Who knew eggs could be so tempting....

I went to the farm a few days ago and came back with a couple dozen eggs.  

Samster was excited by the farm dog, and stimulated by the chickens but more than anything, he was positively mezzmerized by the eggs.

Lovely brown ovals, smelling sweetly of chicken and yolk and straw...and whatever else is in that straw.

Simple brown eggs in recycled cartons. Who knew they could be such an adventure?

Eggs by Lamplight

I took them home and put them in a beautiful bowl placed right by the soft lamplight underneath a window.  And there they sat, still fresh and bearing the interesting smell of the farm...

Temptation

 ....so seductive in the lamplight.  Now if only that guardian Rooster could be distracted. 

Samster and the Rooster

But wait!  Could it be?  Yes! The rooster has moved, and the eggs appear to be unguarded.

Samster can hardly believe his good fortune.

Not one to waste such a precious  opportunity....he moves in for the steal....

...and gets the pick of the litter...er, the dozen.

And one stashed for a later midnight snack.

But too much sneaking around makes a fellow tired.  So now, it's time for a little nap.  Move along folks.  Nothing to see here.

And so ends Samsters little adventure.  Shhhhhh. Let him sleep while I retrieve that stashed egg from behind the cushion.

Until next time, have wonderful adventures with the ones you love, and 

Be well,

Photo-Journey (New Orleans)

Ready for more chipped cobblestones and festive balconies?  Come with me and let’s go to pre-Katrina New Orleans.

Place d'Arms Hotel

The Place d’Armes Hotel looks like it might have some charming  accommodations.  What a bustling place New Orleans is—full of life and the hard work that makes it possible.  Let’s stroll down the morning lit street and see what we find, shall we?

Mimosa Shade and Peach Shutters

 There’s nothing like a little early morning drizzle (all cleared up before our walk, of course) to bring out the glossy green color in the leaves.  And subtly darkened tree trunks and clay pots add depth to this glimpse of mimosa shade and peach shutter.  Mmmmm, luscious.

Old Glory

What a glorious sight to see old wrought iron  balconies bedecked with vines of trailing ivy and petunias, in front of floor to ceiling windows and their gently weathered shutters.

All that JAZZ!

Well, we’re in the French Quarter so we might try to catch some of that famous JAZZ!

Cafe du Monde

 And there is lots of it to be had—live and loud!

Jazz Man

 The Cafe Du Monde is the perfect place to pick up a little mid-day java and a little Jazz. That was delicious—-and sooo refreshing.   But before we turn back……

Wilkinson Street

 I believe there’s time to walk down Wilkinson Street…..

Royal Cafe

 …past the Royal Cafe with its  red brick, and  wrought iron railings and posts.

Intricate wood carvings make a window special

 And a little window gazing.  I can never get too much of the painted detailed carvings that make a simple red window frame so special.   And now, it’s time for dessert….

Blueberries and Cream

….the house I call ‘Blueberries and Cream’ —although maybe ‘Cream with Blueberries’ would be more appropriate.  Either way, it’s pure dessert to me!

I hope you all enjoyed the trip through New Orleans as much as I did.  I think it was just as interesting the second time around as it was the first.

Photo-Journey (Charleston, SC)

Hello Friends, 

I was looking through my private stash today---that is,  pictures I have taken over the past few years that don't really fall into a nice scrapbooking category. 

Here are some pics from Charleston, South Carolina and pre-Katrina New Orleans that I’ve saved---maybe just to share with you. 

I find the ironwork,  the paint colors and the chipped cobblestone of these old Southern cities intriguing.  Let's take a peek…...

Secret Garden Door

Look at the moss-covered cobbles and ivy-covered brick.  Could this be the doorway to the Secret Garden?  I wonder what's behind it...

Circular Church

 ….a haunted mansion, a castle keep? No, but close; it’s the Circular Church Graveyard established in 1681. It is the church that established the first Sunday School in South Carolina….and it’s said to be haunted. 

 And for just a few dollars per person, you can go on a guided lamplight tour to see for yourself.   That is, of course, if you dare.

 And that's not the only 'circular' interest in Charleston.  Many are not aware of it, but over a century ago  Charleston SC was near the epicenter of a huge earthquake. 

The Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886 was the largest and most damaging earthquake to ever hit the east coast.   A magnitude 7 quake whose epicenter was only 25 miles away in Summerville,   hit Charleston with the force of a hurricane.  Most of the buildings sustained serious damage and had to be at least partially rebuilt.

Earthquake Survivor!

 In the rebuilding process, many buildings utilized a quaint and unique feature called an ‘earthquake bolt’.   The earthquake bolt consisted of a long, adjustable iron bar that ran through the walls and attached to a large bolt and washer-type apparatus.  The end of the bolt was visible and often decorated with ironwork or painted to accent the decor.

These round black disks visible on the facade of this building are the earthquake bolts.    I’ve never seen these used anywhere else.  So now if you see a pic of a house sporting those round black beauties, you’ll know you’re likely looking at an authentic Charleston antique!

And speaking of Summerville....Just outside Charleston,  you can walk for hours til your hearts content through acres and acres of cultivated gardens and plantings on the beautiful Magnolia Plantation near Summerville.

There are also peacocks galore strutting confidently about the grounds.  So watch where you step,  I’ve heard they are as temperamental as they are beautiful.

Now enough about ghosts and graveyards and earthquakes and peacocks.  The rest of our photo-journey will save for another day.

Be well, Friends, til we meet again,

WELCOME ALL!

Hello New Friends,

Welcome to the very first post of  Petable Home!

You might be asking yourself  what is ‘petable’ anyway, and what  could make a home ‘petable’?  Well, the same things that make your dog, or cat or guinea pig a pleasure to pet, can also make your home petable, tactile, pleasing to the senses. I’ve had many very inspiring influences in my home, but among the most dramatic and lovable—are my beloved pets, Samster the Mini Daschound, and our deceased German ShortHair Pointer,  Penelope.  More about them later.

I’ve found that some of the most important characteristics of a petable pet are attitude, texture, visual appeal, and scent.  These are often overlooked elements in your home as well, particularly when you are accommodating a pet (or multiple pets) .   And it’s amazing how you can put these elements together with inspiration from the most unlikely sources—Even your own Scruffy or Frisky or Benny!

This year I’ll spend some time detailing and illustrating all of these aspects of petable-ness, and how they can apply to your own home regardless of your style preferences.   And the whole point of having a public blog is the sharing, so  feel free to share your own thoughts and experiences as well!  The journey will be fun!