South Carolina

A quick June Update {Thoughts From Me}

June 12, 2014 by Dana

I keep telling myself that I am going to come up with a better system for blogging and an idea for weekly posts yet that doesn’t happen. So hear I am again, giving a blog update very quickly because our busy life is consumed with living and not with writing at this time. Maybe one day the writing will come but for now I’m content to simply live life.

At this point, I’m back to the house overhaul. My birthday is coming up and all I can keep thinking is how I want this or that for the house – not a lot for me, myself. I’d love to put in new bookshelves that are sturdier than the ones we are currently using, made of real wood to hold the weight of all the books we own. Heck, I’d love to buy a building just to house my books! That’s a dream in itself!

Speaking of the shelves, my current cleaning is to catalog all the books so that I know what I’m using. I’m doing this with both Classroom Organizer online which I can use with the laptop or my phone to scan in ISBN numbers. I’m also using my BookCrawler app so these are stored in two separate places and maybe I can keep up a little easier with what we do and don’t have already. I’m pretty good though as only a few multiples have made it into our home library!

For now, we have a break in doctor’s appointments for the kids and my Mom. This small break will be devoted to cleaning and clearing junk in the house and our lives and also to school, field trips and lessons that must be completed. Yet, another reason our days are busy and full right now. When it’s too hot or too cold to be outside, we do school! Oh the perks of living in ole South Carolina!

So that is my update for now, for lack of an idea of anything else to post today. Perhaps my brain will regain function after I get some of this mess organized.

Until next time…

C is for Charles Towne Landing {Blogging Through The Alphabet}

May 22, 2014 by Dana

C is for Charles Towne Landing

Last week we had another doctor appointment in Charleston. Since we were in the area, we decided to take a field trip as well. One of our favorite places to visit is Charles Towne Landing, a South Carolina State Park.

Viewing and listening to the first exhibit in the park museum.

My first visit to Charles Towne Landing was in 4th grade with my public school class. That one visit stuck with me for my entire life, so when my children were born, I knew Charles Towne Landing would be one place that I wanted my children to see with me. Charles Towne is also a childhood favorite of Josh’s, so it’s a place he enjoys visiting as well.

Charles Towne Landing is located in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina right on a marsh off the Ashley River. This park represents the establishment of the birthplace of the first Carolina Colony at Charleston, where a group of English Settlers first landed in 1670. The park is filled with historical representations of the original Carolina Colony.

This was Jackson’s very first field trip!

You begin your visit to Charles Towne Landing with a stop at the Visitor’s Center, where you can pay for entrance to the park. The fees are low at $10 per adult, $6.50 per Senior Citizen, $6 for Youth ages 6-15 and children under 5 get in free. If you purchase a South Carolina State Park Passport Plus, then who ever is in your vehicle while you visit gets in free of charge. The park is open daily from 9am-5pm, closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Audio tours are also available for $5 a person.

Reading the map, that is free with entrance, to decide where we will head first.

At the Visitor’s Center, you can pick up a paper map of the park. The map shows every wonderful place to visit in the park and is free to visitors. It helps you to not get lost and not miss a single fun part of the park. To view a map of the park click here!

While you are at the visitor’s center, you can take a look around at the wonderful trinkets, stuffed animals, books and more related to the early days of South Carolina’s settlement. There are tons of replica pieces of the past available for purchase that help support South Carolina’s State Parks. We recently picked up some beautiful natural stone bracelets, Indian drum toys, and a set of stones to sort and learn more about.

Colonial man trading with a local American Indian.

In the back of the Visitor’s Center, is a small museum filled with so much interesting information about the early English settlers and the first Carolina Colony. There are examples of the ships’ storage, the early Indians found here in SC, portraits of early founders and specific people who were important to early SC history. This entire section of the building is filled with beautiful examples of our state’s history.

Exploration and examples of what the ships carried.

There are two paths into the park: one leads to the gardens through the back of the Visitor’s center and the other leads to the Animal park and main center of Charles Towne Landing. We usually go through the park gardens first.

