Mission Escape (Cartersville, GA)
While visiting one of the kiddos we stopped and did an Escape Room. We chose Mission Escape in Cartersville, Georgia. It was a fun adventure. We did the Copan Ruins escape room in a Mayan Temple in Honduras.
We had a blast! Our team solved the mystery and escaped. Woohoo! I was only startled once in our adventures.
We found out that if you go visit Mission Escape on your birthday you also get a special surprise! If you are looking for something fun to do in Cartersville, check it out.
Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek (Mount Pleasant, SC)
Our group picked out Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC to go to as a special dinner during our weekend in the area. When using the GSP directions make sure you are in the right location because ours originally led us to a house in a residential neighborhood (a couple blocks away from Saltwater Cowboys). The restaurant should be along Shem Creek near a couple of other restaurants.
We picked this restaurant because it served BBQ, seafood, and traditional American food so it had a variety of options for everyone to pick from for dinner.
We went on a Friday night and the biggest complication we had was finding parking. It was a decent size parking lot but very busy. We had to drive through the parking lot more than once before we found a park spot. The waiting was not long despite the restaurant being very busy. The restaurant and deck is good sized so a lot of people were being served. They had a band playing and were pretty quick with the service as well.
We shared the Boals Family Crab Dip appetizer (photo above) that came with carrots, celery and 1 small sleeve of Ritz crackers. It was delicious but was not a very big appetizer for 5 people. The table next to us shared the trash can nacho appetizer which was huge and looked really cool. They served the trash can nachos in a large “coffee can” and flipped it over once they arrived at the table.
The food was delicious and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. We had a variety of seafood, hamburgers, and BBQ in our group.
Charleston Tea Garden (Wadmalaw Island, SC)
We were able visit the Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina when we were in the area visiting one of the kids. It was during the off season so we did not get to see as much of the farm activities during our visit but it was still interesting to see the gardens.
The visitor center and gift shop was out of some of their standard items like a sampler tea gift, key chains but they did have a good number of other fun items for people to purchase. They had a variety of both hot and cold tea for visitors to try during their time on the farm. Since it was a cooler day I went for some samples of the hot tea. My favorite were the Carolina Mint and Cinnamon Spice Tea. Another favorite hot tea in our party was the Charleston Breakfast Tea. Some of the other people in our party tried the sweet cold teas and said that they were great too. If you are there go ahead and try some of their tea!
We took a farm tour which was informative and interesting. We rode on the big red trolley. Since it was off season there was only about ten of us on the tour. The guide did a good job on the tour. We saw the tea fields, learned about the history of the farm, visited the green house, took some photos and more fun. Their harvester was in the shop for repairs so we did not get to see the “Green Monster” that cuts the tea leaves.
Tea fields in the winter and dormant stage. The leaves typically grow seasonally in Spring in late April or May through late September or October. They say when the flowers bloom and it looks like white popcorn all over the fields. It would be neat to see the flowers blooming and the harvester in action.
Interesting sign showing how many miles to various tea plantations around the world. It was neat to see the distance to different locations.
If you enjoy tea or learning about the process of making tea it is worth at least checking it out if you are in the area.
Look Out World! I am BACK!!!
Guess what!? I am BACK! Did you miss me? Well I missed you a lot!!!!
It means a lot to know you are here even though it has been quiet around Blessings Multiplied for quite some time. I know it has been a long hiatus. Thank you to my sweet followers from the earlier years who have hung on with me. Many have continued to be a blessing and encouragement to me even in the quiet years on this blog. I am grateful to have you along for the journey again. I have missed it.
The past season has been a whirlwind of many precious days with my family. Now as I start turning towards a new chapter in life I decided it was time to dip my feet in the water and get back into blogging world again.
The years away from blogging have been valuable for my family. As the kids were getting older, life crazier, and work busier I was finding myself spread out too much. I was overwhelmed and struggling to keep everything balanced and since the kids are only “home” for so long I decided to take some time away from blogging to be able to spend more time with my family. Did I use every second of the time away as wisely I should? Umm… no, but there were a lot of amazing moments, fun adventures, and great times together. It was worth being able to spend more intentional and quality time with my family. Some days were better than others, I still shed a few tears (mostly over silly stuff) but overall it has been a great time of joy.
I do not have my blog ideas and goals 100% figured out know yet or even how often I will be posting especially as I start back up and get things rolling again. Hang on with me as I take the first step and dip my toes back into the water again. Looking forward to seeing you around! Give me a shout if you pop in. I would love to hear from you!
Penguins Winter Family Puzzle
Every year we typically do a puzzle during the winter. This year “Penguins” was the puzzle of choice! I enjoy doing the puzzle, but if it stays out for a really long period of time it starts bothering me so usually we try to do it in a timely manner. The various members of the family can walk by and put in a puzzle piece here and there. Also, during family movie time the puzzle gets some more work done on it. Once we finish we will leave it out for a few days, take a photo of the puzzle then we donate it. Does your family have a winter activity you do together at home?
Creative Kids: Woodworking Class
Brina made this cool piece in class
Well we have made it halfway through the 2019-2020 school year! WooHoo!!! While there are aspects of school that can be quite exhausting there are other parts that are fun. Brina recently brought home this neat project. It’s cool to see everything that they are learning in their classes. She had a great time doing this at school and it turned out really well. I think it’s awesome that she is learning how to use and operate a variety of tools. The first projects she made when she was little were treasured works of art as well, but she has come a long way from the crayon scribbles on a sheet of paper. Thankful for the opportunities for the kids to learn and use their creativity.
