Liquor Pops

What do you mean August is over?! I still haven't made popsicles. A friend made the most amazing popsicles that consisted of watermelon, champagne, vodka and mint. Yum! I saw her a week later and she had fresh batch made with peaches. I've been meaning to make them all summer! Somehow I find time to blog, but can't find time to freeze fruit and liquor. Seriously, check out the Bloody Mary popsicles. You could add alcohol to any of these and have an instant party. Sounds like a project for this weekend. Do you have any Labor Day weekend projects? 

1. Firecracker Ice Pops 2. Ice Pops 3. Bloody Mary Popsicles

4. Rainbow Popsicles 5. Honeydew Lime Popsicles 6. Homemade Fudgesicles

Moroccan Tile

These Moroccan tiles are so pretty! This makes me want to decorate with color even more! 

Let's plan a trip to Morocco to collect design inspiration... I guess I could settle for a colorful throw pillow.

Exotic Bathrooms via Remodelista

Robin Bell Interiors via Apartment 48

Kitchens with Character

Robins Egg Blue and Coral

I love this summery color combination! We should celebrate summer this week. With Labor Day coming we know It's on the way out. Although these colors are far from what I have in my house, I think they would be so pretty. I don't have enough confidence when decorating my house with bright colors. I use almost all cream and beige. (Boring huh?) A friend, who was married in Hawaii used these colors for wedding. How beachy! I think of her every time I see this color combination. Do you use brighter colors when it comes to items that aren't permanent like the mirror below?

1. Bathroom by Martha Stewart 2. Kim Seybert Hurricane 3. Sea Urchin Finials 4. Dining Room by House Beautiful

5. Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase 6. Sitting Room by Coastal Living 7. Pottery Barn Lumbar Pillow

Irene

After work on Friday we went to Folly Beach to see the craziness. The waves don't look that big until you see surfers. 

It was a little dangerous because of all the boards with nails floating in the water. At one point a palm tree fell down just a couple feet from us. The seas were rough but this was pretty much the end of the storm for us, so we headed home.

We went to Edisto Beach on Saturday morning and it was gorgeous. There was no humidity and the breeze was amazing.

  

I ran across the Turtle Patrol who were helping a baby loggerhead sea turtle make his way out to into the ocean.

He made it! The little guy look so excited to see the water!

I also found some beautiful starfish! The folks from the Turtle Patrol said that they were from Florida because we don't usually see this kind around here. It was sad because they died when they were washed up. I hated think that so many animals were crashed around all night. I'm glad we get a warning when these storms come our way. Either way I collected the starfish and some shells. I hope to use them to decorate around my house. Hope you had a safe Saturday!

Easy as Pie?

My mom gave me a rolling pin for a wedding present. The last time I made a pie crust? Never. I make my Grandma's pecan pie every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas. But sadly, I always buy the crust. I'm really more of a cake baker, but it's time for a change. With the ingredients below, at least I'll look the part. I think my favorite item is the bake by number pie dish... Or is it the sweet apron. Do you make your own pie crusts? Have you ever had pie in a mason jar?

1. Floradoodle Rolling Pin 2. Pie in a Mason Jar 3. Southern Pies 4. Peach and Blackberry Mini Pie

5. Bake by Numbers Pie Dish 6. Made to Order Bubby's Pies 6. Vintage Apron

Friday Flowers

Can you believe I snapped this photo outside of a old style filling station? 

Palmetto Bluff has the classiest gas station ever. Check out the wine selection.

Oysters and Hurricanes

Oyster Shell Candle Holder

We have candles ready, but don't think we'll need them after all. Hopefully you and your families are safe! Not sure how I missed it yesterday, but this one takes the cake. I love it! I bet I could make one of these myself. I have a couple oyster projects going that I may post on here one day soon. Clearly I have an obsession with oysters, but I'm okay with that.

