Bright Eyes

Merry Christmas.......

2011-12-17T20:52:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays.......

My office is a shambles, my gifts are thrown all over the place, but, i'm still loving the christmas spirit....enjoy and embrace during this holiday......MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

After Thanksgiving Meal and some Arts & Crafts!!

2011-11-27T19:43:00.001-05:00

So, I had to make something different after all that thanksgiving food.. so I went Mexican!! Browned a pound of ground beef...

Added some a 1/2 cup of corn frozen or canned, then 1 cup of black beans.canned...mixed it all together, with some salt and pepper...

Then layered....add the corn/black bean/beef combo first, then took (according to the recipe off of foodnetwork.com called Rachel Rays Mexican Lasagna) halved torillas to layer, finished with the rest of the meat, then layerd again with the rest of the other halves of tortillas...

Top off with some shredded cheese, as much or as little as you like...then bake for 15/25 min in a 425 degree oven....be sure to check food network!!

Wall lahhh....dinner is served!!

Top with some scallions or green onions and add some guacamole and sour cream....maybe some hot sauce..I really enjoyed it...

.Afterwords i decided to get crafty........

MY first garden tower!!!! which one is the favorite??? This one is 7 pieces cost about $8.....

At first i went to a antique store.......BAD idea.. they charged almost $12 for a plate

or bowl...next step

THRIFT STORE :)

This one is 6 pieces cost $5.....thank you octoberfarm for your AMAZING crafting skillls!!!

She's amazing!! I love looking at her blog and will always be as thrifty as possible to make something so

BEAUTIFUL

yet inexpensive!!

Bahama Cruise...Day Two..Part Two...

2011-11-10T22:38:00.001-05:00

Okay....Let's get back on the ship and go to Deck 11....Lot's of fun here...Dj and alot of people watching...

So What!! we had some beers, why don't you have on with us??

Look...This is inside the ship!!

So we went back to the state room to get refreshed... AND we ended up with gifts...

Not only did we get gifts, we got a Halloween surprise...Who knew you could get that from a towel :)

After Cleaning up we headed to the CASINO!!!!

Had to stop and take a beer break.... we had to pick our lucky numbers....

Just some random people getting ready for the big halloween bash....had to get a picture of that!!

Hello!! You can see we are having a good time!!

ALL ABOARD!! Next Stop Coco Cay..... Let's go everyone!!!

Bahamas Cruise....Day Two

2011-11-06T19:32:00.000-05:00

We Made It!!! Welcome to Nassau, Bahamas...

This is the entrance, the city of Nassau is behind it....Yahooo, let's go!!!

A reminder where I'm at...it's amazing...

A picture of the downtown..Church in the back, with bells ringing...

Neat Architecture....with Beautiful Skies.....Don't you think so?

A face in the crowd that caught my eye...It was on a building being renovated....glad they kept it!

Let's get ready....someone said beach, there must be a tiki hut?

More Junkanoo..

How can waters be this clear??? It was an awesome sight...

Found the Tiki Hut on Junkanoo......

Cheers!!

Bahamian Flags....

Anyone know what this is....? I do....:)

Neat art wall...

Look a local pub...Lets go in everyone and have a pint of local brew...

This is my husband buying us some beers...Kalik, made in the Bahamas...

Take a close look at the decor...

Okay, finally done FOR NOW, now for some dinner and...well i guess you know what's next....

TO BE CONTINUED.........

Bahamas Cruise...Day One

2011-11-03T22:24:00.000-04:00

Welcome to My First Cruise....let's go together......

The second we got to Orlando

we entered a bus of Bud Light cruise goers, with a cooler of Bud Light to go with the ride.......

There She is..as the bus was pulling in to Cape Canaveral, I got some shots of the cruise liner..a 14 story beauty..

The Bow...(meaning the face of the ship)...

Checking in...

Let's go everybody...to the Ship!!!

Walking the Plank.....We have to get to our StateRoom...Hurry up!!

We are finally Aboard!!

This is your new stateroom 3856.....very tiny...no room except for sleeping....zzzzzz

The Porthole!!! The only access you have to see the sea...

All ABOARD.... the engines just got fired up and we are Under Way!!!

Welcome to the Monarch of the Seas...

TO BE CONTINUED........

Bon Voyage.....

2011-10-27T19:31:00.002-04:00

See you in a few days blog land:)....

October Outside the LowCountry...

