Category: THOUGHTS

[ h o u s e p l a n ]: Bay Point Cottage – Allison Ramsey Architects

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

HP- Allison Ramsey Bay Point Cottage 2 ara

I would like to start by saying that Allison Ramsey Architects are brilliant. Their website is over the top fabulous for those of you thinking of building a home one day. They provide so much information, photos, links… You MUST check out their site… amazing is all I can say! AllisonRamseyArchitects.com –  I would also like to thank them for use of their images… This house was built in Beaufort, SC and images of the interior are on their site at AllisonRamseyArchitects.smugmug.com. Wow, does it help to see actual images of the inside of this house. Not everyone is good at picturing the floor plan in their mind.

The windows upstairs make this the most charming house ever! I love how they open out, just like the old cottages that you see that are in pristine condition. It isn’t easy to tell if this house is old or new. It has wonderful detail and charm, something missing in a lot of today’s house plans. The Bay Point Cottage is a clear winner! It boasts a heavenly porch, screened porch, Master bedroom downstairs, and an open plan in terms of the kitchen, great room and eating area. I’m not at all concerned about having a formal dining room. It’s not a priority to me… we would rarely use it. We can always repurpose a room when the need arises instead of being saddled with an unused dining room all year long (if it’s not your thing).

Bay Point Cottage Allison Ramsey ara

This floor plan is roughly 2300 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. It is in Allison Ramsey’s “Carolina Inspiration Book I” Page 35 (C0058).

Contact the architects at info@allisonramseyarchitect.com or 843.986.0559 to verify square footage, house dimensions and additional information or to purchase a set of plans. Their house plans show how their attention to detail time after time makes them a great architect to choose!

AllisonRamsey BayPoint Upstairs ara

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…      Featured Artist… Robert Norieka!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…  A Stay at the Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI = HEAVEN!

The Carina – Monhegan, ME…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment

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Ahhh, the Carina… it’s so much more than a grocery store, it’s more of an institution… it’s a place to run into old friends after a year has gone by, a place to catch up like no time has passed. A great place to grab lunch, a snack, or groceries… End of October will be then end of the Carina as we know it… A big thumbs up to Tara Hire for making it as fabulous as she has all these years! She is moving on and following her passion… Monhegan Wellness! So check it out!!

Another thumbs up to Lisa Brackett, who will be running the new store on the island called L. Brackett & Son… A store and a diner… there has been some major fundraising going on, this is a creative, hard working bunch!

We wish them both the best in their new endevours!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…  Weekend Photo: Sometimes it’s the little things…

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O… Foods that should never cross your lips – Part 7!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Tropical Storm Relief in Mexico… YOU can help! A big thank you to Frank Gardner and friends…

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS2 Comments

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I swear, some artist’s have the hugest hearts… with all the devastation that has pummeled Mexico, your help is needed! Frank Gardner has started a fundraiser selling his paintings at super prices. Once some of his fellow artists found out about this adventure, they shared their paintings as well… These paintings are sold on a first come first serve basis… and they are stunning… check it out!  They are going quickly, so if you check and there are none left, but you would like to help out anyway… I’m sure that can be arranged! If there is any way that you can donate any amount, it would be more than appreciated. Frank is easy to get in contact with… Just email him…

Here’s the latest from Frank 9/24/13 PM:

We are at $2,200. dollars so far in less than one day! Added new pieces today by Peter Kalill, Dennis Poirier, Colin Page and me. More coming soon. If anyone wants to donate or purchase please contact me.

frank@frankgardner.com

Details below… Click on the MY PAINT BOX BLOG link if you’re short on time…

My Paint Box blog 

Below is information from a newsletter from Frank… what a great group of artists!

