House plan… Periwinkle Cottage!

Periwinkle Cottage, Port Clyde, Maine
Periwinkle Cottage, Port Clyde, Maine

There is a beautiful cottage that we have rented several times in Port Clyde, Maine. It’s called the “Periwinkle” cottage and it’s situated right on the ocean. I would call it rustic (no heat), but there is a fabulous fireplace and the view is earth shattering! Truly!

Today’s house plan… is the periwinkle. We always thought it would be so cool if we could build a house similar to the Periwinkle, but a little less rustic, and a little less space. Maybe 1 guest room upstairs, a 3/4 bath and a storage room/room for treadmill… something that would still give it this overall appearance from the outside. There were a few areas inside that weren’t useful spaces… those I would love to redesign to make useful. This plan is amazing. Fred and I are no architects (trust me, ha), but we kind of drew out the plan on our last visit, here it is…

Periwinkle floor plan - first floor
Periwinkle floor plan – first floor

The ocean is located on the side of the house with the living, dining and bedrooms… big windows, wide doors all make sure you don’t miss the gorgeous view!

You come in the house between the mud room and bathroom on the other side of the house. The mud room used to have a washer and dryer, and could be used for that again. I would also add a wash tub that could accommodate a dog bath easily. From that room you can walk into either the kitchen or the living area.

This is the door you come in… door to the right is a bathroom. Then there is built in storage for pretty much everything which is handy… if you go to the left you head towards the kitchen…

Entry door… mudroom...
Entry door… mudroom…

There is a large wasted space that has an old furnace in this area, I would use it maybe as a pantry and eating area off the kitchen…

Kitchen
Kitchen

I would keep wonderful large windows in the kitchen, have drawers instead of cupboards and possibly try to do away with some of the upper cabinets (replace with windows?). I wonder, wonder, wonder if you could lose that wall on the left and have it open to the existing dining room, meaning… OCEAN. VIEW.!!!

Dining Room
Dining Room

You then walk down a short hallway to the dining room. Beautiful expansive windows on two sides. I would probably make this into a reading room, with my desk, some great chairs, lamps. There are built in’s along the wall to the right. I would be willing to part with that if I could have the wall gone and open to the kitchen… Could be quite nice!

Cabinets below, shelves above, useful for displaying and storing. This view of the dining room is taken from the living room…

Living room with fabulous fireplace!
Living room with fabulous fireplace!

Great fireplace in this house… totally makes this living room, well that and the windows that look out upon the ocean…

Wide door that goes out onto oceanside porch
Wide door that goes out onto oceanside porch

Big, wide door so fabulous! When you open it you get such a fabulous breeze! Large windows throughout. One large center pane that is stationary and then two smaller windows on either side that open.

View standing near dining, looking through living towards bedroom...
View standing near dining, looking through living towards bedroom… See stairs that go to 2nd floor…

Great floor plan, I’m telling ya!

Bedroom - Excuse the bad shot!
Bedroom – Excuse the bad shot!

Bad shot… when we checked in they had not made this bed… and I didn’t take a photo after we made it, ugh. Note the 9′ wall behind the bed. This is one of the most unique features. You are in bed facing the huge window with the ocean view. That little doorway on the right side of the bed… goes to a closet/storage area if you were to walk straight ahead. If you turned after you passed the wall, you would see hooks on your left and built in dressers on your right. Brilliant!

Storage area if you go straight
Storage area if you go straight

Two closets with great storage…

If you were to follow the short hallway on the other side of the bed, it led to the master bathroom, but if you turned right after the wall behind the bed, you would see this:

Built in storage in wall behind bed
Built in storage in wall behind bed

It was so nice. We could put our suitcases on top of the ‘dressers’ and hang stuff on hooks on opposing wall. Such useful space!

I love windows like this!
I love windows like this!

This is my mom in one of the upstairs bedrooms… Such great light comes through those windows! AND they have such character!

