Happy Mother's Day Eve and Our Visit to Charleston Cooks

We have been celebrating Mother's Day since Thursday night.  We started at my church's Mother-Daughter banquet.  It was a pleasant evening with dinner hosted by the men of the church.  Then, after much anticipation and intense listening for the UPS truck, my gift from the mister and my boys was finally delivered!  I won't add the appropriate number of exclamation points.  But, here it is...

Yes.  A Vitamix!  And, a half-empty green smoothie that I was drinking earlier.  It is the coolest creation ever.  I have made chocolate ice cream, hummus, peach sorbet, and green smoothies so far.  It's capabilities are endless and I can't wait to create with it all next week.  A HUGE thank you to my guys!

We continued our celebrations this morning at Charleston Cooks on East Bay Street.  Under the guidance of Chef Michelle Hammond (and, no, not my good friend from Summerville but they share the name), my Mom and I got to help create a beautiful Mother's Day brunch. 

Our menu consisted of Mimosa Crepes with Blood Orange Mascarpone Filling; Spinach, Brie, and Country Ham Quiche; Avocado and Lox Breakfast Burritos; Pancetta, Asparagus, and Potato Hash; and Strawberries and Cream Biscuit.  It was as good as it sounds!  And, a ton of fun, too.

 

The kitchen was set up with six different stations.  Our head chef walked us through each station giving us tips and instructions and going through all of the ingredients.

Then, we eat chose one brunch selection to create.  We decided to make the Mimosa Crepes with Blood Orange Marscapone filling.  Totally delicious!

What FUN!  And, Chef Michelle was great.  We thoroughly enjoyed our mid-morning cooking lesson and the best part was that when everyone finished, we sat down with a glass of wine and devoured our dishes.  Everyone left with a full tummy and some new knowledge to take home to their own  kitchen. You can see everything except the spinach, brie and country ham quiche.  It was still finishing in the oven.

Not only does Charleston Cooks offer some great cooking classes, they also sell many great kitchen gadgets.  We both left with a unique avocado tool.  It halves an avocado, removes the pit and slices it up~very useful for people like me who adore avocadoes!

I am so lucky and so blessed to be enjoying such a great Mother's Day week-end.  My Mom just surprised me with a new outfit complete with a big southern-style straw hat.  It may have to accompany me downtown tomorrow for brunch.  And, don't forget that tomorrow is Second Sunday on King.  What better way to finish up this celebration than brunch and some street strolling in my favorite city?

I hope you all are giving your Moms the love, kindness and affection that they deserve this week-end and everyday!  And, if you are a Mom~count your blessings, hug your kiddos and enjoy your special day tomorrow.  I know that I will!  Happy Mother's Day Eve from Charleston Treasures!

Barbara Jean's Restaurant and Bar

Interestingly enough, there really is a Barbara Jean and she did open her first restaurant on St. Simon's Island, Georgia in 1998.  How?  It's apparently a long story.  She was a German-Irish girl born in Brooklyn and eventually, became a dietician and married her high-school sweetheart, Jim.

He joined the Marine Corps and soon he was gone to Vietnam.  She waited and waited some more.  They had kids.  She followed him all over the world for his career and when he finally retired, you guessed it!  It was her turn for a career.

She opened her restaurant and then, opened a few more....Throughout Georgia, Florida and yep, Charleston, SC.  Easy Southern Dining.  That is an apt description.  They specialize in seafood and home-style cooking made from scratch.  That part definitely appealed to the nutritionist in me!

The food was filling and "real".  The service was good and the prices were average.  We stopped in one day for a quick lunch as we were running some errands downtown.  This was a new spot for Charleston Treasures.

Barbara Jean's is located on South Market Street~the white building with the maroon awning.  You won't miss it.  There were three of us that day and we were definitely pretty average in the ordering department:  a cheeseburger, a grilled chicken sandwich and a grilled cheese sandwich.  All served with a side of fries and a glass of sweet tea!

Not gourmet.  Not exceptional.  Not out-of-this-world fantastic.  But, real food served quickly with a friendly smile.  Some days, that's all you need!

Hope this finds you making your way through a fantastic week.  You are half-way there!  Happy Wednesday from Charleston Treasures!!

Fresh. Local. Farmers Markets!!

