Again, I chose to shop at Aldi’s and found a great price on Tuna Steaks.
I didn’t include the cost of the spices/seasoning as I already had a can of Tony’s in the cupboard.
1 Tuna Steak
1 Can of green beans (Aldi Brand)
1 can of new potatoes (whole, Aldi Brand)
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into short sticks
1 table spoon of olive oil
Sprinkles of Tony’s.
Simmer Tuna Steak and carrot sticks (same skillet) on low/medium heat, slowly until cooked through.
Warm up green beans and new potatoes in same skillet, season with salt and paper.
Put New potatoes and green beans on the bottom of two bowls, cut tuna steak in half and put half in each bowl, top with sautéed carrot sticks, serve hot.
My youngest brother came for a 2 week visit and, of course, a walk with coffee breaks had to be included! It’s always a joyous time to spend with loved ones with a bean buzz and fresh air. The sites and venues are always an added perk as well.
While here in the Upstate, I wanted to share some of the local awesome adventures with him…and he smiled the whole time. His smile lightens up the whole world and he is a fun, handsome guy (but I might be just a bit biased, being his sister and all!)
The photos are captioned of the places we attended. The conversations were endless!
Jitters Brewing and Bean, Central, S.C. Jonathon enjoyed a Cortado and pastry. I drank a lavender latte, delicious!Mexican Dominoes game with Papa, Belton, S.C. I lost horribly. Papa won big time. Downtown Anderson, S.C. The famous statue in front of the courthouseJonathon is being funny with Mr. WhitnerMy brother and I enjoyed a walk to Issaqueena FallsThe Infamous Falls My brother is being silly My brother is taking in the fresh air and singing to the falls The back end of StumpHouse TunnelA horse sculpture made out of old bicycles, The light at the end of Stumphouse TunnelThe entrance to Stumphouse tunnel
Chili’s roasted, cilantro, diced onions, freshly grilled chorizo and Alpastor, my mouth was already watering even before I could order at the window from the cherry red food truck.
The proprietor doesn’t speak any English but with my improving Spanish language skills, I ordered 8 tacos, 2 chorizo, 4 Alpastor, and 2 Asada–with 4 ramekins of salsa, 2 mild, 2 picoso (hotter) and guess what, my language efforts earned a gold star! I received exactly what I ordered and desired (it’s a true struggle when developing language skills to convey a genuine message when ordering food.)
I delivered said order to my Sweetheart’s house, and much to my delight, his Guatemalan Grandmother even approved and ate 2 of the tacos!
The Food Truck is located on Main Street in Walhalla, in the same parking lot as Napa Auto PartsThe address of it. The food is outstanding and very affordable. I fed 3 people; sodas included for $25 (tip included)
History comes to live in a graveyard and the history is richly embedded here at St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) here in Walhalla, South Carolina. Founded by a German emigrant in 1853 (which makes it older than my home state; Colorado was indoctrinated as a State in 1876).
The German Emigrant who founded the church wanted to create a place of worship for new and incoming fellow Germans, I am speculating as a way of integration and for creating a foundation for their lives in the new world (just as my opinion); what creates a better sense of belonging than a community of faith?
According to the historical marker (signs that are posted frequently around the Southeast, which is boundless in its history), the German Emigrant was General John A. Wagener. The history of his efforts and settlements can be read in the photos below.
The one particular headstone that really caught my attention was the one bearing the name Martin Luther Waldt. Why? Well, Martin Luther is the great German Reformation leader, creating what is now known as the protestant Church. While his intention was to reform the Catholic Church, noting such things that we are saved by faith alone (versus penance) and nailing his 96 Thesis to the doors of the castle church door at Wittenburg. His intent was to reform, not to split, but severance of the two did happen, creating the two factions we now know.
A Little Video allows one to hear at least the toll of one bell (I wasn’t quite quick enough to get the full set of bells tolling for 5 p.m.) When I was younger, my parents had taken me and my siblings on a family vacation to Germany (my first time being abroad); I often heard the bells chiming. I asked my mother why they rang so often, and her answer has stuck with me ever since, as I often sang along with the hymns or music that the bells performed. My mother said, Anna, those bells are chiming for you. Every time the bells ring, I can’t help but think they are especially for me, as if magically they knew I was there to hear them. Finding this graveyard created a full circle, so to speak, for me, having German heritage and being Lutheran, this happy happenstance couldn’t have been more perfect.
Anna, the Adventurer (the scarf is from Thailand, my brother gave it to me)Age hasn’t deterred from the beautyThe finials on tops have been renewedGeboren-birth dayThis style of head stone is often seen in GermanyGerman Inscriptions are seen here too Brucke is Bridge I love the style of this masonry work, so unique
While the holiday may be over, a winter wonderland is still something beautiful to behold. While living here in the lovely state of South Carolina, snow, true snow (not a powdered sugar dusting) is a rare event…and something to be cherished for sure.
While it’s true that I grew up in Colorado, living there sporadically through my adult life, I greatly missed experiencing true snow days (which I greatly underappreciated when I was in my teens, taking the break for granted.)
