Festive porch downtown – Charleston, SC

 

A festive Charleston porch
A festive Charleston porch

 H A P P Y   E A S T E R !

This photo was taken last year on Easter, what a festive porch! There is nothing like walking around downtown, especially on or after a holiday when the decorations are still hanging. You wouldn’t believe how many fresh flower wreaths there are. Just stunning! What a treat this city is!

Hope you enjoy your Sunday!! Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Charleston, SC Photo… 

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:             Featured Artist… West Fraser!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:        Rustica Restaurant, Rockland, Maine

Dogwood Tree Blossoms…

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Dogwood Blooms in Charleston… Lovely… absolutely stunning in every way. When the sun hits this tree in the morning and late afternoon it just lights up. This time of year doesn’t last long… azaleas blooming, wisteria showing off it’s multitude of blooms with a scent that just goes on forever, soon the hydrangeas and gardenias! Spring is beautiful even though it flies by in the flash of an eye…

Enjoy it while you can! Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:           To keep the birds away??

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:       Charleston Cheese Cracker Recipe!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Artist to Watch… Ron DeFelice!

Eight and Bob… too classy for words – highly recommend!

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Have you heard about the men’s perfume “Eight and Bob”? It has a fascinating story. When Fred and I last visited Old Road Mercantile (that I wrote about HERE), Kevin, the owner, was telling us all about this. Fred had read something about it long ago, it was the scent that John F. Kennedy Jr. wore. You must read the short history from the Eight and Bob website, so interesting! It is so classy and the scent… Out. Of. This. World!

Limited yearly production- – –  Yep, it’s only carried by a few select retailers, and when it’s gone for the year, it’s gone…

Read this blip from the EightandBob.com website:

ANDREA IS THE PLANT
WHOSE EXTRACTS ARE THE
SOUL OF EIGHT&BOB

In January 1934 Albert Fouquet traveled to Chile at the invitation of the Italian ambassador. Besides enjoying the charms of the country, he took advantage of this trip to search the Andes for aromatic plants that would enhance his fragances.

He returned to Paris with several sprigs of “Andrea”, the name Albert had given the plant whose extracts are the soul of his cologne “EIGHT & BOB”. Andrea is a wild plant in short supply due to the altitude and limited area in which it grows; and can only be picked during the months of December and January. The plants gathered undergo a very exacting selection process in which only seven percent are chosen. This process ends between March and April and only then is it known how many units of “EIGHT & BOB” can be bottled; and how many can be allotted of each country.

If you’re in Charleston, SC check it out at Old Road Mercantile on King Street!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:              McLeod Plantation – Charleston Photo

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:          Sun Streaming Through a Downtown Gate – Charleston Photo

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:     Lemon Dill Tilapia Recipe!

Shirtini… a great new shop on King Street!

 

Shirtini - new shop on King Street, Charleston, SC
Shirtini – new shop on King Street, Charleston, SC

Whenever we have people visiting from out of town, we take them to galleries and the neat shops downtown. We always head to Old Road Mercantile, which is such a cool place… and now this shop… Shirtini located right next door. Owned by the same people (we spoke to Kevin and he is fabulous), this is one classy shop. Reminiscent of a Paris shop this has the best of the best. These gorgeous shirts, and I do mean gorgeous… tailored and special in every single way.

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Just a quickly snapped photo (with permission) of just a few of the blouses they have to offer. I have my eye on a few of the longer ones to wear with leggings or slim fitting pants. How nice to look nice with one gorgeous piece of clothing!

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The shop just opened, and the website is in the process of being finished, but check back, it’ll be up soon… www.shirtini.com. If you’re in Charleston, SC be sure to stop by and say hello! It is one gorgeous store!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:           Featured Artist… Charles Williams!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:        Palms on Sunday!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Artist to watch… Paul Schulenburg!

The beauty of Spring!

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I know we have nothing to complain about weather-wise… the entire country took quite a beating. Cold temps, wind, ice and snow, snow, snow! We even got dusted with the white stuff here in Charleston a while back… also got some ice… ugh… but now look… the azaleas are blooming and thats not all! It’s going to be a gorgeous Spring!

