Together With

Happy last day of January!

We’re returning to our normal sunny South Carolina weather and while the snow was fun, it’s also fun to not have snow. 😂 

We had an official winner of our Palmetto Parents Winter Family Fun Bingo! We hope those of you who participated enjoyed the family challenges and consider continuing them, perhaps having your own family prize when you complete a bingo.

Coming up next week we’ll let you know of some of the amazing Valentines and Galentines events going on around town!

TO DO

No Spend Ideas From @thesummervillemomma

ICYMI: Our very own local Instagram guru and superstar mom, @thesummervillemomma, has curated an incredible list of free activities and outings perfect for the winter season in Summerville. Although her list was initially created for January, all the activities are ongoing, providing wonderful opportunities for outings with your kids throughout the winter months. Check out her list of recommendations below and be sure to follow @thesummervillemomma on Instagram!

One of our favorites which we highly recommend adding to your list, is the weekly story time at Main Street Reads, Stories on the Square. The story time takes place at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday and is completely free of charge. Not only do you and your little ones get to hear stories, but the event also includes complimentary snacks and often features a delightful goodie bag that ties into the day's theme. There are often guest readers at the event. We've had story time with the police chief, fire chief, and train conductor. On February 26th, Cool Ray, a hockey player from the Charleston Stingrays, will be the guest reader. You can find more information about Stories on the Square and see their schedule of upcoming themes here.

LOCAL EVENT

Free Saturday at Cypress Gardens for Berkeley County Residents

This coming Saturday, Cypress Gardens will be hosting a free entry day for Berkeley County residents. This is one of three free Saturdays they will host in 2025. Residents must bring an ID, utility bill, or tax bill to show residency.

Cypress Gardens is a beautiful outdoor spot in Moncks Corner, SC, perfect for a family adventure. It’s best known for its peaceful blackwater swamp, where you can paddle through towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss and spot wildlife like turtles, birds, and even alligators. There are also walking trails, a butterfly house, and an aquarium, making it a fun and educational place for kids and adults. Whether you're exploring by boat, strolling the trails, or just soaking in the scenery, it’s a great place to slow down and enjoy nature. Plus, if some of the views look familiar, it might be because scenes from The Notebook and The Patriot were filmed there.

Cypress Gardens also added a TRACK Trail there this past fall. TRACK Trails are an initiative of Kids in Parks to give kids an engaging and fun way to explore nature. When you visit the Kids in Parks site, you’ll see a variety of trail adventures with e-Adventures and brochures that give your kids goals while they walk a trail.

For those not in Berkeley county, admission is $10/adult, $5/kid ages 6-17, and free for kids under $5. The Gardens are open seven days a week from 9am-5pm with last admission at 4pm.

Coming up this month, Cypress Gardens will also host a Fossil Fest on 2/8-2/9 and Valentine’s Torch Lit Boat Rides on 2/14.

RESTAURANT

Sunrise Bistro

Last week, after being snowed in, we were itching to get out and decided to head over to Sunrise Bistro, conveniently located close to our house, for a breakfast outing. Known for being a family-friendly restaurant, they certainly lived up to their reputation. They have lots of seating and we didn’t feel out of places at all with a loud toddler and baby. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed, and the service was impressively quick. Our son enjoyed a hearty $6 meal featuring eggs, sausage, and a big biscuit. Daniel loved their fried chicken biscuit smothered in gravy, a classic Southern favorite (shown above).

Sunrise Bistro, open daily from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, is a local gem that prides itself on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and a menu packed with delicious options. Breakfast highlights include fluffy pancakes, shrimp and grits, and their signature bistro bowls loaded with eggs, potatoes, and fresh toppings. For lunch, they serve favorites like the turkey avocado wrap, pulled pork sandwich, and a rotating selection of homemade soups. The warm, welcoming atmosphere and generous yet affordable portions make it an ideal spot for a family meal or a satisfying brunch. Whether you’re craving comfort food or a quick bite, Sunrise Bistro delivers every time!

Sunrise Bistro is located at 110 Miles Jamison, right off of Old Trolley Rd. They also have locations in Mount Pleasant and Johns Island.

