Let me start by saying… if this post looks familiar to some of you, you aren’t crazy. I write my posts ahead of time and schedule them to publish. I was using the software’s new updated version which had a bug that allowed the scheduled post to publish immediately. Sigh… Did you have a deja vu moment just now? ha ha…
Moser Design Group. One of my favorites. This Guest Cottage (TNH-GC-02A) may be small but it packs a powerful punch in terms of livability! If you use this as a guest cottage your guests may stay indefinitely! I think this would be a great house for a single person without a lot of “stuff” that wants to live on a smaller scale. I like that philosophy and you see more and more tiny houses popping up!
Guest Cottage TNH-GC-02A by Moser Design Group
I think I would screen the entry porch, it not only allows you to open the front door and windows across the front, it also gives you a little privacy since your living area is on the front of the house. This plan has a nice and efficient size bedroom with a bathroom right across the hallway, as well as a utility room!
And… this small house/guest cottage has stairs that lead to a loft, which could always be a spare bedroom, storage space, office, etc. I love endless possibilities!
Guest Cottage TNH-GC-02A by Moser Design Group
Check out the Moser Design Group website for more information on this Guest Cottage (TNH-GC-02A) by Moser Design Group – it is also know as KC-697… do you remember seeing the Katrina Cottage plans that were available through Lowe’s? This is one of those plans. I loved those from the moment they appeared on the market! It doesn’t appear that Lowe’s is still in the house plan business, but lucky for you… Moser Design Group is!
Reconnected by Logan Hagege “Reconnected” oil on linen 50×40
Logan Hagege. An iconic superstar Southwestern artist. You see a painting and the style is all Logan’s… you can tell one of his paintings a mile away. Such history and emotion come from them. This piece, above, Reconnected is part of the CHANGING LIGHT – Solo Exhibition at Trailside Galleries in Jackson Hole, WY.
All works at this show are to be sold by draw on September 13th, 2014. SOLD BY DRAW… do you know what that means? It basically means that you put your name in the hat, if your name is picked, then you can buy the painting… if your name is not picked… well, you need to find another painting. I think it’s amazing to be able to sell paintings so quickly! To have so many collectors wanting your paintings! I see why – Logan’s work is stunning!
If you’re in the Jackson Hole, WY area, don’t miss the CHANGING LIGHT SHOW Sept. 1 – 14, 2014 with Artist’s Reception Sept. 13 from 4-7PM.
Trailside Galleries is pleased to present a show of new works by California artist Logan Maxwell Hagege. With approximately 20 new paintings, the American Southwest comes to life in a series of angular images that capture the spare beauty of an arid landscape and of an ancient and enduring Native American culture shaped by the extremes of its environment. The artist will be in attendance at the reception held on September 13th from 4-7pm. .
All works to be sold by draw on September 13th, 2014
Logan Maxwell Hagege is a talented artist who excels in depicting the figure and landscapes. Serious study in art started for Logan when early interest in animation sent him to a local art school, Associates in Art. His interest quickly moved from animation to fine art while attending life drawing classes, and later the Academy`s Advanced Masters Program, which was modeled after the old time French Art Schools where students spent more than six hours per day studying from live models. Logan also studied privately under Steve Huston and Joseph Mendez.
This artist has drawn inspiration for his subjects from his native Southern California as well as by traveling extensively to view various landscapes in the American Southwest and the Northeast Coast of the U.S.
Logan finds encouragement and guidance in masters of the past such as Gustav Klimt, N.C. Wyeth, T.W. Dewing and Maynard Dixon. One idea that drives Logan`s work is that evolution in art is never ending. He is constantly challenging himself with new ideas and new ways of looking at the same subject.
Fred and I went to a local Mexican restaurant after work one night. We ordered the rice bowl with chicken, which was out of this world. While eating… it occurred to me, this recipe isn’t rocket science. While it IS really nice when its made for you, it’s not difficult to make yourself… a little time consuming perhaps, but not too bad! And the taste? Ohhhh, Mmmmmm, Geeeeee!
