Stunning Sky Over Marsh – Michigan

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

Marsh View in Michigan
Yay iPhone! This camera can take some bedazzling photos if I do say so myself! I get many comments on photos which I really appreciate, but truly, it’s not me… I mean just LOOK at this sky! All I did was push a button! These clouds go on forever and ever and are brightly reflected in the water. Vibrant green grass against a stunning blue sky. Wow.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Photos this week – Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

View from Port Clyde, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph, TRAVEL1 Comment

Such a crisp scene. Not crisp as in cold, but the striking darkness of the horizon against that gorgeous sunset. Love those few stray clouds drifting by. So serene. This photo was taken in Port Clyde, Maine a few years ago…

#willnevergettiredofsunsets #orsunrises

Catch you back here tomorrow!

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

 

The Barnacle – Monhegan, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph, TRAVEL1 Comment

Ah! The Barnacle – love this place. Great food, cool gifts, nice wine and bakery goods. The Barnacle is a part of the Island Inn and it’s a treasure. It’s located right near the Monhegan wharf. We have met some really interesting people inside including one woman who demanded that we play some game with her that lasted hours and we kept trying to get away, but then found out she was killing time because she didn’t want to “do Monhegan”, she wanted to go back to her condo in Camden, sigh… #dontknowwhatyouremissing #notv #nophone #nostress #thatgamewasstressful

Catch you back here tomorrow!

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

 

Featured Artist: Brenda Swenson!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Featured Artist1 Comment

The Nook by Brenda Swenson 22×30″ Watercolor

Brenda Swenson. A fabulous watercolor artist – so many beautiful paintings! Brenda also has wonderful journals – words and paintings in a sketchbook. A beautiful diary of sorts. These sketches depict various subjects: places she has visited, locations she has painted, meals she has eaten, and more – including a description for each. Very creative!

Brenda also teaches workshops. A lot of them. She’s in demand (hence the waiting list on many), so if you see one you like you may want to sign up now!

View more of Brenda’s work via these links:

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

Read a bit about Brenda, from her website:

Brenda Swenson is the artist author of two books, Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook (Award of Excellence Finalist) and Steps to Success in Watercolor. Her paintings and sketches have been featured in numerous books... read more here.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via swensonart.net, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

The Saltwater Rest House Plan By Flatfish Island Designs!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans2 Comments

Saltwater Rest by Flatfish Island Designs

This is the Saltwater Rest house plan by Flatfish Island Designs. This plan is 2,686 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. In addition to the front porch, you will see a wrap around porch in the back/sides of this plan. Can you imagine? This is a classic design that will look beautiful anywhere you place it!

I especially love how the bedrooms are situated. Master bedroom/bathroom on one side and two guest rooms, each with their own bathroom on the opposite side of the house. Lovely if you’re a guest!

This is an open plan (living/dining/kitchen) with a stunning kitchen and a separate dining room (or office, etc.) – flexibility – Flatfish Island Designs have beautiful plans that are perfect for good living!

Check out their website for more plans – Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via FlatfishIslandDesigns.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the design firm.

Featured Artist: Zac Retz!

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

Painting by Zac Retz

Zac Retz is a Visual Development Artist at Sony Pictures – never heard of a VisDev artist? Click on the link to learn more.

I haven’t really explored the world of digital paintings much, but let me tell you, after looking at Zac’s Instagram and Facebook, I am hooked! He has such a way of portraying feeling with his work – it amazes me the amount of talent in one person. Zac is very good at what he does, and in his spare time it looks like he paints (as shown above). Lunch breaks or any free bit of time is spent doing a small painting that is STUNNING. There are so many, you’ve got to look for yourself! I can’t wait to see what he paints next!

See more of Zac’s work via these links:

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via instagram.com/zacretz, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Pair With Boiled Shrimp)!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment

During the hot summer months we have boiled shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce, corn on the grill, cucumbers and Greek yogurt with dill quite often. It’s a quick mostly do ahead meal that is as pretty as it is delicious.

It’s so quick and easy to make your own cocktail sauce and you can tailor it to your tastebuds (i.e. I like a lot of horseradish).

HOMEMADE COCKTAIL SAUCE

Ingredients:

Ketchup, Lemon and Prepared Horseradish

In a small bowl add ketchup, (the amount of cocktail sauce you think you’ll need – for just the two of us I would guess about 1/3- 1/2 cup for 1 pound of shrimp – more if you use a lot of it. Squeeze in a wedge of lemon (again, more if you like it lemony, less if you do not), this will brighten the flavor, and finally add a teaspoon or two of prepared horseradish (to your taste). Give it a good stir and it’s ready!

