Chapter 1: Sights and Sounds of Savannah...

As most of you know, I just returned from a wonderful WONDERFUL art retreat...

~ Petticoats and Parasols ~

hosted by the Queen of the South...

the one and only Jennifer Hayslip.

Teachers included:

Tiffany of Shabbyscraps and Christine of Dollybelle

Guest Speaker:

Jo Packham of Where Women Create

I will have to split my 5-day trip into many chapters as I want to cherish each moment that I encountered with old friends and new friends while enjoying such a beautiful historic city.

So the story goes...

I flew into Savannah on Wednesday evening, a whole day early as I love to unpack, relax and get acquainted with my new surroundings.

I really enjoy that "extra" day of semi solitude...it does my body & soul some good to leave work and home behind so I can prepare for the exciting days ahead.

The first surprise of the evening was as I was waiting at the airport for my roommate (Karen of Some Days are Diamonds) to arrive, I was greeted by our personal chauffeurs who came to whisk us away to our hotel. I'm just kidding as they weren't JUST our chauffeurs...they were special souls that I've been dying to meet in person!!

This cute couple from Florida drove all the way up to Savannah to meet Karen and I as they were on their way to Tybee Island.

Meet Theresa of They Call Me Ganky and her adorable husband Marc...

Don't you just love her name tag?? She made it on the drive over...she's so creative!!! Like I said earlier, she wasn't coming to the event (unfortunately) as she and her husband were passing through for a long weekend vacation of their own on the island.

Theresa, Karen and I met through blogging and had never met each other in person so it was great to be this close...we just HAD to get together!!!

Karen arrived safely from California and about an hour later, we were whisked off to our new home for the next 5 days.

Our hotel was smack in the middle of everything we wanted to see...shopping, eating, touring, etc.

We scurried to our rooms to change out of our "flight" clothes and into a little something more presentable as we were headed for dinner at The Olde Pink House.

Theresa had already made our reservations and our Chief Chauffeur Marc dropped us off curbside...talk about service!

We had a drink at the beautiful Planters Tavern inside the mansion and then we were led upstairs to our wonderful table near the fireplace. Everything on the menu looked delicious, it was so hard to decide what to eat. Even the waiter {Luciano} was yummy and I must say...I did leave with his phone number and he left with a sweet tip for treating us girls soooo good :)

They say what happens in Savannah stays in Savannah, right? But if nothing happened...there's not much to tell so get your little nasty minds out of the gutter people...even though Luciano was young, handsome and had a smile that lit up the room...I AM happily married!  :)))

The next morning, we were up and running. Where to, we had no idea so Karen and I followed Marc and Theresa down to the River Road and we walked the shops and snapped some shots...

I really thought that Savannah would remind me of New Orleans, but it didn't...not at all. Each beautiful city has their own identity. Similar, but not the same by any means.

I love the textiles ... anything from old brick with plastered mortar, to weathered wood, to wrought iron and tile...everything blended so beautifully together. I had to walk slowly to try and catch each glimpse of history.

 

I love all of the beautiful architectural details. Why don't they build beautiful homes and buildings like this today?

I really think I was born in the wrong era.

Well...um...I don't like wearing dresses and I really need my air conditioning...so, maybe not  ;)

Savannah is so lush and green and was showing true signs of Spring as all of the Azalea bushes were in bloom and the flora was plentiful.

With the huge Live Oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss, very rarely would one walk in direct sunlight. Although it was a rather hot and humid weekend, it was still a pleasure to stroll down the sidewalk, soaking in all of Savannah's beauty. 

We could hear a multitude of church bells every hour, on the hour.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky and we walked for blocks and blocks, or should I say "squares and squares" as Savannah is made up of perfect squares which are dedicated to the history and namesakes of this old charming city.

As you can see, the Spring pollen was at it's prime too. As it would fall like snow from the trees above, it would fill in every nook and cranny in the old brick sidewalks and historic markers.

ah-choo!

:)

 

We walked through the city's cemetery. It was beautiful but after reading most of the memorial plaques, most bodies were no longer buried there as they have been moved to other locations for some reason. There were still signs of awesome history to be had anyway and I was able to catch some photos of my favorite ones.

I did not have time to catch a taxi to Bonaventure Cemetery so that will remain on my bucket list. I really need to come to terms that I cannot fulfill my bucket list in 5 days...right? ;)

And this reminds me...I can't tell the whole story in one post so I'll end it here for now.

Stay tuned for my next post about the AMAZING Welcome Dinner that kicked off the Petticoats and Parasols Weekend...

I hope you love the color PINK!

;)