Bless This House…

On September 9, 2017September 8, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Over ten years ago we put down a walkway with pavers in our backyard. At that time there was a little edge that had concrete to hold the brick from shifting. I pressed this nickel-size “Bless This House” trinket into the wet concrete. Usually there is dirt right around it and plants, I brushed them out of the way to get a little shot… I love this!

Funny how I had this post scheduled for today – I wrote it last week (prior to knowing about Hurricane Irma) – so this photo seems really apropos, don’t you think? Not just for our house, but for the many, many homes that have been/are in/will be in Irma’s path. It’s been an exhausting several days of not knowing the direction Irma is headed. As I write this little blip (Friday 9/8) conditions seem more favorable for the Charleston, SC area, and less favorable for all of Florida. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is enduring the wrath of Irma. I think we are all weather obsessed right now – we have hunted for stations that still had gasoline, we’ve got our supply of water, peanut butter, crackers, and, well hell, doughnuts. As of today we should feel the rain, wind and possible flooding mainly on Monday and Monday night. Prayers for those dealing with the devastation, recovery & cleanup.

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Holiday week – posting photos daily for the many of you who are away from the computer. Not a bad idea, enjoy yourselves! Back to normal posting next week…

Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

A Quintessential Maine Cottage

On September 8, 2017August 25, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL2 Comments

A quintessential Maine cottage. I love the white picket fence with the beautiful flowers blooming like crazy. This cape style home is a beauty and is situated on the most magnificent island ever. You may have heard me speak of it…?? (HA) – Monhegan!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Holiday week – posting photos daily for the many of you who are away from the computer. Not a bad idea, enjoy yourselves! Back to normal posting next week…

Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Oh to be a flower on Monhegan!

On September 7, 2017September 7, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment

Oh to be a flower on Monhegan – with all the adoring fans constantly walking by shouting words of praise and whipping out their cameras/phones for a quick, yet exceptional photo.

I’ve always loved nasturtiums – my mom usually has a little vase of them on the kitchen counter. So pretty!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Holiday week – posting photos daily for the many of you who are away from the computer. Not a bad idea, enjoy yourselves! Back to normal posting next week…

Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Looks like fire in the sky – Monhegan!

On September 6, 2017September 7, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Maine, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment

We see the most spectacular sunsets when we’re in Maine. We see them here in Charleston as well, but it just seems like they are over the top when on vacation. Sunset usually occurs while we are having dinner in the Island Inn dining room. I usually make quick run to the porch for a few photos and try to get back before I’m missed. How can you NOT take a photo? The sky is so wild and vibrant. Wow!

These beautiful sunrises and sunsets are proof that life is full of magic.

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Holiday week – posting photos daily for the many of you who are away from the computer. Not a bad idea, enjoy yourselves! Back to normal posting next week…

Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Mesmerized

On September 5, 2017August 25, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Lifestyle, THOUGHTS2 Comments

What is it about the silent (and not so silent) effects of water? How is it that we can sit and watch water all day long. There is something mesmerizing about it. You get pulled in and lost in your thoughts. I believe this is called

R E L A X A T I O N . . .

There’s nothing like it! Now go relax! 😉

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Holiday week – posting photos daily for the many of you who are away from the computer. Not a bad idea, enjoy yourselves! Back to normal posting next week…

Have a great day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Emerging Artists Inderpreet Kaur and Gwen Duda!

On September 4, 2017August 25, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, Emerging ArtistLeave a comment

It’s been a while since my last Emerging Artists post – so here goes! Be sure to check out these two emerging artists!

I N D E R P R E E T K A U R

Website | Facebook

Wonderful reflections and light – love these trees!

Read a bit about Inderpreet, from her website:

Due to rapid changes in the topography taking place during our global age, I am interested in preserving landscapes as a documentation in the form of painting. For this, I use reference photographs that I have taken at Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area.
I come from a Sikh family and my early life had no freedom of expression. Due to my family customs I was not allowed to go outside except to school or Sikh Temple, still they supported my passion for painting by providing all useful art material. My father used to reward me whenever I painted something new, but it was not developed further due to religious oppression for women at that time.
Painting landscapes gives me a feeling of freedom to express my own personal emotions. The primary element in my paintings is water. I love to experience and enjoy places where there is water, although I do not know how to swim. This feeling of not knowing to swim scares me, so I like paint water to overcome that fear. Light, atmosphere and color are my source of inspiration to capture a fleeting moment. These majestic landscapes are developed in layers. My attempt is to create landscapes that convey the essence of mood, atmosphere and the richness of the landscape.

