03 April 2012

Baking up a storm

Middleton Place, Charleston, S.C.

I've been baking a carrot cake and the house smells yummy. I've squeezed one last cake out of the oven before it gets too hot to bake.

When I had a growing family at home I baked constantly and took it all in stride. Now it is such an occasion that I can never be sure I have staple ingredients on hand. Vanilla, huh? When did I last use vanilla? So I buy another bottle just in case and now I have three. Three bottles of vanilla but only half a cup of sugar. Luckily the Piggly Wiggly is on my regular walking route.

Today's photos are from my recent Middleton Place walk. 

My good news this week is learning that two of my hospital volunteers have won the Governor's Award for Volunteering. Yipee! They are sisters and won in the Family Volunteer category. I am very pleased. I love it when I can earn recognition for people who give so much. Later in the month I'll escort them to the State House to be honored for their years of service. Color me proud.


10 comments:

Rick said...

I'm sure your leadership prompted their willingness to go the extra mile. Congratulations to you all.

brattcat said...

congratulations on the images, on the honors, and on the carrot cake which i can smell all the way up here in vermont thanks to your great description.

Catalyst said...

You done good, girl!

Anonymous said...

wow that photo of that building is just awesome! congrats on the volunteers too!

you're making me want to bake some carrot cake, yum
lol on the vanilla, i am usually missing one ingredient whenever I go to bake anything.

sandy from summerville

Charlestonjoan said...

Thanks Rick! I am a nomination writing fiend. I am always tickled when I hit the jackpot :)

Charlestonjoan said...

Thank you! That cake was good! Luckily I didn't bring any home or I'd be cleaning it up right now.

Charlestonjoan said...

Thanks Bruce. My volunteers did good. They give me plenty of material to write about.

Charlestonjoan said...

If you need vanilla, I have three bottles!

Anonymous said...

Joan - I do the same thing with ingredients (one year we ended up with more than six bottles of BBQ sauce! ???)

You must have read my mind (re: the top photo). I was just contemplating my very British-looking cottage garden and thinking how inappropriate my rattan tiki torches looked... was wishing for some wrought iron ones that would fit the scenery better. And POOF - you post a picture of exactly what I need! Now... where do I get them?

8-)
Marcheline-at-work

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos, and ooooh the mention of carrot cake... Heavens that sounds good right now. Congrats on receiving the award for your volunteers, that means the world!