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If it’s a good read you are looking for, check out Dlia Owens’s Where The Crawdads Sing!

    For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life–until the unthinkable happens.

    Perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps. (www.goodreads.com)

Streaming platforms offer thousands of movies and show options and sometimes it can be tough to know what to choose. Looking for recommendations? You no longer have to #askfacebook because we’re here to help!

    Both Netflix and Hulu offer different documentaries providing insider knowledge about the infamous 2017 Fyre Festival in the Bahamas. Organized by Billy McFarland and sporting Ja Rule as the face of the event, Fyre Festival was supposed to be a luxury concert weekend experience, attracting many millennials who paid thousands of dollars. What it ended up being was a viral sensation when hundreds of people expecting to party with celebrities on an island in the Bahamas showed up to an event in complete disarray.

    The Netflix doc, “Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened,” gives you a deeper look inside the promo video that made Fyre Festival go viral. The Hulu doc, “Fyre Fraud,” gives a deeper look into McFarland’s past. Both are strong documentaries and come at the topic at different angles. You will be thankful you are watching the disaster unfold from the comfort of your home instead of one of the thousands of people who wasted their hard-earned money on a fraudulent music festival that did not deliver on its promises!

A charcuterie board is great for entertaining and works year-round! Most people love a great charcuterie board. The word, pronounced “shar-cute-er-ree,” describes any kind of cured meat, but is typically associated with specialty and gourmet meats that are prepared using artisanal processes.
The concept of charcuterie dates back hundreds of years. Curing and preserving is a cooking method that can be traced back to the earliest civilization. Charcuterie shops, which originated in France, date back to about the 15th century. The charcuteries sold cured meats to villagers to supplement the supply of fresh food available throughout the year.
Besides being visually appealing with colors, textures, and choices, the best part about a charcuterie board is its versatility. While there’s no real right or wrong way to create and present charcuterie, here are some suggestions and tips. The sky is the limit!

• Find the right board or platter that works best for the number of people you are serving. Large cutting boards, marble slabs, slate boards, chalkboards, or large simple platters all work well. You may be surprised to find that you may already have something you can use at home!

• When deciding how much to buy, you can typically allot 2 ounces of cheese and charcuterie per person.

• Try to include bright colors, strike a good balance of flavors and textures, and have enough choices that any guest will be enticed to sample something.

• Make sure the board is approachable. No guest wants to be “that person” that “messes up the masterpiece.” Remember to slice some meats and cheeses ahead of time if possible, though leave some items guests can slice themselves as well.

• Keep it casual and simple, though have a full board so guests do not feel self-conscious for taking more than one item. Start placing ingredients in the center first. Then, place large pieces around the sides and fill in the blank spaces.

• Even if you don’t have a huge bank of knowledge on various meat and cheese pairings, selecting several quality meats and cheeses is key to a fun board. You can switch up variations every time.

• Serve the platter at room temperature for maximum enjoyment in flavor and texture.

• Wine and beer pair excellently with meat and cheese and can enhance the flavor experience.

Items to include:

Cured Meat – The Heart of the Board
Provide 3 different types of meats. Consider soppressata, salami, prosciutto, bresaola, and pepperoni. If you have larger pieces, roll the meats for better spacing and to make it easier for guests to grab.

Cheese
Due to guests having different preferences, be sure you have options for both mild and bold flavors, as well as middle-of-the-road options. (Think mild, medium, and sharp.) Create a combination of aged, firm, soft, crumbly and creamy cheeses. Get creative with shapes and keep the soft, ripe cheeses intact. Slice the other firmer cheeses in triangles, chunks, natural crumbles, or squares. Consider goat chevre, brie, Parmigiano-Reggiano, gruyere, and English blue cheese.

Spreads or Dips
Consider herbed spreadable cheese, local honey, hummus, olive tapenade, marinated artichoke spread, good quality grainy mustard, or some roasted red pepper dip.

Garnish
Select items that create a color contrast with the cheese. Consider cured mixed olives, peperoncinos, sweet red peppers, caper berries, or cornichons. You can even add festive holiday touches such as rosemary, pomegranate seeds, pears, and cranberries.