Here’s what you do! Click HERE to print only the recipe!
RICE BOWL WITH BLACK BEANS, PICO, GUACAMOLE, CILANTRO, QUESO FRESCA and JACK CHEESE
2 servings
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts (or a rotisserie chicken equivalent amount)
1 can of black beans seasoned (and I add minced red onion) or unseasoned and add, cumin, coriander, jalapeño and red onion
1 large very ripe avocado
1/4 cup red onion, minced – divided between beans and guacamole.
Lime
Brown Rice – Can use 1 packet of frozen brown rice (Trader Joe’s) or you can cook brown rice, just start earlier!
Pico de Gallo Salsa (again… Trader Joe’s!)
Queso fresco (I had to ask where the “crumbled queso” was located at Whole Foods, I couldn’t find it anywhere else?)
Jack cheese just a small amount. I use a microplane and grate maybe 1-2 Tablespoons for each bowl.
Here are the steps:
1. Poach the chicken 2. Heat the black beans and season 3. Make the rice 4. Make the guacamole 5. DISH. IT. UP.
Step 1: Poach the chicken. Super easy! This step can be done ahead of time, which comes in handy! You can also use a rotisserie chicken if you like… But I like to poach 2 chicken breasts, it really is so easy. Start by putting the chicken in a large pan. Add water so that you’re about 2″ above the chicken. Turn the pot on high until it starts to boil. Once it starts to boil set the timer for 15 minutes and TURN IT DOWN AND COVER IT so that you only see a little bubble here and there! If you used very large chicken breasts it may take 20 minutes. I set the timer for 15, pull it out, make a slice in the thickest part and check to see if its done, if not, back it goes for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Heat the black beans and season. I buy black beans from Whole Foods in the carton instead of the can (no BPA!) rinse them good and place in a saucepan. I add chopped red onion, jalapeño, some cumin and coriander (to taste). OR you can buy a can of SEASONED BLACK BEANS, that will work great too!
Step 3: Make the rice. Brown rice is perfect for this recipe. I cheat a little on this step and use a package of frozen brown rice from Trader Joe’s, you just zap it in the microwave for three minutes and POOF, you’re done! One packet of frozen rice is perfect for two people with a little to spare! (Or you can make brown rice the regular way, according to package directions, just start about the same time as the chicken!).
Step 4: Make the guacamole. You can buy this made at Whole Foods and that’s fine, or you can spend less than a minute and make it yourself for a fraction of the price. Select one good soft avocado. I cut it in half, then make cut marks and scoop it out and smash with a fork, squeeze lime juice from a nice side wedge of lime. Add some minced red onion. Stir it up good.
Step 5: DISH. IT. UP. Get out 2 bowls, take a wedge of lime and give a little squeeze in each bowl (not a lot). Spoon however much rice you would like, then add the poached chicken, black beans, Jack cheese (I use a microplane and grate very finely), fresh cilantro if you like it, the pico de gallo (super fresh, I buy the Trader Joe’s brand, it’s wonderful). Then crumble some queso fresco on top! Is there anything better than queso? Healthier than feta! Oh, and put a few tortilla chips on top, they’re pretty and the crunch is so nice!
Happy Labor Day! It’s officially the “end” of beach season, not that there isn’t plenty of sun to be had on the beaches for the next several months. But things will slow down a bit with kids back in school. Enjoy your day off if you have one! One more beach day, a nice BBQ in the evening… sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Personally I would like to be on Monhegan Island (Maine) right now. Just look at this vast ocean view… so peaceful! For those of you who ARE there, enjoy!
Last week, Fred took the day off for my birthday. We had a great time as well as a fabulous lunch! We headed to Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.) – We both ordered their wonderful meatballs served on top of polenta with a side of green beans. I opted for a side salad, and Fred ordered a white bean soup. Both were fabulous!
Slightly North of Broad (SNOB) Meatballs over polenta!
