a window

When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.          -Maria, The Sound of Music


Recently, I’ve been left dangling, so to speak, in a professional situation. It isn’t career threatening or even much of a big deal, but I’ve been waiting for answers since early April. Let’s just say that my anxiety levels have been high.

The resolution I’ve been waiting for still hasn’t arrived, although I’m quite sure I understand what’s coming.

People keep saying that things happen for a reason and that change comes when it’s time. Truthfully, I’m not sure I believe all of that. I believe that people make choices and those choices affect their lives and the lives of others. It’s a struggle to make peace with a confusing situation, no matter what you believe.

I see that a door has closed; now I’m just looking for that darn window.

<3, liz

Gardening in the City

Living downtown in a city has a lot of perks, but outdoor space is not one of them. As in, our backyard is approximately 18’x16′ and we built a deck that covers most of it a few years back. Don’t get me wrong, I love living near everything, but it would be nice to have a little more room to breathe and for our plants to grow.
Luckily, we have a few feet behind our fence before it drops off into the dreaded “ravine,” which is really just an old train track. A couple years ago, Forrest built three raised planters between our fence and the ravine. We were excited about square foot gardening at the time and making the most of our small space. We didn’t stick with that format, but the space is great for veggies.

Right now, we’re growing some kind of blue potato, jalapenos, chocolate bell peppers, tomatillos, white cucumbers, yellow squash, and an army of volunteer pumpkins (fingers crossed for a huge pumpkin patch). Oh, and a bunch of funky tomatoes: lumpy reds, black krims, sungolds, purple cherokees, and a couple volunteers- I’m hoping they’re some sort of crazy hybrid from our plants last year. Maybe we’ll get to name a new variety of tomato! We got our tomato plants from Rodger’s Heirlooms this year- they have a fantastic variety and are super helpful.

We’re excited about the veggies, but I also have a good many flowers and other small-ish plants around here. My favorites are the poppies- SO pretty. They remind me of The Wizard of Oz.

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Yes, I realize that I am basically a little old man and maybe you don’t care about my potato plants (but you should, because they’re awesome). However, I believe that people need to create and nurture- it’s important for our well-being and happiness. Our little garden gives us something to work on together that is truly fulfilling and makes us happy… plus fresh tomatoes are the best.

<3, liz

orange?

Well, ya’ll. The “white hibiscus” I was so excited about finally bloomed. Good thing it has that little tinge of red- otherwise I’d toss it out for being a Clemson plant.

Kidding! …maybe.

Many more garden pictures to come soon- we have a lot growing and blooming out there! We’re excited about fresh veggies and herbs this summer!

<3, liz

Artista Vista

If you missed this years Artista Vista, you missed quite a show, but don’t worry, we captured a few high lights for you. Artista Vista is Vista Light’s quieter brother. There aren’t any blocked off streets and beer trailers, but there is plenty of wine and eye candy, and by eye candy, I mean Art.

The stand out this year was a group installation series hosted by Jeffrey Day in the Mais Ouis Ltd. building on Gervais. Honestly, the best part about this set up was that most of the artists were there, in the room with their pieces where they were easy to spot and talk to about their work. There were also some worthwhile exhibits at If Art Gallery, 80808, City Art, and Carol Saunders (that is, if you could even make it to the back corner where the exhibit was). Sadly, photography was poorly represented again this year, although we did stumble upon a small iphone photo show. I can’t say I was excited by the images, but the concept was nice with an emphasis on snapshots and the idea that you can’t make a photo without a camera.

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ALEGRRRRIA!

In celebration of my graduation on Saturday, Forrest got us tickets to see Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria! They’ve been playing advertisements for Alegria on the radio and I’ve been singing the music for WEEKS. I’d never seen a Cirque show and I was super jazzed! Best gift EVER- well, a close tie with the year we saw David Sedaris for Valentine’s. 🙂

I spent half of my life dancing (ballet) and I love a great dance performance. Yeah, yeah, I know Cirque du Soleil isn’t ballet, but I expected it to be similar. I kept thinking it would be like ballet on steroids and up in the air!

But OH MY. It was so much more than that! There were masks, fire-torch throwers, trampolines built into the stage, crazy lights, flying confetti, acrobats who (I’m pretty sure) had no vertebrae, clowns, INSANE trapeze guys, and gorgeous music all on one stage. I couldn’t look away- it was so beautiful and so engaging.

