playing in the tidal pools at Hunting Island
matching necklaces (I call them “starfish”; Meera calls them the correct name, “sea stars”)
football in the surf on a Sunday afternoon, Hunting Island
history everywhere
pure Owen
pure Meera
pure Kyle
wide open spaces
wide open spaces II
our go-to guide for the past 5 weeks
South Carolina peaches
Owen and Kyle at the top of the tower, Port Royal waterfront
Meera, pool float
in front of the lighthouse, Hunting Island
shrimp boat off of Harbor Island
riding in the golf cart
Meera & Braydon in Charleston
shrimp scampi — I was going to do a Food Friday blog post about this — how amazing the shrimp here is, and how incredible it is to buy it right off the boat, etc. I was also going to link to the best shrimp scampi recipe ever (I made this weekly while we were here: Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Linguine with Shrimp Scampi) — click here!
I was also going to try to write a post about my observations of the reactions of people in the South (as compared to the North) to seeing/interacting with our black-white-adoptive family. But I never got to that. Above picture is precious to me: Kyle and Owen just very comfortably hanging out with an older black gentleman on the waterfront in Charleston. He let them feed the birds with him. And he talked with them, in depth, about God. Our boys are embraced by the black community (almost always), and it is truly amazing to watch and witness as an outsider-yet-their-mother.
I was also going to write a post about Owen’s newfound obsession (discovered on this trip) with pralines. His new favorite food.
I was also going to write a post about The Shrimp Shack. [I guess I never got around to a lot of the posts I was going to write.]
I was also going to post about fiddler crabs (above left), and alligators (above right).
I did post about hermit crabs! But I forgot to include this awesome picture in that post.
my summer “desk”
reading at the pool
Hunting Island
the bambinos in the hammock on the back deck of the beach house
* * *
It has been an amazing and inspirational five weeks. Tomorrow we leave and head north.
I’ll end here, with my favorite photo from the summer (Braydon took this with his iPhone one night when we went for a walk on the beach at sunset):
I am curious…what were the reactions to your family? As I’ve mentioned before, my dad is from SC. I also spent the better part of the first 9 years of my life in SC. However, I have no desire to live in the South. I really don’t have fond memories (outside of being with my family and friends). I think the last time I was in SC was when I was around 12 years old. A very not nice woman tried to jump in front of my mom in the grocery line. My mom refused to let the cashier ring up the other woman’s groceries. I knew at that point that I would never live in the South as an adult. (In case you didn’t guess, I am AA.) And yes, I admire that you are raising your boys to know their heritage and community. They are blessed to have you as their mom.
Thanks Sharon, I will try to write about it. It is a tough topic, but I will try.
Hi – I would love if you had a few moments to share about your experience in the south as a transracial family. My in-laws live in North Carolina, and we are adopting from Haiti. I am very interested in hearing about your experiences to help better understand what we may experience when visiting our family. Even just a short paragraph or comment would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I will try to write about it sometime soon. It is hard to write about– because it feels vulnerable to write about something potentially provocative — but I will try.
Beautiful photos! Looks like a very special place! Glad you all had such a great time this summer. See you soon. xoxo
Looks so amazing! I’ve always wanted to go to the SC coast. Looks like your family couldn’t have had any more fun…!
P.S. sending package(Meera’s fairy skirt and little something for k and O) today or tomorrow-:)
Beautiful pix of a wonderful summer
We had an interesting experience while vacationing in Maine (Portland area) and it struck me how there was NO diversity. Had some interesting looks from the local people when they saw an Asian daughter with a White mother. Didn’t see one person of color and we were not in touristy activities/areas. Haven’t had that reaction while in any other part of the country and we’ve travelled extensively in the US and abroad.
Another request to hear about reactions in the South vs. North to your family if it’s not too uncomfortable to share! I am curious as my husband and I lived in New Orleans in the past, have recently adopted a black son, and visit the South every few years. Thanks so much.