A beasty birthday!

On July 26, 2012December 9, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS5 Comments

The birthday boy, Charlie!

H A P P Y 3 R D B I R T H D A Y C H A R L I E !

It’s Charlie’s 3rd birthday today, boy how time flies! If you would like to be entertained by a funny blog accounting for the first year of LIFE WITH CHARLIE, click the link). Initially I created this blog because the only time Charlie would sleep is when I was sitting in my desk chair at the computer. He would curl up behind me and fall into a deep peaceful (for me) sleep… so I created a blog to ~~vent~~ entertain myself, then Charlie started getting people who wanted to know what was going on each day, it was a hoot… after a year he calmed down and I stopped the blog, but it was a great year!

Preparation for Charlie’s birthday hat photo shoot!

Charlie is going to have (another) good day! He’s been so much fun these past several years, here’s to many many more Charlie! May your birthday candles never blow out : )
Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Robin Weiss!

On July 25, 2012December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“White House” by Robin Weiss

Artist Robin Weiss works magic with a brush! His subject matter is very diverse, which makes it so interesting to follow his career, see what he’s painting. This painting is so sweet. It is amazing. I absolutely love the light and how it hits the house, the picket fence, and plays with the shadows in the road. So much detail has been added, the gingerbread on the peaks, yet this is not tight… not an easy task! Robin clearly knows when to stop and not overpaint a painting!

Images: Robin Weiss Facebook

I love it when artists post photos of the art as well as the location, so that you can SEE what they’re painting. Most of the time whatever they’re painting looks much better than the real life scene. I wonder if that’s how they naturally see the world… hmmm… interesting! The first painting above entitled “White House” won the poster contest for a plein air event sponsored by Gallery North… (Image: Robin Weiss blog: In Plein Air).

Here’s a blip about Robin from his site on Daily Paintworks:

I began drawing at a very early age. In the early seventies my high school art teacher , Louis Penfield , took on the role as my art mentor. We spent many hours collecting material for massive found art sculptures made of metal. We would draw and paint from life, in class, after school and on weekends at his estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright . Wright also designed an art studio for Lou that was never finished . We hauled stone from the Chagrin river in northeast Ohio flowing through the property and worked on the studio. Then we would set up still life compositions and paint in watercolor.

After a stint in the US Navy I moved to Washington and started studying for architectural engineering. While attending Olympic college I began taking art courses and made the decision to focus on my art. At the time I was working in watercolor and started taking workshops from successful local artists. Deanne Lemley, and Jane Wallace were among them.

In 2006 , I joined the daily painters movement after reading about Duane Keiser and Julian Merrow Smith. I was desperate for more motivation to produce art and while I never actually achieved daily painter status , that is, completing a painting every day for an extended period of time, it was a good move for me to get involved with dedicated artists online. This resulted in a vast improvement in the quality of my artwork and I am now very thankful to be a full time artist.

Now working in oil I continue learning as much as I can from other professionals in the field. I have attended workshops with Darrell Anderson, Jim Lamb, Ned Mueller and others.

I am currently painting and teaching at The Knowles Studio in Poulsbo WA. alongside printmaker and art instructor , Leigh Knowles Metteer.

My paintings are represented by The Directors Gallery on Bainbridge Island and Alki Arts gallery in West Seattle.

I have work published in, City Living; The Longborough Festival Opera, UK; Daily Painters, Color, Obsession and Joy; and others.

I have sold hundreds of paintings from my blog site and have work in private and corporate collections worldwide.

I wish Robin continued success, he is an amazing artist! I look forward to seeing his paintings in person one day!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Farm Fresh Tomatoes, Pasta, Italian Sausage & Molly’s Basil = DELICIOUS!

On July 24, 2012December 17, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, Recipe2 Comments

WARNING: THIS WILL TURN YOU INTO AN ADDICT. A TOMATO-BASIL-SAUCE-ON-PASTA-WITH-ITALIAN-SAUSAGE-ADDICT. Consider yourself warned.

