Black Bean Salad with Tomatoes, Corn (and Avocado)!

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

IMG_7107

Sometimes you just need a quick side dish to throw together that is healthy, and most of all… tasty! This is both! This is more of a guide than a recipe, I’ve made it several different ways. For 2-4 servings:

Black Bean Salad with Tomatoes, Corn (and Avocado)!

1 can of black beans – rinsed and drained

Frozen (or fresh) sweet corn – I use a few handfuls

Diced red onion (or Vidalia or green onion, etc.)

1/3-1/2 lime squeezed over the top

A light drizzle of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

Taste… add more lime if needed. I don’t add salt, but you can. I do add pepper.

It’s also fabulous with the addition of diced avocado – oh, does that make it delicious!

ENJOY!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Randall Tipton!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Path to the Sea by Randall Tipton 24x24 Oil

Path to the Sea by Randall Tipton 24×24″ Oil

Randall Tipton – What wonderful paintings! I love the abstract quality of this painting.  Loose yet you know exactly what it is.

Randall has fabulous strokes that make it that much more interesting. The colors in this painting are dynamic – that fabulous green near the violet shadows, with the little pops of gold in the path making way to the splendid blue sea. Nice!

Read a bit about Randall, from his website:
A Northwest contemporary landscape painter, sometimes plein air but mostly studio work from drawings, photos, hunches and memory, using an experimental approach.

Be sure to check out Randall’s blog – his latest post has me really wanting to visit Iceland and soon!

All images via RandallDavidTipton.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The Magnetic Pull of Monhegan, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph3 Comments

Monhegan

The magnetic pull of Monhegan, Maine. A panoramic from the hill near the Monhegan Museum & Lighthouse. What a view – it’s as if you can see forever! Of course this image is better larger (can click to enlarge), but you get an idea! There is a bench overlooking the cemetery, which is such a peaceful place to sit and just take it all in. Most of us would like nothing better than to never leave, however, that isn’t an option. So absorb it with every ounce of your being while you’re there! If you haven’t been – definitely add it to your bucket list!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: French Quarter Bicycle

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

Charleston, SC | ArtFoodHome.com

Charleston, SC architecture and charm. The homes in Charleston have so much character. You will see all the colors of the rainbow, some muted and some not so much. The beautiful window boxes and planters help add to the charm, as does a random bicycle attached to a street sign. Cool shadows on the home as well…

Enjoy your Saturday! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Guess the Artist SOLVED! Art Materials by Frank Bruckmann!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Guess the ArtistLeave a comment

Guess the Artist...

Art Materials by Frank Bruckmann  11×14″  Oil

Updated Saturday, August 27, 2016

Thank you Susan for guessing today’s artist! Fred surprised me with this during dinner at the Island Inn (Monhegan) – and what a surprise it was! Each year the inn features a different artist/artists, last year it was Frank! I have loved this painting from the moment I saw it! The reflections, the background, the looseness, what’s not to love?

Be sure to check out Frank’s website as well as the Lupine Gallery (Monhegan, Maine)!

Over the next few weeks (until I run out of paintings), I am posting one of our paintings and then seeing who can GUESS THE ARTIST. I have retouched this photo on the bottom left corner to remove the artist’s signature.

Do you know the name of this artist?

Comment on my Facebook page or on this blog…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Check out the TNH B 08A Petite Cottage Plan by Moser Design Group!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans4 Comments
Smaller house plan front view, front porch, side porch, yellow
TNH B 08A by Moser Design Group

Isn’t this the most wonderful plan? Can’t you see yourself walking into this sweet home? Sit on the front porch and say hello to your neighbors. An 8’x18′ porch is nice in size, especially for a relatively small home. Love this!

Continue reading “Check out the TNH B 08A Petite Cottage Plan by Moser Design Group!” →

Featured Artist: David Damm!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Above Laguna by David Damm 14x18 Oil

Above Laguna by David Damm 14×18″ Oil

David Damm

Striking paintings.  Every single painting is just fabulous. I love how his perspective is always spot on, no matter what painting you look at, they are each perfection without being overly done. This painting keeps your eye in and holds interest. My eyes start at the two regal palms, then to the top of the hill, down to the white building on the beach, then to the palm on the bottom left, swirling into the water and back to the two palms.

Look how many colors are in this painting. This painting has color, yet is so soothing to look at. His palette includes beautiful and natural colors. You can also feel movement in this painting, from the palms to the waves – also love the reflections in the water.

Check out David’s Oil, Pastel and Watercolor paintings! I first ran across David’s work via the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA.org), it jumped out at me! Love it! Looking through his paintings makes me want to visit California again and soon!

