The rest of the story...

Oh my goodness, I have people looking for an August blog post, but I'm not finished talking about July yet!  What to do?  Get to finishing one story so I can tell some new ones!  This post I'm just going to show you really how we finished our longer beach trip with my Mom.

On Thursday, our 10th anniversary, we had a great time on the beach until a quick rain storm came and we ran back to the beach spot for some crafty time, a movie, and lunch.  Then we had some downtime.

Later, we headed to the pool, then grilled out before roasting marshmellows.

The next morning the kids went to Kamp Starfish for the morning while we packed up.  Then we picked them up, took Little Man's picture at this character cut-out, and then both families drove to Ripley's Aquarium.

The kids loved the sharks and interactive exhibits. 

After the aquarium we all had lunch together at Johny Rockets at Broadway at the Beach before hitting the road for home.

The next day we enjoyed pool time, hibachi, and a movie with yummy Southern Belles to drink.

And the next day, with Little Man sad and crying in the backseat, we dropped my Mom off at the airport.  But it would only be 2 weeks until we would see her again!  The next post will be up in a day or so, so be sure to check back to see all about when we met my new nephew!!

Extreme Vacation: Charleston Edition

On Wednesday we donned some actual clothes, as opposed to bathing suits, and headed out for breakfast before the 90 mile trip to Charleston, South Carolina.

Along the way my Mother looked at some books about Charleston and I told her about the beautiful sweetgrass baskets that are sold in Charleston, especially at the Market.  I had been to Charleston twice before and gazed longingly at the baskets, but even a small candy-dish size is over $100 in Charleston.  Along Rt. 17, as we were driving along we saw little huts set up alongside the road and my Mother, as an anniversary present, got the basket and hot pad below for James and I (for a lot less than Charleston prices).  Charleston is known for these baskets, and now we have a little bit of the culture of Charleston sitting in our home, and I couldn't be happier.  If you would like to read more about the origins of sweetgrass baskets you can go here.   I will tell you quickly that the art was brought over by West Africans into the port of Charleston where there was a slave mart (which you can visit as a museum).

 

Our first stop heading into Charleston was the Sullivan's Island lighthouse.  The lighthouse was easy to get to, and we took some photos before moving on. 

And here is where the extreme vacation began people...I should have known better..but NOOOOOO....I was so wanting to impress my Mother with some new lighthouse experiences that I had us heading to Folly Beach to the Morris Island Lighthouse.  What a folly on my part!  By this time it was hot as Hades out.  But we just didn't know what was waiting for us.  The Lighthouse Friends website said that we had to drive as far as we could til we reached a barricade.  There, we were to park and walk a half mile to see the lighthouse.  It was more like a couple of miles.  And my Mom and I in cute sandals for the nice restaurant we were planning to go to later.  But still, when we reached the barricade we stopped to photograph this beautiful trellis.  Then we trudged onward.  There were creepy noises coming from the woods, and I made a comment about alligators which then resulted in me scaring myself...especially when I saw a sign from a distance that I thought said Caution: crocodiles...(it said, Caution: Currents!)...

Now seriously, we all griped (to use a more polite word) about the heat.  We were sweating, we were red...and just when I didn't think I could take anymore, we came to a LOOOONNNGG stretch of hot sand, up a hill that we had to cross to be able to even view the lighthouse.  It was like we were being punished for complaining about the long walk on the asphalt.  And remember I mentioned the cute sandals my Mom and I were wearing?  The hot sand surrounded our feet and burned us til we were crying from the pain.  I could have vomited at that point, I really could have...and then my nervous laugh kicked in, because I realized we would still need to get back, and what if one of us fainted?  I still can't even believe we pushed on and finally made it.  I myself wound up running (while crying) to a piece of driftwood that gave me a much needed refuge from the hot as the sun sand.  My husband asked if I was going to come over to the water and at first, I didn't think I would ever make it off that wood.  But I forced myself to touch the sand again, and I tell you, I think I saw steam come off my feet when they finally touched that water.  And then my feet were a wet, sandy mess.  And we took in the lighthouse.  And dreaded the return trip to the car.

 

And I'm a bit ashamed to admit it, but damn it, I was aggravated that there was a crane distracting from the view when we got there!  The websites said nothing about that!!!  Because, isn't it gorgeous!?!