We have been getting THE BEST tomatoes this year. I was inspired to create something new, not the typical spaghetti sauce I usually make, but something fresh and delicious where the tomatoes were the star and I think I did it…

There is no real recipe, use whatever quantities you like. The first time I made this (photo above) I used six large tomatoes. The last time I made it, I made enough to freeze, I used at least 11 tomatoes, big juicy fresh tomatoes from Boone Hall Farms, located in Mount Pleasant, SC. Also, the first time I made it I used penne pasta, which was a good fit, because this is NOT a thick sauce, so the tomato, garlic and onion juices got all wrapped up in the penne quite nicely. The last time I made this I used white whole wheat pasta which has more fiber, and tastes just like white (Barilla is the brand I used)… this sauce is so good we both think we can use it on whole wheat pasta with no problem. So, being the adult that I am, I bought some whole wheat pasta, so next time, we will give it a whirl…

A special THANK YOU to MOLLY WEAVER for the BEST. BASIL. EVER. She grows the sweetest basil I’ve ever tasted and she’s been incredibly generous to share it with me!

TOMATO BASIL SAUCE with GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Ingredients:

Fresh tomatoes, at least 6-8 large tomatoes, or as many as you like!

Onion, chopped

Garlic, chopped (or I use a microplane, it’s much faster!)

Fresh Basil, chopped

Olive Oil

Pasta of your choice (my favorite so far was the Barilla white wheat mini penne)

Italian Sausage (I use Al Fresco, Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage, no nitrates!)

Wash, core and chop the tomatoes. Put in a big bowl so they’re ready to go…

Chop the onion (as small or large as you like), grate or mince the garlic (the smaller it is the healthier it is for you).

In a large stainless pan (I use a heavy pan, less likely for the garlic and onion to burn), drizzle some olive oil. Enough to keep onions and garlic from sticking to pan.

Once oil is warm, toss in the onion, once they begin to get translucent, make a little well in the center and toss in the garlic (make sure you still have olive oil, if not add some), cook for ONE MINUTE or until fragrant (on medium heat).

Now toss in the tomatoes… and stir it all around, get the onions and garlic mixed in with those tomatoes and wait until you start to see some bubbling. Then you can turn the flame down to low/med low and put a lid on the pan. (I do not leave the kitchen during this step in case they start to boil over). Let them cook for about 30 minutes.

Remove the lid and it will look like you have tomato soup! Take a handheld potato masher and slowly and carefully mash the tomatoes into the juice (you can omit this step if you prefer). Now let it cook with the lid off until it reduces at least an inch… right when it’s about there add the fresh basil, salt and pepper.

Cook your pasta according to package directions… about the same time, throw your Italian Sausage on the grill (I use chicken Italian sausage, oh is it ever delicious!) until done. Then slice thinly. (Note: if you don’t want to mess with the grill you could use scissors and cut the pasta and saute it, but I think the grill adds a nice crispiness to it that goes so nicely with this sauce.)

Scoop out some pasta, add some sauce, top with the Italian sausage and some parmesan cheese.

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE IT. TRUST ME.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

UPDATE: I’ve made this again since I wrote the original post. I used Barilla Whole Grain pasta (51% wheat), and it was delicious! Thought I bought whole wheat because it was so dark, but noticed when I got home it was whole grain… NEXT time will try whole wheat!

Also… since tomato season is winding down, I’ve been making this and freezing it in batches. I don’t have a lot of freezer space, so this is how I do it.

Chill the sauce in the refrigerator. Then scoop enough (for the two of us I use 3-4 ladles) for one dinner into a labeled quart freezer bag. Put the bags on a cookie sheet and make sure they’re nice and flat. Once frozen, remove cookie sheet. You can store them standing up (like a file) or store flat. When it comes time to defrost, I just set out on the counter OR run under cold water for a few minutes. Because it’s not thick it defrosts quickly. Snip off one of the bottom ends of the ziplock and squeeze contents into a pan to heat. Toss the bag. Easy, right?

DOOR COUNTY PLEIN AIR – begins today!