2011-10-27T19:25:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited to have my fall plantings out. The summer annuals finally died

out about 2 weeks ago and did their best to hang on, but autumn came with plants who demanded to be shown.

I was delighted to see pumpkins with intact stems and neat tiger striped baby "punkins"... I got a picture of the crepe myrtles saying goodbye for the season with their small, but tiny leaves changing color and the ornamental grass enjoying their blooms as well :)

The beautiful trellis on the bottom has been planted with a gorgeous vine that will have it's way in the spring, and i can't wait!

Had a beautiful day in the Lowcountry today and look forward to the many beauties that this earth offers!! Cheers and will be back with pictures from another land when i return.......Happy Halloween!!

October...

2011-10-26T20:49:00.001-04:00

Slowly but surely I finally put a few finishing Halloween touches inside a couple of days ago. I didn't go full out like I normally do, mainly because i waited to late into October, but also my husband and I will be flying in from a cruise on Halloween!! Anyway, I got my mums and pumpkins outside and some pansies too, i will share that later when it's not dark out and i can get some good pictures!! The art I've been working on and just recently added a few touches, still trying to decide what i want to do...... Good night everyone!!

Summer so Far...

2011-07-18T21:35:00.000-04:00

So with summer so bright and warm, and the air as thick as butter, what better way to spend it in a consignment store!! To my delight i found some wonderful treasures....a neat art piece whittled out of wood, a drawing i got on ebay, and below a great pot and glass jar for my new cabinet that i can't wait to fill with magical things....Happy Summer bloggers!! xoxo

Friends on the Pond

2011-05-28T22:13:00.000-04:00

Stale bread...on they way to the pond

Out it goes...

I'm

spotted..They are on the way

So close..

Score!!

Uh oh...they've decided to join me on the bank, I'm in trouble now

Dinner is served ...again!!

No more? Please Ma'am, Can I have some more?

PULEEZZZZ!!!....

Southern Skies in May...

2011-05-14T21:18:00.000-04:00

Colors right off the rainbow in my eye, had to share Mother Natures Beauty...Happy May!

Before and After.....

2011-04-01T21:15:00.000-04:00

The trunk, after Lowe's...

Before..

Before....

New garden flag for a new spring...

Afer....Spring planting is halfway done

Salvia, creeping jenny, petunias, lavender, and verbena planted here...

Sweet beautiful plants look so wonderful :) Cool garden stakes too!!

A different angle..

Sprrrring.......

2011-03-28T21:01:00.000-04:00

In Flanders Field.....

2011-03-12T21:07:00.000-05:00

My Poppy...for those in Flanders Fields.....

Pretty little dancer...

2011-03-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

I got this the other day online and thought it was neat looking, what era do you think it is?? Would it be consider art deco? Whatever it is, it's still cool!! I'm going to be buying something to showcase my collectibles and i think this lamp would look good on it!! Have a great day everyone!!

Happy Birthday Brother!!

2011-02-26T19:12:00.000-05:00

Happy 29th Birthday Brother...One last year in your twenties...enjoy xoxo!!

Look What I Found....

2011-02-26T18:39:00.000-05:00

My First Spring Bulb of the Season......Spring is coming!!!!

Fat Hen

2011-02-22T20:03:00.000-05:00

Follow me chicks, hens and roosters..

To the Fat Hen...

What are your specials Fat Hen??

No I don't want any tshirts....

Now....This is what i'm talking about...2 eggs, bacon, french fries (no home fries here), and toast...

Brunch has been served...Are you happy now bright eyes???....Wi....

This place is owned by a chef originally from roanoke, va (small world, that's where i'm from), neat country french decor with an organic twist. They also only buy local produce from South Carolina. I like to help all things local whenever i can help it (with the exception of target, and tjmaxx, guilty pleasures). We waited 1 1/2 hours for a table!!! I think and i hope that my mother-n-law and grammy-n-law enjoyed it as much as we did...

Visit TheFatHen.com for the full experience.....What a great day!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!

2011-02-14T21:35:00.000-05:00

May you have a beautiful Valentines Day!! ...

This was a bigger- than -life size version of the famous photo...

Hope you all enjoy a bigger than life valentines Day...xoxoxox agfish:)

Another Rainy Day..

2011-02-07T21:31:00.000-05:00

Wet, Damp, Cold, A cold day in the south, brrrrr.............. wishing you warm fires and a good book :)

A Day at "Closed For Business".....