SPONSORED BY

Sarah Miller Photography

When we moved here in 2021, we were lucky enough to live next to an aspiring photographer and fellow boy mom, Sarah. When our first son was born, she came to do an in-house shoot, and we’ve gotten to model for her through various seasons of life as our son grew and we added another son. Her photos have become treasures in our home.

Sarah is an absolute ROCKSTAR. Her work is stunning. She offers a variety of options like in-home photo shoots, shoots on the beach, or shoots at local hidden gems in Summerville. She is great with the whole array of sessions like maternity shoots, engagements, family photos, and even weddings/elopements. You can see more of her work on Instagram, Facebook, or on her website.

One of the best things about Sarah is how comfortable she makes us feel during shoots. She’s not intimidated by the chaos of a distracted toddler or fussy baby, and she gets everyone in their element to capture some really sweet photos. Plus, she promises a turnaround time of two weeks for your photos, which is great! If you’re looking for someone to take your photos, definitely put her at the top of your list. You can book through her website or on Facebook.

One of the best things about having a photo shoot at home (like the one above) is that we absolutely love our place. We owe a big thanks to Ernest Govan, the Dream Maker Agent, for that. He was incredibly patient, working with us for months as we explored different homes, and he guided us to the perfect choice for our family. His laid-back yet super responsive style made it easy for us to find a house we truly love.

PALMETTO PIECE

The Mental Shift That Finally Helped Me Declutter

The Mental Shift That Finally Helped Me Declutter

About five months ago, I wrote about my desire to declutter—how I longed for a home that felt lighter, more peaceful, and less overwhelming. At the time, I was inspired, but I didn’t set aside the habits or intentional time needed to make real progress. Fast forward to the last few weeks, and I feel like I’ve finally begun my true decluttering journey.

This time, something clicked. I was able to push past the emotional hurdles that so often come with letting go of things, and the results have been freeing. Our dining room, which had been a glorified storage space for months, is now a functioning, inviting place where we recently gathered with friends for a meal. Instead of feeling the usual stress and frustration when I glanced at the clutter, I now feel a sense of peace and accomplishment each time I walk by.

What Finally Allowed Me to Start Decluttering?

Surprisingly, it wasn’t just about tackling the physical clutter—it was about cutting out other types of clutter in my life first. In January, I made two significant changes to start the year off right:

1. I Simplified My Diet – I started following a Whole30-inspired way of eating, focusing mostly on meats, fruits, and vegetables while cutting out processed foods and sugar and I’ve felt more empowered and energized. Research backs this up—nutritional psychiatrist Dr. Uma Naidoo explains that reducing processed foods and refined sugars can improve mental clarity and reduce anxiety, making it easier to focus on tasks like decluttering (Naidoo, 2020).

2. I Cut Back on Social Media and Television– While I still believe social media is a powerful tool for connection, I realized it was cluttering my mind and stealing my ability to be fully present. By stepping away, I found that I had more focus and motivation to tackle things I had been putting off—including the clutter in my home. Studies show that excessive social media use is linked to higher stress levels and reduced attention span, both of which can make decluttering feel even more overwhelming (Beck, 2019).

The Ripple Effect of Small Changes

These small lifestyle shifts created the mental space I needed to declutter in a way that actually stuck. My husband Daniel made his own lifestyle changes last year (which he’s written about before), and he’s seen dramatic improvements in his health and well-being. While I won’t be following a super strict diet forever, and I plan to use social media a bit more in February, these past few weeks have made it clear just how much these things were affecting my mindset and productivity.

And, let’s be honest—having a stash of Nespresso pods from Christmas has also given me a boost of energy when I need it. A shot (or two) of espresso doesn’t hurt my productivity around the house!

Lessons Learned

If you’re struggling to start your decluttering journey, maybe it’s not just about the clutter itself. Maybe there’s something else competing for your mental bandwidth—whether it’s food choices, digital distractions, or other stressors. Taking a step back and simplifying other areas of your life may clear the path for the progress you’re hoping to make.

The peace I feel when I walk past my once-cluttered dining room is a reminder that decluttering isn’t just about creating space in our homes—it’s about creating space in our minds, too.

Research Sources:

• Naidoo, U. (2020). This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More. Little, Brown Spark.

• Beck, J. (2019). How Social Media Distracts Us and Impacts Mental Focus. The Atlantic.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 

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