Won’t be long now… and beauty will be everywhere!

Won't be long now!

We’ve had a crazy winter… mostly warm, not that I’m complaining… a few zaps of cold, but warmer than I can remember since I’ve lived here (1989)! I don’t remember pollen in January… or mosquitos… or gnats… but we’ve got it now, and have had it since January!

It won’t be long now and the hydrangeas will be blooming, woohoo! Ours bloomed all spring and summer last year, big beautiful blooms. I love cutting a few and bringing them in the house, they last forever and add so much!

Azaleas ARE blooming now and soon they will be magnificent! We saw a pine full of pollen pods, and a dogwood with blooms the other day… one of the later flowering trees… I’m just hoping that spring will be SPRING, we certainly don’t want to rush summer ;) Maybe we can have spring with no pollen? Wouldn’t that be crazy?!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

You again? Ugh…!

Charlie beast

Sweet beast. Charlie is our Jack Russell terrier… he’s got the BIGGEST personality!

You? Again? Ugh!

I always thought it was so cool how our last JRT, Reggie, was always happy to see us. No. Matter. What.

Charlie… a different story, he has a way with his eyes. You don’t have to wonder how he’s feeling! See this photo… “Is it YOU? AGAIN? With that damned camera? UGH!” Can you see it too? Ha ha…

Will she just go away?

“Maybe if I ignore her, she’ll just go away?” OK Charlie… gotcha, jeez!

By the way… I just love all that UTILITY Canvas… the pillow, the throw, and something else that we cover the seats with so they’re quick in the washer! Good stuff!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Happy Valentine’s Day from me to you!

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

I would like to wish the love of my life a very happy Valentine’s Day!

I am blessed to have found such a wonderful man to share my life with.

He’s my numero uno. A #1. Soulmate. Best friend. Lover.

My valentine!

Here’s wishing all of YOU a Happy Valentine’s Day as well! If you’re interested click HERE to read the history of Valentine’s Day, funny how these things begin… interesting!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Have you seen the movie LINCOLN?

LINCOLN imdb.com

Today is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. It seemed fitting to mention the movie LINCOLN that was about his life. It has a fabulous cast! I have not yet seen the movie, have you? If so, what did you think? I heard that the acting was amazing. This movie had to be good! Daniel Day Lewis, who plays Lincoln won a Golden Globe Award, not too shabby… I read that Sally Field, who I just love, gained 25 pounds to play the part of Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd… bless her!

Here’s a blip about the movie from IMDb (love this site)!

In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience — end slavery or end the war.

Here’s an interesting blip from IMDb… GOOFS… this will make it fun when I do watch this movie… the little things that most people would never notice… check it out HERE

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image: IMDB

Lake Flato Porch Houses… Efficient, architecturally appealing and downright JAW DROPPING!

LakeFlatoPorchHouse LFPH

I KNOW! GORGEOUS! CONTEMPORARY! ECLECTIC! Whoa, awesome design coupled with energy efficient these architects have come up with a masterpiece! It would be really neat to have the main part of the home with a master bedroom/bathroom, living area, kitchen and powder room and have a separate area for guests or a studio! Imagine this situated where you can watch a sunrise/sunset?! Heaven. On. Earth!

Continue reading “Lake Flato Porch Houses… Efficient, architecturally appealing and downright JAW DROPPING!”

The HGTV Dream Home, opens to the public… SOON!

HGTV2013DreamHome hgtv.com

The 2013 HGTV Dream Home located on Kiawah Island, SC 

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Hey, it’s fun to dream… and this home is a beauty… check out their website for some great photos!

AND if you’re fortunate enough to make it to the dream home tour… look for Christina Hewson’s dog portraits… They are amazing! They add such character and interest! You may remember reading about her on one of my past posts

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Ahhhh, love this!

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As well as local Beaufort artist, Cassandra Gillens who was also in a past post!

Beginning February 14, 2013 the HGTV Dream Home will be open to the public… here are some details from the HGTV blog website

Dying to step inside HGTV Dream Home 2013 for an up-close-and-personal tour? Now’s your chance! Public tours of our Kiawah Island vacation home begin in mid February. Tickets are $20 per person; proceeds will benefit Communities in Schools of the Charleston Area, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that provides a nationally acclaimed dropout prevention program that empowers and inspires students.

Tour Dates:
Thursday, February 14 through Monday, February 18
Friday, February 22 through Sunday, February 24
Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 3
Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10

Tour Times:
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour starts at 4 p.m.)
Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. (last tour starts at 4 p.m.)

To order tickets and learn more about HGTV Dream Home 2013 public tours, visit hgtvdreamhometours.org.

Mary is a contributor to HGTV Dreams Happen: Sweepstakes Blog.

Images of Christina Hewson’s pet portraits via HGTV.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Lobsters… SET THEM FREE… oh, wait a minute…!

Set em free

This is a photo I shot while in Maine. When I used to see this (as you do all over) I used to dream about setting them free, ha ha… Then one day I was watch Alton Brown on the Food Network, he was talking about the similarities of lobsters and… one of my biggest fears… la coockaracha’s as I like to call them, it doesn’t sound so greasy, so downright creepy (oh I just know I’m going to have a nightmare tonight!)… cockroaches. Lobsters and cockroaches are in the same family.

Set them free?

Nope… Maybe don’t squish ’em, but hey, definitely don’t set them free!

Maybe, toss them in a macaroni and cheese… like this recipe from Ina Garten?! Hee, hee.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Time for the teeny weeny bikini?

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First I want to ask a favor… at the end of this post is a poll… would you mind offering me your opinion? It’s confidential, I have no idea who responds or what their answer is… appreciate it!!