On July 23, 2012July 23, 2012 By Barbara StroudIn ART4 Comments

There are so many Plein air events throughout the country, I’m going to do my best to let you know when and where they’re at! If you live anywhere near one of these events I highly encourage you to check them out, what a great opportunity to watch great artists at work! Know of an upcoming event? LET ME KNOW!! I would hate to miss one! Ok, here goes…

Door County Plein Air Festival 2012 begins TODAY! Events are happening throughout the week from July 23, 2012 – July 28, 2012! Here’s a quick blip about the festival, from the Door County Plein Air Festival Website:

The Door County Plein Air Festival is the largest annual fundraising event hosted by Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek. Peninsula School of Art is a not-for-profit visual arts education center which is open year-round, and serves students ages 3 1/2 through adult. Proceeds from the festival are used throughout the year to maintain access to our free community programs. For more about the Peninsula School of Art, membership and giving, visit PeninsulaSchoolofArt.com.

The sixth annual Door County Plein Air Festival hosted byPeninsula School of Art celebrates the tradition of outdoor painting with some of the finest painters from Door County and across the country. Over 40 artists will put brush to canvas, capturing the summer light over the waters and fields of Door County, Wisconsin. Painting from life and the landscape has long been a Door County tradition, and one that has endured evolving styles. The festival’s painters bring a fresh eye to the changing lights and colors, and a variety of styles that draw from the rich traditions of plein air painting.

Listen and learn from daily artist demonstrations. Tour local partner galleries as artists paint on site. Relax with great music and food at our sunset concert* and paint out. View presentations by the festival judge, award winning artists, and knowledgeable collectors. View fresh paintings at our Collector’s Preview Gala Auction.* Children can try painting plein air during our Kid’s Paint, Saturday, July 28. Be at the heart of festival excitement during the Quick Paint competition. Vote for your favorite artists at our Open Door Reception. Take home an original piece of fine art. (*Denotes ticketed events, otherwise all are free and open to the public.)

There are SO MANY fabulous artists in attendance, I can’t mention them all, but here are a few that I’m familiar with… I look forward to seeing everyone’s work!

Dan Corey, Frank Gardner, Marc Hanson, Mark Kelvin Horton, Kyle Martin, and Randall Sexton. Click HERE to see the full list!

If you are in the Door County area this week I urge you to take advantage of watching these artists (and the many others, I believe 40 overall) do what they do best… paint! Most of the events are free, there are a few that require tickets, click HERE for the printable schedule (it will say if it requires a ticket). Hey, by chance does anyone know who did the painting that is being used on the .pdf (image at top)? Fabulous!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Bocci’s Restaurant… special memories!

On July 22, 2012July 16, 2012 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD2 Comments

This is a neat old restaurant located on Church Street in downtown Charleston, SC. It’s where we ate dinner on our wedding night almost twenty years ago! I love this neat brick and the cool awning, it’s a very authentic feeling space. We haven’t been in years, have you? Let me know if you’ve been recently, what did you get? Here’s their MENU. I don’t recognize any of our old favorites from long, long ago… Strolling around downtown makes for some fabulous photo taking! I’ve seen artists paint Bocci’s and it’s always such a cool painting! Hmmm, Italian food is sounding mighty tasty right about now!

Charleston restaurants have such character…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Sweetgrass Baskets!

On July 21, 2012July 13, 2012 By Barbara StroudIn ART2 Comments

I took this photo one day while walking around downtown Charleston, SC. This was taken across the street from St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. The women that weave these baskets are utterly amazing. So very talented. It’s very cool thing when your craft has been passed down for generations! These baskets aren’t cheap, but they will last forever. They’re worth every single penny. If you’re in town, this is THE PERFECT souvenir to go home with. It’s classy, you can use it and it’s absolutely beautiful!

I’ve heard that the basket ladies don’t like to have their photos taken, so I was able to snap this without revealing the artists identity… Just know that she was a very talented woman indeed!

Whether or not you are located in Charleston, hey, what better wedding, anniversary, birthday, gift would one of these beautiful baskets make?!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Vincent Giarrano!

On July 20, 2012December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Communique” by Vincent Giarrano – Image: GalleryHenoch.com

I first saw this painting on the January 2012 cover of Southwest Art. That great blue in the building… the woman very busy with her phone… the newspaper showing more of a days-gone-by era. This looks like a scene out of a normal day, which makes it that much more interesting. I think Vincent is an amazing artist. His subjects are so interesting, I urge you to check out his website, and the list of galleries that represent him.

