It is cold. It may snow. There are lots of things you can do inside with your Valentine, but have you considered something… Really BIG? Taller than your car? Taller than your truck? Taller than that truck I saw last night with tires up to my head?

Yes, I am talking about MONSTER TRUCKS. Nothing says “I luv you” like the smell of gasoline and burning rubber.

Mr. Flossip and I went a few years ago and honestly had a blast. For someone that wore a poofy white dress and made her debut, it was quite a change of pace. I LOVED it though. (I did not wear the deb dress, I promise.)

(They will honor tonight’s tickets tomorrow in the case of inclement weather.)

Monster Truck Winternationals and Thrill Show!
Featuring: CRUSHSTATION, VIPER, WAR EAGLE, STRAIT JACKET, RAZIN KANE and MORE of your favorites!
PLUS: ARENACROSS RACING! (I don’t know ANY of these people, but what great names!)
Don’t miss all the excitement this February 12th and 13th! Showtime at 7:30pm on both dates

ON SALE NOW
In Advance: 300 Level- Adults $21, Childrens $11
In Advance: 400 Level- Adults $17, Childrens $6
Day of Show: Adult prices increase $2 each
-taxes/fees may apply
**Friday Night 4-Pack only $60**

Get your tickets at the civic center box office, on-line at Ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000

Location: Arena

URL: http://www.checkeredflagproductions.com

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

Number 6 (I think).

Fundaygo! No, not a trip to Fundaygo…. you can buy the whole place. The Florence, SC franchise is for sale.

No one could ever say that isn’t an original gift!

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

The gift of eating healthier and supporting local farms. This falls in with the “Certified South Carolina Grown” Movement. Today’s post was written by Melinda, a local supporter of eating local and incorporating more organic food into our diets. I enjoy her blog, Behind the Stall Door, and have learned a good many tips from her.

From Melinda:

If you know me, you know our family is big into the slow food movement. Ok, so the family is not as much into it as I am. My husband is very happy for the savings in the food budget though. When you buy fresh, you tend to buy when you are going to use it, so you also get the benefit of not wasting as much food (or that could just be my bad habits…anyone? Buehler?)
The slow food movement was begun in Italy in the late 80s to combat the ever growing gluttony of the fast food market. It is based upon eating real food, not prepackaged, preservative filled foods you get at fast food chains and in super markets. Since the 80s fast and prepackaged foods have become staples of so many American lives. I was lucky, I grew up in a large family and my mother cooked most of our meals. As a result, cooking wasn’t a foreign idea for me. I have cousins, who have said if it were not for a can opener, they would have starved while growing up.
Our reasoning is financial as well as health related. We have three children and live on one income. We might eat out three or four times per month, when things get really hairy around the house with activities and such. We live very cheaply, and very happily. A can of beans from the store costs as much as a two pound bag of dried beans. This is the difference between eating one meal or four meals. Eating fresh and local is much cheaper, and it reduces your waste (we have gone from five or six trash bags per week to only a max of three bags – another thing my husband loves about my household changes, since he is the one to go to the dump each week).
Ah, I can see the excitement in your eyes, young padawan. How, you ask, do I get started living this wonderful lifestyle? Well, follow me and I will show you the power of the force. You will discover where to go for all this glorious food; plus you will meet wonderful people who will happily provide you with a whole kit and kaboodle of food inspiration.
My main sources of local and organic foods are just two, count them, two stops. However, I also run a veggie garden in the spring/summer. We can and dry foods we grow and purchase. We also have a flock of chickens for fresh eggs. You can also find small farms or individual growers with overstock who will set up a table in their yards for you to buy fruits and veggies. There is also McLeod Farms in McBee for fruits and veggies. If you are interested in buying a cow for meat, you can stop when you see cattle in someones yard and inquire about if they are willing to sell you all or part of a cow. Stopping at local roadside stands is also a great way to meet interesting people. Want to know the best way to peel a peach? Stop at a roadside peach stand and strike up a conversation with the people running the stand. Chances are the peaches are from their own orchard and they can give you the best tips (and pie recipes!). There are also your local farmers markets, you can find a listing at Local Harvest.
First stop; for all things organic you need to see Cynthia at Trinity Farms. You can find her in the big metal shed at the Pee Dee Farmers Market. She has raw goat and cow milk for sale, as well as butter made from milk from free range, pasture fed cows. She also has a plethora of organic veggies from her own farm, in addition to organic eggs from her chickens. Cynthia also takes consignments from other farms in the area, so there is always something new and exciting in her booth. When you are ready to plant your garden, she will have some wonderful organic and heirloom plants ready for your growing pleasure.
My second stop; Ovis Hill Farms can actually be found at two different locations (three, if you count the farm store). First location is every Thursday afternoon from 4-7pm at Naturally Outdoors in Florence. You can also find them once a month at The Good Living Marketplace in Hartsville. At this one stop, you have ten separate farms consigning their goods together into one CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). In a CSA, you will receive a box of goodies once a month for a very reasonable price. If interested you can contact Jannie Dickson for veggies at dicksoneffn@aol.com or Charlie Caldwell for meat at Charlie@ovishillfarm.com. You can also just show up at their location and browse their selection. They have non-homogenized, low heat pasteurized milk (including some of the best chocolate milk you have ever tried), raw goat milk, butter, organic meats, cheeses. They also have grains, legumes, honey, jams, chowchow, mustard and home baked items such as breads and pies and cakes and cookies (they also have wool yarn from the sheep and goats). If you need something before their vending dates, you can go to their farm store in Timmonsville. Hours are 3-6 Tuesday through Thursday; 10-6 Fridays and Saturdays 10-5. Just give them a call if you have any questions, they are a very friendly bunch: 843-992-9447.
So, as you can see, there are plenty of places to look if you are interested in eating locally. We do not eat 100% organic, that is just not possible due to budgeting and time and store locations (you can find some organic selections in your local supermarkets, but for Earth Fare you have to drive to Columbia and for Whole Foods you have to go to Mt Pleasant). But, if you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint on the foods you eat, finding local, healthful ingredients is a wonderful way to start. And remember, it takes 28 days for a new habit to ingrain, so don’t give up! Before you know it, eating out won’t be the first thing that comes to mind when asked “What’s for dinner?”

