FINALLY a quick update on Spunky (isn’t the first child always ignored and neglected?!).  [Well, Spikey was really the first!]

November 14th, 2011 – the last documented mention of Spunky on the blog ::GASP:: (Me and Lisa from her and Seth’s 36 Hours of Fun!!!) 

Yesterday – July 24th, 2012

Check out those ridiculously pale tree stumps AND THEN check out Spunky (holy overly-pregnant-and-swollen monster legs — yikes!).

Hopefully you can tell that Spunky has grown quite a bit and is looking more and more like a real palm tree!  We are very proud!  It was quite windy when this photo was taken, so Spunky was definitely one with Willow Smith — “I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my hair back and forth…”

Please, for the love of the [dry] earth, check out our HORRIBLE lawn.  We’ve had NO working sprinklers all year.  The HOA has been working on it (something about salt water in the well), but for now – we have very burnt “grass.”  Gross. This drives my poor husband to CRAZYtown on a daily basis!

Happy Dr. Appointment Day Hump Day – I’ll keep y’all posted!

xoxo

 p.s. I fulfilled my fish & chips craving last night at Pearlz downtown.  YUM!  We headed to Bakehouse for a decaf frappe afterwards and then sat at Waterfront Park by the pineapple fountain for a while.  A perfect pre-baby date night…love my hubby! ♥

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 96° 

Well – Chick-fil-A has done it again.  In love, I am.  All over again.

I had just completed my breastfeeding class and it was 8:30pm.  [I have seen enough boobs (on video and PowerPoint) for a while, thankyouverymuch.]  It’s the first class or anything really that I have gone to alone and it was just a very long day.  I had to pee (shocker) and was practically across the street from Chick-fil-A.  It was a no brainer…girlfriend needed an Icedream Cone.

I used the restroom and then ordered my small Icedream cone.  The nicer-than-nice gentlemen who took my order rang me up and then said words that are music to my ears – “That’ll be on the house tonight, ma’am.”

Say whaaaaat?

Where else?  Seriously?

I LOVE YOU CHICK-FIL-A.  The forever kinda love. ♥

(Not to mention homeboy hooked me up with a large!)

Ahhh.  The man saved me less than two dollars, but REALLY he saved my entire day.  =)

Next week we have Baby Boot Camp class – same time next week, Chick-fil-A?!

xoxo

p.s. Thanks for voting on my hospital gown.  Looks like the blue one is the winner!  I’ll model it for y’all when I get it!

Beach Count: 76 → The beach went well – 2 hours or less and baby & I are happy!

Pool Count: 29 

High Temperature: 87°  

It’s really hard to choose just a couple of pictures when you took 10245189.  Or 102.  Seriously.

Let’s watch the sun set, shall we?

Props to my parents for finding this awesome nook on Sullivan’s.  It’s perfect for sunsets and r♥mance  and unwinding after a long workday.

Ahhhh – this is why we live here!!!

I hope y’all are having a great week!!!

p.s. T-minus 3 days until the bff and her husband visit Chucktown for the first time – yessssssss!

p.s.s. RIP to the man who had my dream job for 33 years, Andy Rooney. 

Beach Count: 63  

High Temperature: 76° 

Yes, I made a Charlie Sheen reference.  Scary business.

But really, here is some serious evidence of “winning” in my life…

~ So, remember how I told you that Charleston is now Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 city in America?

Well, a new website with Charleston deals and vacation packages has been created in honor of this new title.  Check it out!  I found this very cute, very short video on their site.

~ Well since then, Charleston has been recognized yet again!  According to CNN, Charleston is the 3rd best city in the world.  No, I didn’t mean country.  World. BOOM!  #1 was Sydney, Australia and #2 was Florence, Italy.  Four US cities made it to the top 20 (Charleston, San Francisco, Santa Fe and Chicago).  Check out the complete list!

Me so proud =)

~ Charleston’s weather forecast is this…

72° on the first day of November?  I can dig it.

My hometown’s weather forecast is this…

Brrr!  A little mix of some white stuff up there tomorrow?  In October?  No, thank you!

