The Weekend in Photos...

On a clear day, you can see [almost] forever......

One of our Saturday weddings.....the guest book table

One of the centerpieces...

Luscious parrot tulips look good enough to eat!

PINK!

Chester...our shop mascot and chief overseer. Twenty pounds of sweetness.  I had another photo, but it disappeared. I'll try it tomorrow.

Downtown Raleigh

The State Capitol
Lower Right

I took these pix from the 29th floor of an office building; the location of the Cardinal Club. It was a beautiful, sunny, clear day.

This is the main street in downtown Raleigh on a recent Saturday afternoon. The event was called "Raleigh Wide Open", and despite sprinkles of rain all day long, it was well attended, as you can see. I can't remember the number they estimated, but I think it was 50K. (I stole this photo from FB)

The imposing dome in the background belongs to our North Carolina State Capitol Building (although the one in Charleston, WV is much prettier. Yes, I AM biased!)

Mel and I were busy delivering wedding flowers while this was going on; we saw only a tiny bit of the action, which was a group of break dancers on a stage near the hotel to which we were delivering. The tents housed food vendors and apparently "soft-serve" ice cream was available (see the large mock-up of a cone). 

The only bad part of a job like mine is that you can seldom, if ever, take advantage of  events like this one on weekends. There were many entertainment acts going on and the evening was capped by a performance by the "Bare Naked Ladies" (who are neither bare,  naked nor ladies), although that was not free.The funny thing is that even if I were not working, I probably wouldn't go downtown for this event, but I like to think I might.....LOL

Hades remains alive and well and living around here. The temperatures for the last few days were in the mid 90's, but the heat index has ranged from 105 to 111* and going outside is torture. I really feel sorry for people who have to work outdoors in this weather. The guy who power-washed and sealed my deck probably lost 5 pounds in perspiration during the process. 

Mr. kenju had his every-four-month trip to the doctor this morning, and all was "as well as can be expected." The third anniversary of his stroke comes up on the 17th, and we will not be celebrating that eventful date. It is too bad we can't do a "system restore" on him (like you can on a computer) and take him back to a year before the stroke. I'd make him go to a doctor and get on BP meds!

Going to the grocery store before my trip last week, I stocked up on all the things I thought mr. kenju might want while I was gone. Several of my children and grandchildren visited while I was gone and the cupboards are bare. If I don't go to the store tomorrow, we will be eating only the squash casserole and fresh green beans I cooked today. Sounds good, doesn't it?  I do need some good tomatoes to go along with it and then we could make a meal out of nothing else but the squash, beans and 'maters!

I bought half-runner beans at the market in Charleston. For some odd reason, no farmer grows them around here in NC.  They are (according to my dad) the best choice between bush beans and pole beans, since the inside beans are larger and meatier, and provide more protein and fiber. To me, they are just better and tastier than other fresh beans. I cooked them with chopped onion and some cut up bacon. I needed streak-o-lean, but didn't have it and I didn't want to wait any longer to cook the beans.

We'll have a great meal tomorrow. Don't you want to come and join us?

Around the World in Eighty Blogs

The brainchild of Shannon (Everyday Stranger), Around the World in Eighty Blogs features bloggers posting today about their fair cities. Here's my take on.....

Raleigh, North Carolina (also see here) We moved here in the fall of 1969; we had just had our second baby, mr. kenju was starting a new job, we had sold our former home and were looking for an apartment and trying to find a pre-school for our first-born. It was both a trying and an exciting time in our lives. The only thing I knew about Raleigh before we moved here was what Barney and Andy said about it on "The Andy Griffith Show". If you remember, Barney always stayed at the YMCA on Hillsborough Street when he came to town. It sounded only slightly less like "Hicksville" than Mayberry, where the fictional Andy and Barney hailed from. And in 1969, that wasn't too far from the truth. But they had a spanking new mall, the likes of which I'd never seen before and they had few sailors in uniform* so it seemed okay to me. It was also the state capital, and I knew it was a good thing to live in the capital if you ever have reason to need state government for anything. What that might be I didn't know, I just thought of it as a good thing.