I hope you are all well.
This newsletter is to let you all know that for the next week or so, I am going to be using the My Paint Box blog to set up a fundraising campaign. We are raising money to help people affected by the tropical storms that battered the Mexican coasts last week. The one-two punch of Manuel’s first landfall on Sunday and Tropical Storm Ingrid’s lashing of México’s east coast on Monday. (Ingrid was a hurricane offshore, but made landfall as a tropical storm.) Manuel became a hurricane before heading back to shore for a second hit on México’s upper west coast.
So far, at least 80 people have been killed in Mexico from the storms, not including the 58 people missing from a landslide in La Pintada, located a few hours north of Acapulco.As you probably know, my family and I live in Central México. While were wedged between the two storms and got a lot of rain last week, we were spared the brunt of these storms. As we began see reports from the affected areas we began to think of a way that we could help, beyond just taking a few canned goods down to be donated, we want to try and help in a bigger way. I can’t imagine losing everything and or losing friends and family members in a disaster like this.I decided to make the small gesture of putting a few of my paintings up for sale at specially reduced prices to raise some money for relief. Then take that money and buy necessities and non perishable goods to donate to the Mexican Red Cross. Both my niece and nephew are volunteers with the Mexican Red Cross here in San Miguel and the Red Cross has the best infrastructure for getting donations where they need to be.Before I could even get some pictures taken and get it on line friends began contacting me wanting to help out. This project continues to grow with the more than generous support from people who want to help. Please keep checking back, because we will continue to add more donations that are available.On my blog are images of donated artwork and other items. Many of these items can be seen at Galeria Gardner, Zacateros 75 in San Miguel de Allende. Some things that have been donated by friends will be shipped by them directly to the buyer. We think trying to auction these items will get too confusing and time consuming for everyone. After much thought we decided to go with the “Buy it Now” system of a set price, first person to make the offer to buy it gets it. Below each item I will put the Title, Artist’s name and information, Special Fundraiser Price, Shipping cost if applicable, and any other pertinent information.Because these are also available “off line” we are not using a “Buy it Now” button to avoid selling a piece twice. If you are interested in purchasing anything listed below you must email me at frank@frankgardner.com with the name of the item and your desire to purchase. Please do not try to purchase in the comments section of this blog. We can’t check email constantly, but the first email in my box for each item, or person that buys in person at Galeria Gardner, will get it. We can accept payment with PayPal on line, or cash and checks in person at the gallery. If buying on line, I will contact you to confirm your purchase. and send a PayPal payment request.Remember to keep checking back for more items. We will be adding more soon.
Please help out in any way you can. Every little bit helps.
Thank You.
http://frankgardner.blogspot.com

If you have not seen the damage from these storms you can see images here:

or here:

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…     French Enamel House Numbers… Sharp!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O… Owls Head General Store… what a find, the best hamburger ever!

Ahhh, to relax like this…

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL2 Comments

Fred reading at the Island Inn, Monhegan 2009

Is there anything better than to wake up early, have fabulous coffee, chat with friends, have a wonderful breakfast, go for a hike, stop for a snack, sit and read, go for another hike or two, or three… come back to the inn, take a shower and head to dinner… nope. I’m hear to tell you there is nothing better! To relax like this is truly a luxury!! Hope you have your luxury relaxation some time soon!

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There is something mesmerizing about this!

Hey! Happy first day of Autumn… WOOHOO, my favorite season begins!!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…  Autumn in Wiscasset, Maine!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O… Foods that should never cross your lips – #6!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

[house plan]: Bluffton SL-594… A Coastal Living Houseplan…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
HP Bluffton sl-594 exterior cl
Bluffton SL-594 – A Coastal Living House Plan

I swear Coastal Living has some wonderful house plans on their website. This featured plan is called the BLUFFTON (SL-594) and it’s an exclusive design for Coastal LIving by Hall and Hull Architects, Inc. A beautiful plan that can be used in different ways, which is so nice these days! Proves that when you have a good plan you can fit a lot of living into a 1,435 square foot space!

Just look at all the wonderful porches! It’s nice to have  French doors in the family room… let the cool air in (well, as soon as we can open windows!)… One thought, it might be a good idea to screen the back porch, that way the French doors could be opened without mosquitoes getting in the house, as well as sit on the porch without being “bugged”, hee.

HP Bluffton SL-594 cl

It’s so nice when a house plan can be versatile, and this one is.  There is a lovely dining room off of the kitchen, and while many people enjoy a formal dining ensemble, some of us just don’t use it. So personally, I would put my desk, a few wing backs (ours aren’t formal, they’re slipcovered in white duck cloth), maybe a neat old table that we could use if we had people over for dinner, but otherwise would put books and a lamp on it. I would maybe even tuck one of those cool (and compact!) wood stoves made by Rais  (love this model!) in the family room for the cooler months. Heat and fire add such ambiance, and they take off the winter chill! Elegant, a bit modern and useful!