Here’s a blip about Vincent from Gardner Colby Gallery:

Connecticut artist Vincent Giarrano is a representational painter. His work is focused on creating a realistic image, but also important to Vincent is the concept of realism in his paintings. “What I love is painting subjects that relate to real life experiences….I want my paintings to resonate as sincere and true moments of life.”

Quality of light is another major aspect in Vincent’s paintings. The cool even light of Vincent’s recent series about life in New York City, creates a believable impression and triggers a feeling of reality for the viewer. The New York City series deals with the dynamic between people and their environment, as well as the interplay of classic and contemporary elements in the setting.

Vincent earned a BFA from The State University of NY, and a MasterofFineArtfromSyracuseUniversity. Hisworkhasbeen show in galleries across the county, including the prestigious Salon International at Geenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX, where Vincent’s work was accepted three years in a row, and the Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich, CT, “Faces of Winter 2008” exhibition judged by Daniel Greene.

Giarrano’s work has been featured as the cover story of The Artist’s Magazine (Oct 2011) and Southwest Art magazine (Jan 2012).

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A Quick & Fabulous Tex Mex Dip!

On July 19, 2012July 2, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe3 Comments

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Tex-Mex Dip

I found this recipe in a circular in a newspaper called DASH. They always have interesting stories, recipes, etc… from what I’ve read it’s from Condé Nast and Parade, definitely a good read! One day I’m sitting in the sunroom drinking coffee and reading the paper (HEAVEN!) AND wondering what I’m going to make for dinner because it is literally TOO HOT TO EAT… nothing sounded good to us. Then along came this recipe. We like to refer to it as D I N N E R ! Ha ha… I made a few subtle changes, mainly by cutting the recipe in half, but I left the amount of lime juice. Also, I used low fat extra sharp cheddar cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream…I used ORGANIC refried black beans (be careful, so many of them are full of ingredients that won’t make your body happy, like “partially hydrogenated lard”, really. Ugh… good reason to buy organic)

We make it a few hours ahead and let it chill…. oh is it ever good!

Click HERE to print my version of this recipe… at the bottom I will pass you the original recipe…

TEX MEX DIP

1/2-3/4 of a 15.5 oz can refried black beans

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/2 tablespoon water

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

Guacamole made with 1 avocado and a wedge of lime juice (approx 1/2 cup)

1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese

1 good large tomato, chopped

1-2 green onions (unless you have it in your guacamole)

Iceburg lettuce cut with a serrated knife (doesn’t turn brown)

Tortilla Chips for serving

(Yield: 2 as a meal or 4 as an appetizer)

My quick step-by-step:

Mix 1/2 – 3/4 can of refried black beans. I’ve found Amy’s brand to be the tastiest, but that’s me… mix the beans with the juice of 1/2 of a small lime and a tablespoon of water if you need it. Spread on a plate.

IMG-20130615-00076

Mix the guac that you make with 1 avocado and wedge of lime together with about 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (I use low fat)… (this is instead of spreading the sour cream, and then the guac) – Mix together and spread on top of bean mixture…

Shred some sharp cheese, cut up some tomatoes… top the guac mixture with cheese and then tomatoes… (you can stop here and cover and refrigerate… then when you need it, do the next step… that’s if you’re making it ahead) we tend to enjoy it more when it’s cold, so this method works for us. If you don’t make this ahead and are going to eat right away, you could add the cheese on top of the guac, then the lettuce and then tomato, it would be pretty that way.

Sprinkle some chopped green onions (OR you can put red onion, minced in the guac you mix up)

Top with cut up lettuce (use a serrated knife so the lettuce doesn’t turn brown)

Dig in… you won’t believe how good it is… mental note, even though I make this ahead and refrigerate and then add lettuce last, I will save some tomatoes to throw on top to make it pretty…

This is too good for words. Seriously!

Click for the original DASH recipe…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Mike Hernandez!

On July 18, 2012December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Lovrovich Net Shed Gig Harbor” by Mike Hernandez

Whoa! What this man can do with gouache leaves me speechless. In a word… Brilliant! The looseness and the fabulous colors, this is absolute perfection. These images are from Mike’s Facebook Page… he’s also got a blog, so check it out if you get a chance. I read an article from 2009 about Mike on LINES AND COLORS (a blog about art). Here’s a little blip from that article written by Charley Parker (I highly encourage you to read it in its entirety)!

