Mercer House-Savannah

Did I mention that my Savannah album has about 800 pictures in it? LOL, that could keep me posting Savannah photos for quite some time! Savannah is one of my favorite cities and when I grow up and become rich and famous, I would love a winter home right smack dab in the middle of one of its beautiful, historical squares.

This is the Mercer/Williams House. Construction began in 1860 for General Hugh Mercer, Great Grandfather of Johnny Mercer. The construction of the home had to take a break during the Civil War and was finally completed in 1868 by the new owner, John Wilder.

In 1969, the vacant home was purchased by Jim Williams. You can read more about the home HERE and HERE

Mickve Israel Synagogue-Savannah, Georgia

I'm digging through my Shutterfly account finding photos. I just haven't been anywhere lately and feel uninspired with winter subjects to photograph although I do have to say that our temps are warming up this weekend and getting into the 60's. For my friend >Peter in Paris who is always trying to get me to convert to celcius,lol, that would be about 15.6+!

A couple of years back we took a trip down to Savannah. So much great architecture and history there.

In 1876 the cornerstone for this synagogue was laid and is the third oldest Jewish congregation in America, and is the only Gothic synagogue in the U.S.


The following is taken from the synagogue's web site:
Forty-two brave pioneering Jews, the “largest group of Jews to land in North America in Colonial days” arrived in Savannah on July 11, 1733, just five months after General James Edward Oglethorpe established the colony of Georgia.

These founders of Mickve Israel brought with them a “Safertoro” [sic] made of deerskin, with two “cloaks,” and a “circumcision box,” which was donated by a London merchant. This Torah is still used on commemorative occasions at Mickve Israel.

The name “Mickva Israel” is a phrase in the Haftara (Jeremiah 17:13) and also reflected the influence of Mickve Israel, a book of messianic hope written in 1648 by the famous Amsterdam Rabbi Manashe ben Israel.

On March 1, 1876, the cornerstone was laid for the present building, and the Monterey Square sanctuary was consecrated on April 11, 1878. The neo-Gothic synagogue was designed by famous New York Architect Henry G. Harrison.

On November 20, 1790, Governor Edward Telfair granted the congregation a perpetual charter as “a body incorporate by the name and style of the ‘Parnas and Adjuntas of Mickve Israel at Savannah,’” the same charter under which the congregation operates today. (A photocopy of the original charter can be seen in the archival museum of the congregation.)

Today in Mickve Israel’s Archival Museum ten presidential letters are on display, including ones from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, as well as the more recent ones from George Bush and Bill Clinton.

You can visit the website
HERE

St. Mary's, Georgia

Last spring we took a trip down to St. Mary's in south Georgia. This photo is of the Tabby Sugar Mill Ruins. Tabby is a sort of building material which was used in the southeast by mixing equal parts of lime, water, sand, oyster shells, and ash.
To read more about Tabby, click HERE

A Little More Snow

Yesterday we woke up to another dusting of snow. You can see we didn't get much but it looked pretty while it lasted.
The weather called for a little more, 1-3 inches overnight but I woke up to nothing but a muddy yard.
This weekend we are supposed to have some great "spring like" warm weather. I'll take it!

Superbowl Fun

Obviously the Superbowl is big in our house,lol.

Happy Birthday Braden and Dalton

How did my babies go from this:



to this:


to this in a nanosecond?


Seems like just yesterday we brought them home from the hospital....
Happy Birthday big 7 year olds!

February Theme Day-Paths and Passages

This months theme with the City Daily Photo group is "Paths and Passages". My entry is of Braden and Daddy taking a ride on one of the many 4 wheelers that Berglund Outdoors sells, perfect for riding those paths and passages and even making some of your own!
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Also today is Superbowl Sunday! Our house is divided with Ash and Daddy and Dalton routing for the Cardinals and Christian, Braden, and I pulling for the Steelers!