South Carolina State Museum

By Laurie Bower Epps

To continue the fun of our Girls Weekend, we decided to find an activity to do on the way out of town. Originally, I'd wanted to go to Congaree National Park, but all ranger led activities are on Saturday's. To add to this last minute change of venue, the tremendous amount of rainfall has left Congaree a bit flooded. As mom, I decided to wait on going to Congaree until later in the season. The only major museum in Columbia that I hadn't been to was the State Museum (SCSM). Plus, they had presentation on the National Parks in the Planetarium. The rain did come back this day, but we missed it by being safely inside the museum.

Spring Jubilee in Pendleton, Part 1

By Laurie Bower Epps

My fascination for the history of this region is in many way the genesis of this blog. I get to combine two things I love in one coherent piece. History has always been an important part of life. Growing up, my beloved grandmother E taught history in the local middle school, as well as, acted as the school librarian. In fourth grade, my elementary school had a history competition, and I was the first to call in almost every week. Although I didn't major in it, I'm sure it contributed to my love of history and historical fiction. To nurture this natural curiosity, I've volunteered to be a docent for this beauty with the local historical society.

High Tea, Ballet, & Cowboys

Sleeping Beauty Boutique

By Laurie Bower Epps

Every summer, I get out the ballet schedules and have my youngest pick one for us to attend the next school year. Generally, Chloe has an aversion to exercise, so imagine my surprise when she asked to take classes herself over the holidays. Most studios do offer a free trial class, so if you're thinking of letting your son or daughter try it, keep that in mind. For this season, Chloe wanted to go to either Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. Since Sleeping Beauty was closer to my birthday, it seemed to be the better choice. Also, Sleeping Beauty also had an accompanying tea, and that was my favorite event of the year when my middle child danced for the Santa Clarita Ballet Company out in California.

Pickens County Museum of Art & History

By Laurie Bower Epps

Being a professor has given me the unique privilege of having a few days a week where I don't actually report to the office, so to speak. That doesn't mean there isn't work to be done, it just means I can work at my own pace, or in my pajamas, if necessary. A little known fact is that we do most of our work out of the classroom. But preparing for the classroom is what we thrive on.... However, after all the rain we've had, I couldn't resist the temptation of a beautiful spring-like day.

DuPont State Forest

Pictured at High Falls in DuPont State Forest

By Laurie Bower Epps

My girls and I have an annual tradition of taking a Valentines Day hike. This year was especially appealing because we had a false spring like day. You see, it rained for many months straight with no break until late March for more than a day. If there was a sunny day, you were grabbing your stuff and figuring a way to be outside. My dear friend Edie has been taking fabulous pictures of DuPont State Forest, and I decided on this sunny, February day that this would be the year to make the trip up to North Carolina. Let's just say, mistakes were made. So from a parenting perspective, here's a list of what not to do.

Pickens Old Courthouse

By Laurie Bower Epps

My youngest and I moved just before Christmas, and in doing so, we changed the county that we live in. For this blog, it's opened up a whole wealth of new places to discover. My first fashion blog was on the Hagood-Mauldin House in Pickens which is now my county seat. The owner was a court judge, and being a time well before the automobile, travel in town would've been on foot or by horse. Therefore, I concluded that the courthouse and his home wouldn't be located all that far apart. Well, today they are roughly 20 minutes apart by car. I saw the courthouse accidentally when cross referencing something else on the Pickens County website, and hence, this entry was born.

Adventures With Chloe

By Laurie Bower Epps

Meet Chloe. She's 10. She's precocious. But she's my sidekick, and my favorite photographer. Traveling with a 10 year old as a single mom can be different. Yet, she's my muse. I love to travel, and write. Our story has a realness to it. Traveling with a kid is quite different than go to a beach town with your friends. We're going to be hitting the road with my little traveler. Everything from day trips to every day outings, to taking a weeklong (or more) vacation, we'll give you the inside scoop.

Taco Tuesday Just Got Cuter

By Laurie Bower Epps

Welcome back!!! I know it's been a year, but the southeast has been pummeled with rain for many months. As well as, this time last year I was working a high stress sales job. You'll be pleased to know, that I'm back with new content, and a new vision. Now I'm a professor of English, and that does free up some time to devote to my writing, and other creative pursuits.