Happy Dishes

I lost my husband in the mall. No not really. He lost me. I told him to "go ahead, I'm right behind you". Next thing I know I was taking photos of the cutest little dishes! I looked up, he was out of sight. I was sure he would back track and find me, but instead, he sat on a bench near the exit waiting on me.

When I caught up with him about 10 minutes later, I said "you have to come over here and see these dishes! I want them. I want them all." No fancy china for me, no no. I like this simple french or country looking stuff. I want it.

His response was "you do not need it" with an eye roll.

"We have to much stuff as it is, and besides, that's for rich folks. 

Have you ever seen a kid in Toys R Us getting pulled out of the store by their parents while gazing back with concern in their eyes, wondering if a tantrum would work at this moment? That was me.

The brand was Mud Pie. There was a dish for every item with a saying. Everything was there. Laid out for me. From coffee mugs to butter dishes, to turkey platters and biscuit holders. I loved it all. Here are the few photos I took. 

The prices were not too bad so I might go back and grab a piece....or two...or three.

If I entertained, I would invest in some larger pieces. Unfortunately, its hard to get family all together for a feast anymore. I'm thinking they will go lovely in my future beach house. Yes? 

The Aftermath

Looks like our plans to enjoy our last days of vacation for the year may have been put on hault. Matthew has swept down the East coast taking out piers, property and power. 

We are sitting here with a warm cup of coffee in the comfort of our home on this beautiful cool Sunday morning. Its 48 degrees here. Yikes.

We are scoping out social media in search of some answers on how things are going down at the coast where we have our camper stored close to the ocean. 

Im sharing a few interesting photos to give you an idea of the damage Matthew (at just a category one on contact) has caused. Im sure we will see more photos and hear more news as the day goes by. My brother in law lives a mile from our camper. As soon as he can get into our campground, he is going to check on it for us. If the camper is damaged, we will have to make a way down there to fix it. If the camper is ok, then we will just wait til the coast is clear to go for a little vacation. (No pun intented)

These photos were mostly taken by my brother in law who lives at Apache or stolen off facebook and the internet from friends of friends of friends. They are not my own. If you wish them not to be published here, send me a message and ill be glad to take them off.

Myrtle Beach North- This is the Apache Pier. Its the longest wooden peir on the East coast. Open 365 days a year. Brings in many fishermen.

 

It has survived many storms but was no test for Matthew as the end has been swept away.

 

Myrtle Beach North- Here is Myrtle Beach Travel Park. 

 

Now, under water. Booooohoooooo!

Here is another look at the Apache pier (one mile from Myrtle Beach Travel Park). Look how high the waves got! 

 

 

Myrtle Beach South- Here is a view of some wash out at Ocean Lakes Campground. Just look how it bent the poles over. 

Just kidding, they are made that way.

Devistating fires to homes in North Myrtle Beach as wind is causing it to spread. Fire trucks had a delay getting to the scene due to flooding and down power lines.

 

 Here is a look at Sunset Beach Bridge. Scary!

 

A lot of the damage was ripped off underpin and siding. This permanent camper sits at Apache.

 

Some trees down. 

 

North Myrtle Beach- Here is Ocean Drive. Under water.

 

Mother Nature is nothing to play with. Its amazing how wind and water can do so much damage. I feel like God allows these things to happen so we will slow down and stop a moment to take a look around us and to bring people together. Turn away from politics and madness in the world and look at magnificents of his creation.

Waiting The Storm Out

Im two hundred miles from the South Carolina coast. Here, we have had a rainy Friday as hurricane Matthew makes his way up the coast of Florida and across the Eastern coast. Im a wierd one that would love to be down there in the middle of it. I love storms. Before our camping days, we rode hurricane Irene out from the balcony of an evacutated hotel.

Our home away from home is sitting within walking distance from the ocean with only the dunes to protect it from the surge. It should be packed pretty tight in the camper storage yard but who knows. About the only thing that we suspect could happen will be maybe some vents blowing off the top. 

