Only happens once every hundred years, so we'd like to wish you a blessed day. Though today is numerically special, so is every other day. Make the most of it.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Proposal Story 10-27-12
Once I had selected the ring, the actual planning for how I was going to pop the question began. I knew I wanted to involve our friends and family and also bring in some places that were significant to us. Therefore idea for a scavenger hunt proposal had always been in the back of my mind as an idea.
On Friday, Oct 26, the weather was perfect before Hurricane Sandy blew past the coast. There was a light breeze and the rain held off, so I took Johanna to eat at Burky's Burgers and to play putt-putt at Treasure Island Golf. This was one of our first dates together. Johanna kicked my butt with a strong back nine performance.
Typically on a Saturday morning, Dakota gets up like clock work at 7:30. Today was no exception. After I walked him, I tied a note around his neck that told Johanna to look what daddy left on the table for you. I went to Target leaving Johanna asleep. Nick and Nicole called her a short time later and told her to get up that she was to have breakfast with her mom. When she followed Dakota she found 11 roses and a card on the dinning room table. At each stop or phone call throughout the day, Johanna was asked a trivia question and got a letter for each right answer. This ultimately was a word scrabble that spelled Brookgreen. Wasn't very difficult, but again I wanted our families to have an excuse to call her throughout the day.
After breakfast with her mom, she was instructed to go to Market Common where she meet Brian and Nancy at Barnes & Nobles. They read the following three passages to her:
“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.”
On Friday, Oct 26, the weather was perfect before Hurricane Sandy blew past the coast. There was a light breeze and the rain held off, so I took Johanna to eat at Burky's Burgers and to play putt-putt at Treasure Island Golf. This was one of our first dates together. Johanna kicked my butt with a strong back nine performance.
Typically on a Saturday morning, Dakota gets up like clock work at 7:30. Today was no exception. After I walked him, I tied a note around his neck that told Johanna to look what daddy left on the table for you. I went to Target leaving Johanna asleep. Nick and Nicole called her a short time later and told her to get up that she was to have breakfast with her mom. When she followed Dakota she found 11 roses and a card on the dinning room table. At each stop or phone call throughout the day, Johanna was asked a trivia question and got a letter for each right answer. This ultimately was a word scrabble that spelled Brookgreen. Wasn't very difficult, but again I wanted our families to have an excuse to call her throughout the day.
After breakfast with her mom, she was instructed to go to Market Common where she meet Brian and Nancy at Barnes & Nobles. They read the following three passages to her:
“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.”
--- The History of Love
by Nicole Krauss
When he looked into her eyes, he learned the most important part of the
language that all the world spoke – the language that everyone on earth
was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something
older than humanity, more ancient than the desert. What the boy felt at
that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his
life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing.
Because when you know the language, it’s easy to understand that someone
in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in
some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, the past
and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the
incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by
one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul
for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would
have no meaning.
---Paulo Coehlo "The Alchemist"
“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side
near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean
having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”
“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.
“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”
“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”
“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
---“The Velveteen Rabbit”
by Margery Williams
Then she went to Pottery Barn to meet Kaci and she read the following passages to Johanna:
“Home. Few words in mankind’s existence hold such power. The word itself conjures memories of all the senses. The smell of Christmas morning, the feel of the each door knob, or the sound of each creaking floor board. The Greeks first born goddess was Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth and Home. Her name means “the essence”. As you and Ben form a life together remember the essential role home will always play. It is the place you two will always have together.
Johanna then went and had a drink with Tommy and Joan at Gordon Biersch which was the site of our first official date. After that she went to Tommy Bahama for lunch and was surprised by Elizabeth, Larkin, Sarah, and Nancy waiting for her.
