Generous People

Something about the Holiday Season brings out the best in most people...

... Gift exchanges

... Church attendance

... Holiday cards to friends

... Sidewalk greetings and well wishes

... Giving to our troops

With there being so much joy in giving, please consider spreading your giving over the twelve months of the year. Thus, bringing joy to yourself all year. Albert Einstein is one of my favorite thinkers: "The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving". Please give yourself a treat as well; with a great cup of tea, sit and enjoy a beautiful book: The Giving Tree. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

The Marriage of Harriet Grant: Granddaughter of James Chesnut Sr.

Harriet (Hattie) Grant was the daughter of William J. Grant and Harriet Serena Chesnut making her the granddaughter of James Chesnut Sr., patriarch and owner of Mulberry Plantation. In the last 35 pages of Professor Woodward’s “Mary Chesnut’s Civil War” Hattie is discussed extensively. Throughout the pages are discussions of when her finance Richard (Dick) Stockton would return from the war and marry her. Johnny Chesnut, a cousin of Hattie’s, doubted Dick would return: “He ain’t coming ---I’ll bet you anything.” Hattie was sure he would. She frequently went down to the ferry awaiting his arrival. Finally, Dick, with the light hair and blue eyes, returned. She was elated, but she puts one condition on the marriage. She would only marry him as long as he would take her out of the South. This demand was quite a gamble by Hattie and exhibited her headstrong personality.

Dick was an acceptable candidate for Hattie for three reasons. First, she was now almost 30. For the time, this was a little late in life to be getting married. Most brides were normally between 17 to 19. Second, he fought for the southern cause and was a confederate soldier. And third, he was from a fine family. His grandfather had signed the Declaration of Independence.

Dick accepts the precondition, and they were married at Hattie’s Aunt Mary Cox (Chesnut} Reynold’s house on July 26, 1865. They spend the first week at Mary Serena Chesnut (Williams) Witherspoon’s, a cousin, and then returned to Dick’s family home in New Jersey. Hattie had her wish and lived the rest of her life north of the Mason-Dixon line.

What Time Is It?

Is it time to enjoy family and Thanksgiving? Is it time to express to all as to why you are thankful? Is it time to shop, shop, shop...black Friday is only four days away? Is it time to view the Christmas Decor or is it time to decorate for Christmas? Is it time to pull out all the winter gear? Is it time to write that annual holiday letter? Is it time to tell all your friends how much they mean to you? Is it time to plant the Paper Whites? Is it time to make the cornbread for the stuffing? Is it time for.....

It is time to step back. It is time to destress concerning all things over which you have no control at this very moment.

It is time to enjoy a beautifully prepared cup of tea.

It is time for you.

South Carolina Bed and Breakfast Association

Looking for a great experience in South Carolina...look no more...www.scbba.net!

IT IS MOVIE TIME

There are very few individuals who do not enjoy a trip to the movies. What was the last movie you saw? Was it to your liking? A creative group of entrepreneurs from Florence, South Carolina, review movies (very accurately) for your benefit. MovieTraditions.com is designed for your ease: current reviews, show times, free tickets, and much, much more. This site offers fresh perspectives which are not driven by the politics of Hollywood or by any personal gains. Thus, you will read reviews which detail current movies, with new reviews added weekly. Treat yourself...visit MovieTraditions.com before you head out to your favorite theatre.

In France since 1797, Zuber claims to be the last factory in the world to produce woodblock printed wallpapers and furnishing fabrics. Zuber uses the original woodblocks (more than 100,000) engraved from the XVII -- XIX century and is classified as an "Historical Monument". Zuber Cie's panoramic wallpapers include Vue de l'Amérique du Nord, Eldorado, Hindoustan, les Guerres d´Independence , and Isola Bella.

In the 1930 restoration of Bloomsbury, Mr and Mrs John Weeks selected Isola Bella for the front North parlor. At some point a resident believed he could wash the panels. The resulting damage,

thankfully confined to one panel, can be seen here:

The paper was torn; pulled from the wall and then glued with superglue (of all things); and, the original paint was washed away!

