Category: HOME

Spring ahead and check your smoke alarm batteries! TONIGHT…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Image: Voices.Yahoo.com

This is the time of year to S P R I N G  A H E A D  ! Don’t forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour before you go to bed…  It’s strange getting used to a new time. My body is on auto pilot. Most days I wake up at the same time each morning, and am ready to turn in around the same time each night… now everything will be screwy… Do YOU like this time change? Here in Charleston it seems like we’ve had Spring for the last few months now… so it’s not like getting excited once the time changes that Spring is near… it’s been here!

Hey, after you set your clocks, change the batteries in your smoke alarms… it could save a life!

AND… if you’re one of the slick few that noticed that I already did a post today that mentioned that the time changes tomorrow PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK! Because… oops! It just hit me… it’s T O D A Y !

Have a great day, catch you back here tomorrow!

Photo taken from Shem Creek dock, Mt Pleasant, SC… what a bizarre sky!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Fascinating sky, isn’t it?? Mother nature is full of mystery, you never know what you’re going to see! There is beauty all around us, especially here in the coastal Charleston area… gorgeous. The sky is different every evening… it’s amazing! Well my friends, tonight is the big time change… Remember… we change the clocks… S P R I N G  F O R W A R D ! ! ! So tomorrow’s 5 will be 6…

If you read this post earlier and are coming back to it and it seems different… you are not crazy. I sat down to read a book and for some reason it hit me… B A M ! I was thinking clocks changed on Sunday when I wrote this, but really they change Sat PM before you go to bed (unless you stay up until 2am on Sunday when it’s technically the correct time to change the clocks)… oh boy, this time change thing is confusing… sigh…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Circa Lighting… the Reed Hanging Light… a gorgeous addition to the room!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments

Isn’t this a gorgeous light? We have fought with ourselves over which chandelier to use for, well… years. So until we could make up our minds for sure we hung a ceiling fan which served its purpose in the interim. The Reed Hanging Light is one classy light, simple and elegant, not fussy in design. We ordered the hand rubbed antique brass finish with the natural paper shade which we LOVE. There is nothing like a shade from Circa Lighting. It gives off the most eloquent warm light. It makes every room look positively radiant! There is a diffuser on this fixture so you aren’t blinded by bright light. We also have it on a dimmer so it can be as bright or as romantic as you would like… If you’re searching for a fantastic light fixture, check this one out! Our house is an older house (1930’s), our furniture is a mix of antiques (mostly pine), and new (mostly slipcovered) furniture. So we have an updated look, with more modern lighting. This was perfect. Remember, you can always order from Circa Lighting online. If you’re in the Charleston, SC area stop in and see Matthew McLaughlin, the manager. He’s a very cool dude who knows EVERYTHING about lighting. Remember, you can order online and it’s FREE SHIPPING (in most cases), and you only pay tax if you’re located in one of the three states they’re in (SC, GA and TX). Lots of good reasons to order from Circa Lighting! Nice to know you don’t have to be near a store to take advantage of their beautiful lighting!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Coconut Oil… what’s looking to be a very healthy oil that doesn’t get stored in the body as fat!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, HOMELeave a comment

Image: Amazon

Coconut Oil… have you heard the rave reviews about all the wonderful things it can do? From what I’ve read this past weekend it can aid in losing weight, help prevent or even help those with Alzheimer’s, moisturize skin and hair, increase HDL (good cholesterol), decrease LDL (bad cholesterol), decrease triglycerides, the list goes on and on. We’ll have to wait for long term studies, but for me, I’m jumping on the bandwagon, and taking 1 tablespoon a day. It can’t hurt. Let me know if you’ve tried it. WHY are YOU taking it?  HOW are you taking it? I tried eating it off the spoon (it’s like lard), that was a little difficult, so I heat it ever so slightly and swallow… a tablespoon is doable, I personally chase it with a Triple Ginger Cookie from Trader Joe’s :) some people but it on toast, in coffee, in oatmeal, in smoothie’s, use it as oil and topping when making popcorn… AND the reason I bumped into the health benefits about coconut oil was because I saw a recipe for Double Coconut Muffins on the Smittin Kitchen website… whoa, they sounded good, and I had just spoken to my mom who told me about a video that someone just told her about (click HERE to see it) about how it’s helping Alzheimer’s Disease, and also helping to prevent. I’m sure long term studies are a ways off, but if you have a family history of Alzheimer’s you know how devastating it can be. I vowed to try this, it’s worth it to me… so now, I think everyone I know is taking this for one reason or another. I just didn’t want you to be left out of the loop!