Mike Hernandez is a concept artist and art director at Dreamworks Animation. He has worked on projects like Shreck, Sinbad and Bee Movie. You can see some concept art for Sinbad and Bee Movie on his blog.

Most of the artwork on his blog, though, is his personal work — beautiful small landscapes in gouache, a few somewhat larger ones in oil, charcoal drawings, and marker and ink drawings, often with versions colored after the fact in Photoshop.

Hernandez apparently paints and sketches either on the way to and from work, or perhaps on his lunch hour, as many of the small landscapes are of the area around or even on the Dreamworks campus. They range from traditional landscapes in parks and wooded areas to urban scenes and compositions of industrial buildings, which he renders as miniature marvels of geometric color and light.

Check out his work, I think you will appreciate his work as much as I do! It never fails to amaze me how there are so many talented-beyond-belief-artists, and Mike definitely falls into that category!

One more of his paintings… this one of a Koi pond…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All About Avocado’s and… How To Make A Simple Guacamole!

On July 17, 2012December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, Recipe2 Comments

A sample dish of Guacamole, oh la la!

We used to go crazy over the guacamole at Whole Foods. Then one weekend they were out of stock… we checked back the next day, still none… what?! OK… so I looked at how to make guac and let me just say, you won’t ever want to buy it again! It’s like making a good cocktail sauce for your shrimp, once you discover that it takes about a minute to make and is much better than ANYTHING you could possibly buy, you’ll never go back. That recipe will be coming soon!

Guacamole is a simple and easy recipe. It can involve as few as TWO (Yes! Two!) ingredients. Keep in mind that you want to choose an avocado that is somewhat soft. A hard avocado won’t taste the same. Keep it out on the counter until it ripens. Read on… this is how I make it…

GUACAMOLE for 2

1 Avocado

1 wedge of lime

Little bit of minced red onion (however much you like OR none at all)

Scoop avocado out of shell (toss the seed). Add lime and onion. Mix well. Serve with tortilla chips.

It really doesn’t need salt because you have tortilla chips, however, if you have unsalted tortilla chips you may want a little bit of kosher or sea salt.

Additions: Some people add garlic, tomatoes, cumin, cayenne, cilantro. Really it’s hard to go wrong (I only did once, too much lime was the culprit).

Squeezing in the lime… hmmm, someone needs Botox on their thumbs!

Adding in any additional ingredients, this time it was red onion only… but could be tomato, garlic, spices, salt, etc.

Here’s a little blip about avocado’s from WEB MD:

Avocado Nutrition

Avocados are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C,K, folate, and B6. Half an avocado has 160 calories, 15 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and only 2 grams saturated fat. One globe contains more than one-third daily value of vitamin C, and more than half the day’s requirements of vitamin K.

We use avocado’s (without the lime) as a spread for sandwiches. It’s great on the sprouted 7 grain english muffins with a slice of tomato and pepper jack cheese under the broiler until the cheese melts. Oh my!

Here’s a link to a great video on How To Cut An Avocado. It’s not difficult, but it helps to see it once… just beware when you remove the seed with a knife there’s a chance the knife can slip and uh, lets just say, be careful… wonder how I know this? You can use a spoon to remove. I still use a knife but I’m much more careful now! OH! And if you’re only using half an avocado, leave it in the skin and sprinkle (and I also rub) the lemon/lime wedge on the avocado and then cover it tightly with plastic wrap so that the plastic wrap is TOUCHING the avocado (like another skin). Works for a while… Guacamole will still turn brownish after a bit of time, nothing you can do about it, except… EAT IT!

Now go whip up some guacamole and surprise a friend! It’s delicious AND healthy!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Tony D’Amico!

