Naughty or nice?

Charleston, S.C.

Isn't he the most perfect Santa? He can't resist coming back to the hospital before Christmas and we all love him. Did you get my list Santa?

Merry Christmas Charleston!

Merry Christmas Charleston! The Charleston Symphony orchestra coordinated this while I was out of town. So cool!

Chef Nico at the James Beard House

James Beard House, NYC

The primary reason for my trip to NYC was to attend Chef Nico Romo's, dinner at the James Beard House last night. How could I resist an opportunity like that?

It was cold and dark out last night and just a small sign let us know we were at the right brownstone. Chef Nico looked relaxed and I was happily impressed to learn how many of the guests had traveled from Charleston to support him.



There is a little entry area and then we all walked a narrow path past a tiny open kitchen area. The walls were lined with maps of the world and cooking accessories were hanging everywhere. Nico and his team of three had driven their truck filled with food and had arrived the night before.

Dec. 14, 7:00 P.M. French with an Asian Twist
South Carolina’s only Maitre Cuisinier de France (and one of the world’s youngest), Lyon native Nico Romo brings his je ne sais quoi and Asian accents to the sophisticated French cooking at Fish. A hot spot on Charleston’s restaurant scene, Fish is also known for its fine wines, which will accompany this Beard House debut.

The dinner had sold out promptly and all 85 guests squeezed into a tiny reception room at the back of the house. I sneaked upstairs early to check out the layout but didn't stay long since Nico's appetizers are one of my favorites things and I especially liked the tiny servings of curried crab soup.



Amazingly they did find a seat for everyone in the two rooms on the second floor. The building still looks much like a home with portraits of James Beard hanging over the mantles. Two thirds of our table was already filled with sparkling glasses for the wine pairings.



Escargot dumplings (yum), bouillabaisse, red porgy, duck a l'orange, beef bourguinon and pan seared petite fillet, goat yogurt cake and banana creme brulee....it was a wonderful evening and I feel so lucky to be included. Chef Nico and his team earned a standing ovation and we were sent home with little gift boxes filled with treats.

There was an official James Beard photographer who was very welcoming and I didn't feel responsible for the official food plate shots so I could get the happy crowd pictures. I will upload more to this album but meanwhile I need to get to bed. Apparently there is this thing called 'work" that has to be dealt with in the morning.

Central Park Postcard

Central Park, NYC

There is just the perfect amount of snow in Central Park to feel like I was walking through a postcard this morning. I walked through the park and then back on Madison Ave. drooling on all the store windows and stopping for some hot soup. Tonight is the dinner at the James Bear House featuring Chef Nico Romo from Fish Restaurant - the main purpose for the trip. I can't wait!

Spider Man sends his greetings!

Have a Foodie Holiday!

Barney's, New York City

I thought you might like to the festive "Foodie" windows at Barney's on Madison Ave. Isn't this fun?! The window displays are absolutely incredible.

We walked and walked today and explored the MOMA museum. What an exciting time of year to visit New York.

I hope everyone is staying warm. Tomorrow the big chill arrives here and I saw a few flakes of snow this evening.

New City Field Trip

FAO Schwarz Toy Store, NYC

I am going to get kicked out of the "Daily Photo" community if I keep traveling! I have a little net book with me thinking it was travel lighter than my laptop but I am having trouble uploading photos so most will have to wait.

I am clearly not a local gal, wide eyed with delight at all the sights. Quick peak in St. Patrick's Cathedral, brunch at Brasserie 8 1/2, squeezed in the crowd to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, walked past the theater and got tickets to see Mama Mia - so much fun!

Haven't done any shopping yet except for one thing - there is a certain black hair clasp that I like that I can't find anywhere in Charleston. They must make random deliveries of Goodies hair products. We were in a Duane Reade drug store and I spotted them and bought all five they had. Since then I've been going in every one of the drugstores chains and buying up their stock on black plastic hair claws. Some people come to NYC for high fashion, I'm coming home with a backpack full of $5.49 hair claws. Heheh.

Stay warm kids!

NYC Field Trip

Metropolitan Museum, NYC

I am waking up on Park Ave in New York City and feel like Cinderella. I have the most beautiful guest room and private marble bathroom. Wowza! Seems I know people who know people. Our hosts have been so welcoming and took us for a quick walk through of the Metropolitan Museum yesterday afternoon. What an incredible treat this is. I can't wait to see what today brings.

Joyful Noise

Charleston, S.C.

It's an annual tradition - the pipes band from the Lowcountry Senior Center came to entertain us at the hospital today. It was a fun and festive affair.

Blog friend Suzie Townsend has started a new Charleston photo blog. Go visit at: My View of Charleston and the Lowcountry. This is such a beautiful part of the world it is hard to resist showing it off!

