What's In A Name?

 

{One evening in September on Kiawah Island, SC}

"Mom?"

"Yes, Eliza Grace?"

"I have something I'd like to speak to you about."

Uh oh, I thought.  This sounded serious.  Of course Eliza Grace almost always sounds fairly serious.  Like 10 going on 50 serious.  

"Alrighty," I said. "What's up?"

"Well, I hate to say this but...when I'm out in public I find it a bit embarrassing when I call Grandmommy 'Grandmommy'."

"Okay," I said.  Grandmommy is what most of my Mother's grandchildren call her.

"It's just that I think I'm just a little too old to be calling her something so little kid-ish. So I wanted to know if I could call her something else."

I worked hard to keep my face serious and not smile, because, for goodness sake, the kid is just so darn cute.

"I think that would be okay," I said. "What did you have in mind?  Grandmom? Grammy? Something like that?  You already know that she does not like 'Grandma' or 'Granny' at all."

"Well, I think that I would prefer to call her Grandmother."

"Yes," I said with a smile, "that does sound more like you.  I'm sure she'd be okay with that but you might want to ask her just to be sure."

"Okay, I will. But just so you know, I'll still call her Grandmommy when we're, you know, around family, because that is what she is used to."

"Okay, sweetie.  Sounds like a plan."

{Two minutes later}

"Hey Mommy," said Will as he pulled me a little to the side and leaned close to my ear.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"I'll still call her Grandmommy, though.  Okay?"

"Yes, sweetie.  You can call her that as long as you like."

Happy Place

Our family has been vacationing on Kiawah Island, South Carolina for just shy of 20 years.  

This was the place where our kids' feet first touched the ocean - before either had reached three months of age. It's no wonder they're so at home in the water.

For an amateur photographer, like myself, it's a great place to experiment with light and depth, expanse and detail.

Mysterious swamps, wide ocean views, amazing sunsets, fishing holes, winding paths, and Spanish moss laden live Oaks makes it a wonderful place to just breathe.

Throw in the Nature Center activities, a kids camp... 

...and the fact that it's 25 minutes from downtown Charleston's history, shopping and fabulous dining...

 

 and it's almost paradise.

No wonder it's one of our happy places.

Going Home for the Candle Tea

The kids and I headed over to Winston-Salem (my home town) yesterday to meet up with my Mom and attend Old Salem's Christmas tradition of the Candle Tea.

The women of Home Moravian Church have been doing the Candle Tea for decades. If you like history, singing traditional Christmas music, watching bees wax candles being made, eating Moravian Sugar cake and hearing the Christmas story, this is the place for you.

I love Old Salem and, if you have never been, I encourage you to plan a visit soon.

A little history.

The pedestrian bridge from the visitor's center

Home Moravian Church across the town square

Eliza Grace volunteered to sing the solo on "Morning Star," my all time favorite Moravian hymn

Bees wax candles being made for the Love Feast services

Taking a break to look at Salem Creek

Afternoon in the park

What a beautiful day! I love Autumn. It is my very favorite season. I love nearly everything about it...except the part about dressing for cool temps in the morning and hot temps in the afternoon - I never know how to dress the kids!

This bright blue sky'd morning we hit Home Depot for the monthly kids workshop and then we spent some time at the park. Here are some pics of the kiddies at the park...and even one with Grandmommy and Will on the swings!