After lunch the girls traveled south to Pawleys Island and drove by the new house. Then they went and had manicures or pedicures done. At this point Nancy had Johanna's dress and made her change into it for "dinner plans." By this time though Johanna had unscrambled Brookgreen and was suspicious something was up. I had arrived at Brookgreen an hour before they did. Fortunately the threat of Hurricane Sandy had postponed a planned event at Brookgreen and kept all of the visitors away. After a very nervous wait at the end of the Alley of Oaks, I saw the group of girls coming through the garden entrance. They stopped at the gate and sent Johanna down the oak path. It seemed like eternity for her to walk down the path and take my hand. I asked how she had enjoyed her day and that I wanted to bring her a place I thought had meaning and beauty. I had the 12th rose in my hand. After she said yes, we were joined by her friends and walked through the gardens, enjoying the peacefulness of having the place to ourselves. We then meet up with a large group of people at Salt Water Creek for a special dinner.
by Nicole KraussWhen he looked into her eyes, he learned the most important part of the
language that all the world spoke – the language that everyone on earth
was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something
older than humanity, more ancient than the desert. What the boy felt at
that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his
life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing.
Because when you know the language, it’s easy to understand that someone
in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in
some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, the past
and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the
incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by
one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul
for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would
have no meaning.
---Paulo Coehlo "The Alchemist"
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”
“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.
“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”
“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”
“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
---“The Velveteen Rabbit
”
by Margery WilliamsThen she went to Pottery Barn to meet Kaci and she read the following passages to Johanna:
“Home. Few words in mankind’s existence hold such power. The word itself conjures memories of all the senses. The smell of Christmas morning, the feel of the each door knob, or the sound of each creaking floor board. The Greeks first born goddess was Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth and Home. Her name means “the essence”. As you and Ben form a life together remember the essential role home will always play. It is the place you two will always have together.
Johanna then went and had a drink with Tommy and Joan at Gordon Biersch which was the site of our first official date. After that she went to Tommy Bahama for lunch and was surprised by Elizabeth, Larkin, Sarah, and Nancy waiting for her.
After lunch the girls traveled south to Pawleys Island and drove by the new house. Then they went and had manicures or pedicures done. At this point Nancy had Johanna's dress and made her change into it for "dinner plans." By this time though Johanna had unscrambled Brookgreen and was suspicious something was up. I had arrived at Brookgreen an hour before they did. Fortunately the threat of Hurricane Sandy had postponed a planned event at Brookgreen and kept all of the visitors away. After a very nervous wait at the end of the Alley of Oaks, I saw the group of girls coming through the garden entrance. They stopped at the gate and sent Johanna down the oak path. It seemed like eternity for her to walk down the path and take my hand. I asked how she had enjoyed her day and that I wanted to bring her a place I thought had meaning and beauty. I had the 12th rose in my hand. After she said yes, we were joined by her friends and walked through the gardens, enjoying the peacefulness of having the place to ourselves. We then meet up with a large group of people at Salt Water Creek for a special dinner.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Georgetown Music Festival
A couple weeks ago Georgetown held the first annual Georgetown Rocks the Equinox Music Festival to raise money for the Tara Hall Boys Home. If you've never been to downtown Georgetown, we'd highly recommend you take a day trip down there on your next vacation to the coast. There are plenty of quaint little shops and several fabulous restaurants. Not to mention the Harbourwalk and plethora of historic homes.
We walked around and enjoyed the beautiful weather before enjoying dinner at Krazy Fish cafe. Both of our meals were local cuisine and the cafe had a wonderful artist flair.
After our dinner we sat our chairs out and had a wonderful evening watching Sawgrass, Ten Toes Up, and The Blue Dogs. Definitely a great time and I'm sure we'll be going back next year.
