From the Archives - The Blue Gold Tree of Happiness

Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok



If there was a Tree of Happiness, and it was a tree of Blue Gold, I think the Blue would signify Peace and Harmony, and the Gold, Love and Companionship. Like the beautiful color combination of Blue/Gold, the elements of Peace/Harmony and Love/Companionship are complementary, working together like the Sun and Moon, or Yin and Yang, or Rodrigo y Gabriela, or peanut butter and jelly. They are essential for nurturing and growing our own Trees of Happiness. With this in mind, may your own Blue Gold Tree of Happiness flourish in the coming New Year!

Goodbye 2010 Hello 2011

 

Happy Happy New Year!!

image 1 - kate spade via pretty stuff, image 2 - , image 3 - little of that, image 4 - kates papiere

Skywatch Friday.

We have had a lot of fog and dreary weather lately. The same fog early this morning and then all of a sudden the sun came through that fog in a beautiful red ball. I am sorry it didn't turn out as red as it was at that moment but the pink sky did better in this photo. It was the beginning of a beautiful sunny day.

Happy New Year everybody.


 
For more beautiful skywatch pictures go here.

Sunrise at Botany Bay

Botany Bay Plantation WMA, Edisto Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


A short hike to the boneyard beach at Botany Bay takes you to an almost surreal place, one of a slowly dying sea island forest. Countless years of relentless tides and damaging storms have eroded so much of the protective beachfront that the woodlands are being inundated by the encroaching sea. Yet, the tangle of dead wood and the haunting shapes of stranded trees make for fascinating photography. And, if Long John Silver ever needed an adventuresome place to bury his pieces of eight, or if Salvador Dali ever wanted fresh material for his phantasmagorical landscapes, then the boneyard beach at Botany Bay would be the ideal spot.

From the Archives - Old Salem Tree Shadow

Winkler Bakery, Old Salem, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok


Winter is well underway in the South. The air is colder but the sun can still warm-up afternoons. On bright days, the light angles a little lower, and shines a little sharper. Colors can be more saturated. I love this kind of light. In this photo, it's late afternoon, and a large bare tree projects its shadow onto the corner of a bakery in Old Salem. It was near here in 1766 where Protestant missionaries from Moravia (a former province in the Czech Republic) settled to begin their new life in the New World. Today the Town of Salem is preserved as though still in the 18th century, an enclave surrounded by the modern urban landscape of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It's a wonderful attraction and well worth a visit to anyone interested in American history, and our connection to the Old World. The Winkler Bakery continues the tradition of baking fresh breads in a wood burning oven. And, boy does it smell heavenly! Here's a link to learn more about Old Salem.

Outdoor Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday is hosted by Susan from A Southern Daydreamer. Thank you Susan.
These pictures I took this year in the beginning of January in one of my favorite parks. It looks the same now, bold and white. In a few months time it will be green and beautiful again. I love the way nature goes.


 

Universal Pattern

Beach Sand Pattern Abstract, Kiawah Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


A close-up of dendritic patterns on a sandy beach left by the ebb and flow of tides mirrors other patterns found in nature, perhaps like those of jelly fish tentacles, or the network of veins in an eye ball, or the roots and branches of a weeping willow, or a network of dry river beds on a desert plain, or a summer electrical storm, or the topographical map of a mountain range, or foul flames from the River Styx, or...

My world Tuesday.

For my world Tuesday I again have pictures of snow. It seems like there is nothing else too see.
I hope you all had a great Christmas? We did and now we are looking forward to the New Year.


 
 

For more my world photo's go here.

Winter Pond Reflection

Wetlands near Savannah, Georgia  © Doug Hickok


Our Lowcountry has many wetlands with still waters ideal for photographing reflections and their eye-catching patterns and shapes. This image was made in the Savannah River floodplain near the border of Georgia and South Carolina. Although you're not likely to see narwhals and belugas here, you might see a yellow-bellied cooter. And, although you're not likely to see puffins and kittiwakes, you might see a red-bellied woodpecker. By now, you may have noticed many of our native wildlife species have multi-colored bellies. There's an easy explanation. The food they eat contains a rainbow of colored dyes to make its appearance more alluring, more appetizing. So, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that one day you might also see a mauve-bellied mockingbird, a fuchsia-bellied fox squirrel, a peach-bellied possum, or a spumoni-bellied skink.

