Restaurant closing-Cindy's

**2016 Update--Cindy's is closed**

It's a sad day in and around Seabrook Island. I've just received word that Cindy's Shrimp Market and Restaurant (aka "Cindy's Shrimp Shack") has closed.

Apparently the price of fuel caught up with the local shrimpers and fishermen. When the fishermen aren't fishing, Cindy's can't get fresh local seafood.

Nothing's finer than a South Carolina shrimp! And, nothing was fresher than the seafood and produce Cindy's sold.

Restaurant Review: LADLES Homemade Soups

After two weeks of eating succulent Lowcountry shrimp (boiled, steamed, and fried), fried oysters, and thick juicy grilled steaks, a body needs a change. LADLES Homemade Soups was just the change the ladies needed.

It was a hot summer day when we strolled into LADLES in Freshfields Village, located between Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. Sounds crazy—hot soup on a hot day! It was crazy alright…crazy good!!

Based on a recommendation from my neighbor I opted to try a hot soup- Tomato Basil. This creamy soup was delish. It was creamy yet had just the right amount of fresh basil and chunks of tomatoes.

Just because this is a soup restaurant do not pass up the sandwiches and wraps. I choose a southwest chicken wrap, which had a nice kick of spicy.

The BLT on ciabatta bread was reported to be very good with thick slices of bacon, tomato, and fresh leaf lettuce.




Perhaps the best looking (and tasting) sandwich of the day was the LADLES Grilled Cheese. LADLES knows how to make an ordinary sandwich extraordinary. You add bacon of course. The grilled cheese sandwich came laden with a couple of different cheeses, red onion, tomato, and bacon grilled to perfection on hearty grained bread.


I’ll be back this fall and I already have my eye on bowl of beef stew or French onion soup. Better make that a “pot o’ soup” to go!

Life is a highway...

And I've been speeding down the Autobahn!

Remember as a kid watching out the car window as your parents drove down the highway? Things went by in one big blur (especially back when I was a child and there were no speed limits).

That’s how I feel the first half of 2008 has been-one BIG blur. Perhaps it was the 18 hour drive to Seabrook Island that made me realize, yet again, to slow down and enjoy the view!

Yup, that’s right an 18 hour drive. Of course, I do break it up over two days. And, I know that after such a long drive I’ll be richly rewarded with the serene sights and sounds of Seabrook Island.

Stay tuned for a report on my most recent trip to Seabrook Island.

Another Frugal Day at the Beach

Here are some "almost free" ways to spend your day at the beach:

1. Go Fly a Kite: You could spend a lot of money on some of the fancy kites I've seen flying at the beach. Or you could spend a few bucks and get a simple kite that will fly just as high.
2. Rent a Bike: Nothing is more fun than riding a bike on the beach. Kids love to ride through the water. If there's no tire guard and you ride through the water, be prepared for splashes of water on your back. **It's always a good idea to rinse a bike off if it has been through ocean water.
3. Make Masks or Mosaics: Remember all your finds from beachcombing? Put them to good use by making a plaster of paris mask or mosaic. Find out how to make a sand mask here.
   
4. Fishing: I've watched many folks fish from the shore. It looks like a relaxing way to spend a day at the beach (I don't know the first thing about fishing).
   



5. Crabbing: Our family had talked about crabbing for years. Finally last summer, I broke down and bought a collapsible crab pot. The premise is you bait the crab pot, throw it in the water on a line and leave it. It worked great...until someone came along and cut our line. We're back to keeping it simple--a string, scoop net, and yucky chicken parts. Doesn't get any easier than this! There are size restriction on your crab catch depending on what state you're in. Be sure and check.
   
   

Frugal Day at the Beach

Here are some ways to enjoy a day at the beach without spending any money.

1. Sand, Surf, and Sun: Enjoy your day at the beach for free. Mother Earth charges nothing for you to enjoy her splendor. Kids, young and old, can splash in the surf; boogie board; or just take it easy in a surf chair.
2. Watch for Fauna: Bird watching at the beach can be a thrill! Pelicans dive-bomb into the ocean to retrieve their meals; seagulls sneak food from unsuspecting tourists (*Be warned, seagulls love potato chips); and plovers scurry about near the water’s edge. If your vacation brings you to one of the Lowcountry’s beaches, keep a watchful eye out for dolphin.
   
3. Build a Sandcastle: You can build a simple "drip castle" or an elaborate castle city. Check out these tips on sandcastle building from Sandy Feet. Are you headed to South Padre Island, TX for your vacation? Find out about sandcastle building lessons here.
   
4. Beachcombing: Beach combing is not just looking for shells. It’s about exploring and discovering all kinds of washed up sealife. From driftwood to sea urchins, you never know what you might find.
   

Frugal Accommodations aka the Virtues of Vacation Rentals

I know I've posted before on the virtues of vacation rentals. In my book, renting a vacation home is the #1 way to practice vacation frugality.

Here are some reasons why renting a vacation home makes "cents":

1. Rent a vacation home with extended family or friends. You can split the cost of a vacation home. If you find a four bedroom home renting for $2000/week, that works out to be around $70/night per bedroom. **Remember you’re renting a home with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and plenty of space not some little bitty hotel room.
2. Rent a vacation home directly from the owner. Many people already rent vacation homes choosing to rent through a management company. I say skip the "middleman" and rent directly from the owner. Renting directly from the owner will save you some cash, plus owners are more equipped to personalize your vacation experience.
3. Stay home, eat in. Eating out every meal can take a huge chunk of change. Why not eat some of your meals at your vacation home. Again, being frugal is not about deprivation. You can still eat out at restaurants, just not every meal. **Cooking at home allows you the opportunity to sample local produce.
   

Where to find a vacation rental? Google your chosen destination + "vacation rentals". There are big listing sites like VRconnection.com , vacationrentals.com, vrbo.com. Many owners now have their own personal websites for their homes.

Here are a couple of individual websites to get you dreaming about your next vacation:

• Disneyland, CA: www.walktodisney.com
• Oregon: www.GrantsPassvacationrentals.com
• Hot Springs, AR: www.HotSpringsLakeHouse.com
• Walt Disney World, FL: www.mickeytown.com
• Charleston, SC area: www.OurGreatEscapeVilla.com
  
  
  
  
  

Frugal is not a "bad" word!

There’s no denying, the housing boom is a bust, the economy is in shambles, and a recession is close at hand.

It’s time to tighten our belts, folks! It's time to be FRUGAL! Oh, no! Frugal is NOT a bad word. It's NOT about deprivation. It's NOT about starvation.

Frugal is about being economical. It is about being thrifty and managing your money wisely. Being frugal means cutting back where you can.

Frugality will be the focus on Lowcountry Lowdown this week. I'll show you ways to cut costs on this year's vacation regardless of where you're traveling, be it the Lowcountry or a trek to Disneyworld.

Upcoming posts: how to find cheaper accommodations, free beach fun, almost free beach fun, and saving on souvenirs.