The Spencer Gallery in Charleston, SC just got a new artist…

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The Spencer Gallery in Charleston, SC is loaded with all kinds of painting treasures. If you’re ever in the area I recommend taking a peak around! Bridget Jennings is new to the Spencer Gallery, and very excited to be a part of it!

She’s got a great website, so check it out! Here are a few paintings from her Charleston/Spencer Gallery collection:

"Stewart Fine Art" by Bridget Jennings [bridgetjenningsartist.com]
“Stewart Fine Art” by Bridget Jennings
[bridgetjenningsartist.com]
I love this little painting! It’s so indicative of Charleston’s old buildings… it’s a new gallery in town…

"St. John the Baptist" by Bridget Jennings [bridgetjenningsartist.com]
“Cathedral of St. John the Baptist” by Bridget Jennings
[bridgetjenningsartist.com]
If you’re ever in Charleston, you must pop in to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist church, it’s a beauty with so much history! She did a great job with this painting!

On another note… I wanted to wish Bridget a very Happy Birthday… Nifty, nifty, someone’s almost – ugh,never mind, hee hee! Bridget and I have had good times over the years, you may have read about the Orange Julius and popcorn days… It would be great if we lived closer… the South Carolina to Michigan drive is misery, especially if you do it non stop, by Ohio I’m ready to jump out of a moving car… don’t laugh, i’m serious!

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Bridget capturing inspiration from Shem Creek – Mount Pleasant, SC

Happy Birthday little sister… Catch you back here tomorrow!

My post from a year ago… Italian Cream Cake recipe from Cooking Light… WHOA!

My post from two years ago… MANY HAPPY MEMORIES!

A fabulous painting by Tim Bell… walking away…

Tim Bell, Artist
Tim Bell, Artist

Monhegan, ME. Artists everywhere. I. Mean. Everywhere! Everyone is busy painting away, doing their thing, and let me tell you , there are some incredibly talented artists who’s work just blows you away! We met artist, Tim Bell (pictured) on the island years ago (I’m thinking 2006?!) and have remained friends with him through the years, and have made new friends through him. He’s such a talented, brilliant artist. Tim had so much information to share that I had to go get a pen and paper. Great, useful information. One year we watched him paint this painting… and as he walked away with it… we had to have it. So it’s pretty cool that we have this painting… good memories. We love every one of our paintings, they’re all special to us in one way or another. This is a perfect example!

Have a great Sunday! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Island Sunset… Monhegan, ME.

Monhegan Sunset
Monhegan Sunset

Ahhhh, about this time every year I really get “home sick” (if you can call it that… since I’ve never lived there) for Monhegan. There is nothing like a Monhegan sunset! I would love to catch a sunrise, I’m definitely up early enough, I just haven’t been able to give up my coffee… yet! This photo was taken during dinner at the Island Inn (and I am longing for good fish dinner from that restaurant… the best ever!), I had to excuse myself during dinner to run outside and get a quick shot. How stunning is this?

Ahhh, see you just went on a mini vacation… you feel better already, don’t you? I know I do!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

And… the dining room is open… as Norah Jones sings “Come Away With Me”…

Dining Room at the Island Inn Monhegan, ME
Dining Room at the Island Inn
Monhegan, ME

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!

A hike through Cathedral Woods – Monhegan, ME…

Inside Cathedral Woods  Monhegan, ME
Inside Cathedral Woods
Monhegan, ME

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!

A Colorful Monhegan Shed… Love this place!

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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!

The Laura B – Monhegan Boat Line – Port Clyde, ME

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This is a photo I took of the Laura B. back in 2008… Isn’t she one classy boat? She underwent a transformation this past winter. If you like Monhegan Boat Line on Facebook you can then see images of the Laura B Project. Tough work! The Laura B. is owned by Monhegan Boat Line in Port Clyde, ME. Here is a blip about Monhegan Boat Line from their website:

. . . transporting you through the waters of beautiful Muscongus Bay to enchanting Monhegan Island. You’ll embark in the charming village of Port Clyde, at the tip of the St. George peninsula. Once passengers and freight are loaded on board, we steam out of the harbor past Marshall Point lighthouse. As we follow our protected route among pine-clad islands, we see birds of many varieties. Sometimes, porpoises and small whales rise from the water just beyond our bow. Our course usually takes us by lobstermen hauling their traps, schooners gliding before the wind, and pleasure craft of every description. On the return trip, we pass close to Seal Rock, where we often spot entire families of seals frolicking in the water and basking in the sun.

Sounds like Heaven, doesn’t it? It. Is.  And also from their website, about the Laura B.

The world-famous Laura B makes the early-morning trip to Monhegan every day during the summer season, and delivers all the freight to the island year ’round. She has both indoor and outdoor seating. She is also available for private charters and for hauling freight to any of the islands.

Built in 1943, the 65-foot Laura B is rigged as a heavy-duty work boat. Originally designated a U.S. Army T-57, she spent World War II in the Pacific, where she served as a patrol boat and carried troops and supplies. She came under fire during those days, and carried two 50-caliber machine guns on deck. This rugged vessel was brought to Maine in 1946, and spent the next few years transporting lobsters from Vinalhaven to Boston and New York City.

For the past half century, the beloved Laura B has been ferrying passengers, freight, and mail between Port Clyde and Monhegan Island. A prominent marine surveyor has described her as the best-maintained wooden vessel on the Eastern Seaboard.

