So, a brewery opened in Florence.
And the beer is pretty excellent.
Right now they’re brewing a Goldilocks (golden) Ale and a LeRoy Brown (brown) Ale. I was all over that Goldilocks Ale.
We had dinner there, as well. The best thing we tried was a barbeque egg roll appetizer. I heard that this place has been known to serve collard egg rolls- eek!
Southern Hops surprised me (in a very good way) and I’ll definitely be back for more.
<3, Liz
Well, it’s officially summer! The summer art program I teach in ended last night and I’m headed back to Columbia to start my vacation today. Not that living with my parents has been very stressful, quite the opposite really.
I have some serious backyard-outdoor space envy when it comes to my parents house/neighborhood.
Mark my words, one day we will have a yard with a tree planted in the ground.
Thanks for everything, Mom and Dad!
<3, Liz
I brought a couple bean bag chairs from my classroom home for the summer. Hemingway is in love.
When this chair go back to school in August, I may get her another to replace it.
This one is cute. It’s about to get dorm room fabulous in here, ya’ll.
There are definite perks to teaching in a summer art program.
Super Hero Day is just one of them.
What do I avenge? Art theft? Art fraud? Broken pencils? Whatever needs avenging, I guess.
Did you know that the Gap is offering to email receipts instead of printing them in-store? Fantastic.
Also, GO GAMECOCKS! Let’s win the college world series again!
<3, Liz
POTATO HARVEST!
So what if our garden only produced 8 spuds (9 if you count the rotten one)? We are super proud of these little guys.
These jalapenos are pretty exciting, too. Lots more ready soon.
“Whenever a boy comes, you should always have something baking.” -Cher, Clueless
Classic.
Forrest is coming home this evening. He’s been in Florida for the 48 Hour Film Project this weekend. More on that later, I’m sure. I’m heading back to Flo-town tomorrow morning for work and I wanted to leave him with a treat for the week- why not cookies?
I really do like to bake- this cookie book is the best, by the way. I altered a recipe that book (don’t hate; Martha is amazing) for Ne Plus Ultra Cookies. They aren’t anything crazy, just simple and delish.
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup raisins (omitted these- not a fan)
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to egg mixture slowly. Mix in chips, pecans, whatever. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes (mine were done in 12).
Martha’s recipe says this makes 1 dozen, but I made my cookies smaller and got 18. I like these cookies because they’re super basic and you could add just about anything- almonds would be nice…
<3, Liz
Okay, I’m trying to get back into the habit of drawing every day. I’m super rusty- it’s sad, really.
Here’s my sketchbook today.
For the record, that’s a cicada shell and a butterfly that a co-worker found dead outside. I harmed no insects in this process.
<3, Liz
I mentioned before that Florence, SC is growing by leaps and bounds. Recently, a project in Florence called Meanwhile Downtown provided free rent to two entrepreneurs looking to grow small businesses in the downtown area. It’s a pretty fabulous idea, actually.
Turns out that one of the winning business plans belonged to a friend of my old friend Tristan, who has since been helping to man the store. I had a fun afternoon exploring the space and chatting with Tristan. Railroad Junction is a funky combination of cool vintage finds, paintings, accessories, and books. I hear that they may still be accepting vendors/artists (nudge, nudge). This place has a great downtown-artsy-hipster vibe and I’m excited for its future!
You should go to there.
<3, liz
Nick Wilson, of The Half and Half fame, is an interesting character. He’s the kind of person that just seems to make things happen, whether it’s learning Dreamweaver in 4 days to get a summer internship or creating a zip line across a 50ft stretch of river, complete with additional hook ups for toting coolers and bags across. All just so some friends could relax on the river in serious style. Today, I’m talking about the latter of those two.
Nick, Shannon, and I think a few other people (Jeremy?Ken?) woke up early on Saturday morning to go set everything up so it was ready for a full day of enjoyment out on The Lock. I can’t thank you guys enough for all the effort you put in to this, I think it’s going to make for an incredible summer. Nick and I are already plotting some absurd photo shoots, so bring your best blue steel if you decide to join us.
I believe at the high point there were about 20 people out on the lock, some relaxing and chatting, some fishing, and some leaping from great heights into the refreshing waters of the Congaree. Even Blue Sky appeared on the shore lines towards the later hours! I seriously cannot wait for the next trip! Enjoy these photos from the day, I’ll be sure to take more next time.
Huge thank you to Ken for his patience with Liz. I don’t think she would have made it across without your encouragement. It’s pretty scary getting on the first time. Good luck on your upcoming adventure Ken! Continue reading “River Rats”
Our kitties are perfect angels pretty well behaved. But the ceramic giraffe we bought in Asheville on our honeymoon had a fatal fall this week. Sad face.
There’s Fitzgerald- suspect numero uno- checking out the wreckage.
Domesticated Artists 