I have long had a fascination with antique wrought iron ornamentation in any form. Add the art of landscaping and amazing architecture….and voila
you have Charleston, South Carolina!

Most of these photos were taken after a morning run along The Battery…..just imagine the splendor awaiting throughout the other areas of the city!

Before steelmaking was perfected, wrought iron was the most common type of malleable iron. Wrought actually means "made by hand" or "to work".

Its history precedes medieval times…when wrought iron was first recorded as being used for decorative purposes. In ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, wrought iron was used for making weapons and tools.

Wrought iron production and demand soared with the introduction of ironclad warships and railway growth and was pivotal in warfare during the Civil War…as well as many wars before (think Korean turtle ships, Crimea, French Navy, Russian….read more here). Also, be sure to check-out ironclads to visit……like the U.S.S. Cairo in Vicksburg, MS…, etc…

Our family's explorations have included several ship tours….there is much to be discovered onboard each vessel. I much prefer ships vs. submarines…….but, that's another story!

Learn more about the two types of wrought iron, puddle and charcoal here. This history of wrought iron is intriguing and if you start reading you will likely jump from site to site to explore the historical connections like the Industrial Revolution….yep, I said explore history….ugghhh…..I may like it after all…..maybe…..from the site…..

One of the first production methods of iron was with the use of bloomeries. A bloomery is a sort of furnace with a pit and chimney, and featured stone or clay walls for heat resistance. Clay pipes entered near the bottom of the pit to allow airflow either from natural source or through the use of a type of air pump known as a bellow. Once a bloomery was filled with charcoal and iron ore it was lit and air was forced through the pipes fueling the fire and heating the mixture to just below the melting point for iron. This forced the impurities to melt and run off while the carbon monoxide from the charcoal reduced the ore to iron in a sponge-like mass. This material was then forged with hammers, which removed impurities in the process.

Innovations such as introducing water power and a blast furnace advanced the process throughout centuries, but it was the invention of the puddling furnace in 1784 that brought wrought iron use to its peak. The puddling technique created the production of wrought iron without charcoal. This enabled a great expansion of iron use throughout Great Britain and that in part sprung the Industrial Revolution.

Okay…..I'll focus…….a tour of wrought iron, landscaping, and architecture in The Holy City….

parterre perfection :)

Insert drum roll here………

Witness a blissful union of wrought iron, architecture, and landscape design! My favorite!

Wishing you time to notice and treasure the details in life,

Dixie Pearls

Congratulations to our precious nephew and his new bride!

This is how I still envision you….playing with TW1 on Grandaddy's tractor…..loved the photos in the slideshow!

The rehearsal dinner was held at Wentworth Mansion

in the restaurant Circa 1886.

Circa 1886

via their website here……………..

"Circa 1886 is located in the original carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion, built in 1886. The building still retains much of its original character. Many of the earliest architectural details still exist, including the wood-burning kitchen fireplace, stable doors, light-filled windows and original heart-of-pine floors. Designed to mimic the original carriage openings, cozy and romantic arched booths are set along the wall of our main dining room.

The restaurant’s romantic warm hues, wood paneling, candlelit tables and plush interiors lend themselves to an elegant fine dining experience that is both comfortable and cosmopolitan. Voted one of the country’s ’20 Best Restaurants for a Date’ by Men’s Fitness Magazine, Circa 1886 sets the mood for a romantic evening in downtown Charleston.

Circa 1886 Restaurant holds a Forbes Four Star distinction, AAA Four Diamond rating and is consistently recognized by Wine Enthusiast as one of America’s Best Wine Restaurants."

Dinner was amazing…..my SIL is a foodie, too.

Here's a sample menu……

Appetizer

FOIE GRAS / $17

Cocoa, Lemon, Graham Cracker Mousse, Banana, Peppercorn Meringue, Salted Peanuts

SMOKED SALMON / $11

Bavarois, Caviar, Red Onion, Fried Gherkin, Potato Gaufrette, Chive Oil

62.5° FARM EGG / $10

Farro, Soy Lacquer, Crispy Spiced Peas, Carrot n’ Key Lime Coulis

BROCCOLI PATÉ / $10

Pimento Gelée, Yogurt Espuma, Pancetta Wafer, Tondo Balsamic

BABY ARUGULA / $9

Beets, Feta, Candied Pecans, Cucumbers, Fennel, Late Harvest Riesling Vinaigrette

