Turning Another Corner

Just like that, I have moved. Throwing caution to the wind, my husband & I have bought a house, site unseen, packed up our truck, piled high like the Beverly Hillbillies & headed down south to a new adventure. Well, I may have over simplified & condensed the tale just a bite, but the facts remain the same. And now we find ourselves in our new home, a 100 year old fixer-uper in Charleston, SC.

It is difficult to explain to sensible people how we might have made this step, but it does seem as if we have a history of such behavior. It was with the same reckless abandon & sense of adventure that we purchased our little cottage in France more than twenty years ago. My only hope now is that we are not too old to do it all over again .

Seeing the house for the first time, after having seen it only in photos & seeing all of the work that needs to be done, was a bite overwhelming to say the least. But I have had time to adjust to its flaws as well as its many charms.

And there is so much to love about this city! I love the weather, the birds, the history, the architecture, the food....& on & on. Just as my life has taken a new turn, this blog will have  a new life as well, following the ups & downs of fixing up an old house, while exploring the beautiful city of Charleston. I look forward to sharing it all with you!

Gratitude

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

- Albert Schweitzer




Hello to all of you who so kindly follow my blog. I am taking a small break, as there are a lot of changes going on in my life at the moment. I will return soon & share with you the new direction life is taking. In the meantime Happy Thanksgiving Holidays!

The Baker Chocolate Factory

Not everyone can say they live in a chocolate factory. Other than Willy Wonker, not many people do. That is one of the things I love most about where I live here in the old Baker Chocolate Factory on the Neponset River in Boston.


The Baker Chocolate Company was the first manufacturer of chocolate in the United States & has been in business since 1765.



When the Baker Co. moved its operation to Delaware in 1969, the old factory was turned into condos. But many of the older generation from the neighborhood still remember with fondness the sweet smell of chocolate that permeated the area, as well as the barrels of broken chocolate bits put outside for passersby to enjoy.


There is something very appealing about living in such a historic site. For example there is the story of "La Belle Chocolatière" who has graced Baker’s product packaging and advertisements for nearly one hundred and thirty years. The legend of Baker’s well-known trademark – La Belle, as she is affectionately known – began in the 1870s. It was inspired by this painting and a romantic tale of a young eighteenth- century Austrian woman.



And of course the buildings themselves are a thing of beauty. Most of the buildings in the complex were built in the late18 & early 1900's. The beautiful old brick, high & sometimes arched windows & the lovely old cooper detail make this a very special place to live.


There is the old railroad trestle, where trains loaded their chocolate cargo to transport to the rest of the growing country. Recently restored into a bridge, it now connects residents to the bike path along the river.


I am felling nostalgic about my home because it seems someone has made an offer to purchase our condo & it just may be an offer we can not refuse.



We are fortunate enough to be the only unit in the complex with a roof deck, overlooking the river & the little bridge below. That makes our unite rather unique & as it appears rather sought after.


At the moment there are a lot of unanswered questions & possible changes in the air. But no matter what ends up happening, like Willy Wonka, I have really loved living in a chocolate factory.

Get Out & Vote!

Today is voting day & the 4th Graders from Harlem's Democracy Prep want you to “Vote for Somebody” .


Click on Vote for Somebody to hear their video & be inspired to get out & vote if you haven't already.

Riding Out the Storm

Boston was lucky & got very little of Hurricane Sandy's impact. Thankfully for us it was not too much different than a good old New England Nor' Easter. There was rain & high wind but nothing major. There was some damage, power lines down, fallen trees, flooding,especially in the coastal areas. There were definitely power outages through out the state. But all in all Massachusetts did not fair badly. My thoughts go out to all of those that took the brunt of the storm & suffered more severe loss.



I got out earlier in the day yesterday before the storm really got started, & took a few photos from the car window.




They are sort of a blur but maybe give some feeling of the impending storm.



The police & first responders were out in force ready for what might lay ahead.


It was starting to rain & the wind was most defiantly picking up.


Already flooding had begun.



What a difference a day makes! Today is lovely & warm & everyone is out cleaning up after the ravages of Sandy.

Waiting for Sandy

We are prepared & waiting for Hurricane Sandy to arrive. Although it seems peaceful here now they say the storm should hit Boston sometime around noon.


Yesterday Gracie & her mom came over to help get ready. Gracie's main concern was that we did not have any Halloween candy yet.


I stocked up on fruits & vegetables as we were advised to do. If there is a power outage we will not be able to cook.


So nuts & apples & peanut butter sandwiches will have to do. I did cook some pasta & rice to turn into salads if need be.


We have plenty of water....or at least I hope we do.....this giant bottle ought to get us through whatever comes.


We moved in plants & patio furniture.


Just yesterday morning the patio looked like this.


Now anything we could not bring inside is laying flat or upside down (the table) in anticipation.



Gracie approved of the homemade oatmeal cookies. So it looks like we are ready for whatever nature brings us.



Stay safe everyone!

Fall Glorious Fall

There is nothing like the fall in New England. The riot of color is spectacular & the cool crisp weather invigorating. I had the pleasure of the company of my two oldest grandchildren yesterday, as they had a break from school. Taking full advantage of the beautiful fall day, we took a hike along the Naponset River. Here are a few photographs of our adventure.


























Thanks for coming along. Have a great week everyone!