Beautiful Charleston

Dear Imaginary Friends,

I was lucky to have visited Charleston, South Carolina, this week, and was met with 70 degree weather, bright sunshine, and gentle breezes. The city was blessed with blooms. It was the perfect stage for the Historic Home and Garden Tour, which raises funds for preservation efforts across the city. 

Charleston is a gracious city enhanced by fresh spring weather and delicious architecture. It is not unlike its sister city New Orleans, in its embrace of southern food, hospitality, and preservation of its storied buildings. 

Fried green tomatoes at Blossom were outstanding!

Peeps Store in Charleston

Naturally, the Peeps Store is conveniently located next door to the Moon Pie store on Market Street! I love Charleston. And don't forget to bring your RC cola!!

Gracious Architecture

One of my favorite endeavors while touring the Deep South is admiring the wealth of beautiful architecture. From creole cottages to Greek Revival, I love it all. These pictures are all of the tiny but mighty Charleston, South Carolina.

Middleton Gardens

Camellias in full bloom

Spanish Moss Frames a View of the Ashley River

Formal Lawn and Butterfly Lakes of Middleton Gardens

When Washington, DC, is gray and devoid of vibrant vegetation (Winter!), I like to trek South to see some greenery and flowers. That is exactly what I found near Charleston, SC, this week at Middleton Gardens. You have never seen so many blooming camellia trees in your life! Some are massive and old, and some are new.

Middleton Gardens are the oldest professionally designed and installed gardens in the United States.

Ancient Oak

Camellias, Cherry Tree, Tulip Magnolias and Azaleas in Bloom

Pea Hens

Wood Nymphs and a Carpeted Path of Camellia Blossoms

There is also a restaurant, a gift shop and many acres to explore, all about 30 minutes easy drive from downtown historic Charleston. The original plantation home was burned down by Union Troops during the Civil War, and only a brick ruin remains. But the gardens endure, all these 175 years.

Your Garden Buddy,
Patsie

Holy City

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Charleston, South Carolina, refers to itself as Holy City, as its beautiful old church steeples push above the surrounding quaint architecture, and predominate its skyline when seen from the Atlantic Ocean.
I found wonderful food, beautiful Southern architecture, charming citizens, manners galore, low crime and a clean bustling city. It was a heavenly experience, so maybe it was holy.

Far from a sleepy town, little Charleston has managed to combine the newest food trends with its traditional Low Country fare. Try this on for size: Tilefish upon a bed of fried green tomatoes and caramelized onions. I had never even heard of tilefish. Now I am its biggest fan, having devoured it at Cru Cafe on Andrew Pinckney St. this week. Set in a charming old home, Cru Cafe is owned and operated by a Cordon Bleu chef who just so happened to graduate first in his class. Making my life even sweeter, it was a half block from my hotel, which I adored. I highly recommend Andrew Pinckney Hotel. It is wonderfully situated geographically (see above!) and is one block from the famous Market that runs daily.

My Fave Hotel in Charleston

This hotel is priced right, has lovely clean rooms, and a free breakfast that will make you foodies out there happy. The employees are just as nice as any humans I have ever met. That is saying a lot. If you book with them and not through a travel site, you will get the best treatment, if something goes awry with your plans.
And what does the Market have to offer? Well, try the Charleston Shoe Company for some of the cutest and most comfortable shoes that your tiny hoofie has ever tried. Check out intriguing salad combos at Caviar and Bananas Deli. Or buy a sweetgrass basket, scents, towels, spices or condiments. Reminiscent of New Orleans' famed French Market, Charleston's market has jewelry, pottery, children's clothes and just about anything you can think of.

Your Imaginary Friend,
Patsie