I got out of the funk via Charleston

Do you ever have bad days just 'cause? I guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed last Thursday and simply had a bad day for no reason. I know that blogs often convey the facade of "everything's beautiful and perfect at my house." Well I know I have countless blessings in my life, but I'm just being honest by saying that life is not always peach crisp recipes, lunch dates, and leisure, antique shopping. I woke up early last Friday morning, and I left for Charleston at 7 am...with a bit of a bad attitude.

During my drive, I listened to some of my favorite songs that mainly consisted of hymns, and as I got closer to approaching Charleston, Dave Matthews and Amos Lee music. I had a little chat with myself (and the Lord), and came to terms with snapping out of this funk, and enjoy life 'cause it's short. And right as I was approaching North Charleston, which is nothing to be excited about in and of itself, I was giddy.

I was in the Low Country! It had been too long! I parked downtown {in real Charleston}, and I just wanted to stroll around by myself. I surprise myself the older I get because this "stroll around by myself"thing isn't me. Or it wasn't before. See I am a true extrovert by the text book definition: I get my energy by being around other people, as opposed to getting recharged by being alone for a while. To my knowledge, I think a person is either one of the other and remains that way. I must be breaking the mold because I sure am flip-flopping on this issue.

Any ol ways, I so much enjoyed being by myself and walking around in the city that I love. And that funk I mentioned, it was long gone. I only took a few {low-quality} pictures because I was having such a lovely time.

The touristy open-air straw market.

My favorite cafe! Fast and French! I had lunch here with a friend, then I went back an hour later to have fresh, pressed coffee and a homemade dark chocolate croissant. 

I had the lunch special at Fast and French: white bean hummus served on soft bread, fresh tomatoes served on a toasted french bread, and morbier cheese served on soft bread, with a side of Gazpacho soup. And don't forget about the warm, fresh, chocolate croissant for dessert. 

The farmer's market: always a favorite.

I talked to the most wonderful people! And look who I ran into: a fellow Louisianan that serves beignets every Saturday. 

You know what I love about Charleston? There's always something new to discover. You can never know it all or see it all. 

{Enter my new friend, Charlton Singelton.}

I lived in Charleston for nearly 2 years, and my friend Katey has lived there for nearly 5. After all of those years, we had the pleasure of participating in something new (amidst enjoying our old favorites: Five Loaves, Taco Boy, the Farmer's Market, Roof Top bar...). 

On Saturday night, we not only got to hear Charlton play with his band at the Charleston Grill, we got to talk to him for about an hour. It was so much fun! It was perfect to share that experience with Katey! He is wonderful, and it was so neat to see my story come full circle. From hearing him tell his story on the radio one afternoon in Anderson to hearing him play and chatting with him in Charleston. We talked about all things Charleston and all things music. (I even learned about Ska music...)

And this little guy was so happy to be playing  music. It warmed my heart! 

Charlton and I are facebook friends too.

Here's his website where you can also find his blog and upcoming shows: http://charltonsingleton.com/

I love having new experiences, but my love of frequenting good ol top spots will not escape me either. My Charleston venture incorporated both of those loves, and I anxiously await what my next trip entails...