30 September 2016

Garden gates and secret gardens

Lamboll St., Charleston, SC  
This is why it is always interesting walking on the peninsula. There is always a garden gate to look through and a secret garden to glimpse. Never a dull moment.

Hello Friday my old friend.


28 September 2016

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row, Charleston, SC    
It's one of the most likely tourist photo ops - the colorful stretch of historic houses on East Bay Street. It caught my attention on a recent walk with the addition of a new color. The pretty periwinkle shade is freshly painted and a happy surprise. 
Rainbow Row is the name for a series of thirteen colorful historic houses in Charleston, South Carolina. It represents the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States. The houses are located north of Tradd St. and south of Elliot St. on East Bay Street, that is, 79 to 107 East Bay Street. The name Rainbow Row was coined after the pastel colors they were painted as they were restored in the 1930s and 1940s. It is a popular tourist attraction and is one of the most photographed parts of Charleston.


27 September 2016

A long and winding vine

ZigZag Alley, Charleston, SC  
Isn't this a grand display? I could do it, if I had a house with pillars and a full time gardener. No problem.

Years ago I read the book about Mrs. Whaley's Charleston Garden and if I recall her gardening advice it was to: a) marry a wealthy and generous husband and b) hire a gardener. Yep!


26 September 2016

The end of the alley


Charleston, SC  
I need to carry a note pad. I wander all over the peninsula on my walks at at the moment I take the picture I am confident I will remember where I took the shot. A couple hundred pictures later they all run together. I am pretty sure this is the beginning of Zigzag Alley.

I didn't quite make my 10,000 steps this evening but did get over 9,000 before it was too dark to continue. I need to buy some lighter walking shirts.

Time to bring back my Suffragettes poster. This evening's debate is making me nervous and all I have to do is watch tv. If you haven't registered to vote, it's time to do it. This is much too important.



25 September 2016

Tybee Island Lighthouse

Tybee Island Lighthouse, Tybee Island, GA
I had my eye on the sky hoping for a good backdrop for lighthouse pictures and got lucky! We had bright blue skies and white billowy clouds for our lighthouse adventure. What a pretty setting it is with the lighthouse keeper's cottage decorating with many of the original furnishings. I climbed the 178 steps to the top and had a good view of the island. 
The Tybee Island Light Station, originally constructed in 1736, is Georgia’s oldest, tallest lighthouse and one of America’s most complete historic light station complexes. It has guided mariners safely into the Savannah River for close to 300 years. All of its original support buildings are still located on the five-acre site off US-80 at Fort Screven. Still a functioning navigational aid, the station’s light, courtesy of a first order Fresnel lens, can be seen 18 miles offshore. Visitors willing to climb the 178 steps to the top of the recently restored lighthouse will enjoy a spectacular view of the entire island.

24 September 2016

On the road - Tybee Island

Tybee Island, GA
Quick trip down the coast to Tybee Island to pay a visit to the Tybee Island Lighthouse. Those photos are uploading but here are a few fun random shots. Tybee Island reminds me of a mix between Edisto Beach and Folly Beach. It was a bright sunny day and folks were having a good time.


22 September 2016

McD says, Hi!

Ronald McDonald House, Charleston, SC  
I was returning to my car after a reception at the Governor Thomas Bennett house and turned to see Ronald McDonald waving goodbye to me.
The Ronald McDonald House opened its doors 32 years ago as a home away from home where families stay while their children undergo extensive medical treatment. Today, the House is able to serve 32 families every single night.Here, parents and children lead a life as normal as possible during their traumatic times without the financial burden of costly hotel and travel expenses. Our home offers these families’ comfortable beds, hot meals, a caring staff, and a four-legged friend, Gardy, all just steps from the hospital.

21 September 2016

West Ashley Farmer's Market

West Ashley Farmer's Market, Charleston, SC 
Woohoo! We finally got a Farmer's Market West Ashley. By the look of the cars parked everywhere I'd say it is pretty obvious that there is interest. This should be a big success. Wednesday evening. Mark you calendar.


20 September 2016

Italian - Al Di La!

Al Di La, Magnolia Rd., Charleston, SC 
Double restaurant week treat! Avondale Restaurant week follows Charleston Restaurant Week.
It was a perfect evening to sit outside - until it started raining. Heheh. 
We had a great time and the food was delicious. 


19 September 2016

Ding dong!

Gate bell, Charleston, SC  
Oh nooooo...the bell made me think of Ding Dong and Ding Dong made me think of the Wizard of Oz and if I have to have that song stuck in my head, so do you.


18 September 2016

Around the lake

Colonial Lake, Charleston, SC 
We've enjoyed dramatic blue skies and billowy clouds today. I often park on lower Rutledge when I march about town and carrying a camera makes me try to see the same sights in a fresh way. The red brick building was the former Baker Sanitarium and is now fashionable condos. 

Clothes washed, walking done, a few chores taken care of. I may have time to squeeze in a nap.

Remember that as Charleston Restaurant ends, Avondale Restaurant week begins. These are the restaurants that will be participating from September 19 - 25. Where shall we go? What shall we eat?
  • Al Di La
  • Avondale Wine & Cheese Bar
  • Mellow Mushroom
  • Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
  • Pearlz Little Oyster Bar
  • Triangle Char & Bar

16 September 2016

Governor's Volunteer Awards 2016

Governor's Award For Volunteering, Columbia, SC 2016
This good looking group of people are the recipients of the Governor's Awards for Volunteering for 2016. We had a lovely ceremony at the Lace House on the Governor's Mansion property this morning with Lieutenant Governor Henry McMaster presenting the awards.

I love nominating worthy candidates and the Patient Representative volunteers from Roper St. Francis won the Group category award. I was so tickled! We rallied our group and drove to Columbia for the event and had a wonderful day. Congratulations to all the winners. Your stories make us proud to live in South Carolina.


13 September 2016

The Period of the Rolling Garbage Bins

Warren St., Charleston, SC 
I look for clothing styles in old pictures to date them. Some people know the year of any vehicle in the shot. This period may be identified by the trash can style. The Period of the Rolling Trash Bins. Not that I am complaining. I love my giant rolling blue recycling bin. 

12 September 2016

West Ashley Farmer's Market

Woohoo! Finally. I moved West Ashley a couple of years ago and now I am ready for all the good stuff to come to me. 

Eggplantpalooza!

Roasted baby eggplants, Charleston, SC 
Last night was all things eggplant at my house and it was delicious. Eggplant and zucchini bake, eggplant Parmesan, eggplant lasagna, ratatouille, eggplant moussaka with chicken, stuffed eggplant boats with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, braised eggplant with tomatoes, fried eggplant tempura, baba ganoush and wonder of wonders - eggplant "bread" pudding. Luckily I love eggplant and the challenge sure does bring out creativity. Even the mermaid dressed for the occasion.