September 2, 2015

My hubby and me in front of The Salty Dog Cafe.
 Hilton Head, South Carolina
August 2015

Coordinating the schedules of 13 different people for a “family reunion” is an not easy task. Yet, last month my family happily succeeded, all converging for one week, upon a spacious rental house in Hilton Head, South Carolina. What fun it was for Dale and me to spend a relaxed week together with our grown offspring and their families.

  The Ava Gardner Museum, Smithfield, North Carolina

I’m all smiles outside of the Ava Gardner Museum.

I had one criteria for our nine hour road trip to South Carolina; stopping at the Ava Gardner Museum, just off Highway I-95, in Smithfield, North Carolina. Not only did the hour break help revive us, but the old movie buff in me delighted in viewing Gardner’s costumes and movie memorabilia.

Ava Gardner‘s life reads like a movie script, starting out as a small town North Carolina girl,
to rising as a star during Hollywood’s golden age of
the 1940’s and 1950’s.

My son and I attempt to identify all of the MGM stars, including Ava Gardner, in this photo taken in 1949.

I loved Gardner’s costumes from Showboat (1951) (above top) and
Mogombo (1953)(above bottom).
I was amazed at how very tiny her waist was-18 inches!
Read more about Ava Gardner here.

Ava Gardner was married three times:
to actor Mickey Rooney (1942–1943),
to band leader Artie Shaw(1945–1946),
and most famously, to actor Frank Sinatra (1951–1957).

A dvd copy of my favorite Ava Gardner movie, One Touch of Venus,
became my museum souvenir. :o)

To read more about the Ava Gardner Museum, click here.

Savannah

Our crew began arriving from Minnesota by plane, from Florida by train, and from Charleston, South Carolina and Maryland by automobile. Meeting the Minnesota contingent, we spent the first night in Savannah, Georgia.

Enjoying the sights, smells, and tastes of The Peanut Shop and Candy Kitchen on
River Street.

Our daughter and her husband stand under the majestic Live Oak Trees draped in Spanish Moss.

The Olde Pink House Restaurant was a delicious spot to dine for lunch.

A trip to Savannah would not be complete without a quick stop to
The Paula Deen Retail Store. :o)

Our daughter sits in Chippewa Square, one of Savannah’s pretty park-like squares, where a Forest Gump scene was filmed in 1994.
The actual bench where Tom Hank’s, Forest Gump, sat was a movie prop,
but a replica of that bench now resides in Savannah History Museum.
To read more about this movie location,
read here.

We left Savannah for Hilton Head in the early afternoon.
Dale made the trip back to Savannah, later that evening,
to pick up our Florida son from the train.   

Hilton Head!

Our Palmetto Dunes Digs

Our “Family Reunion” home for the week.
We found this house through here.

The backyard pool was enjoyed by all.

Bridal Shower

While the whole gang was together, we had an informal family bridal shower, with an Alice in Wonderland flair,
for our eldest son and his fiancé. They are getting married in January.

We began the morning with these “diamond ring” doughnuts. :o)
To get the free printable, go here.

Of course there were party hats, eats, games,

…and a cute slide show, put together by our daughter.

The Beach

Sunrise

Our group took turns on various mornings,
heading to the beach to view the beautiful sunrise.

 

   

Our time at the beach was always enjoyable; morning, daytime, and evening.
Hilton Head’s beaches have compact sand, making it easy to walk on,
or even to ride a bike on.

Food and more Fun

On most nights, the individual families took turns preparing dinner.
On our day to cook (see the right-hand photo), we served breakfast instead,
with Dad’s buttermilk pancakes.
(See the recipe below.)

The family relaxing after another great meal.

Lunch at Hilton Head’s Salty Dog, and Salty Dog souvenirs, too.

Hudson’s, a Hilton Head institution, was delicious,
and my favorite restaurant of the week!
Our family of thirteen took up the whole, long table.  :o)

The iconic red and white light house is Harbour Town‘s, centerpiece. 

The penalty for losing at miniature golf?
Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf 

Yes, I found Mickey Bars on Hilton Head Island!

Our daughter found a few items to purchase at the
Disney Hilton Head Resort Store. :o)
(She and her hubby stayed here on their honeymoon in 2013.)
She can make arrangements for you to stay here,
or at any other Disney property.
For details to her free Disney travel service,
refer to the links at the bottom of this blog.

Recipe

Dad’s Buttermilk Pancakes

Ingredients

2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups buttermilk (whole-fat works best)
2 eggs. well-beaten
1 stick of real butter, melted

PAM spray, or vegetable oil

Real maple syrup

Directions

Mix together dry ingredients: flour, salt, baking soda.
Add buttermilk, stirring together.
Add well-beaten eggs.  Mix together well.
Add melted butter, and stir just until mixed.

Pour batter into 350-degree electric skillet that has been
sprayed with PAM. or a Tablespoon of vegetable oil.

Serve with real maple syrup.
Serves 4-6.

Thanks so much for reading. :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly, so look for my next post around September 18.

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