For over a week now we’ve seen so many images/videos coming out of the areas of the country that have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. So many of you have donated time, effort, monetarily and with much needed supplies. Groups of pilots (airplane and helicopter), seasoned hikers going into tough terrain, everyday folks doing the unthinkable to help their neighbors or total strangers…
Continue reading “Thoughts regarding Hurricane Helene…”
We have a neighborhood Barr Owl that gets around. He’s busy and always on watch. He demands presence – he isn’t the sweet little “hootie” that we rescued years ago and rushed to the Birds of Prey to save after we found him in our backyard leaning against the fence. This guy is a bit more territorial…
Continue reading “Our Neighborhood “Hootie”!”
I specifically mentioned Western North Carolina in a past post because we know several people who live in Waynesville, NC. There are so many areas that need disaster relief and basic necessities like food, water and gas after Hurricane Helene. If you can, pick one great place (or many!) and make a donation. I’m trying to find places where the money goes to the people and not to a corporation. Donate however you can, whether it be time, money, supplies, etc. the choice is yours.
Continue reading “Hurricane Helene Relief for NC, SC, TN, GA, FL…”
I like to keep recipes on the healthier side at least a majority of the time, it’s why I’m such a big fan of Eating Well’s recipes. They are over the top good and in most cases they’re quick to put together. This recipe makes four servings, so I usually freeze two meatloaves that are partially baked, then either only make 1/2 the potatoes and green beans OR I use the leftover veggies for a different meal.
Continue reading “Mini Meatloaves with Green Beans and Potatoes!”
Almost all of us have witnessed the endless images of destruction from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene. Helene came onshore as a Category 4 hurricane near Cape Fear, FL on September 26, 2024 – a few short days ago. From there the devastation continued through Georgia, South Carolina and Western North Carolina… In Charleston, Helene passed as a tropical storm from quite a distance away, but the wind effects felt stronger and lasted longer than some hurricanes in recent memory.
Continue reading “Western North Carolina – Thoughts on Helene…”
Fall hit and the temps in Charleston rose. Hmmm. I think they’re supposed to drop a few degrees over the coming days, here’s hoping! Whether it’s a tad warm or not, you can still feel the fall vibe in the air. The sun has shifted dramatically. Sun that used to pour into the kitchen windows while making dinner now doesn’t come close. I love the subtle changes and I notice each one.
Continue reading “Fall Is Upon Us…”
Can you imagine this gorgeous home (especially if you were situated on the water or any other heavenly place with a view!) – This house packs so much punch for its square footage. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t small (matter of fact, to us, it’s large, we live in a smaller older home). I love the lines of this house, the porches, windows, etc. How dreamy to have a fireplace (indoor/outdoor) outside! To me, that would be the ultimate.
Continue reading “The Longleaf Cottage House Plan by Lake and Land Studio!”
The Nightingale is a book that is so difficult to put down. It’s hard to concentrate on little else while you’re reading it. I recommend you give in and fully immerse yourself in Kristin Hannah’s story. The story of brave women and men, happenings during World War II and the situations you wonder how a human can endure for such a long period. There is love and light, darkness and pain but there is also intense hope and strength of women doing their part to save (and comfort) others. Please, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Continue reading “A Book To Read – The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah!”
I love that paintings can be like a snapshot in time. Akin to a photo but with more imagination and feeling. You can feel the wonder, the water, the joy at being on the beach and in the water – or is it a miserably hot day and some are seeking refuge in the cool water? I don’t know anything about this painting – I love to find scoop… Can you guess the artist? #letmeknow
Continue reading “Guess the Artist #37 | Detroit Institute of Arts”
First. Day. Of. Fall! How exciting is this? To me, it’s the best of the best. Fall is my favorite season by far, I love knowing the weather will turn crisper, less humid, I love knowing the leaves change (at least in some places, like where I took this photo). We don’t have a lot of color change here in Charleston. A few trees do change, and that is always exciting to see.
Continue reading “Happy 1st Day of Fall, Y’all!”
I took this photo our first year in Maine. September, 2006. We knew it would be beautiful, but whoa! We had no idea of how drop dead gorgeous it was. We visited Port Clyde, Maine – then took a boat to Monhegan Island for 5 nights – then back to mainland and headed home. There was so much to see it was mind blowing. This was 18 years ago… I’m sure this scene looks just like this today.
Continue reading “September in Maine – Photo from the Archives.”
There is something so special about the ability for a plan to fit in its surroundings and blend harmoniously. This plan is a striking example! I live in an older neighborhood, and we are working with the city to maintain as much character as is possible while still making this a friendly place to live. I have nothing against modern plans, in fact I love them, but for infill in a neighborhood with older architecture I think it’s so important to blend (not look exactly the same, there is a difference). It’s nice when you can find a house plan that check that important box…
Continue reading “The Griffin House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects!”First pictured as written in Eating Well. Second image in a pita. Same ingredients can be used. In the pita for this version I did not use chicken. The pita is still full of protein and veggies, so as a quick lunch this is the best! This is so similar to something we’ve been eating for the last few years now. At least one meal/day seems to be filled with hummus/pita/veggies. When I do add chicken to the mix, I usually just use olive oil/S&P. The additional spices in the Eating Well recipe were nice as was the lemon. This recipe is bursting with flavor as well as numerous health benefits. (Recipe link below) – I always make a recipe the first time as written and another time or two before writing my Sticky Note version with the changes I made and ways to simplify the process. They will be strikingly similar, either way, you can’t lose. Absolute heaven in each bite – you will long for this day after day. Trust me.
Continue reading “CHICKEN HUMMUS PITA inspired by Eating Well”
This is such a striking and happy painting. This artist captured the joy, the emotions! The laughter, the sweet child, the laughing women – all fabulous. Add in a bit of the unexpected such as a bird on the table and what a painting! Now, who painted this? #doyouknow
Continue reading “Guess the Artist #36 | Detroit Institute of Arts”
Stunning, isn’t it? This photo was taken a while ago when we were in Michigan. When I drive this relatively long stretch as a passenger, I’m usually taking photos, a lot of photos. A few will turn out. I love the trees in this shot. There are only a few. This is a lakeplain prairie. If you have never heard of such a thing, take a quick peek and discover what that is. Beautiful yes, but this area holds memories, ha ha – (This is a photo from a year or two ago, we aren’t in MI now)…
Continue reading “Memories: St John’s Marsh – Broken Leg On A Snowmobile”
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