Afternoon walk…

Oh, the sights we see when out walking! Of course, if I forget my phone there will be a phenomenal sunrise/sunset or a setting so perfect for a great photo and BAM… phone is at home. I rarely forget it, so I’m always armed to take a good shot – like above, this bird was posing… strutting… I stayed on the road, and left him (or her?) his own territory.

The marsh rises and falls with the tide. The grasses change with the seasons and the weather. Many trees dramatically hang over the water, like something you would see from days gone by. Charleston, SC is a city rich in history and plenty of beautiful water views. The city has changed a lot – many new large apartment buildings everywhere – it’s concerning for the wildlife when beautiful areas are bulldozed and built upon. I’m just curious how anyone is going to get anywhere soon? Traffic is a challenge now, but add a lot more people and? There must be a plan – I hope. Evacuating for a hurricane has never been a party. Our last evacuation was Hurricane Floyd – went to Charlotte, NC – took over ten hours for a three hour trip and we were very fortunate. We had a map, a paper map in the glovebox… #gofigure I have nightmares about that trip, and have heard of so many horror stories of people stuck on the interstate with no gas, etc. It was taking people over 2 hours to get to the interstate a few miles away. So I cannot imagine what it will be like with many, many more people?

I’m not sure how this turned into a hurricane post? Haha… Scroll back up, look at the photo, breathe in, breathe out… that’s better ;)

✍️ You made it to the weekend, which is fabulous if you don’t have to work (or if you love your job!) Enjoy your weekend (or your days off)- Until next time…

📸 Image: Barbara Stroud (me!)

Awendaw Creek Home Plan by Flatfish Island Designs!

Awendaw Creek Home Plan by Flatfish Island Designs

A beautiful elevated house plan with a very spacious plan. Perfect for anyone near the water. A nice front porch and a fabulous screened porch on the back that wraps around a bit of the house offering a nice private space off of the master bedroom. There are so many exquisite features, read on to see them all and check out the links to see images!

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My Favorite Shrimp Recipes!

Med Pasta with Shrimp

We live in Charleston, SC where we’re very fortunate that we can buy good seafood. Freshest… always! I usually buy a pound or two and freeze in 1/2 pound portions (just pop in freezer bags) – perfect for two people. The recipe above is SO GOOD. The spinach pasta is essential – I tried it with regular pasta and it just wasn’t the same. Artichokes are full of fiber and add so much flavor, so I used an entire jar (small jar). I think the red pepper (and I’m not a pepper fan) is also pretty necessary. It adds such wonderful flavor, and red peppers are much sweeter than green peppers which are picked before they’re ripe (if left to ripen they would be red peppers as well). Feta… absolutely necessary – it adds the kick, and because it’s fairly up there sodium-wise I don’t add salt, only pepper. Read on for the our top five shrimp recipes… haven’t had some of them in a while, which is what spurred this post. If I can’t think of a recipe, I use the SEARCH feature on my website and enter an ingredient that I’ve got and see what comes up. It’s funny how you can forget about recipes after a while!

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Featured Artist: Lesley Powell!

Illumination by Lesley Powell 16×12″ Oil

Lesley Powell – Illumination is a wonderful “wow” painting, isn’t it? The pop of light on the hydrangea bloom against the dark background is stunning, and always captures my attention. Often times I notice I’ve select a painting to feature that has a dark background, which makes the light pop (as they say).

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The Cottage House Original House Plan by Prim Haus!

Cottage House Original | House Plan by Prim Haus

What a striking house plan! I love the simple, clean lines of this cottage plan. This is a sprawling plan with cathedral ceilings and well place skylights – Let the sun shine in! I’m happy to introduce Prim Haus Designers with their premium, modern home plans to the mix! Their plans are stunning!

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Avocado Toast – So Good!

Quick and Easy…

Avocado Toast. Is it not like a slice of heaven? The creamy avocado, the drizzle of olive oil and whatever else you may add. It’s so delicious on a slice of toast – keeps you full for a while and is just delicious. You don’t need to pay $8 and up for something so quick and easy. This is a version similar to one I had in a restaurant.

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Featured Artist: Shelley Newman!

Where the River Bends by Shelley Newman 36 x 48 Oil/Canvas | **S O L D**

SHELLEY NEWMAN, a fabulous artist from Canada with a distinctively different style and color palette. I love her colorful landscapes made up of wonderful shapes, thick paint and gorgeous color. From the magnificent trees (love!) to the rivers – every one is fabulous, which is why they sell so quickly.

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Reminder: It’s orange season!

It’s Orange Season! (Photo taken at Whole Foods) – Cara Cara Oranges

Who can’t resist the ubiquitous orange? Sure, they may be available everywhere all year long, but you know it’s true season is NOW! They are 100% tastier than they are other times of the year (although they’re still good then they are no comparison). And who can’t use a Vitamin C boost right now, right?

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39 Dover Trail House Plan by Our Town Plans!

39 Dover Trail House Plan by Our Town Plans

Charm, right? The first thing I thought of when I saw the scallop shingles in the gable area of this home. It reminds me of my parents Victorian home with the gingerbread trim. It’s an oldie, with oodles of charm. This is the best of both worlds. New construction and old world charm!

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How to roast veggies all together and what to make with it!

Roasted Veggies for the Week…

Roasted vegetables are the best. Roasting adds a sweetness that is undeniable. You will eat a lot more veggies without even trying, especially if they’re cooked one day and ready for the week. Read on to see what I made with some of these veggies (along with sautéed kale and walnuts). #outofthisworld It was also nice to have sides for the week, just heat and eat! Cauliflower, okra, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, red onions, golden beets, and broccoli!

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View from Crosby’s Seafood Dock!

Crosby’s Seafood – Folly Beach – SC

Heaven, right? Absolutely! We do not take for granted the ability to get the freshest seafood on the planet.. Crosby’s is a short distance from the house – it’s where we go to buy fresh seafood. Everyone there is so nice and helpful. But one of the biggest bonuses when we go to buy fresh shrimp is…

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Crosby’s Seafood – Folly Beach, Charleston, SC

View from Crosby’s Seafood…

Like many of us, we’ve curtailed our dining out – which isn’t fun, especially since we just started back (2-3 restaurant visits) before numbers started ramping up again. Fred had a great idea, Crosby’s Seafood. We wanted to head that way to pick up some fresh shrimp to cook at home, so we went while the food truck was open. WOW! So fresh, they’re actively working on the dock and serving your seafood – it just doesn’t get fresher!

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Tidewater Cottage SL1420 by Moser Design Group for Southern Living!

Tidewater Cottage (SL1420) by Moser Design Group for Southern Living!

What a spectacular plan. Not too big, not too small, just right. Porches ALWAYS draw my attention, especially a screened porch! I think the dormers add such charm. This is another wonderful plan for Southern Living by Moser Design Group!

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Leanne Ford: Wear Black | Paint White

Wear Black Wear White by Leanne Ford
Printed on a Buck Mason T-shirt
[credit]

Leanne Ford. I absolutely love her style. She is know for painting rooms white, which sound typical, but hers are anything but! How she can envision a room and make it come to fruition is a gift. She shares so much, from her Spotify playlists, to clothing choices and paint colors (YES! Paint colors!). This is one of my favorite t-shirts…

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