it’s the little things that add up…  spread the word… it’s Earth Day… there’s only one Earth and we have to keep it healthy!

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance, check out my photo blog !

Image Source, click HERE.

Antica farmacista – Magnolia, Orchid & Mimosa – DIVINE!

Image: AnticaFarmacista.com

This is one home fragrance that will knock the old socks off! Nothing offensive or strong, just pure delight from the time you place the reeds in the apothecary jar. This is our favorite, by Antica Farmacista, the  Magnolia, Orchid & Mimosa combination is a pure clean scent. If you like a stronger scent flip the reeds more often, if you like a softer scent, flip just a few reeds occasionally. When you walk in your house… oooooh… DIVINE!

 
If you get a chance visit my photo blog ! Catch you back here tomorrow!