What a great place to visit! If you’re headed to Monhegan, check out Monhegan Boat Line, you’ll be glad you did!  Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: The Beach at Botany Bay…

Botany Bay Beach

Have you been to Botany Bay (near Edisto, SC)? I could not believe that we just made it there a few weeks ago, and I’ve lived here over twenty years! We will be going back!

The beach is so dramatic… you park your car and walk out on a boardwalk to the beach. You cannot take the shells ($470 fine) and you don’t want to take the shells. The unspoiled beach is just too pretty to change a single thing!

So if you’re looking for a road trip… hightail it to Botany Bay!

Back to regular posting tomorrow!

It’s the little things in life…

Butterfly on Monhegan

Monhegan Island, Maine is an island rich in history. There are so many beautiful sites to see, the ocean, cliffs, artists painting, birds, flowers, and of course… the butterflies… they seem to be everywhere!

Have a wonderful weekend, get out and enjoy the beauty all around you… notice the little things that make you smile. Be grateful for them… Life on earth is a short blip on the radar screen… savor it…

Prayers of peace go out to our Monhegan friend, Scott and to his family…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Hiking the Appalachian Trail… do you know what a JUJU is?

Jessie An Extraordinary Hike

An image from Jessie Campbell’s blog “AN EXTRAORDINARY HIKE

Jessie Campbell, this former Monhegan one-room school house teacher is currently hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT). WHAT??!! I know! Holy Cow!

We ran across Jessie’s blog and have been addicted to it ever since. Jessie is a gutsy girl who has done lots of research to determine exactly what to pack, how much weight to carry, etc. Her story is fascinating. Her blog has lots of photos and videos, she talks about the different people that she meets along the way. And let me tell you…. this has restored my faith in humanity. People ARE good. You wouldn’t believe it! I highly encourage you to check it out, I think you will quickly become as addicted to this blog as I am! This is a serious exercise in patience, strength and faith for sure! This is a six month adventure. Can you imagine??

Jessie frozen hair

Another photo from Jessie’s blog… these aren’t easy conditions that she’s hiking in… I mean LOOK AT HER HAIR… IT’S FROZEN! She has run into some cool people that are so wonderful! Check it out!

Hey, before Jessie left, she asked if people would send a JUJU… (this is so neat, JUJU is a gypsie or jungle word for LUCK or MAGIC) – If you could write Jessie an email (islandteach@gmail.com) filled with words of encouragement, support, jokes or a simple YOU CAN DO IT. She says to feel free to include photos, song files or anything that would lift her spirits in case of bad weather, blisters or whatever else may come up in this six month period. In the SUBJECT line of your email put AT JUJU (Appalachian Trail Juju).

Then simply type your words of encouragement and/or attach anything that you think may help. She’ll save these AT JUJU email’s for when she really needs them. Talk about words of encouragement! This is so cool and only takes you a minute. Also, if you include your address she’ll send you a postcard and let you know how she’s doing! (Read Jessie’s post about JUJU HERE)

Here’s a short blip about Jessie from her blog:

I am a former one-room school house teacher who spent the last five years living ona kick ass island off the coast to Maine. I love my life, my family, my friends… and most of all… my dog. I have been planning this AT hike for the last six years so this adventure will literally be a dream come true and I plan on making the most of it.

Personally, I’m looking forward to the book as well ;) Catch you back here tomorrow!

Yesterday the preview… today the GOLOGIC 1,000 sq ft awesome floor plan, photos included…

GOLOGIC.US house plan, one story house plan, porch with front door on left side, three windows together in the center, cedar look siding, trees

Are you looking for a gorgeous, well built home that has a passive home design? This is a home that has the ability to make your heating bills = zero. Net zero. Can you imagine? Exciting information below with links to more info!

Continue reading “Yesterday the preview… today the GOLOGIC 1,000 sq ft awesome floor plan, photos included…”

Head on down to the Ferry Building!

Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

I took this photo years ago at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, CA. Have you been there? If you’re in San Fran, I highly suggest it. It’s a feast for your eyes! I’m not kidding, so many wonderful things, fresh food, drink, you name it! Here is a list of VENDORS. I’m not sure if the flower place is still there or not, it was magical! I could picture us living there, going to the Ferry Building each weekend for fresh flowers and produce… well, except for the $$PRICE$$ of living in San Francisco… oh well, I’m happy with my life here in Charleston, and the fact that Trader Joe’s, EarthFare and Whole Foods are close by!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Cheers in San Francisco at The Grove Fillmore!

Barbara@FilmoreStreet

Me at a cafe on Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA – 2005!

Yes, for those of you who think I just don’t age… this photo is from 2005, ha ha… that’s my no aging secret, use old photos, works better than Botox! We had such a good time at this place. This was at a cool place called THE GROVE FILLMORE in San Francisco. I remember they had huge cups of coffee (as you can see), they had wonderful pies… ooooh, fabulous organic fruit fillings that made it worth the trip each time! They also had a macaroni and cheese that was to die for! Look at their MENU!

grove-fillmore sanfranciscodays.com

Image via

I was telling this older couple we had met along the way, about this place, and she told me “Honey, we used to live to eat, now we eat to live”. How sad I thought at the time. But we do the same thing with occasional splurges. I mean you are what you eat, right? That’s why I eat lots of shrimp. Hee.

Have a great weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!