Happy Halloween

Monterey House

Haunted House in Virginia, on campus of Roanoke College.

Monterey House is a circa-1850 Greek Revival Mansion that the college uses as a guest house since purchasing it in 2002.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places.  One professor at the college teaches a class called Ghosts and Human Perception and takes his students on tours/ghost hunts at the house every year since 2006.  Over the years, there have been noises, shadows, appearances of a figure, black spheres that float, music, and actual emotional shifts.

I have been drawn to this house since living here and I've driven up the long drive on several occasions.  I knew nothing about the paranormal activity there until reading about it in the newspaper today.  I find it very interesting, but I certainly don't plan to be a guest there anytime soon.

Sunday Happiness!!

I just couldn't come back from Charleston without this lovely 2-piece set ~ found in my favorite antique store down there.

Home Again

As my dear mother used to say ~ "Home again. Home again. Jiggety Jig."

We left SC at 9 this morning and landed in Roanoke at 11:15 with clear skies and smooth sailing all the way.

I took a nice photo of downtown Roanoke as we were approaching the airport.

Ready For Takeoff

We just returned from loading the bird with my things.  We are determined and will leave early in the morning.

A Great Day with My Son

We were going to fly out this morning, but the Roanoke weather did not cooperate ~ low cloud ceiling and rain.  Weather looks good for tomorrow, so we will leave in the morning.

Casey took me to Summerville to a great little Italian restaurant that is in a little old house ~ The Red Pepper.  I had lasagna and it was excellent.  We drove around town and enjoyed the views.  There are some beautiful massive old oaks there.  Also saw some bulls!  A great end to this visit here in the lowcountry.  Thank you, Casey.

Leaving the Lowcountry

Weather permitting, we will be flying back to Virginia tomorrow.  We went out to have drinks and pick up dinner at Sol Southwest Kitchen & Tequila Bar.  These stained glass pieces in the window are amazing!  My Blackberry Margarita!

Isle of Palms

 After I visited several of my favorite shops today, I went to the Isle of Palms and walked the beach, enjoying the beauty of the sea and the gifts it has to offer.  Being alone with that vast body of water in front of you gives a person reason to pause and contemplate.  I took a minute to thank God for giving us the ocean, the shells, the birds, and everything else that the beach has to offer.  I couldn't make a trip here without spending a little time at one of the amazing beaches that are in this area.  

HUGE

We stopped at the grocery store for a minute.  They have HUGE pumpkins in their display for $99. each!  Can you imagine paying $99. for a pumpkin?  I should have put a regular size pumpkin next to this so you could see the size difference.  Nice display, but I think they will still have these giant ones after Autumn has come and gone.

Pumpkins

Strolled through a pumpkin patch on this beautiful Autumn afternoon.

Papa Zuzu

Ate lunch today at Papa Zuzu's (Mediterranean again) with Casey.  Had a Greek Salad Pita that was outstanding!!  So many great restaurants ~ so little time!

Shem Creek Park

This HUGE pelican sculpture is in Shem Creek Park (Mount Pleasant, SC).  It is made entirely from "junk" found in the ocean.

Dinner

I LOVE the peace sign that is painted on this building.  We stopped here at Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale to pick up dinner on the way home.  I don't think I have EVER eaten so much Mexican food while staying at Casey's.  It has all been good, though.

Back Home to Rest

This is the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge that we take out of Charleston to go back to Casey's.  It is an eight-lane cable-stayed bridge over the Cooper River, connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant.  It has two diamond-shaped towers that allows clearance for modern ocean freighters to access the port of Charleston.  The bridge is the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere.  I love crossing over this bridge ~ the views are great! 

We stopped to pick up dinner on the way home.

Charleston

Casey, Amanda, and I had a wonderful breakfast buffet at STARS in downtown Charleston ~ walked quite a bit after and then my legs just couldn't walk anymore.  We then went to Tommy Condon's where I had a wonderful Wild Berry Frozen Daiquiri!  The three young men in the photo (Three Pegs Trio) were playing outside the restaurant and they were very good.

A Fun Day

 A 3-1/2 hour lunch today at Shem Creek Water's Edge with my South Carolina buddy Pam Aries, along with several hours of talk and laughter.  A really fun day!

Egret visit this morning!

Good Morning!!

Charleston Charm

Night seating outside Taco Boy in Charleston, SC.  This bench is set back in a small alcove area surrounded by greenery and the light above sends off this magenta glow.  It is very Secret Garden looking.  I LOVE the bench!!

Fun evening at TACO BOY!!

My Mango Margarita! Outstanding!!

Love spending time with my son, Casey.

Lunch on Daniel Island

SO great!  Had a wonderful Mediterranean lunch at Ali Baba on Daniel Island with son, Casey!!

Trio Chicken Salad - Marinated Grilled Chicken over a Greek Salad, Tabouli Salad, Moroccan Couscous, and Pita Bread.

Arrived in Mount Pleasant, SC, at 3:00, put the plane in the hangar, and off to eat a late lunch.  I can't believe I'm here.

South Carolina approaching the Charleston area.

Somewhere over the Roanoke mountains.

I don't think I've ever been this close to a cloud!!

Flying Again

I am getting in this plane tomorrow morning!!  Casey is picking me up and taking me to Charleston for a visit.  I'm a little nervous about being up there for 2 hours, but it sure beats 7-8 hours on the road.  

Mr. Magic is once again staying home with Jake.  I will miss them both, but I look forward to time spent with Casey and Amanda.

October Pinks!!

Pumpkin Time!!

Buck on the Loose!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Terry !!

This has been a busy year for you ~ selling the business and retiring!  You now have time to relax and do some things that have been lingering in the back of your mind.  I hope this birthday will be the beginning of something new that will bring you happiness for many years to come.  xoxo

Autumn Day

The sky today was glorious!  It was a joy to be outdoors (temps in the 70s) enjoying the Autumn color that has finally started to appear here in the Valley.