Sunset Over Folly Beach

Although we did not lodge on Folly Beach this year, we did a quick visit the last night of vacation.  Folly Beach is hopping little hippie beach reminiscent of the 1960-1970 era.  Small, friendly open air restaurants line the main drag, music fills the air, laughter and friendly chatter are catching, casual attire rules and dogs are welcome everywhere.   It totally ROCKS!

We walked out on to the fishing pier to watch the sun set.  Here is what I captured.

Me and my "babies."

What compels someone

to write their name in the sand?

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Doorways and Iron Gates of Charleston

“When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors; and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else.”   Joseph Campbell

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door

you didn't know you left open." John Barrymore

“Everyone is an explorer.

How could you possibly live your life

looking at a door and not open it?”

“Kind words will unlock an iron door.”

“Money, you have lots of friends

hanging round the door.

When it's gone and the spending ends

They don't come no more.”  Billie Holiday

"A door is what a dog is perpetually

on the wrong side of." Ogden Nash

“Ten men waiting for me at the door?

Send one of them home, I'm tired.”  Mae West

I climbed up the door, and opened the stairs;

I said my pajamas and put on my pray'rs,

I turned off the bed and crawled into the light

And all because you kissed me goodnight.

"When God closes a door,

somewhere He opens a window."

My door is always open!  Love, Rosie.

Family Vacation at Seabrook Island 2010

I am on Seabook Island in South Carolina this week.   Seabrook is a small barrier island twenty miles south of Charleston, SC.  Seabrook boasts wide, uncrowded beaches and pristine dunes and it is true.   I walked the three and one-half miles of beach yesterday and encountered less than fifty people.  Of course, the area is still in the "off" season and I am sure crowds will increase after the Memorial Day Holiday, but for now, the area feels private and secluded.   Exactly what I love!!!!  My family rented a small three-bedroom beach cottage for the week through Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO).  If you've never used VRBO, this is a great way to find rental property for vacations all over the world.   We've had good experiences renting this way, and this experience was no exception.  In fact, this has been one of the most professional renters I have ever encountered.   Jim and Terri Edmiston from Charlotte, NC, own this little home and have been a joy to work with through the rental process.   Check out their site here and I highly recommend doing business with them.  Honestly, the site doesn't do this charming home or the area justice!

I am a bit under the weather.  I left home Saturday with a sore throat and it is still troubling me.  It is an overcast day and since I was on the beach most of the day yesterday, I opted to stay in to lounge and rest while the guys rode bikes to the pool this afternoon.  I am hoping to feel better quickly so that I can explore the island and get into Charleston this week.  Either way, it is beautiful here and I am enjoying the scenery, the call of the gull, the lapping of the waves and the enthusiasm of my boys.   I want to take some photos of the sun setting over the Low Country marshland and the horses at the Equestrian Center.  Plus, I want to try my hand at crabbing from a nearby dock.   And did I mention stuffing myself full of shrimp and crab legs????

I always find this area to be the epitome of Southern hospitality and graceful beauty.  I really think I could see myself owning a small shabby chic beach cottage in the future.   For now, I'll just gaze out my window and dream.

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Jubilee Art Gallery And Cafe

Near where I live, an easy fifteen minute drive west, sets an old farm house that has been turned into Jubilee Art Gallery and Cafe.   I took the time today and met a couple of friends for lunch at this charming establishment. 

Unique to Tennessee is the Appalachian Quilt Trail.  Old barns and farm houses across the state display large hand painted wooden quilt blocks.  Jubilee Gallery happens to be one stop along the trail and displays, what else, the Jubilee Star quilt pattern. 

Colorful front porch rocking chairs invite guests to relax and linger and on weekends live bluegrass bands entertain.

The American Flag is proudly displayed.

Colorful flower boxes adorn the windows with tole painted flowers and old china plates adding a unique touch to the decor.  Also embedded into the concrete walks are colorful broken china plates.  What a unique way to recycle!

This azalea bush took my breath away. 

Smiling purple pansies.

Yummy girlie food is served in the cafe, although, there were as many men visiting today as women.

The waitress said this was a breakfast, lunch and dinner salad.  She was right.

Sweet tea served in a Mason jar....

it don't git much better an this :)

Whimsical art decorates the interior walls.

Local artist and owner, Lorraine Brewer, sells and displays her art work in one of the rooms.

Other art is available for purchase too.  I love these wind chimes made from old kitchen items and silverware. They create a lovely melodious sound.

The jewelry is also made from the handles of old silverware.  Charming!

This crocheted poncho was gorgeous and my picture in no way does it justice! It appeals to the inner gypsy in me.  Children, please take note, one of these for Mother's Day would be nice...

Pottery and antiques are for sale

along with local honey and molasses.  Note...another beautiful crocheted shawl...hint, hint.

Yes indeedy, it was a lovely day!

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Blissdom 10 - Part 3: After This I'll Talk Nonsense

Okay, Okay, Okay....I know you're sick of hearing about Blissdom! Bear with me through one more post then I promise to move on to the more tedious areas of my life - homeschooling, depression, dog poop, living with teenagers, weight gain, laundry and politics - because I know that is what you really want to hear about. Right??????

Originally, Harry Connick, Jr. was scheduled to be on a panel discussion group on Saturday and perform Saturday evening, but when his beloved Saints advanced to the Super Bowl he was asked to perform there and had to return to New Orleans on Saturday. Although he was unable to join the discussion group on Friday, being a gentleman of his word, he did move his performance at Blissdom to Friday evening. Lucky us!!!!!!!