~ Scott and I went to the beach on October 14th and it was the most beautiful day ever.  Hoping to get to the beach this weekend, if not just for a sunset! ♥

10/14/2011

~  Spunky is looking pretty sweet.  Growing like a ::ahem:: weed.  Question: Will spunky go dormant throughout the cold season in Charleston?

Girlfriend cannot wait to be all lit up for Christmas!

~ Asheville, NC is only 4 hours away (along with great friends)!  More on our trip to Asheville soon!

I shall call this: a teaser  ;)

Is anyone else obsessed with where they live?  Fellow Charlestonians?  Seriously.  I have a problem!

I hope y’all are having a great week.  Hurry up, weekend!

p.s. I missed you people!  Thanks for sticking around while I was busy blowing my nose like it was my job.

Beach Count: 62   

High Temperature: 75°

So, it’s official.  At 92 years old, Andy Rooney is stepping down from CBS’s 60 Minutes.  On Sunday’s program, he will deliver his 1097th and last “essay.”  My dream job is now open for business.  SCORE!

Mr. Rooney has been spitting “duh” and “that annoys me, too” and “I always say that!!!” on 60 Minutes since 1978.  Let’s face it, he is the original Jerry Seinfeld. Or maybe the very first blogger (minus the technology).

Check out young Andy vs. current Andy below.

Yes, apparently, he’s always had those eyebrows.  (1st pic via here.)

Watch one of my fav videos of Andy waxing poetic wisdom about…well, sleep.

I’m telling you…we’re soul sisters.

When I take over his job (I’m not assuming, I’m just confident), I am gonna get to discussing the following very important issues eh-ehs-eh-p (don’t touch it – ©):

And THAT is just where I’d start.  Geesh – now I’m annoyed and want to know those answers!!!

If When I become the next Andy Rooney, what serious topics would you like for me to discuss?!

Is it the weekend yet?

Friday night we’re going downtown for dinner (location: TBD) and some hanging out, Saturday we’ll probably hit Westbrook Brewing, and who knows what else the weekend will bring?

Whatcha got goin’ on?

p.s. Anyone count how many times Andy Rooney said “sleep” in that video.  I had all intentions of counting, but got distracted after #15 (damn, Bravo Network).  I’m thinking he made it to at least 30.

Beach Count: 61  

Pool Count: 18 

High Temperature: 82°

Scott and I had our much anticipated Fall beer tasting beer on Saturday and it was our best yet!!!

Yes, we did some major damage (in the form of 16 different high gravity craft beers!) 

Each person was responsible for bringing at least 2 beers from one of the following categories – 1. Fruit, 2. Belgian/Blonde, 3. Fall/Harvest/Pumpkin. Our heaviest category was the third, which I think was fine by everyone!

This is how I assigned the beers to our go-with-the-beer-flow guests…

Confused?  Just pick one!

Hey – I never claimed it was EASY to be my friend!  Ha!

In the interest of keeping this post from being a 60-minute read, I will continue my story in fragments.

PEOPLE: Great friends and my parents = 12 fabulous (and thirsty!) folks

FOOD: A yummy dip from Cathy and Jeff, scrumptious white chili with cornbread a la Mom and Dad, homemade pumpkin beer bread by Julie and Paul, shrimp risotto (made with some beer, too, but of course!) whipped up by my fabulous husband, cheese and crackers, hot mulled cider, and Fall M&Ms

DECORATIONS: Some cheesy fake Fall leaves for the tables, coasters, a leaf placemat, Fall flowers in pilsner glasses as vases, heavy brown postal wrapping paper for tablecloths, a couple of pumpkins, and (my favs – homemade decorations by moi) a beer guide, bottle cap frame, and garland made of beer coasters

CRAFT PROJECT: Pretzel necklaces – duh!!!

CLASS WORK: Everyone was asked to rate each beer by appearance, aroma, mouthfeel (keep it clean, people!), flavor, and overall impression.  We Sober Cathy totaled all of our scores and we ranked our top 3.  Fun!

