2026 Pull Up a Seat (Indoor Dining)

The Smoke Pit

The Smoke Pit is a casual contemporary barbecue restaurant that is known for its massive proportions and slow-smoked meats. [We enjoyed their smoked turkey and their pulled barbecue chicken (I don’t eat beef).] We were flabbergasted at how large our proportions were and we needed to bring part of our dinners home to eat later.

The Smoke Pit is highly renowned for its Texas-style beef offerings and generous side dishes. We went in the late afternoon (before the dinner rush) when prices are slightly discounted. They offer a trio combination where you can choose three different types of meat as well as two or three side options.

The Smoke Pit offers nine different flavours of barbecue sauce to satisfy your taste buds. The flavours range from Southern Sweet to Sizzling Hot. Coleman prefers a honey barbecue sauce, but decided to try the Southern Sweet and was satisfied with its taste. Myself, I chose the Southern Sweet Carolina-style Mustard barbecue sauce on my barbecued pulled chicken.

We highly recommend The Smoke Pit for anyone near one. The food is delicious, the portions are enormous, and you won’t leave hungry. You’ll be well pleased with the quality of the food and the customer service.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 5

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: The Smoke Pit; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky: 01.30

Pre-Storm

Winter Skies

This evening’s winter storm skies look snarly …

Skywatch Friday-2026.01.30

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Thursday-Snarl

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Storm

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Safe. Stay Warm. Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour #15 —

Reminiscing

Seven Years Ago

*In Memory of*
*Doyce Eileen (Watson) Waters*
*October 11, 1931-January 18, 2019*

Terri’s The #Flower Hour

Also Remembering …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone XR Rear Camera

Location: Hunters Glen Baptist Church; Hunters Glen, Plano, Texas, USA

God Bless. Have a memorable weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Monday Portrait #4 —26 January

Winter Visitor

“In the heart of winter, the cardinal warms the soul.”

“In the heart of winter, the cardinal warms the soul.”

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Backyard; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window – 2026 January 26

View From

Inside Out

Kitty by a Window
– 2 — AI
*creation by PR*

*The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Precious “Sweet Girl”

For

One Word

Sunday

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Sweet

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Safe & Warm at Home; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Warm, Safe, & Sweet. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 25 January

Standing Near the Cross

*Coleman*
*near a small cross*
*by the railroad tracks.*

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.01.25

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Railroad Tracks; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Warm. Take Care. Spread Love around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs — Week 2 _January 23

Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Friday’s Which Way Challenge we are continuing with the theme of Any Which Way with Hallways, Pathways, Sidewalks, and or Stairs. Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.

Here are my contributions …

Pathways to the Beach …

From Captain’s Quarters Resort …

The Long Way Down to the First Floor …

*Coleman on the Stairs*
*from the Ninth Floor*

The Sidewalk back to our hotel after missing our pathway from the Beach. It was truly the longest walk back to our resort hotel.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Cath’s Which Way… {A Step Up}

Suzette’s For Deb’s Any Which Way CWWC Hallways, Pathways

IN PRIMO PIANO’s salita serbelloni

Dawn’s Just My Snow Covered Steps in BnW

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Old Stairs

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: S. Ocean Boulevard; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Dreaming of Warmer Temperatures, Calming Weather. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour #14 — A Friendly Amaryllis —January 23, 2026

Zephyranthes atamasca

Our area is currently under a Winter Storm Watch, probability is more likely for a severe ice storm rather than receiving much in the form of snow even though some is possible. Hence, I have chosen to share from my archives. Dreaming of Spring and the warmer weather it will bring and the blooming of Spring flowers.

These are from a hike in April of 2022 at Landsford Canal State Park. I captured these on the way to a spectacular lookout point for Spider Lilies.

The scientific name for this species was originally placed, by Carl Linnaeus, in the genus Amaryllis using the epithet “Atamasca” in 1753. In the second edition of Species Plantarum, Linnaeus changed the spelling to “Atamasco,” the Native American name for the species. The most recognized name for these flowers is Zephyranthes atamasca.