What is bothering me the most are my friends down there right now fighting against the wind. My brother-in-law lives only a few feet from the ocean. He has boarded up and headed inland (we think). I have a school friend who lives in Conway. Im pretty sure shes in far enough to be safe. Then there is my blog friends Jack and Sherry. Two love birds trying to remodel a new found home in Florida. I think they have shifted away from harm as well. 

We have plans to head down to the coast next weekend for our last vacation of the year. We hope all is intact and the flood waters have rolled back into the sea. My husband is being a little pessimistic while im the optimistic one. I think by next weekend, it will be beautiful. I know what it looks like down there after a hurricane. All the shops are boarded up and the place looks like a ghost town. I hope its all clear and back to normal when we see it next weekend. Until then, we will wait it out.

Prayers to all in the path of this storm. Stay safe!

 

UPDATE: Just read where Jack and Sherry are ok and the storm has passed in Florida. They are heading back to work on their new home tomorrow.

Whats Poppin

This past weekend we visited a couple places we have never visited before. One was a new antique store in town and the other was a popcorn shop.

 

I got news from my sister in law that there was a gourmet popcorn shop in Belmont. I just had to check it out as I love popcorn. So we took a drive that way.

I was in awe as I walked into the tiny shop as barrels of popcorn were covering three walls from floors to ceiling. They had over 200 flavors. Every flavor you can think of, they had it. 

 

They had every drink flavor from beer to cola, they had coffee and lemonade flavors as well.

There were savory flavors from cheese and jalapeno to bacon and butter.

You can name any candy bar and they had those flavors too.

You like cheese cake, birthday cake or pound cake? Yep, they had those flavors too.

 

It took us a while to decide as we were only allowed four samples. I walked out with a bag of dill pickle flavor and Nick chose salted caramel latte.

 

I loved the pickle flavor and have called that my favorite already. But for the price, I will not be able to visit often. Two small bags costed a whopping $12.00 and lasted about 12 minutes!

Do you have a favorite gourmet popcorn flavor?

Egg Plant Finally

So back in the spring my sister had given me a few egg plants that were being thrown away by a plant vendor. They were not in the best shape but were not dead and only needed some love. I brought them home and planted them in a dirt filled crate. I didnt bother tilling a garden for them. If those plants only knew how bad of a plant momma I am.

If you know me, you know I definitely do not have a green thumb. I have one house plant left over from a loved ones funeral years ago. It's the only plant I managed to keep alive and thats only because it tells me it needs watered by wilting. Ha. You know "Peace Lillies". Who can kill those? I also have a butterfly bush that grows beautiful every summer. Thats about the extent of my gardening expertise.

Anyway, after a few weeks, the plants didn't seem to be growing well even though I made sure to check on them every morning and afternoon. I watered them regularly and made sure they had enough sun. A nest of fire ants decided to make a home at the foot of the crate so eventually I gave up caring for the plants. They were not growing well and the birds and squirrels were eating at them. I told my husband he could just use the dirt to fill a few holes in the yard. 

The egg plants have been ignored. This weekend, I figured I'd go out and see whats going on. The fire ants were gone amd the plants had really grown tall. All six of them seem to be healthy, strong and happy. Guess what else? There were three egg plants hanging on the stems. One looked like a wooden gourd as Its been there too long. The other two were beautiful. Small as they were, The were ready to pick. I was so excited. I cut the eggplants off and brought them inside. I cant believe I actually grew something. Ha.

 

This was going to my lunch for Saturday. I washed and sliced them, afraid they would be bitter. To my surprise, they were perfect with a fresh taste.

I decided to bake them instead of frying them. I dipped them into an egg and milk mixture and rolled them in bread crumbs. The slices were then placed on a pan coated with olive oil. Baked for 15 minutes, then I sprayed the tops with more olive oil, flipped and baked another 15 minutes.

 

Oh my goodness, these things were delicious and I felt proud that I grew them myself. I topped them with my Nutrisystem meatballs and sauce. Made a wonderful meal. My husband is not a fan of eggplant but he even liked them.

 

There are a couple more egg plants producing, but they are not ready to pick yet. Maybe by next week, they will be ready for another meal. I will not bother them, for they did better when ignored. Ha.