2011-02-02T18:37:00.000-05:00

Look at the neat decor..

Yumm.. a stein of beer...... Paulaner...

My Favorite beer (so far)...

A Nice Pint of Chimay....

Made by Trappist Monks...so delicious..it's almost like a favorite food, it makes your palette explode with spices and scents and taste...

This bar is actually called "Closed for Buisness", but everytime we're in there is full of business :)

It's located in downtown Charleston on King Street.

Another angle from the Pub...so cool and many neat beers..

A 400 Year Old Tree called the "Angel Oak Tree"....Look!!!

2011-01-27T20:39:00.000-05:00

Went on a Sunday afternoon...

Did you know about the Angel Tree...Look at the Facts!!

Gnarly dude...and old..look at the holes where branches have broken off

So enormous the branches lay on the ground.....

There were supports everywhere to help maintain the weight of the Angel Tree for future generations...

The Entire tree....So beautiful it takes my breath away....

A Close-up of one side of this Angel...

Thank you Angel Tree for lasting for so long so my eyes could see you in person!!

What a Puppy..

2011-01-24T21:18:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Audrey.....!!!

2011-01-19T21:53:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DEAR AUDREY!!

I love my mother in law, she's unique, understanding, loving, artistic, and fun...HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!

Art everywhere...

2011-01-17T22:04:00.000-05:00

I'm glueing,stapling. attaching, posting,,and then some....what a joy/mess.....

Sunday Funday...

2011-01-17T17:18:00.000-05:00

On Sundays we usually take a day to relax, kick back, watch football, and smell the roses, or in our case, the salt water from the ocean...

Sun shiny day......

wish i was on one of those for the day...

Look even the puppy in front of us was enjoying the fresh air!

There is a restaurant called S.N.O.B, how funny!!

A little afternoon tottie....beer and an oyster shooter..

Yes, they put a real raw oyster in there, add a little vodka, some horseradish, some lemon juice and a touch of cocktail sauce. Mix it all together and wallah...Your supposed to swallow it whole, but i like to chew mine!

Hope everyone had a great weekend, Cheers :)

Let there be Light...and some other things...

2011-01-15T18:54:00.000-05:00

Tiffany Style Wisteria lamp...

A little closer...

A different angle...

Look...Edgar Allen Poe!

Little wrought iron coffe table...thinking alot of plants would look good on it?

Witches within...

2011-01-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

It was cold today.. i drew this, on a whim, thinking how neat it would be, to be in the woods, by the fire, with my cat and broom. The moon is just above, the stars are right with it.. just waiting for the right time to fly around with my cape blowing behind me.. getting ready to add to my cauldron.. wonder what i will put in there next? maybe some twigs, moss, or.....hmmm.....just happy to be by a fire...it keeps everyone warm....goodnight :)

Iced........

2011-01-10T21:33:00.000-05:00

No Windchimes today...

Brrrrr. Bushes..

Treesicles...

Frozen .Flags...

No work today...:) Unexpectantly the roads were closed,due to ice, and i wasn't able to go to work. It was nice to be able to cook, dabble, and draw......thank you Father Winter!

Old Man Winter....

2010-12-28T20:45:00.000-05:00

Old Man Winter Came... and he left his mark....

Frozen Tree...Brrrr

A little Diner, i see mashed potatoes and meatloaf in here...

See you in the spring trees!!

How clean and peaceful...

Ornaments on this one a must...

An old water mill.....

Back home....

2010-12-21T22:39:00.000-05:00

Headed back home for a few days...see you all in a few days,,,,,,,,,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

New Find...

2010-12-18T14:02:00.000-05:00

I found this by the trash next to one of our favorite pubs down in Charleston. It looks like its and old window frame.

A closeup of the wood...

This is the pub I got it from...

It's been around a while...this is the inside

This is the outside...A Very neat place..

I think i will use it like a huge picture frame and hang smaller pictures inside.....

TGIF ;)

2010-12-17T09:06:00.000-05:00

Tis the Season... ..

2010-12-13T20:23:00.000-05:00

Christmas is almost here!!

2010-12-08T20:41:00.000-05:00

My Tree..

Tis the Season..

Plams and Pine Wreaths

I'd love to have a house filled like this..

Even small towns decorate :)

Thanks,Food, and Photos..