*We had lived in Norfolk, VA previously, and I was decidedly weary of all things Naval by the time we left there.

I remember seeing the Governor's Mansion and all the state government buildings shortly after we moved here; little did I know then that many years later I would be involved in decorating that Mansion for Christmas or doing flowers there for the filming of a TV show (as I did in the 90's).

Raleigh is home to many colleges and universities; NCSU, Meredith College, Peace College, Shaw U., St. Augustine College, the new law school for Campbell U., and we're only a stone's throw from UNC in Chapel Hill and Duke and NCCU in Durham. Because of that, plus all the technology and pharmaceutical research companies in the area, we have a high per capita income level and a very high level of college grads. That helps to make Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill one of the preferred areas in the country. Over the past ten or so years, we have consistently been high on several national magazine lists of the best places to live in the USA. That has resulted in a population explosion here; at one point we were gaining approximately 1,000 new residents per month. A problem developed, since our city services had a hard time keeping up with all the new residents and our roads were not built for the amount of use they were getting. Thankfully, the increases have slowed down over the last few years.

We are almost equidistant from the mountains and the coastal regions, providing for easy travel to vacations in either location. Our weather is fairly consistent, and although we usually get snow at least once during winter, it is not of long duration. (I really hope that will be true of the winter of 2009!)


After living in an apartment for 18 months, we found a home to buy. We lived there for eleven years; the longest I had ever lived in one place up to that time. We discovered that Raleigh was a very good place to raise a family. Our children went to after-school programs at the very same YMCA that Barney mentioned on Andy's show, played in Pullen Park and attended schools that had high marks in testing and student achievement. The only real quarrel I've had with Raleigh over the 40 years we've been here is with the school board. So many changes were made over the years that one of my children went to seven different schools between first and twelfth grades, and only one of those changes was our choice.

Over the years, my husband was asked by various employers to move to another city, and most of those moves would have involved promotions and raises. Each time, we made the decision to remain in Raleigh. Most of the time that meant that he had to change jobs/companies, and we were lucky that his field made that possible without too much trouble or worry. We thought it was best for our children to remain here and keep the family stability we had come to prefer, rather than to move willy-nilly every time someone wanted us to be somewhere else. We have never been sorry for those decisions. We've been in our current home for 27 years, and have no plans to leave it or Raleigh. Whenever someone asks me where we plan to retire - I always answer right where I am now - in Raleigh!

Are You Ready for Some.......Christmas?

My wholesale florist had Christmas Open House this weekend, and I knew you'd want to see some photos. There were trees, wreaths, ribbons, ornaments and glitter everywhere you look! The name is

jaGG Classic Wholesale Florists; owned by two good friend of mine, Jeff and Adair. Adair does ALL of this beautiful work herself, believe it or not! Before getting into the wholesale florist business, Adair was a visual merchandiser for one of our large, local department stores. She knows her stuff!

Flocked trees are making a comeback - and they are not your grandmother's flocked trees! Remember the puny trees of the 50's and 60's? Flocking now results in the lush, extravagant look of real snow.

Feathers have been popular for quite a few years now, and pheasant is especially desirable. They mix well with many colors and styles, and add a woodsy, lodge-like feeling to decor.

Silver glitter and glitz are found on this wreath, but it was made to be classy and elegant, not tacky. The silver mesh ribbon is wired and easy to control.

A mixture of colors and textures, as only Adair can do! The overall effect is stunning. She has more talent in her little finger than most of us in our whole bodies!

This is what I call a "story board," similar to what designers and architects put together to show the mix of materials to be used in a given project. Adair makes these to show those who may be a bit less creative than she how to do it.

Another story board, in the very popular earthy tones of greens, golds and ecru.

The jester or major domo matches well with the selected elements.

