Category: HOME

Summer Favorite: Roasted Shrimp & Tomato Orzo with Feta & Olives

On By Barbara StroudIn Favorite Things, FOOD, Photograph, Recipe, Salad, THOUGHTS2 Comments
bowl with orzo salad with shrimp, tomatoes, olives and feta, pickled okra

I posted a version of this recipe over ten years ago. It’s a hit. I love to whip this up in the morning and sit down to dinner with no cooking. What a dream! Best yet, the next day you have another meal (or the following day!) – no cooking! The tastes, textures, and freshness take it over the top. I love to photograph my husband’s plate because his usually looks prettier. I’m always in a hurry to catch up, snap photos, etc. I love how he added the pickled okra, so pretty! I gave a sneak peak on my Instagram/Facebook movie. Recipe below…

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Biltmore House – A View of the Winter Garden!

On By Barbara StroudIn Biltmore, Design Inspiration, Flowers, North Carolina, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Winter Garden at the Biltmore House, Atrium, Glass ceiling with wood, Stunning electric light fixtures hang from the ceiling, tropical plants, statue, arched openings

Biltmore – Asheville, North Carolina. Wow! Doesn’t even come close to the feeling when you are within the walls of this grand estate. The details, so many details on every single level. As I mentioned in an earlier “Biltmore” post, I snapped almost 800 photos in a two day span. I think I have photos from each of these arched openings. There were people here, I was just waiting to take a photo until the coast was clear.

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Discover Charleston’s Stunning Architecture: Simmons-Edwards House!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph, preservation, SC, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Charleston, South Carolina

Ah, the beauty of Charleston’s exquisite architecture. It simply can’t be beat. You can walk for hours (and hours!) and see so many beautiful sights, one after another. Between the grand homes, stately gardens, handcrafted wrought iron fences and gates – it’s enough to boggle your mind. Look for the little details, the pillar finials, the stone/brick/marble work that has lived on for centuries. What attention to detail!

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The Historic Charm of Charleston’s Older Neighborhoods…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Design Inspiration, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
antique pine table set against windows, outside are live oak trees and blooming azaleas, lamp and plant on table

We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area of Charleston, SC. This neighborhood will soon be 100 years old. Amazing the architecture and the quality of building. I love how, back in the day, they had the foresight to plant a live oak tree in front of each house. These magical trees make this area absolutely breathtaking.

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Sunset & Spanish Moss | Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Favorite Things, HOME, Lifestyle, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
live oak trees, spanish moss, sunset, beauty

On a few streets in the historic neighborhoods in Charleston, SC (not on the peninsula) there are the most gorgeous live oak trees. Many of them have been here since 1927. The Spanish moss grows thick. It’s how we can quickly see which way or how strong the wind is blowing. It’s graceful and beautiful with the sunlight shining through it.

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The Fairfax II House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
bright and cheery white house, house plan, front and side porch, windows, steps
Fairfax II House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects (Image)

Another beauty by Allison Ramsey Architects. You may notice that this is an unscreened porch in the image, which is stunning. I have a friend with a similar plan, screened side porch and it’s also stunning, not to mention very useful on buggy days, or days you prefer to be tucked away. Either way, this is one beautiful house! Let’s take a peek…

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Architectural Splendor: 54 Tradd Street – Charleston, SC!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Design Inspiration, Photograph, SC, THOUGHTS2 Comments
Historic home, with flags, hurricane bolts, worn patina, beautiful windows boxes with flower.

Isn’t this a stunning example of historic Charleston, SC architecture? The level of detail is astounding. The fact that this home remains so gorgeous nearly 285 years later is mind blowing. I love the aged patina, the black shutters, windows and doors and the beautiful window boxes that make this house pop!

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Proven Winners Brand – A Flower You Will Fall In Love With!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, flowers, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments
black flower pot on brick steps, pink flowers, green leaves, gomphrena plant, shadows from flowers against brick

We bought one of these pink flowers a few years ago to try and it was AH-mazing! Planted it in a pot in the spring and it bloomed until winter. I snipped blooms off, a few at a time, and put in small vases. It’s the happiest plant ever. Highly recommend!

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Stylish Duplex House Plan for Modern Families: TNH-DU-01 plan by MK Design Group!

On By Barbara StroudIn duplex, HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
Duplex house plan, one story
TNH-DU-01 duplex plan by MK Design Group!

I love a good traditional house plan that has the ability to fit into an older neighborhood. This is a duplex option that doesn’t necessarily look like a duplex. I like that the left side of the duplex is set more forward. It has a porch on the side. The right side is set back with a porch on the front. This is a great choice for families who want to live close but not necessarily in the same house. Let’s take a peek…

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Bluff Towne Cottage House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments
House plan with wonderful windows, two story, great front porch
Bluff Towne Cottage House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects!

I truly feel that most of Allison Ramsey’s house plans would fit into established neighborhoods that already foster a sense of character and perhaps have been there for a while. I’m usually thinking about my neighborhood (and nearby neighborhoods) when I mention this. When I first saw this plan, even the interior with built in bookcases – it truly looks like an older home with all the charm. Let’s take a peek…

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Do you know the name of this lovely bloom?

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Flowers, SC, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Climbing flower on a gate, pink flowers, roses maybe, charleston, sc

This photo was taken on a walk last week, downtown (Charleston, SC) – there are so many flowers blooming right now it will dazzle your mind, ha ha. It’s beautiful to see everything in bloom, the bees so busy, the scent from the jasmine is starting, oh… next the ligustrums which are exploding with small white blooms. It’s like the strongest scented candle in the very best way.

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Happy Easter!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Front porch of home, flagpole, flag that reads Happy Easter, three brightly colored Easter eggs

Sending wishes for a Happy Easter. If you’re gathering with family or friends, enjoy every second! #thesearethegoodtimes

Thankful for all this day represents. #heisrisen #hallelujah! Photo was taken on a walk downtown (Charleston, SC) – I saw this flag and thought it would be nice to share today.

✝️ Happy Easter! 🐰

Morning Walk – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Photograph, THOUGHTS1 Comment
charleston, sc, legate street, tradd street, horse and carriage, tourist, guide to give you the scoop.
Corner of Tradd St & Legare St, Charleston, SC

It’s so refreshing to get out and walk somewhere different. We have a few different routes or places that we walk but every once in a while it’s like a mini vacation to drive a few miles away, park and get out and walk somewhere different. It opens your perspective and we see fresh ideas. Plants, flowers, etc.

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98 Pleasant Ridge House Plan by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
House plan with screen porch and open deep porch for sitting
98 Pleasant Ridge House Plan by Our Town Plans

With all the uncertainty going on in the world right now perhaps you’re considering a smaller house. If so, this is a fabulous plan with wonderful porches that makes the square footage feel like so much more (weather permitting of course). To have a screen porch off of the living area is like having a little piece of Heaven! No compromise here, this is a beauty, let’s take a peek…

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The Duval House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
Beautiful home, house plan, porch
The Duval house plan by Allison Ramsey Architects

One (of the many) things that I love about Allison Ramsey’s plans is the fact that they can fit into an existing neighborhood and blend seamlessly. This home can easily look as if it’s been there for a long time and maintained meticulously. It’s important (to me) when building in an older neighborhood. I think you will love this plan (along with fabulous porches on the front and back)! It’s fabulous, let’s take a peek…

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