These windows open out (and they have screens)… fabulous!
These windows open out (and they have screens)… fabulous!
Ocean Side View
Ocean Side View

This is the ocean side view… that sometimes looked like this…

Enough said!
Enough said!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:               Featured Artist… Randy Sexton!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:          Artist… Colin Page!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:    A walk to remember!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Marc Hanson – A Leap into February… watch the trailer!

Marc Hanson
A Leap Into February trailer by Marc Hanson (iMovie)

(Small screenshot of the video via MarcHanson.blogspot.com)

Marc Hanson. Amazing artist. Brilliant in everything that he does. Remarkably versatile, the man can do anything. Now add to his current oil painting, gouache, pastel…. MOVIE MAKING! What? Yep. I think this is so creative it makes me want to create a trailer for SOMETHING… Marc did this in a light hearted way, for those of you who know Marc, or follow him on Facebook you will even notice his beloved Milk Duds get a cameo roll in this trailer about his upcoming painting marathon “A leap into February”!

You must watch… it’s brilliant!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER – Turn your volume on!

Was I right? I cannot wait to follow along and see what Marc paints – 4 PAINTINGS A DAY for 28 DAYS! (Whoa!) – Follow along by reading Marc’s blog “Painting My Way Through Life“. This should make for quite a fun February, don’t you think??

I am so excited to watch the progression of his daily efforts! Four paintings a day?!! Click HERE for Marc’s blog post from 1/27/14 which explains his venture more in detail, including his color palette, etc…

Just a tease… this is one of Marc’s recent pastels… 6×6 (copyright: Marc R. Hanson) – check out Marc’s website, blog and Facebook page for more!

Marc Hanson
Complimentary Tree by Marc R. Hanson

F L A S H B A C K     

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             2013 HGTV Dream Home!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Life Saver at Shem Creek!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Artist to watch… Robert Joyner!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe!! Best Ever!

There is nothing like a good homemade peanut butter cookie! I tell myself they’re healthy (yeah, right) – full of protein, ha. Well, not so bad if you only make the once in a great while! This recipe makes a lot, so share with your neighbors! I shared some and froze some so we weren’t eating them all! Try to control yourself with the cookie dough…. good luck!

Here’s the recipe! (Click here for a printable version minus the photos and comments)!

barbara stroud - Peanut butter Cookies
Best. Ever!

Here goes…

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Mix together butter and sugars…

With a mixer, beat together the butter, sugar and brown sugar…

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Next… eggs and vanilla!

Add eggs and vanilla… mix just to get the ingredients blended together nicely…

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Ooooh, lookin’ good!

Oooh, yeah, this is what you want to see!

I mix dry ingredients together. Flour, Baking Soda and Salt. Stir to mix.
Dry Ingredients…

I put dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt) in a separate bowl, then give it a stir to mix it around, and then add to the wet ingredients…

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Add the peanut butter!

Next… add the magic touch… the ingredient that makes peanut butter cookies, well… peanut butter cookies! Add the peanut butter, and mix to combine.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet

Get two teaspoons, scoop one teaspoon (mine are rather small, they get larger as they bake), then use the other spoon to drop it onto the un-greased cookie sheet…

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Roll into balls lightly with your palms

Pick up the little blop of heavenly dough, and roll between your (clean!) palms lightly to form a ball. In no way does it have to be perfect!

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Press with fork (lightly)

Then dip a fork in water (and shake off excess water) then lightly press down…

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Press with fork the opposite way if you like

If you’re feeling fancy, press the opposite direction…

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
TA DA!

You will not believe how wonderful these smell!

TO FREEZE AND BAKE LATER:

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet, but leave room between them!

This recipe makes a lot of cookies (nearly 6 dozen). So I am sure to share and freeze some so that we don’t end up eating them ALL.  To freeze, drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet then roll into balls leaving enough space between each cookie to “breathe” (allowing them to freeze).

barbara stroud - peanut butter cookies
Cover!

Then wrap in wax paper and then plastic wrap. For some reason I forgot the wax paper this time. No big deal…  wrap them up good and put in the freezer several hours until they are frozen and hard.

barbara stroud
Don’t forget to label!