Sawgrass
Ten Toes Up
The Blue Dogs
The Blue Dogs
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Hampton Plantation
This past week we took a quick journey to Charleston for the Hootie and the Blowfish Concert. A light mist gave way to a rare cool summer evening as Hootie took the stage and performed a fantastic set of classics, new music, and vintage covers. After lunch at one of our Charleston favorites, Five Loaves, with Brian, Katie, Sarah, and Laura, we headed back up to Myrtle along Hwy 17. Along the way we decided to stop and tour Hampton Plantation. The plantation was built starting in the 1740s and finished in 1791 for a visit from George Washington. The home remained in the Horry and Rutledge family until 1971 when Archibald Rutledge sold it to the State of South Carolina. Archibald was the Poet Laureate of South Carolina and an avid gardener, but was not noted for his maintaining of the plantation house. Once acquired by the State, many archaeological excavations and studies were conducted. The house as it stands today is best described as a deconstructive preservation. The plaster walls have been removed in most of the rooms leaving only the hand hewn cypress framing and detailed mouldings. A beautiful contrast of refined decor blended with the rugged structure make it a true delight the architect's eye. The only downside the tour was the mosquito invasion that attacked us until we were able to get some repellent from the Ranger Station.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The Heat and Southerns
I was probably 3 or 4 years old the first time I uttered, "Whew it's hot out," or it may have been the first words I ever said. Without modern technology back then to provide conclusive evidence, it's really hard to say. Nonetheless, we, as Southerners, have this long standing love/hate relationship with hot temperatures. Ask us what we think about moving up North, and I guarantee one of the big negatives would be "too cold." However, starting in June and stretching through the first of September, the most polite, civil conversation you can have with anyone is to discuss how hot it is outside.
Don't get me wrong, I think half of the year here is absolutely wonderful, and the few months (or weeks) of winter are chilly but still tolerable. It's just those three hot months we tend to focus on the most. I love counting the number of Facebook friends that post the temperature reading from their car. The goal must be to find the biggest patch of asphalt to drive the reading even higher.
It's not just the temperature either, it's the humidity. Ninety degrees is not that bad if you have been out west in an arid climate. I like to describe the difference as being heat is opening the oven, humid is throwing the oven in the hot tub. It was humidity control that lead Willis Carrier to invent the Building System for a print shop in Buffalo, NY. Though I'm confident enough to say once the workers felt that cool blast of air in mid July, society fundamentally shifted. While the long term environmental implications could fill volumes, the basic fact remains, we are now a society dependent upon the ability to occupy cool spaces year round. So after a long walk through the neighbor with Dakota, I can't help but mutter God Bless you Mr. Carrier as I feel that cool draft enveloping my body.
Don't get me wrong, I think half of the year here is absolutely wonderful, and the few months (or weeks) of winter are chilly but still tolerable. It's just those three hot months we tend to focus on the most. I love counting the number of Facebook friends that post the temperature reading from their car. The goal must be to find the biggest patch of asphalt to drive the reading even higher.
It's not just the temperature either, it's the humidity. Ninety degrees is not that bad if you have been out west in an arid climate. I like to describe the difference as being heat is opening the oven, humid is throwing the oven in the hot tub. It was humidity control that lead Willis Carrier to invent the Building System for a print shop in Buffalo, NY. Though I'm confident enough to say once the workers felt that cool blast of air in mid July, society fundamentally shifted. While the long term environmental implications could fill volumes, the basic fact remains, we are now a society dependent upon the ability to occupy cool spaces year round. So after a long walk through the neighbor with Dakota, I can't help but mutter God Bless you Mr. Carrier as I feel that cool draft enveloping my body.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Charleston II
This past weekend, we were back in Charleston for Colby & Jon's wedding (one of Johanna's college friends). Brian and Katie were gracious hosts, and we were able to stay at Brian's place on Daniel Island.
When we arrived Friday evening, Katie and Brian took us on a stroll along some of the trails on Daniel Island, and we had covered a lot of ground until we began to be attacked by no-see-ums (small, pesky mosquitoes to you Northerners). We had some delicious wood-fire grilled pizza at Vespa for dinner, and we capped off the night with the all-American movie, King of Kong. This documentary shows the struggle between two Donkey Kong arcade competitors to be the best of the best. I thought this was really going to be boring film, but it was actually quite comical. We spent the rest of the weekend cracking one-liners from some of the ridiculous comments that these arcade junkies were saying. The terms DDG and Kill Screen will be revealed if you watch this film.
Saturday morning, we got up and headed downtown to Tradd Street for an estate sale. This was an excuse for all of us to check out a Charleston home, while perusing over some books, furniture, and miscellaneous home items. We all left empty handed, but it was a beautiful home with detailed and intricate woodwork. It's also for sale at $2.9 million if you're in the market. The rest of the day was spent preparing for the wedding. Before the wedding, Ben was able to explore the Citadel grounds and take some photos. Having never been there myself, it was great to see another piece of Charleston that I had never explored before. We had a great time at the reception, and we enjoyed eating good food, dancing, and hanging out with some of my college friends. It was great being with all of them again.