Another good thing that comes from hurricanes? Good music. I absolutely love bluegrass. Like most music, it comes from the heart and really has a way of showing the emotion of the songwriter. Sarah Jarosz wrote Broussard's Lament after Hurricane Katrina. At the time she was only 14. I had the privilege of seeing her perform at the Cistern Yard as part of this year's Spoleto Festival. That's a night I'd like to do all over again. Great spring weather and a perfect backdrop!

Hurricane Lanterns

I have lived on the Carolina coast my whole life and our family only had to evacuated a couple times. With all the chatter about Irene I've been trying to think about the bright side of Hurricanes. Although these wouldn't stand a chance in the face of a category 3 storm, those storms aren't around that much anyway. Of course I love the lantern with the oyster shells, but I think the driftwood one is my favorite. Which one would you choose to have with you to weather the storm?

1. Driftwood Hurricane 2. Outdoor Lantern 3. Cement Paper Hurricane 

4. Mercado Square Metal Lantern 5. Oyster Shell Lantern 6. Hurricane in Basketware Cage

Coastal Kitchen

Just when a tropical system rolls around I get to thinking about the change from Summer to Fall. The months that end in "R" are almost here! The change in season brings a transition from low tide crabbing to shrimp baiting and oyster picking. I'm anxious for oysters, but I'm also trying to be fully present in every moment. No need to go wishing time away right? 

On the last weekend of August I want to make a lowcountry boil. I couldn't go crabbing on Sunday because I missed low tide and I'm almost certain the crabs won't be biting this weekend. Hopefully we can stop at a seafood store and pick up a mess of crabs to go with the shrimp we have. We'll be going whichever way the wind blows us this weekend. Literally.

Below are a couple items I have and love, as well as a couple I really want. I never thought I would love a coaster so much, until we were given the nautical map coasters for our wedding. I am totally ga ga for those fish measuring spoons. 

They are gorgeous and practical! What item is a must have in your kitchen when cooking seafood?

1. Nautical Wine Cork 2. The Best Gullah Cookbook Ever 3. Fishy Measuring Spoons 

4. Old Bay (and a recipe) 5. Nautical Chart Coasters 6. Le Cruset Pot 7. Fishing Knot Tea Towel 

Thief

A few weeks ago I saw this piece in The Bagel Shop downtown and it made me think of my mom. She loves bright colors!

Sarah Louise Excell is the Charleston artist who created this gorgeous piece. Her paintings are loaded with vibrant colors and are reasonably priced. I still don't know why it's called thief. What do you think was stolen... someone's heart?

Breakfast in Bed

Who wants to go to work on a Monday? Wouldn't it be nice if you could sleep in and start your day as late as you want? 

Years ago my now husband treated me to breakfast in bed. He made shrimp hash and eggs over heart shaped toast. 

Now that's a way to win a girl's heart! (Bonus points for catching the shrimp) Those were the good ole days.

Below are some things I would wish for on a sleepy morning. What elements would you incorporate into a lazy day? 

1. Vintage Pajamas 2. South Carolina Shrimp & Grits 3. Ticking Stripe Duvet  

4. Sparkling Strawberry Cocktail 5. Pajama Shorts 6. Crumbled Biscuits and Gravy 7. Sperry Slippers 8. Breakfast Tray 

Buffalos at Palmetto Bluff

May River Bloody Mary

If you know me, you know I am love with anything that mentions the May River. 

Besides the fantastic name, this drink features Firefly vodka and pickled okra. Yum!

White Peach Sangria

Dry Reisling, Couintreau, and White Peaches. Mom loved it.

Sweet Potato Fries with Maple Aioli.

By the time our lunch came I was done taking photos. I had the Turkey and Brie Panini and she had the Brisket Club. With a view of the water we were in heaven. They overheard our conversation and sent us off with a birthday treat. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Palmetto Bluff. At 85 degrees it was decidedly cool for August. 

The scenery is gorgeous. Next time I'll bring back more photos.