Once they are frozen toss them into a zip top freezer bag and be sure to label. I like to add directions for baking as well so I don’t have to look it up! To bake after freezing: place on a cookie sheet and wait until they defrost (doesn’t take too long) (you need to press with a fork dipped in water and you can’t do this when they’re frozen). Then bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes!

ENJOY! I think these will quickly become a favorite!!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             Featured Artist… Paula Frizbe!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Island House Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Panera and their Chicken Noodle Soup

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… David Boyd!

David Boyd Jr.
Home by David Boyd Jr. – NFS

David Boyd has such a cool style. It’s plein air with a twist! These two paintings are NOT for sale (sigh, I know!) they are amazing aren’t they? Both of them stood out and are remarkable. They look like they could almost be watercolor, but they are oil. AND THEY ARE FABULOUS. How brilliant to paint it on a slight angle? It makes you feel as if you’re sitting on one of the steps of the porch looking up, doesn’t it?

David Boyd Jr.
Inside Out by David Boyd Jr. – NFS

Another not for sale, and I don’t blame David, these are in his private collection. Both of these paintings are of the front door of his childhood home. No wonder he wants to keep them! I would too! The interior… fabulous! The outside… I could look at it all day! Lovely painting…

David’s  work is expressive and loose and I love that! Another subject that David is well known for… his tractors, trucks, etc. David isn’t afraid to paint large! It works because there aren’t a lot that are still for sale! So if you see something you like… I wouldn’t hesitate!

David Boyd Jr.
Little Red by David Boyd Jr. – Sold

Just look at this! How wonderful? It’s got a lot of abstractness to it which I really like! Be quick I tell ya… Little Red… sold!

David Boyd Jr.
Big Boy by David Boyd Jr. – Available!

Another cool tractor, more subdued colors, very nice! Big Boy is one of the few tractor paintings that are currently available… the more subdued color palette is amazing! The  brushstrokes… get outta here! Stunning!

I love it when an artist is creative with their words. There are a few bio’s that I still remember, just absolutely so creative and interesting (Tom Balderas immediately comes to mind!). THIS IS ONE OF THEM! David clearly has a sense of humor which makes life that much better, doesn’t it? Read a blip about David from his website (read more HERE):

Biography

From an early age, Boyd was encouraged by his parents to create. There was never a shortage of art materials at the Boyd household. Even the walls of his childhood bedroom were left unfinished so that he could draw at will. He was influenced by his father; the elder Boyd is a renowned illustrator and character who draws for Jeff Foxworthy and Mark Morgan, Inc and once proprietor of The Print Shoppe in Newnan. Luckily, young Boyd was also heavily influenced by his mother, Rosalyn Boyd, the “quintessential southern belle”, beloved Heritage school teacher, and instructor to thousands with a penchant for dance and music.  These facts coupled with early indication that the young Boyd had little, if any, math, organizational, or social skills pointed towards a life of crime or a career in the visual arts. After much consideration, Boyd chose the latter of the two.

As those early dreams of becoming a hired assassin or race car driver began to diminish, Boyd settled into the life of an artist. After moving to Savannah for school, Boyd began studying architecture, then graphic design and finally art history and illustration at Savannah college of Art and Design. Boyd graduated with a BFA in Illustration in 1995. Boyd painted his first painting during this time, focusing on the moonlight through the live oaks of Savannah’s Washington Avenue. 

In 2004, Boyd’s father grew ill, and the younger Boyd was asked to take the reigns at Mark Morgan, Inc, an editorial cartoon syndication company, until his father could get back on his feet.  With the elder Boyd now back in good health, father and son have continued working together on the editorial cartoons and can be seen at the Redneck Gourmet in Newnan each Saturday morning, planning and plotting their latest editorial attack. The father-son team also produce e-greeting cards with Jeff Foxworthy, which can be found at www.foxworthyredneckecards.com. The two Boyd’s are also responsible for the design and execution of design work, murals and signage for The Redneck Gourmet family of restaurants. 

