Sunday, September 15, 2024

Back Home After A Week in Hilton Head, SC

House in Hilton Head, SC

I just returned from from a week's vacation in Hilton Head, South Carolina. We rented a large vacation house with 3 other retired couples and took advantage of the post season reduced rental prices.

Screened Porch Back Porch photo and picture

The home was large and spacious with each couple having their own comfortable bedroom with a private bathroom ensuite. My husband and I shared the 2nd floor with our good friends with a living room dividing the two bedrooms.

Men sitting in living room

The other two couples had similar arrangements on the ground floor.. In addition, there was a large kitchen, dining room, living room, lovely porch and deck and private swimming pool. 

reading at the pool under a chair
Sitting and reading on the pool deck 

Unfortunately, the weather was not what we would have hoped for, because we only had one partially sunny day the entire week. 

We managed to get to the beach (which was walking distance), but it was very cloudy and windy and the waves were too wild and choppy for a retired crew like us. However, we persevered and spent a few hours on the beach just talking and watching the ocean. 

sitting at the beach
Warm - But Very Windy at the beach

We had a very good time together. We playing canasta and mah Jong, frequenting local restaurants for dinners and making elaborate breakfasts every morning.

Free Cards Double Head photo and picture

Despite the light drizzle in the early mornings (which escalated during the day), I managed to take a 45 minute walk daily. We stayed in a country setting, and I spotted fox, deer, raccoons, squirrels of course and people out walking their dogs on my walk.

deer in the woods


Fox Forest photo and picture

Anyone who has been to Savannah, Georgia or South Carolina knows that the trees are spectacular. 

large tree in South Carolina


Lots of bike riding in Hilton Head. 
They rented bikes by the week or day. 

bicycles in a bicycle rack

We visited a friend of my friend Fay (who was one of the couples) who not only had a spectacular home, but had a 370 year old tree in her back yard which is not unusual for these Oak trees in the area. Although hers was one of the oldest recorded in Moss Creek area of Hilton Head.

front door in the fall
My friend Fay ringing the door bell at her friend's house who invited all 8 of
us for a lovely cocktail party.  

large South Carolina Oak tree
370 year old tree in her backyard inMoss Creek area of Hilton Head

One of the highlights of the week, was finding a breakfast restaurant that served gluten-free vegan pancakes and waffles. Usually I can find gluten-free or vegan but not both. I was excited! 

vegan pancakes, gluten free pancakes

The breakfast restaurant was called Watusi and had plenty of regular food for my friends as well. It was a lucky lovely find!!

menu and woman

We enjoyed the week in Hilton Head. Our return flight ( and flight there) was from Savannah Airport . We took a 1 hour Uber ride from Hilton Head to Savannah Airport. 

couple in a car ride
Enjoying the ride back to Savannah 

At the airport we were greeted by a Baby Grand piano in the airport lobby with a gentleman playing lovely soft piano music that was very relaxing. 

airport lobby with Boby Grand piano

Something new for me in an airport was the manicure machines!! You could get a machine to give you a robot manicure in 10 minutes!! I watched two people do it and it was fascinating and beautiful!! Only cost $15 (and no tip!!!) 

manicure machine

The woman let me take a photo of her finished nails. They were perfect. ( there might be a little glare from the lighting)


You put one finger at a time into the machine. When done, you could coat your nails yourself with a quick drying liquid.



You choose your color first (the pics are out of order) 


When the robot finishes, the machine takes about 3 minute break to self-clean between clients. You make an appointment in the machine too. 

I would have done it, but I saw it 1/2 hour before boarding and didn't want to take a chance. 

Well we are back home and the weather is gorgeous in Bucks County. Happy to be home. Now to start the laundry, grocery shopping and cooking!!!

bucks county front yard

I think I'll make my roasted carrot soup (link to recipe) !!


bowl of carrot soup with ginger and cardamom



Monday, September 9, 2024

One Pot UnStuffed Vegan Cabbage Rolls ; A No-Fuss Plant-Based Meal




cabbage and tomato sauce in a skillet

The weather has cooled off a bit, and I'm already thinking of heartier foods! One of my favorites is stuffed cabbage BUT it's way too labor intensive for me to want to sit and roll the cabbage, so I make an "unstuffed cabbage roll" version instead, which is an easy one pot plant-based (GF) recipe with no rolling involved!

Friday, September 6, 2024

The Great Gatsby on Broadway



F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is playing on Broadway in NYC. This week was 2-for-1 week at participating Broadway theaters, and we were able to get our 7th row orchestra, 1/2 price tickets weeks in advance by mail.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Discovering Jicama: The Crunchy, Versatile Veggie You’ll Love



Is it a potato? A brown beet? a turnip? No!! It's a jicama!!

Have you even tasted jicama? 

It's a root veggie that you might have seen in your local grocery store or farmers' market, but never knew what to do with it. It's not pretty on the outside, but it is crunchy and delicious and slightly sweet on the inside. Like a carrot, it can be eaten raw or cooked. 

Sunday, September 1, 2024

In My Kitchen September



I'm joining Sherry at Sherry's Pickings for  her "IN MY KITCHEN" September, 2024 blogger share!

It's hard to believe that the summer is almost over and we are already welcoming in the month of September.  
Not a lot going on in my kitchen right now but I'll share what I've got!

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