CONTEST: “The Most Dedicated Beer Taster” was crowned at the end of the night.  The prize?  A growler and gift certificate to Laura Alberts Tasteful Options on Daniel Island.  Congrats, Jeff!  Special runner-up recognition goes to Dan Martelle for coming all the way from Charlotte for our party!!! 

SO MAD I didn’t get better pics of our pretzel necklaces!

LOTsa pretzels!

Whoops – don’t be offended by the serious comments above!  

Beer winners?

1. Leffe Blonde

2. Scott’s Summer Saison – woot, woot!

3. I must’ve blacked out…I can’t remember.  Haha!  I think it was either Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin or Pursuit of Hoppiness Imperial Red

Other noteworthy beers?

p.s. Remember our first beer tasting?  For some reason I didn’t document the 2nd.  Hm – that was dumb.

p.s.s. Scott and I (and Sarah and Jackie) purchased our beers from the great selection at House of Brews in Mount Pleasant.  A post on this awesome place to come!

Beach Count: 61  

Pool Count: 18 

High Temperature: 89°

…when on the 3rd day (every weekend should be a long weekend), you…

• nap.  twice.
• daydream about showering…but the shower’s just so far away!
• relive the weekend’s events out loud – - in order
• eat half of a left over cupcake while flirting with the 3 ½ others waiting to be eaten
• check Facebook 14 times, just because
• giggle about tomorrow being Tuesday
• scold yourself about not taking any pictures…AGAIN!
• start to scheme about more visitors and long weekends in the future!!!

The hubs and I relentlessly showed off Charleston to Laura and Trevor this weekend.  I will steal some of Laura’s pictures (with permission, of course) when she gets to posting them.  Promise!

I think we’re really getting the hang of this whole tour guide thing!  There is no rest for the weekend visitor in the Trottier household – time shall not be wasted…sleep is yours to catch on the plane!!!

We got to just about everywhere that Scott and I find necessary when showing off the Charm of Charleston to first time visitors!  Here are all of the spots we hit this weekend (FYI: the fun began Friday at 4:30pm and ended at 7am this morning)…

1. Downtown – - A LOT of downtown.  Amen Street for dinner and Market Pavilion Hotel Pavilion Bar for drinks; Farmer’s Market in Marion Square (best fresh donuts EV.ER); shopping at Urban Outfitters and lots of browsing on King Street; walking walking walking through and around Battery Park, Rainbow Row, the Historic Charleston City Market, and Waterfront Park (twice!).  Yeah, our feet hurt.
2. Mount Pleasant.  THEE bridge.  Okay we just drove over it often, not so much with the walking on it.  What?  Our feet were tired!  Red’s at Shem Creek (no trip to Charleston is complete without seeing dolphins!), Mount Pleasant Pier and Memorial Waterfront Park, drive through Towne Centre and Boone Hall Plantation, Harris Teeter, Chick-fil-A (and the serious giddiness that follows) and CUPCAKE.  Yes, I included Harris Teeter  - ha!
3. Sullivan’s Island.  Poe’s Tavern for dinner and then a late night walk on the beach.  Very romantical.
4. Isle of Palms.  Beach time with plans of lunch at Coconut Joe’s shack…but that didn’t go very well!  The sky opened up and we moved it on out.  Bummer, dude.
5. Daniel Island.  A little driving tour – we passed the big, bigger, biggest, and then GINORMOUS houses.  So picturesque.
6. Our screened in patio.  Yes…it’s a must-experience (with candles lit while head-bobbing to Justin Timberlake’s Justified CD)!  Love!

I’m sure I’m forgetting a few stops.  Regardless, I am pret-ty proud of our tour guiding skills.

We didn’t even get over to the other side of the peninsula to see West Ashley, Angel Oak, Charleston Tea Plantation, Firefly Vodka Distillery, Irvin House Vineyards, Kiawah Island, or Seabrook Island.  We also didn’t go on or to any historical tours/museums/forts, to the aquarium, or on a boat.  Next time, kids!!!

The amazing news?  Tomorrow is TUESDAY and Bachelor Pad is on tonight. Now…to sneak in a shower before 8pm  ;)

WEEKEND LOW? A less than stellar beach experience.  High tide (aka – very little beach) + an insanely big crowd + a gazillion out of the ordinary sticks and shells (thanks to Irene?) + pouring rain = underwhelming beach time.

