Fresh Cut Pansies Make Me Smile

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

I love the orange/black color combination. This past fall we bought a beautiful orange pansies and planted it in a glossy black pot. It is gorgeous! It’s been gorgeous all winter long, all through the spring – and all I did was deadhead and water. It blooms unreal. One after another… It’s just starting to look tired from the few warmer days we’ve had. So I tried snipping a few flowers and putting them in a small jar of water on the window sill. STUNNING!

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A Quick Meal: Bowtie Pasta, Tomatoes, Chicken Sausage, Arugula and a Divine Vinaigrette!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe2 Comments

This pasta salad is one of our favorites for warmer weather – when we grill nearly every day (by “we” I mean “he”) – a tasty vinaigrette pulls this together nicely. I don’t usually use sausage with the feta version, but did so by mistake – it was fabulous! (Olives on top are also nice)! This salad is good right when you finish making it – we have half of it leftover as a side dish for another meal. What you can’t really see are the copious amounts of arugula that this pasta salad is on top of. I like an equal amount or even a little more arugula (or fresh baby spinach). It’s delightful!

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Sculptural Live Oak Tree with Palm

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

In our area of Charleston, SC we are so fortunate to be surrounded (literally) by Live Oak trees. Their majestic beauty makes this older neighborhood so special. I love how people ride through this area admiring the beauty. One couple stopped us while we were out walking. They passed by in their car and we waved. They circled the block and then stopped to say that they were out admiring the beauty of our neighborhood – they said they truly enjoyed it. #wow Our neighborhood works hard to keep our character – in a city that is ever-changing – we are trying to hold on to something so special.

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The Jib House Plan by Allison Ramsey!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
The Jib House Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects (16404-1)

A new collection from the team of architects at Allison Ramsey! They’ve been hard at work in Belize (of all places!) and they’ve turned out some stunning house plans. I think this is a great plan for so many people (and so many living situations)! The Jib has a great look both inside and out. I absolutely adore this porch, all the windows and the back screened porches!

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Emeril Lagasse’s Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe1 Comment

It’s always good to have a plan for a new somethin-somethin for dinner. We don’t usually eat like this, but it’s a treat once in a while – a nice splurge. My mom has made these au gratin potatoes for years. Instead of making a béchamel sauce – it’s much quicker, which is nice when time is limited as it was this year. I made these potatoes ahead of time since I knew we would be out. Then finished baking when we got home. They were delicious!

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Featured Artist: Brett Gamache!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Rock Islands by Brett Gamache | 16″ x 20″ | Oil on Linen

Brett Gamache. He has a style that is so unique. When you think about how many artists there are – it’s amazing that some artists can really stand out – I love when when I can look at a painting and know who painted it. I love running across an artist that I have somehow (how???) missed along the way. I hate that it’s taken me so long to feature Brett. But happy that I have!

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A beautiful location…

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS1 Comment

This is one of our favorite places ever. The grounds are gorgeous and they go on forever. The people are genuine and so nice. Some of the guests become friends which is one of the best parts about this wonderful place. The first day we arrived it was a heavy misty rain. I was fine with it. We left Charleston where it was hot and humid and arrived to this magical place where it was cool (fireplace going!) and utter perfection.

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Featured Artist: Joyce Hicks!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist4 Comments
Laurel Mountain Highlands Farm by Joyce Hicks 18″ x 24″ Watercolor

Joyce Hicks. Beautiful work – right now I am mesmerized by watercolor paintings, and Joyce’s are no exception. Beautiful work. I love how she will sometimes show the actual image of what she painted alongside the painting. Wow, she makes everything so beautiful. It’s like walking around with a filter that makes everything look so nice.

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Anticipation… part of the getaway experience!

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Anticipation. You know, if you have a getaway planned months ahead -that wonderful feeling of anticipation. Looking forward to wherever it is you may be going. Anticipation makes you happy. It gives you hope that a break is coming soon, where you can getaway and become one with nature or sit and relax or go bungee jumping – whatever it is that makes you happy… is coming soon.

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Featured Artist: Garry Kravit!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Never Again (Tribute to Federal Flight Deck Officers) by Garry Kravit 12″ x 20″ Oil

Garry Kravit. Love his paintings. This painting in particular is especially touching given the subject matter. Garry seems to be an interesting guy. An artist that paints all over the world – and he just happens to be a Boeing 777 Captain for a major U.S. airline. How interesting would it be to fly all over the world – and in your spare time have the ability to paint some pretty cool subjects? Garry can paint a wide variety of subjects – each as fabulous as the next!

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