If you are blessed to live in the Lowcountry, and even if you are not, you will be mesmerized by Mary Whyte's book, Down Bohicket Road.  Her story of getting to know and love the beautiful people and places on Johns Island is told through lyrical watercolor paintings and tender words.
No one can drive down Bohicket Road without feeling the pull of the marsh, the farmlands and their guardians, the people and live oaks of Johns Island.
It's hard to choose a favorite among Mary Whyte's subjects, but her paintings of Lilly and Tesha are wonderfully tender and compelling.  I read Mary's book in one Sunday afternoon sitting, but I keep coming back to the paintings of her friend, Alfreda.  What I love about Whyte's images of Alfreda is the light of love, warmth and kindness which shines in her eyes.  How lucky we are that Mary Whyte has allowed us into her heart for Johns Island and the folks Down Bohicket Road.

Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts has created the best way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day....by offering the Irish Car Bomb doughnut!  The plate bearing them was empty when I arrived this morning at 10:30am, but, after a brief moment of panic on my part, more were discovered on the tray, fresh from the kitchen.  The Irish Car Bomb is a puffy, cloud-like doughnut, filled with a delectable cream, lightly flavored with Bailey's Irish Cream. The top is covered with a Guinness Stout glaze...

CONFECTION PERFECTION!

 

Have you ever strolled upper King St. during the evening, and paused to stare, gape and covet the kitchens at SieMatic Kitchen Designs?  Many times?  I thought so- so have I.                                                           I was recently on upper King at lunchtime and was pleased to be able to actually step inside. 

For all of you Foodies, kitchen junkies and chefs out there, this store is nirvana.  SieMatic is a German company, known for clean lines, functionality and beauty of design.  They did not disappoint.

Each aspect of their specially designed kitchens is meant to please, from the textured, metal surface under the sink (very practical in the event of water or cleaning product leaks) to the adjustable height wooden cutting board that slides across the sink above it.  The cabinet drawers are self-closing, the lighting touch and motion sensitive and the corner base cabinets are a sight to behold.   Every want or need of anyone, be they chef or cooking novice, who steps into their kitchens is met.  

All of their work is custom built and designed, as explained to me by the extremely knowledgable, friendly and helpful sales manager.  The prices are in the higher end but well worth the quality and craftsmanship received.

I will never look at another kitchen the same way.... SieMatic is the ultimate kitchen.

I am a lover of biscuits.  I freely admit it.  I just had the best biscuit on the planet, or at least in my charmed corner of Charleston, at Bull Street Market at 60 Bull St.  Although most of their bread comes from Normandy Farms, they bake their biscuits in-house.  Mine was a warm, basil and goat cheese biscuit, which I ate in tiny bites so that it would last longer.  It was crispy on the outside; fluffy and tender on the inside.  The basil was fragrant and not overdone and the goat cheese was plentiful, creamy and just so delicious.  Run, don't walk, to the corner of Smith and Bull Streets for the best basil & goat cheese biscuits in Charleston.

Prompted by my love of all things Victorian, I have just read A.E.W. Mason's 

The Four Feathers.

Based on a Mason short story, his book tells the story of courage, perceived cowardice and redemption.      

The setting alternates between England, Ireland and the middle East.  England's military presence in the Sudan provides many interesting opportunities for adventure for the six main characters, comrades in arms all.  A story of honor above all, this book was made into seven movies over the years, the best being the 1939 version which features Ralph Richardson.  As with many works of classic literature, the screenwriter takes many liberties with the story line, so I suggest reading the book before viewing any of the movie versions.  The silent version from 1929 may be worth viewing, as it seems to follow the book's plot a bit closer.  I often find that is true with silent films.
The Four Feathers was an engrossing, quick read with an element of romance and a large dose of middle eastern 1880's military intrigue.   Loved it!

I am LOVING Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop in Port Royal, SC.  Take a side trip on your way to Hilton Head to find this little, bitty place on Rt.21.  Located a few miles past Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot, this tiny sandwich shop makes a big taste splash.  The secret is in the bread, a disc-shaped piece of heaven that is a cross between French bread and an English muffin in texture.  Three cheeses are baked into it, as well.  The result is a tender, toothsome treat that is filled with just the right amount of your choice of meat and topped with mayo, lettuce, tomato and onion.  The sandwiches come in three sizes...small, medium and large.  The small was really perfect.  You will need a BIG appetite to finish the medium or large sandwiches, but they are the perfect size to share.

Alvin Ord's gets very busy between 11am and 1pm, so call in your order in advance if you can.  We arrived at 1:30, though, so walked right up to the counter.  Bring cash, too, as checks and credit cards are not accepted.  

This is my new favorite sandwich stop!

Victor Hugo's Les Miserables...

Where have you been all my life?  This could be my new favorite book.  Don't let the 1400 pages frighten you off.  I am 35% through it ( a la Kindle) and am loving every single page.  

Victor Hugo loves to digress and my favorite digression so far is his description of the battle of Waterloo.  Who knew that a sunken road, hidden from view in a sweeping field was such a factor in Napoleon's loss?  I have visited the Waterloo battle site, have seen the rolling pasture land and can picture exactly how the sunken road caught, trapped and killed so many French soldiers on horseback.  

I am now a bit further on in Les Mis, in the middle of another digression,  a detailed description of a Benedictine convent in Paris, a place that brings pious suffering to a whole new level.

Stay tuned for more Les Mis updates.