Lafayette Parish House Plan by R.N. Black for Southern Living!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
Lafayette Parish House Plan by R.N. Black for Southern Living!

I’m often on a search for homes that would fit within established neighborhoods. A home that would look like it has always been there. Not always, because I do like so many styles from traditional to modern. This plan struck me as a delight with the all encompassing porch that could be a wonderful area to spend time. It’s like a cozy hug to be up on your porch greeting your neighbors. What a delightful place to be!

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Featured Artist: Alan Phillips!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments
bright blue sky, magnolia tree with blooms and two large pink birds.
Joyful Expressions by Alan Phillips | Oil on Canvas | 48″ x 60″ x 1.5″

Isn’t this painting, Joyful Expressions, a delight? Full of whimsy, beautiful color, nature and all things delightful. This painting is a big one – what a statement it will make! Statement pieces are nice, they can take a room from nice to over the top “WOW” as soon as the painting is hung. This artist is a good one to follow, both for his paintings as well as his love of good food and cooking!

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I Will Never Tire of This View – The St. Clair River!

On By Barbara StroudIn Michigan, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
View from St Clair River, Michigan, freighter, shipping channel, Canada

Well we made it to Michigan a while back, had a quick visit with my family. It’s always so good to see them. Too short no matter how long it is. I’ve been in Charleston over 36 years, wow, time flies! I love Michigan and all it has to offer. So many places to visit and check out. You can literally sit on the porch all day and never tire of the view. It’s constantly changing…

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Taking Myself Back To A Cooler Time…

On By Barbara StroudIn North Carolina, Photograph, THOUGHTS3 Comments
trees with mountains and fog in the distance

Okay. Extreme heat is insane. But extreme heat mixed with high humidity (and a crazy high dew point) is dangerous. Drink lots of water. Stay in the shade if you have to be outside, and don’t overdo it! Personally, I’m taking myself back to a cooler time in the mountains (even though I am in Charleston) if only via a photo, it will help a little.

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Updated Recipe: Cold Cucumber Soup – A Lifesaver!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe, Soup1 Comment

Sometimes it really pays to think ahead, especially in this heat. When you know you’ll have a long day and won’t feel like cooking when you come home, make a plan. A while back I knew we were going to be gone for quite a while. The heat is on, and I knew when we got home there would be no oomph to whip something up. So, I whipped this up the day before. HAPPY DANCE! What a lifesaver to have something ready when you arrive home. Just sit down and enjoy. So quick and easy – PERFECT for hot weather!

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Guess the Artist #42 | Detroit Institute of Arts

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Guess the Artist, MichiganLeave a comment
Painting of a woman in a black dress, engraver, working, art history

After a recent trip to Michigan AND a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, I have a fresh batch of Guess the Artists posts coming up. What a great visit. They are in the midst of a renovation right now but there is still plenty to see. The Contemporary section and a few others were closed, but beginning early August they’ll have several paintings from each of those collections so you won’t miss out.

Do you know who the artist is on this one? If so, comment on this post or on social media – If not, check below for the answer… Good luck!

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My Gomphrena Blooms Are Creating A Spectacular Show!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, flowers, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS1 Comment
Bright pink blooms on a flower with thin green stem against dark building

Seriously! Look at these lively pink blooms. What show-offs they are. Every one of them dancing in the window, swaying to the butterflies and the bees that surround them and look so happy. I love the bright pink against the darkness. Stunning. They look at bit like fireworks, don’t they? Peaceful fireworks!

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Butterflies and Bees – It’s what we want to see!

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Y’all! Can you believe we are nearly headed into the THIRD WEEK OF JULY? How can time fly by so quickly? To be honest, I am not a lover of hot weather, so when summer passes by I get crazy happy. Well, especially once hurricane season is over, right? This shall prove to be an interesting year.

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Caprese Salad – So Fresh (and so fast!)

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, Recipe, SaladLeave a comment

Have you tried a Caprese salad? Decades ago we vistited NYC and ate at Carmine’s (I wanted to eat every single meal there!) – we ordered a Caprese salad (among other things) and ohmygosh. I had never tasted such a fabulous salad in all my life. We just had zucchini, Vidalia onions and parmesan on thin pasta and it was heavenly – this was the perfect accompaniment!

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Guess the Artist #41 | Detroit Institute of Arts

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Guess the Artist, MichiganLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I’ve written a “Guess the Artist” post from a visit years ago to the Detroit Institute of Arts. (If you ever get the opportunity to go – please do, you will be THRILLED!) So many fabulous artists, and some from centuries ago. Wow! These paintings are clearly very well taken care of and rightfully so! They are a treasure.

Ok, now… do you know the artist who painted this beauty above? Read on to see the answer and also to read a bit about the painting, which is so interesting!

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Caring for Cut Hydrangeas: Tips for Beautiful Blooms

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments
White table, cane chairs, a wooden nibble board, and a glass vase of lavender hydrangeas in water.

We all have our favorite things, right? Flowers make me tremendously happy. They are an amazing mood booster. I keep taking this same shot. Different flowers, different days, same setting. I just love the morning light that seems to quietly wake up this space in the early part of the day. So pretty. One of the wonderful things about hydrangeas is the fact that they can last so long and stay gorgeous with just a wee bit of help.

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Salad Showstopper: Southwest Salad with Chicken, Black Beans, Corn and Pepper Jack!

On By Barbara StroudIn Favorite Things, FOOD, Recipe, Salad2 Comments
Salad with green lettuce, bits of grilled chicken, white corn, chopped tomato, black beans and pepper jack cheese

We love salads. Especially in the summer when the temperature soars and it’s too hot to turn on the stove. Thankfully, my husband will happily grill chicken on the hottest of days (jumping in the pool to cool off in between checking). At least he can stay cool when the temp is soaring. My go to salad (lately) has been grilled chicken, romaine, hardboiled egg, pickled red onion, cheddar, cucumber, tomato, and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. But I wanted something different and this is SPECTACULAR, you’ve got to try it!

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Book Suggestion: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center!

On By Barbara StroudIn books, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Book, The Bodyguard, by Katherine Center, on beach towel and teak chair

This book is summer reading PERFECTION! You know when you have a lot going on and you just can’t concentrate on a book? That’s where I was at. Which, for me, is a very bad place to be, ha ha. Mission accomplished- I picked up Katherine’s book, The Bodyguard and fell right into the story. Whew!

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Happy 4th Y’all! (Photo from 2007)

On By Barbara StroudIn Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Happy 4th of July…

Many of you will know this scene. Or at least remember it from long ago (photo from 2007). Port Clyde, Maine near Monhegan Boat Line. Since this time there was a fire and the General Store is no more, Monhegan Boat Line that had just built a beautiful building (had not actually seen in person) – also was lost. The boat line has rebuilt and they’re back in business. So if you’re headed to Monhegan, it’s a trusted way to go.

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