2010-12-06T21:04:00.000-05:00

Sweet Potatoes

Creamed Corn

Stewed Tomatos

The Turkey....gobble, gobble..

The setting...

What a great day to 'STUFF' yourself....

Happy Thanksgiving...

2010-11-23T23:01:00.000-05:00

My husband and I will be heading to the beautiful mountains for this Thanksgiving so i will return in a few days to show all the good food and fun that was had in the mean time before I bid adieu... i thought i would share ...

10 Things I am Thankful for...

10. A beautiful home, my nest, that i can decorate, cook, and entertain with.

9. A wonderful job, that is with family, so i never dread waking up in the morning to go to it.

8. An outlet to share with friends and family that i never had before, allowing me the freedom to express my art, photos and anything else on my mind and also being able to enjoy the same thing from others, it's truly been amazing :)

7. A great country, through good times and bad I "Am an American where at least I know I'm free"

6. Great Service Men and Women who protect me and this great country, Thank You!!

5. My garden....

Spring, with brand new baby blossoms ready to start again.

Fall, with it's cool breeze and drifting leaves.

Winter, with it's sleepy, silent blanket.

Summer, with it's warm melting sun.

All of these times i experience ulimate joy in my garden..

4. The birds that visit me all season, the turtles that bask in the sun and frogs that ribbit under my porch light..life is full of "all creatures great and small"

3. My wonderful family and friends, who made me who i am today. The whole caboodle, those here in this life and those that have passed...without them i would be nothing...i love every single one them ( even at times of annoyance :)

2. My husband, who changed my life and made me more gracious, forgiving, patient, and thankful, just to name a few..I am very blessed to be with such a wonderful man...

1. I really want to say that i am truly thankful for a chance in this life. Somewhere when i was created I was placed with great surroundings and people and family and health... I'm growing older day by day, but I realize now that every day is precious, and loving everyone and meaning it means more than you can imagine....So thank you GOD, friends, family and Bloggers!! Give Thanks this year!!

HAPPY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Saturday

2010-11-20T22:36:00.000-05:00

Look at the balloon Christmas tree!!

Lots of Shopping to be done..

What does the Moon say... "You need to buy more goodies"...

What did you say pretty fall tree?......More shopping...if you say so...

Okay... I did what you said....Shop...

Wait... I need a ride...

The Carriage took me to a store to buy "boot socks" , i like the title "witch socks" :)

I was left under the "stars" to end my day... ;)

2010-11-18T20:19:00.000-05:00

Ghosts...Beware...

2010-11-15T21:46:00.000-05:00

Hey You!!, Pay Attention...Ghost Tour....LOOK and see

Very old Headstone....look at the angels...

Sad little headstones :(

Walk the path...

Look!! Beautiful church in the dusk....

Hello Moon, I see you...even through the trees you are there.....

Broken old Headstone....

Old Headstones from the 1800's

Pirates came to Charleston, even Blackbeard...they held their transactions in "certain alleyways" I found one...BEWARE!

A Beautiful Church..

Watch out Ghosts, I'm not afraid!!...

Headstones....

The End...

Witch

2010-11-14T19:52:00.000-05:00

Look at my new friend, she is catching some stars with her little furry friend , i wonder what she will do when she is done? Maybe put a little in her cauldron or fly to Diagon alley for an exchange.......

Funny Post...

2010-11-14T11:26:00.000-05:00

I found this in a newspaper years ago and just came across it, i think it still applies today!

Happy Veterans Day!

2010-11-11T22:10:00.000-05:00

To All the honored members of our service...Proudly, i give a special salute to my father, Captain John B. Strott..(the one facing front) he served for 30 years, and honored...I've been a navy brat from the beginning and am proud to be ..my fathers daughter....Americans will forever be in our armed forces graceful arms of freedom..thank you so much for serving our country....love from all those who stand by you! Happy Veterans Day!! Much love and a special hugs and more hugs to my father who help make our family what it is today !!!

2010-11-10T21:51:00.000-05:00

Brains...

2010-11-06T20:50:00.000-04:00

I got this recipe from a FABULOUS blog..OctoberFarm...All kinds of recipes, gorgeous pictures and beautiful pictures of a wonderful home in the north eastern state. Even though it was a Halloween recipe it intrigued me so much i decided to try it in November...and It is called BRAINS....when you cut into it, it has delicious brie, chopped veggies, and above all you use pastry dough to make it look like "brains" !! Unfortunately, mine had a hole so some of the gooiness came spilling out :( Nonetheless, it's still was delicious and i look forward to many more recipes from the Octoberfarm blog!!