The Zephyranthes atamasca is native to the Southern United States of America. It tends to grow in swampy forests, and coastal prairies. Its blooming season begins in March or April. The blooms pictured grow along the shores of the Catawba River in Landsford Canal State Park. They can be seen while hiking along the Canal Trail.

Click on image to enlarge.

Terri’s The Flower Hour #14 – 2026.01.23

Also posting in remembrance of …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Thursday Doors: January 22

Buc – ee’s

For Dan’s Thursday Doors

Buc-ee’s opened its first South Carolina location on May 16, 2022. On the way back home from our mini-vacay in Myrtle Beach we had our first opportunity to visit South Carolina’s Buc-ee’s in Florence, South Carolina off Interstate 95, Exit 170. This location is enormous inside and out.

Buc-ee’s is a comprehensive travel stop offering 120 fueling positions, exceptionally clean restrooms, with twenty-four (24) hour service. It has a wide variety of merchandise including Buc-ee’s branded clothing, toys, home decor and a wide range of snacks and drinks. It not only has prepackaged food options, but also offers freshly prepared items made in-house, such as Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, and a large selection of jerky and pastries.

This was not a food or gas stop for us, however, it was much needed for stretching our legs and restroom break before continuing on the road. I enjoyed looking around to check out what all this location had to offer. [I had previously been in Buc-ee’s when I was visiting in Texas in 2020.]

Click on each image to enlarge.

Coleman was amazed at the vastness of the store. He met “Buc-ee” and of course, I took his picture next to Buc-ee and the Buc-ee’s General Motors Truck which was loaded with Buc-ee’s branded merchandise.

If you ever have the opportunity to stop at a Buc-ee’s location, you’ll be surprised and amazed at its size and the tremendous diversity of items it offers.

Dan’s Thursday Doors – 2026.01.22

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Buc-ee’s Travel Center; Florence, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take an Adventure. Capture the Beauty, the Ordinary, or whatever captures your eye. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026.01.21

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 3

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 CFFC: 20.01 — Sturdy This/Shaky That

Dan Antion from No Facilities , the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) has chosen to continue his themes dealing with this, that, or both. This week’s them is Sturdy or Shaky or Both. He is joining in with Linda’s Just Jot It January which has a theme of Consistency at the time of my writing.

According to WP, I have been consistently posting on here for a 3 years, 5 months, and 24 days. In other words, my consistency streak is 1,270 days straight of posting one or more posts. So let’s not upset my consistency streak and go ahead and make my 1,271 consistent days post.

Looking through my photos for Dan’s Sturdy or Shaky I have found a few I’m sharing with y’all today.

From 2022 …

*Coleman, at almost 3,*
*walking on the*
**Shaky** Swinging Bridge
*as if it were*
**Sturdy** and not **Shaky**.

From 2023 …

*Alona & Coleman*
*standing on the middle rail*
*of a **Sturdy** wooden bridge.*

Now for two (2) from 2025 …

*Coleman*
**shakily** hopping
*on one foot*
*in Centennial Center.*

Coleman Standing **Sturdily**
*on our Porch railing.*
*I’m pretty sure his mom*
*wouldn’t appreciate him*
*standing on the railing*
*even though it is quite **Sturdy**.*

That’s all Folks … till next time.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Sturdy or Shaky or Both

Locations: 1-2) Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina; 3-4) Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Minimalistic Portraits in Black and White

Ritva is the host this week for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge and she has chosen a theme of Minimalism in Black and White Photography.

Im not sure if all these are purely minimalistic or not, but these are what I have added recently in my photography journal. Most of these images are portraits I have recently taken of my newest granddaughter, Sophia Ruthann. In part of them I am holding her while taking her photo with my iPhone.