Today is the first day of it… enjoy! And for those of you where Spring has not officially made its presence known… it won’t be long!! Come visit us in Charleston until it gets nice ;)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Featured Artist… Stacy Barter!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Azaleas in Charleston… Happy Spring!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:       Edgar Degas Quote!

Beauty!

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Thank you Fred! You’re the sweetest!

Bless this man’s heart… I was sick, the dog was sick, he’s getting me soup, flowers and popsicles, and trying to take care of Charlie… oh, and work. Just want to let you know how much you are appreciated! xoxo, me

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Featured Artist… Jeremy Mann!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Me on a streetcar in San Fran!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      Artist to watch… Tim Bell!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to ya!

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Whether you are Irish or not really doesn’t matter on a festive day like St. Patrick’s Day, now does it? Wish each other well, share a smile and have a great day!

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Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                May Your Friends Outnumber the Shamrocks That Grow

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           May the luck of the Irish be with you!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      Hot Corned Beef Potato Hash… Cooking Light Recipe!

Brightest Sunset Ever… and an important reminder…

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Last Saturday evening we saw the brightest sunset I think we’ve ever seen in our lives. It almost blinded you. It was hard to look at, but it was even harder to NOT look at. I took this photo coming off the James Island Connector (Fred was driving, for those of you who are wondering). What you see is the flag pole for California Dreaming (on our way there to pick up a few salads!). Spectacular isn’t it?

For those of you who live in areas of the country who “participate” in “Daylight Savings Time… it begins today! So hopefully before you went to bed last night you set your clocks ahead one hour?!  This is the dreaded “lose an hour of sleep” time that seems to take me a week or two to get over… hopefully this year will be different, ha ha… They also say now is a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms/Carbon Monoxide Detectors and anything else of importance!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Time Change!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Featured Artist: Julia Ralston!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      Le Creuset French Oven

Red Sky at Night…

West Ashley Greenway Sunset
West Ashley Greenway Sunset

Taking a day to catch up! Normally, I try to write my posts a few days a week and schedule them to post daily… but it’s been a busy week and I am, ahh-hemmm, a tad behind!

The other night we took Charlie for a walk around the block and down the greenway… he likes to do that after dinner… you know, say hi to his friends (sniff sniff), check his Facebook page (sniff sniff wee sniff sniff wee), hey, its how he knows whats going on with all his friends)! We started walking and the sky got brighter and brighter. It ended in a deep pinky red that was so amazing it made me wish I lived on a prairie where I could actually see it (or ideally on the water!)… still made for many, many, many good photos!

Have a great day! Be on the lookout for the beautiful moments in life!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o:            Artist Ken DeWaard painting at Bowens Island!

T w o Y e a r s A g o:        Charlie Photo: “This IS me being still!”

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o:   Artist to watch: Shannon Smith

Weekend Marsh View…

Saturday walk...
Saturday walk…

Location. Location. Location. It’s so important when you’re buying a house or looking for a place to rent. I love the area we live in. We don’t live on the marsh but we do live near it. There are several daily walking routes that I take, each seems to pass a marsh or two. The views are always spectacular! So peaceful and ever-changing! Enjoy your weekend!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Featured Artist… Richard Kooyman!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Featured Artist… Connie Hayes!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      South of Market – neat little shop in Charleston!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Memories of Monhegan…

Island Inn by Joe Fidler

Island Inn. Monhegan Island. Maine. Vacation. Heaven! Wow, back in 2009 my mom and dad, Fred and I rented a cottage in Port Clyde, then we came to Monhegan for a few nights. What a dream! My dad had recently had knee surgery, so those of you who have been to the island know what a challenge that can be. Right as you step off the boat you have a rather steep hill to climb. He did it, no problem. (Dad, you were a sport. You had to pass on the hike through Cathedral Woods, but you stayed mighty busy. I’ve told you all about a sketch book that he surprised me with. Full of fabulous ink/watercolor sketches of our time on Monhegan and a few other things. I cherish that book! 

