My Kind of Fireworks…

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Happy New Year’s Eve! Wishing you a happy, healthy, full-of-good-things 2023. Count your blessings and most importantly, BE a blessing to someone (anyone!) else. As you reflect on 2022, think about the connections you’ve made – make the extra effort to inquire about someone’s day/life/year… I am friends with so many of you, and appreciate all the time you take to reach out to me. I am blessed (and thrilled) beyond belief. Thank you – Here’s to a safe and wonderful 2023!

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Winding down 2022…

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS4 Comments
View from Gooseberry Knob, Waynesville, NC (The Swag)

It’s hard to believe 2022 is winding down and a new year is about to begin. So many changes this year. People we’ve lost and people we’ve met. We’ve been fortunate to visit a beautiful place (twice!) – and really crave the peace and tranquility that the mountains bring.

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A Cheese Ball Recipe To Ring in the New Year!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe2 Comments
A fabulous cheese ball recipe!

Well, the New Year is almost upon us and I found you the perfect cheese ball recipe to celebrate. It was perfection. We enjoyed every bite. The recipe makes 1 cheese ball, but it would be a big one (perfect for a party) – but it was just us. So I made it into 3 – 1 cup cheese balls – perfect for celebrating. Also, this can be gluten-free if you use the right crackers (I used Hint of Salt Wheat Thins).

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View from Crosby’s Seafood – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS1 Comment

Crosby’s Seafood. It never disappoints. We stopped by to pick up some shrimp for the next week. The view is over the top gorgeous. Living in Charleston, SC – I never tire of the views here. I don’t take them for granted either. We live in a stunning setting – if you worked at Crosby’s, this is your view. What?!

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‘Twas the Night Before Christmas!!

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

This is one of my all time favorite images for Christmas. This was taken in Michigan, over ten years ago. The sky was magical (as it often is), the lights were bright against the dark sky and the mood was festive.

It’s Christmas Eve! I hope this Christmas (or holiday season) is especially wonderful for you. May you delight in every single moment of it.

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Christmas Eve at the Grave, 1896 by Otto Hesselbom

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist8 Comments
Christmas Eve at the Grave by Otto Hesselbom

I ran across an image of this painting last year. It moved me. So many astounding elements: The figure who appears to be crying. The lit Christmas tree. The graveyard in the moonlight. The moon and the plentiful stars, all of which give hope. I know for many this is a tough time of year. Please hang in there. If you can do anything to help someone else, please do – let’s be a world filled with kind humans.

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A Tradition To Hand Down For Generations

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe4 Comments
Christmas Cookie Tradition

Traditions. Many of us have family traditions that we continue to carry on (or at the very least think about with fondness). Every year growing up, we would make this fabulous cookies – the recipe came out of a magazine when I was very young. The joy of decorating these cookies was a tradition that we looked forward to as much as Santa.

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Featured Artist: Kelly Carmody!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments
The Discussion by Kelly Carmody 27″ x 38.5″ Oil on Linen | Grenning Gallery

Kelly Carmody. Her work is fabulous. I love her interiors, her florals, portraits, landscapes – but to me, this tells a story, and I’ve been on a kick lately about paintings that tell a story. The body language is fabulous, there is action and possibly tension and definite interest in whatever the subject is.

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Tis the Season!

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS3 Comments

Tis the season! Oh, yes, the holiday season is upon us. I have to say, I’m thankful for all the happy lights decorating homes. It seems like there are even more this year. It’s so festive and absolutely gorgeous, especially this time of year when it gets dark so early. (Did you know that’s about to change?) I wish the lights would stay on all year!

🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥🚥

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211 Rosewood Lane by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans1 Comment
211 Rosewood Lane by Our Town Plans

Exquisite. How nice to have a garage with living space above and storage below that looks more like a house (to me). Outbuildings with apartments seem to be all the rage right now. I think it’s incredibly handy if you have a lot of family or friends who come to visit. This gives them their own space (and gives you your space as well). It’s also a great space for kids coming and going from college, or other life escapades – they are close, but also have their own space. I think this plan has a wonderful look to it.

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Our first attempt at a wreath…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments

Holiday decorations. It seems especially festive this year. Since the days are so short right now (crazy short!) by the time we have dinner and take our last lap around the block it seems like it’s always dark. There is a plus to the short days. The happy and bright Christmas lights! They spread holiday cheer like nothing else. #doesnteverybodyneedthatrightnow??

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Featured Artist: Joseph A. Miller!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

After II by Joseph A. Miller 12 3/4″ x 14 3/4″ Oil

Joseph A. Miller. The stories this man can tell with his paintings blows me away. Those of you who read this blog have heard me say time and time again how important it is to paint something other than the subject. (To me) a painting needs to have feeling. Think of it as a singer who can sing a song perfectly but without emotion vs. one with so much emotion that you get goosebumps. Most of us can relate to that scenario. I’ve always loved to write creatively, so I am looking for the many stories that can be told from one painting. This painting has emotion. So. Much. Emotion.

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Do you see wild animals? {WordPress Post Prompt}

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Magnificent trees + sunset in a historic neighborhood = WOW. My husband and I were walking the other night as the sun was setting and a large full moon was lighting up the sky. My phone refused to see the large brilliant moon – but when I turned around and saw the stunning sky behind me I just had to take a quick photo. I love the tree and the sky. This is a magical time of year.

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Truoba Class 115 House Plan!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments

Truoba Class 115 House Plan!

I know I post a lot of coastal plans – probably because we live on the coast, but it’s fun to look at other plans. I happen to love so many different styles of homes, I could go on and on. A Mid-Century Modern type plan is always fun to me. This is a modern plan with a lot of windows (therefore a lot of light!) – it’s a dream.

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