Crackers or Breads
These items can be great for pairing a variety of ingredients for providing stability to the bite. Consider sea salt bagel crisps, sliced French bread, or pretzel chips.

Fruit
Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and any kind of grapes are all great summer fruit options. For winter, dried fruits work great as well as apples, pears, figs, and dates.

Nuts or Seeds
Consider pistachios, almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Grab small bowls to place around your board to place your nuts in or scatter them around.

Serving Tools
Quality cheese knives, small dishes or bowls, and spoons are essential in order to contain some items and so flavors don’t accidentally mingle. They also give the platter another eye-catching dimension. Be sure to have enough knives so guests do not have to wait to serve themselves. You can even provide labels!

story and recipe by Doug Smith

    Love, food, and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Some of my best memories are in the kitchen; so many of our emotions are wrapped around food. Valentines’s day is just around the corner so why not make things more extraordinary for your special someone this year by serving them a romantic dinner at home? Cooking your favorite meal together in the kitchen or even buying it prepared and bringing it home to enjoy can be very rewarding.

    When planning a meal at home, it’s important to remember we eat with our eyes. Think about sitting at your favorite restaurant and glancing over at the table next to you as the food is presented or scrolling through Instagram and Facebook posts showing enticing dishes. It’s true we eat with our eyes, and our eyes are the gateway to our soul. When a dish is visually appealing it is just better. Wouldn’t a rotisserie-roasted chicken make your mouth water more than a plainly baked chicken breast? A salad made with colorful leafy greens, red peppers and carrots are more attractive than a bowl of plain iceberg lettuce. The same goes for the rest of the table. Presenting your food on beautiful plates, having fresh flowers, candlelight, and soft music playing just makes the evening even more special. You don’t have to be a chef or even a good cook to have a great dinner; just enjoy the experience. Give it a try.  It’s kind of like love; a little messy but well worth the effort. This year I will be preparing rosemary chicken with roasted grapes for my wife. It’s my personal twist to the classic recipe that is rumored to have inspired a royal wedding.

    February 14th isn’t the only day to celebrate love. Choose a date night on a regular basis and have some fun experimenting together with your loved one in the kitchen. Worst case scenario, you can always go out!

Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Grapes

Ingredients:

• A drizzle of olive oil
• 3 to 4 lb. whole free-range chicken
• 1 large or 2 small onions
• 4 whole carrots
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 of a bunch of fresh rosemary
• 1 heaping tablespoon plain flour
• 10 oz. white wine
• 6 oz. chicken stock
• 1 lb. small potatoes
• 2 handfuls of red and green grapes
• A few sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
2. Cut the chicken into 8 pieces. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Season the chicken with Salt & pepper. sauté in batches, until golden all over. Set aside on a plate.
3. Peel and cut the onions into wedges, chop the carrots, then peel and finely chop the garlic.
4. Add the vegetables to the pan and gently sauté for about 15 minutes over medium-low heat, or until soft.
5. Pick and then finely chop and add the rosemary, then stir in the flour. Turn up the heat to medium-high and leave for a few minutes.
6. Return the chicken to the pan.
7. Pour in the wine and bring to the boil, then lower the heat and let it reduce by half.
8. Roughly chop and add the potatoes, pour in the stock, and bring it back to the boil.
9. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is falling off the bone.
10. Stir the roasted grapes into the chicken, finely chop and scatter over the parsley leaves, and serve.

Doug Smith is a husband, Father, 25-year veteran Restaurant Consultant, Passionate about Food and Family. He continues to work with some of the best restaurants and chefs in the southeast. Doug enjoys serving up fine meals for his family and friends at home.

story by Jordan Pupa

    With much time and with her faith, Dawn forgave her sister’s murderer. Dawn explains how forgiveness has been a major part of her life and inner healing is a process that is different for everyone. She says, “Only by the grace of God can we make it from broken to mended.” Shari’s murderer actually allowed her to write a letter of farewell to her family, saying: “Please don’t let this ruin your lives. Remember, everything works out for the good to those that love the Lord. Some good will come of this.”

