Sweet Carolina (Added text since last night I could hardly keep my eyes open.)


Wooden docks

There are days that come into our lives so rich, so very full that they pour out of us filling the days ahead with generous memories soft, sweet and more than anything lead us gently into the tomorrows.

Today was one of those days.

Red deck house on the may river

Yesterday we ventured out on May River with Lynn's good friend Julia. Julia has been going out on the river crabbing ever since she was a kid.

While riding along the river Julia shared stories of the islands we passed by, how the sand bar comes and goes with high and low tides, and all about crabbing.

How to catch crabs, clean crabs, prepare crabs and eat crabs. I only knew the eatin' part.

Julia

Julia on her boat which is called: Da Crabby Lady.

Gas Lamps

We stopped for lunch on one of the islands. Houses dotted the river banks: tin roofs, long porches with rocking chairs and streets lined with gas lanterns…

We had Fried Green Tomatoes.

Boating on the May River

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I want to know how to pack an old oak tree with Spanish Moss into my suitcase.

Lynn has shared her secret on how to collect Spanish Moss. First you must pick it off the tree, and not off the ground because there are bugs galore in it. Even while picking it off the trees you might have a bug a boo bite or two. Next she puts it in the micro wave and zaps it, to kill the bugs.

Deck on the May River

Porch ceiling painted blue

South Carolina's homes DO have porches, with cozy meetin' spots! Julia asked me if I knew why they painted the porch ceilings blue… I thought it was to look like the morning sky. But I was wrong! The ceilings are painted blue to scare off the haints.

"Haints?" I quizzed… I only speak English sometimes, and then only a limited version.

Thin potato chips

The food. Can I possible go back to red wine, cheese and a baguette after fried shaved potato with creamy Parmesan sauce?

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Babbie's party

After river cruising, learning about crab catchin', packing up the store for tomorrow's grand adventure, gazing at the islands, having lunch on the porch, seeing dolphins dance along our boat, meeting Mr. Bill, we went to a party given in my honor (how generous is that!) at Babbie's. The party was as close as I am ever going to be to Scarlett in Gone with the Wind!

Thank you Babbie, Rita, Julia and Lynn.




Comments

36 responses to “Sweet Carolina (Added text since last night I could hardly keep my eyes open.)”

  1. Corey-Love tis I Amy-Doll here!!!So glad to see you are having a dreamy time on your stateside adventure.I am anxiously counting down the days until I am once again graced with your elegance and beauty.Things are well at the home front and Brad and Angelina send you there love.

  2. you certainly live the life Corey !!

  3. no need for words, the pictures say it all, wonderful
    Karon

  4. Julie Ann Evins

    This is new territory for me Corey, it looks so elegant. Very special and I love that ‘Spanish Moss”? Thats a new one for me – it looks very romantic & ethereal. All wonderful – I am so happy that you are enjoying yourself, Jx

  5. Yes, some days are a true gift, as well as true friendship.

  6. jend’isère

    Senses turn towards aromas of Southern cooking and brakish bays on the motorboat or porch rocker.

  7. Corey
    Your presence brings out the best in everyone and everything…..
    Joanny

  8. Corey looks like you had a wonderful time with the girls
    Alison

  9. You have a great life, my friend. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  10. You were in SC this weekend? Oh, I know you don’t know me but I read your blog and I live in Charleston. There was an amazing architectural remnants sale downtown this weekend. Well, maybe next time!

  11. Beautiful photos Corey, We were just over there in July. I love South Carolina. My Dad’s family is from there and my son is named after a city there (Seneca). I have posted info on my blog about a coffee stop for all of you traveling through Georgia to Texas. Would love to meet you sometime, Hugs and have a wonderful stay, Patricia

  12. That is the porch of my dreams!!!!

  13. thank you for the beautiful photos
    i love all things South Carolina
    i can hear Pat Conroy’s words when i see your pictures!

  14. I’m imagining, Cross Creek, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings !!
    Lovely.
    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

  15. the whole day sounds delish! haven’t been to South Carolina, but this makes me ache to go to NC. Thanks for sharing your photos. i’m almost there!

