Photo summary of trip to Georgia (with a few captions)

Last month we took a trip to Georgia for a family reunion. We were celebrating a wedding, graduation, retirement and lots of birthdays. It was a fun, crazy busy time, too many things to write about but here a few pictures from our trip. 

Sumter, South Carolina - visiting some old friends. Wythe, being a good guest by relocating the sand to the back porch. It is a way to remember us when we are gone. 

Wythe enjoying seeing his friend again.

The three stooges reunited.

Miss Ainsley trying out the pensive look.

Ainsley and her friend at Swan Lake.

Checking out the turtles...

Athens, Georgia - Ainsley in front of a beautiful courtyard at a stunning house. 

"Wythe, do not push your sister in the river!"

This house was absolutely beautiful. The courtyard and gardens were amazing! In my dreams I will one day have this view out of my bedroom window.

Wythe, already having too much vacation.

I want this statue. 

Taking Wythe on a quiet time walk, one of many.  But the scenery was lovely!

Peter having one last moment with the Rightmyer Cup. Sometimes it is so hard to say goodbye!

Peter, relinquishing the Rightmyer Cup to his nephew, the tournament champion and new cup holder.

Wythe getting some billiard tips from his cousin.

Wythe and his first cousin-once-removed. You can tell by their hair they are related. 

Wythe, enjoying a treat from Starbucks before the wedding. 

Ainsley, fueling up for the wedding. 

All but one of the first cousins. 

T, getting his picture taken with some of the girls.

T with his parents, wishing he was back with the girls!

My sister-in-law, no party is complete without her,  and Mr. Bowtie, whom we all adopted into the family. 

A few of the cousins...

Ainsley playing cars with one of her cousins.

Wythe and his cousin. 

The newlyweds, my sister-in-law and her new groom. 

Ainsley with a couple of her aunts. 

This is what you do in the south...sittin' on the porch.

On our way home we stopped in Wytheville, Virginia. We wanted to get some pictures there, for obvious reasons, but there really isn't much to the town. It was the birthplace of First Lady Edith Wilson, other than that it is a small town with very little to see. 

The giant pencil is a landmark...

Skeeter's "World Famous" hot dogs. Supposedly the hot dogs were rated some of the best in the country by Rachael Ray. 

Sorry buddy, we know it isn't all that impressive. But don't worry, you weren't named after the town.

This is another landmark...

Now, you've seen Wytheville, VA.

We stopped in Lexington for lunch, this plaque would have applied to Wytheville.  Don't worry Wytheville, at least we like the name of your town!

'til next time...

Swan Lake ~ Iris Garden, Sumter, South Carolina

While visiting our friends in Sumter, SC we went to Swan Lake Iris Gardens. We were lucky enough to be there while the iris were in bloom.  According to the history of the place the iris bulbs were dumped in the swamp after failing to grow in another location. The following spring they bloomed, creating an accidental garden. Now the park is considered one of the finer botanical gardens in the nation.

.

The park is home to eight different species of swans.  My favorite was the black swan.

You can take a walk on raised walkways through the swamp. 

A talking tree....really.
You push a button and he talks, telling you about the history of the trees in the area.
Fortunately he doesn't wave his limbs or throw things at you like the trees in Wizard of Oz.

'til next time...

Hamptons - Sumter, South Carolina

Last month, while on our way to Georgia, we paid a visit to old friends who live in Sumter, South Carolina. That evening we had an amazing dinner at Hamptons, a locally owned restaurant in historic downtown Sumter.  Over a year ago they were lucky enough to bring in Chef Raffaele Dall'Erta from a five-star restaurant in Northern Virginia.

Chef Dall'Erta, stopping by our table

(grainy cell phone picture)

Hamptons describes their food as "Regional American Cuisine with an Italian accent, all in a unique and inviting atmosphere."  I would describe it as a creative, incredibly delicious menu, relaxed but upscale setting and a truly memorable experience. In fact, we cannot stop talking about it.

One of the first course selections is 'Homemade Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Ravioli with Brittle Sage Leaves and Brown Butter'.  The ravioli will absolutely melt in your mouth.   The Chef also sent out a tuna tartare dish that was beyond words. We inhaled it so fast that I cannot even tell you what other ingredients were in there but I do know it was one of the best things I have ever tasted.

Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli 

(grainy cell phone picture, doesn't do it justice)

Since the weather was nice and we had small children with us we opted for sitting outside. The have an outdoor seating area called The Alley Way. The area is charming with wall mounted flower boxes, lights strung from side to side and a large stone fireplace that would be delightful on chilly evenings. It was quite warm when we were there but they have misting fans that kept the temperture comfortable and seemed to keep bugs away as well.  It was so pleasant to dine outdoors and not be bothered by flies and pesky bugs!

The Alley Way - stone fireplace in the background

If you live in South Carolina you should plan a trip to Sumter to experience Hamptons, it is an easy drive from Columbia. If you are traveling through South Carolina as we were, it is worth a detour to pay a visit to this restaurant.  Your stomach will thank you.

Hamptons seems to be a place that you could stop by for a drink and burger after work, coffee and pastry in the morning, or to celebrate a special occasion.  Every town needs a place like Hamptons.

http://www.hamptonsfoods.com/

http://www.opentable.com/hamptons


'til next time...

Hello blog...do you remember me?

For the past half hour I was attempting to "catch up" on my blog, then I realized I was only half way through April and here we are almost midway through June.  I wanted to tell about Easter, my sister's visit, baby chicks, working on the addition, working on the retaining wall, raising chickens, traveling, so many things, so many pictures to share.  I will not be able to document the past two months though I may share a few pictures from these months.

The most exciting news is that we have moved into the addition, into the new master bedroom! The project isn't 100% complete but we are making great progress. We moved the furniture in and now I am working on the despicable task of moving clothes, sorting out junk drawers, sorting/organizing toiletries, it will be so nice to be organized again after these three years of construction chaos!

I am also working on repainting/decorating the living room, dining room, Wythe's room and Ainsley's room. They will soon have their own rooms for the first time, this should be an interesting transition!

my piano room/library

master bedroom

'til next time...

Getting your taxes done can be fun.

Most people dread this time of year....the dreaded tax season.  Us, not so much.  We kind of enjoy it.  

It helps that my husband has been using the same guy for years and years, they spend the first half of the appointment visiting and catching up on the previous year. The other reason this is enjoyable is that our tax guy works in Alexandria so we usually spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying Old Town. 

Since spring came so early this year it was very beautiful down by the waterfront. 

"hey sis, let's pick the flowers in the city park! Mom won't be mad if we give her one."

We didn't get a big enough tax return for this car.  Wythe wanted to take a ride in it, when I explained it was someones car he corrected me, "that's not a car, that is a toy."   "You are right buddy, that is called a grown up's toy."

Enjoying a treat....Wythe had asked to get a crepe but settled for a croissant instead. I do sometimes wonder what kind of monster I have created. 

"Oh look, the Eiffel Tower!!!"

Then...

"are we in Paris??"

One day buddy, one day.

"I wanna go too!"

"I'm cross."

Really?  We hadn't noticed.

"I run!"  ...what she does all day long.

Now, we only have to wait 365 days to do it again....

'til next time...