Rainbow on a gloomy day

Rainbow Row, Charleston, S.C.

There are so many trees on this stretch of East Bay St. that it is hard to get a good picture of the row of houses that make up Rainbow Row. It is a little easier during the winter with some of the trees bare. Check out all these google images: Rainbow Row.

Rainbow Row: After the Civil War, this area of Charleston devolved into near slum conditions. In the early 1900s, Dorothy Porcher Legge purchased a section of these houses numbering 99 through 101 East Bay and began to renovate them. She chose to paint these houses pink based on a colonial Caribbean color scheme. Other owners and future owners followed suit, creating the "rainbow" of pastel colors present today. The coloring of the houses helped keep the houses cool inside as well as give the area its name.

Common myths concerning Charleston include variants on the reasons for the paint colors. According to some tales, the houses were painted in the various colors such that the intoxicated sailors coming in from port could remember which houses they were to bunk in.

 This vintage car happened to come by at just the right time!

Thank You Umbrella Girl!

College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C.

I was taking the short cut through the College of Charleston campus back home and this gal with an umbrella was kind enough to walk right into the perfect spot. Thank you!

Rainy day. It always seems to rain during the Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition but this year we happy to see it. I've been going through closets and piling old clothes into give-a-way bags. It is long past time to clean up around here.  I put an ad for five minutes on Craigslist and a lady my size is supposed to come by and pick them up off my porch.

I walked to Harris Teeter this morning and it seems to me the price of eggs has gone up. I'm talking Cadbury's of course. Yum.

Sunset on Meeting St.

Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

I admit I didn't take it this evening since it is raining at the moment. This was Thursday evening when the light was so pretty.

These famous paintings improved by cats cracked me up: Famous Paintings Improved By Cats

Need to get your business online - for free? Google is sponsoring a one day workshop on Tuesday at Memminger Auditorium. Get the info here: americagetonline.com/south-carolina

Eugene reviewed the new Heart Woodfire Kitchen on James Island.  Eugene always makes me hungry.

An Apology for My Twenties by a gentleman blogger in his thirties.

Wow. A couple of big new apartment complexes planned for Charleston. I'd better go take some "before" pictures quick.

Did everyone go get wild at the Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition today? I walked through Marion Square so early they actually asked me to leave the tents since they were still setting up. Oooops.

Bill & Bob?

SEWE, Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

Sweet little things. They were catching a last minute snooze before the Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition crowds descend on them. Zzzzzzz.

They are both male and still need names. What would suit two little goat boys?

Ride 'em, cowboy!

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

I'm not a big fan of John C. Calhoun. In years gone by they raised his statue on a pedestal to keep people from throwing things at it.

I may not throw things at him but I do enjoy making him roll over in his grave by posing him in comical poses even if I have to lay on my belly to do it. This morning he was riding into town for the Southeastern Wildlife Festival on the Wells Fargo Carriage. Check here for the rest of the series of John C. Calhoun and his antics. Ride 'em cowboy!

Bloggers Walking

Bloggers Walking, Beaufain St., Charleston, S.C.

This isn't like my usual "Blog Hopping" category where I link to local blogs. This time I actually bumped into two of my favorite local bloggers! Left is Kristen Walker from Charleston InsideOut  and in the middle is Jessica from Children of the Corm - a Charleston garden blog. We asked a couple passing by to take our picture. How fun is this! I was pleased that they recognized me as I marched by.

Wentworth Mansion, Charleston, S.C.

I had my camera ready and in hand because I had just snapped a picture of the Wentworth Mansion. The impressive building used to be an insurance company when I moved here and now is winning awards left and right as a top destination hotel. What a great building.

It's the weekend kids! Celebrate.

Waterfront Park Walking

Waterfront Park, Charleston, S.C.

I spent part of my day at the Mount Pleasant Hospital in meetings and ended up home early enough to walk in the pretty light. I did a good loop, found myself down at the Waterfront Park and walked along the Battery.

A lot of people were out although I seemed to catch the scene looking abandoned. Tents are being put up for Southeastern Wildlife Festival festivities. I almost forgot that was this weekend. The animal lovers and animal hunters are coming to town!

Corner Stores & Groceries

Bull St. Gourmet, Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

You listen to me talk about eating at the Bull St. Gourmet on King St. but this is the original Bull St. Gourmet location. It is still a popular spot actually on Bull St.  Food writer and cookbook author Holly Herrick wrote about both locations on her blog: Holly Herrick.

It is getting harder and harder for me to go for a walk knowing the tasty treats inside all of these locations.

I've heard so many people say they liked the Notebook. Now I know why!

Poet Marcus Amaker has a new website.

I need to go see these paintings of the image in a reflection ball at the Robert Lange Studio. Gorgeous!

G'night kids! My couch is whispering my name.