Do yourself a favor and go to the Alegria website and watch the preview- it’s on the right. Of course, no photography during the show, but I snuck a photo before.


Alegria can be seen at the Colonial Center in Columbia until May 15th! I highly recommend catching a show before it’s over! Check out ticket availability here. Also, I hear this show will be in Florence in July and Charlotte in August!

Awesome. I need the soundtrack asap.

<3, Liz

period costumes on parade

On Saturday morning I heard the sound of drums outside. Naturally, I grabbed my camera and ran outside in my pajamas. I had a good idea what it was- this happens every year.

Saturday was Confederate Memorial Day- it’s actually recognized by the state of SC. Basically, a parade of folks (some in costumes!) place wreaths on the graves of Confederate soldiers in Elmwood Cemetery and then march to the state house where they do some sort of ceremony. Our house just happens to be on the route to the state house.

I think it’s a nice sentiment, celebrating fallen soldiers, but I don’t exactly understand this holiday. However, I always love a good hoop skirt. They’re fun even in 90 degree weather!

Welcome to South Carolina!

<3, Liz

Too cool for school.

Yesterday was a big day.

My brother Marty, his girlfriend Susan, and I all graduated on the same day at the same time! Marty and Susan received their bachelor’s degrees from the University of South Carolina yesterday- his in civil engineering, hers in elementary education. And across town in a much smaller ceremony, I graduated with my master’s degree from Columbia College!

I’m excited about my newly earned degree, but also a little sad. It’s super nerdy, but I love being in school. Also, I made some seriously amazing friends/lunch buddies in grad school. I’ll miss not seeing them every third weekend!

Most importantly, Forrest and I had everyone back to our house last night after the graduations! It was a little tricky- we squeezed 20+ people into our tiny townhouse for a party that included dinner! Fortunately, my incredible mother and mother-in-law handled all of the food prep and set-up! The space was a concern- as in, would we have enough? We set up an extra table outside and lots of extra chairs indoors and out. The 1st floor of our house has an open floor plan and I like to think that the closeness made it easier to mingle.  🙂

All in all, it was great- our family came to celebrate and we were lucky enough to have Susan’s family join us. We were so excited to finally meet her parents, sister, and future brother-in-law. They were lovely and we had a lot of fun!

Congratulations, Marty and Susan! Welcome to the real world!

Also, congratulations to my three besties from undergrad! Lauren and Sonam graduated from medical school and Jessica just finished her MAT in elementary education! Love you, girls- congrats!

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<3, Liz

On the street where we live

I don’t usually go out of my way to chat with strangers, but when I noticed a drawing on a wall and ladders down the street from our house, I did. I swung my car around, parked, and hopped out with my camera. The art teacher in me just couldn’t resist. This encounter could have gone horribly, but instead it was lovely and I had so much fun talking with a painter about the start of his new mural.

It turns out that the Elmwood Park neighborhood, which is just around the way from us, hired a painter to  create a mural based on an old photograph of a street in their neighborhood. The mural is on the side of  a bridge that separates their neighborhood and ours- the bridge on Elmwood that takes you onto I-126. It wasn’t the best looking space  (totally sketchy) and the painting has helped a lot! There is chatter about continuing the mural under the bridge and involving our neighborhood, Arsenal Hill, in the process. Maybe I should start a petition to get the ball rolling.

Sometimes little changes are the best. Forrest and I love our corner of the city, but it is “the oldest neighborhood” in Columbia, so we get excited when fresh things are happening! If you’re in the area and have a chance, drive by to check out the new public art.

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<3, Liz

Bamboo weekend

What is it about house contractors and picking the absolute worst carpet they can find? I’m sure price had a lot do with it, but come on. We’ve been in our house for 3 1/2 years now, and the carpet has never looked good. It’s never looked bad either, but it’s certainly never looked good. So when Liz suggested we put down new flooring I thought it was a great idea. In addition the carpet, our house was also blessed with what must be one of the most poorly constructed half walls ever installed. Leaning from day one, I wouldn’t trust it to hold my beer. It’s not in your face bad, but when it’s your house and you see it every day, it becomes sort of a glaring problem. Continue reading “Bamboo weekend”