SOHO South Cafe in Savannah, GA

Food: Above and beyond expectations!
Price: $8.50 - $12.50 per person
Service: friendly and attentive
Atmosphere: 'relaxed eclectic'

     I feel very fortunate to be able to tell you about SOHO South Cafe in Savannah. I highly recommend you visit this place before other more touristy places. The first and best reason is the food.

     Mom ordered their signature sandwich, a lump crab-cake sandwich. It looked so perfect I was even jealous of her roll! You could tell it was freshly baked with love and beautifully buttered and toasted. The greens on her salad were perfect and dark and lovely, the tomato was dark read and juicy. She declared it the best meal she'd had the whole vacation! Not only that, she also declared it the best seafood she has ever had. I was, frankly, just a lot jealous. Until I bit into my sandwich. I had a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. How exciting could it be, right? Quite exciting, actually. The bread is fantastic, the cheeses were lovely, it was perfectly done, and the giant bowl of soup was amazing. I thought I was ordering a plain lunch. Instead I got something delicious well beyond my expectations.

     As I looked around the restaurant all the meals looked as if they were prepared with the same amount of love as ours. You do not see pictures on a menu then get served something which sort of looks like it might be the same thing. You get no pictures on the menu. Any meal they serve, picture taken, would do any menu justice.

  
     Beautiful, delightful, four thumbs up!

Wowee Wow Wow Wow!

     My mom and I took a road trip. We haven't gone on vacation together before. My mind races, trying to remember it all. We had such a good time, and even came out under budget somehow - without even trying. That never happens.

     First we went to Asheville, (which spell-check always tells me I'm misspelling) then we went to Hilton Head Island, Savannah, and Columbia South Carolina!

    Things were magicy.  (Like magical, but better - poetic license, okay?)

     My mom introduced herself to the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean was friendly and welcoming, like a long-lost friend she'd never met before.

     We are both fair skinned mermaids and denied ourselves more than a little time in the marvelous ocean - until the last day. On the final day I announced I was going down to the gift shop to get myself a hat. Mom had the good sense to bring a hat with her, but I did not own one.  I went down and got the hat with the biggest brim. I suggested we add to our arsenal of giant hats and sunscreen - "Let's wear our t-shirts over our bathing suits." Mom knows a good idea when she hears one, and quickly agreed.  This (genius) idea afforded us a real luxury -  time in the ocean. I can usually stay in the sun about fifteen minutes. We stayed in the ocean a good two hours. The only reason we left was that old nasty ritual hotels like to call 'check out time.'

     From now on, though, we both know how to beat the sun. For me, the best part of the whole trip was those two hours in the ocean! We took a walk in the ocean the night before - in the pitch black darkness. The moon was nowhere to be found. The stars were bright, and they danced around as if they were swaying in their own ocean.

     We had great meals - lots of them were seafood. Katrina took us to Fatz Cafe - oh my gosh! The poppy-seed rolls are amazing. I brought a couple dozen of them home with me. If we had a Fatz Cafe nearby I would live on those things.

     We saw a pretty bad car accident, which kept us tied up on the road for quite some time, a lady in distress at a restaurant who we think had too much sun that day, a ton of adorable babies and children, starfish, sand dollars galore, dogs chasing sticks into the ocean, a school of jumping fish just feet away from us, diving pelicans, things glowing in the sand, a beautiful sunset over the water, a man who owns a bar near our home, miles and miles of glorious foliage, mountains, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, barns, cattle on hillsides, a cloud which looked exactly like an alligator, another cloud which looked like our dog, rain so hard we had to pull off the road for a moment, met a new friend in the ocean, and my mom got to spend time with her wonderful friend, who she hadn't seen in forever. 

Recommended highly:

Going on a spur-of-the-moment trip with your mom
Priceline
Hilton Head Island
Making sure you name your own price on a resort at Hilton Head Island. (Hint: I bid $80 a night)
Crowne Plaza Hotel HHI - especially the bellman Bobson
Room service breakfast - even if they forget the toast, still worth it!
Spending the day in the ocean. (In the ocean, not just at the ocean.)
Talking to strangers you meet in the ocean.
Fatz Cafe - they have quite a few locations in four states
South Soho Cafe in Savannah for lunch - amazing, out of this world, 5 stars, can't say enough about the food!
Staying an extra night with a good friend.
Coming home to an excited-to-see-you warm puppy!

Now get off the internet and go call your mom!



who can explain the glowing things in the sand?

   

Jumping...

to conclusions.

     How often do I do it? It is such a simple thing to do. A while ago I decided I needed to be able to approve the comments on my blogs so people could not leave comments in characters I do not understand. I decided this before I even tried to make sense of them. I told myself it was 'spam' since I couldn't read it. 

