Tomorrow we leave for Charleston, SC for a mini-vacay… I simply cannot wait.  My best guy friend is getting married on Saturday and there will be all sorts of festivities.

Speaking of Charleston, I've mentioned before that I thoroughly enjoy the new publication Garden & Gun… well Haskell Harris who used to be at Cottage Living is now at Garden & Gun and is blogging… which I discovered via Style Court. 

How cute is the house she left behind in Birmingham, Alabama?  I am getting antsy for spring… I stood in my backyard this morning, cup of coffee in hand, when my mind started racing of all that I wanted to do in my garden this year that I never go around to… 2009 is the year to finish up the yard.

So, if you missed the memo over at Desire to Inspire, Studio B right here in my little town is hosting a camera phone contest!!!  Colleen Duffley who is a new friend and fabulous photographer has started a  studio/biz for lovers of all things creative… "Colleen is actually starting a new studio (Studio b!) in early 2009 that will be more of a cultural/ lifestyle venue; bringing in top photographers, designers, chefs, authors, musicians, and artists for classes and seminars, events, as well as gallery exhibitions. Studio b will be doing cooking classes, photography classes, for adults and kids… and really establish a venue for creativity. The first event that Studio b. is hosting is an online photo exhibiton of people's first shot of the new year, which must be taken from a cell phone camera! We have been working hard to get the word out, so it will be fun to see how many we get and from what corner of the world!! The website is new, so we will be updating constantly."

So email your camera phone pictures by January 2nd to: scoop[at]studiobthebeach[dot]com

Here are the rules and details.

More Colleen here.  And her side-kick Molly (who is also super fun and very talented) here.

Happy New Year friends!  See you in '09!  (With lots of photos from my Christmas adventures and Charleston travels!)