I have been mesmerized by architecture and houses for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate enough to attend a high school that actually offered a course in Architectural Drafting. This fed my enthusiasm even more and I decided I wanted to be an Architect. I enrolled in a two year program at Kent State and earned my degree and planned on continuing with a full degree but other things got in the way and instead I settled for a BS in Education. It was very hard back then to be a female in a male dominated profession but I have no regrets and I'm happy with the path I chose!
I've never lost my passion for looking at houses and I'm excited to see that architects are starting to create homes with personality again after the dull boring houses that were built in the 70's, 80's and 90's! Big or small, houses these days are getting back to what made houses so charming leading up to and just after World War II. BIG front porches, sleeping porches, interesting windows and doors and Porte-cocheres are just a few of the details incorporated in today's homes.
On Wednesdays, I would like to share my love of houses with you and show you some of the WOW houses I stumble upon. This week, I'm taking you to Daniel Island. Twelve years ago Daniel Island was nothing more than fields where farmers grew crops, then the City of Charleston annexed it, I-526 was built and included an exit to Daniel Island and the rest is history. It has blossomed into one the nicest (and most expensive) places to live in the Charleston area. The house being built there are nothing but exceptional. I watched this first house being built and I swear it took over two years! The detail is amazing. I'll be quiet now and just let you drool! As always, the pictures are "clickable" if you want a closer look.
This next house is currently under construction. I can't wait till it is finished! I will go back and take pictures so I can give you an update. I LOVE the Porte-cochere!
So that's it for my first installment of WOWSER house Wednesday. I hope you enjoyed it! Untill next time, may your day be filled with bubbles of joy! Nan
Today is the first day of the new hurricane season and the experts are saying it will be a very busy one at that. But those of us who live near the coast know it only takes one! THIS is my favorite site to keep up with what is going on in the tropics. Some of the discussions are a little technical but you can basically figure out what they are talking about.
The names for this years storms are:
Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Igor Julia Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomas Virginie Walter
Below is my version of a Hurricane Evacuation List. Please feel free to snag it. Just click on it to bring up the full size version, then right click and save. It is a jpeg image so all you have to do is copy and paste it into any program that accepts jpegs and stretch it out to a full 8-1/2"x11" page. Eventually I would like to redo this and make categories for the items ie: pets, kitchen, outdoor equipment etc. I've included some blank slots for you to add your own items. If there is a baby in your family don't forget diapers, formula and all the trappings a baby needs! Even if you don't live in a Hurricane zone, it's a great list to prepare a kit for any emergency, just adapt as needed. God willing, none of us will need a kit this year!
While I was watching the local news tonight, they gave a little history behind Memorial Day so I wanted to add this addendum to my Memorial Day post. According to our local news, the very first Memorial Day was observed right here in Charleston. Historians have documented that a group of former slaves were dedicating a cemetery for approximately 260 Union Soldiers who died in a prison camp at what is now known as Hampton Park. The year was 1865 and today, they dedicated a plaque recognizing the significance of that very first Memorial Day.
Well, my first attempt at adding a picture didn't turn out quite like I expected! If anyone can tell me how to make my pictures bigger without having to click on it, I would be so grateful!
Welcome to my first Friday Freebies! When I first started reading blogs, I was amazed that so many creative bloggers offered their creations and discoveries free for the taking. Most want nothing in return except a little note of thanks, how cool is that! I would like to point you in the direction of some of the really special things I found this week and if you think it is something you can use, just leave a little note of thanks!
First up Simply Silhouettes has created these wonderful printable cupcake wrappers and toppers just in time for graduation!
I will be snagging these for next year when both of my girls graduate from college!
Next I found this adorable milk carton box and accessories at
The Sweetest Occasion.
I think they would make adorable favors for a baby shower or end of the school year party!
Just in time for Memorial Day, this felt star garland from Oopsey Daisy is very cute.
I tried to buy felt at Wal Mart last night to make this but unfortunately, our Wal Mart does not sell individual pieces of felt any longer and no fabric store within 30 miles. Bummer! :(
Also For Memorial Day, Shel Belle Scraps is offering this wonderful mini scrap kit until Tuesday. Perfect for all those summer pictures!
And finally, not a blog but my home away from home :) Aimee Asher has some really wonderful free printables, all you have to do is set up an account and snag away. I hope you enjoyed my first Friday Freebies and I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for new things to share next week! TGIF!! Nan
I've been dipping my toes in the water and clinging to the edge of the pool. I see all of my blogging buddies having so much fun, I decided it was time to close my eyes and jump in with both feet! So here I am, writing my very first blog post!
I guess the proper thing to do is introduce myself. My name is Nan (short for Nanette) and I work full time as a landscape and garden designer but my passion is anything to do with art. The Lord has blessed me in so many, many ways and I hope that my joy of creating will rise up like little bubbles to inspire my readers and bring them joy.
I was born and raised in OHIO, once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye. I now live along the coast of South Carolina in one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, Charleston. My wonderful husband works in the container shipping industry so we will always live near the ocean. My pride and joy are my 2 amazing daughters, ages 22 and 20. They both attend college in Ohio, so I miss them terribly when school is in session. I'm also the mommy to two furbabies, a very old border collie mix and a very sweet Jack Russell. We also have a box turtle and a pond full of fish and frogs and one mud turtle.
There, that wasn't so bad! I bobbed right back to the top and God willing, I'm ready to start swimming with the rest of you! Have a wonderful weekend!
