Artist to watch… Mark Horton!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
The Barbershop - Image via HortonHayes.com

Mark Horton is a fabulous artist (as well as a super nice guy). That’s nothing new, however I’m seeing some work like none I’ve ever seen of his and I like it. A lot!  This painting is one from the workshop he and Chris Groves gave in Italy this year. It’s so unique. I love it!

If you’re in the Charleston, SC area be sure to stop in the Horton Hayes Gallery! Stop by, say hello and check out the wonderful art work! If you aren’t in the area, check out Mark’s work on the gallery website. Here’s a blip from the gallery website, there’s more, so check it out!

Mark Kelvin Horton was born and raised in rural North Carolina. After graduating from East Carolina University School of Art in 1983, Horton moved to New York City to begin a career in advertising and design. He carried with him the dream of someday becoming a painter.

Eighteen years of living in New York were spent working as a creative director in various advertising agencies and eventually founding his own design company. Those years also provided an invaluable opportunity for Horton to view and study firsthand the seemingly endless number of masterworks of art in the city’s museums and galleries. Horton became particularly fascinated with the works of George Inness, Herman Herzog, Frederick Church and the tonalist photographer, Edward Steichen. He was also captivated by the realism of John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer as well as the romantic landscapes of the Hudson River School painters. The experience had a profound effect on his artistic development.

During his years working as an artistic director and designer, Horton continued to nurture his “fine art side”, drawing, sketching and painting whenever he had the opportunity. In early 2001 Horton made the decision to devote himself full-time to painting. He left New York City and returned to his Southern roots, moving to Charleston, South Carolina.

Horton is particularly fascinated with the effects of light and weather upon the landscape. He paints beyond a literal interpretation of a scene to portray nature in a way that reflects his own ideas and sensibilities while capturing the spirit, color and changing light of a place.

Adding this a bit late, but just in time… this past weekend we went to a fabulous demo that Mark Horton and Chris Groves gave at the Horton Hayes Gallery, it was about painting the English countryside and it was AMAZING! To watch these guys paint is fascinating. I took notes like a crazy person and can’t wait to try what they mentioned. They are full of information, and lucky for you they have workshops in your future! There are a few in England that will blow you away. We’ve seen the photos, seen the paintings and whoa! If you have ever thought about taking a workshop, check them out! Besides learning a lot, trust me, you’ll have a good time. They’re fun! Click HERE to go to the Horton Hayes workshop link!

Mark Horton demo at Horton Hayes Gallery

You liked his work, didn’t you? Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Otto Lange!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment
“Milkman” – Image: OttoLange.com

OK, who here remembers the milkman? You know, the man who delivered milk and other dairy products to your house each week. Well now the secret is out, I’m old enough to remember and I kind of miss the concept of the milkman! How nice would it be to answer your door and have your dairy products right there? Or reach inside the milk box that was outside the door in case you weren’t home? Well, I think the milkman era has long been gone, but here is a painting done by a very cool artist entitled “MILKMAN”. I just happened upon this artists website and it’s just so different. Very realistic images. The artist’s name is Otto Lange and he lives in Athens, GA. He has work in several galleries…

He’s been in several publications and has a great BLOG. So if you get a chance, check him out!

Oh… this has me now thinking about the bread man… He. Had. Pastries. I guess I’m glad there is no longer a bread man… I think I’d be in trouble!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Hop on and take a ride AROUND the island…

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment
Bikes at the Island House Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI

Sometimes the most everyday things become the inspiration for a great photo… I would have loved to spend more than a few seconds on this shot, but we were on a roll, heading out to accomplish something or other… (eating, bike riding, photo taking, shopping, you know…??) Next time! In front of the Island Inn Hotel on Mackinac Island they have a great place where you can rent bikes. It comes in handy because that’s the best way to get around the island. And I do mean AROUND the island. Yep, bikes are great for back and forth running here and there, but what many people don’t do is take the time (doesn’t take that long, it’s only approximately 8 miles) to ride their bikes around the island. You will LOVE IT! The back of the island is very quiet and peaceful, the scenery is unreal. So take some time to enjoy the view!!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

November 6, 2011 @ 2AM Daylight Savings Time ends… reverts back to Standard Time.