One of the summer 2009 restoration projects was the front parlor. With the parlor completely emptied and with great care and talent, the room was completely painted. It took the Gary Hunter painting team more than 80 hours to paint the room. Following the restaging of the room, Taraworth of Washington DC was employed to restore the panel above the door. The amazing result is a beautiful panel which flows with the original works. Perhaps with Tarawoth's restoration, the Zuber paper will withstand another 80 years!

For additional information, visit http://www.bloomsburyinn.com/.

BRUCE AND KATHERINE BROWN OF BLOOMSBURY INN CHOSEN INNKEEPER OF THE YEAR IN THE BEST OF BEDANDBREAKFAST.COM AWARDS

Camden SC, USA -- Bruce and Katherine Brown of Bloomsbury Inn in Camden, South Carolina, were selected as an Innkeeper of the Year in the United States in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards, 2009-2010. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards are based upon a qualitative and quantitative review of the nearly 100,000 independent reviews submitted to BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online B&B directory and reservation network worldwide.

"BedandBreakfast.com surveys show that independent reviews are the most important factor when choosing a B&B. In fact, according to BedandBreakfast.com's most recent survey, 96% of consumers consider reviews to be somewhere between important and essential when selecting a place to stay, and 12% will not make a reservation at a property without them. We're delighted that inngoers concur that Bloomsbury Inn is deserving of its accolades from travelers," explained BedandBreakfast.com's Sandy Soule, one of the most highly recognized authors and a spokeswoman for the B&B industry. "Clearly, the Browns earned stellar reviews from inngoers for its quality accommodations, breakfasts, amenities, and wonderful hospitality and service," commented Soule.

"It's a true honor to be chosen for a Best of BedandBreakfast.com award, and we thank our guests for the positive reviews that resulted in this award, stated Katherine Brown, Bloomsbury owner. "It is gratifying that our guests took the time to share their comments about our hospitality, accommodations, breakfasts and attention to the details which set Bloomsbury apart," commented Brown. Here's an excerpt from one of our reviews: "From the moment you arrive at the Bloomsbury, you know that it is something very special. This is one of the most remarkable B & B. The knowledge Bruce and Katherine have of the area, the history, and tour of their home was so thorough and interesting. Restaurant suggestions, places to visit, etc. made our visit to Camden so enjoyable. Their home is a real treasure. The attention to detail takes you back in time. The hosts, the house, the place......everything fits."
For a complete list of all winners, including regional and international Best of

BedandBreakfast.com Award winners, please visit www.BedandBreakfast.com and click Winners 2009-2010.

Founded in 1995, BedandBreakfast.com is highly recommended by The New York Times, Real Simple, Forbes, Travel & Leisure, USA TODAY and many others. To learn about more nearly 9,000 other perfect choices for your next B&B getaway, visit BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online bed and breakfast directory and reservation network worldwide. A variety of search functions and extensive maps enable inngoers to find the perfect B&B. Travelers can make reservations online, purchase The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, welcomed at over 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, read up-to-date trip reports on The BedandBreakfast.com Blog, read and write independent reviews, and post questions on expert-hosted message boards.

Bloomsbury, 1707 Lyttleton StreetCamden SC 29020803.432.5858www.bloomsburyinn.com

Colonial Cup

The Saturday, 21 November 2009 running of the Maion duPont Scott Colonial Cup is quickly approaching. A sporting tradition for 39 years, there is something for everyone: finest steeplechase race horses, Jack Russell Terrier Trials, Paddock Shops, food, fun...a wonderful outdoor experience! For lodging reservations and additional information, call 803.432.5858. Happy Racing.

Allegiance to the USA

James Chesnut, Sr. was central to Mary Boykin Chestnut’s life. While he was her father-in-law, she lived under his roof for many years and had few nice things to say about him in her diary. One of the most interesting comments she made about James Chesnut, Sr. is to be found in a twenty-two page biographical sketch of her husband James Chesnut, Jr. When writing of her husband she uses her father-in-law as a device to show the enormous social and political changes of the last century:

“No man [James Chesnut, Sr.] had a larger stake in the country. He was a rebel from the great nullification party who so longed ruled the state, and he remained a union man until the secession of South Carolina left him no choice.”

