Mesmerized

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Lifestyle, THOUGHTS2 Comments

What is it about the silent (and not so silent) effects of water? How is it that we can sit and watch water all day long. There is something mesmerizing about it. You get pulled in and lost in your thoughts. I believe this is called

R E L A X A T I O N . . .

There’s nothing like it! Now go relax! 😉

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Holiday week – posting photos daily for the many of you who are away from the computer. Not a bad idea, enjoy yourselves! Back to normal posting next week…

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

Emerging Artists Inderpreet Kaur and Gwen Duda!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Emerging ArtistLeave a comment

It’s been a while since my last Emerging Artists post – so here goes! Be sure to check out these two emerging artists!

I N D E R P R E E T   K A U R

Website  |  Facebook

Tranquil by Inderpreet Kaur 24×30″ Oil

Wonderful reflections and light – love these trees!

Read a bit about Inderpreet, from her website:

Due to rapid changes in the topography taking place during our global age, I am interested in preserving landscapes as a documentation in the form of painting. For this, I use reference photographs that I have taken at Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area.
I come from a Sikh family and my early life had no freedom of expression. Due to my family customs I was not allowed to go outside except to school or Sikh Temple, still they supported my passion for painting by providing all useful art material. My father used to reward me whenever I painted something new, but it was not developed further due to religious oppression for women at that time.
Painting landscapes gives me a feeling of freedom to express my own personal emotions. The primary element in my paintings is water. I love to experience  and enjoy places where there is water, although I do not know how to swim. This feeling of not knowing to swim scares me, so I like paint water to overcome that fear. Light, atmosphere and color are my source of inspiration to capture a fleeting moment. These majestic landscapes are developed in layers. My attempt is to create landscapes that convey the essence of mood, atmosphere and the richness of the landscape.

G W E N   D U D A

Website  |  Facebook

Refresh by Gwen Duda 9×12″  – Monoprint Acrylic on Paper

With spa-like coloring and a nice texture, “Refresh” is the perfect title!

Read a bit about Gwen, from her website: 

Images via GwenDuda.com and InderpreetKaurArt.com, used with permission.
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Oh that beautiful light!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS4 Comments

Light makes everything so special. The way it hits the chair, the shadows on the brick and of course the sun filtering through the trees. Always makes a statement.

What do you have planned this Labor Day week? Do you have a day off tomorrow, or are you working on Labor Day?

Wishing you a happy week – Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

College of Charleston – South Carolina

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph1 Comment

College of Charleston – Charleston, SC. I would think leaving home after high school and coming to a place like Charleston would be ideal. So much to do here in Charleston!

Read a brief history about this wonderful school!

One beautiful campus, that’s for sure! This college is rich in history.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Gardens of Mackinac Island!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, Photograph, TRAVEL2 Comments

I took this photo several years ago on Mackinac Island, MI. My sister and I were on the West Bluff (behind the Grand Hotel). I love that stretch of grand homes with the most beautiful gardens ever. I am always respectful of people’s privacy, but did snap a photo of the garden. Another favorite location is the Pontiac Trail (and Pontiac’s Lookout) – I remember years ago a painting by Marlee Brown. Wow.

Most of Mackinac Island is state park, check out this cool map!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

 

Edisto, SC – Botany Bay

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph, SC2 Comments

I know! I know! Look at this tree! It’s one of many huge, beautiful live oaks that are thriving at Botany Bay (this was taken a few years ago… need to get back there!) – If I remember correctly it had rained that morning, which would explain how dark the tree is. The lines are stunning! So grand and majestic. I wonder how old it is?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Delivery Mackinac Island Style!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment
Mackinac Island, MI

Mackinac Island, MI – no cars. It’s nice. No exhaust fumes, no loud rumbling, beeping or screeching of tires. Just a nice clip-clop of horse hoofs as they make their way around town. This is how they deliver groceries when they come off the ferry. Pretty cool, eh? They empty garbage in a similar way – horse and cart – no trucks. Can you imagine? That takes some major planning!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Andrew Wyeth Stamps From the USPS!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, THOUGHTS5 Comments

I bought a few sheets of these stamps from the USPS – they are BEAUTIFUL! I’m in a bit of a dilemma because now I hate to use them, ha ha. I think this photo is a great one of a young Andrew Wyeth. So dapper looking (is that still a word?)