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: Charlie Riedel, AP (news.nationalgeographic.com)

You either love it or you hate it… few fall somewhere in the middle. Do you prefer Daylight Savings Time in the Spring where we lose an hour? Or do you prefer when the time reverts back to Standard Time where we gain an hour in November? Don’t forget to set your clocks BACK 1 hour tonight before you go to bed. Time officially changes at 2AM (it will then be 1AM) on Sunday, November 6, 2011.

You’ll have to work a little harder to exercise outdoors before it gets dark, but I happen to like this time of year… ALOT!

Catch you back here tomorrow… after you set your clock back !

Surgery, Chemo, and the END of Radiation… GO MOM!!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTS5 Comments
Here's to smooth sailing! You deserve it!

This is a picture of my mom and dad on what I’m guessing is our first sailboat, many years ago… I say first sailboat because the one I remember the most was a C&C and it wasn’t white… it had cool purple and gold striped curtains that my mom made out of a canvas like material. I loved those curtains. This post is dedicated to my mom, Sheila, who was diagnosed with breast cancer March 18, 2011. She has gone through surgery, chemo and radiation. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF RADIATION. Thank God. The entire ordeal isn’t quite over, there is still an infusion once every three weeks until April 2012, but the daily trips an hour a way end today. I thank God every day that the doctors found the “area of concern”, that she was sent by her doctor (thank you Tom!) to Dr. Wesen and her group. They have been unbelievable. I thank my sister and my dad for going with my mom to each and every appointment (either one or the other) and to make it a “fun” time by having lunch out, and running errands. My mom’s neighbors and friends have been so supportive and I am more than grateful for that. It’s so hard to live far away when you can’t get this all off your mind. All of her doctors have been amazing. Fred and I both went with her to chemo which was really something. It’s shocking to see how many people cancer affects. Is it in our water? The air? Ugh, it’s gotta be something because the place is full. Always. Damn. From very very young, to very very old, there is no one who is safe. So y’all do what you can to stay healthy. Walk or run. Exercise however you can for as long as you can. Lay off the bad food, eat more good food and pray. And to everyone around you who it affects, do what you can for them. Be a supportive ear, bring some tasty foods or drinks (coconut water is what my mom swears got her through (it hydrates you better than anything else) and greek yogurt (with all the protein…). Drop off some books or magazines, a flower, something happy and anything that shows you care.

YOU MADE IT MOM! I love you! And am so thrilled that this is behind you… may you only see smooth sailing ahead!

xoxo me

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston’s Fine Art Weekend and a fine example… the Wentworth Mansion by Jennifer Smith Rogers!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART2 Comments
"Wentworth Mansion" by Jennifer Smith Rogers Image: Smith Killian

Are you an art lover? An artist? A collector, or just someone who loves to watch an artist paint? Well, this weekend is for you! It’s my favorite time of year, for many reasons… cooler weather, cooking and baking, and yes, CFADA’s (Charleston Fine Art Dealer’s Association) Fine Art Walk… The art walk is Friday night, watching the artists paint is Saturday morning… and I. LOVE. THAT. It never fails to amaze me. We are very fortunate to have such a strong and successful art community here in Charleston! Here are the details… if you see something you love you can bid on it Saturday night, all the money goes towards helping to fund ten high school art programs! Here are the details:

Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association

13th Fine Art Annual.  November 2, 4-5.

Friday night join us for gallery receptions followed by 20 artists painting plein air
Saturday morning 9am-12pm in Washington Park ( at Broad and Meeting Streets ) Art competition from the local high schools will also take place.
Saturday evening 6:30-8:30, at Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art;

58 Broad St.  Meet and greet the plein air painters and bid on works
completed that morning.

Proceeds will go to fund ten local high school art programs of which

CFADA has contributed $180,000 over the last seven years.


TICKETS $55 can be purchased online at CFADA.com.

AND, check out Jennifer Smith Rogers new painting WENTWORTH MANSION… love it! Go see her work at Smith Killian (www.smithkillian.com for those of you not in Charleston)! Whoa! See you at the art walk… catch you back here tomorrow!