Boyd’s love of painting has been an odd journey resulting in many different types of paintings. Boyd considers himself an obsessed experimenter, not having settled on a single style or a concentration of subjects. Boyd’s pieces range from the expressionistic to the abstract, with subject matter that includes everything from trees and landscapes to chairs and doors, and sizes varying from small studies to murals.

Recently Boyd has been focusing on alla prima oil paintings of still lives and landscapes, especially a new found love of plein air painting. Boyd has been experimenting with daily painting, which is exactly as it sounds. He attempts to paint a piece a day and documents it on his blog with a written journal about each piece. Most of these pieces are smaller in scale. In 2009, Boyd was accepted as a member of the online art movement DailyPainters.com. Boyd is predominantly a self- taught painter having studied under Millie Gosch, Gene Costanza, Jill Steenhuis, Roger Dale Brown, Marc Chatov, and Scott Christensen and Greg LaRock.

Boyd is a member of OPA and AIS. He has been selected for regional OPA shows and AIS National where he was awarded an Honorable mention by the judge, Kevin McPherson. In addition, Boyd has been participating in plein air events around the southeast including the Quick Draw at The Great American Paint Out and an invitation the Plein Air Affair in St. Simon’s Island, GA where to received and 3rd place for his quick draw painting.

Boyd’s work can be seen at Fine Lines Gallery in Newnan, GA, and Dogwood Gallery in Tyrone, GA. Boyd’s work can also be seen at his studio by appointment. View Boyd’s work at www.davidboydjr.com,www.compelledtopaint.blogspot.com and at www.dailypainters.comwww.dailypaintworks.com andwww.dailypainteroriginals.com. You can also find him on Facebook by searching Compelled to Paint.

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             Lobsters… in the ROACH family? Ugh!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Featured Artist… Kevin McNamara!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Take me AS I AM!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sometimes all you need is a cup of love…

Black Tap Coffee
Cappuccino from Black Tap Coffee, Charleston, SC

Sometimes, all you need is a nice hot cuppa love… like this one from Black Tap Coffee in Charleston, SC (70 1/2 Beaufain Street). If you haven’t been there I highly suggest that you go. They do not disappoint. Ever! The coffee is different. It’s good, very, very good. The atmosphere is very with it and you will leave with a smile on your face!

Here is an image from their Facebook page (Black Tap Coffee) to give you an idea what a cool place it is:

Black Tap Coffee, Charleston, SC
Image via Black Tap Coffee, Charleston, SC

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             Bless the Lobstermen (and Women)!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Restaurant Secrets Revealed – Dr. Oz!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Sugar Bakeshop, Charleston, SC

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Gorgeous setting – house for sale…

For Sale in Charleston, SC
For Sale in Charleston, SC

Gorgeous, right? One day Fred and I were walking in our neighborhood (Windermere) and the nearby area (South Windermere), and we saw a house that was empty  and on the market. It had undergone a complete restoration by a high quality builder in our area. This is the backyard… Low tide… Gorgeous, isn’t it? I think these two adironack chairs and the view may sell the house!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             Featured Artist… Logan Hagege!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Featured Artist… John Carroll Doyle!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   Hey! It’s me… Charlie!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Kevin Menck!

Highway Moon by Kevin Menck
Highway Moon by Kevin Menck

What a fabulous nocturnal plein air painting! Love the moonlight, the deep blue sky and those lights way off in the distance. Very nice! This painting is available at the Lindsay Goodwin Gallery. Caution: the image on their website is lighter than the real painting. This image came from Kevin’s website, so I would say this is more the real deal. Brilliant composition how everything keeps your eye in the loop… Great painting! I really like Kevin’s work. Check out his website when you get a chance!

Read a blip about Kevin from his website and check out his workshops for 2014:

Kevin Menck was born and raised in Middle Tennessee. After graduating from art school, he worked briefly as a designer and then as a self-employed illustrator for 15 years. “Working as an illustrator helped me develop skills that are fundamental to what I do now, especially drawing. The ability to draw is the foundation to everything.”

In 2002 Kevin met and befriended local painter Jason Saunders. “Jason  was very instrumental in my development as an artist. He introduced me to the basics of landscape painting and also instilled in me the importance of painting from nature. Nature is the best teacher I’ve had.”

