New Year. New Town. New Dish.

WHEN: September 25, 2010
WHERE: Downtown Charleston, SC

Celebrations were in order this weekend as Stacie turned 26 last week. I can still state her age publicly, because she's under 30. That's the rule, right? Any agreement? I will give the wives a moment to deliberate...

Stace says I can. I'm moving on.

It was Stacie's job to think of how to spend her birthday money. It was my job to decide where to take her for dinner. I've always enjoyed surprising her (in the little and big things) and I was excited she charged me with this task for her birthday. It wasn't the surprise aspect that was taxing but the amount of options at my disposal. Charleston's culinary scene is phenomenal and the options are both diverse and exceptional (and yummy). Two local educational culinary institutions have brought in and retained many aspiring chefs which in turn has also attracted highly experienced chefs from around the world. The unique atmosphere of downtown Charleston and the propensity towards local food sources also add to the dining experience. But enough of the gobbledygook. More on the food to come.

We began our outing at the Tanger Outlet Mall where Stace was intent on finding some deals at The Gap. To my grateful delight, that was the only store we stopped in at the entire mall. This was an outlet mall, people. And she only drug me in to one store! (And I even got some $12 work pants out of the deal). Cha! Ching! The real reason we were in and out so quickly was because Stace had even better shopping in mind. Better than an outlet mall? Yes, we were then off to Stace's new favorite place to shop - The Market, in downtown Charleston.

We first visited The Market last year when we visited Charleston with our friends, Emily & Keith. Since then , Stace has been enamored with the four blocks of local vendors, selling hand-made, local merchandise. The history of the market is less glamorous and was a place where slaves came to sell produce, livestock, and goods fabricated on the nearby plantations. I'm not sure but it wouldn't be a far cry to guess that slaves may likely have been sold here as well. It is a sad symbol of Charleston's past but nevertheless a monument within the cityscape. Today it is a "central station" of sorts for the city and an attraction most women (especially with birthday money in hand) can't ignore.

At The Market last month

Unfortunately we hit the market around the time shops were packing up for the day, at what seemed to be a prime and bustling time. Stace was gravely disappointed, as we seemingly ran down the four blocks of shops, trying to see as much as we could and perhaps tricking ourselves in to believing it wasn't closing time. Once reality set in, so did our appetites and the tantalizing aromas swirling around in the warm evening air were enough to suppress the disappointments in 'shoppingville'. It was time to unveil my establishment of choice.

Strolling the quaint and beautiful streets of downtown Charleston (greeted by all the restaurants we passed by at dinnertime). It was a long walk back to the car for our stomachs.

You know, your typical Subway entrance.

A palm trying to attain a prime piece of real estate.

I received many great ideas for restaurants from my coworkers (too many) and I narrowed it down to what I thought (all things considered) Stace would most enjoy. As I'm unable (and self-advised) to provide any further climatic appeal for my choice, I present...

Coast Bar & Grill

Coast is a local seafood joint, serving many local flavors and entrees and tucked back in an alley surrounded by other excellent restaurant choices. It occupies a former indigo warehouse and boasts 40ft. ceilings with original brick and timber throughout, an outdoor patio, and a custom-made hickory & oak wood burning grill. We both tried new entrees and ordered more than we could eat. We started off sharing the Coast crab dip & hush puppies (in addition to the loaf of bread provided) then each had to tackle our own entrees. Stace tried the cashew encrusted grouper and I had the crab encrusted tilapia. No, not everything there is "encrusted". How does that unappetizing word even make it on to a menu? We both were happy with our choices and had a whole meal of leftovers when all was said and done. We may not choose the same entrees a second time but we would both be very willing to return to Coast. But with so many options in Charleston, it may a while until then.

The rustic facade of Coast

Alley leading to the secluded restaurant

Full tummies, big smiles, a year older.

We were far from done with the night downtown. The air was warm, sky was clear, the breeze was fresh, and Charleston at night is captivating. See for yourself...

An (almost) full moon over Charleston Harbor

The Porcher-Simonds House (1856)

The Edmondston-Alston House (c. 1817)

Two Meeting St. Inn
This home (now a bed & breakfast) was built in 1890-1892 and given as a wedding gift from a father to his daughter.

