Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Southern Porches and Sweet Tea



Everyone loves a porch, and being the southern girl that I am, I'm no exception.  Rocking chairs and a glass of sweet tea, there's nothing like it.  When I received by Southern Lady magazine for July/August I was happily surprised to see on it's cover a porch that I had sat on and had Tea.  It was the porch of Two Meeting Street Inn, Charleston, South Carolina.  In August of 2010 I took a trip to Savannah,Georgia, and Charleston with a friend.  We both love front porches.  Here is a few pictures I took in both towns of homes with front porches.


Savannah, Georgia








 We ate at the Gyphon Tea Room.  I believe it has since closed.





 This is the courtyard garden outside my room at the Savannah Bed &Breakfast Inn.  All the gardens were beautiful.  I took the picture from the balcony above.





Charleston, South Carolina





Love the side porches!




Some homes had there porches on the side of the home and balconies on the front, like this one.










This is the 3rd level porch of the Two Meeting Street Inn where we stayed.


There were porches all around this beautiful Inn.






Every afternoon the owners would come and make afternoon tea.  They have a staff to run the Inn but they would come themselves and serve tea. We could sit at the dining room table or porch.  Of course we chose the porch.










Outside our room was a balcony.   We really enjoyed sitting there and looking at the beautiful garden.







After we checked out of our room, we went to see the American Classic Tea Plantation. I really enjoyed learning all about how Tea is made.  These are the tea bushes. Yes bushes, I had never given much thought to how tea was make or how it was grown.




Today after looking at my Southern Lady magazine, again for the umteenth time, I decided to have tea on my front porch, of course it isn't as big and nice as the ones in Savannah or Charleston, but it fits me.





I used my tea pitcher and glass that my friend, Shirley, hand painted and gave me for my birthday some years ago.  She has passed on now but not forgotten. She was a true friend that always stood by me.
 As the writing on this page of the magazine says
"Friends are the pillars on your porch, Sometimes they hold you up ,sometimes they lean on you, and sometimes it's just enough to know that they are standing by"- Anonymous.


Sweet Tea and Lemon Cookies.




I hope you have enjoyed my trip back in time with me.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!


Sylvia

9 comments:

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Ph, Syl what a wonderful post!

I have been to Savannah but never Charleston - when we went we stayed there b/c my eldest was on her way to Atlanta for a job interview - so our time was limited...but had I realized then that Charleston was so CLOSE I surely would have added to our get-away!

Suzette from STS says Two Meeting Street is the place to stay there, so one day (hopefully soon) I can do just that! And have her meet us, too.

I love those porches and especially love your sweet friend painting that set for you. May she rest in peace while she awaits the coming of the Lord! I know you really must miss her. She was one of your porch pillars, yes?

Hugs.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, I loved this. Loved the porches of the place you stayed. I also really love the tea pitcher your friend painted for you. What a treasure!!!! I'm so glad you share this with us today. I also would love to see that magazine. I don't believe I've ever seen it before!
I feel so refreshed after looking at these pictures and reading your post...such a blessing for me today. Thank you, my friend!!

Stephanie said...

What beautiful homes and porches, Sylvia! They are quite captivating. The last picture of you is darling :) And I just love your tea pitcher and glass - did you paint it yourself?

Thanks for sharing these delightful pictures.

Hugs to you!

sandy said...

Wow! Those porches are beautiful and "romantic" looking! I'd love to visit there! Very fun post!

Lottie said...

Sylvia, what beautiful photos of the porches of Charleston! You have captured the essence exactly! I lived there briefly from 1976 to 1979 and have missed it ever since! You have inspired me to plan a trip back! Have a wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

Wow - what exquisite porches!

Babs said...

Sylvia, I really enjoyed visiting Charleston and Savannah with you. I've been to Charleston,but not Savannah. That's on my bucket list. Your porch and afternoon tea look so nice. Thanks for the tea. :)

Rosemary and Thyme said...

Sylvia, how wonderful and exciting. I have always wanted to visit Savannah and Charleston.. I am so happy for you. It looks like you had an amazing time. I love that Inn. So Southern and charming. And the porches are a delight to look at. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

Kay G. said...

I love those big porches on those grand houses but give me the small porches with plants and flowers everywhere and chairs brought out for extra company.
Beautiful post, thank you! xx Must go have my hot tea now!