I grew up in a “Redneck Waterpark.”  In California.

I am a Muggle, who has never read Harry Potter.

I know.*shameful pout*

I’m joining Wendy, in the Harry Potter Reading Challenge. I need to get a copy of The Sorcerer’s Stone, first. My children have read, our copy, to its death.

The Financial Philosopher challenges us to “try to take a moment to measure what you are (or could be) happy without.”

Choose Charleston wants to know..

As the summer heat comes down upon us, I begin to wonder.  What is it my readers love most about being in Charleston for the summer? Do you have a special place you like to kick back and relax?

Do you like to dine at a certain place?

Want to work-at-home? Be aware of the scams!

Did you know the Taco Bell dog was a female? RIP Gidget. “Yo quiero Taco Bell” No Mas!

Charleston Chow is talking tacos. Yum on James Island.

Heidi is a Cali-mom, transplanted to the LowCountry of South Carolina. Her blogz aggregate at WithaZ.net

Hello Bloggers, its Heidi, filling in for Kat, today.

Rumor has it that the heat index will find its way into the 105 range, this coming weekend.

If you need a little help staying quenched and hydrated, Hugging the Coast offers many variations on how to make the nectar-of-the-God’s, that we call Sweet Tea, in honor of National Ice Tea Month.

When I learned to make Sweet Tea, in Georgia, I was told to “make it just like kool aid” for the sugar. Now, I find that way too much, today. My recipe is just like Christy and her mama makes it (sans Splenda.)

Did you see that 2nd video. That man said 2 Tablespoons of sugar in 2 quarts of tea. In the South, “Them be fightin’ words!” *snicker*  Some of us really like our sugar.  How much is too much sugar, in your sweet tea?

Calling a Spade a Spade, Patrick has voiced his beautiful opinion about Barbara Simpson’s over-expensive black plastic and glass end table, with the letters SONY on it. I wonder who she thinks paid for those coupons, for the converter’s that sit in her hallway, still in their boxes?

CARTA is free today (Thursday.)

Bus service will be free Thursday on all routes served by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority as part of its summer effort to get people to try mass transit.

Also that day, CARTA will give away a limited number of electric fans, back packs, lunch bags, water bottles and other items at its bus stops at Meeting and Mary streets and Cosgrove and Rivers avenues.

Ride Free.. Traffic Free.. and Free Gifts..

Joan, of Charleston Daily Photo takes a peaceful stroll down memory lane.. recounting family experiences. In Iran.

Last week, I was amazed to find out that The Dawg has been raising homing pigeons, since a boyhood Scouting Project. How fascinating that a pigeon could find its way back to the LowCountry, from Texas! As I went to find the blog post, to embed it here, it has come to my attention that Carroll – The Dawg is lodging, at the Manor MUSC, preparing for surgery, today.

We wish you well Carroll. We send all our special thoughts and prayers your direction. We send virtual hugs to your friends and family, too. God Speed, with your recovery. (Thank you, Sherry, for the updates.)

(special thanks to Brandi Sims, for using Creative Commons Licence and providing our jar of tea.)

You can find Kat at The Filipino Friends. Heidi’s blogz aggregate at WithaZ.net.

The April, end of the month, meetup, has been scheduled for Thursday, April 30th, 2009!

Come join us, at Carolina Crust, in Hanahan, at Tanner Station, across from the new Super Bi-Lo, at 7pm.

My post, about April meetups, around the LowCountry:

We’ve, personally, tried three of their specialties and have been fully impressed with their fresh ingredients and different approach to Pizza.

The Boy’s favorite is The Pesto Chicken and Spinach Pizza. The Pesto is made, in house, with real pine nuts. None of that cheaper walnut thing, is going on , there. He happily added roasted red peppers, to it, too.

Girlie and I really liked The Quattro Formaggio, on our first visit. This pizza is a cheese snob’s delight! Did I mention my absolute love of Feta, lately?

Last week, we tried Spicy Southern BBQ Chicken. I don’t think I’d call this spicy.. but it was surely good. I was cutting pieces of both the Pesto Chicken and Spinach and The BBQ chicken, and eating them together! OOOhh to the Goat Cheese and BBQ sauce, in one bite. Full of yum!

Carolina Crust also has 3 large screen hi def tv’s and a full bar. They are located in Tanner Station, across from the new Super BiLo. (1105 Tanner Ford Blvd, Ste B-6 (843) 553-2662)

Anyone willing to try the special pizza with arugula and sea salt, with me? I can’t get anyone, I birthed, to try it. I’ve, also, never had arugula! Come on, let’s live a little. *smile*

Scott and Charity Webb have created a great environment with tasty recipes to tempt us, with fresh, local ingredients.  There is a full bar and several beers on tap, too.

See you there!