Welcome to a new week!  Every Monday morning, I take some time for list-making. Sometimes, my lists are lengthy.  Errands.  Phone calls.  Meal planning.  Groceries.  Activities.  You know that mind set.  How am I going to get it all done this week?  Easy.  Begin with gratitude!

I also take some time out to remember and be grateful for my many blessings.  The top of my list this morning is produce.  Fresh vegetables and sweet fruits and farmers markets.  Farmers markets in the Lowcountry are incredible and the delicacies are just beginning....

Is your mouth watering yet?  I am struggling to remember where this spring has gone?  Changes have abounded and without the daily school routine for me, life is one big adventure.  How much can I do today?  Studying.  Cooking.  Recipe experimentation.  Test taking.  Soccer games.  Tennis matches.  And, I love it all!  

I want to start off your week with a list that I have created.  One just for you.  A list of the Farmers Markets that are in our area.  That way, you won't miss out on fresh fruits and veggies all season.

Charleston Farmers Market
Saturday, 8-2
Marion Square, Downton Charleston

North Charleston Farmers Market
Thursday, 12-7
Felix C. Davis Community Center
Park Circle

Mount Pleasant
Tuesday, 3:30-dusk
Moultrie Middle School

Mount Pleasant Town Centre
Saturday, 9-1

Daniel Island
Thursday, 4-7
Family Circle Tennis Center

Summerville
Saturday, 8-1
First Citizens Bank Parking Lot

Aren't we lucky?  So many choices.  I haven't been to all of them and would love your feedback.  We regularly visit downtown to the Charleston Farmers Market and when we are running short on time, we will head to Summerville since it is so close.  My plan is to check out a few of the other ones over the next few weeks.  However, our purchases will be minimal because we have a CSA from this farm!  Exciting!!

Okay.  I'll quit with the produce photos.  You get the idea.  Shop local.  Shop fresh.  And, most definitely, support our local farmers.  If you know of local farmers that I should visit or local products I should try, leave me info. in the comments.  We are always up for a road trip to check out local producers!  

Hope you are gearing up for a fantastic week~just remember your umbrella!  It's going to be a rainy one.  Happy Monday from Charleston Treasures!

Naturally Southern Soap

I thought you deserved something sweet smelling in this post!  I am back in West Virginia frowning at 37 degree mornings, struggling with the lack of healthy restaurants, and doing my best to keep the mister's spirits up while we watch his Dad go downhill.  If you have ever experienced a severely ill parent, you understand the grief of watching a loved one's decline.  

So, I am sharing something that brought our spirits up just a few weeks ago.  Local, handmade soap.  Now I understand that to some people, soap is not smile inducing but these are pretty incredible and they smell absolutely fantastic!

Naturally Southern Soap company is owned and operated by Daniel and Tami Fisher.  I only know that because I was searching their website.  What I can share from experience is that these soaps are great!  I bought four soaps in different scents at the Charleston City Market and three of them have sat on my dresser awaiting some photos for this post.  The goats milk soap went straight into our shower.  In the meantime, our bedroom has been filled with delicious perfume. 

The difference between these soaps and those that can be purchased in stores is that these are "cold processed" and then they must cure for 3-6 weeks before they can be cut and packaged.  So, I'm not exactly sure what that all means but I am in love.  

If you are interested, you can order online or stop by and see them at the Charleston City Market.  Your skin will thank you!  Hope you are having a good week~Happy Thursday from Charleston Treasures!

The Monday After Prom

It's Monday and I have to admit, my heart is a bit heavy this morning.  My middle kiddo had a tremendous week-end at the prom for which I am incredibly grateful.  He had so much fun getting dressed up and planning his week-end.  

He needed some guidance and some reminders~ opening doors, tipping the waiter, ordering flowers but, he did it all and he learned and was so full of gratitude for the help and guidance which seemed to make it all the better.

Why is my heart heavy?  Several times throughout the week-end, I paused and thought about another young man only a year older than my guy making the news all over the nation.  The one responsible for taking lives, creating chaos, instilling fear in so many Americans and I would stop.  The tears would well and I could only think of his parents.  How would you do that?  How would you ever come to terms with the anguish your child caused?  