Read a bit about David, from his website:

“David Damm was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Art Center College of Design and later studied with the noted Russian painter, Sergei Bongart (1919 –1985). His career began illustrating books, magazines and newspapers. In 1981 he began exhibiting, and has since participated in numerous exhibitions, throughout the country, including the Natural History Museum, the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, The Bowers Museum and others in the Los Angeles area. He was featured in “American Artist” and has received many top awards including first place at the 1996 Mission San Juan Capistrano Plein Air Painting Event sponsored by Joan Irvine Smith. His greatest honor was meeting and completing a commissioned portrait of President Ronald Reagan. Damm is a signature member of the California Art Club and a board member. He is a signature member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and a member of the American Pastel Society. He divides his work between portrait commissions and landscapes, working in both oil, pastel and watercolor.”

All images via DavidDammArtist.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Oven Roasted Chickpeas – THE HOT TREAT!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, FOOD, HEALTH, Recipe3 Comments

IMG_7085

I’ve been seeing a lot of recipes for baked chickpeas. Interesting.  A treat. Crunchy & healthy. Hmmm. I’ve got to try it! I made 1/2 batch to see if I liked it. I DID! The crunch is somewhat addictive, if you don’t pay attention you could easily eat an entire can of chickpeas. Probably not the best idea, 😳

I found this recipe on Chowhound, click HERE for the link so that you can print, read reviews, etc. This recipe received 5 stars with 59 reviews (as I write this) . So you know this one is a keeper!

OVEN ROASTED CHICKPEAS via Chowhound!

INGREDIENTS

2-15oz. cans of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) – thoroughly drained and rinsed.

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil (or less)

1 teaspoon  ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (I used Pink Himalayan)

DIRECTIONS

Heat over to 400°F and use the middle rack in your oven

Place the spices and olive oil in a large bowl.

Add the chickpeas and toss to coat.

Spread the chickpeas in an even layer on a cookie sheet (with sides so they don’t roll off)

Bake until crisp 30-40 minutes, moving them around on occasion. (I didn’t do that and some of mine were slightly crispy, they were still good). My oven took 30 minutes.

Let me know what you think?? What spices have you used for this? I would love to know!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

US!!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTS8 Comments

fred and barbara san fran 2005

24 years ago today, I married the man of my dreams.

The happiest day of my life!

How did we meet?

I was dog sitting at a friend’s house. I saw Fred drive by, so I leashed up the puppy (didn’t know it had never been walked) and walked to Fred’s house a few doors down, the puppy went right up to him and sat down. That is how we met. Fred invited me in and showed me his house, it was just beautiful! A few days later was Easter, I walked out to get the newspaper and there on the door was a big gift bag with a gorgeous Easter bunny. I thought, how lucky my friend is to wake to such treasures! I set it on the table for her to see when she arrived home. Then I thought… WHAT if this bunny is for me? I peeked inside and there was a card that said BARBARA! 😍❤️💃

I almost fell over! 

This is our story.

So… Don’t ever give up on love – it’s out there. We both had relationships in our past that weren’t the right ones… Not meant to be. After a period of time we had both stopped trying to find someone, and guess what? Yep, that’s when it happens!

I love this man – he is a treasure, there is no better person, he’s honest, strikingly handsome, and he has the biggest heart and is my best friend.

Forever.

Note, this isn’t a recent photo, but it’s a favorite, taken by my sister when we were in San Francisco in 2007. Let’s just pretend the wrinkles that have formed since aren’t really there. For those of you who can see them, they were earned from the many smiles that came from this man!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Dancing Tulips…

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, PhotographLeave a comment

Wild Tulips

Tulips are such happy flowers. They change from day until night which is really something. I love when they get kind of wild, it’s almost as if they’re dancing as they reach for the light. At night they stand tall. Tulips are phototropic, which means they follow the light, so be sure to turn the vase to keep them even.

When you get them home, make a diagonal cut about 1/4″ or more under running water. Place in a clean vase with lukewarm water (they don’t like cold water). Be sure to check the water each day, dump the old and give them fresh, I also give a fresh cut every so often.

Did you know tulips keep growing after they are cut? Cool fact, huh?

Happy Saturday! Catch you back here tomorrow…

Another year older and another year wiser…

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTS10 Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My favorite Happy Birthday photo!

Another year older (sigh), another year wiser (yippee) – thank you for joining in on this ride we call life!

A photo from the archives, way, way, way back when… Sun in my eyes and a “hurry up and take the photo” look on my face. Nice kid, huh? I was a Precisionette in high school. It was big fun. We marched behind the Band and the Majorettes. Those jackets were insulated for the cold weather football games (Michigan), so the warm months could be a challenge!

barbara 1978

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: 55 Shenandoah Court by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans4 Comments

55 Shenandoah Court by Our Town Plans

55 Shenandoah Court by Our Town Plans

55 Shenandoah Court by Our Town Plans – Striking, isn’t it? I love the exterior just as they have it, white, with a metal roof and black trim on the windows. Beautiful! Click HERE to see other elevations, details, etc!

This plan is 3,222 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Add to the conditioned space the wonderful porches and you have the perfect home for entertaining!