On July 16, 2012December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

“Deep Shadow at Dudley Farm” by Tony D’Amico

Image: TonyDAmicoFineArt.com

I first saw this painting on Tony’s Facebook page and I was instantly captivated. What a wonderful old building with the most beautiful dappled light showing through. I love how it’s imperfect as an old farm should be, where everything isn’t perfectly straight, it gives it so much character! The fabulous color of the sunlight on the roof is amazing, not one tone, but many all blended just perfectly. The sky and trees look like they’re out of an old painting, just beautiful… and the grass! Ahh, the lights, the darks, all so nicely placed, and oowieee, that gorgeous light at the bottom of the door!

Tony’s work is fabulous and I urge you to check it out! He has a great website, so give it a peek!

Here’s a blip about Tony from his website, read “About The Artist” to see more:

Tony D’Amico is a Connecticut based artist. He is a visual journalist capturing scenes of everyday life too often overlooked. His work conveys an idealized yet representational interpretation of the countryside, city or seascape.

Beginning his employment as a commercial artist/illustrator, Tony enjoyed a successful career in the corporate world holding management positions and developing campaigns for such companies as American Home Products, Playtex, and the Pepsi-Cola Company. He then founded his own promotional marketing agency, Creative Alliance based in Southport CT. The client roster included, The Pepsi-Cola Company, AT&T, Tiffany & Company, ebay and the Guinness Importing Company. Evolving into one of the top promotion and event marketing agencies in the US, he later sold the company to the Publicis Group, an international advertising and media services conglomerate.

Tony has studied with a number of nationally recognized artists such as Gabor Svagrik, Hodges Soileau, David Dunlop and John Traynor. Most recently, he is associated with a group of painters who are led and inspired by his good friend and noted artist, Donald Demers. Tony’s paintings have won numerous awards and are in a number of municipal and private collections. He is a member of the CT Plein Air Painters, Lyme Art Association, Salmagundi Club in NYC, Rowayton Arts Center, Oil Painters of America, is a featured artist on Lori Woodward’s Collectors Showcase and is represented by The Geary Gallery in Darien, CT.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Gorgeous Old Building, Used To Be Saracen Restaurant

On July 15, 2012January 8, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

This building has always been a stunner. Look at the detail! This is the perfect example of exquisite architecture, back when they built buildings to look gorgeous and to last for generations! A restaurant used to fill this space, it was called SARACEN. We never made it to that restaurant, but it was always on our list. I hope one day soon this place gets renovated and turned back into a happening building!

Have a good weekend, try to stay cool! And I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Trifexis Toxicity in Dogs – Charlie had a scare!

On July 14, 2012May 21, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn HOME54 Comments

Charlie… our beast!

We had a scare this past week. It was time for Charlie’s Trifexis dose, a combination heart worm and flea preventative. I gave him food, then the pill and as usual he didn’t feel too good during the day. Normal, it can cause stomach upset, vomiting, etc. I always time the dose so I make sure he makes it past the one hour point without vomiting. He did. Whew, I thought, coast is clear. Not. About six hours later he started to stumble. He was disoriented. He was stretching his neck back and his eyes were partly closed. He had tremors. I felt his heart. Not knowing what “normal” was I did know that his chest felt quite like an explosion over and over. We took him to an emergency vet clinic in Mount Pleasant, SC called Veterinary Specialty Care. These people were nothing short of amazing. They acted promptly. They took him in the back to be seen by the doctor. Then we were called into a room where the doctor told us that his heart rate was dangerously high, 220. After trying to rule out everything in the world, his diagnosis, as she suspected was Trifexis toxicity. Trifexis works on fleas by messing with their neurological system. Sometimes it can do the same in dogs which would explain the odd behavior, the tremors… he stayed overnight so that he could be monitored, he was sedated so he could sleep through this reaction. They’ve seen it many times. UGH! Ever since Sentinel disappeared off the market we’ve all been steered toward Trifexis, in part because the darn fleas have gotten clever and are starting to not respond to the older meds. I can tell you it was a scary time. It took a few days before he was fully himself again, now he’s left with nothing but a shaved leg :) – so he’s fine, and all is well! We did take him to our regular vet for a follow up, and this was the second Trifexis Toxicity case in three days… I don’t want to alarm you, I just want to make you aware.