Here are Hubby and Mom, way past the sand-trap of hell, but...

...look, you can't even see the end of the trail that we still had to walk back!  Half mile my butt!  And again, I heard the creepy animal noises, and in my delirium, I feared what I would do if an alligator/crocodile came out after Little Man and I who were walking ahead...I decided I didn't have enough oomph left to pick him up and run back and forth (never run straight from an alligator/crocodile...they can beat you running straight), so I figured I would have to throw myself in front of it and tell Little Man to run like hell...yes, that's what went through my mind as I suffered from heat exhaustion and dehydration.

And then, I kid you not, we get back to the car, looking half-melted, and we had gotten a parking ticket because Hubby hadn't parked perfectly straight in front of a number in the otherwise empty lot.  Pfft!  We were ready for some civilized sight-seeing after that.  Although the heat and friction left my Mother greatly disabled for the rest of the trip...she had enormous blisters that made her limp around like she hadn't had her hip replaced.  And later we realized Little Man too had blisters from friction.  We had to laugh, otherwise we would have cried.  On to The Battery!

10 years ago, Hubby and I had our photograph taken in this exact spot while on our honeymoon...we returned for our anniversary!!!

And we were happy to share some of the beauty of Charleston with my Mom and Little Man.

One of the most beautiful areas of Charleston...the waterfront with the antebellum mansions.

After a quick stop at the Battery (where we watched sailboats, and saw dolphins and horse-drawn carriages), we made our way to Poogan's Porch.  The restaurant, named after a neighborhood dog, is well-known for lowcountry cuisine.  Hubby and I ate here during our honeymoon as it was highly recommended by Frommer's (lots of celebs have eaten here too, think Paul Newman, Jodie Foster, and lots more).  There are loads of amazing restaurants in Charleston since it is considered a culinary capital.  We chose Poogan's Porch because of the romantic significance and Mom treated as an anniversary event!  The food was totally yummy! 

We started with Fried Alligator with honey-jalapeno dressing (gator tastes like chicken y'all), and Fried Green Tomatoes with pecan-encrusted goat cheese and peach chutney on the side.  (I had my first taste of fried green tomatoes in Charleston, and have been a fan ever since).  Then, we all (including Little Man) enjoyed She-Crab Soup, which is similar to a bisque and is a regional specialty, and wonderfully prepared at Poogan's Porch.

Luckily, we had eaten breakfast late and skipped lunch, because after our yummy starters, we still had room for our entrees...

For Me:

Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops with apple-wood smoked bacon grits, wilted spinach, and crawfish buerre blanc

Hubby:

Filet Mignon with glazed carrots and potato croquettes

Mom:

Sweet Tea Glazed Salmon with candied lemon and mint risotto with sauteed asparagus

We left Poogan's Porch (above) fully satisfied, with Little Man carrying a Baby Poogan to remember the trip. (And he hasn't stopped talking about wanting to go back to Charleston).

Next, we drove to Waterfront Park which has two OUTSTANDING water features...and you know I love a water feature!!!

There's the pineapple fountain.  Pineapples are the Charlestonian symbol of welcome...

...and the great big, fountain of fun at the park entrance nearest the pier.

Children are allowed to play in both fountains and the bigger one, where Little Man is playing in the photo, is a favorite.  There's also a remarkably clean public bathroom 1 minute's walk away where we were able to dry Little Man up and change him into dry clothes.  His fountain playtime was completely unplanned, but with a change of clothes in the car, and a blanket to stand in as a towel, it was some much needed unwinding time for Little Man.  After that we headed back to the beach spot, all of us talking about a return trip to Charleston.

Wednesday, Our 9th Anniversary

Wednesday, of our trip was our 9th wedding anniversary. It doesn't feel like it was that long ago that I was tying bows for the pews, making centerpieces. etc. Here are some photos from our big day...

With our folks after the ceremony at the church

The prayer before the meal

My brother's Best Man toast

The cake...yes, I've always loved a water feature ;)

And, last, but certainly not least, the throwing of the bouquet.

Funny story...see the lovely ladies in the wisteria shimmering bridesmaid dresses?

The one in the middle is my sister...is it just me or is the bouquet NOT headed towards her?