These gardens are absolutely gorgeous, especially in the spring when they are in bloom. In the gardens, you will find a picnic area, as well as a picnic area outside the main entrance to the park. You will also find Christopher’s Garden which states Christopher’s age as 10. It is a small area intended for prayer.

The paths of the garden cross over the many beautiful ponds throughout the property where you can view turtles, Egret, Blue Herring, large fish and even alligator. There are many other beautiful, wild animals found within the park as well. Benches are appropriately placed throughout to stop and view the wildlife and flowers.

A white Egret and a Blue Herring in one of the many ponds at Charles Towne Landing.

Also in the gardens, you will find the Wedding Garden. This beautiful space is perfectly designed to celebrate your wonderful day, if you choose. It also makes a great backdrop for photographs. There are small benches and a large white arbor in the garden in front of the beautiful ponds.

The gorgeous Wedding Garden behind the Legare-Waring House.

The gardens lead to the Legare-Waring House. The home was built in the 1840’s for the Waring family. The house is in the same pristine style and condition as when built and is a wonderful representation of life and style in the 1800’s. The home can also be rented for weddings.

The beautifully designed, wrought iron gates that lead to the Legare-Waring House.

Cobblestones in front of the Legare-Waring House. So beautiful to see!

Facing the Legare – Waring House is the beautiful Avenue of Oaks. The beauty of this particular sector of the park is indescribable. It is set exactly as you see on those old southern plantation style movies. The trees themselves are steeped in Spanish Moss. Walking across this beautifully designed path, beneath the gorgeous oak trees is liking taking a step back into the past. This is one of my favorites in the park.

Three photos of the beautiful Avenue of Oaks in front of the Legare-Waring House.

Past the Avenue of Oaks, you will find a replication of the original excavation of the Charles Towne Landing site, as well as a small cabin, complete with a small garden that shows how the Colonists lived upon first settling the area. The building’s roof is thatched and the timbers are tarred to keep them long lasting. The garden is just enough to support a family coming to America for the first time.

Example of an early settlement at Charles Towne Landing.

Thatched roof and siding on building.

Inside the small cabin at the settlement.

Further down the path is a bridge to view the beautiful natural marsh that surrounds Charles Towne Landing. There we see small crabs, the footprints of deer, raccoon, and many other wild animals. It’s truly a gorgeous thing to see and a great way to compare various natural habits for animals.

As you continue on this path, you come to my children’s favorite part of the park: The Adventure. The Adventure is a 17th Century replica trading vessel from Colonial times. It is water-worthy and has been out to Sea to test it’s accuracy.

We always spend time exploring the Adventure. My children love to climb down the steps into the ships hull and view the captains quarters, as well as into the beds to see what it was like to sleep in such a tiny space. They help pump water from the ship and to lower the anchor using the old-fashioned mechanisms found on the Adventure. It’s truly a lot of fun to see.

Outside the ship during low tide, you can see minnow, oyster beds laying against the sides of the dock and shore, turtles, and so much more. There is also a replica of a ship being built to view and a rope tying area to practice your roping skills.

Further down this path is another replica building that is much larger than the previous tiny cabin. This represents the servants quarters and includes a wooden broom, a large working fire pit, examples of furniture and other things used in Colonial times. There is even a bowling pit outside of this building to play, just like children would have who lived in the 1700’s.

Across from this building is the Gun platform. Here you can find large mounds with various Cannon in place, ready to protect the fort of Charles Towne Landing. You can also see a replica tent that early soldiers would have used to sleep and stay in.

A bit further down the path are the Stocks, where thieves and prisoners were kept. This is another favorite of our family. We love to lock each other up (there aren’t locks, just replicas). The kids always get a good laugh out of this part of the park.

Lock used on the small cabin mentioned above.

Through the Palisades, you come to the Horry-Lucas site. This is a excavation of a home that once stood on this site in the park. There you will find a brick chimney remnant, a stone bathtub that was built into the home and other interesting tidbits.

Further up the paths, you will find large, beautifully erected statues representing the American Indians that once lived in this area. The ceremonial center showcases the history of these tribes and helps to bring America’s heritage to life. This area also contains a true African-American cemetery where generations of slaves were laid to rest.

