Yoga Under the Oaks

Last week, I was counting my blessings while laying under the oak trees at Charles Towne Landing. It's a pretty peaceful setting. Tucked in the back of a beautiful historic state park, Yoga Under the Oaks happens a few times each spring and fall. Each session is followed by a happy hour at the Legare-Waring House. Practicing yoga never felt so good.

Charles Towne Landing is located at the exact spot where Charleston's first settlers landed on the Ashley River. It's hard not to be taken back a bit by the history that surrounds you when you are on the centuries-old site.

The total cost of the class is $10 and admission to Charles Towne Landing is waived for those participating in the class. After the class is over, nosh on a few bites from Coastal Craft & Cru Food Truck. The light happy hour included a Mediterranean Salad and a cool glass of Pinto Gris served from the side of a 1956 Ford F600 truck.   

The birds were chirping throughout the trees during our session. The scenery was inspiring. I left feeling relaxed and energized at the same time. The next class is July 8, but check here for more upcoming dates.

A Day at the Museum

A few weeks ago, I went to the Gibbes Museum of Art to see their newest exhibit, "Photography and the American Civil War". This collection is currently on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and will head to the New Orleans Museum of Art in January. 

Gibbes Museum of Art

Truthfully, the Gibbes Museum is a work of art itself. She's been standing since 1905, and her best kept secret is the Tiffany dome in the Rotunda. The blue and green stained glass is gorgeous and should not be missed. 

Tiffany Dome, Gibbes Museum Rotunda

The exhibit was amazing and thought-provoking. History is far more exciting to me when I can find a way to relate to it. Well, 150 years ago Charleston was a tough place. Life was much harder back then, and these photographs illustrate what we already know; war is never pretty. 

Photography was in it's early stages during the Civil War. Photographs were made with glass negatives and had to be processed on-site in a tent like the one pictured below. 

[Picture Gallery Photographs] Unknown, American

I can't imagine gathering my photo supplies and trekking across the Charleston Harbor to take wartime photos. We go fishing in the Charleston Harbor, and I can promise you it would be a very rough boat ride back then; especially with cannons being fired overhead.

Terre-plein off the Gorge, Fort Sumter Alma A. Pelot (American, active Charleston, South Carolina, 1850s–1860s)

Hopkinson's Plantation, Edisto Island, South Carolina Henry P. Moore (American, 1833–1911)

Bonaventure Cemetery, Four miles from Savannah George N. Barnard (American 1819-1902)

While the photographs are gruesome and sad, the real story for me was that they even exist. With over 200 original photographs, it's hard to believe these pieces have been preserved for so many generations. The Lowcountry is a constant landscape in the story that unfolds, and the exhibit certainly made gave me a greater appreciation for this area. If you are looking for a uniquely Charleston excursion, head to the Gibbes Museum to see this unbelievable collection. 

Mint and Kumquat-Infused Vodka

A friend and I picked some of the cutest kumquats on the way home from work tonight. Kumquats are small citrus fruits that you can find growing in fancy gardens around downtown Charleston. These little fruits are sometimes bitter, with the skin being the sweetest part. I brought them home to infuse in vodka with some mint growing in my own, not-so-fancy garden.

I don't have many uses for kumquats, but I thought this was a pretty good idea. The process is very easy: Wash the fruit and slice in half. Prepare the mint by rinsing, stemming and chopping the leaves. Place both ingredients in a jar and pour vodka over them. Cover the jars with a lid and place in a cool, dark place for 3 days. The vodka in this recipe could easily be replaced with gin. 

Mint and Kumquat-Infused Vodka

My jars are in the fridge and are going to be hard to resist!  I can now say that I foraged the makings for a drink in downtown Charleston. We talked about mixing this with soda water, but I'm starting to think sweet tea might make a good match. How would you drink this concoction?

Old Salts and Old Softies

I'll never forget the first time I had soft-shell crab. It was a late night at Pepper's Porch in Bluffton and the restaurant had just stopped serving food. We were having drinks with some of the boys from Bluffton Oyster Company and we were all starving. They suggested we head over to one of the shrimp boats where they'd fry up some seafood in the galley. You can't find seafood any fresher than right on a shrimp boat. The best part? It was soft-shell crab season. 

Soft-shell blue crab is a delicacy. These crabs are rare and the process for how they land on your plate is like a Lowcountry treasure hunt. Right now we are in the thick of soft-shell season and folks are saying the season this year could be as short as two weeks.

A couple times a year blue crabs go through a molting process where they lose their shells. Two days before they lose their shell, their back fin turns red around the edges. Lowcountry watermen refer to crabs during this stage as "red line peelers". Crabs caught during the red line stage are watched very carefully so they can be protected from each other after their shell is discarded. Larry Toomer, owner of the Bluffton Oyster Company, once told me that during soft-shell season he has to set his alarm so he can check on the crabs multiple times each night. Once the shell is completely lost these crabs are referred to as soft-shell crab. It's hard to believe these crabs can even make it to your kitchen. Soft-shell crabs will only last for a couple hours in water before their new shell hardens. 

Traditionally blue crabs are hard to eat because you have to pick all the meat out of the shell. During soft-shell season we are spoiled because you can just bite right into them. The best way to eat soft-shell crab is to fry it. In my book, it's the only way to go. This past Friday I had the opportunity to photograph a soft-shell sandwich where all the elements are just right. The Soft-Shell Crab Sandwich at the Palmetto Cafe is created by Chef Steven Manall. This sandwich is paired with a Dill Remoulade and fresh, local vegetables. 

