How many can you name?

East Battery, Charleston, SC

This was an interesting looking truck I spotted on East Battery. My son was immediately able to name each character pictured. Not sure I could.

I am ready to drive my sister back to the airport to Edmonton in the morning. It's been a great holiday and the weather has stayed perfect. We've been everywhere and done a lot. Shopped on King St., walked the battery, picnicked on Johns Island and Lake Marion, went to the movies, dessert at Taste of India, music at the hospital today and capped it all off with the Progressive Dinner this evening. It has been great catching up. As we were walking past the Daughters of St. Paul bookstore on King St. I asked Shirley if she'd like to meet the Pope Francis and he was happy to welcome her to Charleston.

Sunshine and music on Johns Island

Archie, Johns Island, SC  

I can't complain about the glorious weather we've had for my sister Shirley's visit, can I? We spent yesterday morning at the Magnolia Plantation Holiday Market, mid day we headed to Johns Island for a delicious picnic lunch with friends and then capped off the evening with tea and dessert at the Taste of India.

Shirley brought her guitar with her and entertained us after lunch. It has been perfect. I've taken a lot more pictures than I have had time to process but we are having a wonderful time. Somehow the world's most photogenic dog appears in most of this evening's pictures. Archie improves every shot!

I hope everyone has had a good holiday weekend.

Thanksgiving Day

Folly Beach, SC 

A lovely warm Thanksgiving day and we made a quick change and carried all of our table settings outside and enjoyed dinner in the sunshine.  I always want to do this but is is usually just a bit too cool to pull it off.

Good food, friends, family and a walk on the beach. I have much to be thankful for. I hope you have as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am aware each and every day how much I have to be grateful for and that includes the camaraderie of this virtual community of friends. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. I woke up to see this proclamation on the Charleston History facebook page and borrowed it to share. 

Fall is in the air

Charleston, SC  

Fall is in the air. In the air and on my nose. Suddenly there is a thick layer of leaves in my yard which is how we do fall here. Mr. Bear lives in my backyard and welcomes me home each evening and makes me smile every time I see him. I hope he doesn't decide to hibernate for the winter.

SC Artisan's Center - Walterboro

SC Artisan's Center, Walterboro, SC   

The SC Artisan's Center is in Walterboro and packed full of colorful crafts, painting, metal work and pottery.  I've wondered if it is such a success in this location, why don't we have a similar showcase for South Carolina Artisans in other parts of the state? It seems their wares should be promoted in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville etc. There must be a reason. Perhaps it would compete with other local galleries.

Behind the shop was the little cabin pictured below with a brightly colored red rocking chair on the porch. Walterboro's tag line is "Front Porch of the Lowcountry" and their symbol is a red rocking chair. They have a lovely downtown street with enough antique stores to explore and make a day trip worthwhile. We had lunch at Castillo's Pizza restaurant and I'd order my eggplant parmesan sandwich again any day.

South Carolina’s Official Folk Art and Craft Center
The South Carolina Artisans Center’s mission is to interpret, market, preserve and perpetuate the folk art and fine craftsmanship of South Carolina Artisans while creating a better understanding of our rich and diverse cultural heritage. Come see the best South Carolina has to offer in handcrafted art.

 

Teeny, Tiny Houses of the Lowcountry

Walterboro, SC  

I don't know that it was ever actually a home but it is a cute little cottage. I cracked the door open and saw an old Santa's Workshop sign. Don't get your hopes up, kids. It looks like Santa may have moved on although he left his red rocker on the porch.


This little cottage is behind the SC Artisan's Center shop down the road in Walterboro.

Checking their website I see that Walterboro claims to be the Front Porch of the Lowcountry and their symbol is the red rocking chair. So there you have it!

Teeny, tiny business buildings

Charleston, SC  

No one would build a business in a building this size anymore but they are all over town. Members only no less.

Charleston has a new Mayor. Mayor Tecklenburg will be our next Mayor. Congratulations! Take good care of us.

I am nodding off kids, so early to bed. Y'all turn the light out. 

Youth Appreciation Banquet

2015 West Ashley Optimist Club, Youth Appreciation

Introducing the 2015 Youth Volunteers of the Year as honored by the West Ashley Optimist Club. The club's main goal is to be a Friend to Youth and they hold a recognition banquet every year. I am delighted to get recognition for a student who volunteers at the hospital. All non-profits are invited to nominated so these students represented different area agencies. Congrats ladies!

Work hard and be nice

Work hard and be nice

Would that be so hard, really? I need a sign like that to carry around with me. 

All in the family - Jimmy Bailey for Jimmy Bailey, Jr.

Jimmy Bailey, Charleston, SC  

A familiar face just came to my door - Jimmy Bailey knocked rallying support for his son Jimmy Bailey, Jr. in Tuesday's run off election for Charleston City Council. I think I can do that! All the best to our candidates and thank you for working to improve Charleston. May all the best folks win and lead us into the future. Charleston is growing at breakneck speed and needs thoughtful guidance.

Mr. Bailey recognized me. Since I work with so many students and healthcare mentoring programs and he works with the YESCarolina program, we have landed at some of the same events supporting teenagers in the lowcountry. You can read about his work with YESCarolina here.

I have a hard time posting lighthearted entries when there are so many terrible things happening in the world and recent terrorist strikes in Kenya, Beirut and Paris. I read the news and keep up with what is happening and wish I had more to contribute to solutions. I feel so sad and helpless. 

Butterflies

“The caterpillar does all the work, but the butterfly gets all the publicity.” 

― George Carlin

“I have no problem overcoming the butterflies in my stomach. 