This plan is available for purchase through Coastal Living’s website. It’s a winner!

Catch you back here tomorrow!                                                                                                                                                          ALL IMAGES VIA COASTALLIVINGHOUSEPLANS.COM

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…  Featured Artist… Eric Zener!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O… Live Long, Live Strong, Eat Seafood: The SLIPWAY RESTAURANT (formerly the Dip Net)!

Peace and beauty, what more could you ask for??

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL4 Comments

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Monhegan… ah… am I ever going to stop posting photos? Well, I just had to, we have some friends who are there this week, next week and the following week! I can’t wait to see their photos! I bet the weather will be perfect! This photo was taken (I think) when we hiked along trail 1… past Dead Man’s Cove and back up into the woods… it is M A G I C A L !  Some are there to paint, others to show family around a wonderful place they have yet to visit, and another who is going to read, relax, swim and hike! You always feel better once you’ve visited Monhegan, it gets your priorities back in place. Really!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R   A G O…  Island Inn… Monhegan Island, Maine!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O… Foods that should never cross your lips – #5!

 

[remember]

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
"A New American Flag" by Gary Bodner
“A New American Flag” by Gary Bodner

[remember]

Remembering those who lost their lives, who battled to save others, and for those who are still struggling today after that fateful attack on 9/11/2001. It’s hard to believe twelve years have gone by since that day that we were all glued to the radio/television. Thank you to those of you who have served or are now serving to keep this country safe. God Bless YOU!

This painting, by Gary Bodner, is entitled “A New American Flag” – hoping that peace becomes the new norm… at least one day soon! Maybe a flag with hearts isn’t such a bad idea? For anyone who may be interested, this painting is available at Anne Irwin Fine Art!

Be thankful for what you have, help someone out, make someones day… it will make yours too! Essentially… do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. The world would be a much better place!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

[image] via AnneIrwinFineArt.com

Fabulous Frocks of Charleston – a great window shopping painting?!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS2 Comments

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This is a cool bridal gown shop located in Charleston, SC – it’s high class isn’t it? To me, it looks like a painting… a painting perhaps by Hai-Ou Hou who has been popping out some pretty spectacular paintings in her “window shopping” series

FABULOUS FROCKS OF CHARLESTON – This shop is different than all the others… this is a bridal consignment shop! How smart is that? You wear a dress one day and then you have it cleaned and stored in a box… unless you have children who may want to wear it, why not pass it along, collect some money and put it towards something that you can use now? Fabulous Frocks doesn’t take any wedding dress… it has to be less than 5 years old, accompanied by the actual receipt and has to have cost at least $2000. – check out their website for more info.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Don’t Labor your day away… this is the best grill EVER!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Vermont Casting Grill vc

First of all, let me start by saying HAPPY LABOR DAY! Hope you enjoy the day off, and if you have to work, hope you don’t have to work too hard!

Years ago we invested in a good grill, a Vermont Castings grill… and its still going strong many years later. Ours has a little side burner, which we’ve only used a few times. If this grill ever poops out we’ll get a two burner model, that’s all we need. This grill has porcelain covered cast iron grates, which they say creates an even cooking temperature… I would have to agree! Ours is much like this model, but we don’t have backlit controls… the easy flame ignition is awesome as is the fact that it’s made in the good ole US of A… yep, right here in the states! Buy American and help keep the country strong! The 323 Tribute Series Grill is the one pictured above…

They have some great grilling recipes on their site… check it out! We bought ours at Home Depot years ago, but they don’t carry them anymore… check out their store locator to see if they sell them near you!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

FLASHBACK

O N E   Y E A R   A G O:  A pretty flower and a happy day to you!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O:  Artist to watch… Shannon Runquist!

Image via: VermontCastings.com

Wouldn’t you like to be here… listening to this??

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS, TRAVEL6 Comments
Monhegan, Maine
Monhegan, Maine

Wouldn’t you like to be sitting on a rock, here, in this fabulous place called Monhegan? Located about 10 miles off the coast of Maine sits this pristine little island called Monhegan. It’s a dream come true to spend a few days listening to the ocean, watching the waves, not answering a phone or checking messages. Hell to some I guess, but heavenly to us!

