🌿Simple BBQ Chicken + A Southern Truth: Every Day’s Worth Celebrating | 5.6.25

This week, I’m sharing one of our family’s favorite easy BBQ chicken recipes—perfect for tossing in the crockpot and coming home to the smell of comfort. 🍗 I’m also giving you a heads up on one of the best farm events of the year 🌾, introducing you to a local making waves with his Southern-stylish golf belts, and sharing a piece of my heart about my mama, Mother’s Day, and why I’m a stickler for using the good stuff—because every day we get to gather is a gift. 💛

This issue of The Palmetto Pulse is sponsored by

This week’s newsletter is proudly sponsored by Palmetto Golf and Belts — a local favorite for custom needlepoint belts, golf towels, and tees (yes, Carolina and Clemson colors, too!), making them the perfect personal gift for Father’s Day or graduation.

Easy Peasy BBQ Chicken

This week’s recipe is an easy peasy BBQ chicken crockpot favorite—just toss it in before heading out the door or crank it on high at lunchtime if the morning gets away from you. It’s the perfect no-fuss meal for busy weeknights or when you’re keeping it slow and simple this weekend. 🍗⏲️

🍽 What You’ll Need:

• 4–6 chicken breasts

• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced

• 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

• Sprinkle of salt & pepper

• Garlic powder (optional)

👩‍🍳 Directions:

1. Place onion & chicken in bottom of crockpot

2. Sprinkle with salt & pepper (& garlic if you’re so inclined)

3. Mix BBQ sauce & apple cider vinegar together in a cup

4. Pour mixture over chicken & onions

5. Cook on low 6-8 hrs or high for 3-4 hrs

Dinner doesn't get much easier—or more delicious—than this! 🍗✨ Just shred the meat & pile that tender BBQ chicken on soft buns, add a scoop of crunchy coleslaw 🥬, and boom—southern supper magic the minute you walk in the door. 🙌 Perfect for busy nights when you still want a little comfort on the plate. 💛

On a personal note…
This is one of those easy, go-to recipes that I keep coming back to—especially during busy seasons when I’m craving slow Sundays and some family time. Lately, I’ve been working hard to carve out meaningful moments after church and this recipe has been a staple! It takes just minutes to toss everything in the crockpot before we leave and when we walk back through the door, the house smells amazing!

We love to serve this a variety of ways… on a bun or over a bed of rice. Add some baked beans, mac & cheese, or even just a handful of chips, and you’re all set for a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing meal.

✈️ 20th Annual Wings & Wheels Air Festival

📍 Fairfield County Airport, 1291 Runway Road, Winnsboro, SC
📅 Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
An exciting family-friendly festival featuring skydiving demos, a cruise-in car show, fixed wing aircraft displays, emergency vehicles, face painting, bounce houses, and more! Plus, enjoy live music by Ole Skool and free train rides from the South Carolina Railroad Museum at 2 PM (with transportation to/from the airport provided).
💡 Inside Tip: Bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the show comfortably, and get there early for the best parking and views!
Hosted by the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce and Airport (803)635-4242

🎶 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!​ More Information Here

🎽 2025 State Summer Games – Special Olympics South Carolina

📍 Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC
📅 Friday–Sunday, May 9–11, 2025
A multi-sport event featuring competitions in bocce, bowling, gymnastics, swimming, track & field, powerlifting, and softball. Families can cheer on athletes and enjoy the festive Olympic Town atmosphere.
💡 Inside Tip: Don't miss the Healthy Athletes area offering free health screenings and interactive exhibits for all ages. More Information Here

🎣 American Fishing Tour Championship

📍 Dreher Island State Park, Lake Murray, SC
📅 Friday, May 9, 2025
Witness top anglers compete in this championship event. Families can enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Murray, with opportunities for picnicking and nature walks.
💡 Inside Tip: Bring binoculars for birdwatching; the area is known for its diverse bird population. More Information Here

🎉 SC Poultry Festival

📍 Downtown Batesburg-Leesville, SC
📅 Thursday–Saturday, May 8–10, 2025
A lively festival celebrating the poultry industry with live music, parades, food vendors, and carnival rides. Fun for the whole family!
💡 Inside Tip: Don't miss the Saturday morning parade featuring local bands and creative floats. More Information Here

Setting a Southern Table: Simple Elegance for Any Occasion 🌿🍽️

Creating a table that feels special doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few thoughtful touches, you can set a table that feels warm, welcoming, and elegantly Southern—without the stress! Here's how to bring simple elegance to your next meal.

