H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y C H A R L I E ! You are the coolest dog… ever! You keep us moving… constantly! Here’s to many, many more birthdays!
This is a dog that knows how to live, ha ha… don’t you love how dogs just LOVE everything?
Also wanted to say H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y A J A X X (Charlie’s cousin)…
Thank you for all the birthday wishes!! Catch you back here tomorrow – woof! xoxo, charlie
![Inlet Cottage (SL1519) An Exclusive Design for Southern Living by K2 Urban Design [image]](https://artfoodhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/hp-inletcottage-sl1519-sl.jpg)
An Exclusive Design for Southern Living by K2 Urban Design [image]
![Inlet Cottage (SL1519) An Exclusive Design for Southern Living by K2 Urban Design [image]](https://artfoodhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/hp-inletcottage-int-sl1519-sl.gif)
An Exclusive Design for Southern Living by K2 Urban Design [image]
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Every time we hear Nora Jones sing, we think of the Island Inn on Monhegan Island, Maine. Every. Single. Time. One of us will say “the dining room is open”. One year, they played the same Nora Roberts CD, over and over. Not complaining. We rather enjoyed it. Matter-of-fact we looked forward to it the following year, and I’m guessing someone who worked each night couldn’t take it anymore! This dining room holds lots of special memories for us. We’ve met some wonderful people over the years. We’ve had wonderful breakfasts with some and long dinner’s with others. You know that comfortable interesting conversation that lasts long into the night? It’s rare to run into cool people like that. Monhegan, ME allows you to spend time with others because there isn’t a lot to distract you… no TV, radio, spotty cell coverage. All are blessings.
Special memories indeed! This photo was taken in 2008. The paintings in the dining room that year were by Alison Hill…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Have you been to Monhegan, ME? It’s an amazing island off the coast. It’s not large, but it’s special. Oh. So. Very. Special. There are cliffs, trails, a wharf, hiking paths and the woods… not any old woods… not the creepy full of bugs kind of woods, but nice, clean beautiful woods… this is a hike, that from town, can bring you to an amazing location overlooking the cliffs and the ocean. It’s beautiful. Serene. Peaceful. Absolutely magical.
Read a little blip about Cathedral Woods from CamdenMaineVacation.com (click the link to read in its entirety):
Many natural attractions can be found on Monhegan Island. One of them is Cathedral Woods, named because of the way the branches of the trees are arched like that in a cathedral. The place has a very serene and peaceful atmosphere – like one would typically find in a church. Rare flowers and plants are abundant in Cathedral Woods, as well. At the southern part of the island, you can visit Lobster Cove. It is a very good place for picnics and bird watching. Swimming in the water is discouraged here, however, as it is very dangerous and unpredictable because of the large waves and rip currents.
What a wonderful place!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
This is a great house to have nestled in the trees… of course I always think about a view of the water, a definite bonus! This plan has porches on three sides, one screened and two are open… what a luxury to sit on such a fabulous porch! The Nautical Cottage is 1,315 square feet. Pretty small in square footage, but space is used wisely! You have to keep in mind all the outdoor space you get from the porches… that adds a lot of living space, just not heated space.
Now lets check out the main floor of this sweet cottage:
My first thought is… that I would switch the kitchen and the living room… I would want the kitchen sink about where the fireplace is, so I can eat a cookie wash dishes and look out my window over the sink. I love my kitchen window (great view down the street) and it would be hard to give up! It seems easy enough to flip the living room and fireplace to the other side of the room (being the expert that I am)… that way, maybe there could also be a fireplace on the outside? A house in our neighborhood was built like that, and it’s quite charming! How nice to curl up with a book in a comfy chair, OUTSIDE, in front of a fire?! I love a screened porch for the buggy time of year!
If I ever start painting again, I would make one of the downstairs bedrooms into a studio, it’s also a room the dreadmill treadmill could hang out in, always a thought!
