Labor Day – take a break, you deserve it!

On September 1, 2014August 27, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS2 Comments

Happy Labor Day! It’s officially the “end” of beach season, not that there isn’t plenty of sun to be had on the beaches for the next several months. But things will slow down a bit with kids back in school. Enjoy your day off if you have one! One more beach day, a nice BBQ in the evening… sounds perfect, doesn’t it?

Personally I would like to be on Monhegan Island (Maine) right now. Just look at this vast ocean view… so peaceful! For those of you who ARE there, enjoy!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Where to have a wonderful lunch in Charleston, SC!

On August 31, 2014August 23, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Slightly North of Broad - Charleston, SC — Slightly North of Broad – Charleston, SC

Last week, Fred took the day off for my birthday. We had a great time as well as a fabulous lunch! We headed to Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.) – We both ordered their wonderful meatballs served on top of polenta with a side of green beans. I opted for a side salad, and Fred ordered a white bean soup. Both were fabulous!

Slightly North of Broad (SNOB) Meatballs over polenta!

This was kind of like spaghetti and meatballs on polenta instead of spaghetti. It was out of this world good! I wasn’t sure how it was going to be. But SNOB’s polenta is wicked creamy (I just know there can’t be cream involved, right? Probably skim milk ;) ha ha)… It was tremendous!

Where do you like to eat when you’re in Charleston? We have so many wonderful options! Where? What do you order? I love to know the scoop! hee hee…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

How not to send a gift…

On August 30, 2014August 23, 2014 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!

Botany Bay Trail – such beauty and so close!

On August 24, 2014August 15, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Botany Bay (Edisto), South Carolina. Stunning beauty everywhere you look! Winding paths, wildlife, birds, water, gorgeous old oaks, palm trees, unspoiled beach. You just can’t beat it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

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

On August 23, 2014August 15, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

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 August 22, 2014August 15, 2014 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 August 19, 2014August 11, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS8 Comments

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!

MY perfect summer day…

On August 17, 2014August 10, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS1 Comment

Hee hee… I love weather. I love a good storm or at least cloudy skies during the hot summer months. While I know that cloudy skies make some people sad they put a smile on my face!

Everything in moderation… sun included ;)

Have a great Sunday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Do you see what I see? My assistant hard at work…

On August 16, 2014August 10, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

As I sit at my desk writing this blog day after day, I have someone who cracks the whip… someone who makes sure I finish what I start… that would be Charlie! Look at how he sits. I look at him and laugh. This dog cracks me up!

Enjoy your weekend and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

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

On August 12, 2014August 9, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS4 Comments

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…

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 August 9, 2014July 29, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL6 Comments

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!

Looks like a painting…

On August 3, 2014August 3, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Doesn’t this look like a painting? I love how some artists paint in the power lines, it really adds character. Same with street lights, especially in nocturnes, where they’re essential… This was a magical sunset on our way home from downtown… nice huh?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Yep, you deserve it!

On August 2, 2014July 30, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

T r e a t y o u r s e l f !

I’m sure you deserve it, but… if you don’t want to treat yourself, maybe treat someone else to something out of the blue! Sometimes its those little things that can make the world of difference in someone’s day!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

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

On July 4, 2014June 29, 2014 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 June 22, 2014June 19, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

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…