Category: Favorite Things

Live Oak Trees Charleston, SC – Another thing we will miss…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

We live on one of the prettiest streets in Charleston. A neighborhood that began in 1927. Our home was the first built on our street. A Live Oak was planted in the front yard of each home. Today, 99 years later – wow. The beauty is stunning. I’m hoping underground power will happen at some point… These trees deserve to live on! Just look at the beauty of the Spanish moss (and no, Spanish moss does not hurt the tree in any way)! We feel so blessed to have lived in such a beautiful area and in the most special house ever for this long.

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Just one of the things I’m going to miss…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

There are so many things I’m going to miss about this house, this neighborhood, this incredible yard – the cardinals. They are so plentiful. The birds, bees and butterflies are abundant – I think it’s because we don’t use chemicals in the yard and haven’t for many years now. It also helps that my husband waters often (especially because we are still in a drought) – plants and grass need water.

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My Favorite Room In the House!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, flowers, garden, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Do you have a favorite room in your house? One that you gravitate to? Oddly enough, I gravitate to this space during hurricanes and storms (unless there’s a lot of lightening). It’s an out of this world space, spectacular watching this stunning live oak’s Spanish moss dance in the wind. The smaller protected dogwood beside it was beautiful this year. I usually head out to this room in the afternoon.

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Sharing a Design Inspiration…

On By Barbara StroudIn Design Inspiration, Favorite Things, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments
Image by deVOL Kitchen Instagram

My husband and I watched this series called For the Love of Kitchens, by deVOL Kitchens. It was a fabulous series. Brilliant, expert craftsmanship, exquisite design that will blow you away. Their attention to detail is over the top and these green tiles have just found a permanent place in my heart! 💚

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Summertime in Charleston, SC!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, flowers, gardening, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Sun, sun, sun, sun, sun… If you love a lot of sun, Charleston, SC is the place for you! I ran across this photo from a few years ago when we had our window box planted with Impatiens. Beautiful! We need to pull it out and replant the same thing. Over the years we’ve tried different plants – lighting has changed over the years as the Live Oak tree has grown so beautifully. More shade, less sun. Impatiens offer the beautiful color and can handle shade. They just can’t handle the hot afternoon sunshine.

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Feeling fortunate to live in such a beautiful area!

On By Barbara StroudIn Design Inspiration, Favorite Things, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Do you love where you live? Some of us are fortunate to answer YES! The views from almost every window in our house looks onto trees or tall privacy shrubs. The ability to sit in this sunroom and take in nature on a hot (or stormy) day is such a blessing. The cardinals flying to and fro, the butterflies happily dancing from plant to plant. It’s a joy…

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This puzzle was amazing – absolutely brilliant!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Favorite Things, THOUGHTS6 Comments

This is a brilliant jigsaw puzzle, bright and happy. It’s a wooden puzzle and the pieces fit together perfectly. This is a small one, and it was perfect, especially if you’ve never done a wooden puzzle before. There is a bit of a challenge without many clear border pieces. The shapes of the pieces are magical! This makes a great gift (link below)!

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View on Morning Walk… end of May.

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Not a bad view to have on a morning walk! I love the wild palms and the gorgeous live oak trees. Each has a personality all their own. The palms add to the tropical feeling of Charleston (and boy, does it ever feel tropical right now, like being in a sauna at times). But it is beautiful!

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Announcing the 2026-2027 Best of Broadway Season – Charleston!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Best of Broadway, Favorite Things, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image via: northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

My husband and I bought each other season tickets last year for the 2025-2026 Best of Broadway series at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The last show (The Wiz!) just ended and they’ve announced the new lineup for this year/next year. It’s a doozy…!

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Great Product: Trader Joe’s Dryer Balls!

On By Barbara StroudIn Favorite Things, HOME, LifestyleLeave a comment

I’m sure you’ve heard of dryer balls. Made with wool, they’re balls (tennis ball size) that you toss in the dryer with your wet clothes. I’ve read that it makes your load dry faster, keeps clothes softer and untangled. I’ve also read it can help with static electricity which usually gets me at times. I did some research and…

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Morning Walk – Charleston, SC!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Several of the different walking routes we take pass by marsh – beautiful, elegant, back-in-time views where time slows down, the birds fly freely and life is peaceful. It’s a joy to watch. Since we were out walking (for fitness) I couldn’t dilly dally too long, so a quick snap is all I could get. Enjoy!

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Book: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave!

On By Barbara StroudIn books, Favorite Things, Fiction, Suspenseful MysteryLeave a comment

Are you looking for a book that will grab you from the moment you pick it up? Where the suspense has you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what could possibly be happening next? Well, this is the book for you! This is book 2 in the series, Book 1, The Last Thing He Told Me was equally as gripping. LOVED this! I just finished this book this morning, book review hot off the press…

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Spring has sprung in Charleston, SC!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, Flowers, HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

The azaleas are blooming in Charleston, SC and it’s quite a show. I LOVE this time of year – I mean the pink is exploding all up and down our street and it’s gorgeous. So thankful for the beauty. Soon the ligustrums will be in bloom and when they bloom the aroma is out of this world!

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