Choose Charleston

 I had previously spoke about Charleston being a popular wedding location.  I can only provide limited knowledge on the subject but I discovered a book recently published that will cover all your questions and concerns!  Leaving you free to actually ENJOY your special moment! Novel idea, huh? (Charleston, SC) Finally, a book with everything you need to know about planning a dream wedding in historic Charleston, South Carolina, now considered one of the most popular wedding destinations in the US. Written by two veteran wedding professionals from the Lowcountry, Dianne Shaver and Suzette Latsko, Bride’s Advisor Charleston provides complete details on every aspect of a wedding including budgets from actual Charleston weddings in the amount of $7500, $20,000 and $40,000 to in-depth information on venues for the ceremony and reception including complete contact information. The authors created the book to help overwhelmed brides be prepared and relaxed for the big day. Bride’s Advisor Charleston is the one stop source with complete information for planning a wedding in this city. According to the authors, “With Bride’s Advisor Charleston, brides-to-be can save hours of research and thousands of dollars; or work better with wedding planners.” Bride’s Advisor Charleston surpasses general bridal guides by listing only vendors and venues in Charleston, including their contact information. Dianne and Suzette share insider information, as well as tips such as hidden or often overlooked budget items.Over 250 stunning photographs by local Charleston photographers illustrate for brides how an actual wedding looks at a variety of venues. This book also features photographs of cakes, table settings, lighting and beautifully decorated tents so that brides can envision their own wedding.

Everyone is currently busy making a list of things to change in 2009.

Could it be weight loss?

Stop smoking?

Get a new job?

You can make the changes you desire, you just need a good reason to keep them!

Here is my idea and hopefully everyone will join in!

Post your 2009 resolution in the comments section of this blog. After each month or so, come back and update us on your progress.

Example: I want to lose 25 pounds in 2009.  I plan on eating more healthy and walking 2 miles per day.

Then next month, check in and give us a quick update.  If we can get enough people to share 2009 resolutions, we can support each other and achieve our goals together!

I will start with mine.

I want to post five articles a month for the year of 2009.

Share yours!

Happy New Years Charleston!

So the thrills of opening presents are over.  Maybe you completed a long drive back to Charleston, SC. to see your friends and family.  After stuffing yourself with way more than you should ever eat (and maybe drinking more than you should ever drink?) you start to get frustrated with those lovely friends and family. 

It is late Saturday night and you are thinking, how much more can I take?  My sister’s new boyfriend is really getting on my last nerve!

You need to get out of the house and explore Charleston again!

Maybe you should check out some of my recent articles such as Charleston- Things to do.  If you grew up in Charleston, you probably cannot stand the Charleston carriage tours but your kids will love the experience it provides!

If you have no kids to hold you back, check out the Charleston nightlife scene. You could visit one of the new clubs or check out one of your favorite college hangout spots!

Lastly, if you have been really nice this year….maybe you could get your mom to whip up some Charleston Shrimp and Grits!

Happy Holidays to all!

Looking for things to do in Charleston?

Let me go over a view that my readers, both residents and tourist have said would be great for people in looking for things to do in Charleston.

If you have ever spent a day in downtown Charleston, you will realize that a Charleston Carriage Tour is one of the most popular ways to learn the history of Charleston. The carriage tours are affordable and a unique experience for kids who have never been around a horse.

 If you are part of the younger crowd, you may want to look into what the Charleston nightlife scene is. The downtown area of Charleston has both clubs and plenty of bars to hang out in the early morning.

 Is sport your thing?  You are in luck!  Charleston offers a wide range of Golf courses, for beginner up to pro level.  Want to take in some pro baseball?  Then check out our hometown Charleston Riverdogs.  Charleston also offers pro soccer!

See, they are plenty of things to do in Charleston, SC!

 If you would like any other suggestions of things to do in Charleston, browse ChooseCharleston or e-mail me.

Times are rough and Charleston business owners are not the only owners looking for a way to survive harsh economic times. I know as a business owner, you are always looking for a way to capture new customers.  What about the customers that refused to pay you?

 Wrote you a bad check?

 Customers that owe YOU but you cannot locate?

 Don’t worry!  Help is here!  I recently discovered a South Carolina debt collection company that will get your past due customers to pay.

 The best feature is, you don’t have to pay a SINGLE DIME until they collect for you!  Place accounts with them for FREE!

 Check them out, SentryRisk.com.