I know, right? WHY did you ever buy it in a jar when it literally only takes 2 minutes to whip up and tastes far fresher! Enjoy!

BOILED SHRIMP

We boil the shrimp 3-4 minutes (don’t boil too long!), then into an ice bath, drain when cool and into the fridge until ready to eat!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Patrick Saunders!

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

Mercer and Congress by Patrick Saunders 16×20″ Oil

Patrick Saunders. This guy is one prolific artist. Painting at various events around the country (check his website for details) – so many great paintings. Hard to pick just one (go look – you’ll see what I mean) – I selected this painting because it has such character and is so different. Those vibrant greens with the purple -whoa! Like magic!

Find more of Patrick’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog  

(Check Patrick’s website for more social media links!)

Read a bit about Patrick, from his website:

Patrick Saunders is an artist, painting and creating art while traveling across North America in an Airstream Bambi with his photographer wife, Kimberly. He has studied with many renowned painters, including Mark English, Malcolm Liepke, Wilbur Niewald, Richard Schmid, and Burton Silverman. Painting a variety of subjects including portraits, pet portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, and florals – Patrick’s work is sold internationally.

Always seeking the next challenge, Patrick has worked as an illustrator, designer, animator, educator, musician, entrepreneur, and a fine artist. Throughout his career, Patrick has been recognized by his peers for outstanding work, earning awards – continue reading HERE!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via PatrickSaunders.com, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

 

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

SORRY to those of you who don’t deal well with the creepy crawly things – I can certainly relate!

Oh the memories… I had a realistic size black plastic spider 🕷 when I was a kid. On occasion I would leave it somewhere to surprise my family (sorry about that) – I would hear a SHREEEEEK – AH! They found it, hee hee. Undoubtedly I would forget about it and go about my business and when I least expected it, there it was  🕷 😳 A shreeeeeek would erupt from deep within, heart palpitations ensued. Ah, they got me back! There were long lapses in between spider hidings – I think I had to let the memory wear off, ha ha… Hmmm, wonder where that spider is?

You’ll hear me if I find it!

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

Reflections: Tenants Harbor, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph2 Comments

Tenants Harbor, Maine

Just look at this water – it’s like glass, which really made the reflections stand out even more. I took this photo several years ago – I remember walking around Tenants Harbor, near the East Wind Inn. We had dinner reservations and arrived early, so I was able to get some amazing photos before dinner. Woohoo!

Enjoy your Saturday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

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

Featured Artist: Maria Reardon!

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

Sunset by Maria Reardon 12×16 Pastel

Maria Reardon creates lively pastel paintings. You can see the sun setting through the trees in this painting, aptly named, Sunset. I like the various colors that are going on. Very nice!

Check out more of Maria’s work, via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Blog

Read a bit about Maria, from her website:

Maria Reardon paints the world around her. Working primarily in pastels, she loves being outdoors, immersed in the world, observing and experiencing everything going on around her.  She’s drawn to the unique and ever-changing relationships of form and color.   She is intrigued by the unexpected combinations of light and color which characterize her work, while working within the confines of physical forms and the spaces they inhabit. 

“A painting is an opportunity to explore something new. A new subject matter, a new color or technique.  That’s one of the things I love about plein air and painting from life, the experience will be different and exciting every time. I am seeking to represent a mood or an emotional quality but also be representative of the specific location.”

Maria is a Virginia native and received her formal education from Virginia Commonwealth University earning a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in illustration. She studied portraiture with Daniel Greene and continued her study of landscape by attending workshops with Albert Handell, Lorenzo Chavez and other nationally known artists. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Richmond area and is in private collections.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via mariareardon.com, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

The 78 Biloxi Street House Plan by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

This is the 78 Biloxi Street House Plan by Our Town Plans. This plan is 2,473 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Two stories of front porch, can you imagine? This plan can also be situated on a lot in a few ways – which makes it quite a gem! I love a screened porch upstairs – when the mosquitoes come out you can head up to your very own sanctuary – what’s not to love about this?

Another nice feature with this plan is the carport that attaches to the house. It’s a sharp look! This plan has an open Living/Dining/Kitchen – it also has a pantry/laundry (woohoo!) as well as a downstairs Study/Den – which is so convenient, a great place to read, or as a separate Den or guest room. It’s also nice to have a little nook to set up your computer, perfect for pulling up recipes while cooking! Click HERE to see some real life photos, from the OurTownPlans.com website!