Not only is Mr. Connick a talented musician (that's putting it mildly), he is one of the leading humanitarians in the post-Katrina rebuilding efforts. He, along with Bradford Marsalis, established Musicians' Village which has become the cornerstone for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) providing homes for talented musical artist. We were not only entertained by Mr. Connick, but by a few of the Musicians' Village residents as well, which I must say provided amazing eye and earcandy!

The private performance was held in the FUSE nightclub housed within the Opryland complex, with only Blissdom attendees allowed. Security was tight and while we had our Blissdom badges to identify ourselves, we were also required to bring a photo ID to this event, something I did not know until I reached the entrance line. The ladies around me had their ID's and promised to hold my place until I returned. Not wanting to make the mile hike back to my room and be sweating profusely upon return, I decided to take my chance hoping my Southern charm (but mostly my cleavage) would get me through the door. Let's just say, IT WORKED, and leave it there. We were asked NOT to throw undies on stage....not that I was wearing any....JUST KIDDING!!!!!!

Meticulously staged and ready to entertain!

With my little camera, it was difficult to get a good photo,

but I like the blurriness of these.

Shamarr Allen on trumpet, Calvin Johnson Jr. on

tenor saxophone, and Harry Connick Jr. on piano.

Oh when the Saints go marching in, Oh when the Saints go marching in.....

And they did, didn't they? Sorry Colt fans :(

Mr. Connick took a moment to talk about Musicians' Village...

And then weakened our knees by crooning to us......

He is as handsome and polished in person as he is in his photos! WOW!

For those of us who desired our photograph taken with him (there were some who did not), we were allowed behind a roped off section backstage and introduced six at a time for a handsake, soft word, and group photo. Because his publicist is so particular I do not have, in hand, that photo; nor can I seem to copy it to "My Pictures." If you are interested in searching through the 3,000 uploaded photos to find my "deer in the headlights" shot, feel free to go to http://www.flickr.com/ and do a Blissdom 10 search.

Saturday was spent in four informative breakout sessions and a lovely luncheon served in the Governors Ballroom.

The final keynote and was given by Jennifer McKinney (Mckmama) at My Charming Kids. You should really go to her blog and read her amazing story. On a side note, Sarah Palin was also in the building for the First Annual Tea Party Convention. I know! You either love or loathe her. Personally, I am in the former category. I could hear her speech but I would have very much enjoyed seeing her too. It seems that my Southern charm would not work on the stoic doorman. My ego was CRUSHED!!! Crushed, I say! But I am completely recovered now. Mostly.

So what did I gain from this journey?

• A brain overload of information. It's taken me a week to sort through it all!
• New friendships. Always a plus in my world.
• Confidence to step outside of my comfort zone. I find one-on-one small talk with complete strangers, believe or not, DIFFICULT!
• But, more important, interaction with like minded women; the sense of belonging and community that reverberates with women bloggers. We have a mutual need to sound our barbaric yawp online for the world to scrutinize.

Here's to you girlfriend bloggers! Now go forth and BLOG!

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Blissdom 10 - Part 2: Surprise Inspirations!

Friday morning at Blissdom found me mesmerized by the keynote speaker Kevin Carroll, author of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball. If you have never heard of him, you are going to want to check out his site, read his books and watch a few of his YouTube videos.

"Kevin’s “job” is to inspire businesses, organizations and individuals - from CEOs and employees of Fortune 500 companies to schoolchildren - to embrace their spirit of play and creativity to maximize their human potential and sustain more meaningful business and personal growth."

This first class inspirational, motivational and high-energy speaker made me want to kick some red rubber balls.

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.”

James A. Michener

Gotta LOVE that quote....

Blissdom knew what they were doing introducing George Duran near lunch time. George Duran is the host of TLC's Ultimate Cake Off. He entertained us and prepared a quick recipe on stage. Hunt's was a Blissdom sponsor and served us a delicious Italian lunch (Eggplant Parmesan Rolls recipe below) at Ristorante Volare which was beautifully prepared, decorated and displayed, down to the empty Hunt's tomato cans used for the bistro tables centerpiece.

Eggplant Parmesan Rolls:

• PAM® Olive Oil No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• 2 1⁄2 cups chopped zucchini
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) Hunt’s® Stewed Tomatoes, undrained
• 1⁄2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 large eggplants (2 large = about 2 1⁄2 lb)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 container (15 oz each) part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.

2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add zucchini; cook 10 minutes or
until onion and zucchini are lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add undrained tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper; simmer 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat grill pan over medium-high heat. Cut ends off each eggplant; cut each eggplant lengthwise into 1⁄4-inch slices. Spray both sides of each
slice with cooking spray. Grill slices 2 minutes per side or until lightly browned and pliable; set aside.

4. Combine eggs, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and basil in medium bowl. Mix until well blended; set aside.

5. Place 2 cups of the tomato sauce in bottom of prepared dish. Assemble rolls by spreading about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture on each eggplant slice.
Roll up from a short end and place seam-side down in dish. Repeat. Top rolls with remaining sauce and sliced mozzarella.

6. Bake 30 minutes or until cheese melts and is lightly browned. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes before serving.

And those are just the highlights of the morning through lunch. Two back-to-back afternoon sessions would continue to inspire us and lead us into the evening where we would be swooned by Harry Connick, Jr.

More to come.....

Thanks for reading, Rosie.