Sharing the love, and raising our sugar levels

Thanks to Alexandra Seabrook, Miss College of Charleston for putting on her tiara and heels and spreading smiles all over the hospital this morning. She was such a great sport and I marched her all over the building passing out candy treats and posing for pictures. She had the most dramatic high heel shoes on, her feet must have been numb.

I stayed up late last night baking coconut cupcakes for the Valentine Cupcake decorating contest. I never enter to be judged but I feel I should support the project since it is a fundraiser for my favorite charity - the American Heart Association. There was no doubt who was the clear winners were. Look at these amazing cupcakes!

Guess where Charleston?

Can anyone guess what lovely restaurant this is now?

I had dinner here this evening with my friend Jo and her husband Tom and it was wonderful. I watched it change from the abandoned Patio Famous Tea Room to an upscale neighborhood restaurant. I wonder if anyone else remembers when it looked like this.

Check out these pictures of dogs going after toys underwater. They look ferocious!

I am baking coconut cupcakes for a Valentine Cupcake sale tomorrow. The house smells yummy.

Edit: The answer is Trattoria Lucca on Bogard St.  It was guessed quickly on Facebook. Monday is family style service with platters delivered to the table to pass around and share. Salads, pasta, meat and dessert. It was all delicious.

Baby Elephant Tries to Walk

Sweet! I took this snippet of video at the Kaziranga Sanctuary on my trip to India in November.

The Grande Dames of East Bay St.

East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

East Bay St., Charleston, S.C.

The sky was so brilliantly blue yesterday it made me look at everything with a fresh eye. I never think of East Bay as a beautiful street but look at these grand houses. They are incredible. Cars move quickly along here so we aren't as likely to appreciate how glorious these buildings are.

I've mentioned that my own house (not one of these) is for sale. I have a big old wooden historic house built in 1840 and share it with two tenants who are kind enough to contribute monthly to my tax and insurance bills. My hope is to downsize to something small and low maintenance.  I don't expect it to sell anytime soon in the current market and remind myself that downtown Charleston isn't the worst place to be stuck. True. Two blocks from the Farmer's Market, King St., restaurants etc. Life could be worse, eh?!

Meanwhile, someone looked at the house yesterday and wants to come back today so I am cleaning up and getting ready to go out for my walk. If I'd won the $325,000 lottery last night none of this would matter.

Stay warm kids!

Down the Garden Path

Pirates Courtyard, Charleston, S.C.

I've passed this alleyway on Church St. time after time but always assumed it was private property and never actually entered through the gate. Apparently there is a courtyard at the back of what is called the Pirate's House. This travel photography website has more information: History Trekker.

Holy cold toes, kids! It is chilly out there. It has been a lovely day but walking out this evening in the wind is wicked cold. I hope all of our budding blossoms make it through the night. I have my electric blanket heating up.

I went to the symphony tonight and was so pleased to find a packed house. We were all there to hear Yuriy Bekker play the million dollar Stradivarius violin and play it he did. What a great treat! More info in the Post & Courier story.

Caramel Pielicious!

When I was a kid, a visitor taught us how to boil a can of sweetened condensed milk for three hours submerged in water. When you open the can it has magically turned into dark, thick caramel. To this day, when my brother Jim comes to visit me I boil up some milk and we sit there with spoons licking our ritual treat.

It turns out O'Charley's makes a pie that tastes exactly like that caramel! They even make a tiny caramel tart for one. My office mate Dianna picked up FIVE caramel pies for my birthday and one of my volunteers made a homemade carrot cake. When I stopped by Roper Hospital there were two more pies waiting for me. I may have finally had enough sugar.

There are hundreds of web links discussing different ways to make Dulce de leche but I stick to the tried and true method. I did test the microwave and had a sticky mess all over the kitchen.

Thanks folks! I was completely spoiled for my birthday.

Hearts for heart month

Morris St., Charleston, S.C.

Heart photo for heart month. This is at the little chapel in the park on Morris St. I think the heart graffiti has been painted over.

My son treated me to an early birthday dinner at Five Loaves Cafe. I'm happy to eat there anytime. Portobello goat cheese burger....yum.  Always fresh, tasty and affordable.

After he got in his car I kept on walking and coming back up King St. was a few steps ahead of an elderly lady who took a tumble straight forward into the street. She was afraid to move and we waited for an ambulance with her head resting in my lap on the street. A young man called for the ambulance, people huddled around comforting her, taking off their jackets to offer as blankets. It was nice to see strangers being so kind and concerned. I think she will be okay. Hope so. If not, I promised to check on her in the morning.

Purple & lime green? Aaaack!

Morris & Felix St., Charleston, S.C.

Help! How did these colors pass as acceptable by the Board of Architectural review in Charleston? My eyes hurt. Ouch. Ouch.