Sweet Birthdays

My mom and my nephew have the same birthday! Today the little guy turns 4. It has been so fun shopping for both of them this year. I am headed to my hometown for a little celebration. I couldn't help but snap a photo of one of the presents on the way out. I hope your Saturday is off to a good start! What do you have planned this weekend?

Friday Flowers

Happy Friday! These little guys are growing in my garden. I wish I could remember what they are called. 

Do you have a flower garden? Do you talk to your plants?

The Help

Last night I went with the a couple girlfriends to see The Help. What a great movie! I have been excited about seeing this movie for a while. I love Minny and Celia! Both characters are full of sass and courage. I love how they unite to help one another. Almost every character in the movie (sorry Hilly) won me over. I found myself sympathizing for all of them and wishing I could change their situation. I am so glad I came up in a less controversial time.  

With that said, don't forget your Kleenex but get ready to laugh hard too. I bounced from happy to heart-broken the whole time. Can we talk about the fashion? The dresses are adorable. I love Minnie's hats! This movie is the Steel Magnolia's of our time. Have you seen The Help? What are you thoughts on the movie? If not, go see it this weekend!

The Angel Oak

If trees could talk, this old lady would have a lot to say. The Angel Oak is located on Johns Island, SC in a quiet wooded area. The Angel Oak has a shade of over 17,000 square feet and is predicted to be over 1500 years old.  The tree is said to be the largest living thing east of the Mississippi. Growing up in South Carolina, you see a lot of gorgeous oak trees. I have never seen a tree so big. The Angel Oak is truly breath taking.  

Can you imagine all the things this tree has weathered? I have heard people say that you should travel to the Grand Canyon, look down and see how insignificant you really are. Well, travel no further than the Carolina lowcountry and stand under a tree that has been around for every hurricane in the past 1500 years. That's a pretty long ride. Take a trip out in the water and drive your boat so far into the ocean that  you can't see land anymore. Sit over the gulfstream and think about all the animals swimming around beneath your boat. It's comforting to know that we cant change the world.

Just Peachy

Peaches* are a sweet summer snack. Lately I have been putting sliced peaches in my Greek yogurt in the morning and adding a little granola. It's a great way to start the day! There are some beautiful recipes below but I still think one of my favorite ways to eat them is just sliced and plain. I need to try the recipe for cobbler to see if it comes close to my Grandma's cobbler. Leave it to Martha Stewart's team to create one of the prettiest cobblers I have ever seen. 

What is your favorite summer fruit? Do you cook with peaches throughout the summer?

I am really loving all of this stationery. I'm not sure I could pick my favorite. They are all so cute!

 

     Letterpress Recipe Cards

 Rustic Peach Tart

                                                

South Carolina Letterpress Print

Pecan-Peach Cobbler

Peaches and Cream Card

Peach Fuzzies

*Disclaimer: This blog is not entirely about food. I just really love food from the south. 

Savannah Red Rice

This is recipe that my family has been making for years. We eat it on weeknights and my sister and I

always make it as a side dish on Thanksgiving. It's the perfect dish to take to an oyster roast.

Chop two bell peppers. I used one orange one thinking it would be nice for color, turns out green

 really shows up better anyway. Traditionally this dish is made with green bell peppers. 

                                          Chop one Vidalia onion. Vidalia is kind of important because they hail from
                                          Georgia, as does this recipe. If you can't get one, a large yellow onion will do.

                                                                         Saute the peppers and onions in olive oil.

                                                  While the vegetables are sauteing chop two cups of smoked sausage.

                                                                       Add the sausage to the mixture on the stove.

                                                                                 Add 4 cups of crushed tomatoes

                                                                           And two cups of uncooked white rice.

                                                             Stir the mixture together while cooking at medium.
          

                                                                           Add 1 Tablespoon of creole seasoning.

                                                                                    Add 1 Tablespoon of Texas Pete.

     Put the mixture in a greased casserole dish.  

  Seal tightly with aluminum foil. 

       Bake at 350 for 1.5 hours or until rice is tender. 

                                                                                                      Enjoy!