Friday, May 31, 2013

South Carolina crafters or small business owner promotion opportunity

Partly Cloudy
High: 88 F                                 Low: 67 F
Chance of Rain: 20%                Humidity: 59%- 82%


Ladies and gents the humidity is officially setting in! Went for a morning exercise here in Columbia and was wondering where the breeze was. For anyone living in the Midlands you know we have it the worst in South Carolina for heat. We bake in the middle of the state with no mountain air and no coastal breeze.

Do you or a friend have a craft business, boutique, specialty shop, or service business, than this is a free promotional opportunity for you. The first 20 South Carolina crafters or small business owners to sign up with their email on the South Carolina State of Mind blog and share our blog link to their facebook page we will place a sponsor link image for the month of June on our blog and feature them once on our facebook page in the month of June.

If you are one of the first 20 businesses you give South Carolina State of Mind permission to use a logo image that you provide. If you do not have a logo or image, we can take a related image and place your company name on it. You will have to provide a facebook or website link and logo/image or let us know if you do not have one.

Who would pass up a month of free advertising?

Look forward to promoting South Carolina local businesses!

Nichole

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Lowcountry Boil

Partly Cloudy
High: 87 F                                 Low: 67 F
Chance of Rain: 10%                Humidity: 81%

Fresh local seafood is always on the minds of southerners! It's summertime and how else to enjoy friends, family and food than with the South Carolina favorite "Lowcountry Boil" (aka: Frogmore or Beaufort stew).

This easy recipe is easy and can include fresh local corn, potatoes and shrimp. Who couldn't resist!

Serves: 8
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 pound smoked sausage links, sliced
10 frozen small corn cobs
10 small red potatoes
1 (3 ounce) package dry crab boil
1 1/2 pounds unpeeled, large fresh
shrimp
salt to taste
Directions:
1.Place the sausage, corn, potatoes, and dry crab boil seasoning mix in a large pot filled with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat.
2.Reduce the heat to low and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Mix in the shrimp, and continue cooking until opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain, season with salt, and serve hot.

History of Lowcountry Boil
We have the Gullah/Geechee communities off the sea islands of South Carolina and Georgia to that for this mouth watering meal. They would prepare their homeland cultural meals and add Spanish and French cooking influences as well. Lowcountry Boil was a convenient meal for large gatherings (same as it is used for today).

Since we mentioned the Beaufort Water Festival on yesterday's port this tidbit of information seems to match that theme.

The 10 day Beaufort Water Festival held in July is one of the largest volunteered base events and host large crowds. Previous Water Festivals are known for feeding at least 2,400 attendees, the recipe includes 1,200 lbs of shrimp, 2,400 ears of corn, 600 lbs of sausage, 72 oz of seafood seasoning and is served with 350 lbs of coleslaw, 250 gal of iced tea, 2,400 rolls and 90 watermelons.

Try this lowcountry favorite at one of your summer get-togethers and give us your feedback! If you have a scrumptious twist to this recipe share.

Nichole

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Travel SC: Beaufort, SC

Mostly Sunny
High: 88 F                               Low: 64 F
Chance of Rain: 0%                Humidity: 57%

If you haven't already it is about time to start thinking about your summer vacation!

For most of you school is out or finishing up and you need to find that perfect vacation. I have to laugh because my husband gives me a hard time as I usually have an itinerary for our vacations. There are some of us that want to go-go-go on vacations and some who want to relax. As for me I want to see any unique attractions that vacation spot has to offer, but there are some vacations I want to be lazy, and "less can more"!


Beaufort, South Carolina can be a vacation you can do either.

Hunting Island State Park is located 18 miles outside the coastal town of Beaufort, SC.


You will see all the wildlife that the South Carolina coast has to offer from alligators, deer, loggerhead turtles (that nest on the island in the summer), wood storks, tanagers, herons, and many more. Watch your step, you may even come across an eastern diamondback rattlesnake!


As far as lodging, Hunting Island State Park offers only one cabin rental, RV hook-up sites, camping sites, a primitive site for groups, and of course you can always stay in Beaufort at one of the many hotels.

The Beaufort area includes activities for everyone: laying on the beach, camping, boating, picnics, swimming, fishing, climbing a lighthouse, educational history, drive in movie, walking trails, movie tours, photo safaris, fishing charters, golf, trolley/carriage/buggy tours, art galleries and much more!

