Oh how I love Lake Gaston! No watches aloud, you are on lake time!! It has always been a struggle on holiday weekends as to lake or beach! I grew up only 30 minutes from the lake so often the lake won! If lake living is your choice this Holiday weekend, don't miss the Battle of the Barbecue at Lake Gaston!
So many memories with family and friends on the lake! Great way to enjoy the great outdoors!
As you can see the sunsets are glorious!
I am looking forward to going to the new restaurant, The Pointe!
They are now open and I am excited about the Tiki bar by the lake!!
I also love the local Apex business, Moon & Lola! A fabulous North Carolina company created by Pharmacist turned Designer, Kelly Sheppard Shatat! We are so excited to sell Moon & Lola at Mear's Etc Etc. We really love the new acrylic necklaces! They come in three sizes and incredible vibrant colors!
I cannot pick just one!
I think we all need these in multiple colors! I know I will purchase red before football season at Carter Finley Stadium!
Apex is a great Carolina town! One of my favorite historic houses I sold is in the quaint downtown! If you visit, it is easy to understand why Apex was named the 14th Best Place to Live in the USA by Money Magazine in 2007! One of my favorite little spots in Apex is closing. Many will miss the Southern Hospitality of the Pineapple Tea Room.
"Truly Southern and Truly Carolina Style"
This is the last week of saying good bye to the tea room. I hope all close by will show your love to this wonderful treasure that will be greatly missed by many!
I cannot believe it! Today is my 100th post! I decided to share what I love about the South, Carolina Style, after encouragement from family and wonderful lifelong friends! I almost made it everyday for 90 days before a crashed computer slowed me down! I hope you are enjoying the very random posts from the mountains to the coast! I especially hope those of you following not from NC are getting a glimpse of how wonderful the "Old North State" truly is, especially off the beaten path!
The song, "The Old North State", words by William Joseph Gaston (1778-1844), adopted as the official state song of North Carolina on February 27, 1927.
(1927, c. 26, s. 1.)Courtesy Library of Congress
I especially love the last verse!!
"Then let all who love us,
love the land that we live in
As happy a region on this side of Heaven,
Where Plenty and Freedom,
Love and Peace smile before us,
Raise aloud, raise together,
the heart-thrilling chorus!"
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The good Old North State!
The Enfield Fishing Creek Paddle was a huge hit! There were over fiftty entries for a morning taking in the natural beauty of Halifax County in canoes and kayaks! The Bluegrass Band was enjoyed by all!! It was a beautiful day! We are all looking forward to next year!
Top two photos coutesy Brenda Greene
Thanks to The Town of Enfield, The Tar River Conservancy, Halifax County Tourism, and the Enfield Fishing Creek Paddle Committee! I also learned more about The Tar River Land Conservancy! It is a wonderful organization! Check it out!
Thanks to Jennies Beans and Buns for hosting the band and lunch! I loved my cup of Joe!
The Mint Museum’s collection includes more than fifty pieces by French designer Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel (1883-1971)! A night at The Ritz, a night out in Charlotte, and a chance to admire works of Art! The package also includes a tour of the Hotel’s exclusive Art Collection!
Every year a family friend hosts a wonderful spring garden party at his historic home when the poppies are in full bloom! Strawberry Hill, circa 1792 is on the National Register of Historic Places in Halifax County! Strawberry Hill is a beautiful outside setting for this annual gathering of friends!
The waterfront will sing to everyone with music to please all ears! The Beaufort Music Festival is so much fun! It is such a nice opportunity to visit Beaufort and enjoy it's beauty while being entertained with music and great family fun! Downtown Beaufort will also have live music at the Beaufort Historic site, local pubs and restaurants!
The 5K Beaufort Music Festival Road Race will take place Saturday morning! Runners will register at 7am and the race begins at 8am at the First Citizens Bank.
The First Annual Enfield Fishing Creek Paddle will take place this Saturday! The 5½-mile, 2 ½ hour pristine tour of this southern secret will begin at 9am. Fishing Creek is truly a "Carolina Style" treasure!
The paddle will begin at the historic Bellamy’s Mill! I love the photos taken by Suzann Anderson! Suzann and her husband Wayne are the owners of Bellamy Manor and Gardens!
If you are not already in awe of the natural resources of our beautiful state, one paddle down Fishing Creek will be all the inspiration you need to truly be in love!