“Born a subject of George III he had renounced his allegiance and cast in his lot with the Independent States of America. He had taken the oath to South Carolina---to the Confederate States---and when over ninety years old, blind and despairing there was yet another change. He was asked to take the oath, or to renew his allegiance to the USA. He gave it grimly, saying “surely this must be the last.”

Elisabeth Muhlenfeld, "Mary Boykin Chesnut: A Biography", (Louisiana State Press, Baton Rouge and London, 1981) p. 170.

Maxfield Parrish

His given name was Frederick Parrish; but, he later adopted the maiden name of his paternal grandmother, Maxfield, as his middle name, and later as his professional name. His father was an engraver and landscape artist, and young Parrish's parents encouraged his talent. He lived his entire life at his New Hampshire home/studio at The Oaks.
Launched by a commision to illustrate books, his work includes L. Frank Baum's Mother Goose in Prose in 1897, his repertoire included many prestigious projects including Eugene Field's poems of childhood (including 8 color plates) (1904) (see illustration) and such traditional works as Arabian Nights (including 12 color plates) (1909). Books illustrated by Parrish, in addition to those that include reproductions of Parrish's work - including A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales (including 10 color plates) (1910), The Golden Treasury of Songs and Lyrics (including 8 color plates) (1911) and The Knave of Hearts (including 23 color images) (1925) - are highly sought-after collectors items. He had numerous commissions from popular magazines in the 1910s and 1920s including Hearst's, Colliers, and Life. In the 1920s, Parrish turned away from illustration and concentrated on painting for its own sake. Androgynous nudes in fantastical settings were a recurring theme. In 1931, he declared to the Associated Press, "I'm done with girls on rocks", and opted instead to focus on landscapes.

Parrish's art features dazzlingly luminous color; the color Parrish blue was named in acknowledgement. He achieved the results by means of a technique known as glazing where bright layers of oil color separated by varnish are applied alternately over a base rendering. He would build up the depth in his paintings by photographing, enlarging, projecting and tracing half- or full-size objects or figures. Parrish then cut out and placed the images on his canvas, covering them with thick, but clear, layers of glaze. The result is realism of elegiac vivacity. His work achieves a unique three-dimensional appearance, which does not translate well to coffee table books.

"Daybreak", his arguably most famous picture, framed in a 1920's trilogy, along with several others, have just joined the Bloomsbury collection.

Yellow Pages

Recently, I was chatting with a young, professional woman. She and her husband had recently moved from one state to another. We were discussing unique and interesting aspects of their new location. Suddenly, I realized she had not read her new, local Yellow Pages. So, I asked, "Have you read the local Yellow Pages?" She looked at me as if I had three arms or was speaking in a foreign language.
It occurred to me that having moved 20+ times during my professional career, I know some "secrets" to moving:
1) Read the Yellow Pages - you will be amazed at the resources available that you have not seen as you drove to and fro the local market
2) Always put clean sheets in the mattress box - you will not have to dig through various boxes marked "linens" to enjoy the first night in your new home, on your bed and between clean sheets
3) Whenever the movers disassemble anything - tape the hardware (packing tape) inside the drawer or to the frame; thus, there will be no issue with missing parts and assemble upon arrival...don't forget to tape the picture hanger to the back of the frame
4) Pictures Boxes, Large - be sure the unpackers open every large picture box; they are just a terror to get open
5) Boxes in General - a) be sure all boxes are well labeled when they are packed...ensuring they are delivered to the correct room upon arrival; b) have the packers open/cut the tape of every box upon arrival; and c) completely unpack any box which appears to be undamaged
6) MY Box - when the packers arrive, take one box and write on it "immediately deliver to owner when found". Keep this box in a location in which you can place things which will be essential on arrival (hammer, screwdrivers, tape, couple of old towels/cloths, ink pen and paper, small chargers, mother's silver ware). Have this be one of the last boxes placed upon the truck (one of the first off), and let the unpackers know you are looking for it
7) Take a deep breath - things will be broken and things will be damaged...immediately document anything you notice
HAPPY MOVING DAY!

Herbs Gone Wild

It is so very warm in the State of South Carolina...almost too warm to be out, and certainly too warm to be tending the herb gardens. But, keep an eye on your sweet basil and mint. It will go to seed as you sleep...thus, robbing you of your fall harvest. Just pinch off the developing heads regularly to ensure you have a great fall harvest. When the frost threatens, just clip it and place it in freezer bags or dry it on your rack. It will be enjoyed well into the winter months if you mind it now.