If you have any questions about giving Trifexis I would research it thoroughly, I thought I did, but…

Sentinel is back on the market (YAY!), so I have updated this post…

IF YOUR DOG IS HAVING ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, (not acting normally, arching head up oddly, difficulty walking, stumbling, if their heart rate feels strangely fast, drooling (other than normal), tremors, vomiting and more…) GET THEM TO THE VET OR EMERGENCY VET IF YOU CAN.

UPDATE: Charlie’s latest regimen is Sentinel for fleas and heart worm prevention. He’s been on that over a year, and so far, so good!

NOTE: TRIFEXIS contains SPINOSAD (combat fleas) + milbemycin oxime (heartworm prevention) –

****COMFORTIS also contains SPINOSAD as the key ingredient! So, if you’re dog is having symptoms from Trifexis they can experience the same from Comfortis since it’s essentially the same drug. Trifexis just has heart worm prevention in addition to flea protection. I am not a vet. Check with your vet after your dog has a reaction. LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU GAVE THEM so they don’t get it (or anything like it) again…

Like people, some medications react differently to some animals. So if there was a reaction once, I (me, being the non-vetirinarian expert, sigh) would steer clear…

This is from the Trifexis website:

For technical assistance or to report a suspected adverse drug reaction, contact Elanco Animal Health at 1-888-545-5973. Additional information can be found at www.trifexis.com. Alternatively, suspected adverse drug reactions may be reported to FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm055305.htm

Thank you to my many Facebook friends who sent well wishes and prayers, it made all the difference! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Shannon Runquist and the Palette and Palate Stroll!

On July 13, 2012July 11, 2012 By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment

“Butter Me Up” by Shannon Runquist – Image: HortonHayes.com

Shannon Runquist paints the coolest paintings. Other than landscapes and figures I always look forward to her still lifes. They are often whimsical, or reminiscent of days gone by, one I remember a cool old typewriter… They have character. This collection of paintings was done for the Palatte and Palate Stroll, where local chefs are paired with galleries for some fabulous art and tasty food (see information below)… it’s TONIGHT! (Check out the painting entitled “Pigs in a Blanket” – how creative!) I wish them much success! If you don’t have tickets for this event, then check out the Horton Hayes website to see more of Shannon’s paintings. Head on down to the gallery if you’re in town. (Note: you must have tickets for the Palatte and Palate Stroll). Horton Hayes Gallery is full of fabulous artists… every single one of them is beyond amazing and worth any effort to get there and check out their work!

I recently heard Shannon being interviewed on public radio, it was like listening to an old friend talk. Very good interview!

“Summertime” by Shannon Runquist – Image: HortonHayes.com

Don’t you just love this painting? “Summertime” epitomizes summer in Charleston… You need tea and cool air to survive!

Here’s a blip about Shannon from the Horton Hayes website (click link to read more):

Shannon Runquist was born is Savannah, Georgia and has spent most of her life in the South. She has lived on St. Simons Island, Georgia and currently resides in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and spends summers on Cape Cod. Spending time near the shore, she has developed a great love for coastal regions and the elements that define them. She has painted and studied in Europe, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Runquist has participated in many national and international exhibitions including consecutive years at the Salmagundi Club in New York City and the Salon International. She enjoys traveling and painting en plein air as well as working in her home studio. Her paintings hang in both corporate and private collections in the United States and abroad.

Artist’s Statement: “I would like for my paintings to convey a timeless aesthetic. They are often an extension of an emotion at the time I am painting but I hope my work remains ambiguous. I paint what is familiar to me, what I have collected or a place I have been. My favorite paintings are ones that tell a story but leave a little mystery for the viewer.”

Here’s a blip from CharlestonFineArtDealersAssociation.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Roasted Shrimp and Tomato Orzo with Feta… Cool on a hot day!

On July 12, 2012June 1, 2025 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe3 Comments

I am about to make you a very happy camper… I’m going to share with you a recipe that is OUT OF THIS WORLD DIVINE! This salad is refreshing on a hot summer day (hot is an understatement, I do believe the tires on my car are melting as I type this)… You can throw this together in the morning and have it for lunch or dinner… it’s a great light dinner. You know what health experts say… Eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. Meaning to eat your biggest meal first and lighten up from there. I know. I don’t like to eat breakfast either… but…! We try to do that when we can, it’s not always possible, but once in a while we get it right…

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