P.S.- After they collect a few payments for you, contact me and tell me thanks for the tip!

I just wanted to allow everyone to share what they enjoy most about having Thanksgiving in Charleston, South Carolina.  Is it meeting up with friends and family?  Maybe it could be eating way too much?  Do you have any traditions in regards to Thanksgiving that you do only in Charleston, SC? 

 Please share some of your favorite Charleston Thanksgiving stories with others!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving in Charleston or wherever you decide to celebrate this great holiday!

I think everyone realizes that John McCain is favored to win and will win in South Carolina.

 My question is, by how much?

 Most poll averages have him ahead in South Carolina by 12%.

 Do you think Obama will keep it closer than that or will McCain cover the 12% spread?

 Also, post any of your thoughts on the 2008 election that you desire.  What is the residents of Charleston going to be voting on?  What should they be voting on?

Lastly, who do you think will win the 2008 election? Obama or McCain? Or….Barr!

College of Charleston Mens Basketball Head Coach Bobby Cremins secured a highly regarded transfer in Casaan Breeden.  Breeden played for Marlboro County and grew up in Bennettsville, S.C.  Breeden was the former South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and ranked the 39th best player in his senior class.  He orginally choose FSU over the likes of N.C. State, Miami, Georgia, Georgia Tech and St. John’s.  If Cremins can find some ball handlers to create for Breeden, College of Charleston should be able to compete in the Southern Conference.  Overall, good addition for C of C.

I know we can all agree it has been really hot recently but I think it is time to try my hand at golf again.  I recently purchased a new set of irons so I am ready to see if they improved my game any. (Don’t laugh!)  Since I have not played recently, I am asking anyone who golfs to weigh in on the topic.  What is your favorite golf course in Charleston, South Carolina. Or what course offers the most value? I am sure we have many readers who are coming to Charleston with the idea of playing some golf on vaction or a business trip.  You could help them make a great choice! Over the coming weeks, I am going to write a few articles about the Charleston golf courses mentioned!

Which Charleston golf course is your favorite and why?

Hit em straight!

Get the complete recipe for Charleston Shrimp and Grits.  This is the traditional Charleston Shrimp and Grits recipe, and why would we have it any other way? If you are visiting and have never tried this dish, please do so!  I know you will fall in love with this tasty Charleston treat!  If you are a resident of the area, I am sure you have heard of alternative ways but I am just going to post the original Charleston Shrimp and Grits recipe

.Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hours, 00 minutes

Ingredients:

·         1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled, halved lengthwise, and deveined if you wish

·         Juice of 1 lemon

·         Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce

·         1 1/2 teaspoons salt or more to taste

·         1 1/2 cups stone-ground grits, not instant or quick-cooking

·         6 thick slices bacon, chopped

·         1 small onion, finely chopped 

·         1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

·         1 garlic clove, minced

·         1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions 

·         2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour

·         1 cup chicken stock

·         1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

·         1 cup (about 1/4 pound) grated medium to sharp Cheddar cheese

·         Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce

·         Preparation

·         Combine the shrimp with the lemon juice and a couple of generous splashes of hot pepper sauce. Let sit while you begin the grits and gravy.

·         Make the grits in a large heavy saucepan, first bringing 6 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of the salt to a boil. Whisk in the grits a few handfuls at a time. (They will bubble up initially.) When you have added all the grits, reduce the heat to a very low simmer and cook over low heat for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally at first and more frequently toward the end.

·         While the grits simmer, get the gravy under way. Fry the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until brown but still limp. Stir in the onion, green pepper, and garlic and continue cooking until the onion and pepper are limp, about 5 minutes. Add the scallions, sprinkle the flour over the mixture, and continue sautéing for 5 minutes longer. Stir in the stock and remaining salt and cook for 5 minutes longer. Remove from the heat while you finish the grits.

·         When the grits are thick and creamy, stir in as much of the butter as you wish, followed by the cheese. Add a splash of hot pepper sauce and additional salt if you like. Cover the grits while you finish the gravy.

·         Return the gravy to medium heat and stir in the shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are opaque throughout, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately, mounding the grits in large shallow bowls or on plates and covering them with shrimp and gravy.

·         Serves: 4 (Unless you are really hungry!).

·         Credits: From A Real American Breakfast. Copyright 2002 by Cheryl Alters Jamison and Bill Jamison. All rights reserved. HarperCollins Publishers.

Enjoy Charleston Shrimp and Grits tomorrow morning guys!