Eating these crabs is truly fulfilling, not only because it's delicious (and it's delicious), but also because of all the hard work that goes into creating the dish. If you want to try this sandwich, you better hurry... the season won't last long this year!

A Shadowed Past

The works of Carew and Clay Rice are cherished treasures in the Lowcountry. Carew started cutting silhouettes in the early 1900's, recreating scenes from around the deep south. He passed this trait down to his grandson who now travels the country carrying on the art his grandfather taught him when he was just 6 years old. 

These intricate silhouettes, created by Carew in the 60's, are scenes that can still be found in Lowcountry today. The Bethel Presbyterian Church is easily spotted on a ride through downtown Walterboro; and the wrought iron cemetery gate at St. Michael's Episcopal Church is still in use and is likely one of the oldest pieces of wrought iron Charleston. 

Clay Rice has been cutting silhouettes for over forty years and is known for his successful children's books that feature his work. While traveling the country promoting his books, Clay creates silhouettes on-site for families at his book signings. I would love to catch one of these the next time he's in Charleston. 

Stars on the Water, featuring a shrimper with a cast net, is my favorite piece. I like that Clay's pieces are a little more wild. They remind me of the lowcountry that I know, perfectly imperfect and a little rough around the edges.

Lowcountry Luxe

Well, well, well. Who would've ever thought the smell of spanish moss would end up on Oprah's O List? Lowcountry Luxe, a small candle company in Savannah, GA, has romanticized the scents of the Carolina lowcountry and created a name for themselves with their Signature Collection. 

The Signature Collection features six scents: Charleston, Savannah, Spanish Moss, Gullah, Sea Grass and Living in High Cotton. While I secretly wanted Gullah to be my favorite scent, I didn't care for it at all. It must have been the "exotic Benzoin resin" in the candle that smelled a little too much like incense for me. Living in High Cotton was by far my top choice. Lowcountry Luxe has described this scent as: "A creation of citrus tress and pine and white dogwoods tea olive spiked with lemon and lime white grapefruit and peach."

If you can't choose just one scent, you can always go for the Travel Collection. This collection is a mini version of the Signature Collection and features each scent in a two ounce travel size.

A Proper Recipe Box

I came across these recipe boxes while shopping around at the Charleston paper company, mac & murphy. These pieces, by Rifle Paper Company, are handmade from locally salvaged hardwood. 

A proper recipe box is just one thing I think a lady should own. In my opinion there are a few items that separate the girls from the ladies: a collection of clutch purses, fancy salt and pepper shakers, a dainty monogrammed handkerchief, a vintage brooch and a proper recipe box.

What good is a fancy recipe box without fancy recipe cards to go with them? Luckily, Rifle Paper Company has plenty of cards to choose from. My favorite ones are the 4x6 Lemon Recipe Cards.

Art and Soul

Check out these funky vintage-inspired posters by the Anderson Design Group. There's an entire collection dedicated to the art and soul of America. It's funny how each of these posters remind me of a friend. I really love the Atlanta print, that Georgia peach is just so iconic. 

 

The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen

The Lee Bros. released their new cookbook, Charleston Kitchen last month. Matt and Ted Lee are certainly a fancier version of Lowcountry than I am. In our house we've joked about them because they served champagne at an oyster roast on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. Today I flipped through the book and was blown away. I loved it so much I got it for a friend's bridal shower. Below are a few pics I snapped before I wrapped it. This book is full of gorgeous images that remind me of home. There's a section in the book paying homage to the Charleston Receipts cookbook. Charleston Receipts, published in 1950, was the first and most successful community cookbook in the country and no Charleston kitchen is complete without one.

Mrs. Vereen Cohen

A mess of Blue Crabs

Pan-roasted Corn, Okra and Tomatoes

Crab Boil

Smothered Porkchops

Sheepshead

Charleston in Bloom

I recently came across the very talented Charleston artist, Lulie Wallace. Y'all. These paintings are precious. Check out her work: here. If you don't see a piece here that you fancy, you can commission Lulie to create a custom piece for you using a photo. I love the idea of having my bridal bouquet painted and in my house!

Mac & Murphy

I have been hearing about Mac & Murphy for while. For whatever reason I rarely get over to this side of town. This is the sweetest paper store! I wanted to buy a little of everything. 

I couldn't get enough of the cheeky cards on the wall. 

This card is very Charleston appropriate. 

My mom would go nuts for the reversible wrapping paper hanging on the wall.

 I left with visions of Christmas cards in my head. I've never participated in this tradition but I think it's time to start. 

I did indulge in a few Susy Jack office supplies. Bright, cheery calendars and to do list's make for a productive work environment. All in all the store is very cute and has some impressive products. You should definitely check it out!

Gourmet Doughnuts

Glazed Gourmet Doughnut Shop 

 Pumpkin Spice Donuts 

Mexican Chocolate Donuts

Krispy Kreme, It feels like I am cheating on you. Is it possible to love another Southern donughnut shop? Twice this week I've indulged in Glazed Gourmet's fancy doughnuts. Bites of pumpkin spice, sour dough, Mexican chocolate and regular glazed. Yum! I was lucky enough to be able to try one Wednesday morning when they first opened their doors. These tasty treats are addicting... I headed back for more on Friday to get some for a friend's birthday. 

Pumpkin was the group favorite. It doesn't taste too pumpkiny (or manufactured). Mixed reviews with Mexican chocolate. Some people don't love the spicy but I enjoyed it. Between my popsicles last weekend and these doughtnuts I am sensing a trend with the Mexican chocolate. M loved the regular glazed because they are super soft. 

I can't wait to try the raspberry, pistachio and maple bacon. Fancy!