Featured Artist: Lizzie Black!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments
Penny’s Flowers in July by Lizzie Black

Lizzie Black. Wow, if you haven’t run across her work, let me introduce you to this dynamite artist from the village of Mousehole, Cornwall (UK). Her landscapes and garden studies are stunning. I love how she chose to spend time during the pandemic – she turned it into a very positive experience by creating such beauty in her paintings. Her garden studies are hopeful, gorgeous and a breath of fresh air! I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the beautiful work by this artist…

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Starry, Starry Night…

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments
After dinner on our way to bonfire…

The stars were the show at this magical get-together. The sky was a gorgeous deep blue and it was filled with so many stars it was hard to fathom. At home, we have other homes and trees around us, so we can only see little pieces of the sky/stars… so this was awe inspiring – and very, very hard to leave. Soon the chairs had wonderful, interesting people filling them and stories were shared.

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The Ramble Farmhouse (SL2052) by Beau Clowney!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans4 Comments
The Ramble Farmhouse (SL2052) by Beau Clowney

What a house, right? The Ramble is a great name for this plan. Those steep rooflines absolutely make this house over the top! This plan has a nice front porch, a large back deck as well as a stunning screened porch with a fireplace – what a dream! There are great images via the links below…

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Recipes and A Burst of Happiness!

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Interested in hearing your favorite holiday recipe (while posting a flash of color and happiness during these days when it gets dark outside so early). I seem to be stuck in the zone of READING so many recipe but not coming up with something that sounds quite perfect. So I am super interested to hear what is a key dish (or dishes) that you like to take somewhere for a holiday event? I need YOUR inspiration. Feel free to message me (via CONTACT ME at top of page, or comment on blog or social media!)

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In need of calm and serenity, who isn’t?

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS1 Comment

What a stunning sunrise, don’t you agree? This sunrise photo was taken last month in Waynesville, NC. So breathtaking and peaceful. I just look at this image and I think about the good time we had getting up and heading out only to run into friends along the way. Pretty cool. We all enjoyed a beautiful sunrise together. Very grateful for our time at such a beautiful location.

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Brookfield Colonial House Plan by Classic Colonial Homes!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans3 Comments
Brookfield Colonial House Plan by Classic Colonial Homes!

What a great plan if you have a lot of company, or if you have a parent or elderly child living with you. You have your space, they have theirs and you can get together in the common spaces. How perfect is that? I love the lines of this house, the steep rooflines, the windows and the breezeway between the two spaces.

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A Lunchtime Hummus Delight!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, RecipeLeave a comment

Day after day we think about what to make for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every day, over and over again. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut eating the same foods, or eating something that isn’t all that exciting. That’s when it’s nice to change things up and try something different. This comes together so quickly, with just a few ingredients, and it couldn’t be better (or more refreshing)!

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Featured Artist: Conrad P. Clarke!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

What a treat! I love when you’re looking through gallery website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. and you run across an artist who’s work is unlike anything you’ve run across. Can you imagine with millions of people painting how difficult it would be to pull off your own style? Each painting is a treat for the senses.

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Stunning (Pre) Sunrise…

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments
(Prior to) Sunrise From The Swag | Waynesville, NC

The above photo is a sunrise image taken from The Swag (from the dog trot/porch area). No filter, no enhancement, just pure Mother Nature in all her glory! There is nothing better than to wake up to these stunning colors. We high tailed it to Gooseberry Knob where it didn’t take long for the sun to rise above the distant mountains. Wow. What a show it was! To think that this image was just the preview of what was to come is amazing.

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House Plan CA-02-2026 by LIVEWELL Home Design!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans4 Comments
House Plan CA-02-2026 by LIVEWELL!

I love the porch on this home as well as the side screened porch. The perfect spot to hang out on a nice day! The windows are a great pick making this home fit in if it were built in an older subdivision. I think they fit this home nicely. #windowsareimportant Great lines to this home.

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A way to eat salmon if you you’re not a fan:

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, FOOD, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Candied Brussels Sprouts, Potato Croquettes and Wild Caught Dill Salmon (Cooked on a Cedar Plank)

I’ve tried to be a sport in the past. I WANT to like salmon, it’s good for you, yayaya… BUT, it’s strong taste about did me in each time. We would go out to eat and my husband would have me try a bite of his… #itsanogo Then, one day we were talking with a neighbor (thank you CW) who had been to a nearby restaurant. She said she always orders the salmon. I thought, ugh. And then…

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Meet Jack… Happy Halloween!

On By Barbara StroudIn THOUGHTSLeave a comment
“Jack” by Barb Walker 10×10″ Oil

Well… HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Isn’t this a happy pumpkin painting? It reminds me of how we carved them growing up. My dad would take part of the cut out eyes, stick a toothpick in it and attach it to the head for ears. We always got a lot of comments. I do the same and it’s too funny how many people notice.

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