Google Coconut Oil  and you will see so much information it will make your head spin. Try to read from reputable sources and realize that anyone can post anything to the Internet… From what I’ve read, you should buy VIRGIN coconut oil. Ideally Organic virgin (or extra virgin) coconut oil. UNREFINED, since they alter the makeup of the oil when it’s refined. Refined is good for using as a moisturizer for skin and hair. One more thing… you can often find it in the grocery store in the baking aisle, however, often times these are NOT the virgin organic varieties… those are mostly found in the health aisle… ask if you are unsure. Read HERE the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil by Charles Mattock, I got this from Dr. Oz’s website…

Here is a blip from Nutiva (extracted from Amazon):

A deliciously healthy cooking oil. Better than butter. USDA organic. Unrefined & no trans fats. Rich in lauric acid. A soothing body oil. The coconut oil myth. Coconut oil has been mistakenly described as not healthy. The fact is, coconut oil is cholesterol-free and rich in medium-chain good fats that doctors recommend. Why is it that baby formulas often include coconut oil? Because coconut is one of the world’s most nourishing super foods. Nutritionists suggest enjoying up to 3 tbsp of extra-virgin coconut oil each day, so help yourself to this heavenly, creamy taste of the tropics. Nutiva’s cold-pressed Coconut Oil is: Extra-virgin & pure white: not refined, deodorized or bleached! Organic: so it’s free from pesticides, GMOs and hexane. Versatile: Ideal as high-heat cooking oil (up to 350 degrees), as a nutritious substitute in baking, a better-than-butter replacement on bread, vegetables or popcorn, and as a luscious oil for skin care, hair care, and massage. America needs an oil change. While doctors suggest we consume a 4:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3, the average American diet provides a ratio of 20:1 or more – contributing to heart disease, skin disorders, and arterial inflammation. So avoid out of balance soy, corn, and canola oils with their trans fats, oxidation, and GMOs. Cook with coconut oil (with only 1% Omega-6), and use olive oil (also low in Omega-6), and hemp oil (with the perfect 3:1 Omega ratio) for unheated recipes. Nature’s ideal all-purpose cooking oil. No trans or hydrogenated fat; no cholesterol or hexane. Unlike other brands, we press our coconuts within 2 hours of chopping. No refrigeration required. Solid at room temperature and melts at 76 degrees. Any coconut husk fibers at the bottom of the jar are indigenous to the processing and harmless. Coconut oil contains medium-chain good fats with 50-55% lauric acid – a healthful nutrient that supports the metabolism. Certified organic by QAI. Product of the Philippines.

A disclaimer… I in no way am trying to provide medical advice, only passing along what many others have told me. Ask your doctor if you need to know if this is OK for you…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Fenwick Hall, a gorgeous plantation in Charleston, a plantation with a history!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Fenwick Hall, a gorgeous plantation that is also referred to as a castle. We drove by this the other day on the way to daycare for Charlie (woof)…

A pretty impressive place, wouldn’t you say? This is a true southern plantation… look at those beautiful old live oak trees, they’re so graceful and stately. I ran across the most interesting website about this wonderful place called FENWICK HALL… It’s been around since approximately 1730. It has wonderful stories! Hidden tunnels, secret rooms, ghosts, you name it! Read about the history on the website… it’s fascinating to say the least. What I’ve heard about this place was that it used to be a drug and alcohol treatment center for the wealthy. When reading the history it looks like that began in the 1980’s, the  history is a must read!

This is now a private residence, and the writer of the Fenwick Hall Plantation website cautions you not to trespass, because the owners will prosecute. So warning warning… unless you’re looking to visit the big house (and I don’t mean Fenwick) some time soon? Hee.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

ADDICTED… to the Black Bean Company, Charleston, SC…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, HOME1 Comment

Image: Black Bean Company 

OK, so I’m a little late getting in the swing of things… a friend sent me an email asking if we’ve been to Black Bean Co… a neat little restaurant on James Island (and another location on Spring Street). We’ve heard of it, but had never been. Had heard it was good, but that was coming from healthy food loving people, ha ha… I was assured that the food was good and the yogurt was to die for… we went, we saw, we tasted… we fell in love… went back the next day, and the next day, and the next day… and hopefully today!! It’s FRESH, HEALTHY food that tastes out of this world good. It’s not the healthy food that you have to try to choke down, no my friends, this is pure delight… from the very first to the very last bite… when you leave you can’t help thinking about when you’ll be back, what you’ll be ordering… it’s just all so good!

