Better than Botox!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, San Francisco CA, THOUGHTS1 Comment

Me in San Fran

Posting an older image (2005) is better than botox, hee… We had such a good time in San Fran back then, we really should go back, but then that would mean missing Maine and all our friends, so that’s really hard to do. We bought a CityPASS and it was so worth it! Travel has never been easier! There is no way I would want to drive in San Francisco… hop on a cable car or MUNI (bus) – and away we would go. I think we discovered every part of the city, and some by accident, ha ha…

🖼 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE, PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Flash from the past – San Fran!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, San Francisco CA, TRAVELLeave a comment

San Francisco, CA

Ahhhh, San Francisco (photo from 2005). This was the last year that Fred and I have been in CA… we decided on that trip to alternate between east coast/west coast and settled on Maine as our east coast location. Problem is once we went there we never stopped! San Fran was so much fun! We stayed at a cool boutique hotel (The Inn at Union Square), that had a wonderful breakfast of yogurt, fruit, nuts, juice, coffee and pastries – then they offered wine and cheese around dinner time, and after that a hot cookie at bedtime. I KNOW! I never wanted to leave, ha ha. All that and it was about a one minute walk to the cable car and a two minute walk to Union Square! We walked so many miles that trip, it was fabulous!

🖼 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE, PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Back to normal posting next week – Catch you back here tomorrow!

Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Memories!

Fred. My husband… we have such fun together. This photo was taken back in 2005 – boy, does time ever fly when you’re having fun! We were at a winery in Napa. I remember taking this photo. These chairs were amazing. The winery was like something you would see in Italy, we had the best time!

I’m happy to have photos to reflect back on, although at some point I think I’m going to have to edit some of them, I have far more than what is probably considered normal. Ha.

🖼 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE, PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Back to normal posting next week – Catch you back here tomorrow!

Looking forward to next year’s West Ashley Farmers Market!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog2 Comments

West Ashley Farmers Market - Charleston, SC

The City of Charleston conducted a pilot program creating a Farmers Market nearby (West Ashley Farmers Market)- it is run by (and very similar to) the Charleston Farmers Market, which, as we know is a HUGE hit every Saturday. Our Farmers Markets is on Wednesday’s, but it has ended for the season… I am missing it today! It was perfect to go on Saturday and get fruits, veggies and baked goods that will last through Wednesday, and then go back and get more to last until Saturday. Perfect!

We are looking so forward to it returning – great produce, and oh! Those chocolate croissants from Butcher & Bee – makes my heart sing! What a treasure!

I love the look of beets, they’re so colorful, I bought a (HUGE) bunch and roasted them, we ate beets for a week, ha ha.

🖼 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE, PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A Collection of Cones…

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Cones, cones and more cones!

Let me start by saying I had the best of intentions of getting through a week of normal posts, however – I am so far behind I’m going to post some (lovely!) photos until I can get back into the swing, hopefully by next week!

Charlie, our sweet Jack Russell, hounded (hee hee) by skin allergies – medication has helped quite a bit, but every once in a while he’ll get a hot spot (this time between his toes), this has been going on since late September. Antibiotics and a Elizabethan collar (AKA cone). Antibiotics started working, but then they didn’t. No matter what cone we put on him, he can still reach! Biopsy of his foot to rule out anything else, he is OK… but the biopsy and the bandaging for over a week did not do his foot any favors. Back at the vet this weekend, another antibiotic shot… we have been watching him 24/7. One of us constantly keeping watch. 👀

I know we aren’t the only ones. We ran into a nice man at Petco who told us about Vets Best Hot Spot Foam – I’m hoping it will help soothe, but we aren’t to that point yet.

CONES… they need to fit better. The Pro-Collar he LOVES, but he can reach feet with no problem, it is helpful for other areas. A size 15 (cm) cone fits him, but is zero challenge. They tried a 20 cm cone which is for a larger dog and is heavy around his neck. He’s had that on like a trooper, but it’s heavy for him AND he can still reach his foot. Takes a few seconds, but it’s not a challenge either. He’s had the blue “daisy” as well call it. Soft and comfortable, but because it’s soft – foot into mouth in 0 seconds flat. So we are back to the 15cm cone and constant watch. He is fast.

So fast.

He seems fine, the foot is healing, if he will just allow it to – in the meantime – we watch and wait, which is why it’s hard to spend time on my blog – so I’m going through to share some photos and some thoughts.

Hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Beth Rundquist!

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

by-the-ice-pond-by-beth-rundquist-12x16-oil

By the Ice Pond by Beth Rundquist 12×16″ Oil

My husband and I had the pleasure of seeing Beth Rundquist’s painting up close at the Island Inn dining room (Monhegan, Maine). Each year the Island Inn collaborates with the Lupine Gallery to create a stunning show that is displayed in the Island Inn dining room for that season – What a treat it is! Last year it was a show featuring the late Don Stone and others who had painted with him. It was an amazing body of work, each piece as beautiful as the next. This painting of Beth’s was in that show. What struck me is the thick layers of paint and how they were applied – it really added a WOW factor. The colors blended giving such texture and depth to the road, incredible!