Our final favorite place in the park is the Animal Zoo. This 22 acre natural habitat is home to black bear, bison, raccoon, local birds, otter, and many other beautiful creatures who were natural to the area at the time of settlement. It always amazes us to see these beautiful animals and think they once roamed freely throughout our home.

Charles Towne Landing is a true sight to see and a wonderful field trip for anyone in the Charleston area. If you are visiting or planing a visit to South Carolina, add this state park to your must visit list! If you’re a local, invest in a state park pass and start visiting today. With South Carolina’s State Park Passport Plus, you can visit this park as many times a year as you wish.

We hope you have enjoyed this tour of one of our favorite places to visit. Where is your favorite place to go for local field trips?

Lulu’s Cafe – T.I. Lowe {A Review}

April 16, 2014 by Dana

It’s very rare that I write a review on a book that I wasn’t asked to review but this one has called to me from the minute I heard it mentioned by a dear friend. Lulu’s Cafe was written by T.I. Lowe, a home-town girl, who grew up in the same places as me. The small-town gossip about her amazingly written book left me wanting to read it for myself and I was definitely not disappointed.

T.I. Lowe and I have walked the same streets over time, the same well-beaten paths of beauty by the river and the beautiful Atlantic Coast that make up our coastal SC home. I knew every true, picturesque place she described in the made up town of Rivertown, SC. Much as Rivertown became “Home” to Leah Allen, the main character in Lulu’s Cafe, Rivertown is indeed “Home” to me.

Leah’s life was not always sweet southern peaches and cream. She’d been through Hell in her lifetime – a Hell that few of us can even begin to imagine. Growing up as an orphan was only the faint beginning of this life she led.

To everyone else, it seemed Leah, who was then known as Gabriella Sadler, lead a dream life. She was the wife of the handsome Brent Sadler who gave her everything she could ever want. If only the world would take a closer look, they’d see that Gabby’s life was not all roses and champagne. Only a few cared to look for the truth and those few couldn’t help Gabby.

There comes a time when the abuse becomes too much and you fight back. I know because I have been there and though I wasn’t nearly as badly abused as sweet Gabby was, it wasn’t easy just to walk away. Still Gabby managed to break free and she started on a path to begin her life again. She headed South.

In the South, Gabby began to grow and blossom, thanks to the great support she found in Lulu and others in Rivertown. She was known as Leah now, her name all along. She hid her past but began to look forward to her future. Lulu’s Cafe helped Leah find who she really is and that fine piece of man, Crowley Mason also played a hand in that.

Coastal South Carolina leaves with you a lasting impression. The sweet little towns, the southern sass, the smell of wetlands and marsh grass are incomparable. I personally couldn’t imagine a better life than here and Lulu’s Cafe, T.I. Lowe’s debut novel, brings forth every bit of that beauty through Leah’s story. T.I. Lowe provides an experience you won’t soon forget and a connection to a place time has not changed. I truly look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

You can purchase Lulu’s Cafe through T.I. Lowe’s personal website at www.tilowe.com. It’s available on Amazon Kindle for $3.99 or in Paperback for $15. This is one book you’ll want to read!

*Disclaimer – I was not asked to write this review. It is of my own personal opinion. I received no items in exchange for this review and I purchased the eBook version of this book on my own with no monetary reimbursement. I am including this disclaimer in accordance with FTC guidelines and regulations.

Facing Atlantic Fears {Thoughts From Me}

May 28, 2013 by Dana

Yesterday, I did something I swore I never would that I found totally amazing, yet I will never ever do again. That’s right, y’all – friends talked me into going on a boat into the great Atlantic Ocean. And it was the most beautiful thing, yet it was the most terrifying experience I’ve had in a long time.

For me, it was akin to giving birth. I received the greatest gift in giving birth – my children. Yet because I had multiple c-sections, it was a terrifying experience even though I knew God was with me all along.

I don’t swim y’all. I can’t even doggie paddle. And floating – that’s a no go too! So for me, being out there in that tiny boat surrounded only by sunshine, water and fish was really scary beyond belief.