A little bit of time in the San Diego Zoo....

2010-11-03T22:51:00.000-04:00

Yes, I did take these photos, yes they were at the zoo! I think i almost had 300 photos at one point. I LOVE animals and their facial expressions, Peacocks are one of my favorite birds.....so beautiful!! Thats me and my husband on the pacific ..we flew from the east to see the sunrise and ended in the west to see the sun set....blessed...:)

Butternut Squash

2010-11-03T21:47:00.000-04:00

Before

After

Easy recipe..pre heat oven to 400..halve a squash...put a bit o butter in the middle of each squash..sprinkle some brown suger on each.....add salt and pepper to your desire....roast till fork tender....ENJOY!

This reminds me of fall and it's so delicious and good for you how can you not like it!!

New Purchases....

2010-11-03T21:32:00.000-04:00

So both were bought off of esty..i love homemade things! They are so much more personal!! Now...where to hang these beauties...

Fish Halloween

2010-11-01T20:01:00.000-04:00

We were ready for trick or treaters!! It was an unfortunately slow year. I bought 5 bags of regular size candy bags and only went through 3 1/2 ....it was over by 8:30. I was truly looking forward to a never ending doorbell and nothing left in the candy department, BUT....one year it will happen!! Time to get ready for Thanksgiving.....already.....::)

Halloween House

2010-10-31T17:49:00.000-04:00

TRICK OR TREAT

I decided this year to do "free hand" pumpkins, some of those templates take too much time! The pumpkin beer was delicious as well as the pumpkins seeds, today is a great day!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2010-10-31T10:36:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone! I will be posting some pictures of my pumpkins later today after i carve them!!

Goodbye Patrick

2010-10-02T19:20:00.000-04:00

Love you Uncle Patrick, you will be missed.
Hope your soaring through the clouds looking down at us!
With love, the Fishes xoxoxo

Fall skies

2010-10-02T19:05:00.000-04:00

The color outside was a weird golden hue the other day, not sure why, but had to capture it. Eventually it turned to a crisp evening color of reds, yellows and blues. I guess Fall is legitimately in the air :)

Shirley Temple "Bright Eyes"

2010-09-27T20:20:00.000-04:00

Guilty Pleasure

2010-09-27T19:41:00.000-04:00

So I know a lot of people not only hate facebook, but if they are on facebook hate the game Farmville. I, however, enjoy it tremendously!! It's what i call my guilty pleasure:) People that are my farrmville neighbors even sent me this t-shirt and sticker for my birthday! I know it's silly and i'm sure one day i will find an end to that silly game, but in the mean time....watch out ....i'm on level 45!! What do you think of facebook/farmville? I'm curious about your thoughts! Hugs bloggers!!

Waiting for the Fall....

2010-09-12T19:00:00.000-04:00

So here are some things that i look forward to in the fall. Leaves changing and colors and a little activity... hugs to everyone, i will let you know how the bread turns out..oxoxo Amanda :)

September Update

2010-09-04T19:33:00.000-04:00

I was driving the other day and saw the beautiful plumes of an ornamental grass and a sunset through a fountain nearby one of our ponds, then i came home and saw my russian sage and wondered why it growing sideways and not upright like the direction of other two things, any ideas???

Just sharing..

2010-08-30T20:59:00.000-04:00

HALLOWEEN

The month of October

has a special day

That for the 30th is only

one night away

Ghosts, Fairies and Witches too

Come out on this night

to put spells on YOU!

Lurking in trees

Flying in air

We cannot see anything

But we know they are there

We go to the houses

And say "trick or treat"

Sweets of all kinds

Are given to eat

From the distance

Up the bare trees

The wind blows down

The last autumn leaves

As we wait

and hear a wolf howl

We know that evil is

On the prowl...

So Be careful i say..

Only if you believe

THIS IS THE NIGHT,

of all HALLOW'S EVE!!

Written by..amanda g. strott

Age...not sure, my mom found it in the basement!

Why......i love halloween

these pics were taken last year 2009...looking forward to 2010 halloween :) hugs to all my bloggers!!

Fall is coming..