Sunday morning, Ben and I rode with Katie and Brian into downtown. While they attended Catholic Mass at the Cathedral, we took to the streets to explore. Sunday mornings are a great time to go through downtown Charleston, especially if you are a photographer. With little car or pedestrian traffic, we were able to leisurely make our way through the streets and appreciate our surroundings. We met up with Katie and Brian, checked out the Saltworks exhibit, and had some lunch. After a failed attempt to go to the apartment complex pool, we played a quick game of Monopoly Deal (a faster, card-based version), and then it was time to head back home and retrieve Dakota from camp.
I always enjoy going down to Charleston, and now that we are working in Pawleys Island, I am hopeful that we can have more of these little get-aways. I have been down to Charleston so many times, and yet, each time I am there, I see something new I never saw before. The Holy City certainly has put a spell on me.
When we arrived Friday evening, Katie and Brian took us on a stroll along some of the trails on Daniel Island, and we had covered a lot of ground until we began to be attacked by no-see-ums (small, pesky mosquitoes to you Northerners). We had some delicious wood-fire grilled pizza at Vespa for dinner, and we capped off the night with the all-American movie, King of Kong. This documentary shows the struggle between two Donkey Kong arcade competitors to be the best of the best. I thought this was really going to be boring film, but it was actually quite comical. We spent the rest of the weekend cracking one-liners from some of the ridiculous comments that these arcade junkies were saying. The terms DDG and Kill Screen will be revealed if you watch this film.
Saturday morning, we got up and headed downtown to Tradd Street for an estate sale. This was an excuse for all of us to check out a Charleston home, while perusing over some books, furniture, and miscellaneous home items. We all left empty handed, but it was a beautiful home with detailed and intricate woodwork. It's also for sale at $2.9 million if you're in the market. The rest of the day was spent preparing for the wedding. Before the wedding, Ben was able to explore the Citadel grounds and take some photos. Having never been there myself, it was great to see another piece of Charleston that I had never explored before. We had a great time at the reception, and we enjoyed eating good food, dancing, and hanging out with some of my college friends. It was great being with all of them again.
Sunday morning, Ben and I rode with Katie and Brian into downtown. While they attended Catholic Mass at the Cathedral, we took to the streets to explore. Sunday mornings are a great time to go through downtown Charleston, especially if you are a photographer. With little car or pedestrian traffic, we were able to leisurely make our way through the streets and appreciate our surroundings. We met up with Katie and Brian, checked out the Saltworks exhibit, and had some lunch. After a failed attempt to go to the apartment complex pool, we played a quick game of Monopoly Deal (a faster, card-based version), and then it was time to head back home and retrieve Dakota from camp.
I always enjoy going down to Charleston, and now that we are working in Pawleys Island, I am hopeful that we can have more of these little get-aways. I have been down to Charleston so many times, and yet, each time I am there, I see something new I never saw before. The Holy City certainly has put a spell on me.
Daniel Island
Family Circle Cup
I-526 overpass
Tradd Street property ceiling medallion
Tradd Street property stair detail
The Citadel
Charleston Place motor court fountain
Does that count as being over the property line?
Saltworks exhibit
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Charleston
The past few weeks had become a crazy period for both of our jobs and personal lives, so a spontaneous weekend sojourn was much needed. We were fortunate enough to be able to call some friends at the last moment, who graciously offered to host us for the weekend. Friday night we attended a comedy skit as part of the Spoleto Festival.
Saturday we spent the day wandering the streets of Charleston, exploring its history filled streets. We went through the artist's tents set up in Marion Square and I'm sure we would have purchased serveral works of art if we were able. Lunch was at a local's favorite, Five Loaves. The huge sandwiches were all local and/or organic ingredients. Definitely a place we will recommend to friends. Saturday night we had dinner at the Queen Anne's Revenge. Tucked away in the professional park of Daniel Island, this restaurant was started by a pirate enthusiast who fill the place with authentic pirate artifacts. The food was delicious including my dish, which was based on a 1700s purloo recipe. After dinner we meet up with my old Sharon Luggage buddy Cheri and her fiance Lawrence at the Shark Fin Bar at Vickery's.