Here is a one at Myrtle Beach …

*Trisha (Coleman & Sophia’s mom)*
*with Coleman & Sophia Ruthann*

And now for a couple of non-family images …

*Ring-Billed Gulls*
*soaring over the Atlantic Ocean*
*at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #381-Minimalism in Black-and-White Photography

Monday Portrait

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Journal

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Cameras: 1-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 8-9) Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Locations: 1-6) Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina; 7-9) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fabulous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 18 January

Native American Exhibit

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.01.18

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Henry Hall of American Indians; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Spread Love around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

A Free Night at the Museum

On Thursday, Courtesy of Duke Energy, The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium was free from 5 pm until 8pm. Being at the right price (free) and knowing Coleman was wanting to visit the museum again, we took him for the free Night at the Museum.

This free night given to the community by Duke Energy was filled with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) activities throughout the museum. Coleman was so excited to be back in the museum, we didn’t get to every activity. He did enjoy the STEM science activity; it had him cutting and crunching green leaves to create Chlorophyll.

***Science STEM activity***
**The Schiele Museum of Natural Science Gastonia, North Carolina**

Coleman’s mom & baby Sophia joined us at the Museum. What section of the Museum do you think Coleman wanted to visit first? If you said the Dinosaur Exhibits you were correct.

***The Dinosaur Exhibits***
**The Schiele Museum of Natural History**

Coleman enjoyed his free night at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. It is a terrific place to visit for all ages.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2026.01.17

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 SYD: 15 January

Clare from Clare’s Cosmos invites everyone to join her in Sharing Your Desktop (SYD). Below are her suggestions for participating in the Share Your Desktop Challenge . [Clare is taking a break from WP, so this maybe the last Share Your Desktop Challenge for awhile. I will miss her and pray she’ll one day return. All the best to you Clare. Take Care.]

To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) you have set as your wallpaper; Provide as little or as much detail as you wish; Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun; Then finally, share the fun around.

I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature.

Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:

From My HP Laptop:

Desktop Background Wallpaper

*Ring-Billed Gulls*
*at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Desktop Screensaver

*Coleman walking along*
*the wet &* sandy seashore
looking for seashells at
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro:

Personal Focus

*Coleman holding*
*his baby sister,*
*Sophia Ruthann*

Reading Focus

*Coleman on the*
*sandy seashore at*
*Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Hiking Focus

*Coleman walking*
*on the seashore at*
*Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*

Click on each image for enlarged viewing.

Clare’s Share Your Desktop-January

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

God Bless. You are & will be missed Clare. Take Care of yourself. You are Valued & appreciated. Having a Wonderful Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Thursday Doors: January 15

Dino 🦕 Doors 🦖

Good Day my friends! This week we are taking you on a Dino adventure at Dino Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some images you might need to look carefully to see a door/doorway and others will be clearly discernible. Enjoy the adventure.

Entering Dino Park …

Dino Park is a family-friendly attraction at Broadway at the Beach which features over twenty (20) life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs in a Jurassic-themed setting. It offers an interactive and educational experience with such activities as fossil dig pit, a large ball pit, and dinosaur rides for younger children.

Notice the dinosaurs on the building, that’s the indication that you’re fixing to enter Dino Park. The first thing you see when you enter the building is a couple of “Dinosaurs” children can ride. Don’t worry about pulling out coins for the children to ride, they are free.

I know you’re not seeing doors while Coleman is riding the dinosaurs. We’ll get to them. But first, let’s look at a different type of “door” or rather an opening …

***Coleman popping out***
***of “Dinosaur Eggs***

Now let’s walk through the Dino Park to check out the fascinating Dinosaurs on display …

***Coleman had fun***
**checking out**
***all the Dinosaurs.***

There is a fee to enter Dino Park, however, our entry fees were covered in our resort package. Some hotels and/or resorts in Myrtle Beach offer entertainment/attraction packages to add on to your stay.