But, I would return to my present moment and cheer on my son who was experiencing so many "firsts".  His first tux.  His first big "night-on-the-town".  His first chance to really act like a man with a girl on his arm.  They made a great couple...

I could sense his overwhelming excitement all day.  It was childlike and exuberant and wholesome and I was so incredibly grateful for my child and his goodness and his lack of worldliness.  It shined through his every action...

And, I was saddened because I kept returning to the fact that somewhere there were most definitely two parents who were lost.  Two who were struggling to accept their child's actions.  Two who must come to terms with their child's future. 

I hope as Americans we have the strength to show our best side.  To let compassion rule.  To seek justice honestly, swiftly and strongly while still remembering how to act with compassion and childlike wonder.  I know our justice system works and I know that Americans are strong but I also know sometimes, kindness and goodness can be lost.  

My child experienced an incredible week-end, the kind that is going to stick with him for quite a while.  My hope is that Americans everywhere will remember to search for the goodness in people, to act with kindness, and to live everyday with childlike compassion and exuberance.

Thank you Berkeley High School for giving my child such a wonderful experience.  And, thank you, God above for my wonderful child.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Strawberry Jam at Wabi Sabi Farm

Drool.  Go ahead.  You know you wanna...Aren't they beautiful?  They are full of vitamins C and K, dietary fiber and flavonoids.  That's straight from my textbook.  You aren't interested?  Okay.  Well, how about this.  They are sweet.  Succulent.  Delicious.  Better?  Or, maybe this will do the trick.  Strawberry Shortcake.  Smoothies.  Strawberry-Banana Bread.  Strawberry Jam.

Now, we are getting there.  Aren't we?  These are local, folks.  You can see the address in the photo and these strawberries were picked this morning.  I feel like the luckiest girl this evening.  Jo and Jimmy Livingston.  Two of the bravest people I know.  Who walks away from a business to become farmers?  These two and they are succeeding!

We were lucky enough to get in on their first ever CSA.  You better believe that we will be eating fresh and local all spring and summer.  Canning strawberry jam is on my list of adventures for tomorrow.  I will definitely let you know how that works out.

But, the reason I posted this is to let you in on a little secret.  Saturday is a big day for the Livingston's at their farm, Wabi Sabi.  It's the Strawberry Jam!  GPS the address above.  Wear your old shoes....picking fruit kind of involves dirt.  And, go pick some strawberries.  

They will have live music to keep your ears happy while your taste buds are anticipating beautiful strawberries like the ones above.  Saturday from 2-6.  You won't want to miss The 2013 Strawberry Jam.  Come out and help the Livingston's kick off a great growing season!

Hope this finds you making your way to the week-end.  Happy Almost Friday from Charleston Treasures!

Sweet Cece's~ Definitely a Sweet Treat!

I just could not get Stephan to hold still long enough for a good shot!  He was ready to inhale this cup of....well, as a nutrition student, I am with holding judgement.  But, basically, it is thin mint cookie chocolate frozen yogurt topped with bubble gum, walnuts, chocolate chips and sprinkles.  I think the walnuts were an after-thought as he was looking for a semi-nutritious option?  Love this kiddo!

We were strolling the streets of Charleston and decided that it was definitely time for a sweet treat stop and we were directly in front of Sweet CeCe's on Market Street.  Have you been there?  It was our first time and I honestly think Stephan is in love.  I'll take frozen yogurt over teen-age girls anyday!!

You pick up a cup and stare for several long minutes at the wall trying to decide your combination of frozen yogurts and the choices are many...

That was the easy part.  Then, you must decide what to toppings to use.  Bigger challenge as there are even more choices...

Not sure why the Mister is looking a tad grumpy in that shot.  I think there were both ready to use their spoons instead of waiting on me to use my camera!  On the wall behind my guys are MORE toppings.  Cylinders that extend all the way to the ceiling filled with candy, gummies, chocolate chips...If you can think of it, it is probably available.

It's a quaint little shop decorated in those Charleston "Rainbow Row" pastels and a great stopping point when you are in need of some rest and a sweet treat.  A very sweet treat!!

Now, get off your computer and start making those week-end plans.  There are so many incredible things going on this week-end, it is difficult to choose.  Isn't it?  Happy Wednesday from Charleston Treasures!