So, at the end of last year I was asked to do some very special ties, for some very special neighbors, and of course we attended their daughters wedding. Well, it was getting ready for this wedding and when I got this photo, as well as a couple of others back and I looked at them and said, "you have go to do something with yourself.  You are totally out of shape, and you have a fat tire and love handles that are just not going to be attractive this year for the fishing photos, just as they were not last year, or the year before.  You have to do something, and now, you're 52 years old, and you're not getting any younger, so the time is now."  But where to start???  I've never actually DIETED before, ever.  And let me back up, I'm small, and small-framed.  People who know me will be asking, but you're thin, you dont need to lose weight.  Well, I hid that tire very well.  Above it's controlled by SPANX, control top panty hose, and a A-Line dress.  It's there, and it was VERY apparent in the other 3 dresses I tried on before I decided on this one, as well.  The princess waistline one, I literally looked 6 months or more pregnant.  It was time to take this bull by it's horns. 

So, back to the question of how???  I had seen some signs for a new gym on the island, but it said "Spinning", nope not for me I decided immediately, I was not going to just "ride a bike".  Well then, I saw this same gym had those TRX straps, now THAT could be cool, and yoga.  Well, the yoga got me (I also don't EVER relax so yoga for one hour a week or so could change that, right?).  So message this place called Tidal Strength & Cycle and they message right back, and I signed up for a yoga class.  Well, at this time, I didnt realize that they also had total body strength classes, and some HITS classes, and a very wide array of classes.  Yes, sign up, you're committed to going now, not just a "I'm gonna go to the gym and workout tomorrow, but I'm going to the gym tomorrow at 8:30am to work out."  To me, this is what has made the difference.  And a huge difference it's made too!  Ive lost a few pounds, but also I've lost 5.6% body fat too!!  And I absolutely LOVE this place.  So much in fact that I now go every week day AND guess what?  I even like the spinning classes too.  They add a great cardio workout and the music is great and loud!!  There are classes throughout the day and evening classes too!  Check out the weekly schedule at www.tidalstrengthcycle.com. 

Ok, so there is one more component to this get healthy, get strong lose weight thing.  I visited Dr. David Seignious at Maybank Weight Loss Clinic as well.  In addition to a healthy workout ethic, I needed a healthy eating ethic.  Dr. Seignious & staff laid out a very detailed plan for my new low carb, no sugar, high protein, low fat lifestyle.  I plan on using this same journal to share some really great recipes and tricks I've found on my journey to lose this fat tire (im about halfway there after about 4 or so weeks.  Whats even better is that my joints don't ache anymore either.  I had no idea that cleaner eating would mean my whole body would react the way that it has!  I used to wake up every morning and it literally took me 3-5 minutes to "wake my hands up too".  I haven't taken an Advil or NSAID in weeks, and this may be TMI, but my IBSD is GONE!!!  #guthealth is the best health if you ask me!!!  Start looking back often for updates and yummy recipes that will keep you healthy too!  Want to know more, go to www.MaybankWeightLoss.com or give the office a call today at 843-557-1111.  You'll thank yourself if a few short weeks, just as I am doing.  Remember.... Summer is coming! 

Please feel free to comment here, or email me if you have any questions, or if you have any recipes to share! 

#summeriscoming
#healthyforlife
#fitisthenewskinny
#tidalstrong

Theres nothing quite like the smell of pluff
mud, salt water and oysters in the morning. We are so blessed and fortunate to have this view and serenity on the lower Leadenwah.

To wake to to the smells of the creek and the sounds of birds chirping, donkeys braying, roosters crowing over morning coffee starts my day out on such a peaceful note.

