A recent trip to Charleston, SC rekindled my love of courtyard and container gardening. With real estate in the city at a premium, homeowners must make the best of small alleyways, side yards, and window boxes. The piazzas or porches are designed to catch the ocean breezes and to serve as outdoor entertaining space, perfect for beautiful pots of flowers.
Many homes are large and airy with spectacular gardens. Some of the most interesting homes remind me of our Fernandina Beach Victorian houses, smaller, but designed to use every inch of space. The window boxes filled with flowers add charm to many a small home.
This iron gate provides a glimpse into a secret garden.
Charleston and Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island have interesting pasts. Both sit on natural harbors. Both have historic forts. Both are surrounded by coastal marshes.
Amelia Island homes are interesting…ranging from old Victorian homes in Fernandina
to coastal spreads on the beach and the south end of the island.
The island is narrow meaning beach views and marsh views.
There are many grand homes, but also great smaller homes, utilizing every bit of space…and nice garden niches, courtyards and container gardens.
A special garden nook…a hammock nestled among the oak trees with hydrangeas and marsh views!
Perfect place for a nap.
The hydrangeas have been beautiful this year.
I spotted some of the prettiest hydrangeas in Amelia Park, a community noted for its small town charm. A place where you can sit on your front porch chatting with neighbors as they stroll the sidewalks.
Many homes have special painted doors.
Charleston and Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island have similar food traditions.
Both enjoy an abundance of fresh seafood, especially shrimp. Charleston and low country boils go hand in hand. Amelia Island celebrates it shrimping industry with The Shrimp Festival.
Dave and I like our shrimp blackened in an old cast iron skillet. Dave tosses peeled shrimp in a little olive oil, sprinkled with our favorite, Louisiana Cajun Blackened Seasoning. (We get our seasoning and shrimp from Charlie Taylor at Atlantic Seafood.) Heat iron skillet on grill until hot. Cook shrimp 3 minutes, turning once. Be sure not to overcook.
I love iron skillets (as you know from previous posts)!
In Charleston we dined at HALLS CHOPHOUSE . Sides are served in small cast iron skillets. The Pepper Jack Creamed Corn Skillet was divine.
as was the seasonal Brussel Sprout Skillet.
What a great idea, baking sides in small cast iron skillets and serving family style.
I love visiting Charleston. I love living on Amelia Island.
Come celebrate with me! I’ll save you a seat at the table.
7 Comments
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks for you comment Bob. Amelia is beautiful this time of year. Looking forward to Vermont and Maine and will be posting pictures and paintings from our trip.
Love the beautiful flowers from two wonderful communities! And I do recognize few of the Amelia locations.
I do too! Love yours…..want to take a nap out there!
A cast iron skillet makes grilling much easier for me. It can work for all food types. Chareslton and Amelia are truly spcial places to visit (or live!)
Love that cast iron skillet!
Love this post and all of the beautiful pictures!