Joe Fidler painting on Monhegan
Joe Fidler – Monhegan Island

The island is such a fabulous place to just be… to do what you want to do… you see all kinds of people, lots of artists and bird watchers. You meet the most interesting people and life long friends on the island.

mom hiking monhegan w stick 2009
Sheila Fidler hiking on Monhegan…

This is the day we went hiking. Mom found a great walking stick… part way through Cathedral Woods she said, whew! That’s far enough… Noooo Mom!! You have to see the “reward”… the peacefulness of Cathedral Woods cannot be matched anywhere in my opinion. But when you get through that trail to Squeaker Cove your jaw drops. Wow! Mom was thrilled that she went the entire way! The beauty is breathtaking!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                Charleston Wine & Food (2013)

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:           Brilliant kitchen tool: The Microplane!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:      Artist to watch… Ken DeWaard!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s a sweet treat (well, the recipe anyway)! Enjoy your day!

Fred, 1992 - I love this guy!
Fred, 1992 – I love this guy!

A very special HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO MY SWEETIE!! My husband, Fred

Charlie... the wonder dog!

And to our little beast… Charlie!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             Happy Valentine’s Day from Me to You!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         From me to you… Happy Valentine’s Day!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:  Cookie’s for Valentine’s Day!

Winter photos – Charleston, SC

Winter Storm 2014 Charleston, SC
Winter Storm 2014 Charleston, SC

Doesn’t look too bad, especially if you’re used to a  cold climate. But let me tell you… things are different in the South. We aren’t used to snow and ice (I’m from Michigan, but have lived here almost 25 years, so I do know about snow/ice and all the fun that goes along with it… as well as all the beauty!) it just doesn’t happen here very often. Maybe an occasional dusting of snow ever once in a great while (the last time it snowed was years ago, snowed and then quickly melted). But this time there was ice. I’m sure you’ve heard about it on the radio. How Atlanta was crippled by the deep freeze. We were lucky here in Charleston. Officials dealt with it well keeping most people off the roads. Smart. You just don’t mess with Mother Nature!

We took a walk in our neighborhood, Charlie’s first snow, he was thrilled… was going full speed ahead looking for every single puddle and loving it! Crazy beast.

Charlie and his beastcicles...
Charlie and his beastcicles…

We headed to the bakery, well, because they were open and it was something to do! It was nice to be out, and Charlie was having a blast, but his adventures in the puddles quickly turned to beastcicles on his body… time to get back home! Ha ha…

Make the best of the time you have… make everything an adventure and it will be less of a hassle ;)

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:               Me at the Grove Fillmore (San Fran) years ago…

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:          Southeastern Wildlife Expo!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:    Will he or won’t he?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Gorgeous setting – house for sale…

For Sale in Charleston, SC
For Sale in Charleston, SC

Gorgeous, right? One day Fred and I were walking in our neighborhood (Windermere) and the nearby area (South Windermere), and we saw a house that was empty  and on the market. It had undergone a complete restoration by a high quality builder in our area. This is the backyard… Low tide… Gorgeous, isn’t it? I think these two adironack chairs and the view may sell the house!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             Featured Artist… Logan Hagege!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Featured Artist… John Carroll Doyle!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Hey! It’s me… Charlie!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Yep, that’s me, looking snazzy!

Me…
Me…

Me (in my runway days, ha ha)… going for the shorty dress and the wicked short bangs (thanks mom!). I remember those bang trims… (I wonder if there was a template that was taped to my head? Ahhh this makes me laugh…) If my grandma saw them she would have  a fit and take me to get them fixed, ha ha… not sure which version this is above. I look like I’m going somewhere special… have the purse and everything! Too funny!

Fred has the day off, so I’m going to do the same, have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:              Broad Street’s Golden Light (Charleston, SC)

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Featured Artist… Robert Lange!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   I need to start painting! (Hasn’t happened yet, this was back in 2011, sigh)

Catch you back here tomorrow!