Life is what hat you make of it. Daily. Either you can make it difficult or make it wonderful. You can choose to dwell on things you can't control or have no control of, or you can move forward. You can wallow in your pain or grief or sadness or anger, or you can let it go. Personally, I've done a lot of "wallowing in grief" but with good reason. Today though is going to be amazing, and it all started with pluff mud, salt water and oysters. Oh, and a wee little spotted fawn in the front yard ❤️❤️❤️

As 2016 draws to a close, my thoughts have drifted to who doesn't love a #happyending?  Get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about necklaces here!!!  My favorite new necklaces besides the #perfectdroptassle are the new #happyendings, aka the Perfect Drop Tassle, with a Happy Ending.  What is a happy ending?  It's a necklace you can dangle a host of different endings from which should make you happy! You're not tied down to a single tassle, an antler, a cross, a pendant or one of anything.  You can literally "dangle" just about anything off the end of your #happyending necklace.  They start of course with a great foundation necklace, ie one you can wear with just about any ending that makes you happy, or several happy endings for that matter!  What's left will be picked up from @TrailerFash on Monday and put on the website next week.  

Until then, everyone have a SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  2017 Bring it... 2016, good riddance...

#whatdoesntkillyoumakesyoustronger #make2017youryear #endthesadnesscycle #psdontdrinkanddrive #2017bringit

B & I went hunting last night.  Neither of us saw anything. Heard some shots so know they were walking somwhere.  When we were walking in the house he hugged me and said how blessed we have been by the deer gods this year.  I killed my first ever buck, he was awesome (getting mounted, thanks B). B killed the biggest body weight, oldest deer he's ever killed, in fact he aged out on the teeth chart according to the jaw bone charts  (also getting mounted). B also killed two cull bucks (the ones who need to go because they're just not right, or they're all they're going to be and not produce any bigger rack then they have, and the better ones need to be breeding,  and I killed a doe as well.  We have plenty of meat in the freezer for this coming year, and are enjoying packing some up and giving it to family, as well as a few who need it. Above all, we only hunt responsibly and ethically.  B only hunts with his bow, as for me, I hunt with a single shot slug gun.  We only take what we need, or what needs to go.

We are truly blessed & thankful to have this life we have.  As I look back on 2016, though there were some of the toughest moments I've ever faced, there were some awesome times too.  #whatdoesntkillyoumakesyoustronger #blessedlife #thankfullife #deergods #lowcountrywildlifeservices

With not much family left, it's just us.  Normally, we celebrate and have lunch with our "wadmalaw family" but today we are spending the day just the three of us... and Patsy cause we adopted her.  On the menu... Skeet... yeah, I know you can't eat them but wow we had fun. #redneckfireworks lol but when they explode they do remind me of fireworks.  

B got to break in his new Beretta he got about 2 years ago, being a true bow-hunter, he doesn't ever shoot much.  We broke out the skeet shooter, and everyone shot alot.  Well, except me with this stupid bum shoulder, but I had fun watching.  Especially Patsy, whose been wanting to shoot for a while now.  It was alot of work for B, but after seeing the smiles on all his girls faces,   he knew he was glad he went to all the trouble.  Now, time for a nap, and perhaps an evening hunt for Han & B.

Merry Christmas, y'all.  May the holidays bring you closer to the ones you love and the ones you care about.  For us, the true meaning of Christmas is family, a birthday, and togetherness.  Peace on earth and to you. 

Beyond Thankful, We had a week together... we hunted and fished and spent family time.   All our fish are catch.kiss.release.  AND released correctly where they kick off and go back to play with their friends.  We are lucky and blessed to live so close to the waterways with its bounties as we do. 

Can you list 10 things you are grateful for? 

Not to be outdone by the turkey, ham, green bean casserole, squash casserole, rice & gravy, creamed spinach, broccoli casserole, sweet potatoes or cranberry mold, the cranberry shine was a hit. Looking for something festive, it hit me in the grocery store a few weeks back with my dear sweet Patsy.  Well, it was yummy, here's the details...  *remember never, ever ever drink and drive, and never ever ever have the everclear near an open flame (give Molotov cocktail a google if you have any questions on this one)

What you will need:
1 bag fresh cranberries
1 cup white granulated sugar
juice of half a lemon
zest (large scrapes of the skin) of lemon, and orange
1 liter everclear
storage jar(s)

Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water melted together) this takes about 2.5 cups simple syrup total  so 2.5 cups of water and 2.5 cups of granulated white sugar melted and cooled to make a syrup I usually make a cup at a time and just mix that much with the liquor part.

The know how:
Over low heat melt the sugar and cranberries and the juice from a half a lemon (if the seeds get in there it's ok, you will strain them out later) simmer this for about 1/2 and hour, similar to making preserves or fresh cranberry sauce I guess. this will thicken and turn into almost a jam.  Let cool. I let mine cool overnight.

