Saturday, May 31, 2025

A Joyful Bite in Camden, SC – Our Review of Blaney’s Restaurant 🍔🍟

 



Hey guys! 👋🏾


Thank you so much for checking out MaryamsJoyfulLife today! We’re always excited to share the little things that bring joy to our hearts — and today, it’s all about food (one of our favorite topics, of course 😉).


During our recent weeklong visit to beautiful Camden, South Carolina, we stumbled upon a hidden gem that we just had to visit more than once — Blaney’s Restaurant. And let me tell you… it did not disappoint!


From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm Southern hospitality and the comforting aroma of burgers sizzling on the grill. 😍


What We Ordered:

On our first visit, I ordered their Cowboy Burger, and oh my goodness — it was bursting with flavor, cooked perfectly, and stacked with all the right toppings. So good, I was literally counting down the days to go back. On our second visit, I tried the Bacon Burger, and once again… absolutely delicious!


The Family Favorites:

My kiddos were all smiles with their cheeseburgers and wings, which they devoured in minutes! And my Sweetman? He couldn’t stop raving about the bold, savory flavor packed into his sandwich and wings. Safe to say, Blaney’s won us over — heart and stomach. 💕


The onion rings and fries were also a huge hit. Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned just right.


If you’re ever in the Camden area or just passing through, Blaney’s Restaurant is a must-visit. Whether you’re in the mood for juicy burgers, crispy wings, or hearty subs, they’ve got something for everyone. Trust me — you’ll be planning your second visit before you finish your first meal!


Thanks again for reading, friends. Until the next joyful bite! 🍴✨


With love,

Maryam

#MaryamsJoyfulLife #FoodReview #BlaneysRestaurant #CamdenSC #FamilyFavorites #BurgerLovers #SupportLocalEats





















Baby’s Toes in the Sand: Laila’s First Visit to Myrtle Beach

 


Hey everyone!

Thank you so much for checking out Maryam’s Joyful Life blog today!


I’m so excited to share a little snapshot from our recent family adventure to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! It was such a sweet day trip filled with laughter, waves, and a whole lot of sandy toes. Me, my sweetman, and our three kiddos packed up and headed for the coast during our South Carolina visit—and we had an absolute blast!


This trip was extra special because it was baby Laila’s first time at Myrtle Beach—and her second beach trip ever (her first was to the beautiful Orange Beach in Alabama). Watching her tiny eyes take in the big blue ocean was everything. She and I cozied up at the shoreline while Le’Veon, Zoe, and of course, my sweetman jumped right into the waves without hesitation! Their joy was contagious.


One of my favorite moments was gently dipping baby Laila’s little toes into the soft sand, then letting the ocean waves wash them off. She looked up at me with those wide eyes and the cutest curiosity—it melted my heart. Simple moments like that are truly unforgettable.


Now, I won’t pretend everything was perfect. The flies—oh my goodness—the flies would not leave me alone. And just when we’d get into a peaceful groove, those loud military aircraft would come roaring by and startle everyone (especially poor baby Laila). But hey, nothing can truly ruin a good beach day, right?


If you’re ever in South Carolina and looking for a beautiful, family-friendly beach spot, we highly recommend the State Park Beach entrance at Myrtle Beach. Yes, there’s a fee to get in—but it’s 100% worth it. Parking is included (huge bonus!), and it feels clean, safe, and way less hectic than some of the other entrances.



















We always leave Myrtle Beach feeling a little more sun-kissed, a little more relaxed, and full of memories. Until next time!


With love and joy,

Maryam 💛

#maryamsjoyfullife #familytravel #MyrtleBeachMoments


Friday, May 30, 2025

A Day at Swan Lake… and an Unexpected 6-Mile Adventure!

 


Hello guys, welcome back to Maryamsjoyfullife blog!


Today is such a beautiful day, and I just want to say a big THANK YOU for stopping by and checking us out. I always love sharing little snippets of our life and adventures, and this one… well, let’s just say it was one for the books!


Last week, my family and I decided to take a trip to Swan Lake in South Carolina—and wow, what a gem! We strolled through the park and were greeted by a bunch of graceful swans, both black and white. It was magical seeing them glide across the water. We even discovered a part of the park we’d never explored before, and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. Colorful flowers were in full bloom, the greenery was lush, and we enjoyed walking along a long, peaceful boardwalk. Nature was definitely showing off!


While taking it all in, we came across a map that pointed us toward Dillon Park, and guess what? My sweetman suggested we go check it out. According to the map, it was about 3 miles away—and in the spirit of adventure, we said, “Why not?”


Well… our why not turned into a full-on journey.


As we began walking, the skies decided to play a little trick on us. It started to rain, then stopped, and then just when we thought we had the direction right—boom! We got lost. Thankfully, we found our way again, but by the time we made it to Dillon Park, we were drenched, tired, and… a bit let down.


The park turned out to be more of a sports complex—with football and baseball fields and a frisbee course. Nothing bad about it, just not what we were hoping to explore after walking 3 miles. So yes, we pretty much turned right back around!


The walk back felt extra long, and honestly, I almost called a cab to pick us up. But I’m stubborn (in the best way, right?) and I powered through. At 1.6 miles out, we made a pit stop at a gas station and grabbed a cold drink. That refreshing moment gave us just the boost we needed.


Finally, when we saw our car again at Swan Lake… I can’t even describe how relieved I was. My legs were tired, but my heart? Proud. Because we did it—we walked a full 6 miles that day!


My takeaways?


  • Swan Lake is absolutely beautiful and such a peaceful, scenic place to visit with your family. I highly recommend it!
  • Dillon Park? Maybe skip the walk and drive there if you’re curious, especially with kids. Unless you’re training for a marathon, it’s not really worth the trek on foot.
  • And most importantly—don’t let anyone (or anything, even a rainy day or sore feet) steal your joy!



Thanks again for reading and being part of my joyful little corner of the internet. Until next time…


With love,

Maryam 💛