House Plan Thursday: Block Island Cottage – SL 1059

On June 13, 2013December 9, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTS6 Comments

Block Island Cottage by Coastal Living – SL 1059, 1820 square feet – Image: CoastalLivingHousePlans.com

An Exclusive Design for Coastal Living by Allison Ramsey Architects, Inc.

Yet another house plan that we’ve had on our radar… even if you don’t plan on building a house it sure is fun to look at plans and dream what you would do differently, how you would arrange things, etc.

Things to change… I would paint the lattice underneath the house the same color as the house so it blends in… and unless I had kids or small dogs to contain on the porch I would go without spindles or use wire… I like that look, and that little window upstairs… I would have it open out. I LOVE THAT! The house has a nice porch (a requirement!) and is more than plenty big enough for us with just the downstairs…

This is a sweet plan that allows the master bedroom to be off on a wing by itself, which is nice for guests. I also like the laundry room nearby… right now it’s in our bathroom which is very convenient, but ahhh, the dust! I cannot complain… it could not be more convenient! Fred and I both really like the more open plans. It’s probably because we have a home with rooms… and the grass is always greener so to speak…

The upstairs is a simple loft design with the rest of the room open to the living space below… might be good for painting, or the treadmill… storage of Christmas decorations, etc. Whew, i’m glad I don’t have to be making a decision any time soon! What would you do?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Have you made Roasted Asparagus? Too easy and way too good to be a veggie!

On June 12, 2013November 21, 2019 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe8 Comments

Roasted Asparagus – Image: MyRecipes.com

Photo: Leigh Beisch; Styling: Merilee Bordin

I like asparagus. Actually I LOVE asparagus. Of all cooking methods, roasting is hands down the most flavorful cooking method. The taste is out of this world and it is so easy you won’t believe it!

Sometimes I sprinkle a little parmesan, sometimes I don’t. Same with the lemon. It works either way. It doesn’t need it, but it’s a nice twist. You can also just use however much asparagus you like (if you don’t need six servings), toss in olive oil, sprinkle with a little salt and pop in the oven!

Yield: Makes 6 servings

Recipe Credit

Roasted Asparagus

2 bunches asparagus (about 2 lbs.)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup packed freshly shredded parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 475°. Hold the end of an asparagus stalk and bend until it snaps off. Repeat with remaining stalks and discard woody ends.

2. Toss asparagus with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss well. Arrange asparagus in an even layer in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake until asparagus is crisp-tender and cheese is browned, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Serve hot or warm.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutritional Information/per serving

Calories: 84
Calories from fat: 49%
Protein: 7.6g
Fat: 4.6g
Saturated fat: 2.1g
Carbohydrate: 5g
Fiber: 1.2g
Sodium: 274mg
Cholesterol: 7.5mg

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Plein Air Richmond, June 10-15, 2013!

On June 11, 2013June 10, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART1 Comment

Plein Air Richmond started yesterday, but you’re in luck… it goes through Saturday, June 15, 2013! There are so many fabulous artists involved in this event, if you’re anywhere near Richmond, VA you won’t want to miss it! Above is a list of artists for 2013 from the Plein Air Richmond Facebook page.

From the Plein Air Richmond website:

Plein Air Artists from all over the United States will meet in Richmond for one amazing Week in June to create paintings in support of the Richmond Symphony.

A Week-Long “Painting Out”: June 10-13, 2013 – Click here to view daily locations
Watch the 45 specially juried plein air painters set up easels all over our historic city create hundreds of paintings.

Ticketed Collector’s Preview Sale and Awards: June 14

Exhibit Continues at Brazier Gallery June 15 and June 16

“Fast and Fresh” : June 15
Location: 1800 Block of Monument Avenue. Three blocks around the Lee Monument.

On Saturday from 9 am – 11am juried and non-juried artists will start and complete paintings. These “wet” paintings will be available for purchase right off the easels with proceeds benefitting the Symphony.

This is an amazing opportunity… Steve Doherty (editor for Plein Air magazine, one of my all time favorites) is a judge. This man knows art… he is amazing! This will be an outstanding event, one I wish we had in Charleston, SC. With our strong art community, why not?

Here are just a few of the oh-so-talented artists that will be part of Plein Air Richmond:

Ken DeWaard

This guy can paint anything. He is a joy to watch and makes painting look so easy! Each and every stroke is deliberate, he transforms a canvas… watch for him if you go! He also has some fabulous workshops coming in the future, so keep an eye out if you’re interested in that sort of thing! He has a great entry on his blog about this painting!

