Froggy went a courtin'

Folly Beach Park, Folly Beach, S.C.

There is only one tune that can go along with this picture. Sing it Froggy!

Reflections

Reflections, Charleston, S.C.

Yeah. Friday! My precious Friday. I may have a great job but I do love my weekends. I made it to my movie matinee and saw the Silver Linings Playbook on my way home. I feel like a traitor lately because timing has made it more convenient for me to get to the Citadal Mall Theater instead of my usual favorite the Terrace Theater. Sadly though, they will not make me a cuppa tea. No worries Terrace. I am still your number one fan.

What shall we do this weekend? I've been invited to brunch at Husk on Sunday with five gentlemen and couldn't think of any reason to turn that down. Have a great weekend kids!

Let's get voting now - Best of Charleston!

Housemade Ricotta Gnudi at The Macintosh, Charleston,S.C.

Who is the best? It's time for the Charleston City Paper's annual "Best of Charleston" nominations and it's a lot of fun to throw some sugar around to businesses, restaurants, service providers who have treated you kindly through the year.

Pictured above was one of my "Best Of" meals - the Housemade Ricotta Gnudi at the Macintosh. Yummers.

It's a big deal. I know, because Charleston Daily Photo won Best Local Interest Blog a couple of times a few years ago. So log in, settle down and enter your favorites. There are over 300 categories and you need to have 35 entries to count. Don't panic. You can save and pause before you submit. 

Of course in my opinion, my Hospital is the Best Place to work and the Best Place to Have a Baby. Who else should I vote for? Let me know if you have favorites in your part of town that deserve featuring.

Charleston's Bucket List

The January issue of Charleston Magazine has sixty-five things on The Charleston Bucket List that they suggest every local must experience. 

Take a peak and see how you rank. I've done most of them, at least most of the ones I care about. I've painted the Folly boat, sat next to Bill Murray (he didn't notice :), walked Boneyard Beach and paddled the Edisto river. I've done well but I still do need to see this: 

Business inside a Sago Palm

Sago Palm, Folly Beach, S.C.

I've had a Sago palm on my own property but I've never seen this kind of business inside of one before. There is all kinds of stuff going on in here. Yikes!

How do you like them berries?

Folly Beach, S.C.

Another fun shot from my Folly Beach walk this morning. Now, it might be time for the first nap of the year. Yawn.

The Quirkyliciousness of Folly Beach

Folly Beach, S.C.

I always seem to end up at Folly Beach to walk the Edge of America on New Year's Day. The beach is exactly the way I like it - empty. I hope everyone had a good New Year's Eve. I went with a group of friends to SNOB on East Bay St. and enjoyed the first dinner seating which got me home well before crazy folks took over the streets. SNOB was great! What a treat. 

A dab will do ya!

Add caption

"They call me Dab" he said and gave me his card. Sure enough. His web side is called Dabism. He was getting lots of positive attention this morning as he painted the scene of the SC Yacht Club property and waterfront from the battery. 

Work? Tomorrow? Do I remember how to do it? I wish this no-man's land of time between Christmas and the New Year lasted for a month. I love it. 

Saying goodbye to 2012

Charleston at Christmas, Charleston, S.C.

One last Christmas picture before we say goodbye to the season. I am getting ready to make some tea and take the decorations of my tree this afternoon. Sniff. For a few days the house will look so empty.

What is your New Year's traditions? My family has a Scottish background and the one I like best is much more fun than the lowcountry tradition of eating Hopping John:  

First Footer: For optimum good luck, a dark-haired man should be first through your door in the New Year. If he’s handsome and single, so much the better. And it’s really lucky if he arrives on a horse! The man should bring symbolic gifts – some coins, a loaf of bread, a lump of coal for the fire, a branch of evergreen and salt. Ideally, the man will make his way through the house and leave by a different door.

If he happened to be very handsome, there is no hard and fast rule that he couldn't pause for awhile as he makes his way through the house. :)

Cemetery Walking - Magnolia & St. Lawrence

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S.C.

I woke up a couple of times to the sound of rain last night and this morning the skies were gloomy and perfect for a cemetery walk. By the time I pulled up to the gates at Magnolia Cemetery off upper Meeting St. this morning the sun was out and every scene had dramatic lighting. I roamed Magnolia visiting all my favorite spots and then did a quick walk through St. Lawrence Cemetery next door where the angel statue shot was taken.

This last shot made me smile. I have a couple of photographer friends (hi Leah and Kathy!) who frequently go to Magnolia Cemetery just to take pictures of birds. They never take pictures of the tombs or statues. Finding this fake bird in a tree made me feel like I was finally part of their club!

Noodles!

Xiao Boa Biscuit, Spring St., Charleston, S.C.