She seems to remember that she was attacked and dragged under a table by the bridesmaid

on the right...my VERY detailed notes Little Sister reminded me that YOU dragged bridesmaid #3 under the table, where she then scratched your neck...hilarious no matter what, since, well, people wound up under a table!

Anyway, on to THIS year's festivities...

We woke up, had breakfast, and then we drove the golf cart over to the Rec. Center where Little Man went to Kamp Starfish from 9-12. He colored a t-shirt, played games, met some friends, and had his face painted like a puppy!

While he was at Kamp Starfish Hubby, Doozer and I ran some errands. Then we scooped him up and he treated us to his best doggie bark!

After lunch, Little Man went down for a nap, Doozer settled in for some down time, and Hubby and I headed for the first of our anniversary treats...Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (minus the vomit flavored jelly beans).

On our way into the theater we passed Coldstone Creamery, which I've never been to, and the smell emanating from there was mouthwatering. After enjoying the movie (#6 of 8), we stopped at Coldstone and grabbed some ice cream cupcake treats for later. Then we went back, picked up Little Man and Doozer, and headed to Hubby's anniversary surprise. He had already gifted me a new Nine West wallet (leather for 9th anniversary) with two gift cards earlier in the day, and now it was time to treat him...

TO A HELICOPTER RIDE!

We decided to take Little Man with us, and were glad we did, listening to him talk and ask questions the ENTIRE trip was amazing to watch and hear. He loved it when the pilot pointed out a school of fish and a baseball stadium...and although he held my hand the entire time, I know he enjoyed it, as did Hubby and I. Want to see what it looked like?

After our phenomenal ride down the shoreline and over all the sights...we landed, and headed to dinner at Outback Restaurant ( I love their tilapia with lump crabmeat, fresh mushrooms and lemon butter chablis sauce). Then we went back to the beach spot and enjoyed our ice cream cupcake treats, watched the rest of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and turned in, ready to have some more fun the next day.

Wow...

Today is the third anniversary of me picking up the needles! I think of all I've learned, and all the projects I've made, and I think back to that first navy blue garter stitch scarf and it amazes me. Now I'm at the point where I can make simple alterations to patterns to make them what I want, or come up with simple ideas of my own. On the way to Atlanta to visit our friends R & B and their children, I cast on for some mittens that stylistically were interesting, but realistically weren't for me, so I altered the pattern to make them work for me. More on them next post!



We left on a Saturday after Little Man's swim class for Atlanta and got there around 3:30 in the afternoon. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you remember R & B. I went to law school with R, and B and I had our first children within 6 months of each other. She however has gone on to have 2 more. Her son Max was born in December so we went down to meet the newest member of their family and to exchange Christmas presents.



B, her older son RAM who will be three in April, and Max.

Their daughter Kitty who will be 4 in April, and Little Man. They spent a lot of time sitting together.

On Saturday, we hung around the house, the men played Rock Band (I sang one song, it was fun), the kids played like they were going crazy, Becky and I talked and caught up, and we ate lasagna. We also had margaritas. Then we opened presents. B is an expert shopper, and she had gotten us a wafflemaker, and for me a water bottle that you decorate yourself that has a pink holster of sorts to loop through your pants or carry. Little Man got a video camera that hooks up to the television, he had a lot of fun playing with that right away. The rest of the night between getting the kids to bed and cleaning up, we just hung-out.

On Sunday, we had breakfast and played around the house with the kids. Highlights of the day were: taking the kids to the playground, massages for B and I (her treat, I think she wanted someone to go with), a trip to Barnes and Noble, Chinese for dinner, and girl-time after the kids went to bed while watching I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry while drinking some great Riesling wine.

On Monday R had to work, but we stayed until 2 PM so that we could go with B to DAC Kids Pirate Cove since her kids were out of school. With a wooden fort, tons of things to climb on, a sandpit, foam ball cannons, and inflatables, the kids went crazy. We met up with her mother, her sister and her two nephews, so there were a lot of kids to keep an eye on. They had a great time. Little Man even found some treasure while digging (a quarter) so he was REALLY sad to go. After lunch with everyone at Chick-Fil-A and a stop by the house to pick up our things we got on the road.

Next post: A Snow Day and Mittens