Working the Double Shift by Ken DeWaard – Image:KenDeWaard.com

Shelby Keefe – wonderful artist, she also has a workshop coming up in September…

Alterations by Shelby Keefe – Image: StudioShelby.com

Anne Blair Brown – I love her loose style. Here is her workshop schedule…

Marketability by Anne Blair Brown – Image: BrazierGallery.com

Larry Moore, who shows locally at Horton Hayes Fine Art in Charleston, SC… this painting was done for Plein Air Easton, whoa! Here is his workshop schedule…

The Apprentice by Larry Moore – Image: LarryMooreStudios.com

Ok, that was only FOUR of the amazing artists that will be at Plein Air Richmond… I look forward to hearing about it soon!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Margaret Lawrence!

On June 10, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Midday On The Pond by Margaret Lawrence – Image: Greenhut Galleries

Margaret has some fantastically serene paintings. Each is different yet all instill a sense of calm. I like that. The world is hectic enough, it’s nice to look at something and say “ahhhhhh”.

Reading Margaret’s bio, it looks like she was a nurse (or still is?), then studied photography and painting… well done Margaret, your paintings have such interest. They are utterly amazing!

A blip about Margaret from the Greenhut Galleries website:

Inspired by nature and the energy and mystery of the life cycle, my paintings are developed by removing paint as much as by applying it.

Through the give and take of the paint an image emerges that tells a story or marks time.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

HB 2 U!

On June 9, 2013June 7, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS5 Comments

We have the coolest nephew/Godson… his name is Max. It’s hard to believe he’s 15 today (and driving around with his permit!)…

You are the best Max… you’ve always been a blast to be around and we love you with all our hearts.

Here’s a younger photo of Max and Fred… love. this. kid!

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y M A X ! ! ! ! Come visit… S O O N !

Catch you back here tomorrow!

You might need this for the weekend…

On June 8, 2013June 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART1 Comment

We’re already having tropical weather here in Charleston, SC – so it’s not too likely you will be sitting out enjoying the beach this weekend… so you may need this photo so you can at least imagine that you’re in a nice calm and peaceful area! (Update: Can you tell I wrote this post ahead of time? It was supposed to be horrible here… turned out to be beautiful last night… but here’s some good info for the next time it rains…)

If you’re looking for things to do… how about gallery hop in Charleston? Lots of good galleries, most are fairly close to each other… Hope to see you there!

May I say… these shoes might come in handy (previous post)…

Have a great weekend – Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Chris Groves!

On June 7, 2013December 16, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

First Light by Chris Groves – Image: HortonHayes

How would you like to wake up to this every morning? First Light is an amazing painting – imagine being able to see the sunrise every morning without having to get up early?! This is such a fabulous painting, the clear water with the reflections of the emerging sun… not to mention, the sky! Whoa!

There is so much to keep your eye in this painting, it makes you drop your shoulders a bit and take a calm breath doesn’t it? Can’t you hear the ocean waves crashing? Smell the salt of the sea? This is only one of many new works by Chris. If you’re in Charleston, SC – stop in and see his work at Horton Hayes Fine Art Gallery.

Reminder for art lovers… there is an art walk tonight Friday June 7, 2013 from 5-8PM – stop by and see the fabulous paintings… Horton Hayes is more than just a group of immensely talented artists (as if that isn’t enough), they are the nicest people ever!

Here’s a blip from a Horton Hayes email…

Congratulations to Chris on the following recent recognitions:Juried into the Oil Painters of America 2013 National Exhibition
Insight Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas, May 18 to June 17thJuried into the Oil Painters of America 2013 Salon Show of Traditional Oils
Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, Michigan, June 21 to August 31Juried into the American Society of Marine Artists
Southern Regional Exhibition
Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, Georgia, June 13 to August 17Selected as a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists

Read a blip about Chris from the Horton Hayes website… I love knowing about artists as people as well in addition to their art background. Nice guy. Very talented.

Are you looking to take a workshop in the future? Horton Hayes has some great ones coming up, check it out!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan Thursday: The Sugarberry Cottage, Southern Living Plan SL-1648

On June 6, 2013January 11, 2025 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans14 Comments

HousePlan Sugarberry SL front, beautiful white house with black shutters, pretty green landscaping

Sugarberry SL-1648 -An Exclusive Design for Southern Living by MK Design Group

This Southern Living house plan, SL 1648 “Sugarberry” was built on an empty lot in our neighborhood. It blends nicely with the older homes. It is absolutely the most adorable cottage ever! We had the pleasure of watching it being built and the result was nothing short of spectacular. It has great presence for a somewhat smaller house (1714 sq. ft.).

See the plan link below:

House plan, by Moser Design Group, Now called MKDG.com, open floor plan — Sugarberry SL-1648 -An Exclusive Design for *Southern Living* by MK Design Group

One thing different (that I love) about the house in our neighborhood… the extended the porch. See how this porch begins at the point where you walk in the door? They extended the porch to fill in that area to the left, so it goes all the way back to the kitchen sink. It’s nice, they have a porch swing on that side and it’s more private. Very sweet. The house here locally also has a fireplace on the side porch on the right, how nice would that be??!