Did you spot the Doorways? If not, look again carefully.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2026-Week 2

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens

Location: Dino Park; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Take an adventure. Capture the wonders around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 11 January

A Brother’s Devotion

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2026.01.11

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Spread Love around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour #12 — Coastal Plant Life

*Zostera Marina*
*aka Eelgrass,*
*a type of Seagrass*

Uniola paniculata, aka sea oats, seaside oats, araña, and arroz de costa, is a tall subtropical grass which is an important component of coastal sand dune and beach plant communities in the southeastern United States of America, eastern Mexico, and some Caribbean Islands. The Sea Oats help protect beaches and property from damage due to high winds, storm surges, and tides. Interestingly, it provides food and habitat for birds, small animals, and insects.

Sea Oats are a crucial component of the area’s hurricane defense strategy. They have helped to thwart damage from tropical storms. (Tropical storms and hurricanes typically hit the Myrtle Beach area before or more so than in our area of the Carolinas.)

Sea Oats are a protected grass in several states along the southeastern Atlantic coast. Think twice before picking or disturbing Sea Oats, that action is punishable by fine in Georgia, South Carolina, and Northern Carolina.

Terri’s The Flower Hour #12

Also posted in Remembrance of Bren & Cee.

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 2-3) Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: 1) Crazy Sister Marina; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; 2-3) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Wishing y’all the best life filled with love, peace, and joy in 2026. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Thursday Doors: January 08

Crazy Sister Marina

Crazy Sister Marina is a locally-owned boat tour company located in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Their boat tours let you sit back and relax while appreciating the unbelievable views of the Grand Strand in Murrells Inlet. When you take one of their scenic cruises you might see dolphins, fish, birds, and/or sea turtles. ( The day we took our cruise, the dolphins were barely coming out of the water before diving back down below the surface.)

Crazy Sister Marina offers several different types of cruises to explore whatever your heart desires. Whether you what to take a fishing cruise, an incredible Eco cruise, or a Dolphin cruise they can assist you the most amazing and pleasurable experience ever. They also offer a variety of specialty cruises like 4th of July Firework Cruise, October Murrells Inlet ghost cruise, or celebration of life ceremonies and memorial services; they will provide the tour service that meet your needs or desires and provide you with the utmost respect and service beyond your expectations.

Coleman thoroughly enjoyed the Dolphin tour cruise we went on and would definitely go again if and when he could.

Click on images to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.01.08

God Bless. Happy 2026! Happy New Year! Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

A Peaceful Afternoon (By the Ocean)

Leanne’s

Monochrome

Madness

*Three Seagulls*
*by the Atlantic Ocean*

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-2026.01.08

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Happy Photographing. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025/6 CFFC: Full or Empty of Nostalgia

Good Day Everyone! I am a week late on my Nostalgia post, however, it was not Intentional to do so. I had intended to post about what brought Nostalgia to mind last week, but it fell by the wayside. Enjoying the last week of 2025 at the beach with family was more important.

While on our mini vacay at Myrtle Beach, we took an adventure south down to Murrells Inlet. Our Murrells Inlet adventure was Intentionally planned ahead and also sparked a bit of Nostalgia. You might wonder why Murrells Inlet would spark Nostalgia within me. You see, back in the early 1970’s my family took a trip down to Murrells Inlet with my dad’s sister and her family. We had some similarities, some differences between then and now. Memories are vague, but my dad’s old photographs (in my possession) bring those times back to life.

***Alex Marina***
***Murrells Inlet***
***1972***

This past week we enjoyed Nature’s beauty on the water and on the beach. We had an amazing afternoon/early evening on the water on the Crazy Sister Marina’s boat. [Same pier, different boat]. I have pictures with my cousins and family on a Fishing boat for an afternoon of deep sea fishing. [Then a Fishing Boat, Now a Sightseeing Boat].

