We have many new residents since Hurricane Hugo and many who were too young to remember who are now grown up and living on their own, so I wanted to take this time to share some links to help should we find ourselves in the line of fire again. 

The best time to prepare: at the beginning of hurricane season or just before hurricane season.  Storms can generally change paths and intensity at the last minute.  It is much easier to prepare in advance so there are minimal preparations to be made should we find ourselves with a hurricane bearing down on us.  Plus it enables us to not have to go crazy with every storm thinking we need to do so many things at the last minute. 

We have three named storms currently in the Atlantic.  This is the time to prepare.  If you wait to the last minute, you will not have time.  You will also be very unlikely to find supplies at the last minute.

We have had an emergency box for years, and we keep adding to it as the years go by.  Here are a few suggestions.

These are all things that you can check and be sure you are stocked at the beginning of hurricane season.

Emergency Box Ideas:

• batteries (all sizes)
• battery operated radio
• crank radio
• flash lights
• candles (never leave a burning candle unattended by an adult)
• corded phone
• can opener 
• paper plates, bowls, napkins, utensils

At the beginning of each hurricane season:

• Trim back trees or remove dead trees, especially ones that are over your home. 
• Clean your gutters.
• Check your canned goods and dry food.

When the hurricane is inevitable:

• Fill your tub with water. This is NOT for drinking but can be used to flush your toilet.
• Fill clean containers with water for drinking and for freezing to help keep your refrigerator and freezer food cold longer if you lose electricity.

Food Tips for Hurricane Preparedness

There is nothing like a hurricane to make you realize the IMPORTANCE of having plenty of water…and ice.  If a hurricane is approaching and you have chosen to stay, fill some coolers with ice and make more, so that you will start off with a good fresh supply when quantities will be especially low.  Hurricane season is also probably not the best time to stock your freezer (which I am hopelessly addicted to doing…lol).  It could be more to spoil if you are without electricity for a long period of time. Let's face it.  We can only eat so much, and it will only last so long if you loose electricity or once it is cooked. 

It also might not be a bad time that can be easily heated in a pot or eaten cold, like a chicken salad. If you end up not losing electricity, you still have great meals to eat the rest of the week.

To find out more, visit the following links for some great tips:

• Mango & Lime's Hurricane Survival Guide
• Creating the Essential Emergency Food Stash for Hurricane Season
• Food:  Your Hurricane Grocery List
• A Consumer Guide to Food Safety During Hurricanes and Storms

General Hurricane Preparedness Tips

During a storm, note the direction of the winds and the location of your trees.  If a tree falls, you do not want to be in the part of the house where it will land.  

I know many here love to have hurricane parties, but I would save the heavy drinking for AFTER the storm has passed and all is safe. During a storm is probably not the best time to have not have your wits about you.

If you are going to leave, please do not wait until the last minute.  Even with the incoming lanes reversed, it is bumper to bumper for HOURS.  

Do NOT drink tap water until you have been told it is safe.

Have cash on hand.  

Purchase a corded phone and have it in your emergency box.

Be sure to get plenty of batteries and have a battery operated radio.  They also have wonderful hand crank ones, too.  This could be your life line.  During Hugo, Port Royal was a life saver.  It was the only radio station that we could get since they were not local and became the source of all information we needed. A special heartfelt thanks to the former WHTK Radio Station in Port Royal.

Be sure your laundry is all washed.  You could be without water and electricity for up to two weeks….or longer.

Now, there are other tips about chainsaws, trimming limbs that I know nothing about and my husband is not hear right now…lol  

To find out more, visit the following links for some great tips:

• Charleston County Hurricane Guide
• American Preparedness Guide for Hurricane Season

I love photography but also have a few other interests….one of which is cooking.  I'll be honest.  I used to hate cooking. I was the one they used to ask to brink soda at a get together.  I'm not kidding.

Well, a couple of years ago…out of nowhere that changed.  All of a sudden I LOVED cooking.  I think it began with a love for cooking Thanksgiving dinner and just snowballed from there.

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and loved it and wanted to share with you!  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Crumb Topping Mix

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

I left out the cinnamon since I am not a huge fan of it.

I would want to move here.

Summerville, South Carolina has a charm all its own.  I've lived in this area for over 17 years and think it is South Carolina's best kept secret. But, shhhhhh, don't tell anyone. 😉 The quiet, picturesque side streets with tables in the middle seem to say, "Welcome, come sit and enjoy. We've been waiting for you."

We have decided to try a new place to eat that is off the beaten path in Summerville every week or two.  Here are a couple that are top on our list…

Central Grille – I cannot wait to try it and will definitely post when I do.  It looked like the food would be fabulous and the atmosphere absolutely perfect.

Eva's Restaurant – I hear they have great Southern, home style cooking. 

Guerin's Pharmacy – I am a sucker for nostalgic places.  I'm x years old and don't think I have ever been in a pharmacy quite like this.  It looks like it is exactly what I would imagine places like this to look from the 40s and 50s.  I wasn't born then, but from what I have seen on television, this would be it. I cannot wait to go back and try their hot dogs. Guerin's Pharmacy was featured on…

ETV’s “Drive-Ins and Soda Shops” Takes a Nostalgic Look at a Bygone Era

I also have to give a big thanks for the wonderful places that posted menus on their doors.  Some places were closed when we went walking, and we already had plans for dinner, but it was so nice to get teased a little by looking at the yummy menus on the doors.  Now we know where we want to go back and try very soon.