Just wanted to give you a heads up that these are available – what a cool find! There was a great write up about these stamps (and Andrew’s life) however the link is no longer available – These stamps were issued to commemorate the centennial of his birth – Cool indeed!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Link updated (removed) 1/23/25

Mackinac Island, Michigan Photo

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, PhotographLeave a comment

View from Mackinac Island, MI

Mackinac Island, MI – a fabulous place to visit if you haven’t been. Water, the smell of fudge (several fudge shops, all are wonderful), the clip-clop of the horses hoofs. No cars – only bicycles and horses/carriages. It’s a beautiful place – mostly a state park! Here is another link to check it out, from Pure Michigan!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

St. Matthews Lutheran Church – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, HOME, PhotographLeave a comment

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church – Charleston, SC against a stunning blue sky! If you’ve visited Charleston, SC, chances are you’ve seen this beautiful church – we have many stunning churches, this one is located across from Marion Square (where the Farmer’s Market is on Wednesdays). So much history in Charleston, SC!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

A Little Bit of Michigan At Bowens Island – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Michigan, PhotographLeave a comment

We found a little bit of Michigan while at Bowens Island Restaurant a few weeks ago (Charleston, SC). How cool is that? You NEVER know what you’ll find – that’s the cool part about that place – other than their food… AMAZING!

(Bowens is closed Sunday and Monday) – Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

View of Grand Hotel From the West Bluff – Mackinac Island, MI

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, Photograph, TRAVELLeave a comment

Mackinac Island, Michigan. I have such fond memories of Mackinac Island. The fun we had as kids. It was a place that all of us kids could hang out – and by hang out, I don’t mean stand around – we were busy. Busy exploring the island. We had to check in every so often, meet for lunch and dinner and then we were back out with our friends. Such FREEDOM. As a kid I never ventured to this part of the island. This photo was taken from the West Bluff, so what you are seeing is the back side of the Grand Hotel. Those skies! Lake Huron… cold water.

If you ever have a chance to visit the island, be sure to explore the backside of the island – it’s captivatingly beautiful! There are many interior trails, as well as the more well known trails around Arch Rock – which are pretty stunning themselves!

I hope i’ve piqued your interest! Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Port Clyde (Maine) Buoys!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, Photograph, TRAVEL7 Comments

Port Clyde, Maine – one of our favorite places on earth… I still remember the first time arriving in Maine. It was so different. So the way that I feel. I am not pretentious – I don’t try to be someone I’m not – I think that’s part of the appeal of Port Clyde (and most of Maine).

I remember the overwhelming feeling of not wanting to leave. I’ve never experienced that from anywhere I’ve ever been. Sometimes you’re sad to leave, or you’ve had such a good time it’s difficult to leave, but this was different. Kind of like my soul belongs in this area. Hard to explain unless you’ve felt that as well.

Read a bit about Port Clyde (HERE) from the Monhegan Boat Line website!

More interesting info from Wikipedia!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Bowens Island Photo – Looks Like A Painting!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, HOME, Photograph4 Comments

A few weeks ago we had dinner at Bowen’s Island then perused the dock before we headed back to the car. I can ALWAYS capture great photos at Bowens Island – in addition to a fabulous dinner!

Looks like a painting, doesn’t it? Too cool!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

25 years! Happy Anniversary!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, THOUGHTS15 Comments

 M a r r i e d .   T W E N T Y   F I V E   Y E A R S .
Seems like yesterday. Time truly does fly.

Twenty five years ago today I married the man of my dreams. A man so kind and giving. So caring and wonderful – How did I ever get so lucky? I am blessed, that’s for sure!

I wish you that same kind of happiness if you don’t currently experience it. Patience is a virtue. It was when we had both quit trying to find a significant other that we met. I remember it like it was yesterday…

I was dog sitting for a friend of mine, staying at her house while she was out of town during Easter. She had an older dog and a new puppy. I parked my car and she was telling me what was where when I spotted Fred go by on his way home a few doors down. I grabbed a leash and the puppy and took him for a walk – I didn’t realize it was the puppy’s first walk on a leash. He walked right up to Fred and sat down. Fred and I talked forever, he invited me to see his house, which was beautiful and I came home (I had carried the dog home before I went back – interestingly enough, the dog did not want to walk home, hence the carrying part). That was on a Thursday. We talked a little each night. On Easter Sunday I went out to get the paper in the driveway and noticed a large gift bag hanging on the door. Wow, pretty cool that my friend has people drop gifts off for her. I set it on the table and went back out for the paper. Then it hit me… I wonder if this could be for me??? Surely it can’t hurt to take a quick peek into the bag and there it was… a card with MY name on it!

Inside the bag was a beautiful card and a big stuffed Easter bunny. I called to thank him – I saw his degree hanging on the wall when he showed me his house. I  remembered his name… looked it up in the phone book (ok, we are talking 25 years ago which was clearly pre-Google). We have been together since the day we met. My husband and best friend. I am so lucky…

I wish the same for you.

Catch you back here tomorrow!