Spring and summer in Charleston, SC have us making lighter fare. More fresh veggies, chicken on the grill atop mixed greens with a light vinaigrette to name a few. My family has always made sautéed veggies served over pasta but this time of year makes it extra special…
Continue reading “A quick summer pasta #delightful!”Author: Barbara Stroud
Cigar Factory – Charleston, SC

This is the old Cigar Factory in Charleston, SC. Just look at the dark brick! It’s an impressive building that has stood the test of time! This stunning building was constructed in 1881 as a cotton manufacturing facility – it also survived the Earthquake of 1886 and in 1903 was leased to the American Cigar Company. At one point they made 1.5 million cigars each day!
Continue reading “Cigar Factory – Charleston, SC”Loving the Silvery Greens!

Lately, I’ve been paying attention to plants and flowers used in window boxes wherever I go (like the one pictured here). Different plants that I like, or things that look nice planted together, color schemes, etc. I like the white, green and silvery greens in this planting. In the end we chose…
Continue reading “Loving the Silvery Greens!”Carriage Run Cottage (18318) by Allison Ramsey Architects

I love a screened porch! Especially when doors open onto it, which can fill your home with the scent of spring air (at least right now!) It’s a nice place to kick back and relax and extends the footprint of your house with living space (even though it’s not counted in the square footage) that feels comfortable a good bit of the year (depending where you live). This is one sweet plan!
Continue reading “Carriage Run Cottage (18318) by Allison Ramsey Architects”Artist: Ken DeWaard – Show at Roux & Cyr this coming Friday!

Ken DeWaard. I would like to make you all privy to Ken’s latest newsletter which shares some of his latest work. The newsletter is full of art information as well as artIST info – I love when artists share a bit about themselves with us. It makes us like them (and their work) even more. A daunting task for the artist, no doubt, but one Ken is up for. Ken is a favorite artist of ours for so many reasons… Upcoming show at Roux & Cyr Gallery in Portland, Maine (THIS FRIDAY), May 28, 2021. “Leisure Time after Breakfast” is just one beautiful example of Ken’s paintings, see what I mean about the light coming through the table cloth? #brilliant
Continue reading “Artist: Ken DeWaard – Show at Roux & Cyr this coming Friday!”Some like it hot…

When I saw this photo, my first thought was “Some like it hot”, ha ha. I love the varying colors of pink, the pink in the bright light, the pink in the folds of the flowers, darker, mysterious and stunning. This is reminiscent of a tissue paper flower that kids make in grade school. I love the dark on the right – it grounds the image in my opinion.
Continue reading “Some like it hot…”A Different Perspective

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with the advent of phones that carry the most phenomenal cameras ever! Who would have imagined? I am one who would lug a big camera around every vacation, trips downtown, and anywhere scenic. (Thank you, Fred, the real one that lugged the camera for me). Now, I simply grab my phone and create the most beautiful photographs. It makes us all amateur photographers. #icantstop #dontwantto
Continue reading “A Different Perspective”Flint Cottage SL1955 by C. Brandon Ingram for Southern Living!
Adorable house, isn’t it? I really like the lines of the roof – it has such appeal. Charming, and something that you would have seen built back in the day. I especially love when you’re in an established neighborhood and there are a few new homes sprinkled throughout – but… you can’t tell which homes are new. That’s talent!
Continue reading “Flint Cottage SL1955 by C. Brandon Ingram for Southern Living!”OUTSTANDING BANANA BREAD!

How many of you buy bananas, wait for them to ripen and when you go to grab one they are DONE. As in speckled and smell very sweet, but not the type most of us like to peel and eat. If you’re like me, you have tried MANY different banana bread recipes. This one isn’t DIFFERENT (no chocolate, oats, etc.) – but it is so tasty (with minimal sugar) – it’s Classic – and it’s divine. Banana bread usually starts to dry out a few days after you bake it. This photo is day 3… (Yes, it took me that long to remember to get a shot!)
Continue reading “OUTSTANDING BANANA BREAD!”Happy Dance: The Window Box is Back!
This window box is freshly planted, so everything will get fuller and taller, but it’s quite a nice start! I love the various colors of purple and white. Purple, white and green is a nice color combination. Soft, calming, and happy. I’m thrilled that this window box is back in its rightful place…
Continue reading “Happy Dance: The Window Box is Back!”Happy Plants Thriving In The Sun
Pretty flowers, aren’t they? These were in a flower box as I passed by at a store we frequent. Their flowers are gorgeous and this was no exception. We recently planted a flower box at our house (stay tuned for Monday’s post). We used trailing petunias, mint, French lavender and a tall plant with green and interesting small purple flowers. It’s only been planted a few days but is growing like crazy! It looks happy, whew!
Continue reading “Happy Plants Thriving In The Sun”Whiteside Farm House Plan (SL1979) by Todd Wilson for Southern Living House Plans

Have you ever been to a Southern Living Showcase Home? If you run across one in your travels, definitely check it out! It’s always fun to actually go inside a certain house plan so you can envision it as your very own. But it’s also helpful to go inside to see not necessarily how they have a room decorated, but how the furniture is placed – you can see if you like the flow that way or if you prefer it a different way. Today’s house plan is a beauty.
Continue reading “Whiteside Farm House Plan (SL1979) by Todd Wilson for Southern Living House Plans”Spinach Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Fresh Corn – Spring is here!
Spring/Summer Pasta – Quick & Easy!
The temps are getting a bit warmer and the humidity is starting to creep up… What to do for dinner? Well, I don’t know about you, but one thing NOT to do is to turn on the oven. It seems to heat up our kitchen and ugh, makes me not want to eat. So I was trying to think of something quick to throw together with fresh ingredients…
Continue reading “Spinach Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Fresh Corn – Spring is here!”Morning Walk, Low Tide…

The other day I wrote a post and the image was near this area (looking in the opposite direction) – this is at lower tide, where you see mud in some places. The view is ever changing, but always amazing. There are always birds in the marsh. The grass changes color with the seasons.
Continue reading “Morning Walk, Low Tide…”Morning Walk, Charleston, SC!
Springtime in Charleston elicits feelings of hope and gratitude. I think it’s the scenery, everything in bloom and the scents wafting through the air. It’s a magical time of year made even better when you notice all the little things. I took this photo on a morning walk…
Continue reading “Morning Walk, Charleston, SC!”





