Charleston part 1

This past weekend we headed to Charleston as a family and also with some friends from Wilmington. We attended a history tour through Vision Forum led by historian Bill Potter. We visited Magnolia Cemetery, the Hunley Museum, Fort Maultrie, Fort Sumter, and Boone Hall Plantation.

One of my favorite places was the Hunley Museum. The Hunley was a submarine during the Civil War. It held 8 men, was hand-powered, and the way they monitored oxygen (and provided light) was a candle--when the candle went out it was time to resurface. I never knew they had submarines back then so I found this very interesting. The men on it were brave, it went out then sank and all the men died, they pulled it up and put another team of men on it, and it sunk again, they put yet another team of men on it and after sinking the Husatanic, it sank again never to be found until 1995. 

We saw a total of 7 brides throughout Charleston

On every street if you looked through gates and down alleyways you would find beautiful gardens.

Trying to decide what to have for dinner.

Daughters of the Confederacy building.

Fort Moultrie

We had a lovely time meeting new friends.

Mr. Potter lecturing on Fort Moultrie and how it defended the British wonderfully the first time.

General Moultrie's grave. 

Us girls on top of the cannon, Emily seems surprised. :)

Fort Moultrie

A more modern gun since Fort Moultrie was used until 1947

Mrs. H and Allison who drove up with us.

The lovely bridge in Charleston over the Cooper River

Talking with friends on the ferry ride out to Fort Sumter

Remains of Fort Sumter

They have 6 different flags flying in Fort Sumter to remember the different stages of the US that it defended over the course of its active service.

Our last tour stop was Boone Hall, a lovely plantation with a beautiful house and garden.

Mom and Emily strolling down the lane covered by live oaks with the slave quarters behind them

I think the ceiling color is very pretty

Lottie strolling through the gardens

Em

Me with my hair frizzy...

Bridal Shower

 A very good friend of mine, Maryfrances, is getting married next month and we had a bridal shower for her.  Here are some of the pictures.

Christine and Charlotte

Allysa (I probably spelled your name wrong...sorry)

Lottie

For a game Maryfrances had to bake a cake with no recipe or measuring cups. Being the wonderful baker she is, her cake turned out lovely!

Party favors. We opened up small (pop top)cans, put candy in them and then reglued the tops on. Unfortunately, the the glue was quite strong smelling so the chocolates tasted like glue.

The bride-to-be opening up her gift, a grain grinder.

And last but not least, an adorable baby to close off this post.

Rule # 73

Rule #73 of Homemaking: 

Do not put a plastic sugar container on a hot stove

Homemade Hummus

This weekend I made homemade hummus with our new Vitamix. I think it turned out quite well.  I liked this homemade version better than store-bought because it had a fresher taste. It was super easy to make too--it's just chick peas, lemon juice, cumin, sesame seeds, garlic, and salt.  I put them in the Vitamix, pushed a button... and I had hummus!

Claire- Senior Portraits

On Monday, I went to the beach with a friend to shoot her senior portraits. The weather was sunny and warm though very windy. And though she does not like having her picture taken I think she should since she is so pretty.

Pushing her hair back for the millionth time

Beach Fun

This past weekend some friends of ours rented a beach cottage for the weekend and invited some of their friends over for Saturday afternoon and evening. We had a wonderful time walking on the beach, playing on a  nearby playground (even though we were teenagers), eating scrumptious food, talking, and playing games. Unfortunately, it was quite cool and windy so we didn't go swimming but we still had plenty of fun.

Playing spoons.

Before...

...and after when Mallory and Hannah are trying to get the spoons.

Someone really wants a spoon!

Thankfully she got it. :)

Carter laughing at whoever did not get one

Talking out on the porch enjoying the sunset

Christine and Emily

The erosion formed cliffs providing a perfect place to launch

I had lots of fun taking pictures.

Charlotte and Laura

Hannah and Claire

This is my favorite picture of the whole night. They didn't even know Isaac was in the back ground.

Mallory and Emily