Today, we made the trip to Camden, South Carolina to visit a family friend at Cool Springs Plantation for lunch. Our friend Gaffney lives in an old antebellum home on an old plantation site. When we visit I can’t help, but imagine what has happened in this home over the last 180 years. Gaffney and his cook prepared a delicious lunch for us. He invited his friend Anita to join us. We enjoyed hearing about how they spend their time gardening and playing pool at Cool Springs. After lunch we took the children down to the basement for a game of pool. Our daughter doesn’t remember her last visit to Cool Springs Plantation so we also took her on a little tour. She was amazed by the staircase. Her favorite part of the visit was seeing the antique hair comb collection. After the tour we retreated to the porch to show the children the joggling board. Finally we spent some time in the rockers on the front porch. It always seems as if time just stands still when we visit Cool Springs.
On our way back home we stopped in another quaint South Carolina town to visit some of the downtown shops and eat dinner. Over the past few months I have followed Bevy at It’s a Golden Day. As we were strolling downtown, we came across the cutest shop- Tea Garden Gifts. I thought I recalled this being the shop Bevy mentions on her blog. We began looking around and were approached by none other than Bevy. I was so excited to meet a fellow blogger. Bevy is just as cute and magnetic in person as she is on her blog. She talked to us for several minutes- I felt like I already knew her due to reading her blog. The store is TOO CUTE- I was SO EXCITED to find a place to buy invitations. Several of the shops I used for invitations have closed. Tea Garden Gifts also had great clothing, shoes, jewelry, golf items, personalized stationary and CUTE, CUTE, CUTE Lilly Pulitzer gift items. I can’t wait to go back.
During the first few days of spring break the kiddos and I made a trip to visit my parents. My son and my dad went bowling-my son won! I spent most of my time working on an consultation job for my sister's gym. The walls are still bare so I spent a lot of time looking at vinyl lettering, artwork and display items for the pro shop.
The kids always like to make Cake in a Cup with Mimi. She has worked at perfecting the recipe. My daughter (Missy Prissy) always makes a chocolate cake and my son makes a key lime version. I have included the chocolate recipe in one of the photos. You could defintely add icing.
The kiddos enjoyed a game of Guess Who. This is a great gift if you are in need of something for a child from ages 5-10.
We enjoyed a beautiful Easter Sunday. The scenery outside is just one reminder of all of our blessings. Our Sunday church service was full of reasons to celebrate our Risen Savior. The children sang and several youth took part in a service of confirmation. After church we feasted on a typical Southern Easter lunch- fried chicken, sweet pickles, rice, deviled eggs (mustard w/horseradish used- yummy), green beans, a congealed salad, rolls, sweet tea and dessert. We reminisced about the same meal once served by our grandmothers. The kids enjoyed some fun on the zip line after lunch.
For the next week the kids and I will enjoy some time off while hubby works. He'll be fine since the NCAA championship is tonight and the Masters begins today. I hope to get some sewing for my daughter done. She needs a Little Bo Peep costume for the upcoming Nursery Rhyme Day at school. She has also gone thru a growth spurt and needs longer shorts. Gotta get to stitching!
Spring Break is finally here! Many schools in our state have really late spring breaks compared to other states. Glad it has arrived because we needed a break.
The week started off a little rough when our son found out his best friend is moving away. I was brought to tears when my husband called to tell me. My son has been so brave and tried not to cry. He and his buddy have decided to enjoy the time they have left together. Thank goodness his buddy is staying until mid June. My husband has been a great help because his best friend moved away when he was exactly the same age.
Another major event occurred when our son got glasses this week. Long ago, kids would not have been so excited, but my son couldn't wait to show his friends at school. My daughter wants a pair. The newness of the glasses just has to wear off.
Last night we attended a student art show in town while the kids colored and decorated eggs at church. Today we attended the Egg Hunt sponsored by our city. Two of our nieces are here to visit and attend the hunt with us. Our sweet daughter just about made a run for the car when the Easter Bunny arrived on the firetruck. She does not like dressed up characters (no chance of Disney World). Finally the hunt began, but she never lost sight of where the bunny was at all times. Our brave volunteer fire department prepared lunch for the kids, parents and grandparents. My favorite part of the hunt was the opening prayer. Praise the Lord we still celebrate public events with a prayer thanking God for the sacrifice he made for us. After this egg hunt we went to visit some friends hosting their annual egg hunt. As we arrived they were setting up for a picnic lunch by the pond. We enjoyed some cool beverages as we visited.
After arriving home, I began my preparations for Sunday. It took a while to iron all of the clothes for Easter Sunday. I also whipped up some deviled eggs. I'll share the recipe if it turns out good. I don't eat deviled eggs often, but it just doesn't seem like Easter without them. Spring is such an appropriate season to celebrate our Lord and Savior.
I haven't forgotten about blogging, but we have been really busy lately. My son just finished up a six night run of "Kids Say the Darndest Things". It is also wedding and baby shower season- can't believe how many I have attended lately. Gearing up for spring break and not long before summer vacation. Yesterday, I finally got to squeeze in a few hours of sewing for my daughter. With the end of the school year fast approaching we have so many events to attend- Honors Day, Honors Night, sports banquet, graduation, Nursery Rhyme Day, Easter Egg Hunts, Kite Flying Day, recreation baseball, dance recitals, etc.
Most recently, I've become very interested in the "Made in the USA" movement. Several weeks ago we went shopping for baseball cleats. Did you know it is impossible to find a pair of tennis shoes "made in the USA" much less cleats? So sad, players of America's favorite pastime must hit the field decked in garb "Made in China". Even worse is the fact the USA is borrowing money from the same country making almost all of the products we use. I've done some research to locate "Made in the USA" products. Thank goodness my favorite sandals are "Made in the USA"- Stephen Bonanno's. I wore my gold sandals out and I'm trying to decide if I should send them for repair of just get another pair. Got to hurry and decide - it is warming up.
If you want to know more about "Made in the USA" visit
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/ . I'm going to make an effort to support these businesses as well as other American companies producing products in the states. While checking out the latest LL Bean catalog, I was surprised to find only one item in the entire catalog with the designation "made in the USA".
Our country made a big mistake when it allowed our manufacturing jobs to move to other countries. These jobs were not glamorous, but a job is a job. Just a few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to visit a local manufacturing facility. I left there being so proud of our community and the people working in the plant. It gives me great pride to know something people need all over the world is made in my back yard. We need to take more pride in products made in our country. Blue collar workers have never been respected for their role in making the USA the greatest country in the world.
Let your legislator hear your voice. Call or email him/her with your thoughts on the proposed health care legislation. This is the week the House will most likely take a vote. If you want to know how this legislation will impact you and your family talk to your physician. He/she will be able to give you a lot of insight into how this legislation will help or hinder your current medical care. You can locate your representative's contact information by Googling his/her name.
My sweetie and I attended another luncheon today. Got a new recipe for a ladies luncheon- Congealed Asparagus Salad. It was wonderful and has a southern staple- PECANS. See the recipe below the picture of my sweet girl.
Congealed Asparagus Salad
1 c. water
1 c.sugar
1/2 c.vinegar
1/2tsp. salt
2envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/2 c.cold water
1/2 c.celery,
diced 1/2 c.pecans, chopped
1 sm.jar pimento, chopped
1 med.can cut asparagus
Juiceof 1 lemon
Sm.amount of onion, grated
Methods/steps
Boil water, sugar, vinegar, and salt. Dissolve gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water. Combine all ingredients and place in refrigerator to congeal.
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