One of many creepy mansions and entryways. Ghost tours are available year-round but walking down these historic lanes at night doesn't take much imagination for your mind to create a tour of its own!

The Calhoun Mansion (1876)
The largest residence in Charleston (at over 24,000 square feet), the Calhoun Mansion has 35 rooms, 35 fireplaces, and a 75ft. staircase. It's a feat just to fit all of it into a photo! Make sure you check out the photo gallery for the mansion!

The "Pink Palace" (The Palmer House) (1847)

Grateful for a night out on the town for her birthday, but craving her bed and PJ's.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STACIE JO!!

Jesse's POW (September 26, 2010)

WHEN: September 25, 2010 WHERE: 29 East Battery (Porcher-Simonds House), Charleston, SC

See where this picture was taken, here!

Sir Tigger Turry Ferguson

WHEN: August 8, 1999 - September 14, 2010 WHERE: a white, steel-wire kennel Last Monday was a day of tears in Stacie's family as her favorite little, white, furry friend Tigger had to be put down. Monday, he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart with fluid around his heart and lungs and by that night he was gone. It all happened quicker than any of us were ready for and in one day the life of the smallest, loudest member of the family was gone. It was, still is, and always will be a very sad day but there are also countless memories we made with Tigger and a joy and quirkiness that he brought to the family that we will always smile (and laugh hysterically) about. He was a Maltese first but a troublemaker, bag of cuddling cuteness, and stubborn friend through and through. The stories and memories are endless and we have been sharing them with each other over the past week and remembering just how much of a joy he was in our lives. I could easily go into pages and pages about the characters this 4 1/2lb. canine became and the infabricatable (made that word up) deeds enacted by this innocent-looking, fluffy bundle of spunk. But that would ensure that I would never finish this post that is already overdue. Instead, I wanted to highlight some memorable moments in the 7 1/2 years he was a part of our family as well as share some of my favorite pictures of him. All in chronological order of course! June 3, 2003 - Jennie picks up 'Tigger", a 3-year-old teacup Maltese (whose former owners were unable to care for him) from the Humane Society. We had no idea what that addition to our family would become! February 9, 2004 - Steve teased Tigger by putting his elephant (his exclusive toy of choice, from beginning to end) on top of Stace's bedroom door and 'encouraged' Tigger to try and get it. If there is one thing we did more than love him it was teasing him (which was also our way of loving him in some twisted way). March 8, 2004 - Tigger chased after a raccoon after Stace took him out to go to the bathroom before bed. We decided right then, "We can't tell Jennie about this" :)

My first picture of Tigger Tigger in Wrightsville Beach in March 2004. We kept him hydrated with Snapple poured into a seashell - he thought that was great fun. He also proceeded to chase a black lab, five times his size, down the beach.

My first picture with Tigger (March 2004), in Wrightsville Beach

The family's unofficial favorite picture of Tigger (March 2004)

"Messy Mane" After rolling around in the lawn (May 4, 2004)

May 7, 2004 - Tigger has his first physical July 12, 2004 - Tigger has tonsillitis

"He's so little!" (August 10, 2004) "Inseparable" (August 10, 2004)

Tiggy's favorite past time (August 29, 2004)

October 1, 2004 - I spent the night at Stacie's parent's house so we could leave early for a Hawkeye football game the next morning. I slept with Tigger out in the living room. For about an hour (in 10-minute intervals) Tigger would jump off, go to the hall door (where Stacie's room was), and I’d have to jump up and get him. Then I'd have to scold him to get him to stop licking himself profusely after we laid back down, before he jumped back down and repeated the cycle. That was a treat. I then woke up around 3:45am to Tigger running around the living room barking. I don't remember why but for the record, nothing was wrong and no one was in danger (as usual). That was just the sassy, sweet, spunk he possessed! He was so excited when my alarm went off at 5:20 too.