IT'S SPRINGTIME IN CHARLESTON!!!

Washington Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Just kidding...
really it's SNOWING!

Later That Same Day...

Love Rays  © Doug Hickok



Love beams radiate from the Holy Family
 with an aim to heal all that ails the Earth.

Christmas in a Nutshell

Nativity from Rottenburg, Germany  © Doug Hickok



Merry Christmas,
and may "God bless us, every one!"

Follow the Yule Tide Road

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok

"Over the hillocks and through the woods,
to Park Ranger's house we go,
hurrah for the fun! are the acorns done?
hurrah for the camp fire glow!"... tra la la, etc.
It's that time of year to gather with family and friends, and park naturalists, and bears, and be at one with a little eggnog, a little Yule log, a little cove fog, and a lot of good cheer. And don't forget to bring the rum.

Skywatch Friday.

This beautiful early sunsrise was last week. These last few days we have had a lot of snow and dark skies.
There are lots more beautiful skies. For that go to Skywatch Friday.

I'd like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas.

Shadow Play of the Gate Scroll

Saint Michael's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

The historic district of Charleston is noted for its abundance of beautiful ironwork, from old church gates, to window grills and graveyard fences. It's a significant aspect of the city's charm. Photographically, I'm often attracted to the interplay of light and shadow, and Charleston's ornate ironwork offers plenty of opportunities to capture these kinds of lighting effects. In this image, the shadow of a scroll from an 18th century gate is cast upon a stuccoed column of Saint Michael's Church. The bluish tint in the shadow is reflected color from a bright, cloudless sky, and lends a pleasant touch to the photo's overall mood. But it would not last. Moments later, the shadow's form had completely changed because of the quickly moving light. Similar to animated puppets in a Chinese shadow play, nothing stays the same for long.

All Over Red Rover

 

Well, that's it.  I'm finished for this year.  It has been one of the biggest years of my life.  I've had a beautiful baby boy who I absolutely adore, I've renovated our store, I've imported my very first 2 container loads of Stuart Membery furniture for Black & Spiro, I've moved house, I've started renovating our new house, I've decorated lots of wonderful homes and met lots of lovely new people, I've made new friends and I have to say I haven't cried as much this year...that in itself is a huge achievement for me as I tend to cry when I am stressed so that must mean I haven't been as stressed this year!!

I've had a wonderful year and I am looking forward to spending some much needed time with my boys.  I am looking forward to reflecting on all the things I've achieved this year and I am very much looking forward to having some time over the holidays to make plans and goals for the year which lies ahead.

As I move into the 5th year of posting here on my blog I hope to be able to continue to inspire you as I lead you along my winding road.  I am also looking forward to following the journey of my very talented and kind fellow bloggers in 2011.

Thank you for your interest and for continuing to read my blog.  You are all so wonderful and very supportive.  This really is such a happy and positive community and I am so thrilled to be a part of it.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

See you soon.

Anna

xxx

image - black & spiro, elouise van riet-grey

7 Reasons Why You Should Update your Pool's Filtration and Cleaning System

 

Thinking about replacing your pool's filtration and cleaning system? If you haven't considered it then it's time to start thinking about just how old your current filter and pump is. Letting this one slide may not be the best idea. Here's a few good reasons to think about replacing your current system:

