So Happy to See That Dark Brown Hair, those Pretty Green Eyes of Our Beautiful Kids!

It was the last Thursday in July and I couldn't have been happier. Jeff and I were over at Jack and Page's home for a dinner celebrating the arrival of our kids, Travis and Emory, for the weekend. Trav's computer has been broken for months, which means I haven't been able to see him for our Skype get-togethers. But, those viewings were nothing in comparison to actually being with the two of them- then it hits home just how much I miss them. We all had a grand time, and T & E are very gracious with the large amount of time they spend with their respective parents before whisking off to spend time with their friends. I eagerly await the time when we are all in close proximity to each other!

No Gray in Sight! But, a Rainbow of Happy Colors!

A rainbow of happy colors!



Front Street , Georgetown, SC





Peek-a-boo! I see you!



Al'Fresco Georgetown Bistro







I had the Filet Mignon Cobb Salad




Page had the California Cobb Salad




















Jim and Anna Nipe's boat docked in the marina where we had a glass of  Merlot





Birthday Ice Cream!!!



My trinket!



                                                                                 

Georgetown waterfront, believe it or not, was on my bucket list. So, for my birthday, Page and I went to check it out. In 4 days, on the 16th of August, I will be 59 years old (young!) And, despite all the many colors that have been and are in my hair, my natural shade of a darkish brown in sans any gray! I love the blonde, the red, the copper, plus it adds much needed volume to my mane. We started our meanderings in a knitting store- ooh,la,la= the colors! the textures! the beautiful blankets, shawls and scarves! Ellen, the shopowner and knitter extradinaire, was absolutely delightful! In fact, everyone we met and with whom we chatted was so friendly. The clock purse is a bit of an oddity, especially since it was in the knitting store. The pretty clock was hanging on a wall in the restaurant, Al'Fresco Georgetown Bistro. A bonafide chef obviously runs the eatery, given the menu and how so very delicious the food was. We were passing a jewelry store window when we spied a coal black cat playing with the bright blue cloth. Thought the fan was making the cloth move, enticing the kitty till we saw another coal black head pop out from underneath! We visited art galleries, antique stores and Kudzu Mercantile, chock-full of wonderful kitchen wares, which is where I bought my trinket= a cute small strainer for rinsing blueberries and blackberries to put in my yogurt! We paused for awhile aboard the boat of some friends, Jim and Anna Nipe (I work with Jim & have been on his boat for a group gathering a couple of times). He graciously offered the combo to the lock, wine in the fridge, chairs on the back to relax in the shade- it was grand, just relaxing and talking with Page on the water. Had to have ice cream ( when did I have it last?) to celebrate our outing! Chocolate chip and it was very, very good, just like the whole day.

 






















Marsh green backdrop to black-headed gulls

There is a new park at Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC. It consists of an extremely long boardwalk which extends nearly to its end where the fishing and shrimp boats enter and leave daily. It is a magnificent place to see the black-headed gulls, egrets, blue herons, pelicans and dolphins. (oh, and what looks like a 3-headed dog! haha). It is beautiful. One of my favorite times is when the boats are returning from their crews' hard day at work. Following are a few of those picture capturing their return home.

Mahogany brown covered in tan-colored hides



Also, in July, I attended a drum circle. The fellow in charge is named Hawk, and he conducted a really fun class. He had drums from Africa, from the Southwest, US and even a 100 yr old drum from Cuba. We played, and chanted while trying out the various instruments- one of which was a tortoise shell. Hawk also had some really great stories to tell- all in all, a really great time!

White chalk to write today's "Specials"





After going to the Halsey Center to see the salt art exhibit, Page and I scooted a little further downtown to check out Queen Street Grocery and Cafe (which, for the past 3 years, has won "Charleston's Best"  for street corner eatery). Nestled in a quaint, old Charleston neighborhood, it's a bit difficult to find a parking spot on the street, but we persevered and located one. With charm of its own, and really tasty food to boot, we're glad we popped in, though, because it is off the beaten path, and parking iffy at best, we probably won't pop in again.

Irridescent emerald green in flight

I have had the most beautiful little visitor to my shrimp plant of late-  a hummingbird! I have lived in this house for 10 years now, and have never seen one in my yard. I was practically giddy with excitement when I looked out my livingroom window the other day and spotted him humming about the red flowers. He will perch waaay up in the trees overhanging the house when I'm outside, after flying right in front of my face, hovering as tho' to check me out before speeding away straight upwards. Caught him leaving another branch yesterday morning. I'm sure the joy of his presence is fleeting just like he is, but till he departs for good, I find myself frequently looking out that window hoping for just one more glimpse.

White as the driven....salt?

Hard to believe that this just regular ole table salt

Who knew!?!?!?!? That my son, Travis, actually looked at my blog periodically to see what was up. NOT ME!!!!!! So, I'm going to be adding more entries because he doesn't check out my pics on FaceBook. This was an exhibit at the Halsey Art Institute in downtown Charleston. Motoi Yamamoto started the installation during Spoleto, working 10 hour days until it was completed (I don't know how long it took). It remained on display till July 7th, when at the close of business, anyone who was so inclined, could come take away some salt (the dismantling of the art piece) and everyone met down at the harbour to throw the salt into the water, hence the title "Back to the Sea." It was quite marvelous, looking like a crocheted piece instead of salt. All he

uses is the above bottle, which his family happens to make back in Japan for the dispensing of oil for cooking, and the brush. I even gave it a try and it's not terribly difficult, but I definitely do not have the patience! His is quite the incredible piece......(as opposed to mine, shown below)