Back to the here and now, the Crazy Sister Marina was Full of boats, the sky was Full of birds, my view of the waters were Empty/Void of what we were supposed to be seeing. After all, we were on a Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise and I wasn’t able (nighttime visibility impairment) to see the Dolphins like Coleman and others were able to see.

The afternoon enjoyment was Intentional and was not Empty, but Full of excitement, anticipation, and an Abundance of Amazement and Wonderful memories.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Nostalgia

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Full and/or Empty

JusJoJan26-Nature

#JusJoJan26-Intentional

Birds of the Week CL

Cameras: 1-4) Minolta XG-7 35 mm; 5-14) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens & Altura CPL Filter attachment.

Location: 1-4) Alex Marina; 5-14) Crazy Sister Marina; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take some time to be Adventurous. Enjoy time making memories with Family and friends. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday: 07 January

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.01.07

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2026 Week 1

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Gift of Adventure (at the Beach)

Ragtag Daily Prompts

We a well into the beginning of 2026. Coleman started back to school today, so now I have a few minutes to reflect on the past couple of weeks.

Hopefully y’all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s Day. Ours was truly an eventful Christmas holiday extravaganza. Of course it was exciting to watch Coleman receive his Gifts on Christmas Day, which he totally enjoyed. We kept telling him beforehand that he had to listen and behave or “Santa” wouldn’t bring any toys. You know what? “Santa” brought a few toys anyway. Coleman mostly received new clothes, which he was just as excited to get especially his new shoes.

Setting aside the Gifts, we decided to not let 2025 Dwindle away being bored at home. Instead, we chose to leave our little town and go on an amazing Adventure.

Where did we go on our big Adventure? Coleman’s mom was thinking about going to the mountains. Coleman wanted to go to the Beach. So, where do you think we went on our little Adventure? Yep, you’re right, we went to the Beach.

As 2025 was Dwindling away, we packed our bags, loaded up the car and headed out of town for our mini vacay Adventure. Sorry, we didn’t get any pictures of the car all loaded up, but we (I mean I) began snapping plenty of photos from the moment we arrived, all through our many Adventurous activities, and all throughout our entire mini vacation.

***Arriving, Checking in,***
**& Checking out our surroundings.**

After checking in and bringing everything (and I mean everything) into our room for the week (actually six days), Coleman and I decided to head down to the Beach. We did not want to Dwindle our time away inside the room for one minute longer. Instead, we wanted to begin enjoying the Gift of Adventure immediately.

***Coleman’s very first time at a Beach.***
***First time seeing the Atlantic Ocean.***
**First time his feet touched**
***the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.***

And thus our Gift of Adventures begins …

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Wednesday-Dwindle

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) Thursday-Gift

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP): Tuesday! Adventure!

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D.

Locations: 1st 4) Cramerton, North Carolina; Rest, 5-8) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. It’s been an Amazing Adventurous beginning to 2026. We didn’t let 2025 Dwindle away. We enjoyed the Gift of Time away together. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Tumultuous Skies (at the beach)

Ragtag Daily Prompt

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Tumultuous

RDP Monday: Tumultuous

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Ninth Floor; Captains Quarters; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Hoping you do not experience tumultuous times in the days ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window: 2026.01.05

Kitty by a Window – 2 — AI creation by PR

Crazy Sister Marina

On Monday afternoon, our first day of our mini vacay, we drove down to Murrells Inlet to go out on a sightseeing boat run by Crazy Sister Marina. We were supposed to be able to see some dolphins, however, my eyesight isn’t very good in the evenings, so I wasn’t able to see what others (including Coleman) was seeing (more on that at another time).

Instead I’ll show you a few of the Crazy Sister Marina windows, both on shore and on the boat.

On the shore …

*Viewing the boats*
*through the windows*

On the Boat …

*Many Reflections*
*within the Boat’s Window*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL Filter attachment. 3-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Crazy Sister Marina; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Monday Portrait: 05 January

First Portrait for 2026

We are in our first week of 2026; what a week it has been. We spent the week in Myrtle Beach relaxing, “sightseeing,”visiting various attractions, and enjoying time on the beach. [More about those activities to come in future posts].