Eat for a better memory… the conclusion…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTHLeave a comment
Image: Rd.com

I mentioned last week that I ran across a great article from Reader’s Digest magazine.EAT FOR A BETTER MEMORY – 7 WAYS TO GET SHARP. A great article from a great magazine. Today we’re going to finish off the list… From Reader’s Digest:

Make time for a good breakfast. A Toronto study found breakfast helped men and women, ages 61 to 79, score better on memory tests. And when kids eat a morning meal, their exam scores improve.

Toast to a sharper mind with Merlot. Or any beer or wine for that matter. A study of 746 adults found that those who drank one to six alcoholic beverages a week were 54 percent less likely than abstainers to develop dementia over six years. That’s no license to go crazy though… the same study determined 14 or more drinks weekly increased the risk of dementia by 22 percent. [Note: this is a tricky one, for every one study that says alcohol is good, two say that it is bad… ugh.]

Brew a cup of sage tea. Sage oil has been shown by some studies to boost acetylcholine levels in the brain, improving memory function. As a tea, it also aids digestion.

Have curry with dinner tonight. An Italian study found that curry may ward off memory loss and Alzheimer’s. The seasoning is thought to enhance an enzyme that protects the brain against oxidative damage.

A nice whole grain waffle, or some oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast. A glass of wine or beer (not to exceed one drink/day otherwise you up the chances… and if you aren’t already one who consumes alcohol based on other studies it’s probably best not to start just for this reason… keep your mind active), and brew a cup of nice sage tea… most of all USE IT… constantly try to figure out new things, drive different routes to routine places, meet new people, take an art class, write, volunteer, the possibilities are endless!

The previous foods were BLUEBERRIES, COFFEE (caffeinated, for those who can handle it) and FISH.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A nice warm bowl of comfort food… Cooking Light’s highly rated BAKED POTATO SOUP

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, Recipe, Soup1 Comment
Beautiful bowl of potato soup topped with shredded sharp cheddar, crumbled bacon and green onions.
Cooking Light’s Baked Potato Soup

Sometimes I just want a nice hot bowl of comfort food. This is the ticket. It’s one of the best soup recipes from Cooking Light magazine. The taste is out of this world. It’s not terribly time consuming to make. The last time I made this soup I baked the potatoes while I had the oven on for a meal the day before, so it was quite fast to throw together. This is one of those recipes that makes your eyes roll back in your head, ha ha… too tasty! Trust me, you will love it. The only the I did differently is the I halved the amount of flour so it wouldn’t be quite so thick. I think the essential part of the soup is adding cheese (I used 2% Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp), crumbled CRISPY bacon and green onions (or chives). Let me know how you like it! Trust me, it’s a winner… Copied from MyRecipes.com which no longer has a recipe link… sigh.

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

  • 4 baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat shredded extrasharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
  • 3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
  • 6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
  • Cracked black pepper (optional)

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool. Peel potatoes; coarsely mash. Refrigerate if not using same day.
  • Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Place flour in a large Dutch oven; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes). Add mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat.
  • Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup green onions. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 8 bowls. Sprinkle each serving with cheese, green onions, and crispy bacon. Garnish with cracked pepper, if desired.

This is a delight and makes quite a bit. Oh, do I miss the Cooking Light magazine…

Enjoy!

Catch you back here next time!

IS THIS REAL? WHOA! Happy Halloween!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

Years ago I picked up this gigantic pumpkin from Target after Halloween. Bought it for $10. Every year we put it on the front porch and plug it in on Halloween night. Everyone thinks it’s real. Every. Year. It was a great find. Sometimes I get a real pumpkin and sometimes I don’t… this one gets all the attention!

Be safe on the roads, watch out for the kiddies… HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

Ahhh, San Francisco, CA. A place you can see so much, do so much and totally wear yourself out! This photo was taken in October, 2005 -on the ferry back from Sausalito… after a big day touring Muir Woods. We went on one of those tours (that I was completely against but am so glad we went on) that takes you to Muir Woods and Sausalito. We only had an hour in Sausalito… but it is such a neat place, so we stayed and instead of the tour bus we took the ferry back to San Fran. We had a great time, snapped a few pics on the ferry ride “home”. There is SO MUCH to do in San Fran, and with such great public transportation it’s quick and easy to get around. If you’re headed that way on vacation I highly recommend the CITY PASS… you get free admission to many venues as well as flashing your pass to hop on most all public transportation. It was the perfect way to get around!