I’m proud to say I completely survived. I conquered a fear that day too. And it was nothing like I thought it would be.

The Atlantic Ocean is absolutely gorgeous. I can only imagine that all Oceans are but I’ve only seen this one. I saw my first Sand Shark up close and personal. It was beautiful. White with leathery, grey skin and tiny, sharp teeth.

We were 40 miles out in the ocean for a good part of the day. While the other’s fished, I just hung out around the boat praying it wouldn’t turn over with me in it. They caught lots of beautiful fish: Blue fish, Sea Bass, Sea Brim and three Sand Sharks. I’ve never seen such beautiful fish as they all were and certainly never that close up.

We were out on the water for 12 hours and 2 minutes. It’s a day I will never forget and one I will never experience again. It’s something I will forever tell my children and grandchildren about.

The best part of the day was watching the sun set over the Myrtle Beach coastline. I’ve always wanted to see the sun set on the coast and God surely made that happen for me. Something I thought would never happen came true. God’s simplest beauties shown to me from a completely different angle than I ever expected to experience.

It was something I never expected to do and it happened rather suddenly. It’s something I will choose to never do again but I can promise I will always remember the joyful experience over the fear of my day.

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart {BookLook Bloggers Review}

April 23, 2012 by Dana

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart

When I read the summary of Sunrise on the Battery and learned that it was written about our local Charleston, South Carolina, I was excited to read and review it. I was not disappointed. Painting beautiful scenes of Charleston’s antiquity, Beth Webb Hart provides a beautifully, inspirational story about a woman who is looking for a change in her life, her family and her faith.

Mary Lynn Scoville is living the life that many dream of but few can obtain. This wife and mother of two beautiful, yet completely different daughters finds an emptiness in her soul that she is unable to fulfill. A surprise encounter changes Mary Lynn’s life and she longs to share it with her husband, Jackson, but he turned his back on God long ago.

On Christmas Eve, Mary Lynn asks God to create a change in her husband which eventually does come true, though not in the way Mary Lynn has been hoping. As her husband becomes a strong evangelist for God’s purpose, Mary Lynn feels even more isolated and lonely in her faith. As their life changes, Mary Lynn wonders if their marriage will survive the new changes or if this new life is everything they could have ever dreamed of.

Sunrise on the Battery is available at Amazon for $11.38 and is a must-read for every lover of a Southern Faith novel!

*Disclaimer – this book was provided free for review from Booksneeze.com. No money was exchanged in the process of this review and the review company asked for my honest opinion of the book in exchange.

June 2011 Update

June 6, 2011 by Dana

The month of June has brought out the heat in South Carolina. Hot days, hot temps, simply hot, hot, hot. Not that the kids seem to mind. They are enjoying days filled with water sprinkler fun, swimming in the river, playing outdoors games like kickball, baseball and bike riding. Their only dislike is how hot it already is outside.

Emmalee’s puppy is growing like crazy. He’s already two inches taller than Claire, our Cocker Spaniel. He’s annoyingly loving and lots of fun.

The kids have been getting a lot of hands on nature study with the extra outdoor time. We’ve been watching areas we’re hanging out in for Poison Ivy and Poison Oak and finding it sometimes, thankfully avoiding it. We’ve seen new babies flying, swimming, crawling everywhere. Caught minnows and tadpoles in the river and pond. Even helped clean out the overgrowth surrounding our pond so that we can enjoy time fishing and playing on the banks.

I haven’t been able to go to bed early and sleep through the night because of the puppy’s needs. This is also reflecting on getting up early which I haven’t been able to manage due to not being able to o to sleep early. I have been reading my devotional book daily and reflecting on the things I have read. This is such a blessing since I can’t seem to get much else done while chasing a toddler and a puppy during the day.

I’m hoping to be able to get back to work on my list soon, working on my goals. I have several ideas for new blog posts that I’m hoping to be able to get into writing. We have new curriculum to start working on and the kids are super excited. We have plans for swimming, boating, fishing throughout our summer. July we are heading to Georgia to visit family. It’s going to be a busy month but we are more than ready.

Bring on Summertime in June.