2010-08-28T20:16:00.000-04:00

So there are two stories..the first is the baby fish, my mother got that for me to hang on a tree, how cute!! What an adorable face!! Next is the first sign of fall in South Carolina...my crepe myrtles are starting to turn!! thank you..I'm ready for some cool weather!!

Dinner :) Turned out Delicious!!

2010-08-23T21:47:00.000-04:00

Goulash!! Yummy!! This is a Food Lion recipe that i loved! try it!!

RECIPE

one pound ground beef

4 fresh garlic cloves

half a tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 lb elbow macaroni, dry

32 1/4 canned tomato condensed soup..do not add water!

a tablespoon of Ev olive oil

a small onion

mince your garlic and onion, saute in the hot oil, just until there soft

add your beef and brown it, draining is optional, (draining makes it low fat)

cook your macaroni while the beef is browning..check your pasta to get your noodles to be the texture that you like..

Before the noodles are done, you add the tomato cans to the ground beef and sauteed onions and garlic mix, stir and add the black pepper and salt, when all the beef and vegetables are mixed together add the noodles.. stir and enjoy...but ......

Add a little bit of Parmesan cheese or shredded cheese to the casserole on top, in the (low) broiler for 5 min (or just till bubbling and brown), let settle and enjoy.!!

Say I love you!!

2010-08-17T23:10:00.000-04:00

Say I Love You to someone... it means so much!!

Summer time

2010-08-14T22:19:00.000-04:00

WOW!! birds of a feather flock togehter!!

Good Night Friends

2010-08-09T22:06:00.000-04:00

Sit and drink a cup of tea, think about all your wishes, and let your imagination grow..I will have new pictures soon and appreciate all my followers!! Hugs!!

Weight on your shoulders.....

2010-08-02T21:36:00.000-04:00

Does anyone feel the weight on your shoulders....sometimes i feel lucky, but other times i feel concerned...life is so beautiful and precious with complications...people, friends, kids, parents, politics...what are your thoughts......why do people carry this weight???

Summer in the Lowcountry..

2010-07-30T21:54:00.000-04:00

Saw the beautiful sky today and wanted to share with my 5 lovely followers, then when i was watching my bird feeder i saw a little mushroom that had sprouted in my fern .... i was waiting for a little caterpillar to be on top, like Alice in Wonderland!!. Anywho, hope everyone has a great weekend!! Cheers :)

Wedding gift...

2010-07-24T19:50:00.000-04:00

So i finally got married on Memorial Day weekend in May, and my new last name is Fish!!

So while we were celebrating that evening we ran into a neat shop called "Indigo", in downtown Charleston.

In it we found all these cool wrought iron fishes, and my father decided to buy one for us to proudly hang on

our house. So today we finally made time to hang it up (after we treated it) and this is it's new home.

I'd like to call him something, but i'm not quite sure yet??

Anywho, here he is in all his glory!! Cheers :)

A little activity in the yard...

2010-07-23T20:03:00.000-04:00

So a little bit of activity today around the yard!! I finally caught that bad squirrel on the feeder. So much for "squirrel proof"!!

New Art...

2010-07-19T20:46:00.000-04:00

So this is my new piece, not sure about the fish,, but i like the scenery. We'll see the finished project soon. I've drawn in with pencil what I'd like to do to the face, but still in the works. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Now a new week begins!! Hugs to all :)

Labyrinth......

2010-07-12T20:27:00.000-04:00

Anyone remember this movie?? I still remember it vividly in my mind!! So great!! As the little worm said..."Never go thata way....if shed went thata way shed gon' straight to the cassle"...

Hope Everyone had a Great Weekend!!

2010-07-12T19:04:00.000-04:00

I had a great weekend, used my new wedding gift ( a brand new hedge trimmer) and worked in the yard Saturday, then Beach on Sunday!! Pictures to follow!

Skies of the South...

2010-07-12T19:00:00.000-04:00

Wiggam...an old farmhouse in the middle of the blue ridge mountains

2010-07-09T20:22:00.000-04:00

So for our fourth of July, we were lucky enough to meet the granddaughters (who are now in there 70's) of an original doctor from the town of Clifton Forge, Va. They have passed down an old farm house from the 1914's to there granddaughters (the ones we met) , who now have thier own children and grandchildren. It's been in the same family for a lonnnng time. It's called Wiggam.

