Clarification

Lest anyone think that I would voluntarily allow my children to be fawned over by Hooters girls, let me assure you that a great moral battle took place in my mind.  It was a required stop on the way to bigger and better things, namely the MARS tent that was handing out samples of chocolate.  I heatedly debated in my head whether to make a stand against the exploitation of women but decided that denying my children balloons and stickers would probably make more of a scene; at the time, it just wasn't worth it.

Ever allergy-conscious, the boys hesitated when they were offered 2 Twix and a bag of M&Ms apiece.  "Just take it," I muttered.  "We'll sort it out later."  (Translated:  Dad & I will eat what you can't).

And like balm to my hurt ego, the vendor decided I needed a double portion since I was eating for two.  Bless your heart!

Pilgrimage

 "There is no other place like it in the world."  Kurt Busch

"It's like racing fighter jets in a gymnasium."

Like Mecca to Muslims, Bristol Motor Speedway is one of those places a true NASCAR fan must experience.  Even I (lukewarm at best) was awed by the immensity of the structure.

Once kids are in the picture, date nights always seem to end with a run to Wal-mart or the grocery store.  Thankfully our night out yielded some clearance NASCAR apparel for the upcoming event.

Andrew was a little overwhelmed with meeting two real drivers -

Chad Hackenbracht who races in the ARCA Driving Series (whatever that is)

and Julia Dawson of the UARA Stars (haven't heard of this either).

We decided that Stephen and Papa probably aren't cut out for the NASCAR pit crew circuit - Stephen said the tools were too loud and Papa couldn't figure out how to work the controls.

Police patrol might be more up his alley.

There were lots of different types of cars and people for one's viewing pleasure -

for example, check out the guy in the background:

Need a closer look?

BMS personified.

Yes, it was better people-watchin' than the local county fair. 

Yet, even with the best of times, there must be tears.

The cause?  He didn't get an "I love Hooters" sticker. 

Not that he could read it, nor would he understand if he did (though some redneck behind me assured me that the boys would really appreciate this in another 10 years!).

But for the sake of family peace, I marched my 30 week pregnant body through the crowd

to kindly request an extra sticker from the the scantily-clad female. 

After tears were dried and Andrew glimpsed his hero Jeff Gordon, we decided we had had our fill.

As we passed by the speedway nearly 12 years ago, headed off on our honeymoon and the joys of married life, I never dreamed I would be returning with these four precious boys in tow.

Until Next Year....

Vacations take forever to come and go by so quickly, leaving only memories (and a lot of photos).  I'll spare you the gory details, the mundane sand-and-shovel shots, but here are a handful that leave me itchin' to return.

March to the Sea

I'm not sure how far he would have gone, but he tried every chance he could.  Maybe he's going to follow in his sea-faring uncle's footsteps.

Dining Out

The first few years we vacationed as a group, we went to one meal out as a group.  The logistics are daunting and we quickly changed to one-couple-at-a-time mode which has worked nicely.  Here are some of the places in and around Charleson that we've tried over the years.

Hyman's:  This is the tried & true favorite.  The owner once brought me an extra bowl of hushpuppies after I said I liked them; a server once delivered a slice of pie to my dad with 3 extra spoons 'cause he saw the envious looks in our eyes.  One year Doug and I enjoyed a pleasant meal on the top floor, and when were leaving, saw my sister and brother-in-law downstairs eating.  The really weird thing?  We had ordered the same dishes!  You can't go wrong here (though you'll probably have to wait).

The Wreck of Richard and Charlene:  This eatery is mentioned only for its unusual name and ambiance.  Wreck is a apt word.  It's difficult to locate and could easily be mistaken for a shack.  The menu is limited and the food comes out on paper plates.  Trip Advisor gives it a good rating overall, but after reading the comments, I'm definitely not alone in my assessment.

Garibaldi Cafe:  This is one of the most memorable meals that Doug and I have had.  The food was pricey but delicious.  Doug had the Crispy Flounder, and it was absolutely amazing.  A couple near us said that they drove down from Atlanta just to eat there.