This was kind of like spaghetti and meatballs on polenta instead of spaghetti. It was out of this world good! I wasn’t sure how it was going to be. But SNOB’s polenta is wicked creamy (I just know there can’t be cream involved, right? Probably skim milk ;) ha ha)… It was tremendous!
Where do you like to eat when you’re in Charleston? We have so many wonderful options! Where? What do you order? I love to know the scoop! hee hee…
Hmmm, this would be HOW NOT TO SEND A GIFT, don’t you think? Ha ha… No, this watch wasn’t stolen… it was sent from a department store… I ordered it (I love this Timex Ironman watch for walking as well as so I know what time it is when I wake up in the dark)! The band on my old one is shot and this arrived just in the nick of time, but… we called the store to see if we could cut the “safety device” off. They said NO… drive it to Columbia, SC and a store employee would remove it… over 2 hours? Hmmmm, not happening…. OK, then drive it to Savannah…. another 2 hours?? Yep, not happening… We finally just reordered it and returned this one. So much drama, ha ha…
So if you’re ever going to give a gift, make sure one of these aren’t attached ;) hahahahahahaha!
Aimee Erickson. Wonderful artist! Just look at the light and texture in this painting! Very nice! “Sarah” was awarded BEST OF SHOW at the 2014 American Women Artists national show at Addison Art Gallery in Orleans, Massachusetts – exciting!!
Aimee has a great website, check it out, both her studio paintings as well as her plein air paintings! Aimee was also featured by Southwest Art Magazines ARTISTS TO WATCH, a great article!
Paris-born, Portland-based artist Aimee Erickson is an oil painter in the realist tradition. Trained as an illustrator, she has a BFA in Visual Communication Design and has also studied with Sherrie McGraw, Burton Silverman, and Joseph Paquet. Aimee is the first woman artist to paint an Oregon gubernatorial portrait, that of Barbara Roberts in 1997. She teaches at the Multnomah Arts Center, Sitka Center, Creative Arts Community at Menucha, and in her studio.
“My interest lies in the essence of things, in the beauty of nature, and in cycles of consciousness. My paintings include all sorts of subject matter–figures, landscape, still life–with draughtsmanship and design as a foundation.”
Sweet cottage isn’t it? This is the Poet’s Cottage (NC0022)designed by Allison Ramsey Architects out of Beaufort, South Carolina. They have quite a reputation for excellence. It shows in each and every one of their house plans. Just look at the character in this house. I love the roof lines! This plan is 1,768 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. This is a plan that will appeal to the masses!
So many wonderful features… a front porch. Ahhhh, who wouldn’t love that? Then you walk into a generous size living room complete with a fireplace, from there you walk through the dining room (or head up the stairs to the second floor) and into the kitchen, with a powder room tucked between the dining and kitchen. Do you see what I see off the kitchen? A porch!! I would screen it and when cooking keep my kitchen door open to let the fresh air in. In the back of the house is the master bedroom and bathroom with a walk in closet.
I love the upstairs, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting room! Very generous bedrooms for sure! This is a great plan tucked into a nicely sized footprint. Not too big, not too small, it’s just right!
Daniel Robbins… I love his work, it’s always so striking and stands out in some unique way. His paintings keep your eye because you don’t want to leave for some reason. There is so much to see, and if you’re like me, where every picture tells a story, well then… I get carried away imaging the story behind his paintings… Like this painting, “3:45” for instance, is that a friend, spouse, girlfriend… why is she sleeping at 3:45? Ha ha, not that any of the answers matter, you see what I mean, you keep looking, because you’re interested. This is so well done, I love it, the fabulous light coming through the red curtains. Fabulous!
Painting by Daniel K Robbins
This is a painting that Daniel posted on Facebook: The Art of Daniel Robbins I think it’s fabulous. It reminds me of an area of Michigan when I was a kid. I love those big trees. There is a story here! Daniel Robbins is an amazing artist, I especially love his interiors, precious few people paint them… I know he was a guest artist at Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC – quite an honor I would say! Check him out, his work is fabulous!
