Johns Island Camellias

Johns Island Camellias, SC

 Blossoms from a stroll on Johns Island.

Johns Island walking

Johns Island, SC

I was invited to walk on Johns Island this morning but we spent a lovely time watching the rain form the veranda of a tiny lowcountry cottage. The showers have been so spotty lately, I came home and watered my plants this evening. What a beautiful piece of heaven this property it. I felt very fortunate.

Archie - the model dog

Archie, Johns Island, SC    

I had this shot of my friend Jo's Archie posing on a woodland path on Johns Island in my camera album. Slightly over a month ago it looks so warm and sunny. It was taken before our deep freeze. Archie improves any photo. Stay warm kids!

Best tasting live oak tree!

Live oak wedding cake, Charleston, SC  

 Is this not the most amazing wedding cake? The wedding was held under ancient live oaks on Johns Island so it was completely appropriate. Check out the sweet-grass basket base and dripping Spanish moss from the branches. The cake maker's web site is incredible. These are almost, but not quite, too beautiful to eat. Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal.

Johns Island afternoon

Johns Island, SC

It is always a special treat to be invited to spend an afternoon at this beautiful spot on Johns Island. We enjoyed a picnic in the snug little cabin with a warm wood fire and then sat in the sun while my nephew tried his hand at creek fishing. He didn't catch a bite and it didn't spoil the day a bit.

A perfect day for a pig roast

Johns Island, SC   

We have had the most glorious weather for our Thanksgiving weekend in the lowcountry and I've had a lovely mix of peaceful relaxation with family and social time with friends. I have much to be thankful for.

Saturday afternoon I was fortunate to be invited to a pig roast on a slice of heaven on Johns Island. Along with many good friends the attendees included writers, photographers, artists, physicians, astronomers, chefs, all sorts of fascinating people and lucky ME. Besides the roasted pig there was a long table full of rice, beans, macaroni and cheese and too many tasty treats to fit on my plate.

Now, the only thing wrong with a four day weekend is that it isn't a four day weekend. Boo.

Farm to table

Johns Island bounty, SC

It was a perfect day for a picnic and by the look of the feast my friend Jo spent a lot of time turning farmer and husband Tom's farm fresh bounty into delicious dishes. It made for a picture perfect luncheon on Johns Island and left me feeling very fortunate. Beautiful place, good company and delicious food. Lucky me!

Sunshine and music on Johns Island

Archie, Johns Island, SC  

I can't complain about the glorious weather we've had for my sister Shirley's visit, can I? We spent yesterday morning at the Magnolia Plantation Holiday Market, mid day we headed to Johns Island for a delicious picnic lunch with friends and then capped off the evening with tea and dessert at the Taste of India.

Shirley brought her guitar with her and entertained us after lunch. It has been perfect. I've taken a lot more pictures than I have had time to process but we are having a wonderful time. Somehow the world's most photogenic dog appears in most of this evening's pictures. Archie improves every shot!

I hope everyone has had a good holiday weekend.

PIG!

Johns Island, S.C.

The directions included turning left at the church and continuing on the dirt road but the PIG sign took any doubt out of the next turn.

We drove past the wee little lowcountry cottage to the gathering area by the dock. I got there just as the pig was being lifted out of the pit for an appreciative audience. I felt fortunate to be invited to Josephine Humphreys and Tom Hutcheson's pig roast on Johns Island and to catch up with so many old and new friends. Besides the crispy roast pig and soup there were tables full of the most delicious pot luck dishes. I've been to this gathering before and each time I know that although I won't know most of the people there, they will each be fascinating in some way - writers, historians, photographers, tour guides, chefs etc. Tom and Jo have gathered the most interesting group of people in their piece of Johns Island heaven.

Rich in Love

Johns Island, S.C.

When my friend local author Josephine Humphreys' book Rich in Love was made into a movie, this sweet little octagonal cottage was part of the set. Instead of it being disposed of, she had it dismantled and put together on the bank of a marsh creek on Johns Island. The movie was made in 1992 and filmed in Charleston and Mt. Pleasant. It is already a little time capsule showing the old bridges and the former Wando High School campus. I love listening to Josephine's stories of the movie being filmed.

I had dinner on the dock at dusk last night watching the birds swoop down over the gold tinted autumn marsh. It was a perfect lowcountry evening. 

Retiring ladies

Annette & her medical posse, Johns Island, S.C.

Oh, what am I going to do when all of my friends retire? Yikes. I still have years to report to my desk.

I went to two retirement parties this week. I tried to go to three but that was a personal problem. I got halfway to Johns Island yesterday when I realized I was a day early. I went anyway and had a private visit with the honoree and everyone had a good laugh at me. I did a re-enactment of the journey today.

My friend Annette the nursing director of the Wellness House at the Our Lady of Mercy Outreach on Johns Island said farewell to her staff and friends this afternoon. The Wellness House offering free dental and maternity care to island folk and migrant workers was her baby. She opened the place, recruited the volunteer dentists and lined up help.The gentlemen in the top picture are Dr.s Principe, Howard and Allen.

Someone gave the little dynamo a hat at the party. Hamming it up with her hat helped diffuse some of the mixed emotions of the day. More than anyone I know, Annette can retire knowing how many lives she has touched with her kindness and humor. Good luck buddy!