Okay. Extreme heat is insane. But extreme heat mixed with high humidity (and a crazy high dew point) is dangerous. Drink lots of water. Stay in the shade if you have to be outside, and don’t overdo it! Personally, I’m taking myself back to a cooler time in the mountains (even though I am in Charleston) if only via a photo, it will help a little.
Continue reading “Taking Myself Back To A Cooler Time…”
Sometimes it really pays to think ahead, especially in this heat. When you know you’ll have a long day and won’t feel like cooking when you come home, make a plan. A while back I knew we were going to be gone for quite a while. The heat is on, and I knew when we got home there would be no oomph to whip something up. So, I whipped this up the day before. HAPPY DANCE! What a lifesaver to have something ready when you arrive home. Just sit down and enjoy. So quick and easy – PERFECT for hot weather!
Continue reading “Updated Recipe: Cold Cucumber Soup – A Lifesaver!”
After a recent trip to Michigan AND a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, I have a fresh batch of Guess the Artists posts coming up. What a great visit. They are in the midst of a renovation right now but there is still plenty to see. The Contemporary section and a few others were closed, but beginning early August they’ll have several paintings from each of those collections so you won’t miss out.
Do you know who the artist is on this one? If so, comment on this post or on social media – If not, check below for the answer… Good luck!
Continue reading “Guess the Artist #42 | Detroit Institute of Arts”
Seriously! Look at these lively pink blooms. What show-offs they are. Every one of them dancing in the window, swaying to the butterflies and the bees that surround them and look so happy. I love the bright pink against the darkness. Stunning. They look at bit like fireworks, don’t they? Peaceful fireworks!
Continue reading “My Gomphrena Blooms Are Creating A Spectacular Show!”
Y’all! Can you believe we are nearly headed into the THIRD WEEK OF JULY? How can time fly by so quickly? To be honest, I am not a lover of hot weather, so when summer passes by I get crazy happy. Well, especially once hurricane season is over, right? This shall prove to be an interesting year.
Continue reading “Butterflies and Bees – It’s what we want to see!”
Have you tried a Caprese salad? Decades ago we vistited NYC and ate at Carmine’s (I wanted to eat every single meal there!) – we ordered a Caprese salad (among other things) and ohmygosh. I had never tasted such a fabulous salad in all my life. We just had zucchini, Vidalia onions and parmesan on thin pasta and it was heavenly – this was the perfect accompaniment!
Continue reading “Caprese Salad – So Fresh (and so fast!)”
It’s been a while since I’ve written a “Guess the Artist” post from a visit years ago to the Detroit Institute of Arts. (If you ever get the opportunity to go – please do, you will be THRILLED!) So many fabulous artists, and some from centuries ago. Wow! These paintings are clearly very well taken care of and rightfully so! They are a treasure.
Ok, now… do you know the artist who painted this beauty above? Read on to see the answer and also to read a bit about the painting, which is so interesting!
Continue reading “Guess the Artist #41 | Detroit Institute of Arts”
We all have our favorite things, right? Flowers make me tremendously happy. They are an amazing mood booster. I keep taking this same shot. Different flowers, different days, same setting. I just love the morning light that seems to quietly wake up this space in the early part of the day. So pretty. One of the wonderful things about hydrangeas is the fact that they can last so long and stay gorgeous with just a wee bit of help.
Continue reading “Caring for Cut Hydrangeas: Tips for Beautiful Blooms”
We love salads. Especially in the summer when the temperature soars and it’s too hot to turn on the stove. Thankfully, my husband will happily grill chicken on the hottest of days (jumping in the pool to cool off in between checking). At least he can stay cool when the temp is soaring. My go to salad (lately) has been grilled chicken, romaine, hardboiled egg, pickled red onion, cheddar, cucumber, tomato, and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. But I wanted something different and this is SPECTACULAR, you’ve got to try it!
Continue reading “Salad Showstopper: Southwest Salad with Chicken, Black Beans, Corn and Pepper Jack!”
This book is summer reading PERFECTION! You know when you have a lot going on and you just can’t concentrate on a book? That’s where I was at. Which, for me, is a very bad place to be, ha ha. Mission accomplished- I picked up Katherine’s book, The Bodyguard and fell right into the story. Whew!
Continue reading “Book Suggestion: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center!”
These happy pink flowers are so stunning. I look at them most of the day, they make me smile every time. Last year we had two, this year we have more, and I could happily have an entire yard full of them. The bees are very happy, which makes me happy.
Continue reading “An Explosion of Truffula Pink!”
Happy 4th of July…
Many of you will know this scene. Or at least remember it from long ago (photo from 2007). Port Clyde, Maine near Monhegan Boat Line. Since this time there was a fire and the General Store is no more, Monhegan Boat Line that had just built a beautiful building (had not actually seen in person) – also was lost. The boat line has rebuilt and they’re back in business. So if you’re headed to Monhegan, it’s a trusted way to go.
Continue reading “Happy 4th Y’all! (Photo from 2007)”
The day was hot. I had just come in from walking and I was starving. Did I really want to turn the stove on? No. Hmmm, I have an idea – and guess what, it turned out to be far better than I imagined and healthier too!
Continue reading “Hot Weather Recipe! The Perfect Egg – No Cooking Required!”
Cardinals bring hope (and are such fun to watch). We’re thankful to have so many flying around our yard. They love the trees, shrubs, shade and sun. They fly back and forth across the yard busy as can be. Each spring they build a nest (they work so hard, it’s incredible) then wait until the eggs hatch. They tirelessly bring food to the little ones. It’s beautiful to watch.
Continue reading “A Wink From A Loved One?”
Magnolia trees in Charleston, SC for the most part are large trees with flowers to match. Big, beautiful and stately. They exude a sweet, mellow, wonderful scent into the air. You might see magnolia scent added to candles and diffusers for good reason. Everyone seems to adore this sweet, sometimes spicy, scent. Their leaves on the other hand can be a force to be reckoned with. They don’t break down and they rustle loudly underfoot. One thing is for sure, the beauty is worth the work!
Continue reading “Blooming Magnolia | Charleston, SC”
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