🌿 Gooey Bars & Garden Blooms—Your Southern Summer Starts Here

There’s something sweet about summer in The South—whether it’s digging in the dirt 🌸, soaking up sunshine ☀️, or whipping up a butter-filled treat 🍰. This week, we’re bringing you a little of all three: a crowd-pleasing dessert, heat-loving blooms to plant now 🌼, and a local escape that’s perfect for a family adventure 🚶‍♀️🌿. Pull up a chair, y’all…Your weekly Palmetto Pulse has arrived!

This issue of The Palmetto Pulse is sponsored by

Brianne Standridge of Cakes by Brianne has a heart for people and a gift for making life’s sweetest moments even more special! From her Irmo kitchen, she bakes each bespoke cake with love, purpose and prayer- turning every celebration into a heartfelt memory. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, or just because, her creation are as meaningful as they are delicious. Let Brianne bring your next celebration to life!

Sometimes, the simplest desserts are the most delightful. These Ooey Gooey Butter Bars are everything you love about a sweet, buttery treat—rich, soft, and just the right amount of sweetness. Perfect for a family gathering or a little indulgence on a quiet afternoon. They have been around for ages and go by a multitude of names…and I promise you will want to make them over and over again!

🍽Ingredients:

• 1 package yellow cake mix

• 4 eggs, divided

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 2–3 cups powdered sugar (depending on your preferred sweetness)

• 8 ounces cream cheese, set out for a bit & softened

👩‍🍳Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Grease a 13x9 casserole dish.

3. In a bowl, combine cake mix, 2 eggs, butter, and vanilla. Mix until stiff. Spread this mixture into the prepared dish (use a greased knife to flatten it down).

4. In another bowl, combine powdered sugar, cream cheese, and the other 2 eggs. Mix well and pour over the cake batter evenly.

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. The center should be a little jiggly, but the edges should be set. Be careful not to overbake! Definitely err on the side of gooey!

My personal tips & tricks…

• Experiment with different cake mix flavors like chocolate or lemon…we especially like the lemon!

• Swap in a gluten-free cake mix for a gluten-free version.

• Chill completely before slicing—you may even want to refrigerate it first!

• For easy serving, line your dish with parchment paper or foil. It’ll pop right out!

• These bars store easily in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to a month—just thaw before serving.

• Serve with fresh berries or drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce for a little extra indulgence. The possibilities are endless!

🎶 Soda City Market

📍 Main Street, Columbia, SC
📅 Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
A vibrant open-air market featuring local vendors, live music, and delicious food. Great for families to enjoy a lively atmosphere and support local businesses.
💡 Inside Tip: Get there early to grab some of the best handmade goods and avoid long lines at the food trucks!​

⚾ Columbia Fireflies vs. Augusta GreenJackets

📍 Segra Park, Columbia, SC
📅 Friday, May 16, 2025 | 7:05 PM
Enjoy an evening of minor league baseball as the Fireflies take on the Augusta GreenJackets.
💡 Inside Tip: Check the Fireflies' website for promotional nights and special events'

🥎 South Carolina Gamecocks Softball – NCAA Columbia Regional

📍 Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field, Columbia, SC
📅 Friday, May 16, 2025 | 5:30 PM – South Carolina vs. Elon
📅 Saturday, May 17, 2025 | Time TBD – Winner & Elimination Games
📅 Sunday, May 18, 2025 | Time TBD – Regional Final (and Game 7 if needed)

Cheer on the No. 8 national seed Gamecocks as they host Elon, Virginia, and North Florida in the NCAA Columbia Regional. It’s win-or-go-home all weekend long!
💡 Inside Tip: Bring the whole family—Friday night’s opener will be electric, and tickets may go fast. Arrive early for the best seats and grab some classic ballpark snacks!

🎭 Barefoot in the Park – Chapin Theatre Company

📍 Chapin Theatre, 830 Columbia Ave, Chapin, SC
📅 Friday, May 16, 2025 | 7:30 PM
📅 Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 7:30 PM
📅 Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Neil Simon's classic romantic comedy comes to life in this charming production by the Chapin Theatre Company.

Coming Up Soon! 🚜 South Carolina Ag + Art Tour

• Lexington County: May 31

• Richland County: June 7–8

• 🎶 Live music, 🍓 fresh produce, 🐐 goats, 🎨 local artisans

• Free + self-guided — perfect family weekend!

Hey Y’all! We’re working on a roundup of the best local VBS programs and summer camps to help make your family’s summer extra special! Hit reply and let us know your favorites—we’d love to include them!

🌼 Think You’re Late to Plant? Not for these summer blooms!

Even heading into the middle of May, there are plenty of heat-loving flowers you can still pop into the ground or containers and enjoy blooms all season long. Southern favorites like zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, sunflowers, and vinca love warm soil and summer sunshine. You can plant them from seed or pick up starter plants from your local nursery for a faster show. These flowers are tough, cheerful, and perfect for porches, mailbox beds, or sunny corners of your yard.

🌿 Tips for success: Choose a sunny spot with good drainage, water regularly (especially the first week or two), and mulch to help retain moisture. Deadheading (snipping off old blooms) encourages even more flowers. Don’t worry if you're just getting started—these blooms are forgiving and made for Southern summers! With just a little effort, you'll have a colorful, blooming patch that keeps going through the famously hot summer months of July and August. ☀️💐

On a personal note…I never thought I’d be the type to enjoy gardening—especially not in a little raised bed I bought off Facebook Marketplace a few years ago—but here we are. I’ve got zinnias that return year after year…along with herbs that add quite a lovely addition to any meal. I’m not the best at it and know it’s only by the grace of God that anything grows around here! But, there’s something about digging in the dirt that settles my spirit. Gardening grounds me, literally and spiritually, and reminds me how much I need regular weeding in my own soul. Watching those tiny seeds grow into something beautiful and even delicious gives me a front-row seat to God’s intricate, intentional design. It’s become sacred in the simplest way. 🌱 If you’ve been feeling a bit untethered lately, maybe it’s time to get your hands in the dirt and let God meet you there, too.

Before we share our favorite beach spots for summer in the next few weeks, we had to spotlight a local escape first—Saluda Shoals Park. It’s got all the sunshine, water, and wide-open space you need for a quick reset right here at home. ⛲🌿

🌳 Saluda Shoals Park

• Location: 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC

• Details: Saluda Shoals Park is a fantastic nature escape, offering a variety of outdoor activities just 15 minutes from downtown Columbia. With over 400 acres of woodlands along the Saluda River, it features hiking trails, picnic areas, and canoe/kayak rentals. The park also has a Nature Center with educational exhibits and a wonderful spot for bird watching. If you're interested in water activities, you can rent a kayak or canoe to paddle along the Saluda River and enjoy its calm, scenic views. For something more laid back, there are peaceful walking trails, ideal for soaking in nature at any time of the year. 🛶🌳

As we step into the golden days of summer—my favorite season in The South, and not just because I’m a June baby—we’re beginning a gentle series of weekly tips to help you savor the season with grace and ease.
Each week, you’ll find one simple idea to make your summer lovelier, your days lighter, and your home a place of joy!

💡 Slow Down Summer Tip: Keep a pretty glass pitcher of something cool in the fridge—sweet tea, lemonade, or a homemade peach tea. Or just slice up some citrus and add them to a glass! It’s a simple touch that makes an everyday refreshment feel like a treat & gives you a little happy pause as you are getting your hydration in!

Thanks for spending a little piece of your week with The Palmetto Pulse! We hope you found something to love, laugh about, or look forward to. If you enjoyed this edition, share it with a friend who might love a little Southern charm in their inbox too! 💙🌿