A vignette which blends table, wall and tree decor. The chairs (roadside discards) were painted, "upholstered" and filled with decorated presents to dissuade shoppers from sitting. The upholstery is really fabric covered cardboard. How creative was that?!

A tree decorated to match the fabric on the wall.

Wouldn't Martha Stewart love this faux mercury glass??!! Imagine them filled with seasonal greens and glittered branches, used on each end of a mantel, with glittering candles.


I love this winged doll ornament, with her holly-decorated 'basket of doggy'. I didn't get them in the photo, but she has the cutest red, pointy-toed booties on those long, long legs!


Lavish wreaths, to buy or steal ideas from!


Another tree, with matching mirror swag and tassels....

And under the table, presents waiting for Christmas morning.

Another story board. I hope you have enjoyed this "walk" through my favorite place to shop! Don't you wish you could go with me?

*****

I heard a funny story while I was there Saturday. At some point during one of the Christmas Open Houses they had, a woman interior decorator from out of state was shopping in the store. She reportedly had a haughty aura about her. At some point, she asked "Who does all this decor work for you?", and the owner answered....."Our staff does it all." In truth, it is all done by one person, but she didn't want to say that.

The woman must not have believed her, saying something in reply about all the "fairies and elves" who come in overnight to do the work. Now, I can assure you, it takes at a minimum six weeks of long hours to get the store ready for Open House. The woman's attitude was off-putting, and I was reminded of her on Saturday night, while watching a show on PBS called "Keeping Up Appearances." The character of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced by her as 'Bouquet') says to her husband.....

"Today could be the day I'm mistaken for someone important."

Barrel Monsters, Hawks and New Friends (with Food)

Do you remember seeing the first Raleigh Barrel Monster? Here's the second one, and this time it was authorized by the company that provides the barrels. From what I've read recently, this guy started a craze, which I think is terrific. Creativity should be encouraged wherever you find it!

*****

This afternoon, coming into the neighborhood from the grocery store - where I somewhat calmly dropped $215 bucks AND used $35 in coupons - I saw something move on my right. It was our resident hawk, who had caught a squirrel. Holding the hapless squirrel in his talons, he flew across the street in front of me and into a nearby tree so he could dine in solitude. I wish I could catch all MY food like that.....lol. How do two people manage to need $250 worth of food and supplies anyway?

*****

We went out to dinner last night. I had met the guy, who is a good friend of mr. kenju's from the pipe smoker's club, but I had not met his wife. Sometimes these things do not start or end well, but we had a great time and I really look forward to seeing them both again. We went to the 42nd Street Oyster Bar, and I think it had been at least 6 years since I had eaten there. I did remember how much I loved their hush puppies, though, and they haven't changed a bit! I had grilled catfish with a lemon sauce, twice-baked potato and house salad. Mr. kenju had a double shrimp cocktail (12 big shrimp) with a salad. The other guy had soft-shell crabs and oysters and his wife had salmon on a bed of mesclun greens with the twice-baked potato. I can assure you there was NO room for dessert - which was a shame. Their key lime pie is to die for!

The 2nd Wedding on June 13, 2009

Click all photos to enlarge!

Mel Day's second wedding and reception on June 13th were held in what is now known as Marbles Museum, but was previously called "Exploris" and "Children's Museum About the World". It's a somewhat eccentric place for a wedding, but fun and definitely not boring. Above: a buffet centerpiece, partially carrying out the wedding colors of lime green, hot pink and turquoise.

I snapped this cutie pie groomsman, wearing the thistle boutonniere I made for all the guys. I love thistle!

The bride's family provided all the containers. There were three different types, and all had one flower each. I liked these best; turquoise "goblets" with lime spider mums. We had a bit of a scare with those vases; when the other designer put water in them, the blue color started flaking off. The vases had been painted inside, and some of the paint wasn't waterproof. Luckily, it only took off a small part, and it wasn't noticeable once the flowers were inserted. If you are buying colored glassware with the idea of putting water in them, be sure they are waterproof.

