12/14/2014

Weekly Update 12/14/2014

This week was loaded with things to do, so this blog will be loaded with pictures.

Monday was a fun day. I met Lisa at her house in the historic district, as we wanted to “walk”. Lisa “walks”, I “amble”, but we hit upon an agreeable pace. We started by going to the Christmas shop on Bull Street, because I was going to buy a nutcracker to add to my collection for 2014. Since Donna had made me the delightful Buffalo Bills one, I didn't need to get a new one, but we went in there to look anyway. We went in and out of shops as we meandered toward River Street, with a nice stop at Goose Feathers for lunch. Lisa had already seen the Gingerbread House display that's an annual display at the Westin Hotel across the river, but she humored me because I like it so much. We got on the water taxi and rode over to see the fabulous creations - seems that each year they get better and better. Altogether, I spent almost the entire day with Lisa, a very nice way to wile away several hours.

Lisa & Santa

me & Santa

my favorite gingerbread creation

 

That evening, there was a presentation at DH that explained about the archeological dig that was conducted last summer, and shared some of the findings. It was interesting, because there were items that were found that predate the 1815 beginning of construction of DH. So, they are supposing that the Davenport family may have lived in a frame house on the property while brick mansion was being built. I hadn't realized that, as I believed they lived with Sarah Davenport's mother on York Street. But I've been wrong about a lot of things before, so this will just be added to that list. I think what I learned will be helpful in the tours I give.

Wednesday, I didn't leave the condo. But it's not like I wasn't busy. I finally started putting the graham crackers together to make little houses. And I made a batch of cookie dough that needed to be refrigerated. All this was in preparation for the MP cookie exchange / gingerbread house decorating party to be held on Saturday. How do I get talked into this stuff?

Thursday, I had signed up for a lecture and luncheon with The Learning Center. A new movie - Savannah in the Civil War - had just been released, and I wanted to see it. It won't be in theaters, but is on dvd for sale in all the gift shops in Savannah. It is a documentary, but Ken Burns need not fear that his reign is over; this was good, but not that good. I especially liked recognizing people and places in the movie. Many “interviews” were held at different rooms at DH and many people I know there were “interviewed”. The newspaper editor, the mayor, an wealthy woman who feared Sherman would burn Savannah, a not-so wealthy woman who supported the Southern cause even though she had less to lose, some of the soldiers both north and south, and others. There were also historians that I know or know of. That made it more interesting for me. Because my belly was full, and it was my mid-afternoon nap time, I was threatened with nodding off from time to time, but held it off by watching for more people I would recognize.

And then that evening, I did one of my favorite things to do in Savannah at Christmas time - I went to The Journey with Donna, her friend Jane who's visiting from Maine, and Lisa. This production is absolutely amazing! Thousands attend each year, and this is the third time I've seen it, which is pretty amazing. You are made to be part of a group of Jewish citizens who must go to Bethlehem to pay taxes and be counted. Along the way, you encounter Roman Centurions, you cross the Sea of Galilee (the life jackets in the “boat” bring you immediately back to the 21st century, but hey, it's gotta be done), there are scenes from the story of the birth of Jesus including Mary & Joseph, Herod, the Magi, the Shepherds as we walk along to get to Bethlehem. This entire show covers many acres, and is done very well as far as moving many hundreds of people along. You finally get to Bethlehem where you have to pay your taxes (with a coin you are given at the start of the journey) and then wander around the town where you see trades people of every kind - potters, spice sellers, jewelry makers, animal keepers, cheese and bread makers (giving samples), grain grinders, all sorts of things. All through the journey, you see real animals such as camels, goats, sheep, horses, and two white tigers! Then, you are led to a stable just outside the city where you see Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus - A REAL BABY! This is such a wonderful event, and even I like to go, although the Christmas story is not something I believe in and a mega church is something I avoid. But this is so good.

coming to the gates of Bethlehem

lots of live animals

and a live baby!

 

Friday was another busy day. Jane, Donna's friend, wanted to visit BC before she returned to Maine, so I toured them around and amused them with my stories in the morning. They kindly treated me to lunch, where I slobbered crab stew on my DH shirt (I was dressed to leave from there to go right to DH for my afternoon tours) and had to return to the condo to change. But I did my tours in a clean shirt and then went to 17 Hundred 90 for a drink. It was customer appreciation night, and the bar was crowded. Donna, Helen, Jane, Dave, Lisa and I all sat snuggled up on the couches by the fire while enjoying wine and the hot and cold appetizers that had been set out. It was really nice. Connie came after she got out of work about 7 pm, and we visited for a while. Jim, her husband, is the head chef at 17 Hundred 90, so it was thanks to him for all the good eats. 

part of the buffet set up, free to loyal customers of the bar (that's me)

my favorite bartender, Martha - she makes some incredible drinks

 

Before I got in my car to drive home, I took a few photos of the main shopping street in Savannah. There are lights strung across the street, and it reminds me of what shopping was like in the olden days, before everything was in the Mall. 

lights across Broughton Street

 

Saturday was the MP Christmas Cookie Exchange. The gingerbread houses were pretty much a bust, as no one was there to decorate them. But the cookies were all good. I wasn't even sure if my oven worked, but I gave it my best shot. I made my favorite cookies from childhood (although I altered them a little; instead of a chocolate / walnut layer, I substituted a green / pistachio layer to make them more “christmas-y”). And I tried a new recipe, butter cookies surrounding a Hershey's kiss. It was all good. 

 

my cookies to share - hidden kiss cookies and Christmas ribbons

 

And then - Sunday. Being the Second Sunday of the month, I was giving an afternoon tour BC. And, since the Bills were playing against Green Bay, there was really little chance that this would be a good game to watch. But I was wrong. As I was talking on about Little Gracie and the symbolism in a Victorian Cemetery, I was also glancing frequently at the NFL app on my phone. Tied at the half, then 13-10, then 16-10. When the last visitor left, I got in the car and drove to Coach's which is only a few blocks away. I watched the last 8 minutes of the game. I felt I should have stayed away, believing that I”m probably a bad luck charm, and that if I watched the end of the game, they, naturally, would come up short. But they didn't. They hung on to beat the Packers! I was all smiles!

And lastly, how cool is this? Dave has a model railroad, and he's been adding scenery to his set up. He has a tiny VW, which is about as big as the tip of finger. He painted it in honor of my car! Of course, having it parked next to tent in his countryside is not quite accurate - my VW would be outside a Westin or Hyatt, or a nice B&B. 

my little car - hand painted by Dave Winkler