Bloomsbury - Mary Chesnut's Civil War

Mary Boykin Chesnut wrote approximately 10% of her diaries at Bloomsbury. In Professor Woodward’s book Mary Chesnut’s Civil War (1981), chapter XVIII: A World Kicked to Pieces, she tries to reconstruct approximately a year’s worth of diaries. “I destroyed all my notes and journal—from the time I arrived at flat Rock—during a raid upon Richmond in 1863. Afterward—I tried to fill up the gap from memory” (p. 425).

She starts the chapter “September 23, 1863. Bloomsbury. So this is no longer a journal but a narrative of all I cannot bear in mind which has occurred since August 1862” (Woodward, p. 425). The chapter goes from pages 425 through 483 or 58 pages in length.

After the war, the mother plantation of the Chesnut family, Mulberry, had been ransacked by Union forces. It would not be brought back to its’ former splendor for over 50 years. When Mary and her husband James returned to Camden they went to Bloomsbury. She begins her passage of May 4, 1865 with “Bloomsbury. Home again” (Woodward, p. 800). There is no indication that they moved from Bloomsbury for the rest of the diary which ends in Professor Woodward’s book on page 836.

While she may have visited Mulberry on at least one occasion, she made it clear about how she felt on returning there. Her husband’s nephew, Johnny Chesnut, had returned from the war as a Captain in the Confederate cavalry. She writes:

"And Johnny! His country in mourning, with as much to mourn for as [a] country ever had! That cold, calm, unmoved air of his is only good form. Under all he is as volatile, as in consequent, as easily made happy, as any lighthearted son of the South. To my amazement he wants me to
give a picnic at Mulberry. Just now I would as soon dance on my father’s grave" (Woodward, p. 811).

From all indications, Bloomsbury was Mary and James Chesnut residence until their move to Sarsfield in 1873. Bloomsbury is rich in tradition and memory. Bloomsbury is truly “Home again..”

Cleaner Glass

Those who really keep things clean usually have great cleaning tips. Point in case, do not purchase window cleaner in the cleaning product section…purchase windshield cleaner (one gallon jug of blue for $.99) in the automotive section. It actually works better! This tip comes from Annie's Inn, Aiken, South Carolina.

Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy

Total preparation time: 45 mins Serves: 8 Ingredients:
Chocolate Gravy• 2 cups sugar • 6 tablespoons flour • 1/3 cup cocoa powder • 3/4 teaspoon salt • 4 cups whole milk
Steps:
1. Mix sugar, flour, cocoa and salt together - mix in saucepan. Place over low heat and gradually stir in milk.
2. Increase to medium heat. Cook (be careful not to boil), stir constantly, until thick.
3. Serve over hot, buttered homemade biscuits. Garnish with a large, ripe strawberry.

The History: What could be more perfect than a fond memory and a beautiful chocolate breakfast! Katherine’s grandmother is the master behind this recipe Sally Rose Stites Chisam, born 3 March 1901, the daughter of Jake and Rose Ann Fisher Stites, married Dolph Chisam in 1921. They farmed in and around Tuckerman, Arkansas for many years. Sally quilted sewed, crocheted, canned, gardened, cleaned and raised two daughters and some of her grandchildren. In July 1978 she was asked how many quilts she had made in her lifetime, “ I can only tell you I have quilted ELEVEN since Christmas and I’ve pieced thirteen or fourteen tops.” Although she was a very busy, productive woman, she always had time to make her grandchildren’s favorite foods - many of them were comfort foods - biscuits and chocolate gravy was a special treat reserved for when the home was full of family.

Think...Do...Think...Do

Is today truly the "Age of the New Thinker"? If today's and following generations are rethinking economics, retirement, travel, health care, then let's rethink learning. It is time to plan small snippet of time for daily learning. Think about what you could learn if:

...each Monday, you totally avoided your most significant vice (fast food, alcohol, lying), you would be on the path of self-control.