Plan to watch my friend and Best Chef in the South East, Chef Sean Brock on Iron Chef America on Sunday evening, 12/12 at 10 p.m. Yeah Sean!

Okay, kids, I need to go pack! I am off to New York City in the morning. Y'all behave while I am gone. No wild parties. Keep your feet off of the coffee table and pick up your beer cans. Most of all don't let my pipes freeze.

I may not be Martha Stewart....

Rusty Truck Chic, Backroads, S.C.

I may not be Martha Stewart but I believe you can toss a little greenery in almost any container and....oh, just be creative!

I've had this shot in my Backroads, S.C. album. It was taken in a nursery around Holly Hill if I recall correctly.

Wednesday Evening Walk-about

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

I've been here, I've been there, I've been everywhere. I had an afternoon meeting at Roper Hospital and it hardly seemed worth driving all the way back out to my office so I grabbed an armful of work to do at home. I haven't touched it yet.

I took a long walk while it was still light. The lady at Beads on Cannon graciously repaired my favorite glass bead necklace and refused to let me pay her anything. The gentlemen at Tabbuli Grill served me my favorite chicken kabob dinner with a glass of wine and the Charleston City Paper. The Tabulli Grill is my new favorite place to grab a quick bite now that Does Pita closed their downtown location.

I am going to New York City on Saturday and bouncing off the ceiling with excitement. Chef Nico Romo from FISH restaurant is hosting a dinner at the James Beard House on Tuesday evening and I get to go! Wowza! I can't believe how lucky I am. What a treat this is going to be.

New York City at Christmas. La..la...la! Suddenly I feel like a village girl with nothing stylish enough to wear in New York. Black, black, black, I know. I bought a hat and since my free range toes are barely getting used to not being in sandals I did my walk this evening in boots just to make sure I could. Boots!? I don't wear boots in Charleston. How easy it is to forget that I am Canadian! I don't know nuthin' 'bout no winter.

The photo is the Belvedere Bed & Breakfast on Rutledge Ave. by Colonial Lake dressed in holiday finery. Stay warm kids!

The gift for the folks who have everything...

Water Missions International, Charleston, S.C.

Yes! Buy them an outhouse! I's quirky, original, practical and fun. For a $100 donation to Water Missions International you can have a Sanitary Pit Latrine installed in a country where it is desperately needed.

Sanitary Pit Latrine: The Healthy Latrine is a low-cost yet sturdy, robust, aesthetic and durable type of construction developed by WMI as part of a state wide pilot Project in the Department of Colon, Honduras and used around developing countries to provide access to adequate sanitation facilities to needy families and households in rural and sub-urban settlements lacking any other type of sewage facilities.

This Latrine was developed to improve health and living conditions on children and adults because it is a well-known fact that about three quarters of poor families in developing countries lack these types of facilities. Lack of proper sanitation represents more than half the sources of gastrointestinal diseases caused by waterborne bacteria, viruses and worms.

Water Mission Internationl's primary project is building water purification systems. That is how I met them and got involved, eventually traveling to Kenya to document the installation of a system for a little hospital in Eldoret. When I was touring their facility on Savannah Highway I spotted this outhouse made out of poured concrete in the corner and was enchanted.

I grew up using outhouses and love this solution since it uses a gallon of back flush water from the purification system. Neato!

Seriously. I bought one last year for Christmas and intend to do it again this year. It would be the perfect fun/serious gift to give in people's names. I tried to talk WMI into personalizing them but they still suspect I am nuts. Wouldn't it be great to have a picture of your outhouse with your name on it? I can see a line of Joany Pony Potties. I'd probably go visit them.

Here is the donation link or just give them a call. The latrine is listed in their holiday catalog.

Pony up for a holiday potty!

Whole Chicken Dinner 50 cents

Whole Chicken Dinner, MacDaddy Landing, S.C.

It took me a minute to get what they meant, laughed out loud and told the cashier that I had to go out and get my camera. How funny!

I've had a good weekend. I kicked off the holidays with my annual tradition of going to the Symphony Gospel Choir with friends. There is nothing like the foot stomping, hand clapping choir members belting out spirituals to put me in the holiday spirit. They were soooo wonderful. Thanks to Debby and Andre for the good company. After the concert at St. Matthews we walked up to FISH for a drink. What a perfect evening.

I am snuggled in my favorite corner of the couch waiting to watch FIG restaurant Chef Mike Lata on Iron Chef America in a few minutes. I've had some of the best food I've ever had in my life at FIG. Watch it if you can! I know he will make Charleston proud.

Making magic out of scraps of wood

Charleston Farmer's Market, Charleston, S.C.

It's a good day simply not having to set an alarm clock. I always wake up before the alarm goes off but love, love, love not having to leap out of my warm nest.

