Eeeeek ! Visiting with the neighbors, 9' 14

We've had some unusual visitors this week.  While not exactly thrilled to find them heading into our home, Bruce and I did find them quite intriguing.

Bruce first encountered this golf ball size fella wandering across the garage floor.  After letting out a rather  loud "Eeeek",  he mustered enough courage to pick it up with a paper towel and bring the big guy in to show me.  We think it is one of the many forms of Rhinoceros Beetles.  We turned it loose in the woods.

We  found this visitor on the table next to our front door.  We are not at all sure what species she is, but she certainly is not going to win any beauty contests.  Fortunately she is not nearly as large as the Rhino Beetle or I would be worried about going out of the front door.

Our next visitor was a large green grasshopper ( below)  which munched down a stem full of my basil plant in less than 30 seconds.

Then a very angry hummingbird alerted us to a  Preying Mantis who had taken up residence "on her feeder"!  The humming bird put on quite a threatening display trying to chase the intruder off...all to no avail.  The Mantis was not the least bit intimidated.

Bruce took this awesome photo with his cell phone.

I can't say the same thing for Kat.  She is't at all sure she likes all the wildlife we are finding  in our yard. She's spending more and more time inside. Apparently she would prefer to avoid encountering the neighbors.

Atalaya Festival 9 '14

Sunday saw Bruce and I visiting Huntington Beach State Park's Atalaya Festival. It is my favorite Fine Art Craft show in the area, and we always look forward to going to see it. Actually, this was our third attempt to see this year's festival. The minute we arrived on both Saturday and Sunday it had started raining. The festivals exhibitors are set up in the out of door courtyards, and inside the castles' tiny rooms. As soon as it started raining everyone rushes indoors, making it nearly impossible to really see the artwork.

One of the more interesting aspects of this Festival is that it is held entirely within the walls of Atalaya, a Moorish-style “castle” built in the Great Depression as a winter home and sculpture studio by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, the New York philanthropists who also created Brookgreen Gardens across U.S. 17 from the oceanfront park.It is one of the most unusual buildings in South Carolina with its lush palm–lined courtyard, wrought iron window grills, and Moorish architecture presided over by a watchtower, Atalaya is a designated National Historic Landmark. Normally,the grounds are closed to the public except by guided tour, so being able to wander about at will inside the compound is a treat in itself. Sunday's weather was far less threatening and we actually had enough space to explore the historic building and to enjoy the fine art and craft on display..

It was indeed a fine collection of art. Over 100 artisans participated in the three day event. The Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival is renowned throughout the Southeast as one of the best art events of its kind. A wide variety of artists from across the country eagerly enter the rigid jurying process each year, which ensures that the quality is always very high and diversity is broad.

Here's Bruce looking at the artwork of my favorite Pastel artist, Greg Barnes.

The Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival is renowned throughout the Southeast as one of the best art events of its kind. A wide variety of artists from across the country eagerly enter the rigid jurying process each year, which ensures that the quality is always very high and the media is broad. Painters, potters, sculptures and fiber artists from all over the Southeastern states were on display.

In addition to the fine visual art on display, the event will also had a variety of musical entertainment, demonstrations by exhibitors, and an opportunity to sample some of the seafood delicacies for which the low country is known.

For more information on this event see:

http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/huntingtonbeach/huntingtonbeach-a-fest.aspx

Cafe Picolo Lunch 9 '14

Cafe Picolo is a  very small, lovely decorated Italian restaurant in Pawley's Island, SC. Several of our friends have recommended it to us. It was beyond our expectations. The food was delicious, the service impeccable. Because we were there on a Friday for lunch, it was busy with ladies luncheons, etc..  Even so,  we had our wonderful waitress to ourselves for most of of our time there. We had fun chatting with her and talking about mutual places of interest.  Judging by the interactions at the other table, the other diners found their waiter equally attentive and entertaining. Come hungry. Food is plentiful and very very good.. 

Three important points: this is not a typical run of the mill Italian eatery in that you won't find the usual dishes on this menu - no spaghetti and meatballs, no pizza, etc., all good things for sure, but not on this menu. Second, because of this menu it isn't really a place that would be appropriate for children. Third, what they do offer is really fresh entries, including many gluten free options.  Fourth, the place is a little hard to find,.  We knew where it was  because we shop at the health food store next door (but sometimes we even miss that entrance).  You might want to consider using your GPS to find this place 

Soba noodles with eggplant and mango 9 '!4

Soba noodles with eggplant and mango

Bruce made us the most wonderful vegetarian dinner last night ... Soba noodles with eggplant and mango.  He followed the recipe in Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbook "Plenty exactly, except for the amount of salt. (Bruce used less than the amount called for in the recipe).   It  not only looked prettier  than the photo in the book, but was very tasty, and filling.  I could eat that meal  for dinner every night.