And the upstairs…

house plan, Sugarberry, MKDG.com southern living, upstairs of plan — Sugarberry SL-1648 -An Exclusive Design for *Southern Living* by MK Design Group

Check this plan out via these links:

WEBSITE | THIS PLAN | SOUTHERN LIVING

This house a beautiful addition to the neighborhood, nestled amongst the grand live oak trees, with ferns planted in the front yard, it’s like something from days gone by… such charm!

Images via MKDGA.com, used with permission.

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

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Link updated January 11, 2024

Charleston Photo: The Beach at Botany Bay…

On June 5, 2013January 8, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment

Have you been to Botany Bay (near Edisto, SC)? I could not believe that we just made it there a few weeks ago, and I’ve lived here over twenty years! We will be going back!

The beach is so dramatic… you park your car and walk out on a boardwalk to the beach. You cannot take the shells ($470 fine) and you don’t want to take the shells. The unspoiled beach is just too pretty to change a single thing!

So if you’re looking for a road trip… hightail it to Botany Bay!

Back to regular posting tomorrow!

Port Clyde, ME near Monhegan Boat Line

On June 4, 2013May 28, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART1 Comment

This shot was taken on the boat headed to Monhegan Island, Maine. So picturesque, isn’t it? It just takes my breath away every single time! This photo reminds me of a painting by Colin Page. He has probably painted this same area many times… have you seen his work? Whew, amazing! I love his JOURNAL… full of great information…

Daniel Kany recently wrote a review of his Greenhut Gallery show in the Maine Sunday Telegram – a must read! Colin also shows his work here locally in Charleston, SC at the Anglin Smith Gallery at 9 Queen Street. Stop by and see what he’s all about!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Rooftops of Charleston…

On June 3, 2013May 28, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments

A moody photo, don’t you think? I took this photo almost a year ago with my phone, not the greatest, but it shows the Charleston, SC rooftops quite nicely. It looks like a Jennifer Smith Rogers painting! This was taken from the parking garage near Husk Restaurant.

I have my sister in town today, so I’m going to cut this short… back to normal posting on Thursday! Have a great day!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Have YOU been to Red’s Eats?

On June 2, 2013May 24, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD10 Comments

This photo almost looks like it could have been taken a decade (or two) ago… some things never change, which is nice… Red’s Eats, a popular spot to get an assortment of food, known mainly for their lobster rolls (and cheap prices) this is one place that always has a line! They don’t have a website, but it looks like their hours are 11AM – 11PM MON-THURS and 11AM-12AM FRI, SAT & SUN. These people aren’t afraid to work hard!

I have yet to stand in line, we’re usually trying to get one place or another… or I’m just too hungry!

Have YOU been to Red’s??

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo… A walk downtown…

On June 1, 2013January 8, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment

Some of the homes in Charleston, SC are so beautifully maintained. I’ve noticed several instances of this orangey color, I love it!

Nice man we met watering his window boxes… stunning color on this house!

Now this is a bright and bold door… this was taken on Easter. Everyone had beautiful window boxes… it was a joy to walk around! Enjoy your weekend!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Dawn Whitelaw!

On May 31, 2013December 9, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Consignment on Reid by Dawn Whitelaw

WHOA! This fabulous green stopped me in my tracks! What a delightful yet simple painting…

Read a blip about Dawn from her website (and note that she’s giving several workshops this year, info on her site!):

Dawn Whitelaw maintains a studio at “The Factory” in Franklin, Tennessee. The opportunity to paint landscape plein air with colleagues adds richness and honesty to her studio work. For over 25 years she taught basic principles of oil painting as an adjunct instructor at David Lipscomb University. Among her influential teachers are Scott Christensen, Cedric Egeli, T. Allen Lawson, Quang Ho and Jim Pollard, but most of her instruction and inspiration comes from nationally preeminent artist Everett Raymond Kinstler. At present, she teaches workshops nationally.

Her ability to capture life in paint has been noticed. Her awards include the Certificate of Merit for her portrait at the National Portrait Convention in 1991, Best of Show at the Portrait Society of America in Washington DC, and the Award of Excellence in the Oil Painter’s of America exhibition in 2002. In 2010 Whitelaw was one of ten American women artists invited to participate in the “Inspiring Figures” exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Island Cottage House Plan (SL 358) by Historical Concepts/Our Town Plans for Southern Living!

On May 30, 2013August 6, 2021 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTS3 Comments

Island Cottage (SL358)House Plan by Our Town Plans for Southern Living

Unique, isn’t it? Like a home built long ago and added on to in the very best of ways. This is actually three different units – perfect for a family living together while maintaining a sense of privacy and having their own space. I can see something like this becoming more and more popular! You’re alone when you want your space and together when you don’t. #winwin

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