1. Start with a Clean, Simple Base

   • Use a nice tablecloth or placemats to set the tone—something elegant but not necessarily over formal.

2. Use Proper Dinnerware 🍽️

   • Ensure you have a full set of plates, glasses (for whatever you’re serving), and utensils placed correctly (forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right).

3. Add a Centerpiece 🌸

   • A simple flower arrangement, candles, or even a decorative bowl of fruit can serve as a charming focal point.

4. Incorporate Personal Touches

   • Use cloth napkins instead of paper for an extra touch of elegance, and consider adding a small place card for each guest for a personal feel. Let the kids make these if it’s a family dinner!

5. Add Soft Lighting 🕯️

   • Dim the overhead lights and place a few candles around the table to create a warm, inviting glow.

6. Use Pretty Glassware & Flatware

   • Choose your best glasses and shiny flatware to elevate the table setting, even if it’s a casual meal.

7. Keep It Simple and Beautiful

   • Remember, less is more! A few simple touches can create a relaxed, beautiful vibe without overwhelming the space.

With these simple steps, your table will feel special and welcoming for any occasion, big or small! 🌿

On a personal note…
As Mother's Day draws near, I find myself thinking about my Mama often. She was sick for many years with cancer and now that I’m a little older than she ever lived to be, I often wonder about the little things she did—like setting the table with her fancy china. Maybe she was using the good stuff because she understood, more clearly than most, that tomorrow wasn’t promised.

She set such a perfect example for me—to treat others the way I’d want to be treated, to make people feel special, and to bring beauty into the everyday. Her china now sits in my cabinet and every time I take it out and set a table with it, I know I’m honoring her life. It’s a quiet way of saying, “I remember.”

So as you prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day in your homes, can I gently encourage you? Use the china. Light the candles. Fold the cloth napkins. Don’t wait for the “right” moment—because this is the moment. Life is happening right here at our tables. Let’s make it beautiful, friends.

🎨🚜 Prepare Now, Y’all!

The Ag + Art Tour is Rolling Into Town Soon!

Looking for a weekend adventure that’s part fresh air, part handmade charm, and 100% local? Don’t miss the South Carolina Ag + Art Tour, coming to farms and markets around the Midlands this May and June!

This free, self-guided tour is the largest of its kind in the U.S., inviting you to explore working farms and local artisan booths all in one day. Think: strawberries picked right off the vine, live bluegrass music, hand-thrown pottery, fresh honey, local soaps, and even goat meet-and-greets.

🗓 Lexington County’s Tour Weekend: May 31

🗓 Richland County’s Tour Weekend: June 7-8
📍 Stops include: Family farms, flower fields, artists in barns, and a few surprises tucked down country roads.

It’s a sweet way to spend time with your family, support small businesses, and reconnect with the beauty of where we live. Bring your walking shoes, a cooler for goodies, and maybe a little extra trunk space—you’ll want to take a few treasures home. 😉

👉 More info & full tour map: www.agandarttour.com

Faith, Fairways & a Father’s Dream: Palmetto Golf & Belts

On any given weekend, you might find Brandon Cone juggling tee times and toddler snacks, balancing life as a husband and father of three with his full-time role at the Department of Veterans Affairs. But nestled in the quiet hours between work and home life, Brandon has been building something meaningful—Palmetto Golf & Belts. Born from a desire to blend his faith, his love for South Carolina and his love for golf, Brandon’s side hustle is meaningful and on the move.  A University of South Carolina graduate with a degree in Finance and Real Estate, Brandon wanted more than just a business—he wanted to spark conversations about Jesus on the golf course, all while celebrating the Palmetto State.

Palmetto Golf & Belts offers high-quality, affordable golf accessories with a deeper mission. Top quality and craftsmanship needlepoint belts, custom towels and tees are his staples. From his favorite cross-emblazoned belts and gloves to custom designs for both Carolina Gamecock and Clemson Tiger fans, Brandon ensures each piece carries intention and heart. "I love that I get to put my stamp on everything,” he says, and it shows. Every item is designed to start a conversation, whether it's about faith, golf, or the state we call home. With new products like headcovers, needlepoint wallets, and keychains on the horizon—hopefully hitting shelves by Black Friday—there’s much to look forward to. For now, you can find his products on Amazon, with hopes of seeing them in South Carolina stores soon. As Brandon says, it’s all about providing a good product at a good price—and maybe pointing someone to Jesus while they’re lining up a putt.

💡 Why it works: Creating a simple ritual around a small treat turns it into a moment of calm and mindfulness — a tiny luxury that can easily reset your day.

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! 💙🌿