Combine the mixture (once cool) to 1 liter everclear (grain alcohol, 180 proof - yes yikes) in a glass jar or two, or 3, just divide the cranberry mixture equally.  To this add a couple large zests of the lemon and the tangerine.  Put it in a cool dark place for a couple of weeks (you can shake it occasionally if this makes you happy)

So, after a couple of weeks, get ya a real fine mesh type strainer, and working in batches strain off the liquor from the "stuff"  throw the "stuff" away but keep the liquor part.  Combine 6/4 liquor to simple syrup to make the cranberry "moonshine".  Add another bit of the zestings of lemon or tangerine or even lime, whatever you have, and put in the freezer.  It will not freeze, best is to use a mason jar.  Whenever you pass the freezer, have a little "nip" here and there.  I make this about 2-3 cups at a time and leave the rest "brewing" without the sugar.  It gets better over time. 

What's the most important part to remember?  #everythinginmoderation #DONOTDRINKANDDRIVE


Happy Thanksgiving 2016 from the Island

Ashley & Dustin custom designed their turkey and pheasant feather bow ties.  These ties will never be made again.  There were 16 total, numbered 1/16 for each groomsman & ring bearer... then they called back for a 17/16 for one of the little ones!  Don't forget we offer a smaller sized tie for little guys, and for really little ones, a safety strap on the neck. ;)

It was a rainy, rainy weekend, but a very large time was had by all!  Check out the awesome footage on their wedding VIDEO.  I LOVE how the ties really pop in the video too! 

For more info on designing a special tie for your special day, please contact me by phone 843.696.2367or email:   Felicia@wadmalawwildties.com

Photography by: Juliet Elizabeth Photography @julietelizabethphotography www.julietelizabeth.com
Vidoegraphy by:  www.LifeinRewind.com
Venue:  Runnymede Plantation

Why do I make the ties? It all started quite simply - Early on a very foggy Sunday morning, Hannah killed her first turkey, B called it in for her. They'd spent countless hours in the woods - a jake simply wouldn't do. They saw plenty of those. They (i.e. Hannah) took hours of selfies with the video camera, and her camera, they chatted, walked, talked and called birds... Then this guy stepped in, and BAM!!! She had her first bird, well, after B jumped on it so he didn't thrash around and mess up his tail. He was a beautiful bird, what could we give B for his efforts? Hannah wanted the beard and the tail fan of course, but what about B? We wanted him to have something special. I'd heard of turkey ties, but they didn't do custom stuff - it had to be something from her bird. I talked to a friend and she made some, but they weren't what I had envisioned, so I took them apart and made what I had in my mind...

A week after this photo was taken, also on a foggy Sunday morning, Madi, Hannah's sister was in a fatal car accident... nothing would be right again... at least it's still not, 5 months later. So, I take the moments when I'm sad, or alone, or just need to occupy my brain and turn them into pretty things. Things Madi would like, things she would be proud of me for, tangible art - something pretty where there may have been darkness in my world. They are therapy if you will, or for what it's worth. I made a few, changed things up, and made a few more, decided they needed a name...

First thought was "Wild Child Ties" - because it's all about her in many ways, but that didn't exemplify what they were or where they were from (well, the original ones, now I source them from birds who naturally drop feathers and molt), so Wadmalaw Wild Ties was born - because they are all from the wild... and they are made on Wadmalaw. I named one crazy on "The Wild Child", that one's for her... MADI... forever 20... forever gone... but we live on, we make the most of each day, and I make ties... some have even had tears to fall upon them. All are made with love.

Do I want to sell them in stores or mass produce them... NO... just want to make them the way I do, one by one.

My favorite thing is making them specifically for someone, a "Trophy Tie" knowing they will wear it to some function one day, and know it's unique, and that their wife or girlfriend, or employee, or daughter had it made just for him. Even if I don't directly know the person, I still like making them specifically for someone... going through the feathers, picking out the best ones for the occasion.

So there you have it... it's why I make the ties...


#psdontdrinkanddrive #tieoneonresponsibly