A Taste of Southern Comfort part 1

What a fun packed whirlwind weekend! Last Thursday we went to the school ice-cream social and met with Li’l K’s teacher(more info later) at 10:00 am. After a short chit-chat we went home and loaded up the van then headed off to South Carolina which took about 8 hours and 30 minutes(most of the time going 72 mph) including a sit-down dinner break at our favorite Cracker Barrel Country restaurant along North Carolina. We look forward to our Cracker Barrel stops up and down I95 because they are very rare in Maryland, for some reason I don’t know. The drive was uneventful and we were able to find the farm pretty easily around 9:00PM. We didn’t get lost amongst the tobacco and soy bean plantations like we did last year(we got lost for an hour arguing over what was the ‘crop landmark’ ). We were sent a detailed map with instructions this time by our gracious hostess(D’s SIL). It’s worth mentioning that our trip was only made possible because our hostess went out of her way to welcome C(our furry family member) to come along the trip. C needed special attention(walked every 4 hours or less) because of his condition and we wouldn’t have found someone to take care of him in so short notice. She had 5 dogs at home already so we would have understood if she said no to C.

There was a pot of slow cooked pork with speckled beans and rice waiting for us when we rolled in. We were still full from our dinner but the smell of the beans and rice tempted us to have a bowl. It was delicious! We had to hit the sack around midnight after resting and chatting with our awesome hosts. We were introduced to their new addition to the family, Leo and Bruiser, 2 rescued dogs who had such sweet personalities.

In the morning we were awakened by savory sausages and yummy vegetable omelet for breakfast on toasts and fresh pineapples and watermelons. Over breakfast, we were discussing what our itinerary for the day was and since no one had plans I suggested going to a Southern country buffet. I had cravings for country cooking when I’m 9 hours away. The country buffets are only open for lunch Monday to Fridays. Sometimes some would open for Sunday breakfasts. I didn’t want to leave South Carolina without having my fill of authentic good old country comfort food. By 12:30 noon, we were seated at Webster’s Manor enjoying home cooked fried chicken, perfectly seasoned greens and green beans, sweet potato casserole, mac ‘n cheese, best tasting coslow I’ve ever had and southern style rice. They had catfish fillets and other more stuff but I was too full. Dessert table had eye-popping home baked goods(coconut cake, peach cobbler, chocolate cake, brownies, pecan pie). I obliged to have a sliver of each to taste. It was wonderful to have our lunch with the lovebirds(our SIL and sweetheart both in their early 60’s[they were so sweet that we were coated with sugar when we were with them]) with our lovely niece(in her early 30’s, at first it was kinda weird to have a niece and nephew older than I was) who drove for an hour to come see us.

When I asked permission to take pictures of the charming Webster’s Manor, I was introduced to the co-owner of the place who happens to be the wife of the Mayor of Mullins. She even invited me to go upstairs and feel welcome to take pictures of their bedrooms. She was just thrilled when I said that I’ll blog about her place. They run bed and breakfast in addition to the restaurant. I felt I was transported to the old time South Carolina by their nostalgic bedrooms. I had fun with Li’l K as she was in the mood to have her pictures taken.

Nostalgic bedroom

When we went back to the farm house, a phone call to our nephew finalized a plan for a potluck dinner at their place since their schedule was packed and we really wanted to see him and his family. They are an hour drive away. The rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the pool and jacuzzi hot tub on the very spacious screened-in back porch. It’s like being in a private spa. The pool had a beautiful view of open fields with a back drop of the forests surrounding the 100+ acres farmland. They even had gym equipment for anyone feeling up to working up a sweat(need to work off all the Southern food).

By 8:00pm, we are at our nephews house with their 2 children(7 and 3) and Li’l K running around playing dress-up and painting each other’s faces and nails. Li’l K has been looking forward to playing with her cousins again. We were given a tour of their beautiful home and we stayed at our nephew’s collection room admiring his vast collection of fishing lures until it was time for dinner of delicious salad, roast chicken, steak, slow cooked speckled beans and freshly baked croissants. After dinner our nephew shared a photo memorial of his partner(officer). Saying “I’m sorry for your loss” sounded too empty.

By the end of the evening, our daughters were already planning a play date after having so much fun together with dress up and make-over stuff. I sheepishly looked at my daughter and said that a play date sounded great but we are 8+ hours away. Li’l K was given barely used hand-me-downs of Disney princess costumes, a whole bunch of play princess shoes and a vanity table set. She insisted of trying them on when we got back at the farmhouse at 11:30 in the evening.

to be continued…… I’m still officially on vacation at the Eastern Shore this time until next Monday(Labor Day) but with high-speed DSL access . Have alot of backlog of blogging to do. Yesterday we were at St. Michael’s, Maryland admiring Laura Ashley’s house, so be back for more travel fun!