•

Main Course

SEA SCALLOPS / $29

Garlic Butter Poached, Preserved Tomato Fondue, Haricot Verts and Lemon Caper Salad, Ricotta Polpette, Pinot Noir Syrup

ANTELOPE / $34

White Cheddar Grits, Asparagus, Cast Iron Shallots, Fig Bordelaise, Belgian Endive

BEEF / $30

Potato and Celery Root Mousseline, Mire Poix, Sage, Red-Eye Gravy, Crispy Chicken Livers

ARCTIC CHAR / $23

Collards, Popcorn Snow, Blood Orange, Buttered Turnips, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms

BISON SHORT RIB / $31

Rice Bean Puree, Horseradish Froth, Red Cabbage, Radish, Sunflower Sprouts

HEART OF PALM “MARROW” / $22

Spinach, Crispy Fried Onions, Beluga Lentils, Grapefruit Basil Salad, Veggie Glace

CHICKEN “POULET ROUGE” / $25

Truffle Pesto, Butternut Squash, Carolina Gold Rice, Benne Seeds, Brussels Sprouts, Chicken Jus, Spiced Grapes

PORK CHOP / $28

Ginger Brined, Sweet Potato Puree, Toasted Marshmallow, Mustard Greens, Banyuls Onion Demi Glace

LAMB CHOPS / $32

Apple Rosemary Cous Cous, Rapini, Goat Cheese Pistachio “Truffle”, Sour Cherry Demi Glace

BASS / $26

Field Peas, Corned Beef, Pepper Trinity, Fried Green Tomato, Smoked Paprika Broth, Pickled Okra Tartar Sauce

CHEF’S TASTING MENU / $75

A chef’s five course tasting menu is available daily for $75

with wine pairings $110

•

Sweet Finish

TRIO OF CHEESES / $15

Artisanal Cheeses with Traditional Accompaniments

BUTTER PECAN CRÈME BRÛLÉE / $9

Firefly Bourbon Cake

“KEY LIME PIE” / $11

Bavarois, Cheesecake and Curd, Raspberry Coulis

TRIO OF SORBETS / $8

House Made Biscotti

KAHLÚA “PLUFF MUDD” / $11

Bailey’s Milk Chocolate Mousse, Pot au Créme

CRISPY PEAR BREAD PUDDING / $10

Salty Caramel, Rosemary-Cabernet Syrup, Aged Cheddar Ice Cream

ROASTED BANANA SOUFFLÉ / $12

Sorgum Anglaise, Maple Black Walnut Ice Cream

The menu for the night….

I had the organic beef tenderloin on a bed of caramelized shallot and fig mashed potatoes, collard greens, and foie gras butter…….yummm!

The tables…white/cream damask chair covers, white cloths/black napkins to echo the black rim on the china, full continental silver, complete formal setting…sans the soup spoon……….

BROCCOLI PATÉ / $10

Pimento Gelée, Yogurt Espuma, Pancetta Wafer, Tondo Balsamic

My first course instead of the crab soufflé (boo shellfish allergy!!)!

Just a sample of the plating……..yep, we eat with our eyes first!

My SIL and BIL and Mr. Man.

My sweet SILs…….m.o.g. on the right. :)

Then……the wedding day!

The wedding and reception was held aboard

The Carolina Girl.

from the site………..

About The Carolina Girl

Guest Capacity of our Luxury Yacht:

Our luxury yacht seats up to 150 guests and every seat provides a breathtaking view of the scenic Charleston Harbor.

Amenities/Space in our Event Yacht:

Available for year-round charter
The Carolina Girl yacht is permanently docked in Charleston, SC
Multiple hotels within walking distance
Parking lot adjacent to the yacht that holds up to 100 cars
Heating and air conditioning
DJ mixing station on the top deck that includes the rental of a DJ and a $50,000 on-board integrated sound system. Satellite music system installed on all three levels of the Carolina Girl yacht. Each level operates independently and can feature different music selections.
The Top Deck of the event venue has a non-skid dance floor and wrap -around deck and comfortable furniture seating.
The Middle Deck features a formal dining area which can seat up to 88 people. The room is further enhanced by a stunning black granite bar able to facilitate all of your beverage needs.
The Lower Deck of the yacht, known as the "Key West Room", seats 40 people in a comfortable and social atmosphere.