When South Carolina Gets Snow...

We seemed to have brought down some Buffalo weather when we came down here for school! January 3rd, the Charleston area received the largest snowfall on record in quite a while - and it didn't melt by the next day.  We had snow for at least a week! We did NOT expect that!! Although we did have some fun. Here's some of our photos and some fun commentary. 

Our beloved space heater that Shawn brought in to the bedroom - a godsend at night, and a great nightlight as well! [And still used when it goes below 50 at night]

When the snow finally started to come down, Shawn was already at home - EVERYTHING closes when the forecast just mentions the word snow. Literally, everything. Walmart, Chick Fil A, gas stations, Food Lion, schools.

It was pretty entertaining though for us, only because we know how to deal with this kind of weather.  When it first started, like I said, Shawn was home, but I was at work. OOPS. They didn't close in time. The bridge we HAVE to get over to get home was shut down due to safety concerns. Shawn couldn't come and get me from work.  I ended up getting a ride from work to the corner, and walked to the bridge where there were police officers blocking vehicles.  I figured if traffic wasn't able to go across, maybe I could walk over it and have Shawn meet me on the other side. NOPE. I ended up having a police officer drive me all the way home because the roads were "too bad and it's bad out." Um. Okay. Perspective is everything down here. I'll go with it. Below is what it looked like when I got home from work. Thank you sheriff for the ride!

We put the slides in, just because we didn't want the weight of the snow on them, and its also easier to heat up the motorhome when the space is smaller!

Buffalo gal showing SC how it's done

The day after, before we got another round of MAYBE 2 inches? Sunny, pretty, and pristine. 

Shawn "shoveled" part of our front porch with a tote lid... we thought we could leave the snow shovels at home! 

Three days later, the state of emergency was still in effect, but the travel bans and restrictions were lifted. We decided to go out and see what everything was like, and Walmart was able to find a whopping 10 or so people to come in and staff the registers and restock shelves. Off we went.

Clearly, they need some help from states that regularly get snow.  DROPPING SALT DOES NOT MEAN YOU CANNOT PLOW, AND PLOWING DOES NOT MEAN ICE MELTS. And naturally, the parking lot to Walmart wasn't plowed. We didn't mind, we weren't expecting much based off what was being shown on the news. Below is the lovely, un-plowed parking lot. I think we were more irritated that people were putting down wood chips instead of kitty litter or salt down to "melt" the ice. 

We made it home, but realized someone took out our mailbox! We don't know if it happened the night before, or that day. Oh well, we had to put it back up! We don't know if there were any injuries, damages, etc. We can only imagine it was rough though - the mailbox was far on the other side of the ditch!

Fresh snow... it was so pretty! Nostalgic for home. 

But don't be fooled, we are definitely adjusted down here. It was roughly 75 degrees today, and sure, it was nice in the sun, but it was pretty darn cool with the breeze in the shade! But at least we are in flip flops, and headed to 80 degrees! Hooray! 

It's funny - we find ourselves cool and cold if it is under 75 outside, and we leave the big space heater on until we get warm, which we notice is around 79-82 degrees.

But we still dislike the humidity, unless we are on the beach. 

Here's to a relaxed weekend! ONE final exam left. 

Sightseeing Downtown

We've been having some pretty amazing weather! Can you believe we have been on our motorcycle EVERY SINGLE month this year, and last since we got it?!? How cool is that! I can't even begin to explain how thankful and happy I am that we have it.  It has allowed us to have an even better experience (in our opinion) when we go sightseeing. And we've definitely been using the warmer days to our advantage! The bike is easy to maneuver through the streets and in the parking garage.  We went on a 2 1/2 hour walk  around Downtown Charleston, and didn't see half of what is there! But we did find some really interesting nooks, crannies, alleys, and cobblestone streets that take you back to the early 1800's! It's quite the scene around Bay St. near Waterfront Park where all the carriage tours begin - horse and carriages everywhere! You definitely feel you've been transported in to another era within those few CITY blocks.  For easier reading, I've transcribed some of the text below certain photos. 