WEEKEND HIGH? Watching 2 people fall in love with our first love, Charleston!  ♥

The Battery

I hope y’all had an amazing Labor Day weekend!  What was your weekend HIGH?  Did any fellow Charlestonians have visitors?  Where did you go?  Where did I forget to take our visitors?!  

I’VE MISSED YOU!

p.s. College football started this weekend.  I’m confused and need your help. Look for my confession through blogging tomorrow!

p.s.s. The NFL starts on Thursday.  I need to iron my Giants jerseys ASAP!

p.s.s.s. Sorry about not being able to leave comments lately.  Hope you can on this one!!!

Beach Count: 59

Pool Count: 18

High Temperature: 83°

Random Charleston facts of the week that make me smile.  Like I need more bragging rights?!

1. What is the Number 1 New Restaurant in America in 2011, named by Bon Appétit Magazine (September Edition)?  Husk Restaurant in downtown Charleston!  Heck no has this been the first public praise bestowed upon this 10-month old restaurant.  Check out the 36 press links on Husk’s website!  Have we gotten our butts there yet?  Well…no.  We almost went there for our anniversary, but their fresh food-to-table menu changes on the daily and we weren’t overly excited about that night’s choices.  We will make a point to get there before 2011 is over!

source

2. Hootie and the Blowfish were in town last weekend as part of their Homegrown Tour Concert Series.  Darius Rucker is a Charleston native and is not shy about his love for hometown.  Recent evidence from his Facebook page…

I hear that his family is still rooted here in Charleston.  A friend of mine saw his family out at a restaurant a few months ago.  When she said “hi,” she said he was extremely nice and down to earth.  The lead guitarist has adopted Charleston as his hometown, as well!

During the 2-night concert series at the Family Circle Cup on Daniel Island (where I saw my very first tennis match), the band encouraged folks to bring school supplies to donate to Charleston County Schools.  This is reportedly at least the 5th year of fundraising.  What a great message!  Scott and I hope to be a part of this next year!  (More on the concert here.)

3. The one and only Taylor Swift was reportedly in Charleston the past 2 days.  No no – not for a concert, but for a little R&R.  Yup – that’s right!

source

Isn’t she gorgeous?!

Scott and I are am a HUGE fan (if you don’t have her latest album, you need to get it…STAT!) and was so excited to hear this news!  Miss Swift was spotted looking like her typical red-carpet-ready self while shopping at Copper Penny on King Street downtown.  Later, she went to Water’s Edge restaurant on Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant.  I’VE BEEN THERE FOR DINNER.  Okay appetizers on the patio, but STILL!  She had the salmon.  I think I like salmon again. Haha.

Water’s Edge pic with Mom and Jen

4. There’s a big spread in Southern Living magazine featuring local chefs – Robert Stehling of Hominy Grill (remember our recent visit?), Mike Lata of FIG, and Sean Brock of McCrady’s and Husk.  I hear nothing but GREAT THINGS about FIG…another place we need to get to!  It’s a “Chef Showdown – Lowcountry Style.”  Check out this article!  (I suggest having a napkin handy for your impending drool.)

I LOVE WHERE I LIVE!!!

p.s. Labor Day visitors – are you making a list of must-see/eat/experience in Charleston yet?

p.s.s. I’m unplugging for a little bit.  See you next week!

Beach Count: 57

Pool Count: 18

High Temperature: 88º

There’s nothing better than the windows down air conditioning on, the sun shining, summer vacation on the horizon, and summer jams blaring!

Isle of Palms (I don’t have a picture of me rocking out in the car, so a pic of the beach is always good!)