     Then, one day, I dropped one of the comments into Google and translated it. It took a few seconds of my time - just a few. It wasn't just random characters, it translated into real, honest-to-goodness, sentences. Comments, if you will. 

The world is getting smaller, for certain. I hope my mind is not.

The End of Ten in Ten

Today is the end of the Ten Things in Ten Days Challenge. 

Here was my list:

1. Finish painting my dressing table. Even though I know I will change it soon(ish?) I would like to actually complete something. 

2. Get the pictures from my camera loaded to this computer. It's honestly more difficult than it should be.

3. Help the boys get their room in order. If I showed a 'before' photo right now you'd faint.

4. Paint the little table which is now residing on my porch.

5. Paint the cute chair which is also residing on the porch right now.

6. Mani/pedi. This one is long overdue.

7. Get rid of the boxes which managed to homestead in my bedroom. Seriously, when did they take over the room? There might be a couple boxes still in the room, but they wil be gone shortly and most are gone.

8. Pack up the dishes I inherited and store them safely in my bedroom closet shelving.

9. Clean the inside of the van with all the right stuff so it's shiny-perfect. (Shortcuts are so ugly when it comes to stuff like this. Can you say "Streaked windows"?

10. Do a tax amendment form. Pray for me on this one, I'm flying solo with just my reading comprehension skills.

Not exactly ten out of ten. I did accomplish a lot, though. I painted another table, mirror frame, and soap dispenser, primed yet another table, cleaned out some vintage suitcases (yuch) and planned a last minute vacation. I am taking my mother to Asheville, Hilton Head, and Savannah. She's never been to the ocean before, so I am taking her. I have to admit the past two days were mostly spent trying to wrestle a winning bid out of  the hotel section at Priceline.

I also scored a great new bunch of tables and other things. Of course they all need substantial amounts of work. I still want to make the van perfect, get the boys room rolling along, and do the pedicure before I leave in a couple of days. I also need to do a mountain of laundry, along with planning and packing for the trip. 

The ten in ten was fun. I feel like I accomplished a lot. I'm not even beating myself up about not sticking to the list. I did much more than I might have done without the challenge. 

I'm most excited about trying new things and having success with them.

Progress report update: Photos

 

My first project was this little table. I found it last week, very unloved. Sand, prime, paint, L-O-V-E! Boy, this is kind of fun.

Next up, little chair. It was unloved, too. It had a few decades of grime on it. I think I spent more time scrubbing it than anything else. Hello, Ocean Breeze Blue!

I think they make an adorable couple.

By this time I am really having fun with the spray paint, truth be told. Until now I had always been afraid of spray paint and I had never used it before in my life. What was up with that? My mom brought me an adorable patio set and a can of spray paint about six years ago and I still have the paint sitting on it in my basement. I was just too chicken to try it. Guess what I'll be painting soon?

Next  I found this coffee table and a matching end table: 

I decided I was ready to try something a little more complicated, since I am a professional now. (After painting two things) I grabbed the end table and did this: 

Right now these guys are a bit of an odd couple:

Here's a sneak peek at something else I found the day I found the odd couple:

 

While there may still be boxes in my room, my nails are sans polish, and the boys still haven't had my help with organizing their room, I still feel very accomplished so far.

Progress Report, Sort Of

Ten tasks in ten days. What was I thinking? I vaguely remember feeling like it was a great idea to make me get stuff done. I still feel this way, but I've strayed from my original ten somewhat.

Here they are in all their glory:

1. Finish painting my dressing table. Even though I know I will change it soon(ish?) I would like to actually complete something. 

2. Get the pictures from my camera loaded to this computer. It's honestly more difficult than it should be. 

3. Help the boys get their room in order. If I showed a 'before' photo right now you'd faint.

4. Paint the little table which is now residing on my porch.

5. Paint the cute chair which is also residing on the porch right now. 

6. Mani/pedi. This one is long overdue.

7. Get rid of the boxes which managed to homestead in my bedroom. Seriously, when did they take over the room?

8. Pack up the dishes I inherited and store them safely in my bedroom closet shelving. 

9. Clean the inside of the van with all the right stuff so it's shiny-perfect. (Shortcuts are so ugly when it comes to stuff like this. Can you say "Streaked windows"?

10. Do a tax amendment form. Pray for me on this one, I'm flying solo with just my reading comprehension skills.

Instead of finishing the dressing table, I acquired a few more pieces of furniture. Of course I abandoned all my 'old' plans (this list) so I could completely redo a side table. It was a labor intense project and a first time for a lot of what I was doing, so I learned a lot. I do not regret commandeering my time in this way. 

Today I plan on working on more furniture projects. Plans have changed, but I am happy with it. At the end of these ten days I will have accomplished a lot of things I wanted to do. This was the whole point from the beginning, right?

