Nelson's Neighborhood

It's has been a bittersweet year for Nelwater . Professionally, we have increased our clientele and spent much of the producing commercials, marketing plans and more. Personally, I had to deal with mom's heart attack on July 14th. She was supported by ECMO for weeks and there were plenty of times that I didn't think she would live. When she did awaken, she had a pressure sore that turned worse...which lead to the amputation of her leg from the shin down on Black Friday. She's stayed with us and I've cherish each day.  I am thankful for the year I've had, even though it's been nutty. I'm grateful that I get to write for Lowcountry Parent magazine and The Post & Courier monthly. And I'm especially grateful for all my clients who were so great during this time.  There's still some time left to get holiday gifts. Here's some great ideas. Happy Chanukah to everyone! Merry Christmas and may 2012 be the best year yet!  FROM IRVIN~HOUSE...

With Christmas 10 days away, Cru Catering wants to make the holidays a little brighter and easier for you by offering a pick-up option for a full Christmas dinner. The last day to order is Monday, December 19 by 12:00 p.m. Orders can be placed by calling (843) 534-CHEF (2433) and will be available for pick up on Saturday, December 24 between 12:00 - 2:00p.m. at the Cru Catering headquarters located at 1784 Harmon Street.  This savory menu will have your guests wanting to dine at your house every holiday season.  The Christmas Dinner Menu Available for Pick Up Includes: (minimum 4 people) Spiced Rum Glazed Christmas Ham with Traditional Ham Jus Roasted Hazelnut Stuffing Cranberry Biscuits & Cheddar, Black Peppercorn Biscuits with Apple Compound Butter Baby Spinach Salad with Housemade Pancetta Croutons, Pomegranate Seeds, Roasted Gold and Red Beets with Spiced Vinaigrette Smashed Red Potatoes Honey Glazed Baby Carrots ...

This past Saturday was the Second Annual Small Business Saturday to follow Black Friday and according to the media, it went off really well. I do find it ironic that it already has to have a major corporate sponsor behind it, but at least they're trying to shine a light on small business.  This upcoming Saturday you can support your local small business by shopping at Sweet Olive at 264 N. Shelmore Boulevard in I'On as they celebrate their Holiday Open House. There will be sweets and treats along with wine and of course, some great gifts! The wonderful gals at Sweet Olive also gift wrap - and it's one of the best things, because it means you don't have to!  For more, visit www.sweetolivegarden.com & PLEASE buy at least 30% of your Christmas list local, it means much more than you know. Here's some cute ideas from Sweet Olive: 

  Enjoy nightly sunsets at Hope Town’s newest resort, Firefly Sunset Resort. Set on the Sea of Abaco on Elbow Cay in the Bahamas, the new Firefly Sunset Resort is now open for the season. Sustainably built by Firefly Vodka co-creator, Jim and Ann Irvin of Charleston, South Carolina, this whimsical resort offers seven villas and cottages with full size kitchens, three pools, a snorkeling reef, WIFI and an on-site restaurant, Firefly Bar & Grill. Firefly Sunset Resort is already a local favorite for its nightly sunsets and delicious cocktails.  Located just 200 miles east of West Palm Beach, FL and 100 miles north of Nassau, Hope Town is a quaint village on the beautiful island of Elbow Cay. Located on Elbow Cay, the resort features seven beautifully appointed rental properties. "Mint 2 Be" the honeymoon suite, sits nestled  nicely on the edge of a beautiful coral cliff, suspended over the Sea of Abaco. Designed for romance, this two bedroom/two bathroom...

This Saturday, celebrities are coming together to help fight childhood obesity with the Slim Down the South Celebrity Softball Challenge for Louie's Kids. It all started off as a dream for Louis Yuhasz of Louie's Kids, he said one night to his partner, Fred, what if we have a softball game and invite celebrities from around the nation to show kids that they're standing behind the kids to lose the weight and get healthy. And that dream turned into a reality. With big names Bill Murray and Darius Rucker saying yes to being captains of the team, to all the other wonderful celebrities that are participating too, it's amazing to think that the event is almost here.  The  Slim Down the South Celebrity Softball Challenge  is an amazing 'Field of Dreams' day at the ballpark and a softball  game between celebrity teams to raise awareness and  monies for  Louie's Kids  and  Run Buddies  to combat childhood  obesity in the areas hardest hi...

It's been a while since I blogged due to the craziness happening in my life. I know you're not supposed to let personal events affect your business, but when it's your mom, all the rules change. I'm slowly getting back on track and thank everyone who has been there for all of us.  Please take a moment to read my story in the Post and Courier's Moxie section about my mom's recovery from a heart attack.  http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/sep/16/close-call-taken-to-heart/

On July 13, I thought the next day - July 14 - would be just an ordinary day. I would get up, drink my espresso, read the Post and Courier and head into my office for a day of work. Boy was I wrong! On July 14, Darren and I awoke to a phone call telling me that my mother, Lana, was having a heart attack and would be taken to the ER at a local hospital. As we drove there, my mind raced, "Could it be a mild one? How could this happen?" etc. and a thousand more questions swirled in my head. When we arrived, my mom was being taken into the Cath Lab where they needed to put a stent in her heart. The physician, Dr. Yarborough, looked at me and said, "Your mom is very sick. We hope she can make it" and BOOM....  my life changed in an instant.  Now one month and 9 days later, I still am feeling the affects from mom's heart attack. After a very scary time in a medical induced coma where she lived off an ECMO machine for weeks, she came out of the coma with her senses...

Just in time for a final celebration of summer, Firefly Distillery is proud to introduce their newly designed Sea Island South Carolina Rums. These unique, all-natural rums are handcrafted at Firefly Distillery on Wadmalaw Island, one of the 12 Sea Islands in Charleston County.   Sea Island Rums are sold exclusively in South Carolina and include three delicious flavors: Gold Rum, Java Rum and Spice Rum.   Using sugar cane from South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana, then aging the rum in bourbon barrels creates a unique flavor. Utilizing a Lowcountry twist is key for Firefly Distillery, which is why they use sugar cane from famed Johns Island resident and Rosebank Farms owner,  Sidi Limehouse. Each rum has its own distinct flavor and can be served over ice or mixed in your favorite cocktail.  Not only are the Sea Island Rums made in the heart of the Lowcountry, they stand behind a mission to be involved with their community and communities around the world, ...

Each year, more than one million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. With an emerging body of research suggesting that physical activity not only has a positive effect on quality of life following a diagnosis of cancer, but may also improve survival, Dragon Boat Charleston aims to provide an outlet for physical and mental wellness for those cancer survivors in the Lowcountry. The Square Onion Too! Is pleased to announce that Dragon Boat Charleston has been selected as the beneficiary of the August installment of Pour It Forward. This monthly wine tasting giving event will happen on Wednesday, July 20 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at The Square Onion Too! at 411 Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. A $10 donation is requested. With that donation, patrons will enjoy a wine tasting, healthy snacks and music by Travis Allison.   For this August installment, the chosen nonprofit organization, Dragon Boat Charleston, promotes   physical and mental wellness am...