Here are my current fav songs that make me wanna be on the beach with a cold beverage in hand (in no particular order)…

1. “Toes” – Zac Brown Band…semi-inappropriate, but incredibly catchy!  My new fav!
2. “When the Sun Goes Down” – Kenny Chesney…“everything gets hotter when the sun goesss down!”
3. “Goodbye Earl” – Dixie Chicks…I cannot help but sing obnoxiously loud when this song is on.  There’s even some air drumming to be seen!
4. “Rock & Roll” – Eric Hutchinson…his entire album (Sounds Like This) is awesome.  Time for album #2 there, buddy!
5. “Precious Love” – James Morrison…a feel good song that makes me wanna squeeze my hunny.
6. “Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood…a song that makes me wanna squeeze my hunny tighter (so he doesn’t make me go Carrie Underwood on his a$$)!
7. “Mine” – Taylor Swift…love me some Taylor Swift!
8. “Beer in Mexico” – Kenny Chesney…makes me think of our honeymoon in Mexico – and beer.
9. “Waiting on the World to Change” – John Mayer…I put how much John Mayer annoys me aside for this song.
10. “Amongst the Waves” – Pearl Jam…“flying high amongst the waves.”
11. “Mayberry” – Rascal Flatts…one of Rascal Flatts’ many summertime songs!
12. “Settlin’” – Sugarland…this one needs to be up loud real loud to drown out my off-key-ness.
13. “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz…this guy is amazing in concert!
14. “Waking up in Vegas” – Katy Perry…can you imagine?
15. “No Shoes No Shirt No Problems” – Kenny Chesney…ahhh the beach life ♥

Let me sum up what these songs choices suggest about me, even though I’m assuming that you may have already beaten me to it.  I like adult beverages and girl power, Kenny Chesney = summer (to me), country is my favorite music genre, and I AM RANDOM!  C’mon – it’s good stuff!  If you haven’t heard one/some of these songs, please look ‘em up on YouTube!  You cannot be in a bad mood after listening to any one of them.

Here’s “Toes” by Zac Brown Band (remember, a little inappropriate)…

So I started this new blogventure (I was hoping that was gonna sound way cooler) back in March, right around when Charleston City Paper published their “Best of Charleston 2011″ picks.  This guide outlines the best schools, restaurants, bars, churches, doctors, (blah, etc., blah) picked by loyal readers.  It was quite fitting that my eyes immediately zeroed in on the “Best Local Interest Blog” category (right after the “Places to Unexpectedly Find Billy Murray Waiting Tables” category…yes he lives here!).  The Readers’ Pick was Christina Orso’s blog — Hungry Meets Healthy.  Well, I had to check it ASAP!  I was worried that the content wouldn’t be relatable to a person who tends to be just-hungry-and-not-so-much-with-the-healthy (←me).  But, I knew it had to be much more than just healthy recipes to have won this category.  Of course, I quickly became hooked and right away knew that we HAD to be friends.  I commented on Christina’s blog along with providing my blog address (she was asking for followers’ blog names at the time), she e-mailed me, and the rest is history!  We have been online/text dating ever since.  No, for real.

Here are snippets from our first e-mail exchange…

Since then, we’ve been building a friendship via blog commenting, Facebook, and texting.  (That’s right folks, it’s the year 2011!)

Until we finally met…

TODAY!

I have to admit.  I was nervous.  I’ve never been on a blind date before.  What to wear?  Where to go?  To hug or not to hug?  What if there are awkward silences? Lots of “what-ifs” and “what nows” and “oh mys” to think of!

Luckily, Christina is totally normal and it all worked out swimmingly.  I’m pretty sure we hit it off…I think this friendship has serious potential to make it out of the virtual world.

Christina — thanks for being so great…and for the awesome chocolate chip cookies!  (Why didn’t I think of that?!)

Yes, y’all, she’s that gorgeous in real life!

Guesses on how many picture attempts were needed for my eyes to actually be open?  It was either 4 or 5!  Seriously, my blinking problem is no joke.

Please check out Christina’s blog – so witty and fun!

“Hello” to new readers!!!  Thanks for taking Christina’s word for it and checking ME out!  =)

p.s. Happy 1st birthday, Nolan – we love you!  xo

p.s.s. Southern Thesaurus entry promised for tomorrow!

p.s.s.s. Christina…too much?!  lol

Beach Count: 41

Pool Count: 9

High Temperature: 91° (perfect beach day!)