Cooking bacon in water. I know we aren't supposed to be eating it but it is, you know, bacon. This sounds weird. Wonder if it works.

My friend Yuriy Bekker will play a loaned million dollar ex-Hachez Stradivarius violin on Saturday evening with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and I'll be there to hear it! Tickets are just $10 for students and begin at $20 for the rest of us.  

Rare Stradivarius will be featured in CSO Concert: On Saturday it will present the third of its Masterworks concerts, featuring Beethoven's popular Symphony No. 7. Beethoven surely is an appealing reason to attend the 7:30 p.m. performance, but the real treat will be the local debut of a new violin concerto whose subject is the state of South Carolina, written by composer and College of Charleston music professor Edward Hart especially for CSO Concertmaster Yuriy Bekker.But wait, there's more.The concerto will be played by Bekker on the 1686 ex-Nachez Stradivarius violin, one of the most treasured and valuable instruments in the world.

Chuck made his 500th post on Chuckography. Congrats on the milestone entry!

G'night kids. Thanks for all your kind comments. Turn the lights out. Don't stay up too late.

For Julia

104 Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

It was already dusk by the time I walked to Bull St. to take this picture of 104 Bull St. A young man walking his dog watched me maneuvering to find an angle without too many cars in front of the house and said, "It's a great house isn't it? Did someone important live there?" I answered, "Yes. She lives in the Czech Republic now and asked me to take this picture." 

104 Bull St. c.1802 Built before 1802 by Thomas Bennett, builder architect and lumberman, or by his son Gov. Thomas Bennett (see 69 Barre St.), this two story wooden structure on a high brick basement is a notable Adamesque house, with fine detailing including the Palladian window. The Bennett family built similar houses at 96, 112 and 128 Bull St. The marble steps were added by Charles C. Schirmer after he acquired the property in 1916.

Julia is a lowcountry blogger now living in Prague with her family and used to live in this grand house. It looks a bit empty and unloved to me now and in need of an active family. I couldn't tell if anyone actually lives in it or not although there was a light on in the entryway.

I took another picture with Julia in mind a few years ago. You can see that one here.

Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

Oh, the places we will go, the places we will stay!

King's Courtyard, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I was walking back up King St. on Saturday morning and popped into Lily to drool over a pretty mirror they had on their wall. It's hard to drool up onto a wall but I managed. :)) Snooping around I noticed that their back door opens into the courtyard of the King's Courtyard Inn. It looks like a little piece of Europe doesn't it?  The link leads to pictures of the rooms.

Speaking of Europe here is a video of a car racing down the empty streets of Paris at high speed: Rendezvous. Exciting!

Saturday night was the annual Xavier Society Gala with former US Airways pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who became a hero overnight when he safely landed a passenger jet on New York’s Hudson River, and his wife as guest speakers.

It is always fun to see people you work with everyday shined up and sparkling! We clean up pretty good and have fun doing it. We were just so full of ourselves pretending to be grown ups. I splurged on my once a year visit to a hairdresser and had a very ornate "do" wrapped and wound around the back of my head although you can't tell from my picture below. The event was at Charleston Place Hotel and everything was lovely considering the packed house.

Aahh, ya doesn't has to call me Hayzul...

Hasell St., Charleston, S.C.

Interesting! I stopped in my tracks when I saw this ornate cage structure on an old Charleston house on Hasell St. I need to go back to see who they keep in the cage at night.

Hasell St. has one of those quirky lowcountry pronunciations. It is pronounced as: Hasell  –  HAY• zul
The SCIWays site has a great South Carolina pronunciation guide: 

SCIWays  SC Place Name Pronunciation Guide
Eutawville  – YOO • tah • vil
Legare  –  le • GREE
Barre  –  BARE • ree
Bonneau  – BOHN • oh 
DeBordieu Island – DEB • i • dew 
Gaillard  –  GIL • YARD 
Honea Path  – HUN • ee • uh
Huger  –  HU • gee, u • GEE

Winter in Charleston

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

We can't complain about winter this year, can we? These gorgeous gals were hoola hooping in Marion Square this morning as I walked by. Thanks Sara and Chandler! You made a perfect Charleston Daily Photo for February!

Will I be deported if I don't watch the Super Bowl? I just got home and am aiming for my corner of the couch and Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Theater. I promise to watch the highlights in reruns and act interested tomorrow.

Caleigh Bird, Artist, Charleston, S.C.

  I ended my walk at the food truck festival in Marion Square. Long lines, kids! Pack a picnic.

Supplementing the Food Trucks were musicians, Farmer's Market booths and some local handicrafters and artists. Truthfully, it was this gal's belt that caught my eye before I checked out her wacky monster sock monkeys and pendants. Caleigh Bird has set up a web site for her Sock Monkey Monster Posse as well as an Esty shop. Check them out!

