Pumpkins in June?! Really?

Why do I have a picture of pumpkins and a very handsome rooster you might ask?  Well, I will tell you, but first let me give you a little background information.  J and I live in a 110 year old home off the square and the traffic around our house can become quite busy at certain times of the day.

Monday, I was watering the flowers in the front yard with the handsome rooster pictured above.  It was "quittin' time" and the traffic was getting heavy.  All of a sudden, this lady pulled over in front of the house.  Now, this happens quite often when we are outside.  People are either lost or want to know where so and so lives.  Since I had the rooster with me I was somewhat apprehensive about the situation, but the lady ended up being very nice. 

Here is where the pumpkins come in.  The lady pulled over to inquire about my pumpkin topiaries I display during Halloween.  She asked, "Where did you buy the stacked pumpkins you put out for Halloween?"  I replied, "I made it from the carvable pumpkins you buy at Michael's."  Now she has a disappointed look on her face because she wanted to buy them so I proceeded to tell her how to make them.  Please remember she is still pulled over in front of my house.

Now, I don't mind telling her how to make the topiary, but now there are two cars stuck behind her. Also, I am trying to explain how to do something and watch my rooster at the same time.  I continue to tell her where to buy the pumpkins, what tools she will need and how to assemble to topiaries.  When I finish there are at least 10 cars behind her waiting patiently for us to finish our conversation.  You have got to love the South!

I was extremely flattered that she liked my house at Halloween.  She said that every time she goes by the house she always thought about the pumpkins.  Then she saw me outside and took a chance on asking me about them.   I will promise to post the directions for making your own pumpkin topiary.  I need to make new topiaries anyway.  I have had the two original ones for five years (and three moves).  Needless to say, during the moves they were pretty banged up and the rooster did a number on one of them this past Halloween.

So please check back around September for the how-to!

Charleston

                                     

This past weekend J and I went to Charleston, SC to celebrate our 10th anniversary.  I have never been to Charleston and J has only been on business.  We had a great time exploring the city.  We did a ton of walking and eating.  It was VERY hot so we visited several local establishments for something cold to drink and to borrow their air conditioning for a few minutes.

We stayed at Charleston Place on Market Street and it was wonderful.  I can't wait to go back again!  One night we had dinner at The Charleston Grill which was in our hotel.  I would have to say it was probably one of the best dining experiences I have ever had.  A jazz band played during dinner and our table was very near the band.  The food was wonderful and I would highly recommend the crab cake if you ever get the chance to dine there.

We did a walking tour with Tommy Dew from On The Market Tours on Saturday morning.  He concentrated on the original settlement of Charleston, and explained how the city develop over time.  He was very informative and very entertaining.  If you have never been to Charleston before, I would highly recommend having Tommy show you around.   When we return (which I hope is soon) I would love to go on another tour with him.  Please click here to visit his website.

For me, there are very few cities that you just instantly fall in love with and want to visit over and over again.  My first love is and always will be New Orleans.  I grew up visiting New Orleans often, and J and I were married at the St. Louis Hotel in the heart of the city.  However, after our trip to Charleston, I may have a hard time deciding between the two!

Nathaniel Russell House
Click here to visit website

Stained glass inside St. Michael's Episcopal Church

Rainbow Row

The French Huguenot Church
Click here to visit website

PS-  Right when J and I pull onto the interstate we realize that we left our camera at home.  We were already running late so there was no turning back.  I had to get these pictures from Flickr, but I just had to share some of our favorite places.  Oh well, that could be my excuse to go back this fall!

St. Philip's Episcopal Church
Click here for more information

THE LOVE LIST: F You, BP.

This morning, as I was having my first cup of coffee and catching up on what happened in the world as I slept, I came across Jess Graves' blog, The Love List.  I have been following her for quite some time and enjoy her blog.  Usually, her posts are about fashion and interior design, but yesterday she wrote about the oil spill.  I thought she pretty much summed up how many of us feel about this disaster.  Therefore, today I have posted a link to her blog.  At the end of the post, she has a link to the photograper's blog where you can see more pictures of the pelicans.  I will warn you that the pictures are heartbreaking.  Please click the link below to read her post.  Thanks, Jess, for saying what many of us feel.
THE LOVE LIST: F You, BP.

Teacher's Gifts

 Finally, our school year has come to an end!  The boys had another great year and now it is on to summer fun!  Both of the boys had such wonderful teachers this year and we are thankful for all that they do for our children.  I wish I could give their teachers an all-expenses paid vacation to a remote island of their choice, but I guess this will have to do.  My friend K has a daughter in the same grade as O so we made a star for each of the teachers in the kindergarten classes.  We couldn't give them the moon, therefore, a star will have to do!  Happy Summer, everyone!