We cannot forget the food! The best local seafood is served in the restaurants of Beaufort. Top choices include shrimp and grits, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, crab dip, Lowcountry boil (or frogmore stew).

If you also like to travel to areas during times of festivals or events , Beaufort has the 58th Annual Water Festival July 19-28, 2013. This event brings crafts, food, live music, street dance, athletic activities, water and air events, parade, talent show and much, much more! You are sure to have a good time.

The Beaufort area is also the home to the eastern United States Marine Corps training station and Air Station.

South Carolina has their own American Idol now Candice Glover! She is from the St. Helena area just outside of Beaufort, SC!

Be my guest to post any comments, questions, or any memories you have of the Beaufort, South Carolina area. I would love to read them!

Nichole


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Welcome to the South Carolina State of Mind Blog!

Mostly Cloudy
High: 86 F                               Low: 63 F
Chance of Rain: 0%                Humidity: 45%

As a child I never stopped to embrace the sites, smells, lifestyles, and history of South Carolina. With age I have now done a lot of reflection on the things in life that are important to me and give me purpose.

In the south, FAMILY comes first and too many people now are working their way through life not realizing the impact of family, and that family is now taken for granted.

I was born and raised in the Charleston area, with a brief time away as a child. I graduated from R.B. Stall High School. My parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews live in the Charleston area and my husband and I reside in Columbia, SC. I have a step-son who just graduated high school this week. In my family that includes our dogs, Amber and Klaus, and our cat, Irmo.

I was passed down with my grandmother's (Poppie) workaholic gene, as all the other women in our family also received. We don't know how to not work whether is be at a job or at home. Poppie was always working on something whether it was sewing, crafts, yard work, gardening, or taking care of others. I use to wonder why she never slowed down. It was because that is what made her happy and gave her purpose. I have realized that I need to start working for me and what makes me happy, as I was one of those people who started letting the job take over. It is not worth it to pass up all the other things that life has to offer which is more self fulfilling.

As an adult I am very proud of my heritage as a South Carolinian! My greatest childhood memories included family events, the best food, outdoor activities. As an adult the only thing I have added to that is friends, and in the south friends are treated like family!

In this blog, I hope to enlighten our followers on the heritage and the things that South Carolina has to offer. We will visit the hidden treasures the state has to offer from scrumptious recipes, travel, historical facts, shopping deals and destinations, South Carolina in the news, and community events!

The South is known for it's FOOD. All events in South Carolina are required to be built around food. From weddings, funerals, graduations, birthdays, holidays, and festivals (boy do we have a lot of festivals). Our meals include things such as BBQ, seafood, fried everything, and yes we do serve bread with meals even if we already have potatoes or rice on the plate! What else would you sop up the juices and gravies with? We will explore the restaurants and recipes that put South Carolina on the map.

COMMUNITY is important! Whether it's assisting those in needs, community events or supporting local business. South Carolina has the best local shopping and we will explore those businesses and offer them low cost advertising.

Festivals define many communities in South Carolina. The offer great food, crafts, music and time with family and friends. We will highlight festivals and events that draw crowds to our towns.

Last but not least support your community. We will explore communities in need and how we can help.

“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” ~ Arthur Ashe

South Carolina has a variety of landscapes that make our state great for TRAVEL. Whether you are in need of a long weekend, or a true vacation we have what you need.

The Lowcountry or coastal area contains three of the top tourist cities: Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head. Locals and tourist travel to these beach areas in hopes of site seeing, getting a tan, shopping, great food and rest/relaxation. You will not be disappointed!

Traveling northwest will bring you up in elevation to the Midlands. Columbia, our state capital, is located in the Midlands.Columbia is the home of the University of South Carolina (Gamecocks) which is accomplishing great things with their baseball and football programs. The Midlands give you also Lake Murray, the largest lake in South Carolina the borders 5 counties. If you are a lover of water Lake Murray is the place to take the boat out, paddle board, and swim.

Further northwest and you will come to the top corner of the state into the Upstate area. The Upstate is apart of the lower Blue Ridge Mountain range. The mountain air is cooler and great for hiking, camping, and white water rafting.

Join me in what South Carolina has to offer whether you are born and raised, currently live here or thinking of visiting! I want to share the pride of being a South Carolinian, the history of our state, and what we have to offer.

Nichole Kopenhaver