Kevin is now committed to painting the landscape “en plein aire.” Being an avid outdoorsman for years, Kevin has a deep love and respect for the outdoors. “I remember sitting in a duck blind or deer stand and trying to figure out how to capture what I was seeing on canvas. To get that atmosphere, to make a cold day look cold and hot days hot. I want the viewer to look at it and know what it actually was to be there.”

Kevin lives and works in Nashville, Tennessee.

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:             Classy bird wallpaper (really!)

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         A granola recipe for life!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   A router to rock your world (2011)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image via KevinMenck.com

Polar Vortex? Freezing temps? Have you tried this?

Frost King Faucet Protector - Image via Lowes.com
Frost King Faucet Protector

I should have posted this long, long ago with all this polar vortex freezing weird weather all over the country! Have you seen these before? A faucet protector that protects from freezing, as well as wind and cold. This one is from Frost King. We bought these years ago and use them year after year. They hold up well and seem to do the trick. Any time the temp is going to drop below freezing we remove the hoses and put these insulator thingy’s on the outside faucet. So far, so good. We bought ours at Lowes, they’re a couple dollars each, which is a small price to pay!

Remember to leave both your HOT and COLD water dripping when temps drop below freezing! It’s cheaper than paying to have your pipes fixed!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:               Featured Artist… Mark Horton!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:          Featured Artist… Brian M. Smith!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:    Starbuck’s Gift Card!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image via Lowes.com

Featured Artist: Tim Bell – Now in Charleston, SC!

Tim Bell - Galerie on Broad
Oyster Boats by Tim Bell (available at Galerie on Broad in Charleston, SC)

Tim Bell is an amazing artist from Maryland. We met Tim back in 2006 while on Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine. I learned a lot from Tim that first year. He was a wealth of information… as outlined here in a quote from me that I ran across on the Wall’s Gallery website… while reading it I thought it sounded familiar and then I saw my name, ha ha…

From the WallsGallery.com website
From the WallsGallery.com website

We watched Tim paint Uncle Henry’s, a popular old house as you walk from the wharf to the Island Inn… it was reminiscent of Rockwell Kent’s work in so many ways. Oyster Boat has some of the same wonderful violets and that drop dead gorgeous warm light… Spectacular!

I am excited to say that Tim’s work is now being shown right here in Charleston, SC at Galerie on Broad, located on historic Broad Street! If you’re in Charleston, SC stop by and check out his work!

Tim Bell is a painter in the American Impressionist tradition. He is a graduate of Frostburg State University where his post-graduate studies were at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis, Maryland and the Cape Cod School of Art in Provincetown, Massachusettes. Tim has won countless awards at the various plein air events, specifically Plein Air Easton near his home. His work has been influenced by painters such as John Twachtman, Charles Hawthorne, Hovsep Pushman and Henry Hensche.

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:               OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:          Shrimp boats at sunset…

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:    Apple Crisp Recipe!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Have you tried the dollar bill test on your fridge? A secret tip…

Save Money

T H E  D O L L A R  B I L L  T E S T &  S A V I N G $ W I T H   Y O U R  F R I D G E !

Ok, maybe not so secret since I saw it on Rachel Ray’s Show one day when I was in the kitchen…  Peter Walsh was one of the guests and  he discussed ways to save $ with your refrigerator… Did you know if you pull your refrigerator out 1″ from the wall you can save 40% in electricity (on the fridge) because it will run more efficiently? ONE. INCH. I wish this was a new tip we could start doing, but ours is already out a good 1.5″ right now, so that one didn’t help… the more air can circulate the easier it is to run (and less costly).