  16. I never heard about the blue for haints…I need to explore that fact.

  17. Oh, I love the Low Country and Ms. Lynn King! So glad you haven’t had the rain we’ve had in Atlanta.
    I am sorry I am missing out on your road trip to Texas! I hope the prom frou frou works for you! Have a great trip to TEXAS!
    xo lulu
    (I am Lynn’s neighbor at Scott’s) 😉

  18. What lovely photos and stories–it’s just like those movies based on those wonderful Southern novels. It also reminds me of my in-laws’ place in SE Virginia. They have blue-painted porch ceilings, too, and here in Minnesota my husband and I have copied it on both our front and back porches. More for the looks than to scare away haints, but hey if it works…I love going to my in-laws’ because the southern culture (and crabbing and oysters off father-in-law’s pier and all that) is so exotic to this Minnesota girl! Thanks for sharing.

  19. Jessica would love to hear about the haints. Maybe I should paint the ceiling of my front porch blue, too.

  20. Oh, such beautiful places. And lovely people.

  21. What beautiful photos and ooooh the food-made me want to go get some fresh crab (from the grocery store a block away) at 7:30AM!
    What do people do with the post-microwaved Spanish moss? Is it used as a liner in baskets like spaghnum moss?
    Amy-Doll-you are hysterical.

  22. Growing up, we used to go “crabin” on the Oregon coast. That salad looks yummy–what fun!

  23. Corey,
    How very nice of them to throw you a party!
    I had to Google the May River to see where it is, because I’ve never been to the Carolinas. Hope you have lots of fun adventures on your way to Texas.

  24. What fun! You are turning into a Southern Belle. I am also curious what they use the moss for. Can’t wait to see where your journey takes you-“After all tomorrow is another day.”

  25. Dear Corey,
    it looks as if you are playing a role in one of those romantic films in the South – out of this world ! You must be so filled with new impressions. When reading your link about HAINTS and HAGS,I thought of the Scottish Hogmanay / Hagmany History ( = a pagan practice of fire and sun worship during the dark months of winter ) Does anyone know if there´s a connection ?
    Hello, Amy – Doll, nice to read you, have you settled in well, and did you get all your boxes home safely ? We are back to school, autumn is just starting, but still quite warm. Are you going to see Corey over there ? Take care, say Hello to your very helpful Jeff !
    Bye, folks
    Lieselotte

  26. What a totally delightful trip you are having! I am sure you will enjoy every moment.
    Marilyn
    in Oregon

  27. Corey
    I just had to add another comment —
    You had the experience of receiving in a “True Spirit” Southern Hospitality, how divine!
    Joanny
    Portland Ore

  28. So many fun adventures!! I wish I could be there!

  29. Beautiful! Have a wonderful trip and I hope you are able to find some treasures in Texas!

  30. Corey, I am so glad that you are having a glorious time in here in the South! Stay here a little longer and you will have a whole new vocabulary to take back to French husband. I cannot wait till you post abt. how over one meal or another you break out the “haint” in conversation with Yann, hahahaha. I do love your stories.
    love,
    angela

  31. Diane Laurent

    Corey,
    I’m even more jealous today..It is raining in Atlanta and I have talked to my friends in Hilton Head and it’s sunny and typical low country weather. It’s days like this that I really miss living there and your pictures had me very melancoly. So glad you were able to see the beautiful spanish moss, blue porch ceilings (which I have here), the may river and the wonderful cusine. ENJOY!!

  32. Yum! Our porch ceilings are often painted blue, and I’m told it’s because it’s the only color that wasps won’t build nests on (to keep them off your porch).

  33. Corey, the kindness, generosity and love you give, comes right back to you.
    So heavenly.

  34. Sweet! Would you believe that I did know about the blue porch ceiling rule? Years ago…someone painted the ceiling of the breezeway between my house and my carriage house a pretty blue/green. The result: Not a single buzzing thing has attempted to build a nest in the faux sky of my breezeway. : )

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