The holidays are officially here, and on the Grand Strand that means there is no shortage of things to do to celebrate this “most wonderful time of the year”! Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles has become a can’t miss event over the years, and since it runs every weekend from now until Christmas, there’s no excuse not to… Read More “Christmas at the Beach: Your 2016 Guide to Grand Strand Holiday Events”

Command Center When we think of deep cleaning our homes, springtime is usually the season that comes to mind, but what about going beyond cleaning? What about home organization? For some reason I always get the urge to organize in the fall. Not a bad idea either when the holidays are right around the corner! I recently did some organizing… Read More “Deep Clean in the Spring, Organize in the Fall!”

Living in a coastal area the risk of experiencing a hurricane is always there (at least from June 1 – November 1). In the event of such an emergency personal safety of residents, visitors and first responders is priority number one. Take a moment to review our hurricane preparedness tips and ensure you are prepared should a storm threaten our… Read More “Hurricane Preparedness: Tips and Information for weathering a storm”

In 1987, my mother and I were living in an oceanfront condo in Garden City Beach. When I finished school that year, my mother decided to return to her hometown (Hampton, SC) to renovate her grandparent’s home. Just two years later, the very place we had called home for many years was ravaged by the historic force of nature known… Read More “27 Years Since Hugo”

“Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach. I feel it in the air, the summer’s out of reach.” -Don Henley, Boys of Summer When I hear this song I am automatically transported back to late 1984. I’m 11 years old and sitting in the passenger seat of my mother’s Volkswagen convertible, top down, riding down Highway 17. The streets… Read More “Post Labor Day: The Peace of the Beach”

A staple of every church dinner or family reunion, the pound cake is a southern art form. There are many varieties from chocolate and cream cheese to key lime and lemon, but if you can master the original, the others are a piece of “cake”! It’s almost a rite of passage for a southern girl to learn how to make… Read More “Summer Recipe Series: Classic Vanilla Pound Cake”

Looking for a perfect summer side dish for your next family reunion, cookout or beach trip? This easy, crisp, and cool pasta salad is sure to impress. Here is what you will need: 1 box of spiral pasta (tri-color works well, too,) 1 – peeled and diced cucumber 1 – diced green pepper 1 – mozzarella cheese ball (or mozzarella… Read More “Summer Recipe Series: Cool & Zesty Pasta Salad”

Fourth of July weekend is always a busy time on the Grand Strand. There are events for every age group and interest alike. To help you plan your Independence Day festivities, we have compiled a list of fireworks displays, parades and other patriotic events. Enjoy, and have a safe and happy Fourth! Fireworks Displays for Fourth of July Weekend Friday,… Read More “Fireworks, Parades and More: Your Guide to Independence Weekend on the Grand Strand 2016”

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised and unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” -Billy Graham In honor of Father’s Day, I went on a search for “dadisms”, you know those little words and phrases of wisdom that all dads use at some point? So many of the same ones came… Read More “In Honor of Father’s Day: Stuff Dads Say”

Looking for that last minute side dish to take to a cookout, get-together, or just a fun snack for your next trip to the beach? Some call it “redneck caviar”, but I prefer “Carolina caviar”—call it what you like, it’s quick, easy, delicious and nutritious! It’s called “Carolina” caviar because all of the ingredients can be found locally grown right… Read More “Summer Recipe Series: Carolina Caviar”