Category: THOUGHTS

What do you listen to?

On By Barbara StroudIn Lifestyle, THOUGHTS4 Comments
Pandora!
Pandora!

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 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud

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!

African Violets…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS1 Comment

IMG_2677

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 By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud

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 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud

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 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

IMG_2616

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!

Little Free Library… Brilliant!!

On By Barbara StroudIn Lifestyle, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Little Free Library - What a concept!
Little Free Library – What a concept!

What a brilliant concept! Have you heard of the LittleFreeLibrary.org? It’s a great idea and “libraries” are popping up all over the country! I snapped this photo while on a walk downtown (Charleston, SC)… no library card is necessary!

I love to read, and I used to buy all my books. Now I read faster so it wouldn’t be too cost effective for me to buy every single book. I use our public library which is fabulous. But the problem with it is that so many people use it (which is a good thing), but the wait for a book can sometimes be months (if a new release). Literally months. If I buy a book, I read it and then I pass it along. If we had a little free library, we could put our books that we’ve read in it, and “check out” a different book and return it when done. How great is that?

Do you have a Little Free Library in your area? Catch you back here tomorrow!

This is one of mine… what are some of yours???

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Who are some of your favorite authors?

My mom gave me a book by Mary Kay Andrews and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I get into spurts reading… and then I get stuck in a rut and if I don’t get a book right away it’ll be months that go by without reading. So several months ago I resolved to start reading again (read instead of Facebook)… it’s been working well! I don’t miss Facebook… I catch up with it quickly and read for a short time in the morning and evening. I love that time of day. Getting lost in a book… there is just nothing like it!

Who are some of your favorite authors? Let us know (either by commenting on this blog at the top of the post you’ll see a (it will have a number in it if there is already a comment, or using the Contact Me link at the top):

Comment Click on it, and type your comment! Or comment on Facebook!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

We have ours… do you have yours? Island Inn Monhegan…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL9 Comments

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroudI love January! It’s when the letters confirming your reservation at the Island Inn are received. Yay! It gives you something to look forward to for the upcoming months. What could possibly be better than that? If you haven’t made your reservations yet, I would give them a call tout de suite (immediately)! The inn fills up quickly, so be sure to have your room reserved!

The Island Inn located on Monhegan Island, Maine is such an amazing place to stay. It’s been around since 1907 and has withstood the test of time. (Part of the inn has been around since 1816 when it was known as the Pink House, then it was added on to – currently there are 32 guest rooms). The rooms are wonderful (and very clean!), whether you have a meadow view or ocean view, they’re both amazing! The meadow view room sees a sunrise, and the ocean view, well, you can guess what they see!

Check out their website – so much great info and beautiful photos!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The magic…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS4 Comments

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud
 Today is a day off for Fred. Yay! So a day off for me as well ;)

I wanted to take this time to thank Fred for all his thoughts and ideas that go towards making this blog even better… you’re the best!

You too Charlie! I know you help just as much, hee hee…

Everyone have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

There is nothing like the feel of sunlight on your face…

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

There's just nothing like sunshine on your face!Charlie… he knows how to spend his time wisely… I caught him in the sunroom taking a cat nap. You know that feeling when you’re in the sun, it’s so relaxing and your head gets heavy, eyes start to droop and then either your head does that bobble thing (like Charlie) or you just set it down and give in. Here he clearly gave in, ha ha…

Notice he doesn’t look too furry in this photo… this was after he had pancreatitis and was on a special very low fat food. It changed the way he looked entirely. He is now on a different very low fat food but one that allows his hair to look fluffy and wild. He loves that!

ArtFoodHome.com | barbara stroud

So do we Charlie! Have a great Sunday!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sunset at Northbridge Park – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Northbridge Park - Charleston, SC
Northbridge Park – Charleston, SC

Fred and I were on our way home the other night and as we passed Northbridge Park in Charleston, we saw the most amazing sunset. The park has recently been created and WOW is it ever nice. We walked out on the dock to get this shot. This sunset was spectacular. We weren’t the only ones that pulled over! I swear I could take photos of beautiful sunrises and sunsets forever!

Catch you back here tomorrow!