For the first Monday Portrait of 2026, let’s check out the Southern Stingrays At Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This was Coleman’s first trip to the beach, he was extremely excited about being at the beach, as well as seeing the many different species of “fish” at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Let’s take a look now at the fascinating Southern Stingrays …

The Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus) is a whiptail stingray which is typically found in tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from as far north as New Jersey all the way down to southern Brazil.

Even though we didn’t actually see them in the Atlantic Ocean, we (especially Coleman) were thrilled to see & pet them at Ripley’s Aquarium.

*Coleman viewing*
*the Southern Stingrays*

It is adapted for life on the sea bed, as you can see here they swim very close to the bottom most of the time, but not always.

*Southern Stingrays*
*lying on the sea bed*

Southern Stingrays are nocturnal predators, they spray water from their mouths or flap their fins vigorously to disturb the surface in order to expose hidden prey.

*A Southern Stingray*
*on the Aquarium sea bed.*

Hypanus americanus exhibit wave-like locomotion using their pectoral fins. The wave-like locomotion allowed them to escape predators, forage efficiently, and generally maneuver quickly.

The Southern Stingrays were exciting and interesting to watch swimming and foraging in the aquarium at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. May you have many exciting and memorable adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2026 Cell Pic Sunday: 04 January

Scyphozoa

The Scyphozoa are exclusively marine class of the phylum Cnidaria. They are known to be referred to as true jellyfish. Currently, there are approximately 200 known species found in marine environments worldwide.

They are characterized by a cell-shaped body (Medusa) that lack a velum (a muscular membrane). Their bodies are mostly composed of a jelly-like substance, and lack a head, skeleton, and specialized respiratory or excretory organs.

Click on each image to enlarge.

John’s CellPic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Ripley’s Aquarium; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Pull Up a Seat 2026: Week 1 — Indoor Dining

A & W Restaurant

The Pull Up a Seat Challenge is hosted on Friday’s by XingfuMama at XingfuMama.blog. This will be my first Pull Up a Seat post for 2026. You may find out more about the Pull Up a Seat Challenge by clicking here.

This A & W had an area set up where you could take a photo with “Rooty, The Great Root Bear.”

Coleman had to kneel on a high stool chair to reach the hole to stick his head out into Rooty’s face.

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Challenge 2026 — Week 1

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Ultra Wide

Location: A & W Restaurant; 2270 Harry Byrd Hwy; Darlington, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Sharing happiness and love for 2026. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The #Flower Hour — First Florals of 2026

Terri from Second Wind Leisure Perspective is the host for The #Flower Hour. I am posting my last 2025 Floral images (December 31,2025) as my first Flower Hour post for 2026.

Hydrangea +
The Peace Rose,
formally Rosa ‘Peace’

Terri’s The #Flower Hour 2026

Also posting to Remember …

Bren’s Floral Friday

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: By Dinopark; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Wishing y’all the best life filled with love, peace, and joy in 2026. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Which Way Challenge (CWWC): January 02, 2025 —Any Which Way with People

Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with People . Your Which Ways can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Hallways, and or Stairs, etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible.

First off, Happy 2026 Everyone! Did you stay awake to bring in the New Year? Did you watch any Fireworks? My daughter and I somehow managed to barely stay awake till midnight to see the New Year arrive. The only fireworks we say were those on the television as the annual ball dropped from New York. We did hear them in our location prior to midnight, but did not venture out anywhere in the chilly night air to watch them being shot off over the ocean.