If you’re the type of person who loves the outdoors, doesn’t need to dress up to be happy and loves the sounds and sights of a beautiful rocky coast, this is your place! If you ever get the chance to visit… do! It’s a classy place, full of amazingly talented individuals. You won’t believe the number of famous artists that have painted on this tiny island.

Happy Memories – Catch you back here tomorrow!

FLASHBACK

O N E   Y E A R   A G O:  Rockville, SC photos: What a beautiful place to take a drive!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O:  Foods that should never cross your lips… #3!

Now this would make one heck of a rooftop painting!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment

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San Francisco, CA… gotta love it!

This would make one heck of a challenging rooftop painting wouldn’t it? Whew, not sure I would want to give it a whirl, but I would enjoy seeing the progression of an artist painting a similar scene. It facinates me how there really is no right or wrong way to paint. I see people break the “rules” all the time and they’re awesome artists… what works for one doesn’t always work for another… I like knowing I have options, ha ha…

Have a good 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…  Featured Artist… Romel de la Torre!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…  What to do with your garden’s bounty? VEGGIE PASTA! Dinner this evening!

“I do” or shall I say… “I did”…

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS14 Comments
fred barbara first photo 1991
First photo taken of us at my sister’s house… 1991!

Twenty one years ago today I said “I do” to the sweetest man on Earth, my husband, Fred Stroud. I remember that day well! We were so excited to get married, we didn’t want to wait for an evening wedding… we were married at noon on a hot August day. We had a beautiful wedding in Summerville, SC – we left the reception on the way to the John Rutledge House Inn (Charleston, SC).  It was such a treat to spend the first (luxurious) night in Charleston!

John Rutledge House Inn Balcony, Charleston, SC [image]
John Rutledge House Inn Balcony, Charleston, SC
[image]
After we checked in and put our bags in our room we had family meet us at the inn to sit out on the veranda. Spending time with my husband and family at the most beautiful inn was such a treat! As was the breakfast the next morning… we had slept through it and there was a knock at our door, they brought us breakfast in bed… it was scrumptious and so beautifully delivered. Something I’ll never forget!

John Rutledge House Inn Suite [image]
John Rutledge House Inn Suite
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I swear, if this isn’t our room it was one very similar… When the bellman was showing us the room, he told us to “feel free to walk around the hotel and enjoy the beautiful art work, such as the piece above the mantel“… it was a piece that my dad had painted!!! He snuck down early that day and asked them to hang the painting… what a wonderful gift! Here is a photo of it… it’s not a good one… reflections make this a tough one to take a photo of… so disregard the reflections, and the fact that I had to crop off the frame, this is a watercolor by my dad, Joe Fidler… (frame cropped to get it somewhat square, sigh…).

Painting by Joe Fidler
Painting by Joe Fidler

From the moment I met Fred I KNEW he was the one. There was something about him. We clicked. Is it cliche to say that we’re soul mates? Well, we are, I can’t think of any other word to describe it. He is an amazing man, and I pray that I am as wonderful a wife as he is a husband. Something tells me I got the “lucky end of the stick”… ha ha…

Fred, 1992 - I love this guy!
Fred, 1992 – I love this guy!

Here’s to you Fred! You’re the best! I feel so blessed…

Charlie and his dad... Fred!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O NE   Y E A R   A G O..  You see this man? He is the love of my life!

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…  The great escape on our wedding day… 19 years ago…

A double yolker… should I go buy a lottery ticket?

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
A Double Yoker...
A Double Yoker…

In my 50+ years I have yet to see a double yolked egg… until the other day! I was making scrambled eggs with spinach and cheese (an all time favorite)… I tossed the eggs in the pan (I scramble them in the pan)… and out of one of the eggs a double yolk appeared! I think it might be time to go buy a lottery ticket, ha ha… weird, eh? I read that a woman in the UK bought a half dozen eggs and every one was a double yolker! Interesting, huh??

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E   Y E A R    A G O…  The art of the Staycation…

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O…  The wildlife around here is going to do me in!