Monday, October 6, 2008

~ I'm Back....

...and I have new stuff to post and share!

Saturday morning, the temperature was 75 degrees and not a cloud to be seen in the sky! ...Beautiful day!!! Not a day to stay home and look at this....


I bet some of you thought I was kidding when I said I had a toilet on the front porch! Unfortunately I was not, but am SO HAPPY to report, it is now back in it's appropriate place! Someone, (noone is owning up to it), decided that it would be real funny to put the pumpkin on top and make it a part of my fall vignette! I didn't find it that amusing! ...well, maybe just a little, but they will never know! :)

Anyhow, Ashley and I decided to go into Wilmington to the annual Riverfest! My mom lives half way between my home and Wilmington, so we stopped by to see if she wanted to go with us. She protested, stating all the things she needed to stay and do! But it was a "no excuse, we are playing hooky, kind of day," so off we went, with Nana in tow!

As you can see in the picture below, the turnout this year was incredible! I didn't get any pictures of the crafts or food vendors. It was just too crowded! But it was nice just to be in the midst of the festivities and hear the live music, and feel the glorious sunshine! :)


If you watched the TV series, Matlock, on air from 1986-1995, you will recognize the Federal Courthouse, Downtown. If you look in the center of the picture, there is a large beautiful fountain at the top of the stairs.

Segments of ONE TREE HILL, were filmed around the buildings and river boardwalk in the next few pictures.

Cape Fear River Bridge, the "Entrance to the City," in the background...

And what is a port city without a few PIRATES...


This was a pleasant sight to behold, a beautiful "garden" on the balcony outside the top story of an old renovated brick building...



Thalian Hall, which houses City Hall and a beautiful theater that still operates, "Opera House" Live Productions. ....celebrating 150 years!

The Old Courthouse Downtown...


Coast Guard Ship in Port...

The USS North Carolina Batteship Memorial, across the Cape Fear River. A Car Show was being held on the grounds in conjunction with RiverFest.

...off on a small tangent... For those of you that live in NC and get OUR STATE Magazine, the Battleship and it's "shadowy~guests" are featured this month.

Navy Ship in town, just for the weekend...



Ashley wanted to hit Plato's Closet, while we were in town. It is a resale shop for Teens, and I believe it is a chain like Once Upon a Child, just for older kids.

I liked to have fainted and fell out...really I did! ...when I spotted these Donald Pliner heels! Oh, be still my heart!

...For only EIGHT BUCKS!!! And they are like Brand New! I wore them to church Sunday morning, and about half way through Sunday School, I remembered I had forgotten to remove the price sticker on the bottom of the shoe. Then I couldn't recall which shoe the sticker was on, so I couldn't cross my legs, for fear that the $8 sticker would show! LOLOL! Now don't judge me....I know that shouldn't matter, but y'all know there are "times" when it does! LOL!

The Goodwill just happened to be on the same side of town as Plato's Closet. :) I was tickled to find the rabbit, which I am using as a pencil holder on the built-in desk in the kitchen. He is 16" tall, made of resin, and so heavy! He is one cute chef!

Hope you enjoyed the tour, and more importantly, I hope you were able to enjoy the weekend in your town as well! It was certainly just what I needed! :) ~Rhonda

25 comments:

Lisa (aka) French said...

What a steal on those shoes;) Loved the pics of the city looks awesome! May have to visit there one day;) French

The Berry's Patch said...

I thought you would like the toilet. Darn! Just kidding. I promise it wasn't me. I had to laugh about the sticker on your shoes at church. I'm sure that happens more then you think. Oh and love that bunny. :-)

Unknown said...

Hi Rhonda,
Your pictures were great!

Love the story about the shoes. I had it happen to me one time..with the price on the bottom.

It is always fun to fit in a trip to the thrift shop isn't it?
diane

onlymehere said...

I appreciate this tour more than you'll ever know! My friend Kindra lived there for several years. She kept inviting us to come down to Wilmington but we never made it. Now she's in Illinois not far from Nauvoo and I better make it there before they move!! It was fun to see the town she called home for a few years. Her 15-year-old daughter sure misses the ocean. I'm going to have to tell her to come on over and visit your tour!! Also, I love the saying behind your adorable rabbit....organized people are just too lazy to get up and look for it! I have the saying on plaque and I love it! Your's is a lot cuter than mine though! Love the new background on the blog too! You're just full of surprises today!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Rhonda!
Looks like you had a wonderful time!
Love love love the darling rabbit!! Just too cute! And the shoes!!! The price sticker is so something I would do, a Minnie Pearl moment!
Hugs, Sherry

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Oh that looks like ya'll had a grand day ! I love to go to festivals.

