Two Doors Down

welcome spoleto 2013!

twodoorsdown — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:49:06 +0000

Every May, Charleston buzzes with a certain creative energy. The kick-off of Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto brings artists and musicans from all over to the Holy City to celebrate art and culture. The line up this year includes everything from tap phenom, Jared Grimes, to Le Grand C, a french circus spectacle. If arts and crafts are more your thing, make sure to stop by Wragg Square for the Outdoor Crafts Fair, this is one of our favorite events each year. There are events for all ages so make sure to visit the website to find what interests you. Get your infusion of culture at Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto!

wragg square craft fair

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

Liz & Kari

eco-friendly wool dryer balls

twodoorsdown — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:06:18 +0000

Love this new discovery! Eco-Friendly and financially friendly, these 100% wool dryer balls will reduce drying time, reduce static and will soften clothes naturally. Reasons why these dryer balls are safer than dryer sheets and fabric softeners:

- Dryer sheets & fabric softeners coat the fibers of your clothing.
- They contain chemicals (too many to list!).
- Dryer sheets take YEARS to break down in the landfill.

These dryer balls were purchased at our local health food store and are made by The Stoney Mountain Farm located in Burlington, NC. So, in addition, you are supporting a local farmer when you purchase! Help your clothes last longer, help your economy and help your environment. Hmmm, is this a no brainer or what?

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

Liz & Kari

curiosity on queen

twodoorsdown — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:30:34 +0000

A few weeks ago while shopping at Lime Blue Gallery on Queen Street, Jeff Kopish (artist & owner of Lime Blue) introduced me to Curiosity. Tucked away amongst the jasmine and cobblestones is a sweet antique shop with trendy yet vintage finds. Shop owner, Courtney, was kind to let me snap a few photos while Jeff, my Mom and I drooled over the collection of antique Blue Mason Jars, bins of vintage silver flatware, old trophies, paintings and more. As a lover of all things vintage, I was in awe of Courtney’s ability to display her treasures in a modern, clever way. Curious? Make sure to stop by to see Courtney and all her vintage finds…

a crafty reminder to stay curious…

Liz and I love mixing flatware

hard to find Antique Mason jars

the perfect candelabra for a outdoor dinner party

leave your email address on the typewriter to stay in the know

Find curiosity here in the two doors down directory!

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

Kari

rethink the shoe organizer

twodoorsdown — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:52 +0000

The backs of doors are a great spot for additional storage. Whether you install multiple hooks or place a shoe organizer on the door, it is a great way to organize. With summer around the corner, a whole new set of tools will come out. Sunglasses, sunscreen, goggles, hats and more all need to be easily accessible. Using a canvas shoe organizer is a great way to keep it neat and give the kids easy access to their summer supplies. Now when you are on your way out the door you can quickly grab what you need to make summer fun, comfortable and safe.

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

LIz & Kari

your nest ~ harvesting brussel sprouts

twodoorsdown — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:36:33 +0000

One of the most interesting things I have planted in the garden are brussel sprouts. I put the starter plants in the soil in the fall and almost gave up on them early spring. To me they just looked like an oddly shaped cabbage plant. When I got up close I realized that the spouts were tightly nestled between the leaves like this…
After cutting the stalk of spouts, I trimmed off the leaves so I could easily access the brussel sprouts…

An easy twist and they come right off the stalk…
For such an odd growing and looking vegetable they sure taste good!

Brussel sprouts are easy to grow but require patience. Put them in the soil in the fall and by spring they are ready to harvest!

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

Kari

your nest ~ chicks in the suburbs get a coop

twodoorsdown — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:42:56 +0000

As promised we are keeping you up-to-date on the chicks in the suburbs. The girls have outgrown their mini coop and have since upgraded to a fancy coop made by Kendall’s husband Doug. This mobile coop can move around the yard and has all the bells and whistles; a window to let the sun in, easy to access nesting boxes, roosting poles and a safe fenced in area to run around in. The girls are also fortunate to have a big yard to run around in when the family is outside to keep watch. They all seem to be adapting and thriving in their new abode. Stay tuned for more as we continue to watch them grow and mature into hens.

nesting boxes for the hens to lay their eggs in

an easy to remove dropping tray that can easily be dumped into the composter

a window to let in the light in, light triggers a hen’s laying instinct

heading in for an afternoon siesta

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

Liz & Kari

living local ~ greek festival this weekend!