Read a bit about Beth, from her website:

“Beth Rundquist is Fine Artist, Portrait Painter and Teacher living and working in New York City.

Beth received a BA in art from Smith College. She continued her studies at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Connecticut, L’Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts in Paris, the Repin Institute of Russia in St.Petersburg, and has studied sculpture at The Sculpture Center and LIC Sculpture Studio In NY.

She teaches painting privately and at the New York Academy of Art in New York.

Beth has traveled in the US and abroad to paint commissioned portraits and has received numerous awards including the Richard and Mary Schroeder Portrait Award and Bryan Family Foundation Award from the Copley Society in Boston MA.

Her work hangs in private and public spaces around the world.”

All images via BethRundquist.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Stand Tall & Proud – Neighborhood Pine Tree…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph1 Comment

Stand Tall and Proud

I took this photo a few days after Hurricane Matthew when we finally got out and took a walk in the neighborhood. This pine tree was standing tall and proud with the beautiful light shining on it – looking rather regal with other branches and trees down around it.

Enjoy your Saturday!

🖼 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE, PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sunset at Bowens Island Restaurant

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, SCLeave a comment

Sunset at Bowens Island Restaurant

Bowens Island Restaurant. Always a favorite. Such fresh seafood with the most AH-mazing views ever! Sunset is not to be missed! What can be better than a fabulous dinner and a gorgeous sunset? If you visit the Charleston area (or live here), don’t miss checking it out!

After dinner we walked around and I snapped *a few* photos… such a cool place! The views offer such peace.

🖼 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE, PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Thanksgiving Day Prep – The Organized Way…

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, THOUGHTS4 Comments

My hope is that this may help some of you who will be making a big Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I created a template, and just change it up as necessary. We usually eat around 1PM, so I work back from that time. I am a well-oiled machine, but do not talk to me as I will get distracted and then what? 😳 Ha ha… In case you need a plan, you can change the times and it gives you something to go by. Note that the turkey roasts much faster when set to Convection (if you have it). I love it! I’ve added a link (🔗) to a few recipes provided… This may be a bit weird, but it’s how my brain functions best, ha ha… Happy prep day!

Thanksgiving Dinner 2016 – 1:00PM

Day Before

🔗Bean Salad:  Mix up bean salad and refrigerate.

Pie Crust: Make pie crust, freeze one, Saran Wrap and fridge other

Dressing: cut up celery/onion cook with sausage

Day Of…

Turkey (6# bone in breast)

Set turkey on counter by 7:45AM, olive oil, S&P, onion in cavity.

Preheat oven to 350 (turn on at 8:15AM) – put turkey in oven at 8:30 AM on PURE CONVECTION. Should be done by 11AM. Let rest 15 minutes. Carve. (Pour fat in fat separator, wait 3 minutes then pour off fat, reserve a wee bit). (Convection may speed this turkey breast up, but then I can move everything up if needed).

Stuffing

Oven back on 350 at 11:50AM. At 11:30 heat cooked celery, onion, water or broth, sausage, add to bread mixture and sage. Put in BUTTERED 3qt casserole dish and cover with foil.

Put in oven at 12:00 (noon), back 45 minutes (25 covered, 20 uncovered) – should come out of oven by 12:45.

Mashed Potatoes

Peel potatoes at 12:00 (noon), put in cold water. Have water boiling.

At 12:30, drop the potatoes in the water.  When done, mash, cover.

Bean Salad:  Remove from fridge at 12:30

🔗Cranberry Sauce:  Remove from fridge at 12:45

Gravy

Start gravy at 12:50. Pour into warmed container (or pot with lid).

🔗Chocolate pie with homemade crust

Get coffee ready to turn on after dinner

Turn on coffee, slice pie.

Thanksgiving Prep 2017

Enjoy your Thanksgiving tomorrow and don’t worry if something doesn’t turn out. Thanksgiving is a day to be with friends and family, so don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all good!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

Roasted Brussels Sprouts are quick to make and even those of you out there who don’t care for brussels sprouts on a typical day may find yourself loving them! Especially the outer crispy leaves – what a treat!!

Here’s how:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Wash and dry the brussels sprouts then toss in olive oil, salt and pepper. I take my hand with the leftover olive oil in the bowl and spread it on a cookie sheet. Then add the brussels sprouts, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.

Roast them in your oven, I usually use confection, but it’s not necessary, if they get too brown too quickly just lower the heat.

