The Beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains!

Waynesville, NC

I forget what the name of this very cool looking plant… To go from an elevation of around 9′ above sea level to over 5,000′ was amazing – the temperatures were magnificent. We were able to build a fire each morning and evening. We had a balcony off of our room that offered exquisite views. Everything was perfect. I took this photo while out on a hike with a group…

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Front Porch Views – Waynesville, NC

The Swag front porch view – stunning mountain vistas and endless amounts of hummingbirds!

Sometimes you just need to get away. Especially if it’s a big occasion (big birthday for me, and 30th anniversary for us) – sometimes a splurge is just what you need.

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Places to visit in and around Charleston, SC…

Crossing the Ashley River Bridge | Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC – with so many alluring vistas – from natural parks to oceanfront beaches – marshes and wildlife – stunning flora and wonderful scents wafting through the air – it’s a magical place to be! I feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful place that has so much to offer. I’ll give you a few of my favorites (in case you’ve never visited Charleston before)…

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A Big Birthday + “The Realization”!

Yikes, this one is a biggie…

Let me start by saying – I’ve added another year to my life (thank goodness) – It’s crazy, because I feel like I did in my 20’s with the added bonus of wisdom, earned throughout the years. It’s pretty cool to be an age that seems impossible, yet it is. Yet, this story reads like something on Seinfeld (from those of you who watched that TV series from 1989-1998).

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Featured Artist: Wilfred Spoon – Whimsical Realism at its finest!

Egret with Haliconia 60×48″ Oil/Canvas

Wilfred Spoon. Be still my heart. I would describe his paintings as “whimsical realism” with the perfect amount of creativity. Wilfred’s paintings are happy, different, full of nature and showcase this part of the country so well. This painting can really elevate a space!

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S i m p l y E l e g a n t

What a thoughtful gift to drop off – a nice surprise. As y’all know, I happen to LOVE flowers of all kinds, and orchids are so special. Most require minimum care (at least in my experience) and will bloom again in time (have patience!) – A stunning combo of colors between the leaves and the flowers. This is a small orchid, so I’m giving it ice chips…

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22348 Garage Plan by Allison Ramsey Architects!

Garage Plan 22348 by Allison Ramsay Architects

Garages are all the rage right now. Beautiful garages are being built and they’re stunning! Some offer living space up and down (depends on zoning restrictions in your area) and some have garage space, like this plan, with living space above. Nice if you have someone who wants to stay with you for an extended period, or even to use as a guest room and studio space. Also nice if you’re renovating, build the garage first, then move into it until the house is built or renovated. What a sharp look this plan has!

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Baked Eggplant Parmesan – So delish!

This Eggplant Parmesan tastes like lasagna minus the pasta and a good bit of the fat

I have an Eggplant Parmesan recipe that my mom made (recipe from a Detroit cookbook) – a winner, but I wanted to try a version without frying the eggplant. I found one – everything about this dish was so good, and made a full 9×13″ pan. The dish was hearty, so I made a cucumbers/Greek yogurt side dish – an all time summer favorite.

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Alison Hill – [Featured Artist]

Alison Hill in her studio on Monhegan Island

Let me start by saying… we haven’t been to Monhegan in a while. This photo was taken several years ago in Alison Hill’s amazing studio. Those of you who know Alison, love her – she’s a kind hearted, soft spoken, amazing artist. Her work is incredible and a visit to her studio is a “must do” when you’re on the island. (She’s actually one of the reasons we originally visited Monhegan) – Alison is out painting every single day – her dedication is admirable.

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Who Knew? So many pretty berries on a Yew!

Yew with berries

We were out on a walk, phone in my pocket and as we walked by this Yew, the berries hanging over the fence in a multitude of colors was fascinating to me. I don’t recall seeing all these different colored berries in the past. Sometimes it’s the little things that really stand out. #beautiful

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Furniture moving can make your space brand new!

This is a snippet of the (original) living room that was previously the dining room… last week we moved the rooms around again – changed the furniture – and it’s like new! This is now the living room again. It’s so refreshing to walk into a space that has been completely transformed. This shot mainly showcases the view of the gorgeous trees and oh! The shadow on the wall from the sunlight on the sheepskin – Love it! Nothing like shopping your own home to find treasures and furniture, paintings etc. to change your views!

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