An Afternoon on River St

Several years ago, I was in Savannah, Ga on St Patrick's Day. If you don't know, this is one of the largest and longest running St Pat's celebrations in the States. It was neat. EVERYTHING was green!! Since, I've long wanted to have time to go back.

Recently, we were able to stop there for an afternoon. I'm so glad we did and can't wait to go back for hopefully a weekend. Savannah is a gorgeous city chalked full of history. Want to share a few highlights and also some thoughts on where I'll stop next time I'm in town.

To the left is a view of River St as we make a pass through in the car. I love all the levels on the buildings. When we were there for St Pat's, people were standing on the balconies dressed in green of course.

Notice the pineapples. A sign that you are welcome. I love Southern hospitality!!

This was a glance up a side street. There were architectural interests everywhere. Isn't the cobblestone gorgeous!?

The gentleman on the left was making beautiful hand crafted items out of palm fronds. I had to have the cross with the rose. Coincidentally, this was the Friday before Palm Sunday. He was very friendly but didn't have much time to talk, he was busy, busy. I could have watched him for an hour. There were several street vendors. I noticed they each had a business license/id around their neck. This appeared to be closely monitored by the local law enforcement.

River Street Sweets!!! This is a must! Their pralines are delish. You must stop by the kitchen and get a fresh, hot sample of one. When we were there, the gentleman was making chocolate pralines. They were good. But, the plain ones are the best in my book.



A praline from River St Sweets. My dessert after having lunch at One Eyed Lizzy's.

Several years ago, my oldest son started a pressed penny collection. This is our favorite memento when travelling. We stopped a couple of places and made one. This machine was inside River St. Sweets.

I always love neat signs. Found the Masonic Temple No. 1 cornerstone very interesting. First and oldest one in the Western Hemisphere. And the Mad Hatter sign...isn't he adorable?

This was taken in front of the open air market. Found lots of neat items there. I bought a beautiful hair clip made in So. Africa. There were many fun vendors and craftspeople.

This was just too pretty. Had to snap a photo. It was the front porch to one of the homes in downtown.

Wish I'd gotten a photo of the outside of this ice cream parlor.  Here's a link to their web page: www.leopoldsicecream.com/. It was a long line but passed by quickly. One of the proprietors brought a pitcher of water and cups around to all who were waiting. My brother had visited Leopold's last summer and said the kids would love it. Well, so did the adults. I tried Rum Bisque Ice Cream. One word...yum! We could also have eaten lunch here.

When I was there many years ago, we ate at a local restaurant named Love's. Wanted to go back, but it would have delayed our trip further. It was about a 20 minute drive South from River St. However, I highly recommend it. The outside of the restaurant was used in a scene from the movie Forrest Gump.

Two restaurants we noted to try next time are The Pink House and The Pirate House. Both were a couple blocks off River St. Would also, like to visit a couple of the older cemeteries. Not for any reason other than they are absolutely beautiful.

Hope you enjoyed the day with us!

Talk to you soon. Until then, enJoy!

The Alley Kat

Cottontails and Dyed Eggs

Easter is a most favorite holiday of my family. We celebrate the day with joyous hearts that we have been redeemed because HE is risen!! Wanted to share a few fun ideas with you.

Easter Sunday always starts with Sunrise Service. My family has been blessed with land in our small town. My Grandfather attended a Sunrise Service while in the Army in Greece. (Can you imagine that experience?!) He loved it and started holding Sunrise Service each Easter on the hill behind his home. This just happened to be the pasture in front of my childhood home. Each Easter, we'd wake and walk to the hill to gather for a celebration of resurection and worship. Since, I've married and now have children, it's a short drive there. However, my kids look forward to it!! It's one of the few days each year that it's easy to get them out of bed early.

One Easter we found ourselves at Satellite Beach, FL. This is the Sunrise over the water.

 

Easter Egg coloring is a must. Sometimes we buy the kits. Sometimes we just use the food coloring and vinegar method. Always have to have crayons to draw on the eggs first before dying them. This was a happy accident that my funny husband turned into a laugh. Sorry if it offends. When you are around boys as much as me, you learn to laugh!!

Corn flakes coated in chocolate shaped as nests in muffin tins filled with malted eggs. Have also used chow mein noodles in the past instead of the corn flakes. Yummy little festive treat.

 The dads and older kids hide the eggs. The younger kids hunt. Easter bunny ears are a must for the hiders. Isn't it fun?! We even got Buddy the dog to join in. :)

 I found this idea on MarthaStewart.com. They had a template. But, I found it easier to freehand cut out the ears. I used large card size, pastel colored envelopes, sealed the envelopes, cut the ears out, drew the face on freehand, glued a small pom pom nose on and filled with grass and treats for the kids.

 This was another MarthaStewart.com idea. It's a vanilla cupcake turned upside down, coated in a buttercream frosting and covered in toasted coconut. They had used some other candies for the comb and feet. I improvised with red licorice candies cut to size. The nose is an almond and the eyes are silver sprinkles.

I always love the Dogwood trees in our part of the country this time of year. I've shared below the Legend of the Dogwood. Whether true or not, I still think it's a neat story and Dogwood's remind me of how blessed I am to have Jesus in my life.

The Legend of the Dogwood

 
At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus' cross.
 

     To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. "Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals.
 
     "In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember."
from "Sower's Seeds Aplenty: Fourth Planting," # 29, p. 22

Have a Happy Easter!!! Joy!!
The Alley Kat