They take about 30 minutes, but you can taste test or pierce with a fork to see if tender.

I them sprinkle them with Parmesan, because I love it and it goes so well with brussels sprouts.

Tada! You’re done!

You will be fighting over those crispy outer leaves that fall off – oh my!

There are different variations, some use lemon juice, some use a little red pepper flakes – you can’t go wrong, add what you like!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

 

 

 

Featured Artist: Alan Phillips!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Featured Artist2 Comments

Beach Sunflower Safari by Alan Phillips 14x14" Oil

Beach Sunflower Safari by Alan Phillips 14×14″ Oil

Alan Phillips. A man with wonderful paintings, an interesting history and the best attitude on the planet. From a quick few emails with Alan I definitely get the feeling that this man loves life, he loves what he does, and his paintings show just that. His paintings are of beautiful places, typically in or near the water. He paints from his soul.

I Feel September Coming On by Alan Phillips 18x13" Watercolor

I Feel September Coming On by Alan Phillips 18×13″ Watercolor

I absolutely adore this painting – a watercolor on paper, it’s got such feeling. This was a painting that Alan did for Water’s Edge Magazine for an article about the weather turning cooler in Northern Florida – September… the time to have the beach to yourself! It’s like that here in Charleston as well. Those are the times we go to the beach. Heaven! This bird looks happy that the people are giving him back his space!

Alan has a fabulous bio, in it he mentions two things that I am familiar with, Gar Wood and Chris Craft mahogany boats. I grew up where they built them in Michigan. They are the most beautiful boats, so classy! When you’re done reading this fabulous bio, be sure to head to Alan’s website and check out his paintings!

Read a blip about Alan, from his website:

“My source of inspiration is nature. Irresistible. I live to be outside in or near the water. My connection to the sea comes from my  family roots.  Three of my grandparents were born and raised on Prince Edward Island in Canada. My own immediate experiences came from summers on Lake Winnipesauke in New Hampshire and Thompson Lake in Maine, the shore in West Yarmouth and Dennis where we had a place down on Cape Cod Massachusetts. Lobster rolls and steamers were the foods that fueled my adventures up in Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and Portland Maine.

These were the origins of my love for harbors and boats. Wooden Cat boats, Garwood and Chris Craft mahogany runabouts, Schooners, Yawls, Sloops, Tugboats and Lobster boats somehow called me to the water. I think they represent  freedom. They are a metaphor as is the ocean, somehow tangible and imaginary of journeys taken and those yet to come. I am the harbor model of Huck Finn.

My adventures have steered me to Kauai, Maui, Castine, St. Maarten, Camden, Lake Champlain, Vancouver, Quebec, Toronto, Thousand Islands, St. Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Mayport Fernandina, Long Island Sound, Newport Rhode Island and Newport Beach California, Laguna, Santa Monica and La Jolla always searching for the next surprise. The lakes, the ponds and rivers from the Susquehanna in Pennsylvania, ponds in London, Central Park New York, the Boston  Public Gardens, the Tullieries Gardens in Paris and the children’s pond boats, the Charles River in Boston is where I learned to sail, the Mystic River in Connecticut,  the St. Johns in Florida, the Hudson and St. Lawrence Rivers are all fodder for my  vision on canvas.

My art heroes are Manet, Degas, Velazquez, Monet, Sargent, Hopper, Wyeth, Sarolla, Chase, Hasaam, Dekooning, Motherwell, Diebenkorn, Thiebaud, Fischl,  Hiendel, Fuchs, Schwartz, Vermeer, Saville and Homer just to name a few who have helped shape my voice. Thank you.

It is my wish to keep the visceral impact of my initial reaction to a scene. The experience of turning a corner and being surprised by the lush brilliance of nature splashed brightly by a golden sun creating depth, shadows , curves and lines. In response I capture more than the jewel I see. I embrace that feeling where the air is breathable and the space has a lyrical poetry to it.

These are paintings of a place where harmony rules. I choose selected moments of wellness, ease and sanctuary. I know that nature can also be a cruel mistress for the unprepared and I respect her power and this energy can be felt in my work as well as it is captured both with velocity and restrained exuberance. It is my intention to let it pulse beneath the lyricism. The journey has been good to me. I have been given privileges through my work far beyond my expectations that brought happiness, wellness, joy ease and comfort into my life. It is in sharing those feelings through my art where I hope it brings that moment into your life too.” 

All images via AlanPhillipStudio.com, used with permission…

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston, SC Photo…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph, SC7 Comments

Charleston, SC

Walking around Charleston, SC there are so many things to take photos of. Charleston is a beautiful city, and sometimes you come upon a scene that looks as if it could be in a different country. That was the first thing I thought when I took this photo. I love the bits of light and the varying colors of the building – what a fabulous door!

🖼 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE, PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Catch you back here tomorrow!