Another trip around the sun!

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS, waynesville5 Comments

Apparently I don’t take photos of myself – as I’m the “photographer” in the family there aren’t many photos of me (thankfully). So I’m borrowing a photo from a few years ago when we celebrated my birthday at The Swag in Waynesville, NC (also known as “Heaven on Earth”)! This will be a different birthday for me, SO MUCH going on (moving), so much to do and the non-stop thinking about it all isn’t making for the best sleep, but we’ll get through it, arrive in a different state a few weeks from now, and then we can celebrate my birthday. That’s a much better timeline for sure!

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Live Oak Trees Charleston, SC – Another thing we will miss…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

We live on one of the prettiest streets in Charleston. A neighborhood that began in 1927. Our home was the first built on our street. A Live Oak was planted in the front yard of each home. Today, 99 years later – wow. The beauty is stunning. I’m hoping underground power will happen at some point… These trees deserve to live on! Just look at the beauty of the Spanish moss (and no, Spanish moss does not hurt the tree in any way)! We feel so blessed to have lived in such a beautiful area and in the most special house ever for this long.

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Fading Away But Still Beautiful!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Flowers, gardening, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS4 Comments

This is the most gorgeous plant. We’ve bought them for years. This time of year the bright pink starts to fade – but no worries, the butterflies and the bees are still happy! They bring such joy. A snip-snip here and a snip-snip there, pop them into tiny vases and it just brings life to wherever you put it. Pretty with a few sprigs of rosemary too…

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Just one of the things I’m going to miss…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

There are so many things I’m going to miss about this house, this neighborhood, this incredible yard – the cardinals. They are so plentiful. The birds, bees and butterflies are abundant – I think it’s because we don’t use chemicals in the yard and haven’t for many years now. It also helps that my husband waters often (especially because we are still in a drought) – plants and grass need water.

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FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry!

On By Barbara StroudIn Author, books, Emily Henry, Rom Com, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

I literally just finished this book. Funny Story – A Novel by Emily Henry. If you haven’t read one of Emily’s books yet, and if you like rom-com, this book is right up your alley! A small cast of characters, set in Michigan, which was fun for me since I’m originally from Michigan. Entertaining and uplifting – and did you hear…?

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My Favorite Room In the House!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, flowers, garden, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Do you have a favorite room in your house? One that you gravitate to? Oddly enough, I gravitate to this space during hurricanes and storms (unless there’s a lot of lightening). It’s an out of this world space, spectacular watching this stunning live oak’s Spanish moss dance in the wind. The smaller protected dogwood beside it was beautiful this year. I usually head out to this room in the afternoon.

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BAKED SPAGHETTI – NYT Cooking – Best Ever!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment
📷 NYT Cooking | Christopher Testani for NYT | Food Stylist: Simon Andrews

Thank goodness for NYT Cooking! I was looking through my old recipes, food magazines that I haven’t gotten through yet, trying to find something that sounded GOOD. Something DIFFERENT. Something comforting and fabulous and just plain delicious. #foundit This recipe by Lidey Heuck may look like something you’ve made in the past. But like the comments say, it’s always nice to have a guide. Change it up how you like… Below is my version of this recipe.

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Remember to Marvel! | Sunrise – Michigan

On By Barbara StroudIn Michigan, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment

Let me start by saying, we’re not in Michigan right now, hopefully one day soon! I looked back at some photos of this stunning sunrise over the river and had to share another! I will hop out of bed and fly out the door to get a few photos of a fabulous sunrise. Time doesn’t matter. Sleep? Oh, no! There’s always time for sleep, but how many stunning sunrises or sunsets will you take the time to see? If I’m awake, I’m out the door! Just look at the opening in the very bright sky. #howcoolisthat

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Sharing a Design Inspiration…

On By Barbara StroudIn Design Inspiration, Favorite Things, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments
Image by deVOL Kitchen Instagram

My husband and I watched this series called For the Love of Kitchens, by deVOL Kitchens. It was a fabulous series. Brilliant, expert craftsmanship, exquisite design that will blow you away. Their attention to detail is over the top and these green tiles have just found a permanent place in my heart! 💚

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Serenity – I need to get back to this spot!

On By Barbara StroudIn Mount Pleasant, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Sometimes spending time in a nice serene space can bring your shoulders down to a respectable level, ha ha. This photo reminds me of Ireland. Have I been? No… but I’ve read books and I picture a lot of luscious green grass/meadows and water, beautiful water… But you can hop over to my spot if you’re in the Charleston area and be there in a jiffy. The views are stunning! I took this photo last August (2025).

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Home Sweet Home!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS4 Comments

This is Home Sweet Home. We’ve been here a long time – almost 31 years, hard to believe that much time has flown by. The neighborhood we live in, Old Windermere, has been around since 1927. Back in the day they planted a Live Oak in front of each house. What great vision they had! It makes this one of the prettiest areas in Charleston with the Live Oaks forming a canopy over the street. We have the luxury of being super close to everything. Downtown, beaches, etc. So, if you’re looking for a home in the Charleston, SC area…

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Summertime in Charleston, SC!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, flowers, gardening, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Sun, sun, sun, sun, sun… If you love a lot of sun, Charleston, SC is the place for you! I ran across this photo from a few years ago when we had our window box planted with Impatiens. Beautiful! We need to pull it out and replant the same thing. Over the years we’ve tried different plants – lighting has changed over the years as the Live Oak tree has grown so beautifully. More shade, less sun. Impatiens offer the beautiful color and can handle shade. They just can’t handle the hot afternoon sunshine.

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Enjoy this 4th of July Weekend!

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Live oak tree with Spanish moss. When there is a slight wind it’s the most beautiful sight in the world. You think to yourself “How am I lucky enough to live in such a beautiful place?” – This is the tree that our sunroom faces in our front yard. It blows me away every single day. Between the tree and the happy Cardinals going about their business in the nearby shrubs it makes the sunroom feel like a nature oasis, yet cool when viewed on this hot day from indoors.

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