Tigger helped Stace & I carve pumpkins (that were bigger than him) (October 24, 2004)

October 25, 2004 - While Stace & I were on the phone before bed, she said Tigger was digging frantically in her sheets, then stopped suddenly, looked up, then broke wind :) October 26, 2004 - Tigger had his arm on the toilet as Stace threw up. They were inseparable and he followed her everywhere! November 8, 2004 - Tigger knocked some bags of candy on to the floor in my room that were a surprise for Stace (a surprise then ruined). He knew how to find treats! December 14, 2004 - We (Jennie) put panty hose on Tigger's head for the first time. This would become a somewhat cruel but drop-on-the-floor-crying-in-laughter tradition :) Tigger knew just how to push our buttons and we knew how to push back :) May 6, 2005 - Tigger had surgery on his mouth. He had quickly become more than just an acquaintance at the vet.

"All ears" (June 10, 2005)

"Well, he's people" (June 10, 2005) Yes, Tiggy went through a diaper stage (in his late 30's) (October 2, 2005) "Tiggy...do you wanna go bye-bye?!?!" (November 24, 2005)

"Tigger Claus" Dressing Tigger up in annual Christmas outfits was another perhaps cruel but necessary tradition. (December 25, 2005)

"Watchdog" (January 16, 2006) Get 'em, Tigger! (January 16, 2006) "Puppy Eyes" "Tell me you can't love me!" (January 16, 2006)

Tigger and his best friend, "Elephant" (January 16, 2006)

March 3, 2006 - Tigger had to bunk up with (his big brother) Riley, during Armstrong's visit and move back to the Midwest. Tigger greeted Ryley at the door with 10 minutes of non-stop, high-pitched, territorial barking that makes our ears ring to this day.

This was after Tigger settled down and accepted that Ryley was going nowhere (and also ten time his size). (March 3, 2006) "Buds, Brothers"

May 23, 2006 - I had to brake in to the Ferguson's house on my lunch break from delivering mail to take Tigger out (I had no key). We may have denied it, but our lives revolved around him :)

(June 25, 2006) "Scrapbooking" (June 25, 2006) (June 25, 2006) "Peek-a-boo" (July 9, 2006) "Chillaxin" (July 9, 2006) (July 9, 2006) "Tiggy...?" "Tiggy, do you wanna....?"

"Tiggy, do you wanna treat-ee?!"

Beg! OK, but now I get to hold you (September 8, 2006) Until you tear and claw and push your way back to Stacie's arms!

(December 3, 2006) Tigger helped us move our couch in (March 3, 2007) Smile! (March 20, 2007) Tigger also "helped" us load up our truck to move to North Carolina (July 13, 2007) Tigger tried to be a stowaway in Stacie's suitcase when we were packing to leave after our first visit home for Christmas. Pardon the unmentionables :) (December 31, 2007)

January 25, 2008 - Jesse sets up a Facebook account for Tigger

April 30, 2008 - Tigger has his first conversation on Facebook Chat (with Jennie)

Tigger stayed home with me after my root canal during Christmas break, while the rest of the family went out for dinner. He loves'a Jesse (and Jesse loves him)! (December 22, 2008)

"Tigger the Elf" (December 25, 2008) "His majesty, Sir Tigger Turry Ferguson" (there were three outfits this Christmas) (December 25, 2008)

January 7, 2009 - Debbie slipped on the ice after taking Tigger out to the bathroom and accidentally threw him up in the air. Upon becoming mildly unresponsive (even to treats) and after taking him to the vet, Tigger was diagnosed with "a sore bottom" :) August 8, 2009 - Tigger turns 10! April 10, 2010 - Stace & I say goodbye to Tigger, unaware it would be our last time :( It is hard to summarize and share all that Tigger was and meant to us. What I can offer is a video Jennie took on August 24, 2007 of Tigger having lunch. For those that may not be familiar with Tigger or unable to interpret this video...Tigger was spoiled :) It became worse over time and he eventually demanded that when it was time to eat, you 1) join him and give him all your attention, 2) pour his food out of the bowl onto the floor (only on carpet - no linoleum would do), and eventually 3) hand feed him. It was a pathetic scene but at the same time it was just another trait of Tigger that we came to love and will always remember about him. This video, I believe, best represents Tigger, in 1:30 minutes.

We love you, we miss you... Sir Tigger Turry Ferguson (August 8, 1999 - September 14, 2010)

He wanted to go bye-bye...