Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts

Proud to be a picnic-totin' American


Call it Independence Day, call it The Fourth...however you choose to refer to the upcoming festive food and fireworks frenzy, make sure you do your part to celebrate in style...freedom, of course, is a very hip thing...
I'll spend this week looking for menu and spread inspiration and, while I'm out surfing for savvy snippits, check out all the opportunities for you to enjoy this Fourth of July here in Charleston:

Go GREEN!

And, no,
I'm not referring to the ever-growing
(necessary) trend of
sustainable/green/"granola"/smart living...

Lawd, have mercy!
It's already March!
That means
St. Paddy's Day is just before us...
...Tuesday, to be exact.
Don't be shy, though, here in Charleston, we'll all start celebrating a tad bit early...that's just what we do.

Need a place to unleash your Inner Irish Lass?

Here's a few reasons to KISS yourself
..and all those Meggy Reds around you...



Don't settle for just any celebration...
just a few hours Southbound and you can catch the infamous
think Mardi Gras debauchery at it's best, drenched in green.

While you're at it, imbibe on the historical relevance of this great holiday...

Guiness.
Gut-Satisfying Merriment.
Green Goggles...

Have a blast, my merry Irishmen!

FIESTA!

It's Cinco de Mayo, ya'll...most of us have no concept as to what this day celebrates, rather we find it a good reason to drink margaritas and it seems to be an opening to the summer season of festive parties and outdoor fun.

A tad bit of history... (from www.mexonline.com)

"...The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16..."

I know I'll be making an appearance today at my favorite local Mexican eatery for a bowl of Mama's Specialty... Hope to see you at Santi's (1302 Meeting Street Rd.)!

¡Vivas!

Behold, the time has come...

I remember when I thought the year 2000 was so far away...indeed, that moment in time IS so far away, tucked deeply in the past with only traces of memory flashes here and there.

And now here I am, on the last day of 2007. Oh, what an incredible year. I've been so high and so low, and in this moment I'm eager to see the new year's dawn.

So, here's a salute to all the grand moments of our past
and a cheerful toast to all the amazing adventures just over the horizon.

Don't spend another minute thinking of ways to be better this year...
throw that list of resolutions out with yesterday's trash.
All that needs to happen is already upon us...

Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts.
This is the secret of success.
~Swami Sivananda~

(One of those grand moments...circa 2005)

Get yer over-the-top Jolly Holiday on!

Two words to remember at this time of year:

*Park Circle*

Why, you ask?

Come see for yourself...
...if you like to stimulate your sights on holiday lights and you prefer the quirky, nostalgic flavor of the season, come on down...bring a carload of friends and some eggnog and just keep making the loop!
DIRECTIONS to the fun-filled circle o' lights:
Take I-26 to East Montague exit
Right on East Montague
Follow until you hit traffic circle - VOILA!

Holiday Light Extravaganza!
(just call it "good, plain fun")

Happy Lighting :)

One more card to send...THE most important...

Here's yet another idea for doing things right this holiday season...
As you're signing and sealing and stamping those holiday cards, don't forget to include the following address:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical &nb sp; Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington , D.C. 20307-5001

If you must...

Earlier this week, I offered up a few creative ideas for GIVING BACK this holiday season.
One very informative and fabulous SENSECHARLESTON reader posted a suggestion of her own:
is a prepaid gift card that enables the recipient to donate 10% of the total value to a charity of their choice, selected from a long, loooong list of important causes.


SO - the beauty of this gift is that everybody GIVES!

And, for those of you who might get one of these rockin' givin'backgiftcards this year,
or if you just CAN'T resist the urge,
here's a list of local musts where you can shop and spend to your heart's fluttering delight!
(Call me if you hit up Lesesne - it's one of my favorites!)


KING STREET SHOPPING SURIVIVAL GUIDE
1. Start at Calhoun and King - there you will find Starbucks...this will get your motor running.
*Note: Comfortable shoes can be cute - don't be afraid of flats...you can pick up those red patent stilettos at Bob Ellis, but refrain from wearing until your company's holiday mixer.*
*Note: Leave your husband at home, but remember to pack his credit card!*
*Bring your friends for support and added coverage.*

2. Neander down Lower King for the upscale boutiques and specialty shops.
*Beware - drivers, cyclists, and spaced-out college students show little concern for roadside safety!*

3. Check out all the amazing boutiques and shops....here's a quick hit list:
*I suggest visiting these and any other stores that look appealing...just hit all of 'em!"
Bob Ellis
Buckar
*Make sure to hit up these stores early in the day...afternooning should be spent on Upper King!

4. Upper King St. is one of my favorite strips of shopping, dining, and people watching in the world. It's an up-and-coming, emerging energy, so keep checking in and passing through!
For your day of shopping, check out a few of these eateries and boutiques as the afternoon ticks away:
Lesesne (fine stationery, modern handmade furniture, fabulous home decor)
The Trusted Palate (stop by for a tasting and snack!)
B'zar (stylish and funky duds for the totally hip)
Global Awakaning (unique and authentic products from around the world)
Magar Hatworks (hats, hats, hats - handmade, exquisitely designed)
Basil (yummy eats!)
Juantia Greenbergs (my favorite casual eatery - don't forget to order a 'rita!)
Cupcake (because sometimes shopping deserves a prize!)
52.5 Records (you'll need tunes for the ride home!)
Rue de Jean (a bit off the path, but a delightful place to dine and plenty of room under the table for all your bags and finds!)

WELL, my fanciful holiday shopping friends...
That should be enough to keep you rockin' one very stylish city street this weekend!
...Do me proud and support local economy...
CHEERS, OH HOLIDAY SHOPPERS!

Giving is Receiving...

'Tis the season for giving...receiving...eating...overspending...traveling...partying
...lights...
(sigh)
No time to rest, weary wisemenandwomen!
That merry season of chaos is right upon us!
So far this holiday, I've been busy at work, searching out all the many things I "need", snapping up all the many things I can "give".
Come to think of it - most of the people on my shopping list are quite blessed...
...and, I know I have alot to be thankful for this year. I've been "receiving" right and left! Quite frankly, I really don't "need" anything.
(shhh! don't tell my husband I said that)

I pause for a daily dose from the Garden.

We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers.
~Seneca~

Hmmm - here's an idea:
In lieu of making a long wish list this year or standing in those long, holiday-ridden retail lines,
consider one of these "gift" options for your letter to Santa:

Give a kindergarten class art supplies, or supply a high school library with the complete works of Shakespeare.
Enable our future.
Send a gift card of $10 and up to a child who can return to this website and give that money to the cause of his or her choice.
Save an elephant, vaccinate a child - take your pick, super holiday shopper! This site offers more over 30 causes your holiday dollars can support. You can even create your own holiday card that will be included with your gift, sent straight to the recipient.

Now, get out there and GIVE!
(Consider the above my holiday wishes)

My kinda' parade!

On the water (or at least on the water's edge) is the place to be this Saturday evening at the
28th annual
Charleston Parade of Boats.


Find out about this
Lowcountry tradition and other holiday delights HERE

29 days and counting...

...until all our childhood wishes come true...