...each Tuesday, you deposited an equal amount of money as you spend on coke and coffee, you probably would not miss this small amount, and at the end of 365 days your collection container could conservatively hold $300. in savings. Drink water.

...each Wednesday, you read one news article outside your normal range of reading, you might have a wider prospective of the global war on terrorism or on local crime or humor.

...each Thursday, you engage in one social networking activity, this connection with youth can be very enriching and the savvy electronic engagement will keep you young.

...each Friday, you pick-up one or ten pieces of trash you walk past, you will soon walk in a cleaner area, learning (or teaching) the value of beauty.

...each Saturday, you learn and practice one point of civility, in your next interview your handshake or luncheon dining skills might win you that coveted position

...each Sunday, you listen carefully to one wise mentor and before long you will be the wise mentor.

It takes so very little to learn...to be a growing and rethinking person. In our rushed, trans global environment, you control so much more than you realize. Exercise your right to learn. Allow yourself the opportunity to be a true rethinker.

Happy 4th of July

As you enjoy your holiday, please remember freedom is not free...all salutes to our United States Armed Forces.

Col. James Chesnut Sr., the builder of Blooomsbury, was born on February 19, 1773. He acquired land from his father which included the estates of Belmont, Town Creek and Mulberry. Even today, Mulberry is 7.5 square miles in size. He built Mulberry in 1820 and resided there most of the year moving to his Sandy Hill estate in the summer. In The Diary of Miss Emma Holmes, Miss Holmes comments that James and Mary Cox Chesnut had moved into Bloomsbury in the Spring of 1862. This was so they could be closer to the "telegraph and news." I would also speculate that it was also to be closer to Sally their daughter who could look after them. In 1864, Mary Cox Chesnut passed away at Bloomsbury. At the age of 93 in 1866, Col Chesnut also died at Bloomsbury. The conclusion of the civil war and Col. Chesnut's death marked an end to the era of the great plantation owners.

Economic Challenges -- Creative Solutions

Enjoy a staycation! That is correct...staycation. Stay right in your own front yard and enjoy a great vacation in Historic Camden, South Carolina:

Day 1

2:00 pm Visit two Antique Musts:

Andries Van Dam Arts & Antiques

Camden Antiques Market

3:30 pm Arrive at Bloomsbury Inn for check-in

4:30 pm The light is perfect to have professional photography by L. Hoke

5:30 pm Bloomsbury Social: great iced tea and light hors d'ouvres

7:00 pm Dinner Reservations: Camden is rich with great places to dine

Boykin Millpond - fine dining in Boykin

Indigo Jones - tapas and full entrees

Sam Kendalls - upscale bar and grill

Set your dinner reservation in order to take in a great performance: Kershaw County Fine Arts Center or schedule a Historic Carriage Tour

10:30 pm Rest/relax and enjoy the beauty of luxury accommodations

Day 2

8:30 am Begin the day with privately roasted coffee, sparkling juice and a 2-3 course gourmet breakfast in the formal dining room of Bloomsbury

9:15 am "Walking Through History"...a complete historical walking tour of Bloomsbury and rock on the South Carolina Rain Porch

11:00 am Check-out or stay a second night

11:15 am Visit the TACK ROOM, the largest in the SE

Be inspired to drop by the Steeplechase Museum, don't miss the movie

12:30 pm Finally to downtown

In the Ten-Eleven Galleria, don't miss Victoria Susan's and all the other fun shops, enjoy lunch at Carolina Cafe or stop in Pearl's for Southern Fare or Blackmon's Little Midget for a real hamburger or grilled cheese. Stroll around as there are several hidden gems to see while downtown.

1:30 pm Skipped lunch, ride South to Boykin and enjoy lunch in the old General Store, Boykin Grill, and step across the street to the Broom Factory

3:00 pm Just before you visit Historic Camden, stop in the Kershaw County Chamber to sign the guest registry and to learn what you missed on this staycation

If you follow this agenda, you have only scratched the surface. Don't miss: the Bloomsbury Drive through Horse County, Pearl Fryer's Topiary, local Parks, Camden Archives, near 20 other antique shops, Quaker Cemetery, the local artists, The Bloomsbury Protocol Institute, Camden Military Academy, The Price House, The Farmers' Market, Lake Wateree...

