Low Country Garden Party

I recently attended my first garden party at the lovely Chicora Wood Plantation. The original name was Matanza which is thought to have been named for the Allston slaves that came from Cuba. In 1853 the name changed to Chicora Wood from the Chicora Indian Tribe of South Carolina.

Moss draped the oak trees scattered around the plantation. The plantation is around one thousand acres including the turf farm and ricefields. Located on the property are the Smokehouse, Summer Kitchen, Carriage House, Driver's House, Rice Threshing Mill, Gatekeeper's Cabin, School House and Shipping Barn. The Pee Dee River borders the property.





When we arrived to the garden party ladies passed Hors D'oeuvres of Black Pepper Crackers with Pimento Cheese and Homemade Cheese Straws with Vermont White Cheddar.

The luncheon consisted of baked tomato pies and quiche with mesclun greens. Both were delicious. (I had never eaten a tomato pie before moving to South Carolina. You can find them at many restaurants and even produce stands and grocery stores.)

Next we were served a "Trio Medley of Salads" which incluced Roasted Chicken Waldorf, Shrimp Louis and Pear and Apple Tossed with a honey vinaigrette. And since we were at a rice plantation lunch ended with "Southern Style Plantation Rice Pudding with a Caramel Sabayon and Mint."

It was a delightful afternoon with a focus on raising money for art scholarships, meeting new people, and learning a little more about the history of South Carolina.

One lady I met and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know was Winnie.

As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT