🌿Set the Table & Share the Cake—Celebrating Easter the Southern Way 🍽️💛{April 15, 2025}

This issue of The Palmetto Pulse is sponsored by Cakes by Brianne

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 creations are as meaningful as they are delicious. Let Brianne bring your next celebration to life—reach out today! 🎂💕

There is no Easter table in The South complete without them! A staple at every Southern gathering, these deviled eggs are creamy, tangy, and have just the right amount of spice.

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard if you’re fancy or plain mustard works just fine!

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ⅛ tsp paprika (You can use regular but we love using smoked!)

• 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop the yolks into a small bowl and mash with a fork.

2. Stir in mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper, and relish (if using). Mix until smooth.

3. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into the egg whites- we also like to use a cookie scoop to make this step super easy!

4. Sprinkle with a little extra paprika for garnish. Serve chilled.

PULSE PRO TIP: Let the water come all the way up to a boil before adding the eggs and sprinkle a little salt in the water! Crack the lid and let boil for about 15 minutes. Immediately get those babies on ice & lots of cold water! Peel once you’ve let them rest for a bit {approximately 15-20 minutes}.

PULSE PRO PRO TIP: If you don’t own a deviled egg dish, just grab a bag of shredded lettuce, spread it out on a platter and arrange the eggs on top! Perfect for Easter! Make sure to thank MeMe for this brilliant idea! She is the queen of Southern affairs, after all!

⚾ University of South Carolina vs. Ole Miss Baseball Series

• Dates & Times:

  • Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM​

  • Friday, April 18, 2025, at 4:00 PM​

  • Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM​

• Location: Founders Park, Columbia, SC​

• Details: The Gamecocks will host the Ole Miss Rebels for a three-game series at Founders Park. ​Get more information at the Gamecocks Baseball website

🎆 "The Shot Heard Round The World" - 250th American Revolution Event

• Date & Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM​

• Location: Old Mill Pond Trail, 711 East Main St, Lexington, SC​

• Details: Commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with living history exhibits, cannon demonstrations, and interactive activities for all ages. ​

🎶 Pickin' in the Peaches Bluegrass Festival

• Dates: Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, 2025​

• Location: Aiken Fairgrounds, Aiken, SC​

• Details: Enjoy a two-day festival featuring regional musical acts and award-winning national talents focusing on bluegrass, jamgrass, and Americana music genres. ​

• More Info at https://pickininthepeaches.com

🏈 Garnet & Black Spring Game

• Date & Time: Friday, April 18, 2025, at 7:30 PM​

• Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC​

• Details: The annual Garnet & Black Spring Game offers fans a first look at the 2025 Gamecock football team. Gates open at 6:00 PM, with free admission and seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is complimentary in designated lots, including Gamecock Park and Woodstock, opening at 3:30 PM. Note: This year's game will not be broadcast live, but an exclusive behind-the-scenes All-Access Practice Show will air later this spring on SEC Network and ESPN platforms. ​

⛪ Easter Weekend in the Midlands
✨ Reflect. Rejoice. Renew. ✨

As we approach this sacred weekend, churches across the Columbia area are opening their doors for meaningful Good Friday services and joyful Easter Sunday celebrations. Whether you're drawn to a candlelit communion, a sunrise service, or the sound of hymns echoing through stained glass, there's a seat waiting for you. 🕊️💒

📅 Good Friday | April 18
Take time to pause and reflect on The Ultimate Sacrifice. Many local churches will hold noon and evening services filled with reverence and remembrance.

🌅 Easter Sunday | April 20
Celebrate the risen Savior with sunrise gatherings, choir-led worship, and heartfelt messages of hope. From downtown steeples to country chapels, the Midlands is alive with faith and family this weekend.

✨ Whether you’re planting roots or just passing through, Easter in the South is something special. Come be a part of something meaningful and so much bigger than yourself.

📍 Need a service to attend? Simply reply to this email & we’ll be glad to share where we worship.

5 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Feel Warm & Welcoming This Easter 🌸

Whether you’re hosting a full house or just a few loved ones, these thoughtful touches can help your home feel extra special this Easter weekend. It doesn’t take much—just a little heart and intention.

• Set a Thoughtful Table 🍽️
  Use soft spring colors, fresh flowers, and personal touches like handwritten place cards or a favorite blessing to make your table feel extra meaningful.

• Create a Cozy Conversation Corner 🛋️☕
  Arrange a few comfy chairs or a spot with soft pillows and a throw blanket to encourage connection and lingering after the meal.

• Prep a Self-Serve Drink Station 🍋🫖
  Offer sweet tea, lemonade, or coffee with festive napkins or mason jars so guests can help themselves and feel right at home.

• Incorporate Family Touches 📸💛
  Display favorite Easter memories or family photos to add warmth and spark sweet conversations.

• Add Spring Details Around the House 🌷🌿
  Place fresh flowers, simple greenery, or pastel accents in unexpected spots like the bathroom or entryway to bring a little seasonal cheer throughout your home.

Cakes by Brianne, Irmo, SC

Brianne Standridge, the heart and hands behind Cakes by Brianne, grew up in a kitchen filled with the warmth of her mother’s baking. Inspired by her Nana’s gift of piping tools and a deep love for creating meaningful moments, Brianne began making cakes for friends and coworkers in her early twenties. After earning a business degree and spending five years in marketing, she became a mom of three and put baking on the back burner—until 2021, when her hobby turned into a calling!  What began as an Instagram page quickly blossomed into a full-fledged business, fueled by word of mouth, community support, and a whole lot of heart.

For Brianne, cake is more than dessert—it’s a way to serve, celebrate, and share! Each cake she bakes from her licensed cottage kitchen in Irmo, SC is handcrafted with purpose, prayer, and joy. Whether it’s a custom design for a milestone moment or a pre-sale for a holiday celebration, her greatest hope is that her creations become part of your most treasured memories. She pours herself into every detail—from communication to design—so you feel cared for from start to finish. Through thoughtful touches like gifting cakes to local families and leading fun, hands-on decorating classes, Brianne has built a business that’s as heartfelt as it is delicious. Her mission? To remind people that cakes can be both beautiful and unforgettable…and hers truly are! 🍰

Escape to the Wild Beauty of Congaree National Park

If a drive down to Cypress Gardens is a bit too much but you have a hankering for something outdoorsy and reminiscent of The Notebook, head on over to Congaree National Park and stroll through South Carolina’s own hidden paradise! Just 30 minutes from Columbia, this untouched wilderness is a true Southern treasure, where the towering cypress and pine trees create a cathedral-like canopy over the swampy, sun-dappled waters.

Spend a day exploring the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail, a stroller-friendly and easy walk that winds through the lush floodplain forest, making it the perfect outing for families and nature lovers alike. Keep an eye out for river otters playfully gliding through the water, turtles sunbathing on fallen logs, and the rhythmic pecking of woodpeckers echoing through the trees. The beauty here isn’t just in the sights—it’s in the quiet, the deep breath of fresh air, the sense that time slows down in this untouched piece of the Lowcountry.

✨ Pulse Pro Tip: Pack a picnic and enjoy it at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, where you’ll find shaded picnic tables and the perfect spot to recharge before continuing your adventure.

For those craving a real Lowcountry experience, rent a canoe or kayak and paddle through Cedar Creek, where the mirrored blackwater reflects the towering bald cypress trees, creating a scene straight out of a Southern fairytale. Glide past ancient trees draped in Spanish moss, watch for great blue herons soaring overhead, and take in the quiet magic of one of the largest intact old-growth bottomland forests in the country.

Real Advice from Real People!

Each week, we ask a question and you share your best tips, tricks and secrets! Join the conversation and let’s learn from each other.

For April, we are focusing on wellness tips. Here’s what —— shared on our Instagram page.

Protein isn’t just for bodybuilders — it’s essential for everyone! Here’s why adding more to your plate matters:

🥚 Builds & repairs muscles – Whether you're chasing kids or chasing goals, protein helps keep your body stay strong and resilient.

🍗 Keeps you full longer – Protein-rich meals help curb cravings and stabilize blood sugar, making it easier to avoid the snacky spiral. Especially with all the Easter treats laying around!

🥛 Supports hormones & immunity – Your body needs protein to produce essential hormones and keep your immune system strong.

Try adding eggs, Greek yogurt, chicken, cottage cheese, or plant-based proteins to your meals this week! Thanks for the tip, Missy!

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! 💙🌿