I shouldn’t say ‘freaky’ flounder, they’re actually very cool. Flounder is a fish that is caught here in Charleston, SC. One day we were at the Shem Creek dock and watched a man catching them… I’ve never seen them (other than in a restaurant on a plate)… he told us some neat things about them…
The opposite side was a different color… did you know, as they feed on the bottom of the sea they can change color AND PATTERN to blend in… they can even resemble grains of sand! I guess this one was trying to blend in with the railing?
Read this from Wikipedia… its just what he told us!
Eye migration
In its life cycle, an adult flounder has two eyes situated on one side of its head, while at hatching one eye is located on each side of its brain. One eye migrates to the other side of the body as a process ofmetamorphosis as it grows from larval to juvenile stage. As an adult, a flounder changes its habits and camouflages itself by lying on the bottom of the ocean floor as protection against predators.[1] As a result, the eyes are then on the side which faces up. The side to which the eyes migrate is dependent on the species type.
The beauty in this tiny town is beyond comprehension. You can just feel the history. It has that feeling of days gone by, kind of like Mayberry, but quieter, more refined and certainly very special!
Inlet Cottage (SL1519) An Exclusive Design for Southern Living by K2 Urban Design [image]The Inlet Cottage house plan by Southern Living House plans is a sweet floor plan that affords you the ability to downsize and still have a nice usable space! Depending what the conditions were (sun/shade and what my view was) I think I would add a side porch off the house, where you see the stairs, or even a nice deck, that would be quite nice!
Inlet Cottage (SL1519) An Exclusive Design for Southern Living by K2 Urban Design [image]If you really enjoy cooking you might want a larger space… I’m thinking, as much as I love a porch, I would sacrifice the one between the bedroom and the kitchen to expand the bedroom maybe a foot or two and expand the kitchen with the remaining space. I think it would be nice to have a bar to sit at for casual meals, so I would move the stove… but that’s me, what would you do??
The plein air event in Door County (Wisconsin) is an quite the opportunity to meet some amazing artists and see some incredible work that they put out over the next week. Here are a few of the artists who are participating this year (I hesitate to do this because they are all so darn good, but here is a glimpse at what you could be missing…) Frank Gardner, Anne Blair Brown, Marc Hanson, Larry Moore, James Richards, Jason Sacran, Dawn Whitelaw, and… and… and… check out the list, it also gives a link to their websites!
Recently a great little Mexican restaurant opened up in South Windermere shopping center… it’s a short walk away, which is the ultimate in convenience! If you haven’t ventured to YoBo Cantina Fresca yet, peruse theirmenu, then head on over!
The interior is very cool too… dress however you like…
They’re a friendly group over there… we’ve tried several items on the menu. My favorite at the moment are the chicken tacos… Next I’m trying the fish tacos… also want to try the salad… great salsa’s that are really different, and oh so fresh!
Yobo uses fresh ingredients!
Don’t miss their specials… Monday night all tacos are $2.50 starting at 4PM…
Isn’t this the sweetest painting? I love these pink flowers, the composition, the pretty light in the background… very nice! If you haven’t had a chance to see Thien-Kim’s work now’s your chance!!
Read a blip about Thien-Kim Pham from her website:
Thien-Kim Pham is an artist currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland. She first studied music at the Saigon Conservatory of Music in VN at young age but at the same time had a passion for art. In 1995, Kim began studying art when attending the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. In 2004, she became a full-time artist and went on to study with various local and nationally known artists. Kim won many awards in Maryland and Virginia in the past few years, including three Caruso Awards at the Maryland Federation of Arts and Best in Show at the Art League, Torpedo Factory in Va. Her work was also published in 2004 by International Artist Publishing in a book titled “How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint People”. Kim finds her inspirations in the colors of nature and the beauty in human figures.
Thien-Kim lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband Peter, daughter Lisa and their maltese Jessie.
Every time we hear Nora Jones sing, we think of the Island Inn on Monhegan Island, Maine. Every. Single. Time. One of us will say “the dining room is open”. One year, they played the same Nora Roberts CD, over and over. Not complaining. We rather enjoyed it. Matter-of-fact we looked forward to it the following year, and I’m guessing someone who worked each night couldn’t take it anymore! This dining room holds lots of special memories for us. We’ve met some wonderful people over the years. We’ve had wonderful breakfasts with some and long dinner’s with others. You know that comfortable interesting conversation that lasts long into the night? It’s rare to run into cool people like that. Monhegan, ME allows you to spend time with others because there isn’t a lot to distract you… no TV, radio, spotty cell coverage. All are blessings.