Catch you back here tomorrow… boy, could I ever go for breakfast at MAMA’S on Washington Square, owieee what a treat! Haven’t been there in years, but I do remember an omelet called THE CALIFORNIAN, crispy bacon, avocado and jack cheese…. lawd have mercy!

Wanted: Halloween costume wearing patrons… @ Taco Boy in Charleston TONIGHT!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

Image from Taco Boy, Charleston, SC

Those of you who know me know how I love Taco Boy restaurant. The ambiance can’t be beat, and luckily neither can the food… Every day is a party at Taco Boy… and although I’m not one that stays up late, I want to let the rest of you know there is a PARTY at Taco Boy tonight… there will be live music, games, contests AND the best costume wins $1000! Whaaaat? So what are you going to be?? Hey, get a group together, best group costume is $500! Spend a few minutes, come up with something creative and go for it! Have fun, and if you go, I’d love to hear about it!

Woohoo! To the love of my life… it’s your day!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Fred on Monhegan Island...

Don’t you just love this photo?? It was taken several years ago, our first trip to Maine, Monhegan Island to be exact. If I were to give this photo a title it would be INNER PEACE. Good one, eh? This is one of our favorite places in the world. I think we are destined to become island people… all of our favorite places are islands. On our first trip back from Monhegan, sitting on the wharf waiting for the Laura B. all I could say is that I didn’t want to leave. Not in a “I don’t want to leave because I’m having too much fun” kind of way, but more of a “this is where I belong and it’s difficult to leave” kind of way… We both felt that from the first year our feet hit the ground. While in Maine you just feel so content. So happy. So relaxed… It’s life… The way it should be…

Back to the reason I started this post…

WOOHOO FRED!!!! Happy Birthday!! If I could give Fred one thing for his birthday it would be  a trip to Monhegan, although the season is over, the inn is closed and let me just say… WHERE WOULD WE EAT? Ha ha… So Fred… I wish you the happiest birthday ever. A year full of happiness and no worries, I am blessed beyond belief to be your wife. I love you so much!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

I am officially an adult… Eat for a Better Memory… week 3

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTHLeave a comment

Image: Rd.com

The past few weeks we’ve been discussing an article from Reader’s Digest magazine EAT FOR BETTER MEMORY: 7 WAYS TO STAY SHARP (worth the read!), today is week three:

Memory going? Go fish. 

Even canned tuna may sharpen your mental capacities. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, are important for maintaining memory.

Tuna. Yay! Tuna salad, tuna casserole (hee hee, I actually have a fabulous recipe for this believe it or not! Fatty fish such as salmon has so many health benefits. Whenever we go out to eat, if salmon is on the menu, Fred usually orders it. I WISH I could be one of those people to actually like salmon. It smells so fishy, and the few bites I’ve tried at restaurants always tasted/smelled fishy… then I went on vacation while Fred stayed home, worked, took care of the house and dog sat Charlie. While I was gone he was at EarthFare (grocery store) and they had a cooking demo involving salmon. So he bought some. He tried it. He told me how wonderful it was. OH NO I thought to myself. I KNOW I should eat it, but… he was so sweet to work so hard for the almost two weeks I was gone how could I NOT try it? It’s the least I could do. AND I told myself I would choke it down no matter how bad it was. He made it. I made baked potatoes (with Greek yogurt, 2% cheddar, chives, yum!) it was my “just in case” it was all I was going to be able to eat.

I. Like. To. Be. Prepared.

And guess what? I didn’t need to be! The salmon was AWESOME! IT wasn’t fishy in the least. It was fresh wild caught Alaskan coho salmon and it was a treat. I can’t believe I just said that. After I ate it, the first thing I thought to myself… I’m an adult. Ha. I like salmon patties dipped in lots of ketchup, which is disgusting because under any other circumstances ketchup gives me the willies. So sautee a nice piece of fresh salmon if you can find it! Otherwise there really isn’t anything wrong with canned salmon, it makes great salmon patties (mix in an egg, a wedge of lemon squeezed, some onion and a little bit of breadcrumbs. Sautee in olive oil… then dredge in ketchup if you must :) or tuna salad!