Who has a dog like this?

Nurse with dog, Charleston, S.C.

Does anyone have a dog that looks like this? I'd like to do a new version of this shot of an early St. Francis Hospital nurse.

It looks like my porch and I have an old nurse's uniform. Just need the model and a dog!

Go Red Day

Go Red Day, Charleston, S.C.

I do work with a cast of characters! Go Red for Women. Take care of your ticker. Eat healthy, get some exercise, appreciate your friendships!

One of these things is not like the other....

One of the things I like about Charleston is that this tiny cottage can be catty corner across the street from a grand home. I'll take the wee one please.

Whoa Charleston, we can't be having this traffic nightmare everyday!  Yesterday a truck accident blocked the highway and this afternoon a suicidal gentleman in distress caused the Ravenel Bridge to be closed for hours leaving traffic backed up for miles. I hope everyone got home (or to the Jimmy Buffet concert) safely.

Both nights, I pulled off in time, wandered the mall for an hour or two and caught a yummy bite to eat at Sesame. Roast corn on the cob,the Ultimate Grilled Cheese and a corona. Mmmmmm. I had one eye on the TV screen on the wall that showed the bridge so I could see when it was safe to head home. Thanks Sesame!

Best Photo Locations for Charleston Visit?

Two Meeting St. Inn, Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

I received this email recently and thought Charleston folks might be of help. On further questioning she says they are particularly interested in architecture and nature and will be in the area March 10 - 17. Where shall we send them? I will take any suggestions from comments and FB and add them to the bottom of the post.  

I will start us off with a picture of one of the most photographed romantic Inns at the very end of Meeting St. by the Battery. Not all of us can afford to stay there but we can all take pictures of it!

Hi Joan,

I somehow found my way to your blog and was really blown away with the photos of Sheepman’s Graffiti. I am planning a first visit to your area in March with three other ladies from my local camera group. We will be staying for a week in Hilton Head and are planning to visit Charleston and Savannah. We are from Plymouth, Massachusetts.   A week is such a short time and we would very much appreciate it if you could help us out with a “must see” list to point us in the right directions. Any helpful suggestions or recommendations will be very much appreciated.

Thank you,

A 

Let's do this - I have pulled these from your wonderful suggestions in comments. I know a few of you are planning trips to Charleston this spring so maybe this will help!

I think everyone agrees that simply exploring the Charleston peninsula on foot is the best use of a brief visit. I love Queen, Tradd, Church, Atlantic St.  Go to White Point Gardens. The DASH trolley is free so you can hop on and off. King St. has the shopping and restaurants and you can't go wrong for a bite to eat. As you go down King, take the Gateway Walk on your right and visit a few of the cemeteries. 

Peninsula Charleston
Gateway Walk off King St.
Walk lower east side of the peninsula between East Bay & Meeting St. near Broad.
Alleyways St. Michael's, Bedons, Longitude Lane, Philadelphia Alley

College of Charleston campus
Aiken Rhett House tour
Nathaniel Russell House tour
The Citadel: Beautiful campus. Dress parade on Friday afternoons.
Ashley Hall School campus

Cemeteries
Sunday is a good time to catch gates open. If you are up for a drive just north of the peninsula off upper Meeting St. on the right is Magnolia, Bethany and St. Lawrence Cemetery. You won't be sorry!
Magnolia Cemetery: Mausoleums and bird Sanctuary

Mount Pleasant
The view going across the Ravenel Bridge  is breathtaking and a great walk. There is a water taxi that is a fun, easy way to get out on the water. Mt. Pleasant has a sweet, historic old village that is delightful. There is a new boardwalk on Shem Creek and Vickeries on the water front is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

Charleston Water Taxi: Great views of the bridge and Yorktown
Old Village of Mount Pleasant
Sunset at Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park

Shem Creek Board Walk


Plantations
Magnolia Plantation: Gardens, house, petting zoo, Audubon Swamp garden.
Boone Hall: House and avenue of grand oaks

Worth considering for a drive are: 
Angel Oak
Charlestowne Landing
McClellanville
Cawcaw Park
Mepkin Abbey
Cypress Gardens: Boat through the swamp

Ron Rocz' book Seeing Charleston is a terrific photo guide to the best spots.

Politics on the Pavement

Ron Paul, Calhoun St, Charleston, S.C.

Long Live The American Reivolution

I'm a little slow. I wasn't quite sure this was Ron Paul and couldn't quite make out the words until I googled for images and this popped up. I took it during the S.C. primary period so it makes sense. Still - Ron Paul has sidewalk artists working on his campaign? Cool!

In other news, holy traffic confusion kids! It is a mess West Ashley. I soon realized the crawling traffic jam I had entered and slipped into the mall to hang out for a while hoping things would clear up. Drive carefully out there.