Daniel Robbins grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia and he has always wanted to create art. During grades 4-8 he was enrolled in the Old Donation Center for the Gifted and Talented, and in high school he continued his study of art at the Governor’s School for the Arts. For college he moved to Richmond, VA to study in the Communication Arts department at Virginia Commonwealth University. While at VCU he received multiple awards for his artistic and academic achievement, including: Most Outstanding Junior and Senior in Communication Arts, Dean’s List, and a scholarship from the New York Society of Illustrators’ Student Competition.
After he received his B.F.A. in 2006, Daniel started to teach drawing and painting as an adjunct faculty member in the Communication Arts department. He has also exhibited his paintings in galleries in New York, Virginia, and North Carolina. Daniel has received numerous honors and awards including: Best in Show at the “Virginia Artists Juried Exhibition,” in Hampton, VA; Virginia’s Finest Artist at the “Boardwalk Art Festival,” in Virginia Beach, VA; Winsor and Newton Material Award at the Salmagundi Club in New York City; and he wrote “The Road Not Taken” for the Artists on Art publication.
His thoughts on his work:
In my work I explore the world around me. Art gives me the opportunity to analyze both the physical properties and psychological effects of my subjects. I focus on the honest experience of seeing. I do not observe something simply as unique or beautiful, but allow my mind to think, question, and respond intellectually to the subject. To focus on beauty alone denies both artist and viewer the full experience of observation and intelligent response. My art represents this process of seeing. The final result of the work is not a representation of one idea, but a multilayered response spawned from repeated observation.
Daniel Robbins continues to live and work in Richmond, Virginia.
CHARLESTON, SC – recently named the 2014 Friendliest City in America by Conde Nast Traveler! Not to shabby, eh? Charleston is a magical city to live in. I wasn’t born here (GASP), I’m from Michigan, but I have lived here for over 25 years! So I know a little bit about what I talk about. There is so much to do in Charleston. With the close proximity to the beaches (yes, not just one beach, but many beaches), great food, and I do mean everywhere, gorgeous historic homes that make you proud to say you live in Charleston!
Ok “y’all” let’s keep up the good work and try for next year as well!
FRIENDLIEST CITIES: #1. Charleston, South Carolina
Several visitors praised this “quaint and special little gem” for embodying Southern hospitality at every turn—so much so that they “would consider living there full time.” The historic town earned accolades for its blend of “undervalued local culture,” history, and natural beauty, as well as the “incredible food” and Charleston City Market, with its boutiques and art galleries. In short, Charleston is the total package, landing it atop the list for the second year in a row.
OCTOBER 22 – 26, 2014 NEWNAN, GA WORKSHOP WITH KEN DEWAARD AND GREG LAROCK!
Do you see what I see? A workshop by two amazing artists… a 2 FOR 1 workshop! Ken DeWaard and Greg LaRock – If you’re going to be anywhere near the Newnan, GA area, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Two highly respected, award winning artists who will guide you through learning how to to take your paintings to the next level. I love how they’re starting this workshop with a meet and greet dinner, so that participants have a chance to get to know each other, as well as Ken and Greg – this is where the information gathering will take place! Key to a good workshop!
I would love to see the side by side demo by Ken and Greg of the same subject matter. I think it’s so interesting how artists all see things a bit differently, that makes it so interesting! I have not personally met Greg, yet… but I do know Ken, and he is as nice as they come. Full of information that he is more than willing to share. This will be an informative, enlightening and fun workshop!
I envy those of you who are able to sign up for this workshop! If you’re thinking about it… don’t hesitate, space is limited and October will be here before you know it!
If interested contact Millie Gosch: EMAIL: milliegosch@gmail.com or call 770.301.0674
Botany Bay (Edisto), South Carolina. Stunning beauty everywhere you look! Winding paths, wildlife, birds, water, gorgeous old oaks, palm trees, unspoiled beach. You just can’t beat it!