Unknown said...

That was so much fun! Thanks for showing us everything! Looks like you had a good time!

Love your Fall blog design, by the way.

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

oh shoot ! I forgot to tell you something.
You might start seeing toilets popping up on all the porches in your neighborhood decorated with pumpkins. You might have started a new trend girl !

Amelia said...

Thanks for taking us along on the tour with the pictures...I bet you three girls had a blast.

Quite a bargain on the shoes..

The rabbit is a cutie!

Enjoyed your music tonight.

amelia

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Just adore that little bunny chef. I only have piggy chefs, but would love to find a bunny one too!

Blessings,

Sher

Donna Lynn said...

Your Florida post was hilarious!!! You are such a fabulous girl, I love your blog so much Rhonda!!!!

The shoes with the tag on still are wonderful, I walked around all day yesterday with a bright red TJ Maxx mark down sticker hanging off the back of my darling kitten heels!!! Your bunny is darling too, I have one in my kitchen for my utensils.

Take care and have a great week!
XO,
Donna Lynn

SmilingSally said...

What a great time you had, and your mom is so lucky to be able to spend that time with you.

Robin Beck said...

Hi Rhonda,
First off great music-It's very rare for me to come onto a blog and actually turn the music up like I do on yours-Usually I turn it off ~Love your taste in music.
Next, beautiful photos and I just cracked up about the sticker on the bottom of your shoes! That sounds like something I would do!
Take Care~♥

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Boy that was fun going on the tour with you...thanks so much. Also loved the bargains you found and great Sunday story. Hee-hee!
M.L.

Suzann said...

It definitely looks like you had an awesome time! So much history and lots to look at and enjoy for sure!

Love the pumpkin on a toilet too - definitely puts a new spin on fall decor.

Dontcha love a bargain? We have a Plato's Closet here too - perhaps I need to check it out.

Michele said...

Hi Rhonda ~ thank you for the wonderful tour of your town. It's just beautiful!

What a steal those shoes were..too cute!

Hugz,
Michele

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Rhonda, you sure live in a beautiful state...I just love NC. That festival looked like a lot of fun. I sure am enjoying our weather lately too...gorgeous fall. Oh, I'm so glad you told me about your bunny too! He's precious & yes, they could be cousins. I love yours too.

duchess said...

Glad you had a good time. Wilmington is one of my favorite towns and my boys (the husband & son) love to go see the Battleship.

Beautiful pictures & great bargains.

Anonymous said...

Morning Rhonda! I'll say you're back - Love your fall blog look! NOW I WANT THAT BUNNY! Too funny about that sticker on the shoes; I wouldn't have that fear cuz I can cross my legs anymore anyway!lol I never noticed the toilet either but agree the pumpkin was a cute touch! Glad you girls had a great day; the weather is getting perfect to me! Have a great day - Sincerely, Jeannette

Monogram Queen said...

I love all of your stuff and I totally get the awesome find, i've got a pair of Tod's coming from eBay that were a STEAL also!

We are going to my sister's who lives in Rocky Mount next month. I hope she has some interesting places to take me! I would LOVE to go to Wilmington!

Anonymous said...

I know you had the perfect day for a fun outing. We had a great weekend here, too.

I laughed about removing the price sticker. I'm so bad about that, too.

Bella Della said...

Great post! I love all the pictures and wow on those shoes! Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Love those shoes and what a deal. I have a pair of Donald Pliner shoes, I wore for our daughter's wedding last November. Wish they had cost $8!!

Looks like you had a wonderful time. I thoroughly enjoyed all the photos.

Justabeachkat said...

Hi Rhonda

Remember me? Life has been sooooo C-R-A-Z-Y lately...but a good kind of crazy, so I can't complain even though it has kept me from visiting. But...I'm home now...for a week or so anyway. But...I'm sick with a cold AND s stomach virus.

I've had fun reading all your posts I've missed. Gosh you've been a busy bee! I've enjoyed seeing it all. Oh girl...I'm so jealous over your shoes! Wish they were my size.

Hugs!
Kat

Michelle said...

well first...I'm glad you are off the "Jet Plane":)

Looks like a lot of fun...I love places like this..I have to admit that I have never been to Wilmington...my husband and I talk about going all the time and never do...after those pics...we just might have to plan a trip...Thanks