Yes, you can easily turn your staycation into a multi-day vacation. Happy travels.

Outdoor Wash Sink

We have all been there. Pulling weeds or working on the car, we really need to wash our hands before we go into the house! A true friend of mine from Walnut Lane Inn in Spartenburg, SC, gave me this perfect tip. Place a piece of or a whole soap bar in the toe of an old pantie hose, tie the leg of the pantie hose to the exterior water faucet. Now, is that not clever? You just created an instant outdoor wash sink. Rumor has it that the scent of the soap may also keep those nibbling deer away.
In a previous period, I had the opportunity to gather some of the best home hints from great innkeepers from around the Southeastern United States. Periodically, in the next few months, I will be posted some of my favorites. Keep watching for the best of the best, and until then: Happy Outdoor Hand Washing.

How did Bloomsbury receive its name?

Bloomsbury was built in 1849 by James Chesnut Sr. Originally the entire city block was part of the estate. Mary Cox Chesnut, James Chesnut's wife, named the property Bloomsbury after her childhood home Bloomsbury Court. Bloomsbury Court was located in Trenton, N. J. and can be visited by the public. Mary's childhood home was built by William Trent and is literally a "George Washington slept here" locatiion.

The Kitchen Garden

A timeless form of art...an American tribute for WWII...your Grandmother's passion...

The kitchen garden is far more than meets the casual eye...

... a symbol of America the free,

... an exercise patch,

... a fresh meal,

... the splendid colors of nature,

... a butterfly haven,

... a classroom for small hands,

... and, peace for the stressed.

Plant a garden, pick a garden, shop at the local farmers' market to add both pleasure and taste to your next meal. Happy gardening.

Keeping The Journal

If you have ever questioned the keeping of a journal, you have but to look at the diaries of Mary Boykin Chesnut, Mary Chesnut's Civil War. Throughout her life, especially of interest during the Civil War, Mary, like many Southern women, wrote in a diary/journal almost daily (a more private form of the BLOG). Her proximity, via her husband General James Chesnut, to the Civil War allowed her to witness and write of the actual state of affairs. Her writings also capture the essence of daily life during the mid-1800s. During and after the war, you will note in her writings many entries that begin, "Bloomsbury"...yes, the famed Civil War diarist did a significant amount of her writing right here at Bloomsbury in Camden, South Carolina. Today, her work is one of the finest and most often referenced sources of the Civil War. So, you question the keeping of a journal. What you find to be the routine of your day can be very insightful to your future family members, future local historians, local archivist, and many others. In addition, it allows you the opportunity to free yourself of issues that you wish to push away. It allows you to express your opinions and positions without publicly espousing them. You might be amazed at the lack of inhibition when you set pen to paper. It need not be another burden in your series of responsibilities, but a stressless outlet which you can enjoy everyday or once a week or every several weeks. There are very few rules, and only you may set them. So, go ahead, pickup a tablet and begin. You will be pleased with your creativity, and even more amazed as you read your entries just one year later, or even ten years later. Happy journaling.

Special Dietary Needs

Every morning and every breakfast should be special for every guest. At Bloomsbury, we strive to deliver just this special time, special meal to every special guest. This week we have enjoyed a gluten-free and soy-free guest for a few days. In search of making her breakfast special, I experimented this morning. I delivered a winner:

German Pancakes "Dutch Babies"

6 eggs, room temperature

1 cup whole milk, room temperature

1 cup Bob's RedHill Pancake Mix (or if not gluten-free, 1 cup bread flour)

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

5 tablespoons butter

thinly sliced apple

confectioners sugar

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Select a heavy oven-proof skillet (I actually used six 5-inch iron skillets). Place butter in the skillet and place in the oven while you prepare the mix -- watch to see the butter bubbling hot/not browned. In the blender, mix eggs (beat them before adding other ingredients), milk, extract, cinnamon and pancake mix. Mix very well. The batter will be thin, smooth, and creamy. Pour prepared batter into the hot skillet. Do not fill the skillet more than 2/3 full as the pancake puffs. Top with thin apple slices (you could use fresh peaches). Immediately return to the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pancake is puffed and golden brown; be careful to not overcook or the bottom will be dry. Sprinkle with confectioner sugar. Serve immediately as the puff will settle shortly after removing the skillet from the oven. Offer fruit compote or pure maple syrup to accompany. Fresh whipped cream would also be a great compliment! Enjoy and allow your special guests to enjoy a special breakfast!