Photos really are on the way!

Day 5 of 10

I  finished the table I have been working on for days now. It came out cute. It is not perfect, because I have much to learn, but I like it! I still do not have my camera. This one was not a number on my list, because I didn't get the table until after the list was made. It doesn't bother me, though. I still accomplished something so I am going with it. I used more Breezy Ocean Blue and some black paint. I also used some black glaze. Luckily, it all scrubbed off of my hands.

*I ate ice cream when I was done.

Day 4 of 10

I have not completed another item on my list of ten today. It's only 4:00, though. I did start working on another table. It's going to be so cute! I would be taking pictures and sharing them as I go, but my mother still has my camera. I need to go get it back later. Hopefully I will remember tonight. 

Right now I am trying to be patient while part of the chair dries. I only have one final part to do, but I really should wait until tomorrow to do it. Patience is not my strong suit, but I'm doing well so far. 

I picked up a few great things yesterday at garage sales, and one super-cool item from the side of the road. The house had more out, but my van was nearly full and this item was for sure the star. I promise pictures of everything in the next couple of days.

Day 3 Of 10

Here I am, with another item completed! I painted the cute little chair on the porch. It took more time to clean it than to paint it. Whew! I have lots more to do. The only reason I am inside instead of outside squeezing spray triggers is the sun. I have a nice little burn already. I do not need to be miserable. 

The chair was #5 on my list. I painted it Krylon's Breezy Ocean Blue. The table I painted yesterday is is Krylon's Raspberry.

Two Down, Eight (Million) To Go

Okay, I am on a roll, even if it is only a two day roll. Today I tackled #4 - painted the little table. I love it! If the weather would have cooperated I would have done the chair today as well. As it was I was lucky to get the table finished. I also sprayed my daughter's iPhone in the same color - watermelon!

One Down, Nine To Go

I am working on my 10x10 list. I started working on the little table on the porch yesterday. I took her outside and got her ready to paint. I painted her legs, and got nearly everything but the top surfaces. Then I ran out of paint. I resisted the urge to run out right then and buy more, since I had to go out later. Then we got monsoon-type rains so I did not get to finish the table yesterday.

I did conquer #8, though. I boxed up the inherited dishes and they are put up safely in my closet.

Ten by Ten

Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage has thrown down the gauntlet. She has challenged us to choose ten tasks to get done in ten days - starting today! Here are the ten tasks I have chosen:

1. Finish painting my dressing table. Even though I know I will change it soon(ish?) I would like to actually complete something. 

2. Get the pictures from my camera loaded to this computer. It's honestly more difficult than it should be. 

3. Help the boys get their room in order. If I showed a 'before' photo right now you'd faint.

4. Paint the little table which is now residing on my porch.

5. Paint the cute chair which is also residing on the porch right now. 

6. Mani/pedi. This one is long overdue.

7. Get rid of the boxes which managed to homestead in my bedroom. Seriously, when did they take over the room?

8. Pack up the dishes I inherited and store them safely in my bedroom closet shelving. 

9. Clean the inside of the van with all the right stuff so it's shiny-perfect. (Shortcuts are so ugly when it comes to stuff like this. Can you say "Streaked windows"?

10. Do a tax amendment form. Pray for me on this one, I'm flying solo with just my reading comprehension skills. 

Wish me luck, I know I will need it to really follow through and get all ten of these completed. Especially since today is already the first day!

*I'm already thinking about amending one of these to "Finish eating the ice cream in the upstairs freezer."

Three days worth of treasure hunting.

My feet are happily exhausted.

On Thursday I went to Goodwill. For some reason I decided I must go to Goodwill. It's odd for me since I have maybe gone to this Goodwill five times in fifteen years - until recently. I got a great mirror for Allie's room - it used to be part of an old dresser. It's very pretty and has lovely character. Then I found a mirror for the boy's room as well. I got quite a few neato glass pieces. One is a glass and silver decanter. I'm waiting for Jeannie to come an make a home in it. I got little crystal salt and pepper shakers, frames and wooden 'thingies' for a bathroom project, and a pyrex beehive cannister. I got a candlestick with great character and a pretty pink globe to a lamp. I had a totally full cart when I left Goodwill. I'm sure I am forgetting things.

Friday I went to a neighborhood garage sale and got a metal miter box with saw, a staple gun, 2 weed whackers, 6 vintage suitcases, a table with two chairs, some great old Hardy Boys books, some beautiful glass decanters, a bowl to replace one I broke in a crock pot, three metal boxes with handles, a cheese cloche, and stack of vintage sheet music - *happydance*!