When Eater asked foodies to describe 2012 food scene in Charleston in one word, the word Asian came up a couple of times. This restored gas station at Rutledge and Spring St. might be part of the reason for that. This is the mural on the Xiao Boa Biscuit

Check the Eater website to see the rest of the words describing the food scene in the lowcountry: charleston.eater and for more foodie interests in Charleston.

I have a "before" picture of the gas station but I went out for a bite to eat to celebrate my Friday and had two glasses of wine and I can't find it anywhere. Ooops. Here it is in the current but still rustic condition.

Check out these wheels

Avondale, Charleston, S.C.

Pretty snappy, eh?! I took a second look when I spotted what looks to be a similar bike on the Book of Joe blog called a Metrofiets Standard Cargo Bike. It might not be exactly the same but very similar.

I need to get to my bed. One of you turn the lights out.

Shedding light on the subject

John C. Calhoun statue, Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

Tsk, tsk. John C. Calhoun appears to be flashing the sun. From the back he always looks like he is sweeping his coat open. This adds to my series of  John C. Calhoun antics.

Lake Marion, S.C.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. This scene looks a bit dreary but it was a lovely day. I spent Christmas Eve and day in warm cabin by Lake Marion with my son. We were lazy and read, talked, ate well and watched a movie. I even got a morning bike ride in between the drizzle. It was a nice break. Thanks for all the lovely holiday greetings!

Boys to Men

Christmas Carolling on King, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I don't think I can top this cutie for a daily photo on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas everyone!

'Twas a couple of nights before Christmas

Festive Carriage Ride, Charleston, S.C.

I'd better use up the rest of my Christmas photos before the day has come and gone!

My house smells like gingerbread cake. Yum. I made the Smitten Kitchen recipe and it turned out great. I didn't have the bottle of stout that it called for along with the molasses so I tossed in a cup of spicy hot Blenheim Ginger-ale. I'm going to have to fatten up my son because I can't keep the whole cake around here for me to eat.

One of the best things about holidays in my opinion is sharing in everyone's family fun as Facebook pictures are posted. It's been a treat watching kids celebrate, bake cookies and sit on Santa's lap. Enjoy every minutes folks and keep the pictures coming, they grow up too fast!

I went to a brunch on the Isle of Palms and half way through I figured out I was seated next to the former Mayor and current House Representative Mike Sottile. Then I got to explore artist Carol McGill's studio and see her work. It was a good morning.

I hope everyone get's what they want for Christmas, because you know what? People are trying to make you happy. I walked through Citadel Mall on Friday night (big, big mistake) and was struck by all the shoppers intent on finding things to please their loved ones. They were holding things up, consulting friends, scratching their heads and digging deep in their pockets. They tried!

Two is two!

Ruby & Harper turn two, Charleston, S.C.

We tried to do a re-enactment of an annual birthday photo but the gals weren't having any part of it! Ruby and Harper turned two and were determined NOT to be in a family photo. Do you think it is called the "terrible two's" for a reason? Too funny! They had a great party and a wonderful time laughing and running around but pictures - no, I don't think so.

Keep an eye out for Ruby & Harper in the Lifetime television series Army Wives.

The long & the short of it

Charleston, S.C.

He made the picture, didn't he? Thank you for running in front of my lens. I am careful about featuring people without their permission or awareness but from the back, unrecognizable, they are fair game.We still have plenty of days to wear shorts sprinkled through a lowcountry winter.

Yeah for five days off. I don't have big plans but it is lovely to be free from work responsibilities for five glorious days. I haven't done too much baking except for shortbread so it's time to get to work!

Before & After - Cannon St. mural

What was Eye Level Art with the mural by Shepard Fairey is now Cannon Green. It isn't open until spring but already has a web site billing at as Charlestons' permier venue site:

Located in the Cannonborough neighborhood, Cannon Green
is Charleston's premier venue for celebrated occasions.
A sophisticated urban concept with the classic elegance of the
South, Cannon Green features three distinct offerings:

• A chic cafe & wine bar
• An artfully landscaped courtyard capable of
  hosting a wedding ceremony or private party
• An elegant & unique event venue for up to 250 guests

It's a blue, blue Christmas

Hospital Christmas Tree, Charleston, SC

It's a blue, blue, ICU Christmas! Check out this creative tree made from blown up hospital gloves by our Intensive Care Unit staff. I hear it brought a lot of smiles. It is perched on a rolling stool and had to be pushed from room to room for the patients to admire. Love it! I work with such creative characters.

All I want for Christmas...

What else could these people want for Christmas? Life looks pretty good. I took the top photo on the weekend and the one below last year.

I am on the run to get a walk in before it gets too dark out.

Seems I've been writing a lot of reference letters and scholarship recommendations lately. Time consuming business that is to do it well. Do you think it would be reasonable to start charging a modest percentage of the scholarship for my cut? Harhar.....