If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been. ~ Robert Braul
I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day celebrating your Mothers in honor or memory! There are many circumstances in life that make us stop to either take in every moment or celebrate every memory!
I also love to honor and remember "other" Mother's who make room in their hearts for all who need love and support! It takes a village!
Day's Like This by Van Morrison is a longtime favorite song of my Mom and I!
I am so blessed and thankful for an amazing Mom! She has taken such great care of me unselfishly as a child and as a cancer patient. My Mom is an amazing person with a huge heart! Always putting others first, not just her children! I was so excited to wear my Mother's wedding dress when I got married! This is one of my favorite photos of my Mom!
"My Momma told me, there'll be days like this and I must remember there'll be day like this" ~VM
My family loves horses and we always have a great time on Derby Day! In the South, of course it does not take horses or hats to make bourbon the star of the show! We love mint juleps! They are the perfect cocktail for any southern supper!
I recommend infusing the simple syrup with the mint! I love the silver mint julep cups and crystal pitcher from Mears Etc Etc in the photo above!
The perfect plate "Carolina Style"! Fried chicken, brown sugar country ham biscuits, corn pudding cakes, roasted asparagus, mixed green salad and deviled eggs! My Mother's mini pecan pie's for dessert are always the perfect end to a southern supper. I am also loving recipes for fun cocktail cupcakes! The mint julep cupcake is a must this weekend!
If we were in Raleigh tonight, we would be celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Dos Taquitios Centro! The downtown location is one of my favorite spots for authentic spicy food and a great Margarita! My love for Dos Taquitios started back in the late 90's at their Creedmoor road location! This is not Tex Mex my friends! The fresh organic local ingredients set it apart!
We are at home tonight for a change! I promised to be festive especially since my husband loves Mexican cuisine! I found the recipe below for grilled fish tacos and they were a huge hit! I used fresh local trigger fish! Chopped avocados, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro with lots of lime juice is also a family favorite! It is a great dip served with crisp cucumbers!
Check out the margarita cupcakes! I did not have time to make the cupcakes but I did have good intentions for my traveling husband's home cooked fiesta!
We all know it is really all about the margarita! My favorite Cinco Cocktail is the "Beerita" which I shared with you when I introduced Ya's Best Salsa! Equal parts of ginger ale, corona, lime aid and tequila! Ahhhh, I believe our NC beach is better than Cabo!
Elias Butcher Shoppe in Roanoke Rapids is an old fashioned butcher where everything is cut to order! When we grill out in Halifax County we love shopping at "The Butcher shoppe" especially before heading to Lake Gaston! They also have chicken salad and pimento cheese which are area favorites, as well as their spiced shrimp!
Elias Butcher Shoppe sells whole hogs for your North Carolina Pig Pickin! Notice the two pigs in the pic, "I am sticken with Chicken" and "Where's the Beef"!
They have a terrific selection of North Carolina BBQ sauces!
My favorite item is Anna Ivey's Roasted Pecan's, of course! They are a secret family recipe!
944 Raleigh Street
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
(252) 533-0961
The North Carolina Strawberry season is here! There is nothing better than NC strawberries right out of the field! My Dad's favorite desserts include "berry berries" as my niece calls them! His favorite dip is always on hand during the season! We also love strawberries from The Strawberry Patch!
We all love the good old fashioned strawberry pretzel salad! But I think my favorite is actually not a dessert! I love strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed dressing!
Mother's Day is one week away! Although I am not a Mother myself, I am a daughter! I am blessed with a wonderful Mother! Mother's Day is such a great opportunity to truly celebrate and honor our Mother's in an over the top way!
One of my very favorite Mothers Day weekends was spent with my Mom in Pinehurst. The Spa at Pinehurst is fabulous! We had a great time!
I had a great time helping my Mom unpack new Mear's Etc Etc merchandise, just in time for Mothers Day! We have all our favorite Mom's in mind! We carry lots of Southern Living top suggestions for Mother's day gifts!! Fun bright colors for spring and summer and every "Carolina Style" Mom loves pearls!
I do the special occasion cooking in my family! I am going to try a brie and sausage casserole also suggested by Southern Living! Along with a fresh fruit bowl with fresh local North Carolina strawberries, of course! I will also make sure I have her favorite fresh ground Southern Pecan coffee!