Here are my contributions … These are a continuation of Cramerton’s Christmas Parade.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Dawn’s Looking Back on Christmas

Suzette’s For Deb’s CWWC— Any Which Way With Vehicles

Margo’s Which Way with Vehicles

Deb’s Which Way Challenge

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Parade Route; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy New Year! Take Care. Stay Safe. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

• NOTE: For next week the theme will be CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice)

2026 Thursday Doors: January 01 — Elevator Door

**Captain’s Quarters**
**Resort Elevator**

Click on images to enlarge.

Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.01.01

God Bless. Happy 2026! Happy New Year! Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Last on the Card – December

Last of 2025

Brian from Bushboys World hosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.

Here are The rules:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do
4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments
5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard

Here are mine for December …

From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):

Brachiosaurus
Dinopark
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Sharkey’s Grouper Tacos
These tacos bring together the rich flavors of grouper, shredded cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese. Served in a warm flour tortilla with lettuce, topped with house-made pico de gallo, and drizzled with Chipotle mayo sauce.
Sharkey’s Oceanfront Restaurant
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Click on each image to enlarge.

#Brian’s Last on the Card

God Bless. Happy New Year! Happy 2026! Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 31 December

*Coleman –*
First Time at a Beach
Atlantic Ocean
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2025.12.31

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

RDP: Evanescent Sea and Sky

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Evanescent

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Skywatch Friday-Last for 2025

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens plus Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy New Year! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 28 December

Click image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Sophia Ruthann’s First Christmas — December 25, 2025

This Christmas was the very first Christmas for Sophia Ruthann Wilson; she entered into our family on December 9, 2025 at 2:47 am. Coleman is a proud big brother as can be seen from some of the photos.

Here are a “few” shots I captured to remember her First Christmas … (Sharing with my daughter’s permission).

Sophia Ruthann Wilson
Very First Christmas
December 24/25, 2025

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Plus; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens.

Location: Wilson/Waters Home; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy New Year! 2026 will soon be here. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Amber Jack’s Welcoming Wreaths

FOWC

“Welcome in! Let the warmth of the season fill your heart.”

On Christmas Eve, we opted to treat ourselves to dining out at a restaurant we hadn’t tried before, but had heard fantastic things about it. Where did we go? We chose to eat our Dinner (at noontime) at Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant. It turned out we weren’t the only ones who decided that it would be a perfect time for a delicious meal.

The first thing we see as we approach the restaurant’s front doors are a couple of Welcoming Christmas Wreaths. The entrance to the restaurant was also decorated with strings of white lights, Christmas garland, and a small Christmas tree right beside the front doors.

*Trisha (Coleman’s mom)*
*& Coleman approaching*
*Amber Jack’s Entry doors.*

Welcoming **Wreaths**
*hung on the front doors*

Not only was the restaurant’s outdoor are all decked out for the holidays, but the inside was as well. The Christmas decor helped to make the environment extremely welcoming and inviting us to Pull Up a Seat and enjoy a relaxingly pleasant dining experience.

***Amber Jack Seafood***
**& Steaks Restaurant**

My daughter chose to have the Sirloin Tips Over Rice, Coleman had Chicken Tenders (but ended up not wanting to eat them), and I treated myself to a plate of Broiled Mahi-Mahi filet with fried okra and fried squash. They started us off with a delicious bowl of minestrone soup (it was tasty & I devoured both mine and Coleman’s since he didn’t want to eat it.) They also served us a basket of fried hush puppies, which also were pleasing to the appetite.

The food and service were exceptional. It was well worth the price the food ( especially mine) was very flavourful and mouthwatering scrumptiously delicious. I would highly recommend Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant to anyone and everyone who lives or is ever near one to go on in and delight yourselves with the tremendously appetizing food.

“Like these evergreens, may our hospitality offer strength and renewal to all who gather here.”

Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC)-Wreath

XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Hope y’all had a wonderful Holiday and have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky: 12.26

Skywatching at Goat Island Park and Greenway … The sky was beautiful and captivating amazingly drawing attention to the Creator of all that is, was, and will be.

Click on image to enlarge.