1. Your pool filter and pool pump work hard to keep your pool shining and fresh almost year-round. Having something running for that long over such a large period of years is cause enough to replace it. Think about the appliances in your house that you've recently replaced and how much life they had left in them at the time. Not much? A pool's filtration system needs to be in top working order. If not, then it's likely to be not cleaning your pool as efficiently as it needs to be cleaned.
2. It's expected that one day they'll give up the ghost and you'll have to replace them. There's a danger that they'll both go at the same time, when you'll have no funds behind you to sort out the mess. Your pool pump, filtration and cleaning system are the reason it looks so sparkling clean. As a pool owner, you may well have let your duties slide a little bit from time to time. Imagine if you had no choice but to wait for a replacement, and all the while your pool is descending into something resembling a green primordial soup.
3. New technologies are constantly being created and developed specifically to make your life a lot easier. If you're using an old-fashion vacuum that you have to push around the bottom of a pool with a pole then it's definitely time to move on. Newer models of automated pool vacuums are efficient and more hands-free than ever before.
4. The time you spend on your pool maintenance is only going to grow the more you put off replacing your system. With innovations such as leaf eater attachments for your vacuum and salt water chlorinators, the time you spend on pool cleaning and maintenance can be cut down to a fraction.
5. As with all new technologies, the pool maintenance industry is creating more environmentally friendly products. A new cleaner and filtration system uses less energy (saving you money) and is more efficient at its job.
6. If your pool pump is old and cranky, it's likely that it's making a lot of noise. You could simply replace the motor, but it's only a matter of time before the rest of the pump begins to perish.
7. If you're replacing one part of your pool's system, perhaps installing a salt chlorinator or new vacuum, think about its compatibility with your current system. Old and new technologies will not necessarily mix well. Replacing the whole system may seem costly at the time, but it will ensure that all parts of your system are running smoothly and at their best.

There are multiple reasons to replace your current system, but it boils down to the simple idea that a new, more efficient cleaning and filtration system will do the job far better than your old one, leaving you with more time and energy to enjoy your pool.

From the Archives - Bridge Wednesday

Somesville, Maine  © Doug Hickok


Today is bridge Wednesday, the bridge signifying a span between the beginning and end of the work week. Some folks call it "hump day".  To others, it's the day in the middle of the week where they can see the light at the end of the tunnel (woo who!). If you look closely at this photo, just under the bridge, in the shadows, is a small troll. You can barely see him. He's difficult to spot because he's a little shy. See, just there. It's a local custom for people crossing the bridge to toss a few coins in the water, a simple gesture of appreciation, since the troll takes care of the town's best know landmark.
That's why they call it a troll bridge.

Almost There...

Today I delivered this armchair to one of my lovely clients in Toowoomba.  The orchid printed linen we covered the chair in is actually one of my favourite fabrics at the moment.  I can't wait until tomorrow night as we will be completely finished our pre-Christmas installations and deliveries.  It certainly has been a wonderfully hectic Christmas season and I can't wait to have a couple of weeks away with my boys!!

From the Archives - When Really in Rome...

Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Borga District, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Ponte District, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Borga District, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Ripa District, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Near The Vatican, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Borga District, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Esquilino, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Colosseum, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Near Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok

Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok


... do as the Romans really do, drive really neat, really really colorful, really really really small cars. And park next to really really really really cool places. And drink espresso. Really.

My world Tuesday.

This was my world this weekend. Snow, snow, snow, a white blanket all over our little country. I believe we never had so much snow. The roads were blocked, the trains couldn't ride and airplanes couldn't fly. Complete chaos as we are not used to so much snow here.

 


 


 

For more my world photo's go here.

The Eyes Have It

Tall Ship's Sail, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

While strolling along the wharf where the tall ships dock, something suddenly caught my eye. I looked up and set eyes upon the eye-catching eye of a one-eyed sail. In my mind's eye, I thought to myself, in the twinkling of an eye, "Oh, My eye! Are you making an eye at me?" While staring eye to eye with the all seeing eye, I shouted, "Mind your eye, you!" But thinking further I wondered if there was more to this eye in the wind than met the eye. I was up to my eyes in doubt. Maybe this wasn't a one-eyed sail, but one of the one-eyed beings of lore. Could it be a cyclops? A Polyphemus perhaps? The eye of Ra even? But of course that was a silly idea. That could be no more possible than a camel passing through the eye of a needle. "Do you take me for a fool?" I muttered. "Do you see any green in my eyes?" Having an eye to the future, I turned a blind eye from that eye in the sky, and moved away in a blink of an eye, keeping my eyes pealed for other evil-eyed things. Without batting an eye, I thought to myself, "This eye-opening episode has certainly been an eye-popping ordeal". And with a wink of an eye and a laugh, I cried aloud, "Aye, Aye!"

Loving

I am completely in-love with these images...especially that lovely pink!

image 1 - sara hicks malone via decor8, image 2 - paule marrot {image source unknown SORRY!}, image 3 - miles redd

Thanks FFF!

Thanks Fashion Food Fatale for including me in their wonderful global guide feature on their fab website!!