The Farmer's Market is still in full swing and when I walked through this morning Ashley Harwood was turning the tiniest little pieces of wood on a lathe and making delicate ornaments with sea urchins. I asked how many she broke and she looked as if I had asked an odd question. Heck, I'd be snapping them off left and right and using them for fancy toothpicks. I guess that is why I am not a wood artist and she is.

They are beautiful aren't they? She makes bowls and other artwork as well and was recently featured in the Post & Courier.

Go visit at: turningnative.com

Backroads, S.C.

Kingstree, S.C.

I love this little scene. I took the picture on a drive through Kingstree, S.C. a few years ago. I made my patient driver circle the block so I could get the shot and behind the business we spotted the little cottage below that looked like the owner's home. Look at all the flowers!

The last time I passed that way it was hardly recognizable, dull and drab and not worth taking a picture. The person who had imprinted the property with their colorful personality and was clearly no longer in residence.

Non stop Chef Eric Gaffin

New Dream Catering, Savannah Highway, Charleston, S.C.

He is here, he is there, he is everywhere! Does Chef Eric Gaffin from New Dream Catering ever sleep? He just landed in the lowcountry last year but he has been working non stop since he arrived.

He offered to help make 400 pounds of Potato Latkes for Chanukah in the Square, he is the featured chef for the Giving Back Cheer event tomorrow night at the Bennett House benefiting the Palmetto Project. He is blogging (now with recipes...yum), writing a newsletter and following him on Facebook makes me tired and hungry.

Eric's latest project is Candlelight Cuisine, a benefit for the Lowcountry Food Bank. It is for singles and he promises it will be great:

Great food begets great company. Meet someone to get cozy with this holiday season by sharing an incomparable five course dinner featuring Chef Gaffin’s signature creations at a secret new downtown location.

This event includes a five course gourmet dinner, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a wine pairing served with dinner.

Get some sleep Eric. You have a busy week!

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, Charleston, S.C.

We had a display of panels of the AIDS quilt hanging at the the friendly little hospital across the river today in recognition of World AIDS Day. Volunteers from the Ryan White Program were there to share information about their services. Thanks to Ann Caldwell (above), the Magnolia singers and Live 5 News for covering the days events. The quilt panels never fail to make it personal.

Late cold walk tonight. I just made it to Broad St. and marched right back home. Nothing warms up a chilly house better than a brisk walk though, does it? Now it is unbearably stuffy in here.

Paging Dr. Sock Monkey

Calhoun St., Charleston, S.C.

I often get email requests for photo use but this was a new one. This blogger needed a picture of Doctor Sock Monkey and sent me the link to her entry. A doctor's work is never done.

More of last year's sock monkey fun here.

Holiday Activities

Horse Barn, Charleston, S.C.

There is so much going on in Charleston it's almost hard deciding what to do. Here is the event calendar from Charleston Scene for the holidays so you can plot your festive activities.

So far I bought tickets for the Gospel Christmas Concert at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church for Saturday. Listening to someone belt out a spiritual never fails to put me in the holiday mood.

Any other recommendations? What is your favorite holiday activity?

Under Foot

Those Who Give Up Freedom For Security, Deserve Neither.

You know I did it. I am so fascinated by what people chose to write in wet cement I kept stumbling, tripping tourists and back tracking to take pictures of the pavement in San Francisco.


Buy More Drugs


Lower Haight Rocks


Goonies


It Could Not be Helped


Jesus Loves Bob ( I sent this one to my brother!)


Queer Love

Charleston Harbor

Charleston Harbor, Charleston, S.C.

I am so tickled that I can be on the west coast one day and the east the next that I had to walk to the water this morning. It is a bright and shiny day.

I spotted this gentleman picking things out of the pineapple fountain and for a moment wondered if he was taking coins. In fact he was going for his walk and picking up trash along the way. He showed me his little bag with soggy candy wrappers and cigarette butts. He moved quickly and roved all over the water front park spotting litter and picking it up. He said he lived five miles away but came into town for church and tried to "be a good example for you young people". Wow.

Home again, home again....

Napa Valley, CA

I'll get back to Charleston Daily Photos tomorrow!

My friend Andre' happened to be in California spending Thanksgiving with his son and family not too far from where my daughter and I were in San Francisco. They picked us up on our last morning and gave us a royal tour of Napa Valley wine country. We had such a lovely day tasting wine at three different wineries and ended with dinner back in town. What a beautiful part of the world. I love being in places that I have heard about all my life and discovering that they live up to their reputation.

Many thanks to our kind hosts!

I had to have a 3:45 am wake up call to catch my plane this morning (yawn) and it's nice to be back on my couch having a grilled cheese sandwich this evening. I suspect it will be an early night. I hope to have a chance to snoop around everyone's blog and catch up with all your Thanksgiving festivities. Thanks for all your kind comments while I've been traveling.

For Marcheline - here are my shoes, babeeeeeeeeeeee!