What stands out the most in this photo? Is it the stunning shadows that play brilliantly against the pretty color of this building? Or is it the light that seems to dance across the building with each gust of wind? Whatever it is, it’s beautiful and its just so Charleston!
Enjoy your day! Relax while you can, Christmas is 25 days away!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Shop small businesses today and if you use your American Express, you can get a $10 statement credit for each qualifying transaction! That’s right, you could earn up to $30 just for using your registered AMEX card at a small business that has been enrolled in the program in your area!
Win. Win. What a delight to support small businesses! Especially this time of year!
For more details, or to register your card visit the Enrollment Site!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Charlie looking for his lizard friends… ahhhh, “the Lizzies” as I like to call them! At times he’s obsessed and wants nothing more than to play with the many lizards that lurk in the monkey grass and palms. Then he comes in, dirt in his mouth, purple plumbago flowers stuck to his sides – Oh Charlie! Life is good!
For those of you who have been sending prayers, happy thoughts and anything else you’ve got for my dad… I spoke to the nurse this morning… he had a good night! First one! I was even able to speak to him for a minute. Nothing could be better than to hear his voice! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Whole Foods Market Mt Pleasant Customer Advisory Panel – did you know there was such a thing? Well there is, and it’s quite amazing. Whole Foods selects a group of people each year to inform and share information with them about their store. It’s amazing information. You would not believe all the work that goes into making that store so very amazing! Specifically, I’m referencing the Mount Pleasant, SC location.
They want to know what we think. What they can do better. What they are doing that we like. What would we like to see in the future? Each month there is a new topic. The first meeting was PRODUCE. It was EYE OPENING to say the least. After learning of the care that is involved with being a certified organic grocery store, we want to buy all of our groceries at Whole Foods! We are buying more since being on this panel, I guess after you learn all the work that goes into getting the produce where it is, and how the organic produce is treated very carefully. Special cleaning techniques are used in those areas, temperatures are taken as they are taken off the truck, storage is handled separately for organic and conventional fruits/veggies. They are not just inspected by DHEC, they are also inspected by EVERCLEAN because they are a certified organic grocer. It’s an impressive list of accomplishments that they strive for every single day. Quality is number one! It’s no easy task. That store runs like a well oiled machine. There are massive amounts of teamwork involved. No doubt about it!
You know how it is when you buy something that you think will taste good and then you get home and it’s just not your taste? Whole Foods will let you sample just about anything in the store, just find a store associate and ask them if a package can be opened or if you can have a sample. Fruits and veggies aren’t excluded… wonder what that Honeycrisp apple taste like? Wonder no more! They will give you a slice and ahhhh, you will see why they are about the most amazing apple on the planet!
I think a lot about a company that wants to strive, year after year, to make things the best they can be (despite being profitable anyway!)… Whole Foods not only wonders, they care, they WANT TO KNOW, they spend a great deal of money and effort to get our opinions. Just last week we had an entire Thanksgiving Dinner, the topic was PREPARED FOOD, and we tasted all of the sides that are available for Thanksgiving, and let me tell you… YUM! They even send us home with a Whole Foods bag packed with goodies from whatever the current topic is. Brilliant. Now I buy those same products that they gave us. Just think I might have never tried them otherwise! Now I am hooked!
On top of it, the people who work for Whole Foods are about as nice and sincere (not to mention FUN) as they get.
There were better photos to be taken, I was trying not to cause a scene… therefore you are missing photos of their Thanksgiving spread, which was the best EVER! Each and every dish we tasted was out of this world! So if you are wondering about Thanksgiving, give them a call (or order online) and order your Thanksgiving, it couldn’t be easier!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Charleston lost a legend on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.
John Carroll Doyle, prolific artist, photographer and writer. John was an icon. He was a character. He was so very interesting and would spend so much time with us telling us his amazing stories. I’ve always loved hearing the stories behind his paintings. John was an amazing person, storyteller and human being. John wrote his own obituary, and it is brilliant! His wish, in lieu of flowers, brought a tear to my eye. What he said is just… SO JOHN!