Of course, neither do the fish I thought I caught with my butterfly net.” 
― Jarod Kintz, 99 Cents For Some Nonsense

“Butterflies are not insects,' Captain John Sterling said soberly.

'They are self-propelled flowers.” 
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Cat Who Walks Through Walls

“Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to 

become acquainted with the butterflies.” 
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Mercantile & Mash

Mercantile & Mash, Charleston, SC  

I love it when crumbling old buildings are suddenly vibrant and bustling with activity. Mercantile & Mash is open on the property of the old Cigar Factory on East Bay St. and has baked goods, restaurant menu, butcher shop and meals to go.

I was in the neighborhood to see photographer Jack Alterman's show, walked in to snoop around, called my friend Jo and we met for a spontaneous brunch meet up. The room upstairs looks perfect for events.

MERCANTILE AND MASH IS A GOURMET FOOD EMPORIUM, LOCATED IN THE RECENTLY RENOVATED CIGAR FACTOR ON EAST BAY STREET.OFFERING A UNIQUE SELECTION OF HOMEMADE ITEMS AND LOCAL PRODUCTS, MERCANTILE AND MASH FEATURES CHARCUTERIE, CHEESE, WINE, BAKED GOODS, LOCALLY ROASTED COFFEE, GRAB-AND-GO ITEMS, GIFTS AND COOKWARE, AND OTHER GOURMET FOOD ESSENTIALS. PRIDING THEMSELVES ON HOSPITALITY AND SERVICE, MERCANTILE AND MASH OFFERS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF INGREDIENTS AND PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ON THE PENINSULA.

Pat-a-crust, pat-a-crust...

Chicken Pot Pie, Charleston, SC   

Then there is that tricky moment when you are ready to roll out chicken pot pie crust and remember that you last used the rolling pin for foot exercises. Ooops.

Disclaimer, while I did make the chicken pot pie, that is NOT my ugly foot.

Boiling Peanuts

Boiled P-Nuts

It's a rainy day in the lowcountry and I have a pot of green peanuts simmering on the stove. I've never made boiled peanuts before but the recipes all seem to include hours of simmering green peanuts and a LOT of salt. The only reason I bought them in the first place was because I saw signs leading to a driveway and thought it might be a chance to see St. Julien Plantation. I was on the right track!

Through beautiful brick gate posts the driveway led to a sign saying "Boiled P-Nuts. Honk Horn Here". It felt odd but it was a lovely farm setting and I could see the plantation house through the trees.

A truck drove up and the gentleman said he was closing for the day but would bring me a "peck" of peanuts for $12. Now I have to figure it out! Since he was closing up shop for the day it didn't seem right to try to snoop around. I may be purchasing another peck of peanuts next time I am in the area. 

Lost & Found

Lost & Found, Charleston, SC  

Every hospital worker knows we have an endless issue with Lost & Found items. People move from department to department, awake, asleep, dressing, undressing, can't remember what they brought in with them, leave valuable items on the lunch trays. Daddy lost his dentures, mama lost her earrings, books, socks, phones.....on and on. Sometimes it feels hopeless and it takes a lot of nursing and staff time trying to track items down. It is an issue we are all aware of and struggle to improve, so this sign at the Cathedral of St. Luke & St. Paul on Coming St. made me smile. Who but church members would put a religious spin on it?! Love it.

Why was I in an Episcopal Cathedral on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you may ask? I was there to witness a dear chaplain at our hospital Samuel Kennedy be ordained as a priest. It was quite a ceremony. I wasn't sure of the camera snapping protocol and controlled myself until he turned around to be introduced in his new role and I whipped my canon out and quickly grabbed a few shots. Congratulations Father Sam!

In other news, I sprained my leg a few weeks ago falling off a collapsible garden stool. I was working on my car carpets after the flood and as the stool folded under me, my leg twisted awkwardly under the car. I've been limping around and spending my evenings with a large ice pack I've become oddly attached to. Almost better now and ready to think of going out for a walk on this foggy morning. Happy weekend kids!

Porch Library

Neighborhood House, Charleston, SC  

Grab a book from the porch library and settle in a rocker. The unusual bookshelf location caught my eye. This is the Neighborhood House Porch Library.

The Neighborhood House currently provides education services such as G.E.D. preparation, basic skills, literacy training, computer education, a clothes closet, a food pantry, direct emergency financial assistance, and a five day per week soup kitchen that serves an average of 120 people a day.   

Table for thirteen please

Hwy 78, SC  

I gave my traveling companion fair warning to keep her eye out for the plywood Jesus knocking on the door but when I saw this amazing new full display of the last supper we had to turn around and stop. This is a busy place swarming with biblical characters.

The gentleman pulling up in the white truck carried a few of the figures out to complete the shot for me. I shook his hand and he introduced himself as the artist. Keep an eye out on Hwy 78 above Summerville. You won't believe your eyes.

Teeny, tiny houses of Charleston - Drake St.

Drake St., Charleston, SC  

Another rainy day in Charleston with the usual flooded streets. I was lucky enough to switch one meeting across town into a conference call, stayed snug in my office with a mug of tea and still got the job done.

I had this picture from my weekend walk saved to share and add to my collection of tiny houses. It is a sweetie. Below you can see it in proportion to it's larger neighbor.

East Bay Murals - David Boatwright

East Bay St., Charleston, SC   

Muralist David Boatwright has left a splash of color on 341 East Bay St. on the Blue Key building. Check their web site to get a closer view of the art work. The panel on the left is the past and the right is the future. What a great gift David Boatwright has been to Charleston.

I had a tasty bite to eat this evening at Spero at 616 Meeting St. I tried the pulled lamb sandwich and may not need to eat for the rest of the week. It was very good.