4/2/2017

Weekly Update 4/2/2017

I got out to eat a couple of times this week: Monday, Donna and I went to Wild Wings at City Market. It seems as if I haven't really seen her or talked to her in a long time, so it was really nice. On Wednesday, the Lunch Bunch met at The Grey. This restaurant has had amazingly positive reviews (it's mentioned this month in Southern Living magazine).

lunch bunch at The Grey

The weather has turned warm, closing in on hot, now. In an attempt to keep my energy bills as low as I can when the air conditioner is pumping it's little heart out to keep me at a comfortable 76° (last year my summer bills were five times higher than the winder invoices), I decided to try sun-blocking drapes on the windows that face that unbearable setting sun to the west every day. They're not pretty and I fear Audrey and the Dragon Lady will suffer, but I want to try to do something. 

it's dark in here, but I hope it will be less hot

After DH on Friday, I drove to Pooler (near the airport outside Savannah), to meet Kay. I left my car there, and she drove us to Washington GA for the annual Tour of Homes, about a 3 hour ride. We stayed the night in a Quality Inn (don't ask, but we were safe, and heard no gunshots in the night). Kay and I were both up early on Saturday to check out of the hotel and begin the tour. We were too early, so we went back to the thrift store we'd seen on the road into town. I found a nice lamp shade for $5. There was a doll that looked just like Broken Baby, so I asked if I could take a photo. And I sent it to Sarah. Kay got some things, too.

Broken Baby look-alike

Then we went back for the tour. A little background that we found about because we asked: the wealth shown by these large antebellum homes was all gained by the cotton industry. These “city” folk owned extensive land in the area and became very wealthy from the cotton. Washington was not destroyed by Sherman in his March across Georgia in 1864, but it's not known why. Some suggest he had a girlfriend here (but that's also been suggested as a reason that he spared Savannah, and that's not true). Today, people who live here are employed in either Athens or Augusta, each about a 40 minute commute. We checked in at tour headquarters and a driver took us to our first home. This tour was tremendously well organized – from the wrist bands (so no need to check off on a slip of paper when you've visited a site), to the volunteer drivers (which helped keep traffic congestion and off street parking to a minimum).

Haygralin was our first home, and it turned out to be our favorite. There was a lot of "family" stuff there - a doll collection and doll house, silver serving dishes, old gowns, original maps, many family photos, etc. 

Haygralin

some collections in the kitchen

Next was the Peddar Home. This is their second home (they live in Beaufort and don't get to Washington often. Really? Are they nuts?). It was lovely. I think it was one of their granddaughters that was a wonderful little docent - maybe 10 years old or something. She was knowledgeable and well spoken. Kay and I both loved the dining room, where the china did not match - reminded me of Grandmas.

the Peddar House

the dining room table

Next was the Duggan home, another favorite. The family has lived here for about 30 years and the whole family has been involved in the restoration for all that time. It was very home-y and comfortable. Mr Duggan has an extensive bottle collection with specialty made lighted display shelves.  

the Duggan home

part of Mr Duggan's collection of bottles

We then went to the Roy Smith home. Built in the 1790s, it was the oldest on the tour. Because the owner was an art professor at The College of Charleston for many years, there were lots of contemporary art pieces in the house. Kay and I agreed we preferred the family memorabilia and antiques of the other homes. There was no photography allowed inside the house, so I have no pictures of the interior.

Roy Smith's house

We went to the Mary Willis Library. This was the first free library in the state of Georgia, and was erected and endowed by donations from Mary Willis' father in her memory in 1888. Mary Willis herself, as well as architect Edmund Lind, were there to tell us about the building.

the Mary Willis library

Mary Willis standing next to her stained glass window

Our last stop before lunch was the Horton Loft. It was recently renovated from doctors offices over the Bee Southern shop that is owned by the loft's owner, and is located on the street level of the building.

 the Loft is the second story or this row of buildings

the living room

After lunch, Kay and I walked to the Robert Toombs historic home. Roberts Toombs was a successful planter and lawyer who led an influential career as a state legislator, U.S Congressman, Confederate Secretary of State, and Brigadier General in the Army of Northern Virginia. The home features original furnishings throughout which are advertised as bringing to life the history of the area from the Colonial period to the Antebellum era. However, we were disappointed that very little of the house museum was open; we were only allowed into the first level and the rose gardens. But we did get to eat some rose jelly and cookies with buttercream rose icing. 

the Robert Toombs House Museum

rose jelly on biscuits and rose favored icing on cookies

Next we went to the Washington Historical museum. We could have spent a lot more time there because the exhibits were really fascinating. Originally built in 1835, this is the oldest house museum in Washington. It contains over 200 years of artifacts, and offers a rare and comprehensive look at the lives lived, battles fought, and advancements made in Washington and the surrounding region. There are many collections, and each was wonderful, but it was getting late, and we were getting tired.. We had them call a shuttle car for us, and went to the last house of the day.

The Museum

some display in the Confederate War remembrance room

The Chantilly at Brookhill House was the last we visited. As we were driven up the driveway, we saw a red 1957 Thunderbird parked on the lawn, a beauty!  The house was ok. Maybe we were just tired, but it seemed to lack a lot if the charm that the others seemed to have. The owners don't live here, and I think the plans are to turn it into a party house for weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats. Kay and I prefer the ones that are lived in and reflect the residents lives. But that car was NICE!

the front door of the house

the 1957 Thunderbird

We took another shuttle back to Kay's car, and stopped again in the square. Kay looked at some art in one of the galleries, and I bought a book by a local author. But it was time to get on the road and back to Savannah. We got to Pooler just before 8, we gave each other hugs, I got in my car, and headed off. It was a great weekend, with a great friend. Thanks, Kay!

Back into my routine on Sunday, I attended the SCT production of The Addams Family. As always, this did not disappoint, and I was delighted.