Well, with the weather here in Charleston last week in the 70-80 degree range I think it’s almost time to hit the beach! Not so much to lay out in my teeny weeny polka dot bikini (HA!), but to take Charlie out walking… Fred and I like to take him usually in the spring and fall, but we missed the fall this year, and it appears spring has sprung, at least for this week! This photo was taken back in April 2011 when my parents visited. We headed out for a walk on the beach at Sullivan’s Island after a delightful lunch at Poe’s Tavern (best hamburgers!).

Hopefully your weather is warming up, wherever you may be!? Catch you back here tomorrow!

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…

Have A Beautiful Day!

I swear spring has sprung! We’re supposed to have mid to upper 70 degree temps today, crazy for JANUARY! Did I say January!? Get out and enjoy the beauty, it’s all around you!

This photo was taken last May… a peony… my absolute all time FAVORITE flower! Their simply elegant beauty is stunning! We can’t grow them here in Charleston, SC, but Harris Teeter carries them, thank goodness!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Do you ever feel that you can’t get in the swing of things? You’re not alone!

Do you ever feel that you just can't get in the swing of things?

This cracks me up. I’m so glad I had my phone nearby to snap a photo… last year, after Fred and I were in Maine and Charlie was “at camp”, we picked him up, gave him a bath, brought him in the house and he jumped up in his “dog bed” (his sofa) and was facing the wrong way. Normally he plops himself over the arm of the sofa LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW. I think he was so mixed up with us being gone for so long that he got into this position, and let me tell you it wasn’t easy…

So if you feel like you can’t get in the swing of things, don’t worry you’re not alone! Whether it be diet (more good healthy recipes coming soon) or the need to get organized (a few tips on that as well!) we all feel that way at some point!

(And yes, the sheet on the sofa and the “blankie” makes quite the nice fashion statement, don’t you think??)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The not tough dog toy that stood the test of time… kinda!

Charlie Christmas...

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make you so happy… Our niece bought Charlie some dog toys for Christmas. He. Loved. Them. We don’t buy him toys because he destroys them in ten minutes. We make one exception… Christmas. We buy him a toy and he loves it more than anything for a full ten minutes and then it is destroyed beyond belief. Lindsey bought tough-destroy-resistant toys. Nearly indestructible ones, for a normal dog. Ten minutes and *BAM* missing leg… ten minutes on the other and *BAM* missing ear… then the not-tough toy, the braided blue/green/white toy. Now THIS is the not tough dog toy that stood the test of time… kinda… I guess the term “time” is relative. For some it may be years, others months, some weeks, and a few… a day. He pulled the fuzz.. he tossed it around, he chased after it… whoa, this is the one that’s going to last! I re-wrapped it for Christmas day and he had a blast ALL DAY… the stuffing was gone, but he was good about not swallowing it. He would finish by UNBRAIDING the three pieces… and there they were… three individual pieces… which I would braid again, tie in a knot and give back… that lasted until Christmas night when there wasn’t much left to braid. So I traded him for a cookie. He was good with it. I think he was pooped! This will become a Christmas tradition! Hope you all had a nice holiday!

Thanks Lindsey!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sometimes a rainbow is more than just a rainbow…

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Sometimes a rainbow is more than just a rainbow. Sometimes a simple rainbow can help us hold on to a memory that is near and dear to us. It’s a reassurance that things will be OK. That despite what has happened there is a world bigger than we can ever fathom. To me, it’s a sign from God that all will be well. We all look for signs that things will be OK, whether it be from a death, a sickness, loneliness, despair and a host of other feelings. Remember that there is a plan for us, and no matter what happens it happens for a reason. We don’t know what it could possibly be at the moment, but with the passing of time we can see more clearly why things happen.

Someone close to me had a health scare. A freaking scary scare that shakes you to your bones. I prayed. A lot. I was walking with a friend on the morning I took this photo… when I looked up and saw this, I instantly felt better. How could something as simple as a rainbow… a reflection of light in water droplets in the Earth’s atmosphere that results in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky in the shape of a colorful arc, be such a comfort? I don’t have the answer for that. Perhaps I felt it deep down within me… We are here on earth for a short time. So enjoy every day you’ve got. Treat everyone as if it’s their last day… if we all did that at least a portion of the time the world would be a better place!

Prayers go out to those who lost their lives in the horrific happenings in Newton, Connecticut, as well as for the families, and the entire close-knit town. We all have to do better, it simply comes down to that. There needs to be help for those with mental illness, help beyond a jail term. Help for the parents with kids who threaten them and end up doing horrible things. (Click HERE to read a story by one such parent, it’s EYE OPENING)! We need to get this figured out. Soon…

Go do something good, for someone… anyone… Lets start making this time on Earth better, it starts with each of us.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Well, it’s New Year’s Eve! Where did the year go?

LawrenHarris SNOW CACfb

Snow by Lawren Harris – Image: CaliforniaArtClub.org

I swear the older you get the faster time flies and the older old is. Think about it… when you’re young you think 30 is old, then you turn 30 and suddenly 50 is old. Then you turn 50 and 90 is old. Ha ha… The year flies by faster and faster, it’s crazy! Remember waiting for Christmas to come? It seemed like it took forever… now it seems as if it’s only a  few months away (stores putting out Christmas items at Halloween surely doesn’t help!).

Take this time to enjoy ringing in the New Year! For me, I likely won’t make it until midnight and I’m ok with it, ha ha… Happy New Year’s Eve!

Catch you back here tomorrow! Be safe!