So apparently next week is Easter. It doesn’t seem real. Winter and spring seem to be battling it out for control, my cold weather outerwear is still in the closet and the heat is still on…a lot. My first thought upon waking this morning? Eggs out…pronto, and throw a few bunnies out for good measure. The fastest decor change ever! I mean, spring has got to win out eventually, after all the daffodils have popped up and I spotted a few robins the other morning. I just want to enjoy them puffer coat and mitten free!
Eggs on the kitchen counter. Eggs in the living room. I can finally put my breakable eggs out without fear. I love this bunny!Dining room eggs…eggs are everywhere!
Speaking of time going quickly…The Princess turned 9 this week!
After a few lovely days exploringdowntown Charleston, we headed across the bridge to experience a bit of the countryside. We purchased our tickets for Middleton Plantation and set off on an adventure. Our morning included the annual sheep shearing, alligator spotting and a tiny lamb just hours old. The grounds were lovely and perfect for a stroll.
Back in Charleston, we gained another perspective, by water. We found the history and back stories very interesting, and on our boat tour the Princess enjoyed a nap. A long afternoon called for ice cream! I’ve waited a long time to visit the original Jenni”s ice cream shop…ever since we bought her book at the County Living Fair in Ohio. We may have gone back a time or two during our stay.
On March 14th, 2020, I finished packing suitcases and set my alarm for an early flight the next day. Bags packed, plane seats chosen, book downloaded and plans in place for a beautiful week in Charleston. I woke up to a changed world. It was heartbreaking. I know many families suffered so much more than a missed vacation. We were quite blessed really, but it still hurt. Finally, two years later, we had the opportunity to put those plans into place. It was worth the wait. Some cities just grab your heart the moment you open your hotel room door. Annapolis is and will always be our beloved home town, but Charleston was like a home away from home. It was the perfect spring break destination.
Where we stayed. Our hotel, The Harbor View Inn, was the perfect location for downtown excursions. We were near the Battery, steps away from Rainbow Row, and a short walk to the City Market. It was beautifully appointed, served a wonderful breakfast to your room and generously provided wine and cheese at 5:00 and milk and cookies at 9:00 each day.
StrollingLove this view
Where we shopped. Of course, King Street is a shoppers’ Mecca with beautiful boutiques, high end antiques and specialty stores of every kind. It was fun to window shop but most of our shopping was done at the City Marketplace, a fun place to find the perfect souvenir or gift. It is also a fun place to see local artists and sample well known Charleston treats.
You can sample all the cookie flavors. The home of Charleston Chews.
We finished our day meeting a dear friend for diner at California Dreaming, a fun restaurant with great South Carolina dishes and flavors.
A restful weekend here in Annapolis, in no small part thanks to a crazy burned out electrical transformer that led to a blown out Verizon box that led to a service call to happen between 9am and 9pm that led to a mandatory day at home. It is a wonder how we ever did anything without the internet…or Fios TV. Anyway, it did give me time to put together a St. Patrick Day mantel. I have never attempted to capture the luck of the Irish in my decor, but like my Valentine’s mantel, I am quite pleased that the simplest additions really do have major impact. Do you like the sparkly shamrock? I give the Princess full credit!
Some green depression, vintage postcards and a bunting of shamrock pennants gives homage to Old Saint Patrick. A close-up of the gorgeous green of the glass.
Vintage St. Patrick postcards are known for their amusing nature and exuberant love of the perfect Irish lass! I love these examples of both.
After 2 years an Annapolis tradition is back! Our annual St. Patrick Day parade. A beautiful day for a festive parade.
A Day of Small Things... 