Like a bird on a boy with a bird

Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, S.C.

Yay! I finally made it out to Magnolia Plantation gardens to renew my annual pass. So many of my photo talented friends have been displaying glorious blossom pictures that I've been in pain being cooped up in my office. I've been to Magnolia so many times I am always looking for new scenes to capture and this cardinal granted my wish.

Thanks to Charleston Grit for giving me some sugar!

Beautiful weather, kids! Get out and play.

I heard a neigh

Elloree, S.C.

I had a few more pictures from a recent trip to Elloree in my album to share. I didn't really spend much time there but I did take a lot of pictures to use as blog fodder on busy days like this.

I have Butter Pecan Turtle Cookies in the oven by request for a party tomorrow evening. I haven't made them for years. Once again, you can't really hurt brown sugar and butter unless you burn it. Yum. So hard to type and lick the pot at the same time.

Shades of blue

Smith St., Charleston, S.C.

This is the out building behind the old McCallister's Funeral Home at Wentworth and Smith St. Stables maybe? Or perhaps it was for the hearse. I love the faded blue and the azaleas really perked up the abandoned property.

Long, lean and tall

502 King St., Charleston, S.C.

This is a long tall Sally of a building. Isn't it great? The first floor is currently the Rebekah Jacob Gallery which always has something interesting going on. It particularly stands out since there is a parking lot on the right.

Photographic Firepower of the Cuban Revolution | by Rebekah Jacob

April 7, 2014 – 11:41 am, by Rebekah Jacob

Armed with their camera bags, a small group of revolutionaries had photographic firepower, documenting Cuba’s most dramatic period.  These photojournalists—Alberta Korda, Raúl Corralles, Osvaldo Salas and, his son, Roberto Salas—were Fidel Castro’s chosen ones, who not only photographed social changes, but who themselves inspired change.  In positions of trust, they were beside Castro and Che in the most ignited times, and with a click, created one second exposures that became iconic references to Cuba’s identity.

Charleston Symphony Designer House

67 Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

One of my favorite houses on Rutledge Ave. is the Annual Designer Showhouse for the Charleston Symphony League this year. Hmmm.....should I break down and buy a ticket to see inside? Each room is decorated by a different designer.

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League’s 37th Annual Designer Showhouse at 67 Rutledge Avenue is an antebellum treasure located in Harleston Village. Built in 1852, this elegant home is known for its broad porch with a gray and white marble floor and Moorish arches framed in latticework. 

 

The house features heart pine floors, etched glass windows, 10 fireplaces, a copper bathtub, and some of the first indoor plumbing in Charleston.  It includes a dependency that once housed a stable and carriage house, wash house, school room and kitchen. Now, this property has been transformed into a showcase by some of the Lowcountry’s most talented interior designers. 

 

From March 20 through April 19, the public will be invited to view their work from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and from 1-4 p.m. on Sundays. Along with an exclusive boutique, and sales from designers’ rooms, guests can enjoy alfresco dining in the “Secret Garden” from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 

Now in its 37th year, the League’s Designer Showhouse has been a major fundraising event for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and for student scholarships that total more than $30,000 annually.

 

Showhouse tickets are $20 at the door. For further information, please call (843) 723-0020 or write marilyn315@aol.com.

Cooper River Bridge Run 2014

Cooper River Bridge Run, King St., Charleston, S.C.

I camped out at the run turn at King and Wentworth St. yesterday morning and tried my hand at sports photography. It gave me a whole new respect for that field of photography. Whew. These folks move fast. I caught the beginning of the run and then slipped back out of town before the traffic chaos. I hope everyone had a grand time!

More photos here.

Walking & chewing gum

Wentworth St., Charleston, S.C.

I never said I could watch where I was going and chew gum at the same time....har, har.

There is so much going on in Charleston today I am going to need to plan very carefully to skirt the crowds.

Cooper River Bridge Run 2014 - Wheelchair Racers

Cooper River Bridge Run - 2014, Wheelchair Races, Charleston, S.C.

These folks amaze me. They push themselves across a bridge that is a challenge to anyone, by their arms. I get to town early to catch them in action. They are a challenge to photograph, they are moving so fast and for the most part are looking down.I wanted to lay on the pavement to aim up but I probably would have been run over. 

More photos to follow but this was what I went for. Congratulations folks! I hope everyone had a good day. 

 

 

 

Mini Farms!

Small Farm Lane

I used to pass a countryside sign advertising Mini Farms for sale and I'd smile to myself in my car imagining mini everything - pygmy goats, miniature ponies, teacup pigs, dwarf fruit trees, grape tomatoes, fairy eggplant. Last weekend I spotted this sign and my mini farm obsession has started again.  Mini Farms!

Teeny, tiny houses of the lowcountry

Elloree, S.C.