I think I would also make this upstairs loft space into a closed off storage area. How about you? What would you do?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
There is a cool community garden that I wrote about not to long ago that is at risk of being reverted back to its original condition. This garden is manned by several people who live in a neighborhood called Byrnes Down, in Charleston, SC… the community garden has been planted out of the goodness of their hearts, all veggies are free. They plant, they water, and you are welcome to pick. Read more on the petition…
Below is the link… I promise it only takes a few seconds. Your “signature” could mean the difference between the farm staying… or being plowed down (how could you sleep at night, hee hee?)… If you can, spread the word to your friends (it allows you to post to Facebook, email, etc. if you like)…
Here is the description from the Change.org website:
Sothel Farms is a community garden started by 4 neighbors in Byrnes Down neighborhood. These guys have cleaned up the West Ashley Greenway, planted , cared for and created the most beautiful garden for everyone to enjoy FREE OF CHARGE … there are no barriers, no conditions , they’ve never asked for a penny or even help …. they are nothing but good honest hardworking folks trying to do good & pay it forward. It has created a place for neighbors to find friends, children to learn about health and food, dogs to play, and in general beautification of an otherwise mundane piece of unused land. These do-gooders have received a citation from the City of Charleston to remove the garden as it encroaches the easement. PLEASE sign this petition to support saving Sothel Farms. To see more visit the blog at Sothelfarm.tumblr.com or better yet … stop by, smell the flowers and enjoy a fresh vine ripe tomato !
The support that this garden is receiving is mind blowing. BUT… We need you to sign the petition. Please. I urge you to read their post that includes some of those comments! I have faith that after the City see’s how many people are behind this act of goodwill, they will support the cause. Or just let it be. See the garden below? Way on the other side of all that green space. No barriers to keep anyone out, only signs welcoming everyone and inviting them to pick a veggie!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Top Image via SothelFarm.Tumblr.com
Recently we had a situation with our refrigerator that required us to unload everything into coolers for 48 hours. We had the best time ever. Hmmmm. The first day we ran to the gas station nearby and bought a few bags of ice… it costs over $7 for 3 fairly small bags of ice… the next day I remembered this vending machine. Ha! ICE HOUSE AMERICA is the name of it… click HERE to find a location near you, they’re all over the USA. In Charleston, SC it was $1.50 for 16 pounds OR you could drag your cooler over to the side and get #20 pounds for $1.50. Quite the deal! We only needed two bags. So if you need ice, check out one of these vending machines… This one is located on St. Andrew’s Blvd…
Stay cool – Catch you back here tomorrow!
C H A R L I E
Sweet beast. Lover of: green beans, carrots, cantaloupe, watermelon, popcorn, lettuce, eggs, greek yogurt, dirt, rocks, grass, tennis balls, kiddie pool, kitty cat watching and a good nap.
Had to share… Happy Saturday, catch you back here tomorrow!
I think Mark did a great job capturing that big city feel, don’t you? This is an impressive 60 x 60. Mark has a fabulous loose style that has a uniqueness to it… I love how the light is hitting the taxi and the fabulous colors in the road, especially where the sun hits. Whoa. This one really keeps your eye in the painting doesn’t it? I don’t know about you, but mine starts on the taxi, then travels up to the large TV on the building, to the top of the building on the right where the light is hitting… over to the oh-so-very-cool green traffic light, following the arm of the light down to the red on the building to the white parked car and back to the taxi. Where does your eye go? Paintings have so many aspects that are just so interesting… like this ‘keeping your eye in the painting’ deal… but it’s so true! Check out Mark’s website, it’s a nice one… He also has images from Plein Air Richmond 2013!
Read a blip about Mark from his website:
Mark has developed an international reputation and has won numerous awards, both in his native Canada and in the United States. A dedicated painter, Mark Lague was born in Lachine Quebec in 1964 and he has had a fascination with drawing since childhood, a skill he practices constantly, even to this day. Upon graduation from Montreal’s Concordia University in Design, Mark embarked on a 13-year career in the animation industry, working primarily as a background designer and art director. During this time, despite working full time, he began recieving international acclaim for his watercolour paintings through competitions, juried shows, and solo exhibitions. In 2000, Mark switched to oil as his primary medium, and in 2002 made the jump to full time painter. As an artist he is a realist, who is open to virtually all subject matter. What keeps him excited about painting is his endless quest to simplify and get to the essence of whatever he paints. Mark has been featured in numerous national art magazines, and continues to recieve international recognition for his distinctive style of painting.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Another colorful creative photo taken on Monhegan Island, Maine. Those of you who have been there know… your heart will always be there, long after you’re gone…
I know there are some of you who get there and think it’s horrible that there is no television, no phones in the rooms, or hair dryers… Electricity is so expensive on Monhegan… For example, (as of late 2012) the price per Kilowatt-hour on Monhegan was $.70 (seventy cents). Doesn’t sound like much? To help put it into perspective… The national average (price per kilowatt-hour) is $09. Nine cents. Yep. There is a reason there aren’t hair dryers in the rooms… Monhegan is either a place you love, or you’re ready to hop on the next ferry once you hear there isn’t a mall, golf course or tennis court. There is also no fast food and very little cell coverage (YAY!). Like I said… Heaven!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
H A P P Y 4th O F J U L Y ! ! !
