Peaceful pic, peaceful place.  My recent visit to the Spa at the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island made me feel just as relaxed and peaceful as this picture of the rising moon over our hotel.
The Spa is a lovely little oasis within the Sanctuary complex,
with a staff of friendly folks whose welcome puts you at ease
immediately.  You are greeted, escorted to an inner series of
rooms to change into a fluffy robe and sandals, and then given the choice of either a comfy chair in the waiting room or a reclining upholstered chaise in the bright and cheerful lounge.  Iced water and tea, along with house-made granola bars were provided. While listening to either soft music or the gentle sounds of the water sculpture on the lounge wall, you close your eyes and completely unwind.
We chose to have a 60 minute massage, followed by a visit to the mineral pool, dry sauna and steam room.  Next we chose the perfect polish color and relaxed during an expertly done pedicure.
The staff at the Spa was so friendly and professional- we met a sweet young woman from Jamaica who met all of our needs at the Spa and helped us to feel right at home.  Our treatment staff was expert and friendly as well.   All in all, a lovely Spa experience is waiting for you, just 2 miles past the Kiawah main gate, at the Sanctuary.

Has anyone been to the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art lately? This little gem, located at the College of Charleston, on the corner of Calhoun and St. Phillip St., has intriguing art exhibits, free admission and parking nearby in the St. Phillip St./George St. garage.
The current exhibit is absolutely fascinating to both art lovers and bibliophiles.  It's called REBOUND, Dissections and Excavations in Book Art...yes, book art.  The five featured artists produce amazing, three-dimensional images using recycled/reclaimed books and magazines.  Each piece begins as a simple volume of the printed word and ends as a sculpted 3D visionary piece.  As a past educator and current artist, I was mesmerized by the talent and imagination exhibited by each artist featured.  Some of my favorites were the works of Brian Dettmer, who uses knives, tweezers and surgical instruments to excavate pictures from the chosen books, without adding to them, the sculpted telephone books of Long-Bin Chen and the reconfigured volumes of Doug Beube.  Doug Laramee's sculptures are thought-provoking mood pieces and Francesca Pastine's works are all created in a liquid-look, flowing style with Artforum magazines.  This highly creative exhibit will be at the Halsey until July 6th- well worth the visit!

Quiche was one of the first dishes I taught myself to make, using the Joy of Cooking cookbook...
I have now discovered that Julia Child's recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking is so much better and I have discarded my old tried and true quiche recipe.
I made Julia's pie crust, as well, from Chapter Four, p.139, Pate Brisee.  It was rich, tender and buttery- actually, perfect, and it was only my first try at making my own pie crust.
I then used the Quiche au Roquefort recipe from page 148, with a few changes.  I substituted 3 oz. of goat cheese for the roquefort and added Smoked, apple chardonnay chicken sausage from Trader Joe's.  I pre-cooked the sausage by simmering the whole sausages in 1" of water first, then draining the water, slicing the sausages lengthwise, and grilling them in olive oil and butter.  The result was the most delicious quiche I have ever eaten.  I served it with grilled brussells sprouts, making it a meal hearty enough for my husband, who loved the savory mix of flavors.  Julia Child truly was the Master!