Category: North Carolina

What does “mise en place” mean to you?

On By Barbara StroudIn cooking, Favorite Things, FOOD, North Carolina, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Pop up cooking class took place in the bar area with Chef Josh Vilain from The Swag in North Carolina.
Executive Sous Chef Josh Vilain – 2025

This term is one of my favorites. I think about it often. If you aren’t familiar with this term please read on, it’s interesting and could enrich your life in many ways. It’s usually used in reference to cooking, but is an essential life skill that everyone should learn. Your life could be made far easier if so. Sometimes you just NEED things to be in place to facilitate whatever it is your doing to make it efficient with time not wasted looking for things because they aren’t where they belong. So what does mise en place mean?

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Sunrise Anticipation!

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL, waynesville2 Comments
sunrise in the mountains

Where was I when I took this photo? Is it a close up of a rocky surface mimicking mountains or taken from a distance with actual mountains. HOW can the sunrise be so bright and magnificent? We were out of town a while back, and let me tell you, the views were astounding! Take a guess where we were…

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It’s Officially Fall – Super Excited!

On By Barbara StroudIn Favorite Things, North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL4 Comments
dirt road with scattered autumn leaves in yellows and reds

Fall officially began Monday (9/22) and I couldn’t be more hopeful for cooler weather to come our way soon. As I write this the weather forecasters are showing possible storms headed this way soon. We continue to monitor and have a plan for food, water, etc. so we can stay in.

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Taking Myself Back To A Cooler Time…

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS3 Comments
trees with mountains and fog in the distance

Okay. Extreme heat is insane. But extreme heat mixed with high humidity (and a crazy high dew point) is dangerous. Drink lots of water. Stay in the shade if you have to be outside, and don’t overdo it! Personally, I’m taking myself back to a cooler time in the mountains (even though I am in Charleston) if only via a photo, it will help a little.

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The Fascinating World of Gargoyles vs. Grotesques (Biltmore House)!

On By Barbara StroudIn Biltmore, Design Inspiration, Flowers, North Carolina, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image of small section of Biltmore House, Gargoyle, Grotesque, carving

This stately piece of architecture is a cut above the rest (that I’ve had the pleasure of visiting). Dynamic, regal and historic. The amount of intricate detail is mesmerizing. There are a number of (what we would call) gargoyles – they’re everywhere and they’re all different. They are so creative and wonderful, you need to go visit for that reason alone! I’ve heard there is only one true gargoyle… Do you know the difference between gargoyles and grotesques?

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Biltmore House – A View of the Winter Garden!

On By Barbara StroudIn Biltmore, Design Inspiration, Flowers, North Carolina, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Winter Garden at the Biltmore House, Atrium, Glass ceiling with wood, Stunning electric light fixtures hang from the ceiling, tropical plants, statue, arched openings

Biltmore – Asheville, North Carolina. Wow! Doesn’t even come close to the feeling when you are within the walls of this grand estate. The details, so many details on every single level. As I mentioned in an earlier “Biltmore” post, I snapped almost 800 photos in a two day span. I think I have photos from each of these arched openings. There were people here, I was just waiting to take a photo until the coast was clear.

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Explore the Breathtaking Biltmore Estate: A Must-Visit Destination!

On By Barbara StroudIn Biltmore, North Carolina, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL1 Comment
The oh so grand Biltmore Estate, image taken from front lawn, fountain blowing in the wind

My husband and I have recently taken a road trip to the Biltmore Estate. We had the absolute best time possible. I’m not sure how we fit so much into a few days but we did. I highly encourage you to make your way to Biltmore. Add it to your list right now, I’m not kidding when I say this is one stunning place. I took almost 800 photos – I couldn’t believe it! Biltmore is so special.

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Saluda, NC Arts Festival TODAY – Celebrating 20 years!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Art Event, North Carolina, Photograph2 Comments
Blue sign on brick wall, reads Saluda Arts Festival 20 yrs, May 17th 10-4, colorful

The Saluda Arts Festival is today, May 17, 2025 from 10AM – 4PM. If you’re in the Saluda, North Carolina area, what a great event to pop in to! I love their colorful signs. I took this photo last time we were in the mountains and saved it to post today. We love Saluda, such a wonderful town! Cute shops, wonderful places to eat and such nice people.

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Life as a Bird in the Great Smoky Mountains

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment
Bird perched on a railing, looking out over the Great Smoky Mountains, Waynesville, North Carolina

Can you imagine life as a bird in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park? The freedom to fly hither and yon. Life as a bird comes with options. You glide with the wind. Or you take a break at the bird feeder and hang out with your friends. Or, if you preferred, you just take a break and look out over the beautiful vistas. #lifeisgood

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Support Chef Thornton: Buy a Mug for a Cause, Donate or Share…

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Chef Thornton, coffee mug, donation, mug on table overlooking Orchard coffee shop
Quick snapshot while Max was making us an excellent cup of coffee – Orchard Coffee Shop, Waynesville, NC

This is the coolest coffee shop in Waynesville, NC. I started following Orchard Coffee after Hurricane Helene. During the aftermath they did so much to help their community, it truly was jaw-dropping. Everyone who worked here went the extra mile and then the unthinkable happened…

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How To Identify the Birds You’re Watching!

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL4 Comments
mountains, tree, hummingbird feeder, hummingbird

Is there anything better than getting away to the mountains in the midst of jaw dropping beauty to reset yourself? Everyone needs to get to the mountains at some point. No need for a TV here, so much to watch, it’s ever changing. The clouds, the mountains, the fog, the plants/blooms and of course, the birds, rabbits, etc. The birds were a special treat this visit…

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A Sunrise Treasure!

On By Barbara StroudIn Favorite Things, North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment
Mountains with sunrise in the distance, early morning fog, treetops, and swirling dark blue clouds

Sunrise. Sunset. I love them both equally. How magical it would be to have an amazing view of one or the other. “If I had my druthers” as my MIL will say, I’m not sure which I would pick. I love a sunrise. I love to pop out of bed as I did in this image above. But, I also love a sunset. We were visiting…

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Western North Carolina – Thoughts on Helene…

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS, weather3 Comments

Almost all of us have witnessed the endless images of destruction from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene. Helene came onshore as a Category 4 hurricane near Cape Fear, FL on September 26, 2024 – a few short days ago. From there the devastation continued through Georgia, South Carolina and Western North Carolina… In Charleston, Helene passed as a tropical storm from quite a distance away, but the wind effects felt stronger and lasted longer than some hurricanes in recent memory.

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