Special memories indeed! This photo was taken in 2008. The paintings in the dining room that year were by Alison Hill…
Have you been to Monhegan, ME? It’s an amazing island off the coast. It’s not large, but it’s special. Oh. So. Very. Special. There are cliffs, trails, a wharf, hiking paths and the woods… not any old woods… not the creepy full of bugs kind of woods, but nice, clean beautiful woods… this is a hike, that from town, can bring you to an amazing location overlooking the cliffs and the ocean. It’s beautiful. Serene. Peaceful. Absolutely magical.
Read a little blip about Cathedral Woods from CamdenMaineVacation.com (click the link to read in its entirety):
Many natural attractions can be found on Monhegan Island. One of them is Cathedral Woods, named because of the way the branches of the trees are arched like that in a cathedral. The place has a very serene and peaceful atmosphere – like one would typically find in a church. Rare flowers and plants are abundant in Cathedral Woods, as well. At the southern part of the island, you can visit Lobster Cove. It is a very good place for picnics and bird watching. Swimming in the water is discouraged here, however, as it is very dangerous and unpredictable because of the large waves and rip currents.
Here’s a little blip about the painting from the artist…
This painting was executed inside 40 minutes one evening late last August after driving around on the East side of Mt Hood, frantically watching the light fade. I didn’t have much hope for a strong finish when I set up but then the sun dropped behind the trees and dappled the roof in a lovely way. You never know what your subject will do, or even be until you actually start working. Which is why each painting starts off as a mystery to me.
The Tin Roof is a personal favorite of mine from last year so I am pleased to see it recognized in this way.
If you aren’t familiar with this artist’s work… his website is a treat! He also has a Facebook page “Thomas Jefferson Kitts – Impressionism + Realism” that you can “Like”.
Thomas lives in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1984, after which he returned home to paint en plein air in the Pacific Northwest and California. (Picture of him left shows Thomas painting the Californian coastline somewhere south of Carmel.) Thomas is an active member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, the California Art Club, the Oil Painters of America, and the American Impressionist Society. He travels extensively and maintains an active and distinguished exhibition history – one which includes the Laguna Art Museum, the Maritime Museum of Curacao, the Academy Museum of Easton, Oil Painters of America National & Regional Exhibitions, Arts for the Parks Top 100, and three New York Art Expos. Thomas has been commissioned by such prestigious entities as the Publix Corporation, the Mariott Corporation, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, and the Kaiser-Permanente Collection. His work is collected throughout North America. For more information on Thomas Kitts, read his bio.
This is a great house to have nestled in the trees… of course I always think about a view of the water, a definite bonus! This plan has porches on three sides, one screened and two are open… what a luxury to sit on such a fabulous porch! The Nautical Cottage is 1,315 square feet. Pretty small in square footage, but space is used wisely! You have to keep in mind all the outdoor space you get from the porches… that adds a lot of living space, just not heated space.
Now lets check out the main floor of this sweet cottage:
My first thought is… that I would switch the kitchen and the living room… I would want the kitchen sink about where the fireplace is, so I can eat a cookie wash dishes and look out my window over the sink. I love my kitchen window (great view down the street) and it would be hard to give up! It seems easy enough to flip the living room and fireplace to the other side of the room (being the expert that I am)… that way, maybe there could also be a fireplace on the outside? A house in our neighborhood was built like that, and it’s quite charming! How nice to curl up with a book in a comfy chair, OUTSIDE, in front of a fire?! I love a screened porch for the buggy time of year!
If I ever start painting again, I would make one of the downstairs bedrooms into a studio, it’s also a room the dreadmill treadmill could hang out in, always a thought!
I think I would also make this upstairs loft space into a closed off storage area. How about you? What would you do?
Isn’t this a happy painting? The fabulous greens, the luscious yellow’s, the pops of red, very nice. If you aren’t aware of Michael’s work I urge you to check it out!
Michael Clark is a plein air landscape painter from originally from Traverse City Michigan. Michael’s paintings capture the light, color, and beauty that are found in the Michigan landscape. Working on location Michael must work fast and direct to capture the light before it changes. This way of working results in unique works that combines both impressionism and realism. Michael also draws inspiration by studying the work of both contemporary masters like Skip Whitcomb, Clyde Aspvig, and Ted Goerschner along with masters such as John Singer Sargent and Joaquin Sorolla. Michael Clark grew up on the old mission peninsula in Traverse City, Michigan. Living in Northern Michigan he developed a love for nature and being outdoors. Painting allows Michael to combine these two loves. Michael works on site to create small paintings and does larger works in his studio based on the smaller sketches. “Painting from life is the most honest way to capture a scene. Photos don’t show the true colors and values or give me the true feeling of a scene.” Michael holds a BFA in painting from Kendall College of Art and Design and has also supplemented his training with workshops and classes with several nationally known artists. In 2006 Michael received second place award at Grand Valley Artists Spring Competition and had a painting accepted into the national Barns and Farms annual show in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Michael was also juried into the prestigious KRASIL outdoor art fair in St Joe MI. In 2010 and 2011 Michael was the back to back winner of the “Paint the Town” plein air show in Marble Falls Texas. Michael is currently represented by Grand Gallery in Grand Rapids MI, Crooked Tree Art Center Sales Gallery in Petoskey MI. and Treeline Gallery in Suttons Bay, MI.
