The Ladies of Magnolia

 My friend, Susan, and I spent the day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.  It has to be the worst time of year to try to find beauty.  All brown and almost nothing blooming.  We found a few camellias - they are late this year because of the cold. The wildlife was great and you can see some of that on my Charleston Blog.  But these ladies are always beautiful, don't you think?

Dog Time at the Park

Sunday was such a lovely day that we decided to head out to Palmetto Isles Park for a walk with the dogs.  I had my neighbor, Susan, with me and my daughter, Christie.  Jake got to come this time and Christie brought her 2 yellow labs, Socks and Lacy.

I caught Susan when she wasn't looking!

Christie took Lacy and Socks down a ramp (first time for Lacy!) and let them experience "moving ground"!! Jake went too but somehow didn't get in the picture.

The day was good for being in a fishing boat too.

And then we stopped at the dog park where EVERYONE had a great time.  I wish I could have gotten some video of Jake running because he got going and was like lightening.  Once he was tired out I remembered I have video on my camera!

And this is Lacy. I just think she is so beautiful and so photogenic!

New Year's Day Walk

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New Years Day my friend Susan and I needed to get out and take a walk so we headed to a local development that isn't.  What that means is the developers were all ready to start selling off their beautiful lots when the economy tanked.  So there are no homes and there are walk-ways, ponds and beauty all around.  (we selected our lots while we were there!)

 I enjoyed taking pictures with the new lens Kirby gave me for Christmas.  I DIDN'T take Jake which probably surprises you and now I can't remember why!  So, the yellow dogs nor the white dogs are mine.  I just had fun taking their pictures.

We also found a dirt road that lead to "somewhere".  There was a very climbable fence so we scrambled (well, we kind of struggled but scrambled sounds better) over it in no time at all.  After a short walk through the forest we were rewarded with the beautiful marshes that Charleston is noted for.  It was a wonderful way to begin the new year!

Welcoming 2011

 We had a great party at the Man Cave for New Year's Eve.  The guys go around during the week and collect Christmas Trees, cut them into smaller pieces and then we burn them....with the hose very near-by.  This is a picture of me and my two neighbor girlfriends, Diane and Susan.  I am the "old lady", pretty much a generation older than they are - they keep me young and I love them!! ( Don't you just love the sign over our heads!!!??)

 I loved the way the sparks look in the picture!

 Jake, our yellow dog, was so stressed from all the fireworks and "boom-booms".  He found a nice place to lay down right next to Barkley and Barkley didn't mind at all.  Little Ozzie had to come check them out.

Christmas trees ignite at a tremendous rate.  They don't last long but the heat and the flames are amazing and so much fun.  It has become a tradition for us.  In this picture you can see Kirby and Papa Ray in their easy chairs enjoying the warmth.  Young Corey is there with his camera phone getting a good video of the fire.

2011 promises to be one of the best years yet!  I am looking forward to all the good things it will bring!  Goodbye 2010 - you were wonderful!

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