A Day at the Museum

A few weeks ago, I went to the Gibbes Museum of Art to see their newest exhibit, "Photography and the American Civil War". This collection is currently on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and will head to the New Orleans Museum of Art in January. 

Gibbes Museum of Art

Truthfully, the Gibbes Museum is a work of art itself. She's been standing since 1905, and her best kept secret is the Tiffany dome in the Rotunda. The blue and green stained glass is gorgeous and should not be missed. 

Tiffany Dome, Gibbes Museum Rotunda

The exhibit was amazing and thought-provoking. History is far more exciting to me when I can find a way to relate to it. Well, 150 years ago Charleston was a tough place. Life was much harder back then, and these photographs illustrate what we already know; war is never pretty. 

Photography was in it's early stages during the Civil War. Photographs were made with glass negatives and had to be processed on-site in a tent like the one pictured below. 

[Picture Gallery Photographs] Unknown, American

I can't imagine gathering my photo supplies and trekking across the Charleston Harbor to take wartime photos. We go fishing in the Charleston Harbor, and I can promise you it would be a very rough boat ride back then; especially with cannons being fired overhead.

Terre-plein off the Gorge, Fort Sumter Alma A. Pelot (American, active Charleston, South Carolina, 1850s–1860s)

Hopkinson's Plantation, Edisto Island, South Carolina Henry P. Moore (American, 1833–1911)

Bonaventure Cemetery, Four miles from Savannah George N. Barnard (American 1819-1902)

While the photographs are gruesome and sad, the real story for me was that they even exist. With over 200 original photographs, it's hard to believe these pieces have been preserved for so many generations. The Lowcountry is a constant landscape in the story that unfolds, and the exhibit certainly made gave me a greater appreciation for this area. If you are looking for a uniquely Charleston excursion, head to the Gibbes Museum to see this unbelievable collection. 

Lowcountry Luxe

Well, well, well. Who would've ever thought the smell of spanish moss would end up on Oprah's O List? Lowcountry Luxe, a small candle company in Savannah, GA, has romanticized the scents of the Carolina lowcountry and created a name for themselves with their Signature Collection. 

The Signature Collection features six scents: Charleston, Savannah, Spanish Moss, Gullah, Sea Grass and Living in High Cotton. While I secretly wanted Gullah to be my favorite scent, I didn't care for it at all. It must have been the "exotic Benzoin resin" in the candle that smelled a little too much like incense for me. Living in High Cotton was by far my top choice. Lowcountry Luxe has described this scent as: "A creation of citrus tress and pine and white dogwoods tea olive spiked with lemon and lime white grapefruit and peach."

If you can't choose just one scent, you can always go for the Travel Collection. This collection is a mini version of the Signature Collection and features each scent in a two ounce travel size.

Belle and Union

Belle and Union is a stationery company formed in Savannah, Georgia by Josh and Meg Sutton. She's a Southern Belle and he's Yankee boy. The name fits, right? Their letterpress gift cards incorporate Southern sayings and American wit. My favorites are obviously the ones with the sugar and the oysters. When on their website you are encouraged to kick off your boots and stay awhile. Gift cards aren't their only gig... you will also find tea towels, recipe cards and wrapping paper. I can't stop thinking about having a few of these framed to hang in my kitchen.

Hey There Sugar

You Sweeten My Tea

You Butter My Biscuit

Aw Shucks

Oh My Darlin'

Jack Leigh

Jack Leigh is one of my all time favorite photographers. His body of work captures the coastal waters of South Carolina and Georgia better than any photographer I have seen. Pat Conroy's words are a perfect match for his photographs. 

Leigh has so many great books, it's hard to choose a favorite. If I had to narrow it down I would pick Oystering: A Way of Life, Nets and Doors: Shrimping in Southern Waters, and his retrospective, The Land I'm Bound To.

I am lucky enough to own this piece and look at it everyday! 

Several years ago M bought a couple prints for me and I could not be more grateful.

This photo reminds me of the my hometown and the oystermen who help maintain our waters. 

His books are full of glorious images but his most notable piece is on the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. If you haven't been to Bonaventure Cemetery you should definitely make the trip. The cemetery is in Savannah on the Wilmington River and is incredibly peaceful. The great songwriter Johnny Mercer was laid to rest here.

Jack Leigh passed away in 2004 after a battle with colon cancer. He left the world a better place as he documented the South in a way that will preserve our salt marshes and barrier islands long after they're gone. 

Savannah Red Rice

This is recipe that my family has been making for years. We eat it on weeknights and my sister and I

always make it as a side dish on Thanksgiving. It's the perfect dish to take to an oyster roast.

Chop two bell peppers. I used one orange one thinking it would be nice for color, turns out green

 really shows up better anyway. Traditionally this dish is made with green bell peppers. 

                                          Chop one Vidalia onion. Vidalia is kind of important because they hail from
                                          Georgia, as does this recipe. If you can't get one, a large yellow onion will do.

                                                                         Saute the peppers and onions in olive oil.

                                                  While the vegetables are sauteing chop two cups of smoked sausage.

                                                                       Add the sausage to the mixture on the stove.

                                                                                 Add 4 cups of crushed tomatoes

                                                                           And two cups of uncooked white rice.

                                                             Stir the mixture together while cooking at medium.
          

                                                                           Add 1 Tablespoon of creole seasoning.

                                                                                    Add 1 Tablespoon of Texas Pete.

     Put the mixture in a greased casserole dish.  

  Seal tightly with aluminum foil. 

       Bake at 350 for 1.5 hours or until rice is tender. 

                                                                                                      Enjoy!

Savannah Bee

                                      

The sign says Tupelo Honey, and they weren't kidding. Savannah Bee Company opened their Charleston store this year and you can find everything from beauty products to specialty honeys made for cheese, grilling,  or sweet tea. Not only is the shop beautiful but it smells amazing. You are given the opportunity to sample every honey they offer. My favorite is the sourwood and it tastes great with granny smith apples and goat cheese. I can't wait to go back and shop!