Tag South Carolina Living

Going Places, staying put–Exploring our surroundings

Anna--The Adventurer 2 Comments

Covid19. Corona Virus. Pandemic. Those dreaded words hold a lot of impact these days but it doesn’t mean that adventures stop. There are many options for adventures while still adhering to the rules and regulations in your area that won’t break the bank, too.

While regulations and quarantine regulations and public venue capabilities in areas vary from place to place, regional difference and country standards, there are some universal things that can still allow for fun adventures. While we could all like to say ” wake me up when it’s all over” (part of the lyrics from Avicii’s song, “Wake Me up”)

Activities don’t have to be limited, just altered. IF you can’t walk over the wall, we can learn to modify by walking around it!

Adventure ideas, of course, are not limited to the idea of physically having to go somewhere but can be done from the comfort of your kitchen table, your backyard, or any place you choose. While there have been a multitude off lists that have been made to help with this that and the other aspects of the pandemic, something fun can come of it.

Adventures in your yard to lead discovering a fun little resident turtle, bird watching in the park could provide a new tune, and more!!

Go to the park, feed the birds
Go on a Cemetary crawl in your area
Get a journal or notebook (the spiral school notebooks are cheap!) and write about the good in your life and the daily joys
the homemade picnic
Play with your pet or volunteer to pet sit
People watching, just don’t get creepy about it!
Try a new recipe from a culture you want to experience. The library and internet are full of free recipes
This works anywhere, get a postcard of your home town, region or state. a postcard will also some highlights of the town/area you might not otherwise known of previously and thus will discover awesome things while hunting the sites
Work on your yard, find inspiration for it by lookiing up famous estates or gardens that you could incorporate

A Walk of Blooms, Adventuring Outdoors

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Enjoying the fresh air and taking a lovely stroll is so nice!

I admit, marigolds are, by far, my most favorite of all flowers. In truth, though, is there such a thing as an ugly flower? I don’t believe so and they came in such beautiful varieties and colors, scents, and blooms.

An adventure easy in the making this time of the year and it doesn’t cost a penny to take a lovely stroll around such a beautiful place as here in upstate South Carolina, Anderson County.

A new found friend: A turtle in my back yard

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Soocial distancng and general quarantine has given me ample opprotunity to work in the yard-and there is plenty to be done; the work is abundant and yet, I have found a new friend in my own backyard (but as you can see, he wants to stay at least 6 feet apart.)

Yard work is always an adventure, especially when working on a property that has not had any TLC for many years. Truthfully, it has been fun discovering what i find and come across and thankfully, when sister lets me play in the yard all I desire.

General cleanup of limbs, twigs and yard debris is a constant, especially after any rain shower or storm. While mowing and cleanup, I also came across a variety of bricks from previous structures or projects from bygone days? So, what is to be done but to create a small fire ring for a mini-bonefire!!!!!!

Super Easy–Semi Homemade (and inexpensive) Vodka Sauce Rotini

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Everyone needs a quick, easy meal from time-to-time and I am no exception.

The Ingredients are very simple.

1 box of vegetable rotini (16 oz size.) I used the Publix brand Tri Color Rotini ($0.95 per box)

1 jar of Classico Vodka Sauce (Buy one, get one free, so 2 for $3.20/$1.60 a jar.)

2 tablespoons of Kraft Grated Parmesan ($2.50 shaker can.

Cook/make the rotini according to the package directions, drain and return to the same pan you cooked it in, dump whole jar of Vodka sauce onto the pasta, cook on low for 2-3 until hot all the way through.

Serves 4-6 people, divide the parmesan on top of each serving.

It’s quite delicious!!!

Blueberry and Strawberry Pie: Homemade

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When is pie not t a good idea? Super easy to make and great for dessert at home, for a holiday, or to share (although if sharing, using a toss-away aluminum pan would be recommended unless you know for sure the person will return your pie pan!)

Ingredients:

1 bag frozen strawberries (From Dollar Tree)

1 bag frozen blueberries (From Dollar Tree)

1 TBS Real Butter

1/4 Tsp (each) salt, clove, cinnamon, orange (or lemon) peel

1 TBS corn starch

1 box Jiffy Pie Crust mix (make accordingly to package directions for 2 pie crusts.)

2 TBS Sugar (real sugar, not substitute)

Line a 9 inch pie pan with a crust, making sure the dough overlaps the lip of the pie pan.

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together, stir until all is mixed thoroughly. Fill the pastry lined pie pan with the entire contents of the bowl.

Top the filling with the second pastry dough, pinching the edges together over the lip of the pie plate. Mark little slots in the top crust. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 F.

It’s delicious served hot, cold, warm and/ or with ice-cream.

Coffee with a best friend, Celebrating the New Year

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Happy New Year!! The Year has kicked off Spendidly, my very best friend in the whole word, Kevin, has flown from Colorado, to celebrate the New Year with me!! What a wonderful way to begin 2020!

Kevin and I celebrating the New Year with coffee, popcorn, and the Disney Fireworks on TV

During this visit, Kevin and I have gone to the Botanical Gardens in Clemson (free entry with a really cool visitors center, too!!).

We also drove over the state line into Georgia, not to sit on the dock of the bay but to find smashed pennies (the souvenir kinds) and, of course, we had to try out hands on a single Georgia lottery ticket.

Life wouldn’t be the same without a best friend to enjoy a fun adventure!!

Upstate South Carolina, beautiful seasons

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Autumn in Upstate South Carolina is quite stunning. I have never experienced such a wide array of colors, especially in such length.

Both Videos are taken in Anderson County, South Carolina, by yours truly.

nct seasons here and it is beautiful. I have made a few videos along the way to highlight to just some of the beauty.

A bit of humor while shopping.

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‘Have fun’ is my message. Be silly. You’re allowed to be silly. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

Jimmy Fallon

 

A way to Finnish the day, Finnish Musician

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A special treat awaited for me in Kensal Green, London. A young man from Finland willing bestowed a lovely song up our music loving group, performed by him, sung in Finnish, entertaining the whole group. Lots of fun, a great way to enjoy the accommodations!

Portraits of those before us, and more, National Gallery, London

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Culture is in the eye of the beholder and the artists of old captured the essence of all things great  in the centuries before us….and viewing them is free at the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square in downtown London.

A fabulous aspect of the National Gallery is the general entrance is free, which is great for those traveling on a budget like myself. I attended/viewed the Gallery a total of 3 times to get through all the exhibitions (not fully shown here). The exhibits are large, spacious, and overly awesome to boot. Why? The National Gallery offers era’s from classical to Renaissance to Modern, DaVinci to Rubens to Van Gogh to Monet to Post Modern Art. It is all very wonderful.

The Gallery also sets on Trafalgar Square, which in its own ways is always awesome, a full day or two of free adventures all in one wonderful location, well worth checking out and very friendly on the wallet (post cards of must of the art work is also available for those without a photographic eye or wanting to play “Where’s Waldo” postcard style).