A Quick Weekday Dinner!

On June 9, 2015May 31, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

We’re all looking for a quick, but healthy, weekday dinner… something we can throw together in the blink of an eye. Yet… something that will taste like we really spent time preparing…

I’m going to let you in on a little secret (thanks Mom!)… Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Tenders.

Let me start by saying that I do not normally purchase processed food. Processed food is basically anything that makes it quick and easy. If you pick up breaded chicken strips in a regular grocery store, you will see a lot of ingredients that are chemicals and not food. This is good chicken, it’s quick, (from freezer to oven it takes 25 minutes, or less if you sauté on the stove!).

We put the chicken on top of some nice butter lettuce, and made a dressing of EVOO + Lemon + Pepper. (2 parts oil to 1 part lemon).

It was delicious! I sprinkled maybe a teaspoon of parmesan on mine, it added a nice flavor.

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud — **Happy Birthday Max (very old photo… getting in the ice cold river!)**

I have to give a quick shout to our uber cool nephew, Maxwell! Today is his birthday – hope you have the best birthday ever kiddo! I call him a kid, HA… he’s taller than all of us! This is a very old photo, but one I love!

h a p p y b i r t h d a y m a x w e l l ! ! ! ! we love you, barbara, fred & charlie too!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Mother’s Day Wishes and… Featured Artist: Pamela Gatens!

On May 10, 2015May 5, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mother’s out there – Mom’s are the best, aren’t they?

Thinking of all of you who no longer have their mom here on earth. This is a day of memories and cannot be easy for sure.

Also thinking of those of you who are expecting, I’m sure these are exciting times, know you are blessed!

I am so thankful for my mom, she’s the best – she’s funny, smart and cool! If I were a mom, I would be just like her ;)

Also thankful for Fred’s mom, she’s such a wonderful lady, so sweet!!

Best wishes for health and happiness!

The painting above was done by Pamela Gatens. Pamela’s work is so happy! Thank you Pamela for sharing the Featured Artist post with Mother’s Day!

Read a bit about Pamela from her website, and check out her work!

I paint nearly every day, and when not painting, I am gazing, studying or dreaming about it. Painting on canvas is all about color, freedom and problem solving. I thoroughly enjoy the abstract structure of all paintings. To me, the beginning structure is the most exciting part. No other activity gives the fulfillment that painting does.

Working in acrylic and watercolor, Pamela is a prolific painter and entertaining teacher. She is also a Signature Member of the West Virginia Watercolor Society. She sells her work at The Greenbrier Hotel & Resort, online with Carleton Varney, and at Tamarack in Beckley, WV. Her line of cat and floral cards have been best sellers for years. Pamela lives in Hillsboro, WV with her husband Pat, dog Barker, and cats Pokey and Mack.

Visit my blog often to see more of my newest paintings.

Image via PamelaGatens.com, used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

John Rutledge House Inn – Charleston, SC

On April 12, 2015April 2, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS3 Comments

Rutledge House - Charleston, SC — Rutledge House – Charleston, SC

This building demands your attention. Striking isn’t it? This is the John Rutledge House Inn located on Broad Street in Charleston, SC. We spent a night there almost twenty three years ago! It was so wonderful, the breakfast was to die for, and the inn itself… absolutely beautiful! This wasn’t the best photo, but it was snapped on the way to my car, as usual ;)

Here is a little bit about the history (from their website), but I urge you to check out their website, they have wonderful photos that show the transformation of this building!

John Rutledge built this elegant home as a wedding gift for his bride Elizabeth Grimke in 1763. In the 2nd floor drawing room, now the Signer’s Ballroom, John Rutledge, chairman of the drafting committee, wrote several iterations of the Constitution of the U.S. He later signed the document with the other founding fathers. In 1791, George Washington had breakfast with Mrs. Rutledge during his Presidential visit to Charleston.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Happy Easter!

On April 5, 2015March 12, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Enjoy your day! Happy Easter!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: The Waterton Plan by Karoleena

On April 2, 2015March 21, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTS3 Comments

The Waterton plan, designed by those oh so creative people at Karoleena. Have you seen how they build their homes? A great mix of style and function keeping the environment in mind. What can be better than that? Their website shows you in great detail the way these homes are built, and you won’t believe it! Check out their building process…

This is an amazing plan. Perfect for my husband and I. One section is the living space, and the other is the bedrooms/bathroom/utility. Brilliant floor plan. Stunning, modern design… especially if you have a view! I hope to show you more of their plans in the future! Be sure to peruse their website!

I would also like to wish a very H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y to Kurt Goodjohn, cofounder and CMO of Karoleena, and an all around nice guy! Here’s wishing you another year of health, happiness and best wishes!

Images via Karoleena.com, used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Palm Sunday in Charleston…

On March 29, 2015March 20, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Palm Sunday - Charleston, SC — **Palm Sunday – Charleston, SC**

Enjoy your Sunday! Is there anything better than Spring in Charleston, SC?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Grand old Charleston home… about to get a makeover?