Like anything in life some projects are more fun and exciting to do! Whether you are doing tasks around the house or work some are going to use a lot creativity and be more enjoyable while other projects that are just as important will not be as much fun (laundry, washing dishes, etc). May we always continuing learning and growing no matter what stage of life we are in whether it is doing something creative and fun or tackling the necessary life activities for that day.
Hershey Story Museum (Hershey, PA)
Learning about the Hershey Chocolate Company
Our family recently visited Hershey, PA. It was a short visit, but we had a lot of fun. The Hershey Story Museum was very interesting. It was neat learning about Milton Hershey and the history of the Hershey company. We made delicious treats in the Chocolate Lab, took a stroll downtown ,and went in a few small shops. Thankful for the an opportunity to visit this beautiful area. Maybe next time we go through town we can check out more fun family activities.
Mr. Hershey’s deposit on his Titanic ticket, he ended up not going because a business matter came up.
Inside the Hershey Museum is beautiful especially around the Holidays!
Hershey’s Cut Glass Torchere
Hershey’s for Health anyone!?
You can get tickets for the Chocolate Lab and make delicious chocolate treats!
Pick up a tasty treat at the Santry Cafe at The Hershey Story Museum!
It was cool clear day so we took a stroll in downtown Hershey.
You can see the Hershey Amusement in the background behind Chocolate Avenue!
The street lights are giant Hershey kisses!
Hershey grounds complete with bushes!
Atalaya Castle (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Hallway through the center courtyards, the water tower is in the middle
During our stay at Huntington Beach South Carolina State Park our family visited the Atalaya Castle. There is a small fee to tour the house, if you want you can purchase an audio tour for an additional fee. We choose to do the tour on our own.
Atalaya has a neat history! It was built by Acher and Anna Huntington during the Great Depression. Archer was their philanthropist from New York City and Anna was an artist. They built the house in South Carolina as a place to stay during the winter after Anna was diagnosed with tuberculosis. They designed the house after Spanish and Moorish architecture. The house has 30 room with a center courtyard full of native plants and a water tower. The Huntington’s insisted that the house be built by people from local community to help boost the economy in that area during the Great Depression. The house was once on 9,000 acres of land.
If you are in the area and have some extra time we recommend stopping by for a visit.
One side of the inner courtyard
Touring the castle
Anna was a sculpture and she designed these wrought iron pieces to cover the windows. They are both decorative and serve as protection from hurricanes.
Entry doorway
Vine growing up through the window
In the kitchen….
My crew!
Outside of Atalaya Castle
Beach Fun at Huntington Beach State Park (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Enjoying the rain on the beach!
We had a wonderful time on the beach at Huntington Beach State Park. It was a mix of sun and rain! The rain didn’t stop us from heading to the beach for some fun in the sand and water. We stayed at the Huntington Beach Campgrounds, it was a nice walk to the beach. Access to the beach wasn’t too far from our campground and it was pretty quiet. Only a few families were on the beach near us. If you walk further down the beach it got a little bit more crowded especially on the nicer days. Thankful for an opportunity to get away together and enjoy some time at the beach.
Digging in the sand and watching the little critters
On the run
Fun on the beach
Birds, Sand and the Atlantic Ocean
Sand art
My crew
All smiles
On the move
Atlantic Ocean
Dusk walk on the beach
Sun is going down and the rain clouds are moving in now.
Enjoyed our time at Huntington Beach
Kit Carson County Carousel (Burlington, CO)
Kit Carson County Carousel Wooden Token
This is the second time we have visited the Kit Carson Carousel. It sits on the edge of the Kit Carson County fairgrounds in the small town of Burlington, Colorado. The first time we visited the carousel we were driving Interstate 70 from Colorado to Kansas to visit family. We were looking for a good place to stop for a little bit and stretch our legs. It was such a neat place to visit we told other family members about it and the next time we were driving through we stopped to share the experience with them!
The carousel was #6 of the 74 carousels made by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It was made in 1905 for the Elitch Gardens amusement park and was used until 1927. In 1928 Kit Carson County purchased the carousel for $1,200 (the price included shipping).
The carousel animals are stationary with three animals per row. The original Wurlitzer band organ has been restored and plays music when the carousel is in motion. The carousel is inside a 12 sided framed building on the edge of the fair grounds with a museum and small gift shop beside it. It is the only antique carousel that still has the original paint on both the panels and animals. Most modern carousel go approximately 8 mph, however, the Kit Carson one goes a whopping 12 mph.
The carousel has quite an interesting history. During the Great Depression the carousel spent several years in storage. They local town stored grain inside the building that housed the carousel. At one point 3 of the animals were stolen and later found in another state. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1978 and National Historic Landmark in 1987.
If you are in the area or driving through on I70 we would encourage you to stop and explore this neat carousel. It only costs 25 cents to ride the carousel and $1 to visit the museum.
Riding the Kit Carson County Carousel
Flowers at the Kit Carson Carousel
Going for another ride on the carousel!
All smiles!
Kit Carson Carousel building
Other side of the wooden token!
