2021 Year in Review

2021 started off homebound. Then April rolled around and we became eligible for vaccinations. After those seeped through our systems, Jim and I came back to the land of the living! Our highlight was four fantastic, local getaways this year.

Savannah, GA

Greenville, SC

Beaufort, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Another highlight of the year was brewery hopping. It was a fun way to explore the area, taste local brewmasters' concoctions, meanwhile supporting these small local businesses. We visited River Rat Brewery, Steel Hands Brewing, Columbia Craft, Twisted Spur Brewing, Hunter-Gatherer Brewery, Angry Fish Brewing, Krafty Draft Brew Pub, Hazelwood Brewing Company and the Old Mill Brewpub. 

I read 14 books. Still on a classics kick, one of my favorites was Poor Relations by Honore de Balzac. Set in the mid 1840s in Paris, this novel involves quirky characters, greed, scheming and other craziness making it an all around entertaining comedy.

Another favorite comedy was The Crime of Father Amaro by Eca de Queiros. Set circa 1871 in a small town in Portugal, young Father Amaro is simply inappropriate in terms of his career. Or is it the church that creates inappropriate rules? It is a comical look at the church and the questionable aspects of it. I would recommend both of these to anyone who enjoys human satire.

This was the first year we attended local holiday events as well as concerts downtown which were fantastic!

It was my first blue grass experience too and realized I have taken a liking to this foot tapping genre. It was fantastic seeing a young lady playing the mandolin with these guys.

This year brought on a huge personal change that meant no longer being a vegetarian after 26 years. This decision was made because it was difficult for me to find healthy choices that agreed with my stomach.

On the business front it was super busy! This year had me improving photos including adding more examples of use of the jewelry findings in my Etsy shop.

I appreciate all of you who still stop by, read and comment on my blog. I am not the diligent blog reader I once was due to how demanding the business has become.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, fulfilling 2022!

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val

Christmas Open House at the Lexington County Museum

One day a year (with the exception of 2020 of course) the Lexington County Museum is open to the public free of charge.

My favorite part of this experience is the holiday decor of past Christmas traditions. The trees are decorated with popcorn and holly for color.

The zero waste method using what is around the area is something we can learn from today.

Simplicity looks most beautiful.

How the holiday table looked back in the day. No fancy centerpiece, just vibrant edibles and branches from nature.

Old socks instead of decorated stockings hung at the mantle.

Special touches in the fireplaces, courtesy of Mother Nature.

Festive gum drops on branches and cloves decorating oranges are also pretty touches.

Holly can be used to provide a jolly pop of color anywhere.

Vines from outside make for an easy garland.

Dried okra pods are used in this arrangement below.

Dried citrus slices and cinnamon sticks are also joyful touches.

Bright red apples are a perfect thing to display for Christmas. Perhaps radishes would be a good idea too!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val

Snowball Festival

We attended the tree lighting in our downtown of Lexington, South Carolina. This is part of the annual Snowball Festival that runs from Thursday to Sunday at the beginning of December.

Along with the tree lighting were singing performances. This is Lexington High School student singing Fleet Foxes White Winter Hymnal. So talented!

 A holiday market was booming!

All sorts of crafts were available.

Inside the pavilion as well as outside.

The weather was incredible that day having reached 79F in the afternoon. The temperature was dropping fast at night though!

It was filled with festive decorations.

All the palmettos were lit green at the top.

The Muppets Christmas Carol was playing for the kids after the stage was cleared. Michael Caine is Ebenezer Scrooge and Kermit is Bob Cratchit. A fantastic, fun version!

Main Street was busy too. Being a mild night there were many alfresco diners. 

The street is magically lit up.

The county offices have their own gorgeous tree along Main Street.

It is our 4th Christmas in South Carolina but our first time attending this event. It was really enjoyable and well organized. We will be back next year!

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val

Carolina Carillon Parade

The 68th Annual Carolina Carillon Parade took place in 2021 after being cancelled in 2020. Frosty made an appearance! At least I think this is Frosty. One of my favorite holiday characters as a little girl.

A parade is not complete without the state's queen.

I realized after decades of not attending a parade, that they never change! It's floats, businesses, organizations, marching bands, dancers, cheerleaders, paraders handing out candy to little ones and so on. Just like when I was a kid.

One of these years when we are pandemic free, I would love to see the Columbia Ballet Company perform The Nutcracker.

Some of the float goers were having a great time!

There was creativity.

Tacky fun! I love the gigantic Santa hat.

 

Mascots are important in parades.

Silly as well as sassy costumes.

This dance group below had my favorite outfits. So stylish!

Back in the day there would be classic cars in a parade. So this was a little different. Modern car clubs attended with creatively decorated vehicles. The metallic Corvette was quite cool. I am so not into cars so that says a lot.

The Chinese Association of Columbia marched with a dragon in beautiful traditional dress.

Of course a Christmas Parade must have a Santa in classic style! An old fire truck is a perfect sleigh for him with all its jolly red.

The USC cheerleaders performed as a filler for the local TV station between parade performances. We were close to the end but not close enough to see many performances.

The color coordination was well orchestrated with many groups.

The dance groups with little kids were the cutest!

I don't know how many pageants go on around here but there were a lot of queens of things!

Marching bands are a must in parades!

The float below read "vax up" on the back! A nice touch!

It was entertaining, holiday fun!

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val