The cocktail tables held candles floating in colorful martini glasses. Fun!

This is their candy bar! The colors were luscious (as, I am sure, were the candies.) Everyone got to take home an Asian take-out box with an assortment of candies.

The wedding cake appears to be leaning here, but I think it was my camera angle. By that point in the day, I was leaning.....LOL. The bride and groom on top were Pez candy containers (I think).

The museum's bus made a perfect backdrop for the candy bar, and a perfect place to write some wedding graffiti!

When guests got tired of conversation and dancing, they could play chess! That's an added perk of choosing a museum for your wedding venue.

Scene in Raleigh

An NCSU student made use of the construction on Hillsborough Street by the university, and used these barrels to make a "barrel-man". He got in some trouble, but I think he should be commended for seeing art where no one else did! It's very creative.

Thanks to my neighbor Anne for sending the photo my way.

This statue of Sir Walter Raleigh stands on the plaza at the entrance to our new Civic Center. This photo was snapped Saturday, just after a high-school graduation ceremony. Sir Walter was all dressed up for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, also held this weekend. Don't you love his pink tulle tutu?!

Doom and Gloom

This morning, I thought my computer was dying forever. We've been having trouble with it for weeks now; at least once a day I get a window with a message that spells DOOM of some sort and then it takes 30 minutes to shut down and re-boot.

I have been trying everything I know about to make it run faster, such as defragging , disk cleanup and deleting old temporary files. Recently I ran a spy finder program and one that catches adware. Today I decided to get rid of all the current cookies. I hate doing that, since for at least a few days, you have to type in every password and sometimes your email account. But after that, it sure did run faster and I have not had any more trouble with it during the day.

Wish me luck. I have several friends who've had to pay though the nose to get their computers fixed recently, and I hope not to join their ranks!!

///////

Cold weather has descended upon us once again and by the time I wake up tomorrow it will be near freezing. I love spring, but moreso when it is fully sprung, not keeping us on a yo-yo with hot and cold weather. To top it off, the yellow pine pollen has also descended and everything in the area, including me, is covered with the yellow powder. It makes me GLOOMY!

Our neighbor's tulip beds are in full bloom again, and I fear I have waited too late to get them at their peak in a photo for you. We had high winds today and I see that many of the petals have been swooshed off somewhere else. My daffodils have been gone for a week, as has the forsythia, and I miss having color in the yard. The irises are sending up buds, but little else, for which I am thankful. Otherwise, the freeze tomorrow might nip them in the bud and I'd never have blooms. My stupid azaleas have an identity crisis every year: sometimes they bloom in May and mostly, they bloom in August, when it is so darn hot here that no one wants to stay outside long enough to see that they are abloom!!

One thing about Raleigh, though, when the redbuds and dogwoods and tulips and azaleas are all blooming at the same time, it is paradise here.

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My neighborhood group of women is becoming "ladies who lunch" tomorrow. We are meeting at a newish place here, named Coquette. Before it was Coquette, it was South. Before South, it was Savannah. I ate there several times while it was in both of the first two incarnations, and the food was good. I don't really know why the other two didn't fly. Maybe by this time tomorrow, I'll know if this incarnation will be around a while. I saw on the menu that they have two of my favorite things: escargot in garlic butter and creme brulee. Yowza! I could make a meal of those alone!

Christmas Decor 2008

Brier Creek Country Club...main ballroom tree (9 feet tall)


Brier Creek Country Club...lobby


Lobby tree detail


Ballroom tree...detail


Sorry for the fuzzies!


Hampton Inn...at Brier Creek


Cardinal Club...29th floor


Cardinal Club Lobby

Cardinal Club Bar

Cardinal Club Lobby

Capitol City Club Lobby Lounge

Not much of what you see here is new this year, with the possible exception of lights and ribbons.

The clubs only fund the purchase of new items every 3-4 years, so we have to "fluff up" and re-use all the trees, wreaths and ornaments. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I will try to answer them soon.