Mustard Seed:  Both my parents and my sister/brother-in-law have enjoyed this reasonably priced restaurant; we never could find it.  Maybe this year.

Fleet Landing:  This is a great place right on the water across the bay from Ft. Sumter.  The ingredients are fresh (and many local).  A definite winner!

So much good food, so little time.  Guess we'll have to come back again next year.

Burgers & Dogs

This is a no-brainer since it allows the men-folk to get in on the action of food preparation.  Plus, we make lots to have as left overs for lunch.

This year we've decided to add Onion Rings to the mix.  They were a delicious treat in my childhood, but rare as my mother only made them once a year (too much trouble, too much grease).

Onion Rings

1 c. self-rising flour

cheap beer

dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

2 sweet onions, sliced thin

oil (I use canola) for frying salt

Heat oil in heavy pot or Fry-Daddy. 

Combine flour and beer until you reach the desired consistency (not too thick but not runny); add pepper.

 Toss in a few onions and shake off excess batter before slipping them into hot oil. 

Fry until lightly browned. 

Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.

Crab Cakes

We inlanders have to gorge ourselves on seafood when the opportunity presents itself and so we do.  Even so, I'm not willing to sit around digging out crab meat when I could be digging in the sand (or into a good book) so we use the canned, pre-picked product.

Crab Cakes

1 # crab meat

2 eggs

1 c. crushed saltines

4 T. (1/4 c. cup) minced parsley

1 T. Dijon mustard

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

4 oz. pimento, drained

1 T. lemon juice

1/2 c. green onion, sliced

2 T. Creole seasoning

1/4 c. mayo

Combine all ingredients.  Shape into 12 cakes and chill at least 30 minutes. 

Pan fry on both sides (3-4 min. each).

Shrimp Boil

It's not a trip to the beach without this favorite.  I always wonder if some of the boats we see in the early morning are catching the shrimp we'll eat for dinner.

No, I don't always separate the ingredients.  And we don't purchase shrimp with heads (though we accidentally received a head one year and it was certainly a highlight for the kids).

Here's a great cocktail sauce for dipping:

3/4 c. chili sauce

2 T. lemon juice

2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. horseradish

1/2 t. each finely chopped onion, pepper and celery

Perfect Pimento Cheese

I was never a fan of the stuff until my sister introduced her version during our vacation one year (to die for on a fresh grilled burger).

It's now a year-round must-have at our house, but especially perfect with a home-grown tomato and fresh baked bread.

Perfect Pimento Cheese

4 oz. diced pimentos, drained

1/2 c. mayo (the real stuff)

1/2 c. sour cream

1 t. finely grated onion

1 t. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. red pepper

8 oz. sharp cheddar, shredded

8 oz. white cheddar, shredded

Combine, chill & chow down!

Beach Vacation Shopping List

In the immediate weeks after Andrew was born, I sat on the couch, fearful of moving lest I awaken the sleeping infant, and made detailed lists for our family vacation.  It was 5 months away.

That was six years ago.  There are 5 more kids now which means less time for planning.  We gravitate to old favorites that please both adult and child alike and many items that don't normally appear in our own pantries somehow make their way to the beach house. 

Here are the highlights of what we acutally used last year:

• 4 boxes of junky cereal
• 3 healthier options
• 18 mini boxes (my sister & I actually used to cut them down the front and pour the milk in)
• 2 bags of mini bagels
• 48 oz. coffee (high test)
• 24 oz. coffee (decaf)
• 40 count juice boxes
• 3 boxes fruit snacks
• 16 packs of Lance crackers
• 8 bags chips (potato, Doritos, Cheetos)
• 5 loaves of sandwich bread
• 3 loaves of French bread
• 7 not-quite half-gallons of ice cream

What I was unable to measure, however, was the bounty of garden vegetables that accompany the meals: fresh tomatoes with biscuits and gravy, Greek salad for lunch, peppers to munch, and fresh corn on the cob.