Tag: travel

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Favorites from Charleston

IMG_2136Whenever I travel I draft a list of sites that were not seen on the current visit so, that if we ever get back to the area, there are notes ready to refer to for sightseeing, shopping or dining. There is something about compiling information for a destination if time has become a constraint while on holiday. This practice serves as a great reminder for the next trip, and it is a great way of compiling a favorites list when we have frequented an establishment several times for a tasty treat or finding those cultural pieces tucked in and around town!

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
As much as I love gardening, nature and being outdoors there is something about being in the swamps of the Carolina Low Country with alligators. We were walking along side a pond and there was an alligator sunning himself in the mid-day heat. As we walked by his tail whipped around and the head turned to look at our approach, needless to say I ran back to the gardens!!!

Low-country Bistro’s Recipe for She-Crab Soup
Most chefs and cooks from the south will share a recipe when you enjoy one of their tasty dishes. But, I was ecstatic when we went to dinner one night at Low-country Bistro on S. Market Street and across from our table was a blackboard with the recipe for She-crab soup.

¼ lb. butter                                                         ¼ lb. crab roe
¼ lb. flour                                                            ¼ cup chopped carrots
3 cups milk                                                          ¼ cup chopped onion
1-cup heavy cream                                             1 cup chopped celery
2 cups fish stock or water & fish base             1 tablespoon Tabasco
1 lb. white crab-meat                                         1 tablespoon Worcestershire

In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add flour and whisk until it makes a pasty roux. Add milk & cream; bring to a boil. Add lightly sautéed carrots, celery & onion, and remaining ingredients. Simmer for 20 minutes! Enjoy
Makes 12 servings.

Dried Okra Chips
Whenever there was additional time between seeing the historic sites, we found ourselves perusing the Charleston City Market to see gorgeous Gullah sweetgrass baskets or listen to live music permeating the vendor’s stalls. And no one can leave the market without tasting the dried okra, which is absolutely delicious. It is a unique and crispy veggie chip that is the perfect snack when walking around the city.

Travel stylishly,
K

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Charleston: Low Country

IMG_2254 IMG_2284{Middleton Place-  home to America’s Oldest Landscaped Gardens}

When I can extend a weekend and create a mini holiday, there is nothing like jetting out of town to Charleston, which is an elegant and charming city. An area rich in American history dating back to the first settlers, along with a growing trend for foodies who have a penchant for the Low Country style of southern cooking. And, there is an art scene that anyone would enjoy uncovering throughout the back streets.

IMG_2279 IMG_2288But, what captured my attention most on this trip was seeing our nations oldest gardens at Middleton Place on the Ashley River 14 miles northwest of Charleston. These formal gardens were designed to reflect elements established by André Le Nôtre, the fabulous landscape architect of Louis XIV’s Versailles. It is always inspiring to see gardens while traveling to extract ideas that can be incorporated at Heath.

IMG_2170 IMG_2144 IMG_2148{Calhoun Mansion currently used as a private home and a museum}

The inside of Calhoun Mansion {16 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401} is decorated as if the eclectic taste of the Addams Family, Liberace and Louis XIV were thrown into bag, shaken up and strewn about the place. The interior is completely over the top and most definitely over stuffed, but we absolutely love going into this Victorian home whenever in town, because there is so much to see and the decor changes constantly.

K