We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
barbara, fred & charlie
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Merry Christmas Y’all!
Merry Christmas! Catch you back here tomorrow!
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…
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… A night so beautiful…
T W O Y E A R S A G O… How to make the perfect soft boiled egg!
Catch you back here tomorrow! I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
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!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Aaron Westerberg!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Artist to watch… Dan Corey!
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!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Looking for a good restaurant in Charleston, SC? try Husk!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Gift idea: Mark Roberts Fairy!
Catch you back here tomorrow! I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
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!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Wayne McKenzie!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Artist to watch… Daniel Merriam!
Catch you back here tomorrow! I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
This doesn’t need words, does it? This was on our way home from Mt. Pleasant… the sky was on fire it seemed… The sky is so vast in this photo…
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Corn Pudding Recipe – Christmas Dinner
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Going to see Santa 1966… YES, I was alive then!
Catch you back here tomorrow! I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
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!):
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.
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Ezra Katz!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… A Christmas Surprise… An Eva Carter painting!
Catch you back here tomorrow! I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
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!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Ocean House Hotel, Port Clyde, Maine!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Artist to watch… Walt Pasko!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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):
The result… (this is after a few cleanings, yes, really!)… this looks better than real life… believe me!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… And… I’m back! (2012)
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Basil Shrimp with Feta and Orzo recipe!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Ahhh, I get a little homesick for Maine each year. No, it’s not my home, but it feels like it should be. It’s a wonderful place, with people who are so genuine. I absolutely love that. They are hard working and honest (honor system to buy flowers, vegetables along roadside stands… and it WORKS!). I’m happy when I’m in Maine… no worries… of course I am on vacation, ha ha… which is so much different than real life!
For such a small island there is something to be seen no matter where you are! This photo is of White Head on Monhegan. To get to it, you can walk down through town, turn at the Monhegan House, walk past the Novelty (if you can keep walking past the best pizza and ice cream on earth), up to Horn’s Hill, past Don Stone’s studio, and follow the path to this gorgeous setting!
To sit on the ledge and listen to the ocean, watch for whales and just be… in silence… it’s a treat beyond measure. Sometimes the best gifts are the most simple. Quiet. Peace. Beauty.
For the next week, I’m going to keep the posts short… I’ll be back to regular posting the following week! Hang in there with me! I appreciate you visiting, stop by and see what tomorrow brings! Ooooh, I like that, might change my “catch you back here tomorrow”… ha ha…
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Randy Higbee 6″ Squared Show (2012)
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Gift Idea (2011, BUT they still make these!!)
Catch you back here tomorrow! Stop by and see what tomorrow brings… (whatcha think??)
Fruitcake gets poo poo’d, I’m not sure why… I’m pretty sure this one will change your mind! This is a recipe that my Grandma Fidler used to make, and I still remember the wonderful smell of it! Then the recipe magically appeared in a Christmas card from my aunt. What a cool idea to share my grandma’s famous fruitcake recipe with us all! I made it and it was so delicious I cannot tell you! She brushed on brandy (several times) after baking, and wrapped in brown paper. That part isn’t on the recipe, so wing it if you like, or don’t do it at all… it’s good either way! First the recipe… and then the images to show you how easy it really is! Click HERE to print the recipe minus the photos…
Ingredients – (Yield: Makes 2- 9” loaves)
| 1 ½ cups Raisins | 1 teaspoon Baking Soda |
| 1 ½ cups Chopped Dates | 2 teaspoons Cinnamon |
| 2 Cups Sugar | 1 teaspoon Ground Cloves |
| 2 cups Boiling Water | 1 teaspoon Salt |
| 5 Tablespoons Shortening | 1 cup Chopped Nuts |
| 3 cups All Purpose Flour | 1 cup Candied Fruit |
| 2 Eggs |
Directions
In a large saucepan add the boiling water and stir in the raisins, chopped dates, sugar and shortening. Bring contents to boil and then let simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place cooked mixture in cool place until thoroughly cooled.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl add Flour, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Ground Cloves and Salt.
Blend together then add eggs.
Stir in the cooled mixture adding the chopped nuts and candied fruit last.
Divide into 2 well-greased and floured large loaf pans (9”x3”x3” deep) and bake for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Use toothpick near end of baking time to check center of loaf. Cooking times vary. (My grandma also had a note on her recipe to put water in a pie dish and place in the oven, this keeps the fruitcake moist by keeping the air moist!)
Do you smell that yummy goodness filling your house? Ahhhh, this is wonderful!
Note: Cooking time varies with size of loaf pan, a medium (8×3”) bakes approximately 1 hour and mini loaf pans (5 ½ x 3”) bake approximately 45 minutes.
Hope you enjoy!!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Eric Aho!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Gift Idea from Life Is Good!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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!
Wishing you a toasty night wherever you are!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Ann Larsen!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Artist to watch… John Austin Hanna!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! This is a photo I took last year while visiting my parents… I was up and out early taking photos of a beautiful sunrise (something to be thankful for all in itself!)… I was walking back to the house and saw that my dad plugged in the Christmas tree and the lights in the window… When you look at it you can see the reflection of the sunrise…
I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, my awesome family, for our little beastie wonder, Charlie, for the sunrises and sunsets, good health, good friends and of course, for you!
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Thanksgiving! Thank YOU! I am grateful…
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Bowens Island Seafood Restaurant Menu!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
There is a sleepy town not far from here where it seems like time stands still. It’s called Rockville, SC – and it’s the most beautiful little spot. Truly I bet it looks like it did years and years ago. I mean that in a very good way. It’s not commercial (no stores, gas stations, restaurants). It’s like life the way it should be… the houses are beautiful and so well kept. The oak trees are extremely large and appear to be very happy. Rockville is Charleston County’s oldest surviving summer resort, dating back to 1824! I love places like this… it’s nice to be busy, but it’s nice to be where the pace is slower… and thanks to Ken DeWaard for this shot… I would never have seen it, but since he is way up in the clouds (tall), I saw him snap a photo, but couldn’t see what he was taking a photo of… so I pulled out my viewfinder and lifted my camera up high – EUREKA! I wanna be tall! What else am I missing??
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… What are these?? Vending machine stamps…
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I took this photo last year when I took a trip home to see my family… they have the most amazing sunrises that reflect against the river. I am the crazy fool out in the cold with my camera snapping photos like a crazy person… PJ’s on… and whoever’s shoes are by the door… off I go. I cannot NOT take a photo. It’s not in me. When I see something beautiful that catches my eye SNAP* SNAP… there are some beautiful sunrises/sunsets in this part of the world! Wishing you a beautiful sunrise or sunset!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Jane Barton!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Artist to Watch… Larry Moore!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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