This teeny, tiny cabin is for sale! Sold "as is" so take your time. This one is in Elloree, S.C.

In other news, I enjoyed nibbling my way through the appetizer menu at Angel Oak Restaurant out on Highway 17 North. It is another tiny little cinderblock building but so charming inside and everything was delicious. 

National Walking Day

Dino Gourdine, PTA, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital

Ho, ho! National Walking Day, my high holy day. The American Heart Association used red shoe laces as symbols this year and left some in a box of me. I dashed around and took pictures of people I knew were healthy role models and walkers. It's good to work with inspiring people. Dino walks or runs 15 - 20 miles a week.

The Mushroom Growing Monks of Mepkin Abbey

Mepkin Abbey, Monks Corner, S.C.

I admit that when the Mepkin Abbey Monks got out of the egg business after being harassed by PETA I did hope they would become the Fudge Making Monks of Mepkin Abbey but I've been very happy that in their wisdom they became Mushroom Growing Monks.

I made chicken ginger mushroom soup with the mushrooms I bought in the gift shop. I gave my office mate a box and she turned around and made me soup. Now I've discovered there are mushroom recipes on the monk's web site and I may love mushrooms enough to try them all.

The Mepkin community has added Shiitake mushrooms to their Oyster mushroom production.   They look for the Shiitakes to become a valuable addition to their monastic industry due to the  market value for this delicacy in the Charleston area.

Lake side art in progress

Colonial Lake, Charleston, S.C.

I can't resist checking out an artist at work. In this case he was painting the old Baker House or the old Baker-Craig Sanitarium across Colonial Lake.

I love, love, love it staying light later. I worked late, enjoyed a walk in daylight, made dinner all for me, grilled veggies on the grill, did a little yard work. Aaaaah. It looks like it is going to be a lovely week in Charleston. 

Relaxation lowcountry style

White Point Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

This looks like the life! These hammocks have been popping up all over. They look quick to set up and down and so relaxing.

I picked up the West of Newspaper and it took me a few startled minutes of reading before it hit me that is was their April Fools issue. Enjoy! This article about renaming West Ashley cracked me up.

New murals in Avondale

Murals, Avondale, Charleston, S.C.

It's always worth a detour behind the businesses in Avondale and this time I caught up with quite a few fresh mural works. I even spotted a couple of gentlemen unloading cans of paint so I'll need to check back soon. Check my smugmug album for more photos of Charleston mural art.

I hope everyone has had a good Saturday after we dried out from the downpour we had this morning.

Blogger Meet Up

Fratello's Tavern, North Charleston, S.C.

Friday nights are hopping in old North Charleston along the Park Circle neighborhood on East Montague. I've been there often for brunch on Sunday morning but it is a different story in the evening. It felt very vibrant and alive with activity even in last night's light drizzle.

Betina Miller from Thoughts from My Corner of the Couch and I go away back in blogging years and finally got to meet! Betina was in town with husband Dave to visit with family at today's bicycle races and we met up for the first time and enjoyed dinner at Fratello's Tavern. We started checking the wait time at each restaurant along the street and finally found the hostess at Fratellos so charming we couldn't resist. She got us started outside, loaned her jacket and then when it started to rain moved us back inside. We had a lovely evening and gossiped about all the other bloggers we'd met and the ones we haven't :)). Fun times. My sea bass was scrumptious!

God Bless America

Elloree, S.C.

I had a couple more pictures to share from last weekend's day trip to Elloree, S.C. Tada! Here is a little fixer upper for you. It comes pre-decorated and even the Caterpillar is for sale.

I've had a busy week, kids. Let's run away. To start with I am running up to North Charleston for a meet up with a long time blogger buddy. Those are always fun.

Crab soup, chicken sammies & coconut cake, oh my!

Old St. Andrew's Tea Room Lunch, Charleston, S.C.

Church Tea Rooms are a lowcountry phenomenon and if you haven't gone yet you'd best make your plans soon. There isn't anything special about the menu and it hasn't changed for years. It is exactly as it should be - chicken salad or shrimp paste sandwiches on white bread, crab or okra soup and orange congealed salad. There is a selection of desserts but I swear by Mizz Arlene's coconut cake and get it every year. Church members work staffing the entire event and it is the one main fundraiser for the historic church. The event ends on April 5th.

I knew half the people there and got enough hugs to last me until next spring. Many of them were my current hospital volunteers, some had helped me out years ago and others were fun facebook friends. It was like Old Home Week and I loved every minute of it. 

 

 

 

 

Real Southern Charm

South Battery, Charleston, S.C.

Forget that silly reality show, this gentleman is the real southern charmer.

Congratulations to Holy City Sinner for winning the Charleston City Paper's Best Local Blog category. Bookmark his page to keep up to date on your lowcountry calendar of activities.