One of their sides is yogurt… It is a dream come true. My guess is that it’s vanilla bean infused honey added to Greek yogurt. You can definitely see the vanilla beans and you can taste honey, but the combination is to die for, then it comes with a little granola that changes each day, it’s not that overly sweet processed kind, it’s REAL granola… but SHHH! Don’t give the secret away, would hate to know they were out of stock!

We’re working our way down the menu… I only managed to get photos the second day, ha ha… but here they are, just so that you can see how delectable these wraps are. They have more… but this is out of this world!

The wrap above is the SOUTH WEST CHICKEN (Roasted chicken, black beans and jasmine rice, fresh local sweet corn, roasted tomatoes, spicy southwest chipotle sauce, shredded carrots, parmesan cheese, mixed greens) – did you read that description? Oh heavens… To. Die. For. Good. Spicy and perfect in every way!

This one is the BLACK AND BLUE (Chicken, (turkey or tofu), blue cheese, mixed greens, avocado, fig balsamic vinaigrette, black beans and jasmine rice) – oooooh!

The last one we got was the SPRING STREET (sorry no pic, was hungry!) it has chicken, turkey or tofu, hummus, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh homemade tzatziki, mixed greens and sprouts! I think this one was my favorite, but I have a great passion for tzatziki, ha ha… so that may have sealed the deal! They have many vegetarian options (almost everything can be made without meat, with tofu substituted)… and don’t forget about the yogurt, but remember, don’t tell anyone!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Microplane, the wood working tool that crossed over to the kitchen!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME3 Comments

The Microplane Classic Series Zester/Grater

This is one awesome tool. Made by Microplane, this is the Classic Series Zester/Grater. It makes a molehill out of a mountain, so to speak… It takes the toughest job and makes it a snap. Did you know that the smaller garlic is chopped the higher the health benefits? I use my Microplane zester mainly to make a wonderful paste out of garlic and/or ginger. Therefore no big hunks of garlic, just nice and flavorful, AND it only takes a few minutes! I originally bought it years ago to use with Parmesan cheese, but these days it’s all about the ginger and garlic… if you don’t have one, give it a whirl, I’m sure you’ll wonder how you did without it for so long! As they say at Microplane, it’s the woodworking tool that crossed over to the kitchen, and boy am I ever glad someone thought of it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charlie (Jack Russell Terrier) visits Shem Creek Park in Mount Pleasant, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment

Charlie loves to go for a visit to Shem Creek Park in Mt. Pleasant, SC. It’s a nice long dock/walkway with plenty to see and smell… a great place to go to watch the boats, people fishing or just to enjoy a beautiful sunset. If you haven’t made your way there yet, it’s worth it! Near Shem Creek (Mount Pleasant Seafood, etc.) you can’t miss it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

PHOTO: Homes on Charleston Navy Base maintained for the TV show Army Wives

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS9 Comments

General and Claudia Joy Holden’s House (characters) on the set of Army Wives, Charleston, SC

This is one of the homes maintained for the television show ARMY WIVES. See the wisteria (I’m guessing that’s what it’s supposed to be?) on the porch? It’s not real… it’s fascinating to see sets up close, what you see on TV is so far from what it really looks like! I remember one year Fred and I were in Mount Pleasant, SC in an area they call the “Old Village”, this little shop that we really liked was painted a different color, on second look, all the shops were different, as were the nearby homes, it was like being on the Twilight Zone (anyone remember that show??), then we saw men on ladders HANGING GREEN LEAVES ON A BIG OAK TREE, we asked what was going on… they were getting ready to shoot a scene for a Nicholas Sparks movie (I believe it was The Notebook), so intriguing! The season of Army Wives starts on March 4! I like the show, Fred likes it because he’s figuring out where they’re at for each scene! I’m not sure how it works, who maintains these homes, etc. but they do a great job… Catch you back here tomorrow!