"On this site stood Shepheards Tavern, the birthplace of The Ancient And Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry The Mother Supreme Council of the World May 31, 1801"

"George Washington was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732. As a boy, he excelled in field sports, and though his formal education was limited, he exhibited skill in mathematics and surveying. In the French and Indian War, though only 23, Colonel Washington commanded the Continental Army against superior forces. He devised the strategy of marching on the British in Virginia while the French fleet prevented an escape by sea.  Washington trapped General Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781, capturing 7,000 troops and winning American Independence.  As a Virginia delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, Washington, serving as the assembly's president, provided the moral authority and quiet leadership needed to facilitate compromises.  Even at this time, he was known as a 'founding father.' Following ratification of the Constitution, he was unanimously elected the first president and inaugurated in New York on April 30, 1789. President Washington toured the southern states in 1791. His enormous personal popularity served as a significant force in binding the former 13 colonies in to a single nation.  On May 2, he landed at Prioleau's Wharf, one block south of the Exchange and Customs House.  While in Charleston, President Washington met with numerous officials, planners, and merchants, worshipped at St. Michaels's and St. Philip's churches, spoke to various gatherings of citizens and attended several balls held in his honor.  He also enjoyed the hospitality fo two fraternal groups of which he was a member - the Masons and the Society of Cincinnati.  In his diary, he made several complimentary notes about Charlestonians. Referring to a concert held at the Exchange, Washington remarked that "there were at least 400 ladies - the Number and appearance of which exceeded anything of the kind I had ever seen." Washington was unanimously reelected in1792.  Confronted with the competing philosophies of northern businessmen and southern planters, President Washington had a unique ability to recognize and promote the best of each.  Leaving office after two terms, he established the tradition of peaceful transition of power.  Retiring to Mount Vernon, he managed his plantation, entertained many visitors and remained a valued political and military advisor until his death on December 14, 1799.  Of his many achievements, he is most loved for his honesty.  George Washington's reputation for integrity is of such mythic proportions that school children continue to be taught that even as a boy, George Washington could not tell a lie." 

On the back of the statue, not pictured, "In 1881, on the 100 year anniversary of General Cornwallis' surrender to George Washington at Yorktown, the city of Charleston renamed its first public park Washington Square in honor of George Washington.  More than 100 years later and at the request of Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., General William C. Westmoreland chaired a committee of fellow Charlestonians to raise the funds to erect a statue of George Washington in the park that bears his name."

"Enslaved Africans were usually sold at wharves along the city harbor. Some Africans were sold near the Exchange, but most people sold here were born in the U.S., making this a key site in the domestic slave trade.  In 1856, the city banned auctions of slaves and other goods from the Exchange.  Indoor sales grew elsewhere, and Ryan's Mart, a complex of buildings between Queen and Chalmers streets, became the main downtown auction site."

The other side of the sign notes that Charleston was one of the largest slave trading cities in the United States in the 1800's, and began selling slaves in the 1770's. 

"Historic Hotels of America, National Trust for Historic Preservation"

"King's Courtyard Inn c. 1853"

"King's Courtyard Inn c. 1853 is protected by a conservation easement donated to Historic Charleston Foundation 1985"

Photo taken on the steps of the Exchange building

Beauregard

"P.G.T. Beauregard/ General / Commanding Confederate forces / Charleston South Carolina / Held this city and harbor / inviolate / against combined attacks / by land and water / 1863 1864 1864 / This monument is erected / in his honour / by a grateful people. / A.D. 1904"

This isn't a church! It's just a building. 

"Henry Timrod Born in Charleston, S.C. December 8, 1829 Died at Columbia, S.C. October 7, 1867" 

Below are two photos of the house.  The porch has a direct view in to Washington Square, where the statue of George Washington, Henry Timrod, and Beauregard's memorial stand. 

Easy Hearty Potato Leek Soup

A win! We found a soup that Shawn likes! Potato Leek Soup with some modification for his liking. It will leave you with leftovers if there is only one (or two) people! 