There is a cool community garden that I wrote about not to long ago that is at risk of being reverted back to its original condition. This garden is manned by several people who live in a neighborhood called Byrnes Down, in Charleston, SC… the community garden has been planted out of the goodness of their hearts, all veggies are free. They plant, they water, and you are welcome to pick. Read more on the petition…
Below is the link… I promise it only takes a few seconds. Your “signature” could mean the difference between the farm staying… or being plowed down (how could you sleep at night, hee hee?)… If you can, spread the word to your friends (it allows you to post to Facebook, email, etc. if you like)…
Here is the description from the Change.org website:
Sothel Farms is a community garden started by 4 neighbors in Byrnes Down neighborhood. These guys have cleaned up the West Ashley Greenway, planted , cared for and created the most beautiful garden for everyone to enjoy FREE OF CHARGE … there are no barriers, no conditions , they’ve never asked for a penny or even help …. they are nothing but good honest hardworking folks trying to do good & pay it forward. It has created a place for neighbors to find friends, children to learn about health and food, dogs to play, and in general beautification of an otherwise mundane piece of unused land. These do-gooders have received a citation from the City of Charleston to remove the garden as it encroaches the easement. PLEASE sign this petition to support saving Sothel Farms. To see more visit the blog at Sothelfarm.tumblr.com or better yet … stop by, smell the flowers and enjoy a fresh vine ripe tomato !
The support that this garden is receiving is mind blowing. BUT… We need you to sign the petition. Please. I urge you toread their post that includes some of those comments! I have faith that after the City see’s how many people are behind this act of goodwill, they will support the cause. Or just let it be. See the garden below? Way on the other side of all that green space. No barriers to keep anyone out, only signs welcoming everyone and inviting them to pick a veggie!
Sothel Farm as seen from West Ashley Greenway (in the distance where the pretty yellow flowers are thriving)!
If you are anywhere near Easton, MD you might want to take the time to check out Plein Air Easton. This is an event filled with some of the best artists… all busily painting away… Just to name a few… Ken DeWaard, Tim Bell, Eric Bowman, Cindy Baron, the list is long, check out the LIST OF ARTISTS PARTICIPATING this year (and read a little blip about each one)!
Also find out the details, times, locations of where artists are painting by clicking HERE…
Watch as nearly 200 artists, competition painters, professionals, amateurs, and simply the adventurous compete and have fun as they paint out for 2 hours in Downtown, Easton.
The Quick Draw Competition is a plein air painting competition, exhibit and sale that is open to any one registered who wishes to participate. More than 160 artists, competition painters, professionals, amateurs and the simply adventurous compete and have fun. These artists have only six blocks and two hours to complete their works. During this short time, all registered Quick Draw participants will set up their supplies and paint or draw en plein air in downtown Easton.
This is one of the most compelling experiences of the week. Together, artists and spectators are immersed in the creative process. See the scenes and how the artists interpret them. Smell the wet paint and get caught up in the excitement of watching 100’s of painting come to life before your eyes!
After the paint out, an exhibit is held on Harrison Street and paintings are exhibited on the easels on which they were created. The paintings will be judeged by Plein Air-Easton! Competition Judge, Don Demers, and awards will be presented at 1:30pm. The exhibit and all of its paintings will be removed at 2pm. Winning Quick Draw paintings will be on display at the Academy Art Museum until 4pm on Sunday. Everything about the Quick Draw is quick…so do not miss out!
Click HERE for the calendar to find out what’s going on each day…
Recently we had a situation with our refrigerator that required us to unload everything into coolers for 48 hours. We had the best time ever. Hmmmm. The first day we ran to the gas station nearby and bought a few bags of ice… it costs over $7 for 3 fairly small bags of ice… the next day I remembered this vending machine. Ha! ICE HOUSE AMERICA is the name of it… click HERE to find a location near you, they’re all over the USA. In Charleston, SC it was $1.50 for 16 pounds OR you could drag your cooler over to the side and get #20 pounds for $1.50. Quite the deal! We only needed two bags. So if you need ice, check out one of these vending machines… This one is located on St. Andrew’s Blvd…
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