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.

Yankees Go Home

Yankees Go Home, Coming St., Charleston, S.C.

It is such a relief to be Canadian. I've never read, "Canadians, go home, eh!" in the pavement. It looks like someone tried to rub this out but it was too late.

Like a bird, on a mansion fence

16 Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.

Most people don't go to the Calhoun Mansion on Meeting St. to take pictures of birds but he was posing so sweetly for me.

I know a few readers are planning trips to Charleston this spring so thought this link to the Historic Charleston Foundation's Spring Home & Garden Tours might be helpful. It looks like they go from March 22 to April 21: Festival of Houses and Gardens.  It should be glorious!

Forgive me for not answering everyone's comments promptly. I try my best never to blog or comment from work. I'm constantly telling my boss that I do try to behave. It's a struggle but I do try.

Townhouses on Bull St.

Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

This stretch of tall masonry town homes always reminds me of Savannah. But they aren't, ha! They are right here in Charleston. Since one had a Sale sign on it I was able to google around and find a bit of information from the real estate web site:

103 Bull St.: Built in 1853 by Sara Smith, Historic Bee's Row was taken over during the Civil War by William C. Bee, owner of a blockade-running firm. Located on what was then known as "Bee's Block," the properties located at 101-109 Bull Street were partially used as warehouses and stores during the war. This fabulous masonry home and carriage house can easily accommodate a large family. The property consists of 6 bedrooms (currently used as a four bedroom house with a media and exercise room), 5 full baths and 2 half baths. The carriage house, approx. 1,545 square feet, is large enough for guests or it could serve as a rental with 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, an updated kitchen and parking. Situated in a wonderful, quiet location in Harleston Village, you are within walking distance to local schools and hospitals.

If you are interested, the link has a photo gallery showing the inside of the main house. Wowza! Let me know if you buy it. I'm coming over for dinner and I might not leave.

 

Spring Blossoms in January?

Duncan St., Charleston, S.C.

Look at these blossoms! In January? This is very odd. A cold snap could do some serious damage at this point. These are on Duncan St. The old sign on that little building says "R & M Sweet Shop" although it is too faded to read easily. 
 

I spent this afternoon at the Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Auction and luncheon at the Charleston Marriott. Our Lady of Mercy has an Outreach Mission on Johns Island offering free dental and ob/gyn visits, English as a second language and GED classes. It is a pretty impressive operation and a good thing to support. I am glad some people had more money than I do to bid on the grand but expensive auction items. I think they did very well!

I hope everyone has had a good weekend and that everyone who went to the Lowcountry Oyster Festival didn't spend all day in traffic.

Thou Shalt Not Park Here

No Parking Sign, Hassell St., Charleston, S.C.

I don't think they want you to park at the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagog on Hassell St. Not only that but they really don't want you taking pictures of the area either.

The gate was open to the parking alley as I walked by and the sign made me grin and reach for my camera. In an instant a police officer and temple member were on either side of me asking what I was taking pictures of. When I explained that their parking sign was fun they looked relieved and waved me on. It is a good addition to my No Parking series.

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance

King St., Charleston, S.C.

I am ahead of the game here since we are only an hour into Sunday as I post this. I spotted these choir members heading to St. Mary's on Hassell St. as I did my morning walk last weekend.

I've had a bit of a lazy day today but an unexpected treat on Friday night. Facebook friend Donna caught me just as I left to go out on my walk and suggested meeting up for a bite to eat. We enjoyed a lovely dinner (mushroom ravioli...mmmmm) at Il Cortile Del Re on King St. It was warm enough to enjoy sitting outside on their patio and fun to meet another Facebook contact.

Charleston Doors

Meeting St., Charleston, S.C,

It's late and I should be in bed. I worked late this evening and in my mind that already justifies slipping out to get to a movie tomorrow afternoon. I still need to catch Meryl Streep in Iron Lady, doncha think?

Aren't these the most beautiful doors?  They are on lower Meeting St. almost at White Point Gardens. If the doors look like this, I can't even imagine how beautiful the interior is.

I want to thank everyone who has added information about pictures recently in comments and on Facebook. It is so much fun to get more details about a scene I've captured quickly as I go by. Buildings in Charleston have such history and it is lovely for you all to make it more personal for us. Thank you.

G'night kids!