55 Shenandoah Court by Our Town Plans MAIN

55 Shenandoah Court by Our Town Plans

Porches are so important to me. I grew up with a wonderful porch, and a lot of time was spent on it. It adds to your square footage in the best of ways. The front porch on this plan is plentiful, but the back porch would be my favorite! The back porch is screened and has entry via French doors and also has a fireplace. You would have to pry me off of that porch during nice weather!

The configuration of this plan is wonderful, with an open Kitchen, Dining, Living space. Notice the Office Nook off of the Kitchen. Nice addition… and if I didn’t use it as an Office, I think I would make it a Pantry! Woohoo, how I love a pantry! Look at that wonderful closet space in the Master! Whew! It’s so smart!

55 Shenandoah Court by Our Town Plans UP

55 Shenandoah Court by Our Town Plans

The upstairs is fabulous as well, with 2 Bedrooms, a Bunk Room, a Loft area and two Bathrooms there is a lot you can fit in this upstairs and still have privacy and a place to hang out.

Check out images of a home built using this plan, it’s beautiful!

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist: Kelly Carmody!

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

Snapper with Lemon by Kelly Carmody 12x16 Oil

Snapper with Lemon by Kelly Carmody  12×16″  Oil

Kelly Carmody – this woman can paint!  Portraits that are stunning, Interiors that are magical and Still Life paintings – Wow! Snapper with Lemon is a wonderful painting, the color harmony is perfection – the lemon looks as if it were just sliced, the background is a nice compliment without distracting. Beautiful! Be sure to check out the rest of Kelly’s paintings!

Would you be interested in taking a class with Kelly? She’s got a few to chose from, what an inspiration her class would be!

Read a bit about Kelly, from her website:

“Kelly Carmody has exhibited at venues including the Portrait Society of America and the Art Students League. Most recently, she was selected for the 2015 BP Portrait Award Show at the National Portrait Gallery in London and the 2016 Outwin Boochever Award at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.  In addition, the historic Guild of Boston Artists elected her to become a member in 2015,  she won the Edmund C. Tarbell Award in her first juried members show. The winning portrait is on the cover of July/August edition of Fine Art Connoisseur.   In June of 2015 she received the Blanche E. Colman Award.

She  currently has work at the Sloane Merrill Gallery in Boston,  the Guild of Boston Artists, and the Ann Long Gallery in Charleston, SC.  Publications that have featured her work include American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur, International Artist Magazine, Fine Art Today, Studio Visit Magazine, Boston Magazine, and The Boston Globe. Carmody has won grants from the Ludwig Foundation, Turkey Land Cove Foundation, and Massachusetts Cultural Council, as well as receiving an Edward G. McDowell Travel Grant and the Walter Feldman Grant. In 2014 she won 3rd place in the Portrait Society’s International Portrait Competition.

Carmody attended Massachusetts College of Art and furthered her studies at the Art Students League and in the studio of Numael Pulido.

She paints and teaches in her Waltham, MA studio.” (Read more HERE)…

Images via KellyCarmody.com, used with permission from the artist…

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

[Lighting] The Nelson Saucer Pendant Lamp from Design Within Reach!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME2 Comments

[Lighting] - The Nelson Saucer Pendant Lamp

[image: dwr.com]

This is the Nelson Saucer Pendant Lamp from Design Within Reach. We have this light and it is FABULOUS. We have moved it from the Dining Room to the Kitchen. It’s modern style updates the room and gives it the final touch! The Nelson Saucer Pendant gives off the warmest, most beautiful light. We have ours on a dimmer, which is especially nice!

Nelson Saucer Pendant Lamp DWR

[image: dwr.com]

Just look at the warm light! The Nelson Saucer Pendant comes in three sizes, we have the medium. This fixture has remained a favorite of both of ours. The dimensions are listed below. The height is the fixture itself (not the cord). Info below from Design Within Reach website, check out their website for more info (DWR.com):

Small: H 7.5″ Diameter 17.5″ Cord L 72″

Medium: H 9.5″ Diameter 25″ Cord L 72″

Large: H 14″ Diameter 35″ Cord L 72″

Architect George Nelson, who was Herman Miller’s design director from 1945 to 1972, once said, “Every truly original idea seems to find its most important expression in a chair.” And then he blew the doors off lighting design. While outfitting his office, Nelson discovered a silk-covered Swedish hanging lamp that he coveted but found too expensive. He then recalled seeing a photo in the paper of Liberty ships being mothballed “by having the decks covered with netting and then being sprayed with a self-webbing plastic,” which got him thinking. “And then, Whammo!” Inspiration struck, and by the next night, Nelson had designed his first Bubble Lamp® (1952) by spinning a skeleton of steel wires on a turntable and shooting it with translucent plastic until it was covered in a smooth, washable film. “When you put a light in it, it glowed.” This is the authentic Bubble Lamp, produced in partnership with the George Nelson Foundation. Bulb (not included): LED, CFL or incandescent; E26 base; 150W max (60W for the small saucer). UL Listed. Made in U.S.A. Read more about it and see more images HERE…

All images via DWR.com; Catch you back here tomorrow!