Ingredients:

5 lbs. potatoes, peeled (we used golden potatoes this time and have used russets before with no problems)
2-3 leeks, greens removed, cut and chopped
Miso soup broth to taste, about 1-1/2 to 2 cups 
Fresh thyme
1/2 fresh bay leaf
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Butter to taste
Milk to taste (I used about 1/2 to 3/4 c.) 

Cook potatoes as though making mashed potatoes (boil until tender). When that is cooking, in a separate pan, add butter or olive oil until warm, add leeks.  Stir to cover leeks with butter/oil.  Cover.  Stir occasionally until leeks are cooked (soft, wilted looking - photo below is before cooking).  *Before leeks are cooked completely, add the bay leaf, fresh thyme leaves to taste, and fresh ground pepper.* 

When potatoes are done cooking, drain.  Add leeks, miso soup, milk, and a few tabs of butter if desired. Blend until desired thickness (add more soup broth & milk for a more broth-y soup, add less for a thicker soup.) We used a handheld blender for this step.  We left it fairly thick with some potato chunks leftover. 

Garnish with fresh thyme, serve hot! Shawn likes this soup with extra ingredients: corn and small bacon pieces (and this time, with french fried onions as a garnish). Enjoy! Do you like Potato Leek soup and have any tricks or tips to share? 

Wrapping up 2017

It's so hard to believe that 2018 is less than 48 hours away! 2017 has brought so many blessings, adventures, experiences, and friendships. We are so blessed. And my goodness, how things have changed since last New Year's! Last year we were in Boston at Shawn's parents for their family NYE party and now we get to celebrate it in South Carolina. Last year, there was a bunch of snow on the ground.  This year, we will be having temps between 20 and 56 degrees and NO snow. Last year, we were preparing to put our house on the market officially, and spent a lot of our time packing, selling things, donating items, and cleaning up the house.  This year, we are 100% mobile and have downsized (although we do want to go through what we do have and get rid of what we have found to be unnecessary).  

A year in review: 

Two days before the New Year, this is what we got! 

We had to paint a LOT! But we did it! 

February, Jen decided to give contacts another try, and we found our new home, our Georgie Boy! 

March: 

GOOD NEWS! Jen was accepted in to Graduate School to her #1 Choice!

We started our YouTube Channel: Get Lost! With Shawn & Jen! We started to learn how to take video, edit, add music, etc.  We hope to have more talking in future videos! And we have a list of things we want to do in 2018 which means more videos!! 

Jen got to present with Dr. Witzleben at a College English Association Conference in Hilton Head, SC on Charles Dickens' "Hunted Down" in March!

Although this photo wasn't taken in April, we bought the Blue Pearl in April - a Harley Davidson Fat Boy that was vital to our summer adventures! 

Transitioning from April to May, we went to NYC and had a wonderful visit with Jen's grandparents, and Shawn began his love for a french press!! We had wonderful weather, too! 

Shawn even went to the DENTIST in NYC! A MAJOR MILESTONE! (And P.S. - That dentist was amazing and we would definitely go back there.  The other dentists we have seen were much more expensive and not nearly as helpful.)

In May, Jen was honored at an awards ceremony two days before graduation with FIVE honors! And then GRADUATION!!! 

Remik also came up to Buffalo for a quick visit! We always love visiting with him! 

In June, we had a MAJOR milestone. WE LEFT NEW YORK STATE!!!! 

Shawn on our way to our FIRST STOP on the FIRST day!  He's much more relaxed at the "helm" now, and knows how to navigate our 35 foot home PLUS 12 foot trailer and can tell when a semi truck is coming up on us and passing us. It's pretty amazing to see the road so high up! 

We got to visit so many places.  In June, we saw: Cincinnati, Elizabethtown KY, Nashville TN, Memphis TN and West Memphis AR, Grenada MS, Clinton MS, Slidell and New Orleans LA, Holt FL, Chattahoochee FL/Bainbridge GA, and Ocala FL. We saw SO much!!! 

