Weekend as Charlestonians

Hey there!

While we've been here in Charleston for one whole month today, this past weekend was our first real, "normal person"weekend we've had. Initially we had family here helping us move (total lifesaver), then we turned around and went right back home for a wedding (Keith's best friend's wedding), and then we had another guest (my sweet girl MC), so it's been a whirlwind of fun, entertainment and activities from the start. It was quite nice to feel like we really, really live here now and have a couple of agenda-free days off.

We slept in on Saturday. We went to the Farmer's Market down the road. We stayed up late and went out to bars both nights (both nights!? who am I!?). We rode our bikes. Went to a pool. I did laundry. I cleaned (oh wait, I didn't do actually do that but should have). It was a well-rounded, relaxing time.

Here are some of the pictures I snapped along the way. Just a little taste of life here in Chucktown!

Marion Square Farmer's Market - Love the valet bike parking. 

Of course, I'm all "That is SOO cute! Lookie, lookie! Let's use it!"

Keith was all "Yeah, I'm a real man. I can park my own trike, thankyouverymuch."

That statement alone is hilarious, but I digress.

The Farmer's Market is a hustle and bustle of local vendors - everything from delicious foods and produce to flowers and crafts. You see things like homemade juices of kale and blueberry, and someone peddling artisan popsicles like watermelon mint. This is not your average market, folks.

The food trucks serve breakfast, and it's out of this world. This was a bacon egg and cheese sandwich that we had to split. Charleston knows a thing or two about big portions!

Summer in a photo!

I did buy some of those berries, y'all. Keith said they are "money." His words, not mine.

Tomatoes, and my tennis shoes.

I loved seeing this in an artist's booth. I would agree with that sentiment about Arkansas.

I may (slash will) have to go back and buy this.

Peddling to pick up some lunch. Even the fast-casual dining places here rock my socks off.

This was a fresh salad with peaches, bacon, goat cheese, arugula and a champagne vinaigrette. Oh, and a refreshing green mint tea. Easy, and healthy.

Just riding down the streets under the canopy of trees is an activity in and of itself.

I made a few new friends (gold star! social interaction!) and got invited to hang out poolside here.

My new friend is house sitting from time to time at a total dream home in a rilllll nice part of town. 'Round here, that's anything "South of Broad" street. Yeahhhh, we was definitely past that.

Crazy beautiful. Old. Charming. 
A lawn like this downtown? Amazing.

I died.

But made more new friends first.

I would have loved to snap 100 photos inside the fabulous house, but that just wouldn't be right, y'all.
So, on the ride home, I took a bunch of photos of other dreamy houses.

This was the house estate across the street. That tree! Gasp.

Gorgeous at every turn.

Window baskets are a thing of beauty around here, and this one would be considered very simple.

B.T.dubs, this was Keith's grandparent's tricycle. It was sitting idle in their garage, just waiting to be restored to glory. It says Sears & Roebuck on it. It's from the early 70s. We love it! Keith is "that guy with the old trike" downtown :)

It gave out on him on the ride home. It's currently in the shop and he misses it so much! When you ride a bicycle well over 30 years old, it has it's moments of weakness. We're working to get it back to it's riding potential. 

This meant that Keith walked it home. Meaning, I circled him a lot. I also went slower and took more photos.

The Westie.
At the iron gate.
The front door that leads to the porch, before the real front door.
The American flag.
So much I love about this!

There are iron gates galore. But, I loved these on Queen street. Totes appropes.

Wentworth Mansion. You can stay here.
Or with us. Whatever. 

Even this house closer to our neighborhood is in need of some TLC, but isn't it still so charming?




We also had a little Thai dinner date, and stopped for a sitting spell on the College of Charleston campus. We tried a few selfies, and didn't like any of them.

"Ooooh, do I really have this many wrinkles under my eyes now?" -Keith
"Wow. For once, the humidity hasn't done horrible things to my hair. This is progress" - Kendall


"The flash is better." -Keith
"Yeah, but you can't tell anything about where we are." - Kendall


"So, you really think this grainy pic is better?" -Keith
"You're right. That's enough. I just won't have any pictures of us for the blog. I hope people like houses" - Kendall


:)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Catching up!

Hello out there!

I'm not even sure where to begin with this post. I can't believe it's been 9 months since my last entry on this blog. First, I had no intentions of walking away from it, and still don't!
Life just happens.
Priorities shift.
And, I'm okay with that. I reached a point where this felt like an obligation that I needed to maintain instead of a passion project, which is the whole point. So, I needed a break. And, sometimes a break is a wonderful thing.

I so appreciate the emails I received and the friends that gave me a hard time about missing my recipes. Thanks for making me feel missed! Everything is okay. Keith and I are doing well and have been busy for all good reasons.


(we recently celebrated 6 years of marriage!)

After much thought, I've decided to pick back up on the blog, but it's time for a bit of a reinvention.
New name. New design. Fresh start.

You'll have to stay tuned for that development, but I'm excited to begin again and I am optimistic that this will be able to fit into my life a bit better now. Speaking of which, we've had a few things going on, so I'll get you caught up on all of that!

First up, we've moved to Charleston, South Carolina!


(Goodbye, Memphis!)

Yes, I actually live here now. Pinch me.



We don't actually live in this house, but man aren't those flowers gorgeous!



My husband, Keith, has been practicing dentistry for two years and decided to specialize as a pediatric dentist. Last Fall, we went through the application, interview and match process. We visited many schools, but one city stole our hearts and went straight to the top of our rank list. So, you can imagine our joy when we found out we matched to Charleston! We found out in January and just moved here 3 weeks ago.



I'm so proud of Keith. I cannot think of a better person to specialize in the needs of children. He is the most patient, kind, relatable, down to Earth person I know and kids adore him. After much prayer, and lots of years in school, it is so amazing to see God's plan unfold.



The program is for two years and then he'll be able to buy and/or start his own practice in the city of our choosing. We don't know where that will be, so for now, we feel incredibly blessed to be able to move to a wonderful place for this little window of time.




God's hand is in all things, and finding a place to live was no different. Through a connection in the pediatric dental field, we found a townhouse right where we wanted to be. We are a couple blocks from King Street (hellooooooo shoppping and restaurants) and a few blocks from MUSC (where Keith works). It's perfect for us and I already love, love, love this house.

Here are a few pictures, but I have so many more to share!




(Before)


(Part of the After)




In addition to all of this falling into place just right, I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home for my company based in Memphis. I love my job, so I couldn't ask for a better opportunity. There are huge perks to working from home, but there is a downside to being alone and away from your team. It's an adjustment that I'm getting used to, but I think it's going to be fantastic.


(my new office at home)

With all the new, exciting things we have happening in Charleston, we have so much to share with all of our friends and family that are 600+ miles away. I'll be using this blog to tell our story - both what I'm cooking and how I'm decorating, but also what adventures and discoveries we're making in this historic, charming town.





It's nice to be back! Stay tuned for more....