Another beauty by Allison Ramsey Architects. You may notice that this is an unscreened porch in the image, which is stunning. I have a friend with a similar plan, screened side porch and it’s also stunning, not to mention very useful on buggy days, or days you prefer to be tucked away. Either way, this is one beautiful house! Let’s take a peek…
Continue reading “The Fairfax II House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects!”Author: Barbara Stroud
Quick and Delicious Avocado Toast + a Trick for Serving Hard Boiled Eggs!

This tip will make your morning brighter! Our latest kick… it’s super fast, easy and the taste is out of this world good. Protein and fiber. A short time later we might have a banana smoothie with Greek yogurt and a dash of cinnamon added. This will hold you for a long time. It literally takes a few minutes…
Continue reading “Quick and Delicious Avocado Toast + a Trick for Serving Hard Boiled Eggs!”Book Suggestion: The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin!
The Old Me used to read the back of books before purchasing. The New Me doesn’t want the to ruin the surprise element of the story. So… Instead, I head over to goodreads.com and read the reviews (only the ones with no spoilers). I like to not know what’s coming. This is an especially good book to read WITHOUT reading the back of the book. That way you have a surprise every little bit. Great writing. A perfect summer read!
Continue reading “Book Suggestion: The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin!”Saluda, NC Arts Festival TODAY – Celebrating 20 years!
The Saluda Arts Festival is today, May 17, 2025 from 10AM – 4PM. If you’re in the Saluda, North Carolina area, what a great event to pop in to! I love their colorful signs. I took this photo last time we were in the mountains and saved it to post today. We love Saluda, such a wonderful town! Cute shops, wonderful places to eat and such nice people.
Continue reading “Saluda, NC Arts Festival TODAY – Celebrating 20 years!”Architectural Splendor: 54 Tradd Street – Charleston, SC!
Isn’t this a stunning example of historic Charleston, SC architecture? The level of detail is astounding. The fact that this home remains so gorgeous nearly 285 years later is mind blowing. I love the aged patina, the black shutters, windows and doors and the beautiful window boxes that make this house pop!
Continue reading “Architectural Splendor: 54 Tradd Street – Charleston, SC!”Book Suggestion: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center – What a delight!

Caution! This book will make you smile. I didn’t know what to expect because I hadn’t read a book by Katherine Center prior to this book. I was thrilled. It sucked you in. You know what a treasure it is to try a new (to you) author? One, who’s books you love and see that they they’ve written quite a few more? Woohoo! It’s the best feeling ever.
Continue reading “Book Suggestion: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center – What a delight!”Featured Artist: Colin Page Show at Anglin Smith Fine Art in Charleston, SC!
Colin Page is an artist who has mastered his craft. Who can paint whatever he sets out to. He’s developed his own unique style. It’s not easy to have a style that is noticeably your very own. Colin’s work is more than just painting what he sees, he paints what he feels. This painting screams SUMMER to me. I can hear the screened door slam shut, the chickens cluck, and hear a laugh from the young girl with bare feet. The background of beautiful greens are a delight.
Continue reading “Featured Artist: Colin Page Show at Anglin Smith Fine Art in Charleston, SC!”Dahlias at Abide-A-While Nursery in Charleston, SC

Spectacular, right? I think Dahlias demand attention – and they easily receive it. They’re beautiful in a vase or left outside, they are stunning in every way. A starburst of color and perfection. I’ve seen them in Maine (gorgeous) and North Carolina (breathtaking), and have always envied them. I don’t recall seeing them growing in the Charleston, SC area. Charleston can get quite warm and humid, maybe that’s why…
Continue reading “Dahlias at Abide-A-While Nursery in Charleston, SC”Proven Winners Brand – A Flower You Will Fall In Love With!

We bought one of these pink flowers a few years ago to try and it was AH-mazing! Planted it in a pot in the spring and it bloomed until winter. I snipped blooms off, a few at a time, and put in small vases. It’s the happiest plant ever. Highly recommend!
Continue reading “Proven Winners Brand – A Flower You Will Fall In Love With!”People LOVE To Shop- Rediscover the Joy of Shopping at Fresh Market!
Long ago, when I was growing up – shopping was so much fun. Everyone looked forward to it, whether something was purchased or not, the fun was in the looking. In my high school years to my twenties, we would meet at Hudson’s department store. We would have lunch at Lakeshore Grill within the store. Maurice salad was their specialty, but everything was delicious. We treasured those visits for years.
Continue reading “People LOVE To Shop- Rediscover the Joy of Shopping at Fresh Market!”Book Suggestion: Night Road by Kristin Hannah!
You know that feeling when you finish a book you really didn’t want to end? Characters that are all so wonderful not to mention an idyllic setting (Pacific Northwest). This is a book you’ll never forget. As I mention in my review, this book really should be required reading for everyone in high school.
Continue reading “Book Suggestion: Night Road by Kristin Hannah!”Life as a Bird in the Great Smoky Mountains

Can you imagine life as a bird in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park? The freedom to fly hither and yon. Life as a bird comes with options. You glide with the wind. Or you take a break at the bird feeder and hang out with your friends. Or, if you preferred, you just take a break and look out over the beautiful vistas. #lifeisgood
Continue reading “Life as a Bird in the Great Smoky Mountains”Stylish Duplex House Plan for Modern Families: TNH-DU-01 plan by MK Design Group!
I love a good traditional house plan that has the ability to fit into an older neighborhood. This is a duplex option that doesn’t necessarily look like a duplex. I like that the left side of the duplex is set more forward. It has a porch on the side. The right side is set back with a porch on the front. This is a great choice for families who want to live close but not necessarily in the same house. Let’s take a peek…
Continue reading “Stylish Duplex House Plan for Modern Families: TNH-DU-01 plan by MK Design Group!”Support Chef Thornton: Buy a Mug for a Cause, Donate or Share…

This is the coolest coffee shop in Waynesville, NC. I started following Orchard Coffee after Hurricane Helene. During the aftermath they did so much to help their community, it truly was jaw-dropping. Everyone who worked here went the extra mile and then the unthinkable happened…
Continue reading “Support Chef Thornton: Buy a Mug for a Cause, Donate or Share…”Book Suggestion: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams!
Sarah Adams is a joy. Her books are delightful and a nice change of pace. They’re light and will definitely make you laugh out loud. The perfect books to read when you need something a little lighter. So enjoyable and entertaining. I love her sense of humor.
Continue reading “Book Suggestion: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams!”