We took a small tiny path off a windey road to arrive there. Then to get to the house, which is on the other side of the river, we took a little canoe. There we sat on the stoop and jumped in the river, one of the cleanest rivers in the state. So clean you could drink it, (although I wouldn't) . It was beautiful. We saw an Eco-system thriving all throughout!! Snails, fish, algae...etc....

The family dog, called Tripp was so protective that ever time the owner got in, so did she!!

Then there was my husband and father trying to row a canoe, that didn't pan out because they didn't realize they needed to be facing the other direction!!

My Mothers Garden

2010-07-07T21:51:00.000-04:00

My husband and I went to Clifton Forge Va. for the weekend. So many lovely things were to be seen!! This is my beautiful mom's garden...cucumber, swiss chard, zucchini, basil, and his new father's day sprinkler, last but not least the always beautiful rose!! JOY comes from a GARDEN!! Hope all had a Happy 4th of JULY!!

i scream, you scream we all scream for ice cream!!

2010-06-30T22:06:00.000-04:00

Remember the ice cream truck!! what fun!! tell me your stories! I always liked the bomb pop, the one that was red, white and blue!! It came every year i was at the pool growing up. Nice to see it alive and kickin!! hugs!!

Flowers in my yard

2010-06-28T20:03:00.000-04:00

It's amazing, god's beauty is truly amazing...

Sick Hydrangea

2010-06-27T18:06:00.000-04:00

Help!! I think my hydrangea is sick. It was doing great right when it started blooming and then over the past week or so it started to look like the above. It looks like it's got some sort of bug on it. The leaves are wilting and brown spots are showing up on the leaves. If you have any suggestions i would greatly appreciate it. This plant means alot to me, because i brought it with me when we moved from Roanoke, i would hate to have it die especially since it has been doing so well :(

2010-06-26T13:15:00.000-04:00

So i got a new camera yesterday, here are some test photos i hated that my old camera photos were always so blurry, so i'm gonna give this one a shot and see how it goes !!

Pretty Things

2010-04-28T20:17:00.000-04:00

So i'm getting married at the end of May, actually May 29th, and so far so good. Venue..check, dress, check, something borrowed, something blue, something new...check, dinner reservations..almost :) Anyways just wanted you to see the dress and the beautiful broaches that my wonderful best friend is letting me use. I think i'll use one in the hair and maybe one on the dress we'll see!! Thanks for being patient blogger friends! Hope everyone is enjoying the beeauuutiful weather:) Cheers!!

Neat Things....

2010-02-21T18:04:00.000-05:00

Neat things on a neat day :) Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Happy Birthday Brother!!

2010-02-17T21:23:00.000-05:00

My Brother...Deaf by megintis...hard headed by choice.. Here is a picture of him when he was a baby and the other when when he was about 23.. He became hard of hearing when he was about 3 so he has no recollection of the ability to hear...he is however, a talented artist, it's in our blood!! My Aunt does art, my grandad did art, and now i'm dabbling in it!! The Buffalo is a sketch that Eddie, my brother, did on a whim when he was visting.. The birthday gift is for him to start using art as an outlet because he's doubtful of his gift and talent, maybe my gift for his 26 birthday will make him start up again :)

New art card!!

2010-02-17T20:52:00.000-05:00

It's my new art card..i call it mosaic heart...it just came to me one day and i drew it. A heart is so many things combined in one. Colors, life, beauty, and awesomeness. It's something that we are blessed with and can't live without. It pumps the energy and blood and life through our body so we can be......

(I wish the colors were more vibrant, my camera isn't the best right now)

2010-02-14T14:30:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone has a fabulous Valentines Day!! Big hugs are from Mr. Snowman that was made from the snowstorm yesterday!!

2010-02-13T18:07:00.001-05:00

Snow in the South...

2010-02-13T18:01:00.000-05:00

Well i'll be darned, this i thought i never would see!! The forecast was calling for snow, but we all know that sometimes you just say, "okay weather man we'll see about that". To my surprise, on my way home from work i saw some "white stuff", by the time 7 or 8pm rolled around it was in full force!! Kids were outside running around laughing and playing and i could only grab my camera quick enough. Later in the morning i took some of the snow before the beautiful warm sun decided to peek through the clouds and melt all the gorgeous white dust.....

Boone Hall Plantation pictures....

2010-01-23T20:11:00.000-05:00

Avenue of Elms, 300 years old

Boone Hall House, residents still use the upstairs to this day!!