Mammoth Cave Historical Entrance, Kentucky:

Jim Beam Distillery, Kentucky

We got to make our own bottle of Knob Creek! 

We visited the home where Abraham Lincoln was born

Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee (And a beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel walk beforehand!)

The Mississippi River from our campsite in West Memphis, Arkansas, less than 15 minutes from Memphis, Tennessee

The Woodruff-Fontaine House on Millionaire's Row in Memphis that we toured

Just outside of New Orleans, one of our favorite stops (and very educational and personal) at Kliebert's Alligator Farm.  Jen never held an alligator before! 

We went to see Oak Alley Plantation, and never get tired of looking at this view.

Jen especially imagined what it would be like to sit on this porch, look at the view, and enjoy a mint julep or fresh lemonade! 

In July, we started the month in Ocala FL at Ocala North Campground and headed to Bushnell, FL to spend the 4th of July.  We visited Weeki Wachee Springs where there are mermaids performing in the spring, a boat tour of the spring, animal shows, and a swimming hole with waterslides.  

We also visited Dade Battlefield, partly pictured below. 

We then traveled to just North of Atlanta and met up with an old Buffalo friend and stayed in a park that was ROARING with wildlife.  It was right on Lake Lanier! After that, we began our hunt to find "home" for Graduate School.  We definitely found the perfect place! 

In August, Jen started Graduate School! 

September brought a Hurricane that we ended up evacuating for because our area was under a tornado watch, high wind warning, flood warning, and more.  We left home to Roanoke Rapids, NC to wait it out. 

WE ALSO GOT MARRIED!!! It was such a perfect day, and we created so many memories! I might at some point do a vendor review on here to help out any other brides who are looking for some tips and reviews! 

In October, we explored our area even more

In November, Shawn built a deck and we managed to stain it before his parents came down for Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

We also made this addition to our home: a propane heater! (Yes, we open the window and vent to properly ventilate!) We LOVE this heater because it keeps us super warm and warms up the motorhome quickly! 

And in December, we got to enjoy weather that was decent enough to go for some good motorcycle rides!

We saw beautiful sunsets:

We are also blessed to have such great new friends here.  Martha MADE us a Christmas tree and an angel! 

Jen got to decorate part of the pool area at work for Christmas, and had fun making the snowflakes! (After many years of inspiration from her Grandma making snowflakes and sending them in the mail, seeing them when visiting, and seeing them in photos! 

Some of my takeaways from this past year:

Affirmations REALLY CAN help.  My favorites: 

• "I forgive myself and others for things from our past, knowing we were all doing the best we knew how at the time.  I am free, and they are free, and now we go on to our greatest good." 
• "The more I practice owning my power, the better I am moving with the flow of life. I am one with the energy of peace."
• "Don't be afraid of losing people.  Be afraid of losing yourself by trying to please everyone." 

Believe in yourself, and in the power of communication.  No one is a mind reader, and with open communication, you can make a plan of action to help turn dreams in to a reality. 

Dreams CAN become reality with some elbow grease and a good game plan! 

Trust the process. Even if it's slow. Every step, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. 

Sometimes, it's pretty amazing to look back through the years and see just how far you've come and how you've changed, for the better. 

An eyebrow wax or even a hair trim can make you feel like a million bucks. 

Finding the right multivitamin can CHANGE YOUR LIFE. 

Probiotics and probiotics are super helpful.  Just find the one that reacts best to your body. 

Tackle challenges (like Grad School) head on and with a game plan. Find people who support your goal and surround yourself with them. 

Meet regularly with your professors, and if you can't meet in person, maintain communication via email. 

Don't forget to update your resume'

Don't tell yourself, "I'll have to remember that for later." WRITE IT DOWN NOW. 

Visit and explore as many places as you can!  

Goals for 2018: 

Become more "green" by finding biodegradable bags to start a compost pile to reduce waste.

Continue to de-clutter

Go on adventures (and document them!)

Start a dream fund to one day go overseas again within the next five years

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and blessed New Year! Here's to many more!! What are some things you learned this year?