I went back yesterday and bought a bunch of very old books, nearly half of them first editions. I struck gold when I got a whole set of antique dishes donated to me. (Because I'd gone twice the day before to offer to buy the dessert bowls, and the lady wouldn't break up the set. We are invited to her grandson Matthew's graduation party next Saturday at 1:00) I also got a pretty old typewriter from them. I honestly got so much amazing stuff in the last three days I can not remember all of it. 

I have been working on a few projects, as well. I'm a regular at Home Depot now. I have a dressing table and a dresser in progress, along with a few other pieces either started, or in the planning stages. I hope to share some of these projects here soon. 

Secret Pink Fingerprints

Oh yes you are!

Sometimes...

Sometimes it's the ones I understand the least I am able to appreciate the most.


Why is this?

The Ocean Is Wet

To say this school year has been difficult for our kids would be like saying the ocean is wet. Tyler Froats is fighting his leukemia for the third time. He got a bone marrow transplant from his sister. Kori Wiita was badly injured in a football game in late October. They are in out thoughts and prayers every day. Our dear, sweet, lovable Victoria died a few days after Christmas. She is embedded so deeply in my heart it leaves me unable to express my feelings. Last week, Erin and Andrew Erhbar both died after yet another car accident. In the other car was a fellow student, Jon Slifka. By the grace of God, Jon is physically fine.

Frankly, I just want to take everyone I love, and everyone they love, and tie them all up with a string and never let them out of my sight.

Here is what the Highland community did last night:

A Few Of My Favorite Things for Spring

My super giant George Foreman grill. It is 160 inches of sensational dinners. I hate kitchen doo-dads with a passion because most are a huge waste of space. The George Foreman grill is the single most useful kitchen gadget we own. It has earned every inch of space it occupies.

 Hooray for my Uggs. No, I do not care who thinks they are ugly. They are like a soft cloud of 'miracle' wrapped around my feet and they make me happy.

My Longchamp Lilac pliage bag. Love it, Love it, L-O-V-E  Love it. Lightweight and girly, it announces the arrival of spring for me.

My violet Kitchenaid mixer. It makes fast work of everything it does. How did I ever live without it?

My Spaceship. Some people call it a minivan. It's a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country. It has awesome EVERYTHING. I feel just a tinge of guilt over having something so awesome, but I am keeping it - just like my husband.

Here are a few other things I am glad I have:

My flip video camera.
My iphone.
My lamps - Gorgeous!
Good dish towels.
essee Nail lacquer.
Pureology shampoo & conditioner.
All the wonderful Lancome stuff I use to pull, peel, spackle and smooth my face. 
Pevonia Botanica lip serum and cream.

Apparently, You CAN Fool Me Twice.

Saturday, we needed help with the cable. Our new box, which just replaced the new box we got on Wednesday, wasn't working properly. I made an appointment for 'some time between noon and two.'

At 10:38 I was out and about, nearly done with my errands, when my phone rings. It was Dino with Time Warner Cable. He said would like to come to the house a little early. When I asked how early he responded '10:45'. I was not going to be home by then so I had him call my husband.

Flash forward to when I get home. Dino had already been there a few minutes, waiting for the box to finish doing it's thing. We talked about Adelphia vs. Time Warner and how he used to work for Cablevision. We talked about all sorts of cable related items. When he was ready to go I joked that I should take his picture because last time a cable guy was out he did not take care of things properly. He had promised to call first thing the next morning, and we never heard from him again. I told him I even blogged about it and saved the name, supervisor's name and number, and ticket number in my phone. I started taking out my phone as my husband ushered Dino out the door. You can read about the past ordeal here, I'll wait.

Yes, you read it right...

Dino, you sneaky, slippery little sucker.

Our cable box still isn't recording or pausing, so someone will have to come out again. I hope it's Dino. I'm going to tell him!

Hurricanes in Ohio

Who knew? We have a hurricane machine at Summit mall in Fairlawn, Ohio. Last night a couple of the kids took a turn inside. These were the preliminary results:

I Can't Understand

Today I waited in the parking deck. I chose an unpopular area facing outward so I would be as secluded as possible. There was a song on the radio. It doesn't even matter which one, does it? Anyway... I started to cry the crazy cry. The tears and sobs just didn't stop coming. I was just sitting there, in my blurry Saturday morning private escape, making deals with God he refused to acknowledge. Sounds like the work of a crazy lady, doesn't it?

Someone broke into my world. A little black car drove up beside me. I finally looked at it, something I feel compelled to do when someone parks next to me. The driver looked shocked when she saw my puffy, red, tear streaked face. She rolled down her window. I rolled down mine. "Is it VJ?" she asked. I nodded.

Did you send her? I needed the reminder to be thankful for all the blessings I still have. It didn't break my sadness though. It clings to me today in a desperate embrace.