John truly made the world a better, more interesting, colorful, delightful place. His presence will be missed.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
The Lupine Gallery (Monhegan) is full of amazing work. The upstairs is wonderful and filled with many wonderful paintings… as well as this window, which to me, is a work of art all by itself! What a view. I would like to live right here :)
Enjoy your weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!
I’m so excited to announce my very own domain… from now on, you don’t have to type in https://barbarastroud.wordpress.com – you have the option of entering www.artfoodhome.com and tada! It will take you right to my blog. However, if you’re used to entering the barbarstroud.wordpress.com it will redirect you, and you’ll end up at the same happy place! Woohoo, let the fun begin!
Click HERE to view images from this show.
CHARLESTON BECOMES REALISM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
NOVEMBER 7 – 28 2014
Charleston will become the Realism art capital of the world from November 7 through November 28, 2014, when 68 international Realism artists showcase their latest masterpieces at Robert Lange Studios, voted Best Art Gallery in Charleston from 2010 to 2013. This represents one of the largest Realism shows ever displayed for this genre in the southeast.
“When an artist knows their work will be hanging along side some of the best realists in the country they tend to paint a little longer and add even more final touches than perhaps they normally would. The end result is a polished show where each painter has put their very best foot forward,” says Robert Lange, co-owner of Robert Lange Studios.
The exhibition is the International Guild of Realism’s ninth annual gallery show and will open with a gala reception Friday, November 7th from 5 – 8PM at the gallery’s historic location. Over 20 of the artists will be in attendance including artists from Sweden, Iceland, Canada and Norway, according to co-owner Megan Lange.
“Realism is having such a resurgence in the last twenty years. One can’t help but recognize and respect the staggering amount of hours required to create a technically exceptional realist painting. We’ve curated a show of traditional realist works, choosing paintings that demonstrate the artists undeniable technical skill first and foremost,” she added.
The show will have 73 juried paintings in categories including landscapes, still lifes, figurative art, photorealism and trompe l’oeil. The prices will range from $950 to $60,000. The works were juried into the show from over 350 IGOR member entries.
For more information, preview the artworks at www.RobertLangeStudios.com or call (843) 805-8052. The International Guild of Realism’s own website at www.RealismGuild.com features 340 worldwide artists.
Image via RobertLangeStudios.com, used with permission…
For those of you who subscribe to this blog, you may notice there has been some technical difficulties this morning… while working on my blog it published (while set to publish 2015 to be safe that nothing would be sent out until I had it how I wanted it)… and it didn’t publish but it DID send an email to subscribers. I have reported this issue… Thanks for your patience!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Shem Creek. One side of the creek has the wonderful park and dock that goes way out over the water and then there is the “other side” of Shem Creek (other side of the water) where it seems to be quaintly tucked away. It is heavenly. Like something from days gone by. Hard working people bringing you the freshest seafood there is. If you’ve ever been to “The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene” (great restaurant), you’re right near Magwood Seafood!
What an amazing place Magwood Seafood is. Talk about hard work, fair prices and an undeniable gorgeous location! They have some of the freshest seafood around!
Meet John – he owns Magwood Seafood, and is quite an interesting guy. He had many wonderful stories, and after talking to him, I’m telling you, seafood is all that really sounds good!
Meet Christy – this girl has the most fabulous attitude in the world. Life is about giving people a chance, working hard and staying strong. That’s Christy. She can pop the head off shrimp faster than I can tap my finger – she explained to us the process (I wish I would have taken a photo of the shrimp!) I guess I had never seen an entire shrimp with the red legs (is that what they’re called?) and the long dark antennae looking “thing” – very cool… they explained that when you see red legs the shrimp are very fresh (just caught an hour or so before we saw them), very interesting!
I’m heading down there this week for my weekly gathering! Hope to see you there! It’s a happening place that’s for sure!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
An important decision is to be made tomorrow (Election Day) – it’s a cause near and dear to my heart… the Charleston County Public Library. We have a small branch a short walk away. We need our library for so many reasons other than to check out a book (my reason), it offers valuable resources for children, it offers computers to those who don’t have one, it’s a place that provides endless programs, all for free, to better the county.