Read the rest of the article for the remaining suggestions… I will have more info back here next week!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Want to play Santa? A tax deductible way to have a blast!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Image: FHFCharleston.org

Is there truly any way to feel better than to do good for someone else? There is nothing that will make you feel better than helping someone who needs it, especially during the holiday season. I normally don’t start talking about the Christmas season so early, but this is for a good reason. FAMILIES NEED YOU. Kids need you. Senior citizens need you. YOU can make a difference in someone’s life. Families Helping Families is a great organization that my husband and I have been involved with. There are different ways that you can help make a big difference.

You can make a tax-deductible donation by going to the FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES WEBSITE. Once on their website click on the MAKE A DONATION link.  These funds will allow FHF to provide gifts for unsponsored families and cover their relatively low operating expenses. PERFECT!

The other option… 

You can become a sponsor for a family (or families) by clicking here  to go to the FHF website, click on the SPONSOR A FAMILY link by Nov. 18.  FHF send you a profile of your family that will include specific needs and the children’s wish lists.  Most sponsors say they spend an average of $50 on each family member.  This my friends, is what the holiday season is all about. Bringing a smile to someone’s face on a day that can be difficult for so many. Can you imagine being a child on Christmas and not having one single gift to open? I was fortunate, I never had that worry. No child should. Don’t let the $50 scare you. The average is $50 spent per person, but with larger families that may be $30 or $40 per person. Whether you adopt a family on your own, go in with some friends or neighbors or get your office to adopt a family/families – please do it today. They’ve made it so easy. The process goes something like this:

You fill out the form. If you like, you can specify the number of people you would like in the family and they will try their best to match it (i.e. a single parent family with 3 children, or a senior citizen, or hey… BOTH!).

You will be sent a packet with information on your family, it will give their names, ages, and a wish list. A wish list is just that… it doesn’t mean you have to purchase everything on the list. If you have big plans (TV, Computer, Bike) you may want to mention that when requesting a family so they can hook you up with someone who has big wishes :)  Sometimes the adult may ask for an item, sometimes they just want everything to go to the child. Hey, it’s Christmas for us all… the last family we had the mother asked for a clock. A simple everyday item we take for granted. We shopped the sales and got her some great things, and a clock was one of them. I cannot tell you how much fun we’ve had shopping for our FHF Christmas Families… you can’t help thinking about them, you’re excited on Christmas Eve for them to open their gifts the next day. You wonder if they enjoyed their gifts. You. Care. AWESOME!! It’s nice when Christmas is all about someone other than ourselves…

A nice thing to include is a gift card so the family can buy food for dinner. If you pick a place such as Walmart, if they don’t have items for a Christmas meal they can use the gift card, or if they need household items… they can pick. Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be fancy, but it’s nice to know with a small gift card, that your family is enjoying their own Christmas dinner. That’s perfect!

And did I mention the bonus for you?? Families Helping Families is a tax deductible contribution. You just keep your receipts (or make copies if you want to include the receipts for your family to exchange if they need), along with a copy of the letter that comes in your packet and voila! You have a tax deduction!

Can you get some people together who may be interested in participating?? Maybe instead of exchanging gifts at the office everyone chip in some $, then have a wrapping party…

After the purchase you wrap the gift, put a name tag and include the Family ID# (will be in your packet), then if possible, put the gifts in a big clear plastic trash bag labeled with their Family ID#.

Drop off of gifts is at the Strobel Tire Warehouse located at 1101 N Main Street/Hwy 17A, Summerville, off I-26, Exit 199. If you need help getting your gifts to that location you may contact FHF, please DO NOT BE DETERRED if the drop off location is not near you, they will work with you to get the gifts there!

If you have any questions, here’s the email: FHFCharleston@PalmettoProject.org

I would love to hear any of your stories! Catch you back here tomorrow!