 

PHOTO: Can this gorgeous home be saved? Charleston, SC Officer’s home, it’s been vacant since 1995…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME5 Comments

I truly cannot believe the homes on the navy base have been allowed to sit vacant since the base closed in 1995. They are literally falling down. When you go to this area (some of the homes are maintained, the ones that are used for the television show ARMY WIVES) you will see that there is no more beautiful place in the world. The large looming oak trees, you can FEEL the history here… the water is near, you can just imagine all the important and fancy dinners that have been part of these homes. You would think they could at least sell to an individual who could renovate and either live there or sell? There are many homes, this one is just the most heartbreaking… There was a good article in the Post & Courier back in October regarding these homes, check it out if you get a chance! (I know with a MAC you can double click on the image to enlarge… try it!). Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured artist… Rick Reinert!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist, HOMELeave a comment

“Second Sunday In December” by Rick Reinert

Across from the Reinert LePrince Gallery is a neat little antique store, John Pope Antiques. I think Rick did a fabulous job of capturing this colorful storefront! In his traditional loose style, he depicted this perfectly, from the brushstrokes and color to the thickness of the paint. It all made for an interesting painting!

The Reinert LePrince Gallery is located on King Street in downtown Charleston. Last time we were there both artists were painting away. So it’s a great place to visit if you want to see artists actually painting… If you’re in the area, check him out, also check out Kevin LePrince‘s work, very nice! Otherwise, their website is very informative!

A blip about Rick from his website:

Nature and sunlight have provided me with the ultimate reference library. I believe that it is possible to study painting for a lifetime and never have to venture more that one square mile for constant challenges and a wealth of subject matter. Every day offers unique and exciting opportunities for the artist who follows the light.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), Charleston, SC February 17-19, 2012!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, TRAVEL2 Comments

Image: Google

Mark it on your calendars… make your reservations… book those plane tickets! Southeaster Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is February 17-19, 2012 in Charleston, SC! This marks the 30th year! Come see why there is such a huge draw. The city will see over 40,000 people fill the streets, auditoriums and many other venues in those three days. That’s the nice thing about this expo, it’s spread out, you can pick and choose what interests you! Did I mention the shopping district in Charleston, SC? Pretty darn exquisite… So there is something to do for everyone!

Here is an interesting fact from SEWE’s website that gives you an idea of how popular it is in Charleston:

What does SEWE do for the community?
SEWE has an economic impact of $63.8 million annually to the state, bringing life to the area at a traditionally slow time for the Lowcountry tourist industry. In addition, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition provides the public with affordable access to cultural and educational opportunities as they relate to wildlife and nature conservation and preservation.

Whoa! 63.8 million! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Here’s a blip from the SEWE website:

Now in its 30th year, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has grown to be the largest event of its kind in the nation, attracting over 500 artists and exhibitors from around the globe who present their offerings to over 40,000 attendees. A 3-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence, SEWE now hosts the world’s foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, as well as conservation research and environmental education. 

Established in 1982, the first Southeastern Wildlife Exposition took place in February of 1983, with approximately 100 exhibitors and 5,000 people in attendance. Its goal was, and is, to produce an event which contributes significantly to the economy while promoting the conservation and preservation of nature and wildlife through its educational outreach programs and its focus on the visual arts. 

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is a critical part of the South Carolina and Charleston calendar. Run with the utmost professionalism and pride, an effort that began as a small winter diversion has now become the largest annual event to take place in South Carolina and one of the most popular and successful events in the country.

Here is some info from their website in regards to purchasing tickets:

How much are tickets?
General admission tickets for Friday or Saturday are $20; Sunday: $10, and 3-Day: $40.

How much are children’s tickets?
Children 10 and under are admitted free of charge.

How can I buy tickets in advance?
Advance tickets may be purchased online, by phone (843/723-1748), at the Gaillard Auditorium, and at the Charleston Area Visitor Centers. 

• Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting Street (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
• Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri)
• Mount Pleasant Visitor Center/Waterfront Park, 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
• Kiawah Visitor Center/Town Hall, 200 Beachwalker Drive (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri)
• North Charleston Visitor Center/American LaFrance Fire Museum, 4975-B Centre Point Drive (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sun)

Can I buy tickets at the event?
Tickets may be purchased during show hours at Charleston Visitor Center, Charleston Place Hotel, Francis Marion Hotel, Mills House Hotel, Gaillard Auditorium, Marion Square, and Brittlebank Park.

Will tickets sell out?
SEWE will not run out of General Admission tickets.  Please be advised that GA seating for events in the Gaillard Auditorium is first come, first served and is not guaranteed.  The same is true for viewing space near the ring for Retreiver and Center for Birds of Prey demos, and near the tank for DockDogs competitions.