There are three bedrooms upstairs, each with their own bathrooms. Two of these bedrooms have a private screen porch. Heavenly! You can always count on Our Town Plans to deliver top notch plans with so many quality details.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the design firm.

Featured Artist: Mary Byrom!

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

River Light by Mary Byrom  10×20″  Oil

Mary Byrom. A Maine painter with such a cool style. There are so many things I like about her paintings – the trees I just love – they have personality! The light – that cool green and then sun on the island, lovely! Mary catches those subtle details that make her paintings really stand out.

View more of Mary’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |   Blog

Read a bit about Mary, from her website:

Sometimes the best times are the quiet moments. An evening walk on a late fall day, watching  rain turn spring sidewalks into soft, blurry mirrors or low afternoon light in early winter making everything turn golden.

I paint these moments so I have them forever. Painting moments of beauty is the best way I know of recording the days and hours as they flow by in this big river of life.

Come along on the blog adventure!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via MaryByrom.com, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Recipe Favorites For Hot Weather!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment

Hot weather. Hmmm. Sometimes it’s just hard to turn the oven on or stand over the stove when it’s sweltering outside. Pair any of these with a refreshing cold drink, lately cucumber water has been a hit – lime water is also nice – great thirst quenchers!

Here are a few of our favorites – from the archives…

Submarine Salad

Cold and refreshing – the little bit of thyme gives it the “submarine” taste without the carbs. Tasty and fresh! Click HERE for recipe…

Summer Med Pasta Salad with Arugula and Feta

Pasta salads are a big hit in the summer months. They can be made ahead and are great for lunch or dinner. To cut back on the pasta I add half arugula or spinach to my bowl and then mix it together. This keeps the greens fresh and allows each person to choose how much they would like. Click HERE for recipe…

Roasted Shrimp and Tomato Orzo with Feta

I have GOT to update this photo, why did I use such a tiny bowl? Anyway, trust me, this is an excellent recipe full of flavor. The feta makes it come alive. I like the grape tomatoes and shrimp best when they’re roasted, but you can always just cut up the tomatoes and give the shrimp a quick boil and then into a bowl of ice water for a few minutes before draining and adding to salad. Good with a slice or two of crusty bread. Click HERE for recipe…

Pasta with Italian Sausage, Tomato, Basil and Spinach

Another cold pasta salad, much like a caprese salad (oh! don’t you just love!) but with the addition of pasta (seeing this photo, I’m going to use bowtie next time). I put half a bowl of spinach, top with this salad and oh boy, fabulous!! Click HERE for recipe…

Roasted Corn Salad

Those are a few of our favorites, along with anything grilled (chicken, corn and veggies mostly) – yesterday I made a fabulous roasted corn salad that we will have for a few meals. (Click HERE for recipe) – I cannot wait! Although you do use the oven for a short time with this recipe, it makes enough to have a few meals (for two), so it’s the ticket! I try to make it earlier when it’s not quite so hot outside.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

 

Featured Artist: Felicity House!

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

Two English Plums by Felicity House – Pastel

Felicity House. A wonderful artist from Dorset (UK) – Fabulous paintings! So different. Felicity uses pastel in most of her paintings and she has a way of giving these paintings so much life! Each one is fresh and different. She has amazing drawing skills, which is so necessary to a good painting. There is an innate classiness to her paintings. They are airy and not heavy.  They make you smile.

View more of Felicity’s work via these links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

Read a bit about Felicity, from the Bio on her website:

As a young child, paper was in short supply and there was never sufficient for my prolific graphite output. I clearly recall making pencil drawings on the insides of unfolded food cartons, the plain end papers of books and surreptitiously behind curtains on the wonderful surface of painted wall.

I was fortunate to benefit from a post-war education that gave time and status to Art and this encouraged and developed my visual skills.

Following a career school teaching I worked as an illustrator and as a tutor of life drawing and short art courses. Such flexibility gave me the opportunity to travel and fill numerous sketchbooks.

I discovered the versatility and immediacy of pastels and was elected a Member of the Pastel Society in 2003. As Archivist for the Society I regularly research the archives for information in response to requests from the public.

Active member and Former Chairman Bournemouth Arts Club, a meeting point for Artists in the region which regularly holds selected Exhibitions. Continue reading HERE…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via Felicityhouse.eu, used with permission…
Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.