Next tip: The dollar bill test. Open your fridge door and close it on a dollar bill. Then, with the door closed try to pull the dollar bill out without opening the door. Did it just fall out? Did you not feel any resistance? It just slid pretty easily? (This is what happened for me)… Or did you fee resistance? If you felt resistance, move on… your seal is in good shape. Mine on the other hand pulled out very easily. Sigh… fridge is only a few years old. Normally this can cost $200-300 on a service call, BUT there is something that you can do that will save you that money… Petroleum Jelly (AKA Vaseline). Yep, that stuff you can use to help chapped lips, dry feet or hands… you just put a small amount on your finger and run it across the seal (top, bottom, side, etc.) just a small amount, you don’t need a lot. A thin bead of it will do the trick. Now open your refrigerator door. WHOA, right?!! It’s much harder to open because its sealed better than it was.

The dollar bill test (demonstrated) and many more tips from Peter Walsh: Watch the video

Here’s the link to the Rachel Ray show regarding this story.

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:               Featured Artist… Casandra Gillens!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:          End of Shrimp Season in Charleston!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:    Laugh until you cry!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

 

Yep, that’s me, looking snazzy!

Me…
Me…

Me (in my runway days, ha ha)… going for the shorty dress and the wicked short bangs (thanks mom!). I remember those bang trims… (I wonder if there was a template that was taped to my head? Ahhh this makes me laugh…) If my grandma saw them she would have  a fit and take me to get them fixed, ha ha… not sure which version this is above. I look like I’m going somewhere special… have the purse and everything! Too funny!

Fred has the day off, so I’m going to do the same, have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:              Broad Street’s Golden Light (Charleston, SC)

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:         Featured Artist… Robert Lange!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:   I need to start painting! (Hasn’t happened yet, this was back in 2011, sigh)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Looking for a place to stay in Charleston, SC?

27 State Street Bed & Breakfast - Charleston, SC
27 State Street Bed & Breakfast – Charleston, SC

Charleston has many wonderful hotels. Top notch. We also have beautiful bed and breakfasts. I mentioned the Wentworth Mansion last week, which is a gorgeous inn to stay at. Another is 27 State Street Bed & Breakfast. 27 State is convenient to all that Charleston has to offer. Check out their website! Remember the gas lantern from yesterday’s post? This is it!

F  L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                   Time for the teeny weeny bikini?

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:              Lowcountry Oyster Festival 2012>

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:       Bravery and polar fleece…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Lantern…

Lantern in Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC

When you’re walking around Charleston, SC you never know what you’ll see. Sometimes it’s the small details that make a place really stand out. Details like the lighting at this doorway. Gas lanterns go way back, and that wonderful warm light that glows makes everything look better! Interesting colors downtown as well. Not the typical colors you see everyday, and they look striking! Look at the detail in the woodwork. It’s not the norm anymore. If you head downtown I would highly suggest bringing a camera!!

Have a great weekend!

F  L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                   Featured Artist…Christina Hewson!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:              Featured Artist… Dick Cole!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:       Before and After picks WHOA

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artists painting on Monhegan…

Albert Handell
Albert Handell’s workshop on Monhegan

When you go to my blog and type “Monhegan” in the search box at the top right, you will see many posts appear… so many gorgeous photos, art, and interesting people… Lots of them. The next few Friday’s I’m going to share some of my artists photos from Monhegan. If you are an artist and haven’t been to Monhegan yet… you are in for a treat. There are wonderful places to stay like the Island Inn, or for the more artsy, the Monhegan House. I hear artists love to stay there because they paint all day and talk about art all night. What. Could. Be. Better? Monhegan is a small island about ten miles off the coast of Maine. You take a ferry to get there and there are no cars (except for the locals with trucks for deliveries). You will see easels set up everywhere! It’s a jaw dropping time, truly!

Tim Bell - Year one...
Tim Bell

I took this photo the first year we met artist Tim Bell. What an interesting guy! So full of knowledge that he was sharing, I was writing notes like a crazy person. I was like a sponge trying to absorb all of his information. We spoke with Tim a good bit on this trip. A few times I hung out by his easel while he took a short break (very rare for Tim), and everyone who walked by commented (thinking it was my painting)… I did a lot of explaining in those few short minutes, but also got to feel what it must be like if you’re good. Really. Good. For an artist like Tim who receives so much attention, he is the most down to earth person you will ever meet. He quickly became a friend to treasure for a lifetime. Through Tim we met another artist with the same down to earth abilities even though his paintings are award winning time after time… Ken DeWaard. One day it would be cool to all be on Monhegan at the same time. Just think… you would all have a free photographer, ha ha…

Ok, here are some more…

Tim Bell painting on Monhegan
Tim Bell painting Uncle Henry’s on Monhegan

This is the second year we met Tim on Monhegan… he was painting Uncle Henry’s, and what a fabulous painting that turned out to be!

