Category: THOUGHTS

How not to send a gift…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment
How NOT to send a watch!
How NOT to send a gift!

Hmmm, this would be HOW NOT TO SEND A GIFT, don’t you think? Ha ha… No, this watch wasn’t stolen… it was sent from a department store… I ordered it (I love this Timex Ironman watch for walking as well as so I know what time it is when I wake up in the dark)! The band on my old one is shot and this arrived just in the nick of time, but… we called the store to see if we could cut the “safety device” off. They said NO… drive it to Columbia, SC and a store employee would remove it… over 2 hours? Hmmmm, not happening…. OK, then drive it to Savannah…. another 2 hours?? Yep, not happening… We finally just reordered it and returned this one. So much drama, ha ha…

So if you’re ever going to give a gift, make sure one of these aren’t attached ;) hahahahahahaha!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Do you take advantage of fresh produce in the summertime? Too tasty!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

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Summer is so good for fresh food, isn’t it? Do you take advantage of your local farmer’s market, or do you have a garden? Oooh, there is just nothing like fresh produce! This was a fabulous dinner, grilled chicken topped with a mango salsa, some great cucs and scrumptious tomatoes bedazzled with a little olive oil and vinegar… and some home made slaw… with vinegar instead of mayo, and for dessert… corn on the cob! Pretty isn’t it? Enjoy your summer time meals while you can!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

I do, I do, I do!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS7 Comments
Us... 2005... San Fran...
Us… 2005… San Fran…

Me and Fred… got married 22 years ago today… best day ever!

This is a photo from our last visit to San Fran in 2005 (need to get back there!) on the ferry to Sausalito to check out the art and grab a burger. I’m a tad wind blown, ha ha. Good times right from the beginning. I’m super blessed and I know it… I don’t take this man for granted. It’s rare to find the love of your life I think. And he… is mine!

Happy 22 years Fred – I love you!

barbara

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The older you get… the older OLD is!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS8 Comments
Celebrate good times!
Celebrate good times!

A short post today… taking my birthday off, woohoo!

It’s funny, the older you get, the older “OLD” is!  Hey, it’s true!

When I was young I thought “old” was around 30, and then 40, then 50, now it’s 99+++! I imagine that number will keep going up as long as I’m alive. I still don’t feel my age, and for that I am thankful!

Celebrate the good times!  Catch you back here tomorrow!

Pull in gas station… which side is tank on??? Now you know!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS4 Comments

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You’ve done it, you know you have… pulled into the gas station and can’t remember which side the gas tank is on… I know I’m not the only one! What I didn’t realize is that there is an indicator by your gas gauge. Did you know that? In the example above it shows a little gas tank on the right, which means that your gas tank is on the right hand side! I just thought they placed that symbol there for whatever reason! I had no idea there was a reason behind it, ha ha…

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I’m sure cars do it all different ways, this one shows a gas tank and an arrow indicating the tank is on the right.

Brilliant! Tell me, did you know?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

56 years ago today… and a Port Clyde sunset!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL6 Comments
PORT CLYDE, MAINE
PORT CLYDE, MAINE

I guess you could call this “taking a personal day” – there is a lot happening today!

This photo was taken back in 2008. My parents had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and they joined us in Maine. We had the best time… rented the coolest cottage on the ocean in Port Clyde, then headed to Monhegan. In this photo I zoomed in and cropped out the surrounding area… they were standing on the rocks looking out towards the ocean at sunset. Gorgeous isn’t it? I know they would like to be back there right now… as would we!

Maine is such a special place. I told Fred the first time we went… that I didn’t feel like I was supposed to leave, ha ha… What a place!

Hey, happy anniversary mom and dad! So this is your 56th Anniversary?!!!! Wow! Congratulations!!  

Love you more than anything! xoxo, me

Oh! And a happy birthday to my sister Bridget who was born X-0 years ago this year! Woohoo! It only gets better from here, trust me ;) !!!!!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Just look at this Charles Movalli painting… WOW! Happy 4th!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Patriot by Charles Movalli Private Collection Image: Bayview Gallery
Patriot by Charles Movalli
Private Collection
Image: Bayview Gallery

I’m quite positive I’ve mentioned this painting by Charles Movalli in a past post… I still remember walking into Bayview Gallery in Camden, Maine – looking where there were several large Charles Movalli paintings, each so very stunning. This man is talented beyond belief. I would love to meet him one day, he looks like such a cool guy. Whenever talking with other art loving people, if you mention his name, EVERYONE agrees that he is awesome in every single way. As an artist, as a speaker, as a person. You just can’t get any better than that!

Enjoy your 4th of July holiday!!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:            4th of July – Ken DeWaard painting!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Happy 4th Charleston Photo!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:     How to make Lemonade Iced Tea – perfect for when its hot outside!

The STAR of the show!!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

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Absolutely the star of the show! It looks like there is a spotlight highlighting their beauty! I’ll try to calm down with the hydrangea photos… it’s just so exciting when you can go pick your flowers. I love that! There is just nothing better than fresh flowers to brighten a room!

What’s blooming in your area? Let me know! Happy Sunday! Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             Sullivan’s Island Beach… ahhh!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:          Artist: Peter Justl!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:     BLUEBERRY PIE RECIPE… 

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree….

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

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You’ve heard the expression “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” meaning that you are a lot like your parents, whether you like it or not… ha ha… It’s so true, I’m like my mom in so many ways, but I’m also like my dad…

We love to collect art supplies, but are more hesitant to use them… sigh…

Technology… He was the first to get a digital camera, iPad and iPhone! It’s not easy keeping up with him!

Ahhh, technology… LOVE IT! HATE IT! Love it when it’s working… hate it when it’s not! It would be good if one of us were proficient, but we end up figuring things out.

So far.

Love to cook… although he likes more complicated recipes than I do… I tend to go for the quicker ones.

Maine… we all have a love for Maine. What’s not to love?

I am so fortunate/blessed/lucky/happy to have such a cool dad! Hey dad, just want you to know you are the best!!

Fred has his own apple doesn’t fall far from the tree story going on… he is so much like both of his parents…

His dad can fix anything, and now, so can Fred, he had a good teacher!

He shares a love of the outdoors, camping growing up, horses, time on a farm with his grandparents. Oh yeah, lots of similarities.

It’s funny how when you’re young you want to be DIFFERENT than your parents, then as you get old (and “old” is much, much older than what you first perceived it to be) you see how similar you are, and you know that it’s a good thing!

Think about your  own “Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” story…

H A P P Y    F A T H E R ‘ S    D A Y ! !  Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:           Lunch Spot @ Botany Bay

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:        Artist: Peter Poskas

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Chicken Pita with Tzatziki!

All blooming at the same time!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

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Well, an unusually cold winter made way for a gorgeous spring, wow! Normally they bloom one at a time, this year… all at the same time! Gorgeous… and the gardenias… ahhhh the scent is fabulous!

The far left are the gardenias, then you see the yellow day lilies, the blue hydrangeas and peeking out in front of the hydrangeas… the Easter lilies! Love it!

Have a great weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:           Artist: Gary Bodner

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:        Wonderful Art… and an update!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:    Artist: Guy Corriero