Now they need your help… after many, many years (our library hasn’t changed a bit since we moved here almost twenty years ago, and I bet it hasn’t changed much since it first opened).
Brian Hicks, a columnist for the Post & Courier wrote a great article: “Library Referendum Shouldn’t Get Lost in Election Year Burnout”.
So. True.
TOMORROW… November 4 (Tuesday), if you live in Charleston County (SC) – the county is asking voters to approve $108 million in spending for the county library. With that money they can rebuild three libraries that sorely need it, add 2 new libraries and update 13 branches, including the one within a short walk from my house.
Voters haven’t been asked for help with our libraries in almost 30 years – despite the huge population growth that we see (27%) – Our library circulation grew by 289% within that same time period. TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY NINE PERCENT. They need an update.
The impact on your property taxes won’t be much, for example, the owner of a $100,000 home would only have their property tax bill increase a little LESS THAN $1/month ($11.20 to be exact). It’s hard to say yes to increase taxes for every reason – but this one… important!! Don’t you agree??? This ends my political post for the next year ;)
Our libraries are lacking… they fall far below minimum state standards in many areas including:
-Libraries should have 1.25 square feet of public space per resident -Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) has .43 square feet of public space per capita!
-Libraries should have three public computers per 1,000 residents in the county (only 3?) – CCPL has .9 public computers per 1,000 residents.
Check out the library website for more info: www.ccpl.org
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Pretty views from everywhere!
Did you remember to set your clock back one hour last night? If you did, go ahead and change your clocks now!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Some of the best memories are of times spent taking in nature’s beauty. Being in a splendid location with people who are near and dear to your heart. It gives you a chance to recharge from the hectic normal days of life.
I swear you can find some of the most peaceful spots on the island of Monhegan. This is one of them. A place to sit and just be. Sit and watch the birds. Here, Fred is joined by a friends dog, Ella Pickle. She’s so sweet, everyone on the island loves her. What a great place to be a dog, can you imagine?
Looking forward to sitting here in this spot again!
Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour tonight before you go to bed! (If you go to bed at 10, set your clocks back to 9)
We’re GAINING an hour of sleep tonight, woohoo! We should all wake up a little less puffy ;) – I usually change one clock in the morning, so I can remember to switch the rest of them at night… Then for weeks I will say to myself “but it’s really x:o’clock” ha ha… My goal… to not do that this year!
Have a great weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Fred. Sweetest guy in the world! Love of my life! Well, I just have to wish him the happiest of all birthdays, because if anyone deserves a happy birthday, it would be him!
So my dear… you will probably also get the audio version (sorry!), hee hee, but it’s tradition!
Happy Birthday to you!! Happy Birthday to you!! Happy Birthday deeee-aaaar Freeee-eeeeed, Happy Birthday to you… and many more!!!!!
Whew!
This photo was taken on Monhegan, Maine. Gorgeous. Fred is very happy here, who wouldn’t be?!!!
Happy Birthday to my sweetie! You’re the best!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Monhegan Island, located ten miles off the coast of Maine. It’s a small island with the most creative, amazing people you will ever find. They find ways to entertain (other than TV, electronics, etc.) – This Jamboree was brilliant! Talent like I’ve not heard in a long time. It really is like life the way it should be!
Appreciate the little things in life, those little things are the best things!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I have never seen a fresher farmer’s market than the one I saw on Monhegan this year! They were literally picking veggies right before the market opened. The table was set up with beautiful displays. The veggies didn’t last long. *POOF* gone! What a treat!
Wherever you are, treat yourself to fresh fruits and veggies. Check out your local Farmer’s Market, or your local store that may carry local produce!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Ok, we’re just back from a trip to Monhegan, so I need to catch up on a few things, and I thought I would share just a few photos this week of Monhegan, then I promise, I’ll be back to my normal posting!
This was taken during dinner (sorry Fred!), grabbed my phone and headed outside to get a few shots of the stunning sunset. Monhegan is situated across from another island, Manana. The light on the right is on the wharf (Monhegan). Lobster boats dot the coast.
This place is Heaven. Truly!
I was so happy to meet up with old friends, new friends and everyone in between! This was a super special trip. One I will always remember!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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