Isn’t this the sweetest painting by Ken DeWaard? Perfect for the 4th of July…! If you aren’t familiar with his work. OH. MY. GOSH! Check out Ken’s website and his blog!
Enjoy your day! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Monhegan Island, Maine. A diverse and wickedly creative place! Even the clothes on the line are bright like the beautiful flowers! A magical place on earth!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Sothel Farm. Have you heard of it? It’s located in scenic Byrnes Down, right off the West Ashley Greenway. You may have noticed a few houses that made ample use of the unused space behind their homes. They planted a garden. Not any old garden. A community garden. You won’t see a little Farmer’s Market stand, with scales, calculators and a cash box. The vegetables are free. What?! I know… since when do you hear news like that?
Planting a garden on an easement… What a brilliant idea! Instead of looking at space that is unused and just sitting there, to make something of it that the community can learn from, get people active in is great. New friendships are forged. Kids see how cool a garden is, how it grows and then are excited to eat what comes of all that hard work! And hey, pulling weeds… it’s good for you!
A photo from Sothel Farms earlier days, wow, it’s like these guys know what they’re doing!
So thank you to those of you who put yourselves out there in the heat… tending these gardens, making them so prolific AND for sharing everything! I look forward to meeting you one day to say THANK YOU! I had a squash with my dinner one night, and a tomato on my salad. I’m telling you, it’s the little things in life that make you smile!
They seem like a fun bunch… this is how they describe the farm (very creative I might add):
Hee hee… who couldn’t love that?
Read more about the Sothel Farm (and see the many photos!) on their blog at http://sothelfarm.tumblr.com
It’s free. It’s fun and it is oh so entertaining! Check this out…
Sothel Farm as seen from the Greenway… no zoom… so you can see it’s way out of the way… I’m starting to think we should make the entire Greenway a garden!! How smart!
Here are a few other gardens planted in out of the way, unexpected places (easement)…
This one does not have a sign that says the veggies are free… so please don’t pick unless you ask first ;)
Talk about using every square inch!
I love this sign… creative! Pull a weed… that’s not too much to ask!
Two photos to show this garden… it’s pretty, it’s full of wonderfulness!
This garden has expanded the space accommodating even more fresh veggies! LOTS of hard work!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
A few months ago when my parents were visiting we headed to Sullivans Island, SC. A beautiful beach, and a fabulous place to walk! We usually only go to the beach during the off season, when its quiet… but it’s beautiful all year!
If you go be aware of all the signs warning of rip currents… there are rescue attempts all the time for people not heeding those warnings, which puts other lives (friends who jump in to help, rescue workers, etc.) in jeopardy…
Know this before you swim (from the United States Lifesaving Association):
How to Avoid and Survive Rip Currents
Learn how to swim!
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| Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility at Duck, NC. |
Good advice!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Joe (my dad) and Carlisle (Fred’s dad)… blurry photo… I vow to do better!
I would also like to say H A P P Y F A T H E R S D A Y to Carlisle Stroud, Fred’s dad!! You’re awesome DC! We think the world of you! You’re willing to drop what you’re doing at a moments notice and come to help us fix whatever it may be. We appreciate all those times more than you’ll ever know! barbara & fred
Happy Father’s Day to all of you who are a dad, who want to be a dad, who are almost a dad, as well as for those of you who wanted to be a dad but things just didn’t work out… For those of you who have adopted, have married into a family with children, for those who take the time to teach neighborhood kids, you are all the best! Happy Father’s Day…
And a big heartfelt hug to those of you who no longer have your father in your life. I know that makes this holiday, Father’s Day, a tough one. Do good and know he is smiling down upon you…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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