2025 Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky-2025.12-19

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take Care. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 24 December

Merry Christmas Eve!

*With Love,*
*Deb, Coleman,*
*& Sophia Ruthann*

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2025.12.24

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

God Bless. Have a terrific rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Pull Up a Seat on a Jude’s Bench — ASCG Trekker Loop

Looking through my photos I ran across a bench from one of our hiking adventures I don’t think I’ve shared before, so I thought I would share it today.

*A lone Bench*
*by Lake Crandall*
*& Lake Frances*

Jude’s Bench Challenge-2025.12.22

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 51

Pull Up a Seat Challenge — *Pull Up a Seat*

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: By Lake Crandall; Trekker Loop; Adventure Road Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a blessed Christmas Holiday Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window: 2025.12.22

*House Windows*
*at Lake Norman*
*from across the lake.*

Click on each image to enlarge.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 RDP: Sunday —Infructescence

These Bald Cypress trees are resilient and have the ability to grow in very wet conditions, even standing in water. These are grown near the South Fork Catawba River in Riverside Park and Greenway.

The Cypress cones are the reproductive structures of Cypress trees that develop from the tree’s flowers. What you see here are the female cones, often called seed cones. The little red droplet on the bottom cone looks like resin which is characteristic from a cypress tree.

The Cluster of Bald Cypress cones you see is a perfect example of an infructescence. These cones are actually modified seed cones, and once they mature, they’ll release seeds. It’s interesting to learn how plants develop these unique structures to disperse their seeds. The mature cones contain seeds that are a very important food source for local wildlife, including squirrels, waterfowl, and other birds.

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) – infructescence

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Sunday Stills – Winter Wonderland and Monthly Color Challenge: Cobalt Blue

Sunday Stills
Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge

This week I am combining Terri’s Sunday Stills with her Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge with the themes of Cobalt Blue and Winter Wonderland (Solstice).

First off, how about some Blue on Blue in the Gulf of Mexico (now called Gulf of America) from a cruise I took back in 2020. We were in the middle of the Gulf heading towards Cozumel, Mexico. It’s amazing how except for the other ships at sea, all one sees for miles and miles in practically Blue on Blue.

*When the Water & Sky Meet*
*Cobalt Blue*

Now for some Winter Wonderland (this isn’t Solstice, but it is having some 🥶 Winter Wonderland Funtime.

*Coleman and his mom*
*enjoying some Funtime*
*in the Winter Snow.*

I know we are currently in December with today (the 21st) being Winter Solstice, but we don’t usually get Snow in our area until January and/or February. The top photo was take in February of 2020 & the Bottom picture was taken in January of 2022.

Happy Winter Solstice to all of y’all.

Click on each image to enlarge.

Terri’s Sunday Stills – Winter Wonderland (Solstice)

Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge – Cobalt Blue.

God Bless. Have a wonderful Winter Solstice and a fantastic week. Merry Christmas! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 OWS: 12.07 — Festive

Good Sunday Morning to y’all. This week Debbie from Travel with Intent has chosen Festive for the theme for One Word Sunday (OWS).

Here are my entries …

… From Cramerton’s Christmas Parade …

Snoopy riding on Carolinas Junk Removal Crane.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday – Festive

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Parade Route; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a very Merry Christmas Holiday. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

The Smoke Pit

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Pre-Storm

Winter Skies

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Reminiscing

Seven Years Ago

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Winter Visitor

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View From

Inside Out

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For

One Word

Sunday

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Standing Near the Cross

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Buc – ee’s

For Dan’s Thursday Doors

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Native American Exhibit

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Dino 🦕 Doors 🦖

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A Brother’s Devotion

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Crazy Sister Marina

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Leanne’s

Monochrome

Madness

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Ragtag Daily Prompts

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Ragtag Daily Prompt

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Crazy Sister Marina

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First Portrait for 2026

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Scyphozoa

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A & W Restaurant

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Last of 2025

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FOWC

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