Charleston, S.C. Tour and Road Trip

Hi everyone!  No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth....just came back from a wonderful vacation and road trip.  We started by visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama, at the amazing beach with beautiful white sand.  Then to see family in North Carolina, where we devoured delectable, real, old time, Southern Cooking by Mr. N's two sisters. Last, but not least, Charleston, South Carolina and Isle of Palms Beach...whew!  Long trip with a few setbacks ( we took our R.V. - which we won't dwell on )  :( - but overall a great get-a-way!

Ask me what my favorite was??  We enjoyed everything and especially visiting family, but definitely, Charleston, South Carolina and the Isle of Palms were a jewel.  We stayed in a beautiful campground in Mt. Pleasant and the beach was only 7 miles from there.  I had never been to Historic Charleston and it was so amazing.

Wanted to share some photos of Charleston and all the beautiful homes with those grand columns and to die for porches.  Please excuse some of the photos, I took several from inside the car.

Walking around the "Battery"  - Out in the distance on the water is Fort Sumpter.

Took a few different angles of this home - I just loved it!

This pastel blue color really got my attention.

Driving around the "Battery" (see the cannons on the left?) 

Loved the color of this front door!

These homes were so amazing to see.  I could live here - anywhere - wouldn't you?

And, don't forget, several beaches (Isle of Palms, Folley Beach, etc.) are just minutes away!

Do you receive "Southern Lady Magazine"?

I was really surprised when I returned from vacation and found my new issue.  Guess what was on the cover?  Charleston, S.C.!  I was really surprised.  They also did a few pages on "Isle of Palms"!  I read it from cover to cover.  I think I may have a photo of the House on their cover with the gorgeous porch.  I will look and let you know.  Isn't that a nice coincidence?

Well, glad to be home.  I have to get caught up on things around the house...you know how it is....2 weeks worth of mail, bills, etc. and did I mention - Laundry??  Does it ever end??  Oh well, small price to pay for such a great vacation.  Hope you are having a great summer!

'Til Then,

Many Blessings,

Carol

Mother's Day and "Stars Over Texas"

Hi Everyone!  Glad you stopped by.  I was thinking of Mother's Day and my Mom who is with the Angels now and thought, in her honor, I would like to share a work of labor and love she gave to me for my birthday one year before she went to be with the Lord.  
(Kind of goes with my color scheme here, huh?)

"Stars Over Texas"

The quilt is called, "Stars Over Texas". She stitched all her quilts entirely by hand.  On one visit to Texas, she taught me how to quilt and I actually made "squares".  I mean, draw and cut out each piece for your block and then hand stitch them together.  I think I actually made about 7 or 8!  Wow, that was a big accomplishment for me :) - my Mom had so much patience.   Then, after you make all your blocks (not sure how many - maybe 40 or so, depending on the size quilt you want) you hand stitch all the blocks together to make your quilt top.

 I'm sure most of you know how to quilt, but that's a lot of stitches!  Then the backing, padding and top are placed together and then the actual quilting begins. Whew!  No machine here - all done by hand.  Of course, she said, "The smaller the stitch the better".  I really started to get the hang of it (not as good as hers though).

This is the first quilt she ever made.  I'm so proud of it and all the love she and my dad placed in it.  My brothers and sisters are also the recipients of some of her amazing quilts.

Some close ups of quilt squares:

See all those little stitches?  Every time I need to be close to her, I lay on this
quilt and feel those stitches and all the Love!

Along with the quilt she sent me this poem, which I have always treasured.

Here is the poem in case you cannot read it:  (I still need to frame this). I love it more in her own handwriting.

Love isn't Love, 'till it's given away,
So here's "Stars Over Texas" for your Birthday,
T'was a Labor of Love, every stitch
hold a whole lot of memories so dear!
I know you will cherish it year after year,
This quilt is a part of me and Dad too,
he threaded all my needles to help me sew!
                                     Love and Happy Birthday
                                                            To You!
                                
I only wish she would have dated it.  I believe it was in the 1980's.

Hope all you Mom's have a Happy Mother's Day (All the Mom's in heaven too)  -  Love and miss you MOM!

'Til Then,
   Blessings,
       Carol

Summer Coastal Revisit

 Hi everyone!  The weather is so nice here today in East Texas.  Hope your weather is good also, I know it can change drastically.

It's starting to call me:  the ocean, the beach, coastal decor, etc.   How about you?  Are you going a little "Coastal" yet?  I'm not quite ready yet to decorate my home for summer, but in need of some inspiration.  Wanted to share a revisit on some prior Summer coastal decor with you.  Hope it inspires you AND me :) :)

Now, if I can only find my "Summer" decor box. UGH!!   I have looked everywhere and cannot find it. :(  I must have put it in a
 "special place"....but where??  Well, I guess its off again to my "Decor Closet" to check each box again.  I really need to have a clean out day and maybe I'll find it.  Wish me luck.

CLICK ON HE PICS TO ENLARGE.

Dining Room Table Centerpiece (Ahh!  Sea Shells, Sand and Aqua Blue) - Can you smell the salty air?

These little sea shell plaques are from Dollar General.

Beautiful colors of Sea Glass.

Now this really inspires me!!  Are you ready to get that sand between your toes?


Well, hope all of you have a great day. 

  Linking to: 

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

'Til Then,

Many Blessings,
Carol