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

Lunch with your sweetheart at Primo Pizza in the mall.

I KNOW what you just thought… “THE MALL?”

Yes, the mall.

For one thing, it is warm and dry in the mall. So you can walk around together and be warm and dry. Walking around together, talking… its a good thing.

For another thing? It will make you feel young again. You can’t help but reminisce about high school when you walk around the mall. I remember meeting my friends there and making my mom drop me off where I was sure no one would see her. Its so amusing now, because how else would I get there? Teleportation? The best part is that everyone else was being dropped off by their mothers as well. Anyway, I digress.

I have come to the conclusion that Primo Pizza is in contention for the best pizza in Florence. If you are dead set against eating at the mall– they also do to-go orders. They are located in the Food Court so one of you can drop the other off and pick it up easily.
(Apologies to the Random Guy… I couldn’t get a clear shot.)

2701 David H McLeod Boulevard
Florence, SC 29501-4043
(843) 667-8174

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

If you are looking for a gift of jewelry for your Valentine, I recommend Travis Jewelers in Florence. I am not a big jewelry shopper, but every time I have been in their shop I have been impressed with their excellent customer service. The first thing I went for was to have a ring rhodium plated. This is the process of making a gold ring look silver, and it was surprisingly inexpensive. Although there were tons of beautiful, expensive pieces of jewelry on display, Mr. Travis treated my minuscule purchase as if it was just as important as those pieces. That is the hallmark of good customer service.

I have also sold gold there and found that process to be very fair and easy. Next time I go in, I think I will try this on:

(Note I said “try it on” and not “purchase”. I need to win the lottery first!)

They also have a facebook page where you can become a fan and get updates.
(Don’t forget to email me if you follow one of my Valentine’s ideas and let me know how the recipient liked it!)

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I just got an email from Wukela’s House of Clocks that they are having a HUGE sale!

All Prints and Oil Paintings have been marked down up to 70% off suggested retail prices! And just in time for Valentines Day all designer and fine jewelry is an additional 20% off! We just received two huge, new shipments from Rita’s market trip so make sure you come in to get first dibs on new and sale merchandise!

I know that I would like to have this scarf, maybe your Valentine would as well!

Location:
403 2nd Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29505

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I am going to write suggestions for Valentine’s gifts in Florence, SC from now until Valentine’s Day. Palmetto Place is suggestion number one.

First of all, I love businesses with a strong online presence. Often I pass by a business on the road and wonder what they are all about. When they put themselves front and center on the internet, it gives me a glimpse inside so I can decide if I want to be a patron. Palmetto Place has a great website and a facebook group that gives out a good bit of information about specials.

They offer massages, facials, waxing, peels, scrubs, and ear candling. I made a stealth appointment for a massage this week. What a wonderful treat! I was very stressed out when I arrived. I was greeted and given a moment to relax. The entire atmosphere is peaceful and quiet. You will have no idea that Palmetto Street is a hundred feet away, it is as if you are at a spa in the countryside.

Everyone there is extremely professional. They asked about any problems I was having, what areas were causing me trouble. It was truly an hour of pampering and relaxation– exactly what I needed for a respite from a bad week.

They offer some very nice package deals for massage and facials, as well as other services. If you have driven past Palmetto Place and wondered if you should make an appointment– the answer is YES!

(Dear all male readers: This would be an EXCELLENT Valentine’s gift for your special someone. HINT HINT HINT. They sell gift certificates. HINT HINT HINT. Dear Mr. Flossip: This includes you. HINT HINT HINT!)

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.