    When it comes to the inner healing process for those who may face something similar, Dawn shares, “I believe that is the key: taking it one day at a time, however many days it may take. There is no right answer or amount of days to be allowed. Each person and story is unique, different, and worthy of whatever time it takes. For me, choosing to put my trust in God daily, His plan and purposes, and walk daily with Him, all these years later I can say it was a journey worth walking. I’m a firm believer in Christian counseling and have benefitted greatly from that area of help. I believe the best gift we can give ourselves is to allow time to grieve. I love the saying, ‘It’s ok not to be ok. It’s just not ok to stay that way.’”

    Dawn has a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Columbia College in Columbia, SC. She is a former Miss South Carolina and second runner-up to Miss America, a recording artist, author, and sought-after keynote speaker for events all across the United States.

    She has appeared on many TV shows, has opened for many other Christian artists, and has shared the platform with many of today’s leading speakers. Her story has even been shared in many publications. With such a busy schedule, it is not surprising that Dawn finds it difficult at times to balance all that she does. “Each of us is a person of influence and with that position comes responsibility. For 2019 I am pursuing a life of excellence, seeking to wisely choose how to spend the time I have been given while on earth well.” She is currently reading The Best Yes by Lysa Terkheurst and is learning how to say “no” when it is the best choice while praying carefully over the “yeses.”

    Dawn considers it a great privilege to share her music and ministry out of the story God is weaving into her life. “What I most love and look forward to when asked to speak at an event is the people that I meet, spend time with, and encourage,” Dawn shares. “I am passionate about sharing a word of hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless, and joy in the midst of the journey. While my story is one of tragedy, my hope and prayer is that each listener will leave hearing a story of triumph, and then, in turn, be challenged to choose triumph in their own lives. If my story makes a difference in one person’s life at each event, it has been worth it.”

Dawn Smith Jordan is a Christian singer, songwriter, author, and speaker. In May of 1985, Dawn’s younger sister, Shari, was kidnapped and murdered just two days before her high school graduation. It became the largest manhunt in South Carolina’s history, drawing national attention. Today, the heartbeat of Dawn’s message and music is the sufficiency of God’s grace, even to the point of forgiving the man who killed her sister. Dawn will be the keynote speaker right here in the Pee Dee at the Healthy Woman event hosted by Carolinas Hospital System on February 21 at the SiMT building.

Event: February 21st at 6 pm

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Healthy Woman event hosted by Carolinas Hospital System, visit www.carolinashealthywoman.com/hearthealth or call Morgan Holley at 843-674-2615.

This month we introduce Rebecca Giese as our new monthly contributor. Her talents are extensive and we can’t wait to see what she shares for months to come. With no further ado, here’s Rebecca…

    Currently residing in Hartsville, South Carolina, I love exploring the Pee Dee area, shopping local artisans, trying new restaurants and finding inspiration from the history and culture all around me. When I’m not out on Pee Dee adventures, I spend my time looking up recipes, curating the perfect outfit and sharing it all on my lifestyle blog Southern’spirations. I can’t wait to now share my thoughts, favorite local spots and so much more here in Rebecca’s Corner.

    You can’t go anywhere right now without seeing bright red boxes filled with delicious chocolate morsels, conversation hearts, and oversized teddy bears. Right when we think we kicked those sugar cravings brought on by the holiday season, Valentine’s Day comes around to test us once more. With Valentine and Galentine celebrations around the corner, you might be preparing to take a dish to an upcoming event or maybe trying to impress your loved one with a five-course meal. Well, I have a healthier dessert alternative for you!

    This no-bake recipe is also dairy, gluten, egg, sugar (if you use unsweetened almond milk) and soy free for anyone on a Paleo diet, Whole30 or has dietary restrictions. A nutritious twist on the traditional puddings or parfaits, this recipe is high in antioxidants and fiber due to the magical chia seed. When hydrated, the seeds produce a gelatinous coating causing the mixture to thicken without the need for flour or starch. Which is why this recipe is so easy, just let the chia seeds absorb the almond milk and then you have pudding.

Berry Chia Seed Pudding

Ingredients: (Makes 4-6 servings)

• 2 cups Almond Milk (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk; you can use your favorite nut or coconut milk)

• 2/3 cup dry Chia Seeds

• A mix of Strawberries, Blackberries, and Raspberries

• Fresh mint (optional garnish)

Directions:

    In a medium bowl mix the chia seeds and the almond milk, cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight. At about the halfway point take it out and stir the mixture to make sure there are no clumps or dry seeds from when the seeds set-tled during initial mixing.