Sunday we took a long stroll around the Battery and then took a driving tour of the large homes of Daniel Island. We saw a really cool tree house built overlooking the marsh. This would have definitely been my favorite hang out as a kid.
This was a much needed retreat and gave us some time to enjoying a trip where we weren't book with tons of events to attend.
Saturday we spent the day wandering the streets of Charleston, exploring its history filled streets. We went through the artist's tents set up in Marion Square and I'm sure we would have purchased serveral works of art if we were able. Lunch was at a local's favorite, Five Loaves. The huge sandwiches were all local and/or organic ingredients. Definitely a place we will recommend to friends. Saturday night we had dinner at the Queen Anne's Revenge. Tucked away in the professional park of Daniel Island, this restaurant was started by a pirate enthusiast who fill the place with authentic pirate artifacts. The food was delicious including my dish, which was based on a 1700s purloo recipe. After dinner we meet up with my old Sharon Luggage buddy Cheri and her fiance Lawrence at the Shark Fin Bar at Vickery's.
Sunday we took a long stroll around the Battery and then took a driving tour of the large homes of Daniel Island. We saw a really cool tree house built overlooking the marsh. This would have definitely been my favorite hang out as a kid.
This was a much needed retreat and gave us some time to enjoying a trip where we weren't book with tons of events to attend.
New housing, following historical models
Chase store front
Kids creating art
Frank Harmon addition to a church
Tree House on Daniel Island
Plantation Tour - Mansfield
Mansfield Plantation was once a rice plantation on the Pee Dee River, but it has been converted into a Bed & Breakfast. There is a restored slave street as you enter the property. The house's outbuildings serve as the current guest cottages, and the ceramic roof tiles were imported from Cuba. The brick walkways also have some interesting designs, especially one of the large patios outside of a larger guest cottage. The same family has owned the property since 1754.
Guest Cottage outbuilding
Main House
cherub
Pee Dee River
Beautiful Live Oaks
Brick Patio
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Plantation Tour - Black River House
Many of you might recognize the next stop on our tour as the house in the movie The Notebook. This means nothing to me, but Johanna was rather excited. The house was built in 1919 and is thought to be a Sears Kit House. Exhaustive research has neither proven nor dis-proven this theory. The house has a very stately neoclassical facade and is a clear representation of early 20th century ideals of Classicism. Unlike many of the older 19th century plantation homes we visited, Black River displays a higher degree of ornamentation. Nonetheless the house is quite beautiful. While walking around the grounds, you can see in the photos the sky got rather dark and it began raining. We left quickly to try an see a couple more spots before the rain washed out the rest of the day.
Old man sitting in a rocker with the American Flag, classic.
Front of the house
Rear of the house was just as nice as the front.
Plantation Tour - Exchange
After Chicora Wood, we visited the Exchange Plantation, yet another property owned by the Allston family prior to the Civil War. The front portion of the house is the oldest home along the Pee Dee River dating from around 1750-1770. The two story rear addition was added by the current family in 1946. The house had a charming rustic, yet refined, feel to it. The formal front rooms were nicely decorated while the rear rooms were pine board paneling. The two outbuildings adjacent the main house were quite nice and had their own unique character.
1946 Addition
Original House
Outbuilding
Plantation Tour - Chicora Wood
Another stop on the Home and Plantation Tour was the lovely property of Chicora Wood. Chicora Wood is a very large estate backing up to the Pee Dee River, which was another rice-producing plantation. The current owners have restored the entire estate, including the gardens, the main house, the original house (back wing), and numerous outbuildings. The house is also notable for being the home of Mrs. John Julius Pringle (Elizabeth), who is the author of A Woman Rice Planter, and she lived, planted rice, and wrote at the home until her death in 1921. The grounds were stunning, and it was evident that the owners have spent a lot of time and effort to restore this property to its current state.
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