twodoorsdown — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:02:04 +0000

From the posts this week, I am sure you can tell that we are super excited about the upcoming Greek Festival here in Charleston. The men and women of the Greek Orthodox Church have been planning and preparing delcious food for months. First hand, we have seen the work and careful planning that goes into the preparation for this festival and can’t wait to sample more tradional Greek recipes. We are honored to feature Nick Latto’s photography of last year’s festival in today’s post. If we haven’t intrigued you yet this week, his “full of life” photos will surely do the trick. Come out this weekend and enjoy spring in Charleston, delicious food and Greek hospitality. Don’t live in Charleston? Check the dates for a Greek Festival near you and discover Greek Tradition and flavor in your city!

traditional Greek dancing

baklava sundaes

souvlaki sizzling on the grill…mmmmmmm

traditional Greek music

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

Liz & Kari

living local ~ greek traditions

twodoorsdown — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:42:01 +0000

While we were at the Greek church learning about the art of making Kourabiedes, we had the opportunity to interview some of the members. They shared their favorite memories of growing up in a Greek family. One of the common threads was how the church was the center for religious life as well as all community functions. When asked what their favorite memory or tradition was, we were intrigued and inspired by their answers….

John shared that every Saturday morning his mother would walk around blessing the home with incense. He always knew it was the weekend when he would smell the earthy incense in the air.

Harry remembered his trip to Greece as a child. His mother took him and his brother on a visit for 9 months one year. Harry also recalls the colorful festivals, hand-dipped chocolates and homemade candies of his youth.

Ted, from Boston, loved Thanksgiving. With nine children in the family, the table was ever expanding with grandchildren, wives and husbands. This was a festive time celebrating food, family and gratitude.

Another gentleman, John, married into a Greek family. He shared that he did not know how to eat until he married a Greek!

A favorite memory for Deborah was making koulourakia, a Greek twisted butter cookie, with her Yiayia (Grandmother).

Diane remembers singing in front of 300+ people at a Greek convention, at age 15, with her friend Deno who played the guitar, and receiving a standing ovation.

Rosie grew up here, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and has always loved Easter and the services during Holy Week.

And our dear friend Andrea says that one of her favorite memories is when the late Father Nick held outdoor liturgy at Butterfly Lakes, at Middleton Plantation in Charleston. This was a big family church tradition for her family and many others.

Thank you for sharing your memories and traditions. We had such fun meeting everyone!

We look forward to the Greek Festival this weekend! (Make sure and check for your local Greek Festival dates if you are not in the Charleston area.)

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Opa!

Liz & Kari

taste this! kourabiedes

twodoorsdown — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:06:58 +0000

A few weeks back, our dear friend Andrea Turner invited us to visit the Greek Orthodox Church to experience the baking of the Kourabiedes or Kourabiethes. In preparation for Greek Week, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Charleston, the church members gathered together in assembly line fashion to roll, bake, sugar and pack up the cookies for the festival. These beautiful cookies are known as the “Greek Celebration Cookie” and are almost always served with a cap of powdered sugar. At Christmas time, it’s traditional to put a whole clove in the top of the cookie to represent the gift of spices the Wise Men brought to Bethlehem. We, of course, stayed long enough to sample some of these delicious cookies and found that they are the perfect shortbread – not too sweet or buttery, just right! The recipe for Kourabiedes can be found in the Popular Greek Recipes cookbook, complied and published by Ladies Philoptochos Society. To find out more about this cookbook, packed with delicious traditional Greek recipes, or to add one to your collection click here. If you can’t wait to make your own, make sure to hit the festival this weekend for some cookies and much more!

adding a nice dusting of powdered sugar

the dusting and packing assembly line

boxing them up for the festival

making it fun

We love our friend Andrea!

delish!

Stay tuned for more on the upcoming Greek Festival!

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

Kari & Liz

your nest ~ greek key design

twodoorsdown — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:06:52 +0000

Over the past few years we have seen the Greek Key design make a come back on jewelry, fabrics, furniture and more. Today we are kicking off our count down to the Charleston Greek Festival, and thought we would start by celebrating this beautiful, modern, yet timeless design. The Greek Key design is symbolic of infinity and unity. This repeating pattern was used throughout ancient Greece for decorating art and architectural design. The pattern is intended to replicate the movement of an ocean wave, continuously flowing. Other meanings include friendship, devotion, eternal life, the bonds of love, the four cardinal points of direction, the four seasons, and more! Here are some of our favorite uses of Greek Key Design.

Greek Key iPhone case by local favorite, Dani Notes Stationary

Vintage Greek Key Barware from Mod Rendition

Poof ottoman by Anitiascasa

Handmade jewelry by Rough Magic Creations

Chairs from one of our favorite local shops, Charleston Revisions

Stay tuned for details on the upcoming Greek Festival!

Visit the two doors down directory to find your favorite local eats, shops and places to see!

Simply,

Kari & Liz

(Top photo source, Albright-Knox art gallery – Buffalo, NY)