    After 3 hours or upon serving, scoop the pudding into glasses or bowls for serving. Make sure the pudding is about half an inch or so from the top so that there is room for the berries.

    Decorate each cup with an array of berries. Have fun! Play with cutting and fanning the strawberries along solid ones. Once you have the amount and placement down, add fresh mint leaves and stick a few between the berries as garnish.

What’s on My Radar?

Sleeping Beauty February 16 Sumter SC – Performed by the Columbia City Ballet in collaboration with South Carolina Philharmonic

The new mural at Burry Bookstore in Hartsville SC – Stop in for a new book but head around back and take your picture between the huge butterfly wings.

The series “Tidying Up with Maria Kondo” on Netflix has me in a Spring cleaning mood. Before throwing away gently used items, donate to your local shelter or clothing drive.

    Now that the holidays are over, do you find yourself in a panic wondering what to do with all the gifts, holiday décor, and how to clean up the house? It’s important to have a plan to clean and declutter your home so you will feel rejuvenated and can feel a difference in the ease of your daily routine. Whether you plan to take on the task now or later, you will need a strategy in order to not feel overwhelmed. April Benenhaley, owner of April’s Cleaning Service, will be sharing some tips and tricks with us.

    April Benenhaley worked as an EMT for 20 years. During her days off she would clean for others, something she enjoyed doing that provided her stress relief, but also made the lives of others a little easier and less stressful. As odd as it may sound, April loves to clean! She eventually opened April’s Cleaning Service out of Darlington where she now offers a variety of cleaning services for one’s home, rental property and/or business. 

April’s Tips & Tricks for Cleaning & Decluttering

1. The hardest part may be to decide where to start. Make a decision and go from one room to the next while staying focused on your overall goal.

2. Decide what items should be tossed or donated. Keep things that have value and let go of those that do not. (This may include clothing or toys one has outgrown, or items there are duplicates of.) If you decide items should be trashed, trash them immediately. Box up the items that you want to donate and return items that you borrowed. While letting go may sometimes be difficult, it is encouraged to immediately take the trash out and drive to the donation box once cleaning is complete.

3. Organize your belongings and utilize necessary tools and space to help you out. (Stackable bins, shelving, closet space, etc.) Make sure you have appropriate cleaning supplies before getting started.

4. Maintenance is key – Don’t let things gather! Put things back in their place. If you haven’t found a purpose for something or used it within the past 6-months, re-evaluate why you are still keeping it and consider finding it a new home.

5. When packing up holiday décor, consider wrapping lights around a piece of cardboard or a Pringles can so they do not get tangled. Invest in an ornament storage box for safe storage or even place them in egg cartons which can easily be stacked. Place wreaths in hangable garment bags so they are securely contained. Label everything so you can save time next year.

While we may all know how to declutter, organize, and clean, knowing why we need to do it will make it stick. Why do you want to live with less? Why are you making space — what are you making room for in your life? “Get rid of the trash to make room for the treasures.”

Give April’s Cleaning Service a call today for a free estimate. 

843.206.8087 • Open 24 hours: Mon.-Sat.

Recipe provided by Executive Chef Sherif Elkhyati

Traditional Egyptian soup and a great way to enjoy lentils. Comfort, smooth, creamy with a nice sunny color, healthy with a citrus spicy flavor and quick to make.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of red lentil
• 1 tomato, rough cut
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 1 large potato, peeled & cut in 1” cubes
• 1 1/2- 2 qts of chicken broth (can substitute vegetable broth)
• salt & pepper, to taste
• cumin, to taste
• 3 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz butter, unsalted
• croutons (optional)

Directions:

• In large pot add broth, lentils, onion, potatoes, carrot and garlic. Bring to boil. 
• Lower heat and simmer 20-25 minutes until potatoes are cooked and lentils are tender. 
• Remove from heat. Use blender to blend soup in small batches until smooth. If too thick can thin with broth. 
• Return to pot, add butter, salt, pepper, cumin and lemon juice. Stir well to incorporate flavor and butter is melted. 
• Serve and garnish with croutons.