Back of Boone Hall House

Flowering Apricots

Elm with alot of Spanish Moss

how has this branch not broke it is huge!

The oldest tree on the farm....600 yrs old!!

A friend in the nearby stables :)

Cotton

Ferns that grow on the elms..turn bright green with rain and dark brown like the trunk when there hasn't been rain.

Over all it was a great time and i'm glad i went. It had a butterfly garden with i will look forward to going to in the spring. I learned a lot about the plantation and the inside of the house was AMAZING. Unfortunately we weren't allow to take pictures inside :(

The house has been in a few movies that you might of heard of...The Notebook, North and South, and Queen.

The gardens looked so neat, of course now is not the time to take pictures because nothing is in bloom, but i will be back to capture that this spring ;)

Plantation Visit....

2010-01-21T19:32:00.000-05:00

So i'm super excited because tomorrow i took the day off and my friend and I are going to visit one of the most filmed, photographed and visited plantations in the south....Boone Hall Plantation! This picture is what is to come, unfortunately, not taken by myself :( However, by the end of the day i will be happily posting all the photographs that i will take when i arrive! Very excited! check out the website..boonehallplantation.com......to be continued......

2010-01-16T11:06:00.001-05:00

Frozen In South Carolina

2010-01-13T21:14:00.000-05:00

The past few weeks in South Carolina have looked like the following........brrrrrrrr!!!

Saturday Purchase

2010-01-10T19:59:00.000-05:00

Since we were downtown Charleston on Saturday, right across from the restaurant we went to lunch at had a small arts and crafts store with all local artists in the surrounding area. I found a neat vase to add to my collection. I love blue so i think it well with the other blue hues i've accumulated over the years!

Saturday

2010-01-10T19:53:00.000-05:00

So on Saturday it was such a nice day that we headed downtown and i took a handful of pictures that i thought were neat. Just some of the local things nearby that represent Charleston.

Tentacles.......

2010-01-05T20:49:00.000-05:00

The new project.......:)

Happy New Year Everybody!

2010-01-02T18:52:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful new year!!

Holiday Views....

2009-12-29T22:35:00.000-05:00

One of the best gifts in life is to see the beauty of the earth and all it has to offer....what a breath of fresh air to know how lucky we truly are,....Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of my bloggers and their families..."See you Next Year!!"

The Angel and Nativity scene were from my family's home in Clifton Forge, Virginia. Small Town with a big heart!

Mail and Wrap....Mail and Wrap...

2009-12-16T22:05:00.000-05:00

Envelopes ready, wrapping is another story.....

Two New Ornaments!!

2009-12-12T21:08:00.000-05:00

Two new ornaments for my tree, just got them today arent' they cute!!

Christmas Tree

2009-12-09T20:15:00.000-05:00

I finally got my tree up last week, no presents under it yet!!

2 More Weeks...

2009-12-09T19:43:00.000-05:00

December in Charleston South Carolina

2009-12-08T20:52:00.001-05:00

We decided to take our visitors to downtown Charleston, SC. It was a beautiful day and pictures were everywhere!! These are just a couple of some of the things i tried to capture on film and I think they express how beautiful that Saturday actually was.

The gorgeous Oaks with the Spanish moss, hanging so delicately on them were taken right down at Battery Park. It overlooks the ocean and all the history that took place there. The size and the beauty of these oaks tells you how long they have actually been present which has been many years before you and I!!

There were many festive homes along the battery that i took pictures of, but the one that caught my attention first, was the unique pink home that matched it's garland to it's color. I thought that was great. Take a close look....it's leaning to the right...Can you see it?? These homes have been hear since the civil war... I guess i would lean too if i was that old!

I wish i could put more than 4 pictures per post, if there is a way please let me know!! Hugs and happy December!!

December Saturday...

2009-12-07T22:22:00.001-05:00

I truly couldn't believe what a beautiful day we had this past Saturday.... bright and sunny with a cool wisp of air...hard to believe that flocks of birds were still standing by the ocean waiting for the fish to come so they could get a little dinner...I personally like the one picture of the seagulls in the V formation....that describes my family to a "V"! I also like the little guy just sitting, maybe he had a long day and just needed a break....The sun was so bright that day, in a blink of an eye they were there and then gone!! I do enjoy the loggerhead aka..sea turtle statue with his Christmas spirit!!

Happy Monday!!

2009-11-23T19:20:00.000-05:00