On March 15, 2015February 28, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS3 Comments

The large, grand, historic homes in Charleston, SC are stunning. Breathtaking even. Besides the cost of the home, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc. can you imagine the maintenance? I’m not sure where I was when I snapped this photo, but it appears that this home may be receiving a makeover? Look at the intricate detail. Just beautiful! You have to be able to look beyond what is there to be able to see what it could truly be. A diamond in the rough…

This home will be stunning! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Dark skies – I love the dramatic colors!

On March 14, 2015February 27, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS4 Comments

There is nothing like sunlit trees against a dark sky. So dramatic. The blue in that sky is very “Marc Hanson” to me. We have one of his paintings that has that identical color and that’s what drew me in to the painting. Those two colors together are wow!

See what I mean! That dark sky and the streak of light, wow!

Our Marc Hanson painting... — **Our Marc Hanson painting…**

Speaking of Dark Skies, did you know there is an app called DARK SKY. It lets you know when it’s going to begin raining (or let you know a few minutes before), its fairly accurate, although I cannot believe I paid for it, ha ha…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

What do you listen to?

On March 13, 2015February 27, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Lifestyle, THOUGHTS4 Comments

Well, if you haven’t already realized, it’s Friday the 13th. I try to remain a positive person, so I’m thinking this will be a good luck day, and while I’m not normally a superstitious person, I felt like I should take caution and not spread any bad luck to any artist or architect today, so I’m just going to throw a question out there… I could use some recommendations for some good music!

WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO?

I listen to Pandora quite a bit (and psssst a good gift idea would be a no ad upgrade for anyone you know who listens!) – and I tend to get in a rut. I listen to the same few stations. Mainly, it’s George Winston. I like George, but Charlie (woof) LOVES George. He will actually sleep if George is playing (YAY!) So the beast usually wins. Also if I’m trying to write or read I need to concentrate, so I listen to George. When I need to switch it up I listen to Masako.

When I’m cooking, I listen to Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera (something with a beat!) or Happy Radio (Pherrell Williams song “Happy”). Other favorites are Koop (lounge type cool music), Eklipse radio (more happening)…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Peek-a-boo, every night at dinner…

On March 8, 2015February 19, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Isn’t this the craziest photo of Charlie? This is what he looks like while we’re eating dinner. He sets his chin on my leg so I don’t forget he’s there, waiting, waiting, waiting for anything. Since he’s on a special diet, the only “special” treats are different veggies and fruits. Many more veggies than fruit for sure. This dog does get a few pasta noodles if we have that for dinner, but only if I remember to set them aside BEFORE I put anything on them. I don’t think anything makes him happier… well, maybe lettuce. This dog LOVES IT!

So… this is my beast, every night at dinner saying DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME… no worries Charlie, I promise!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Can you believe it’s here so soon? Crazy!

On March 7, 2015February 19, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

That’s right… it’s here… the time to change your clocks! ALREADY! Before you go to bed tonight remember to set your clocks AHEAD an hour!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

African Violets…

On March 3, 2015February 17, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS1 Comment

Big, blooming and beautiful… My violets at their peak! I’ve had the plant on the right for almost eight years. They love the sunroom light. Once every week or two (depending how dry they get), I put them in a butcher tray with water. I try to catch rain water in a large bowl, they like that best!

I have one droopy violet, run roh! Seems like it happened before with my larger violet, but then it ended up being OK… Suggestions? Ideas? When you read about transplanting African Violets the process seems long and complicated. We transplanted one and it ended up doing fine. We didn’t do anything special. Let me know if you have any secrets to making these plants live long, happy lives!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Photo – Keep your eye out for whimsy!

On February 28, 2015February 28, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Nestled amongst the many elegant, stately homes in Charleston, SC you’ll find touches of whimsy… be sure to keep your eye out for it!

Speaking of Charleston, SC – have you voted for this years top city in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best? This survey is LIVE THROUGH MARCH 2, 2015 – enter your vote today!

Something to make you smile :) Catch you back here tomorrow!

Take this quick poll… Happy Valentine’s Day!

On February 14, 2015February 14, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Spend the day with your special someone! No special someone in your life right now? Indulge in a treat for yourself, or better yet, surprise someone with a little something-something! There’s no better way to make someone’s day than to make someone happy – that happiness spreads… you will be happy, they will be happy… why don’t we do this all the time?

Good question! Speaking of questions… here’s a poll for you:

Do you think you’re free from the boot?

On February 1, 2015January 24, 2015 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Ahhh, the dreaded boot! I’ve never been “booted”, but don’t think you are exempt if you drive something other than a car and park it in the wrong spot and/or for the wrong length of time. On the way home the other day, we saw this golf cart with a boot. Bummer… I’ve heard stories about people trying to drive off (in a car) with a boot attached… it doesn’t work. At all.

Charleston, SC keeps up with parking, so be sure to put money in those meters, and don’t park in the residential areas longer than the signs stipulate. You are almost guaranteed a ticket. To be safe from parking fines, head to a parking garage!

Catch you back here tomorrow!