Project No. 5 - Christmas Day 2010

So sad that we didn't get to spend Christmas with the family this year. We did spend close to an hour Christmas Eve on Skype with Chad, Penny and the grandchildren so we could watch each other open our gifts we had sent each other. Wasn't the best way to spend Christmas, but at least we got to see them. We opted out of fixing our own Christmas dinner and went to the birthday party for Jesus at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront. It was a delicious meal, lots of people, and sat with a very nice family from Canada. Here is the picture of Jesus' birthday cake.

Project Nos. 2, 3 & 4

Okay, time to play catch up.

Project No. 2 - Jim n Nicks

Over a month ago we went to a new restaurant called Jim & Nick's (forgot to take a picture so I used theirs). They aren't exclusive to this area, but it was the first time we had eaten there. It was possibly the best barbeque we've ever had. They have barbeque port, beef and ham fixed all different ways and the sides are homemade. I had the pulled pork sandwich and mac n cheese. The sandwich was piled so high, that I gave some to Steve, ate a sandwich and still had some to take home.

Project No. 3 - Old Towne Bluffton Christmas

Friday night we went to Bluffton's Christmas Festival. It was kind of a let down, but to be fair we didn't get there until about 6 pm and it had been going on since 3 pm. So, it was dark and we couldn't really find our way around and there weren't many people. It is mostly made up of artist studios and gift shops. We did like this guys studio that was outdoors instead of indoors. The highlight was Capt. Woody's Seafood Restaurant. Steve had a grouper sandwich and I had a cheeseburger that was really good. We did take pictures with our cell phones (forgot the camera, again), but I will have to post them later. Can't find the adaptor to transfer pictures from phone to computer.

Project No. 4 - Bluffton Christmas Lights Boat Parade

Now this was more like it. It was a lot more festive, more people and good music. The parade of boats was held just out front of the Waterfront Park. It started at 6 pm with kayaks (they were braver than me, I would be in a kayak in the dark). And then came the bigger power boats and sailboats. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more boats. I think we had more in the 4th of July parade of boats down at good old Lake Monroe in Bloomington (boy do we miss the weekends there on our pontoon). Camera batteries weren't cooperating so again no photos or videos.

PROJECT NO. 1

Well, Chad and Penny decided I don't get out enough so they have given me a task to complete. Every month for the next year I am to visit some place new and report back on the blog. It can be anything from a park, to a museum, to a new restaurant, new beach, etc., as long as it is some where I have never been before. After a little bartering they did agree that I could do this on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening or Saturday or Sunday morning when Steve is home so I don't have to go by myself. So, here are pictures of Project No. 1.

Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn

This museum is located just a couple of miles from our house. Who knew? Steve and I didn't. It is situated on 68 beautiful acres full of creeks, marshes, mammoth oak trees, flowering magnolias and so much more. We didn't have enough time to explore everything as we had to go to the grocery store before Steve went to work, but we did see a few things.

First we went to the the main house which has the orginal 4 rooms from when it was built in the 1800's as well as the other parts added as the property changed hands. The main house contains a museum of the history of Hilton Head, an art gallery that changes frequently, a gift shop and a classroom. The kitchen that was updated by the last family who owned it still has the cooking stove from 1914. Steve is planning on going back to the classrom Tuesday for the lecture on how, where and when to catch shrimp.

After touring the main house we went outside to the patio and fountain area. The last family had installed a swimming pool here, but the museum filled it in with brick and added a lovely fountain. From here we walked out on one of three boardwalks that goes over the marshes. This was the osprey boardwalk where you go to look for ospreys. We didn't see any, but there were hundreds of fiddler crabs running everywhere and there is an inter active display to push buttons and hear all of the sounds of the local birds. After the boardwalk we went to the butterfly house. The butterflies were so pretty and we even got to see one that had just come out of its chrysalis which is like a little leathery pouch.

That's about all the time we had this morning. We will be going back to walk down the other 2 boardwalks, see the cemetary and the stables that houses tacky horses. These are stout horses from spain that were used in the fields here. Now, they race them on the beaches in the spring. We also want to see the gardens where they grow indigo. I guess that was the big crop in the 1800's. They would grow indigo plants and extract the blue from the flowers to make dye and sell the dye in blocks to the English.


The Osprey Broadwalk


1914 Cooking Stove


Patio and Fountain


Butterfly House

What a Week!

I can't believe it's been a week since the kids left. It was so wonderful to have them here for a week. Steve and I were both able to take some time off so we could all be together at the same time. We went fishing, swimming, time at the beach, playing in the fountains at Coligny and even made a day trip to Jekyl Island and Savannah. Here are some of the pictures we took. Our time together was much to short, but what a blessing to have them with us for a week. It sure filled out hearts with joy!

Catching Up

It's been some time since I posted anything on here so let me bring you up to date. After we got back from Chad's graduation we settled in for a long winter's nap.....that's winter southern style. It did get pretty cold and we even had a dusting of snow one night. It was really strange standing out on the deck and watching the snow fall. It sure brought back memories of Indiana winters. Okay, so that's the one thing I DON'T MISS, snow, sleet and ice. Anyway, winter didn't last long and it started warming up quickly. Still it was a long dry spell because I knew we wouldn't be with anyone until spring.

Finally, Easter came and it brought Sis and Jim to us. What a wonderful Easter we had. We celebrated Easter with the sunrise service on the beach. It was awesome! The week was so much fun. We did as much as we could in the short time. We went to the beach, fishing, Savannah, shopping and so much more. The week was over way to quick. We missed them the second they pulled out of the drive and can't wait for them to come back. It's just not home without the family.

Okay, before I get too emotional, the fishing has been pretty great this spring. We've caught everything and I do mean everything; shark, stingray, spotted trout, red fish, flounder...you name it we probably caught it. Today was my big day. I caught my first huge red fish. It was a whopping 34" and weighed about 20 lbs. I fought it for about half an hour. What a catch! I let Steve at least hold it for the picture.

Steve holding Lynn's big catch.

Here's some other cool pictures. Steve caught a nice shark last weekend and I caught, of all things, a young loggerhead turtle. Luckily we were able to get it untangled and it went safely on its way back to the ocean.

GRADUATION AND CHRISTMAS 2009

Our son, Chad, has graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University and we are so very proud of him. Not only did he earn his Bachelor's degree, but he did it with honors. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.917 GPA. How great is that! We captured the moment for you to see.

Christmas was wonderful with the family. After graduation we got together at Sis and Jim's new house. It is sooo cute! We are very happy for them. We couldn't get everyone together for Christmas at the same time as the weather just wouldn't cooperate. Jeff, Shelly and the kids didn't arrive until after Chad, Penny and the kids left. We are just happy that everyone got to where they were going safe and sound. Glad we got the chance to see John and Bekki too.

Steve and I spent the night at Sis and Jim's house and then the 4 of us headed back to Plainfield for Chad's graduation party at Penny's grandparents house.

The next day we celebrated Chad's birthday with pizza and then Tuesday we had our Christmas with them before heading back to the island. It was a wonderful, but quick 5 days. We miss all of you already. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!

Hurricane Bill Passes By

Hurricane Bill was a long way from us, but he managed to let us know he did pass by with some really rough waters. Here is the movie we took this morning.

Hey Kids,

Papaw caught this big crab on his fishing pole.

This gator went for an evening stroll!