Pickled Okra

Canning 101. Bed and breakfast guests love to enjoy local items for breakfast, including items you make from scratch. Homemade breads are at the top of list, followed by farm fresh eggs, home canned jellies and jams. At Bloomsbury our guests enjoy local items at both breakfast and afternoon social. A Southern staple is pickled okra. This afternoon we made our first attempt at pickling okra...in about two months we'll know our success rate. As my friend who refreshed my canning abilities noted, he has created a canning monster in Camden, SC. Join us to try a few of our fresh, local items.

Sunday, 14 June 2009

Welcome to one of the top ten B&Bs in the nation, the award winning Bloomsbury Inn of Camden, South Carolina where you will find true Southern hospitality, gourmet breakfasts and complimentary socials which include a walk through history with the innkeepers.
Our home features large well-appointed bed chambers from which to select. The oversized rooms, with 13 foot ceilings and individual central heat/air temperature controls with TRANE CleanEffects™ technology for 99.98% allergen free air, feature queen and king beds, private baths with 1930 Italian tiles, and sitting areas. Located on two acres of manicured grounds, several garden sitting areas and the wrap around veranda offer peace and tranquility from the everyday stresses of life. The quiet serenity is enhanced by a lack of traffic since Bloomsbury is strategically located one block off the busy streets transiting Camden. Two parlors on the main floor of the home are always open. The ladies' parlor, featuring Zuber wallpaper, offers a quiet retreat for reading or for pleasant conversation. The gentlemen's parlor often times attracts those interested in the latest world or sports news.
The lower level offers the engineer/ architectural enthusiast a glimpse at original brick walls milled at Mulberry Plantation and of hand carved pine beams which were numerically identified during the building of the home. The student of military history will find the lower level foyer filled with mementoes which outline United States Air Force history and the careers of the innkeepers. The basic approach on the forth floor sustains the original tin room for storing leather trunks when the families visited the “in town” home, unfinished heart pine floors and historic wallpaper.
The original 1849 detached kitchen house is also available for viewing. The walk-in fireplace and brick oven draw the attentions of many guests. Although Katherine is not prone to cooking there, she has several cast iron pots that are routinely used in the current kitchen.
Walk the grounds of Bloomsbury…over 150 years of fauna to take in. Situated on two acres of manicured grounds, Bloomsbury has something flowering the entire year round. In the spring, over 400 azaleas erupt into a brilliant bloom along with the Bradford Pear and Flowering Dogwood trees. During the summer the rhododendrons display their colors and in the fall the hydrangeas bloom. Winter also has its color with over a dozen camellias on the grounds displaying a brilliant collage. Magnolias add their blossoms to the rich Bloomsbury landscape. Directly in front of the house are three huge Live Oaks towering over 50 feet each to provide much needed shade from the heat of the South Carolina sun. With a rose, hydrangea, and herb garden there is something for everyone at Bloomsbury.
Bloomsbury is situated in the Camden historic district on a street which Mary Chesnut described in her diaries, 12 June 1865, “And yet from my window I look out on many a gallant youth and maiden fair. The street is crowded, and it is a gay sight…They call the walk in front of Bloomsbury, “The Boulevard.” The original brick lined walkways and drives have been unearthed to lead you directly to “The Boulevard”.
Inside their lovingly restored home, with uncompromising attention to detail, the Browns have created a warm and welcoming environment for all who traverse the leaded glass doorway. The innkeepers reside in the residence and are readily available for personal concierge services. With luxurious amenities and thoughtful touches, Bloomsbury will surpass your expectations.
Historic Bloomsbury limits itself to the number of guests it hosts each evening. Few Bed and Breakfasts can match the personal attention, intimate atmosphere, and concierge service guests receive. Attention to detail and quality of culinary arts are placed first for our guests. That is why Bloomsbury was selected as one of the top ten bed and breakfasts in the nation. Arrive at Bloomsbury and experience as Mary Boykin Chesnut said “Bloomsbury…home again.”