Hidden Magnolias

A couple of years ago in a previous job, I met several wonderful young people from Ukraine. They are smart, educated, young and hard working. They have dreams and aspirations. They run, bike, enjoy music, fashion, computers and video games just like our kids. They barely remember when Ukraine was not a country; Ukraine becoming an independent state in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Now their country is being torn apart and I do worry about these young adults. This is just a few of their faces.  I keep them all in my prayers. No names for privacy. Pat

It is that time of year, Greek time. Well, at most schools rush is over and the new recruits are settling in. From the Red & Black Don't the girls all look so cute in their sundresses? Oh yeah, and don't forget that tan they worked all summer on so those tanned legs are perfection. From the Red & Black Hundreds of girls go through the process. I think I read that over 1500 girls participated at UGA.  From the Red & Black Phi Mu Chapter Facebook But even with all this fun filled activity, there is still a dark side: Ghosts.  Yep.  The Phi Mu house on at 250 S Milledge Avenue is said to be haunted.  http://panhellenic.uga.edu/ One story:  Anna Hamilton, who lived next door to the Phi Mu house, witnessed the murdering of her fiancé by a member of his own family. The murder was then covered up and her fiancé was buried und...

In this Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram world, more and more people are using what they see on these vehicles to mold and shape not only their opinions about decorating but about lifestyle. However, this post is about decorating. A trend in today’s decorating that I have grown to dislike. A lot. Chevron  (all pics from Pinterest) Chevron has found its way into everything. A little chevron goes a long way. This is a tasteful and appropriate use of chevron. And then there is this....really? I haven’t seen one in person but someone told me about it. You can find it at Target. Hum.... Seeing it commercialized on something like a bathroom product means that the trend is popular enough and has been around long enough to declare it dead.

Sad, sad, news today. The Hancock County, GA Courthouse burned. The Second Empire style building red brick exterior walls were still standing hours later, but the interior is burned out and the courthouse's majestic clock tower is gone. From today's news: What is looked like before: Why is this sad? One of the oldest standing Courthouses in GA. Built in 1883.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also, listed on the The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation's list of "Places in Peril"in 2013. Courthouses in more rural areas still signify much more than a place where legal proceedings are held.  It is the anchor of the town, and in many ways it represents “where we are from”. Sparta was once plantation country, a very wealthy area. Now it is all but abandoned; however, recent years have seen an exciting regeneration of Sparta. The courthouse is a testimony to the wealth that once exist...

Ah, the Victorians. I have often said, "No one did it like the Victorians did it." And in most cases that is true. But.... sometimes I think they did go the teeniest bit over board and gaudy is the only descriptive word that comes to mind. The Brennan House in Louisville, Ky has some incredible examples. Not so much the house, which is a basic Italianate, but the furnishings. Check out this hall tree: http://bigoldhouses.blogspot.com/ http://bigoldhouses.blogspot.com/  I can't believe all those little sticks and posts have survived all these years without being broken off. http://bigoldhouses.blogspot.com/ I have never seen anything like it. And then this bedroom set...... manufactured in Louisville by the J.W. Davis Co. and exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial of 1876.   http://bigoldhouses.blogspot.com/ http://bigoldhouses.blogspot.com/  Massive headboard...massive. http://bigoldhouses.blogspot.com/ http://bigoldhouses...

I love flowers.  I try to have fresh flowers on my dining room table all the time -- just ask my husband. Since we eat in our dining room every night, I get to enjoy them daily, plus I see them through the kitchen door.  Here are a few of my arrangements I have done so far this year. Love jonquils. These came from my garden at my mother's house. I planted them years and years ago and they steadfastly come back every year. I paired them with Camellias off my bush in the backyard. For Memorial Day, I grabbed a huge Southern Magnolia off my tree and some greenery from a nearby bush. A little later in the season, my neighbor had not cut his grass in a while, so I picked his weeds. Even weeds can steal the show when placed in a festive pitcher turned into a vase. For July 4th, I thought nice, bright sunflowers would be fun. I just love their fresh faces. I have to admit, I bought these from the local Kroger. Then just this past week, I sneaked b...

Talladega, AL.  We all know about the famous NASCAR racetrack located just off of 1-20. How could you not know with a movie like Talladega Nights? But drive about 6 miles south and you come upon the small town of Talladega. Chocked full of beautiful homes, this historic town is a delight and a surprise. In typical southern town layout, just find the First Methodist Church and the neighborhood adjoining it,  is often the Historical District. Talladega is no different. You immediately enter the "Silk Stocking Historical District." The Jones Mansion, c. 1880's ( cougar_6 Flicker) The McElderry-Malone Home, c1905 The Woods-Sims House c. 1891 The Samuel C Oliver Home c.1890 The Brown-Elliott Mansion c. 1912 Dr C.L. Salter home c. 1840 The Reynolds-McGee Mansion c. 1904 The Jamison-Purefoy House c. 1898 Side view And a post card of how the Jamison-Pure...