Summer is so good for fresh food, isn’t it? Do you take advantage of your local farmer’s market, or do you have a garden? Oooh, there is just nothing like fresh produce! This was a fabulous dinner, grilled chicken topped with a mango salsa, some great cucs and scrumptious tomatoes bedazzled with a little olive oil and vinegar… and some home made slaw… with vinegar instead of mayo, and for dessert… corn on the cob! Pretty isn’t it? Enjoy your summer time meals while you can!
Me and Fred… got married 22 years ago today… best day ever!
This is a photo from our last visit to San Fran in 2005 (need to get back there!) on the ferry to Sausalito to check out the art and grab a burger. I’m a tad wind blown, ha ha. Good times right from the beginning. I’m super blessed and I know it… I don’t take this man for granted. It’s rare to find the love of your life I think. And he… is mine!
Flatfish Island Design… a cool architectural firm based on Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina. Many of their plans have wonderful porches where you can spend time and appreciate the beautiful area that we live in… For living in the South, these wonderful porches would also help keep some of the heat at bay so that the strong sun isn’t beaming in your windows warming your home up even more. This is a very attractive plan both inside and out. I love this one! The Curlew Cottage is 1,922 square feet and has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms!
This plan has a first floor master suite, which is located in the back of the house. Perfect! The living, dining, kitchen is all located in the front part of the house and is an open plan. Look how open! Can you imagine the ways you could change your rooms around when you got tired of them? The possibilities… ENDLESS!
The upstairs has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a laundry. For just Fred and I personally, I would try to have the laundry downstairs (stackable perhaps??) and one bathroom upstairs, maybe two guest rooms and storage! I love storage, ha ha! That’s the good thing about Flatfish Designs, they will work with you to make a plan work for you and your family. What’s not to love?
Be sure to check out their other HOUSE PLANS, and their FAQ! Do you love this house plan, but you don’t need the upstairs? Check out Nippers Escape house plan! It’s basically the first floor… Also check out their Facebook page: Flatfish Island Designs great photos!
Read a bit about Flatfish Island Designs from their website, they seem like a really cool company – check them out!
At Flatfish Island Designs, we believe that comfortable living begins with great design, and that great design should be accessible to everyone. This sounds like a simple concept, but bringing those two aspects together has been difficult in the past.
Great Home Plans are not often Accessible
Great design is certainly available. There are capable architects in every city that can design a house plan to truly suit your lifestyle and your location. Of course, this takes extra time, effort, and cost. So, for many potential homeowners, this option is out of reach.
Accessible Home Plans are not often Great
Accessible, affordable design is also available, if you don’t mind making lots of compromises. At any home center you will find an entire wall of house plans-for-purchase. Or, you can choose from your homebuilder’s limited inventory of generic home plans. Unfortunately, there is very little connection between these cookie-cutter house plans and the people who will live in them. Until now, you have had to choose between skilled, personal design and accessible, affordable design. Now, one home design team offers both.
Introducing Flatfish Island Designs
For years, Stephen Herlong and a team of talented designers have been creating exceptional quality custom homes for clients from around the country. Our team has worked through every detail of both the exterior and the interior of each house plan. This experience has given us an ingrained sense for purposeful design – that is, design for the way people live in their homes. Today, Steve has created Flatfish Island Designs, a compilation of house plans for sale that capitalize on this experience. Each home plan in this expanding collection offers beautifully detailed architectural style and superior livability, without the significant investment of time and money that a truly custom home plan requires.
Flatfish Island: Purposeful, Livable, Accessible House Plans
So, whether you are looking for a cozy cottage house plan, a breezy bungalow beach home plan, or an expansive luxury open floor plan, there is a Flatfish Island design for you. And, if you don’t find precisely the house plan you desire, you are free to make modifications to your home plan using skilled Flatfish Island home designers, or the architect of your choosing.
For a truly livable, purposefully designed home plan that fits your personality, your lifestyle, your neighborhood and your budget, choose Flatfish Island Designs.
We invite you to view our Designs Gallery of house plans. If you have any questions, please contact us.
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