Technology and forecasting predicted the snow, which is a new-age perk, allowing those in the affected area to be able to prepare for inclement weather, which is a blessing on many fronts (pun intended). Forecasted fun and adventures, though, when there is a white out? Naturally!
Adventures at home are a true joy–a stay-vacation! While there is always a list of things to be done, a snow balling accumulation of chores to be done, projects to be finished (or begun), sidewalks to be scooped, animals to feed, etc.
The forecast allowed my Sweetheart and I to clean out and re-line his chicken coop with fresh straw before the storm hit, preventing chaos and worry about the health and well-being of his flock, avoiding the need to go out in the snow and icy roads to retrieve much needed items for the animals and house (and finding a place that is open)–like with any good adventure, a bit of pre-prep work is essential, allowing a much more enjoyable.
Speaking of a bit of prep work, while out and about, purchasing feed and straw for the flock, I did remember to pick up extra wicks for my oil lantern, just in case the electricity went out (which does tend to happen from time to time with bad weather.) My sister, on the other hand, already had the foresight to retrofit her house, when she purchased it, making the fireplaces and her stove natural gas (which is awesome, even without power, the stove and fireplaces still work!) But why prep in advance, one could possibly have everything at one’s hand or delivered while on an adventure? Well….things can get icy without a bit of forethought (okay, cheesy puns aside, nasty weather does make things a bit more challenging!)
And the adventure part? The flurry of choice is an endless blizzard. For me, the adventure is being able to get to read a book, unhindered, delving into the pages, skating through the characters’ lives, snow shoeing through the plot, enjoying the snow day, exploiting the comforts of my love seat as the gusts of a zephyr wind howl outside.
Christmas and holiday gifts available until December 10th at the Belton Art Center, Belton, SC
While the market went live on November 16th, the shopping is still great for the pickings through December 10th at the Belton Art Center, Belton, South Carolina. Yes, my booth is the one featured in this article but there are others to shop from as well!
Hand knitted scarves, oil paintings themed from Christmas trees to the mystical unicorns and more, Chinese Flying dragon trees that bear bitter citrus fruits, and more are available at my particular booth. All items are affordably priced, making a perfect assortment to choose from for Christmas and holiday gifts or simply to get an exquisite treat for yourself!
The Belton Art Center is located at 306 City Center Square, Belton, S.C, 29627, Business hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m EST. Phone: (864) 338-8556.
Located just on the outskirts of Central, South Carolina on Madden Bridge Road (about a half a mile down the road from the Jitter Brew House–which has amazing coffee of all sorts).
A day out with my grandfather, with local history, a great variety of plants, and even a stuffed mountain lion, it literally rocked as toured the Botanical Gardens and Geology museum–an extra nice perk? The venues don’t charge admission but do take donations (which are well worth giving!)
There is so much more to do and enjoy in Clemson, beyond going to a football game, and there is ample parking! The parking lot abuts to the gardens and is easily accessible, and most paths are handicap/scooter friendly for those who desire to go with some assistance.
Papa is “running” away from the big teeth in the skull!! Lots of areas have a place to rest and view. Papa is reading and making a funny facePapa is checking out the replicated Rib Bones of a Dinosaur Papa reading about the gemstonesPapa and I enjoying the Geology MuseumPapa is smiling because he found the old mine, original to the area and he could identify a lot of the succulents in that area of the Garden.
A low country boil, as I have been told, is very similar to a crab cracking party–either way, it’s a whole lot of good food and fun to be had with family and friends. I was put in charge of finding clean newspapers and a steaming pot (with the fire ring kit, etc) for the party. The fire ring kit and steaming pot was the easy part, I borrowed one from my neighbor (and invited him to come along!)
I obtained the clean stack of newspapers with a stroke of luck; I happened to catch a newspaper delivery man and asked if he had any unsold newspapers from previous days that I could purchase off of him–he gave me a stack of folded, untouched papers for free, which was a blessing as we needed a lot of newspaper to line the tables.
The low country boil was held outside in a friends backyard. Everyone brought something along for the shin-dig and oh, boy, what a party!! Music, dancing and of course great food!!!
The large steam pots were put over fire rings, using propane tanks. The guys steamed up potatoes, chunks of corn on the cob, sausage chunks of an assorted variety, and of course, shrimp, lots and lots of shrimp–people even brought homemade cocktail sauce, drawn butter, paper towels, and more!!
Even the pups got to enjoy some scraps (and no, they weren’t eating from the tables!)
A cematery crawl in Pickens County, near the Oconee Power Plant, quite a stunner!
While the second part of the cemetery has been moved, due to several factors that I didn’t quite understand, the historical site is only open during day late hours, which is why my photos are so well lit this time!
A brief history can be read in one of the pictures, showing how the courthouse used to also be established on the site but is no longer there but the church remains. Unfortunately, the church isn’t open for viewing, which is often one of my more favorite parts of the adventure.
While I often adventure solo, there are times when others go with me as well, which only makes the adventure that more fun, and as Tim Burton says, there’s something positive about such beauty.
My Travels 