Tim Bell Monhegan
Tim Bell painting at Lobster Cove on Monhegan

Cool shot, eh? Nice stance Tim! Look at all the artists set up painting. I’m pretty sure this was the day that there were big winds and artists flocked to paint the surf. See that house in the distance? For those of you who aren’t familiar it is owned by artist Jamie Wyeth. He bought it from artist Rockwell Kent. (Cool article about the two of them from Fine Art Connoisseur). What a view it must have. I cannot imagine!

Tim Bell Monhegan
Tim Bell – Monhegan

A close up of Tim’s set up. I’m not even sure I could lift it let alone hike with it. You wouldn’t believe how organized some artists are… it’s impressive.

Kevin Beers - Monhegan
Kevin Beers painting near the Island Inn on Monhegan

GO BIG OR GO HOME. I bet that’s Kevin’s motto. He is the one artist you see walking down the street with a HUGE canvas… he comes back at the same time each day to catch the same light. His work is incredible and talk about a nice guy. We met Kevin the first year and have stayed in touch. The coolest people go to Monhegan!

Joe Fidler (dad) painting at a cottage in Port Clyde, ME
Joe Fidler (dad) painting at a cottage in Port Clyde, ME

Ahhh, this artist here… love this guy… HI DAD! He’s a great artist too! He has painted in Port Clyde, Maine when we rented a cottage on the ocean there. What a dream vacation!

Joe Fidler - Port Clyde
Joe Fidler (dad) painting in Port Clyde, ME

This was right in front of our cottage. That cottage was truly a dream!

Barbara Stroud painting on Monhegan
Me painting on Monhegan

Ooooh… and who might this be? What?! It’s me… hee…

F  L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                   Battling Clutter… streamlining your kitchen drawer!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:              2012 Restaurant Week

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:       Utility Canvas Throw – one of my favs!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: Red Bluff by Allison Ramsey Architects

Allison Ramsey Architects
Red Bluff house plan by Allison Ramsey Architects

I know I should probably have more variety from different architects. Problem is I’m stuck on Allison Ramsey Architects! I think their plans are fabulous, detailed, classy and have more of what I’m looking for. I have literally spent hours scouring other sites trying to find something that would be suitable. Ugh… so many that look the same, kind of cookie cutter type and I zip through them… Once in a great while I will find a plan I like, but then it’s hard to share because it can be difficult to get permission to use their photos and house plans, and some really make you jump through hoops. I did that a few times. However, since this is a non-paying job, (ha ha), I need to move on and work with those who will work with me. Allison Ramsey is a great outfit. If I were hiring an architect today, they would be my hands down, number one choice. They are accessible. They answer questions and… THEY. ARE. GOOD. So here goes another great plan from ARA!

Red Bluff is a great plan with 1,590 square feet. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. You’ll find it in the CAROLINA INSPIRATIONS – BOOK 1 on their website!

Allison Ramsey Architects
Red Bluff house plan by Allison Ramsey Architects

I like how there are French doors leading to the (screened) porch off the living area! That way you can open the French doors up and be bug free. If I were to build this plan I would screen the deck area off the bedroom as well so that I could open those French doors, or opt to replace those doors with a window and leave the deck. Either way it would work beautifully!

Whew, another great plan found… thank you ARA!

To see actual images of homes that were built, click HERE. (I love that they do this!)

F  L A S H B A C K

O n e  Y e a r  A g o:                 Featured Artist… Eric Weisenburger!

T w o  Y e a r s  A g o:              Featured Artist… Sandra Baggette!

T h r e e  Y e a r s  A g o:       Great Charleston Bagel…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via AllisonRamseyArchitects.com