1812 on the Perquimans
Perquimans County of North Carolina. Its Indian meaning is “ Land of the Beautiful Women.” It is nestled on the coast of North Carolina surrounded by the Albemarle Sound with Yeopim , Little River and Perquimans River snaking their way between the fingers of land. It has over 100 miles of shoreline. It is tranquil, quiet and serene.
Along the Perquimans River on Old Neck Road, you will find a home that holds many hospitable memories and still is active as a Bed and Breakfast. It is the 1812 on the Perquimans. This beautiful two story home had been in the Rascoe family over 200 years. It was known as the Fletcher-Skinner-Nixon House. In the early 1990’s, the mother of Peter Rascoe asked him would he save it. Peter and his wife, Nancy, were up for the challenge. In fact, they did most of the restorations. Ms. Nancy, as I like to call her, was a teacher, but had stopped working outside the home to help her husband with the restorations. However the part of Ms. Nancy that loves to share, inform and teach never left her . She loved the home and she wanted others to see it’s beauty and an idea blossomed. A cousin suggested to Ms. Nancy to offer an etiquette camp for children. She thought, “what if the children came and had a party as Gone with the Wind? She could teach etiquette , making it a fun experience. She would add swimming, canoeing, tennis and croquet.
The first etiquette class was in 1993. It was a handful of girls. Ms. Nancy led the classes and sports. Her husband, known as, Big Peter, cooked. A friend taught the Bible study and Miss Blue, the sweetest , most charming lady of the area, helped at the inn, cleaned and played the piano. The Racsoes were in their sixties and they loved the young energy in the home.
My thoughts of Ms. Nancy consist of her genuine fondness of others. She has a keen sense of humor and her sincerity shines. Anyone who knows Ms. Nancy soon appreciates her outlook as a Southern Lady and her Nancy-isms stay with you long after you depart from 1812. Some of her sayin’s are on folding a towel… “Inside to inside, flip over and don’t let the tag show.” On how to say “washrag”… It is a bath cloth. On how to say trashcan…. It is a wastebasket. On eating soup the proper way…”Out to Sea and back to me.” And how to shake a hand … “No wobbly fish”.
1812 on the Perquimans is still active. Much has happened since 1993. Big Peter and Ms.Blue have passed . A nanny that visited along with one of the girls years ago is now with Ms. Nancy . Ms. Sitterson and others help Ms. Nancy in keeping the school active. Ms. Nancy is still teaching and sayings her Nancy-isms. The children leave with knowing how to place a napkin, set a formal table, play tennis, have devotional , all in the setting of a Gone with the Wind home.
And before the children leave they know this quote…. Etiquette is today what it has always been. A code of behavior based on kindness, consideration and unselfishness. Something that should not and will ever change.
If you happen to ride through on Hwy 17 in North Carolina, reserve a night’s stay at the 1812 on the Perquimans. The reviews are all 5 star and you will enjoy the experience of true Southern Elegance.
Who doesn’t love a great Southern read ? Our Southern culture offers stories of tall tales to romantic spins and mysteries unsolved. If you’re from the South, the fictional characters of any southern book seem familiar . You either have an uncle, cousin or close family member that resembles the story being told. Stories of southern families resonates with you because you have lived the story. How many times have you heard your Mother say, I could write a book. Yep, in the South , we do love our manners and airing dirty laundry is not allowed. It’s just not Southern. 
Transferware and flowers. I love the combination. Nothing speaks as elegant as redwedge and roses. Transferware has been used in Southern homes since the big plantations of 1800’s. It is a carry over from England. The transfer-printing technique, was developed in England in the eighteenth century .The process permits the application of a printed decoration, using copper plates and tissues onto pottery, china, chintz. English transferware became extremely popular in the United States , a fact that British potters embraced. A number of the major tableware firms produced goods exclusively for the American market. Specific colors, in particular pink and dark blue were exclusively produced for export to America. Even today a small area in the north of Stafford County, England, remains the pottery capital of the world.
Living by logic. As an adult, we have decisions to make.Daily you hear the media, politicians, leaders, social media everydayers, voiced their demands and opinions upon others .
The purple-leaf shamrock is a low-growing foliage plant for the garden that also makes an attractive indoor plant with its rich, vibrant, purple leaves. The dark colors blend well and accent the colors of spring flowers. The touch of dark lavender among the bright yellows and whites and blues make a soft contrast in spring floral arrangements. To jumpstart the growth of the shamrock in the spring, you need to start in January. 
Awwhh.. Home . USA. The last leg of the flight that says arriving at your final destination in 20 minutes. I’m back. Put your seatbelts on and prepare for landing. It’s been a whirlwind few days . As they say you can take the girl out of Carolina , but you can’t take the Carolina out of the girl. It’s good to be in Carolina for a few, but got my bags ready. Traveling abroad, learning another new language before you are proficient in one, you are taking on another. Thank goodness, for Google Translate and 
With Valentine’s Day approaching, I can’t help but think of my favorite romantic author. He writes love stories from the heart. He makes it all believable and you fall in love all over again with love. Nicholas Sparks ! He is not a native of North Carolina but he reminds me of a saying my husband told me when we met. ” I may not have been born in North Carolina, but I got here as soon as I could”. Nicholas Sparks resides in New Bern NC. This little town,in fact, is where my husband and I spent part of our honeymoon. A beautiful, quaint, easy living city on the Neuse and Trent Rivers .
It is the birthplace to Pepsi. And Pepsi has its own museum you can visit. My husband and I visit New Bern when we are passing through traveling to Atlantic Beach, NC. And in our last visit, my husband took me on the tour by Nicholas Sparks’ home. I know, of course, we didn’t see Nicholas, but the ride on the river was worth it all, plus seeing his home was a treat. When Nicholas Sparks’ book , The Notebook was made into film, my girlfriends and I had to see it. We were then forever fans of anything Nicholas wrote . And he has continued to write many love stories . When his book, Nights in Rodanthe was being filmed at the Outer Banks, I had friends who auditioned to be extras and were able to say, ” I was in a movie with Richard Gere.” You can still see the cottage , Serendipity, but it has been purchased and moved to a safer location. After Hurricane Bill, it nearly crumbled into the ocean. In the movie it was called The Inn At Rodanthe.
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