G W E N D U D A

Website | Facebook

With spa-like coloring and a nice texture, “Refresh” is the perfect title!

Read a bit about Gwen, from her website:

Images via GwenDuda.com and InderpreetKaurArt.com, used with permission.

Images are not for reproduction, they are property of the artist.

Oh that beautiful light!

On September 3, 2017August 18, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, Photograph, THOUGHTS4 Comments

Light makes everything so special. The way it hits the chair, the shadows on the brick and of course the sun filtering through the trees. Always makes a statement.

What do you have planned this Labor Day week? Do you have a day off tomorrow, or are you working on Labor Day?

Wishing you a happy week – Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Gardens of Mackinac Island!

On September 1, 2017August 18, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, Photograph, TRAVEL2 Comments

I took this photo several years ago on Mackinac Island, MI. My sister and I were on the West Bluff (behind the Grand Hotel). I love that stretch of grand homes with the most beautiful gardens ever. I am always respectful of people’s privacy, but did snap a photo of the garden. Another favorite location is the Pontiac Trail (and Pontiac’s Lookout) – I remember years ago a painting by Marlee Brown. Wow.

Most of Mackinac Island is state park, check out this cool map!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Edisto, SC – Botany Bay

On August 31, 2017August 18, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph, SC2 Comments

I know! I know! Look at this tree! It’s one of many huge, beautiful live oaks that are thriving at Botany Bay (this was taken a few years ago… need to get back there!) – If I remember correctly it had rained that morning, which would explain how dark the tree is. The lines are stunning! So grand and majestic. I wonder how old it is?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Delivery Mackinac Island Style!

On August 30, 2017August 30, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, Photograph, THOUGHTS, TRAVELLeave a comment

Mackinac Island, MI – no cars. It’s nice. No exhaust fumes, no loud rumbling, beeping or screeching of tires. Just a nice clip-clop of horse hoofs as they make their way around town. This is how they deliver groceries when they come off the ferry. Pretty cool, eh? They empty garbage in a similar way – horse and cart – no trucks. Can you imagine? That takes some major planning!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Andrew Wyeth Stamps From the USPS!

On August 29, 2017January 23, 2025 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Daily Blog, THOUGHTS5 Comments

I bought a few sheets of these stamps from the USPS – they are BEAUTIFUL! I’m in a bit of a dilemma because now I hate to use them, ha ha. I think this photo is a great one of a young Andrew Wyeth. So dapper looking (is that still a word?)

Just wanted to give you a heads up that these are available – what a cool find! There was a great write up about these stamps (and Andrew’s life) however the link is no longer available – These stamps were issued to commemorate the centennial of his birth – Cool indeed!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

Link updated (removed) 1/23/25

Mackinac Island, Michigan Photo

On August 28, 2017August 18, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, PhotographLeave a comment

Mackinac Island, MI – a fabulous place to visit if you haven’t been. Water, the smell of fudge (several fudge shops, all are wonderful), the clip-clop of the horses hoofs. No cars – only bicycles and horses/carriages. It’s a beautiful place – mostly a state park! Here is another link to check it out, from Pure Michigan!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

St. Matthews Lutheran Church – Charleston, SC

On August 27, 2017August 18, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, HOME, PhotographLeave a comment

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church – Charleston, SC against a stunning blue sky! If you’ve visited Charleston, SC, chances are you’ve seen this beautiful church – we have many stunning churches, this one is located across from Marion Square (where the Farmer’s Market is on Wednesdays). So much history in Charleston, SC!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

A Little Bit of Michigan At Bowens Island – Charleston, SC

On August 26, 2017November 13, 2018 By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Michigan, PhotographLeave a comment

We found a little bit of Michigan while at Bowens Island Restaurant a few weeks ago (Charleston, SC). How cool is that? You NEVER know what you’ll find – that’s the cool part about that place – other than their food… AMAZING!

(Bowens is closed Sunday and Monday) – Catch you back here tomorrow!

📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…

View of Grand Hotel From the West Bluff – Mackinac Island, MI

On August 25, 2017August 18, 2017 By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Michigan, Photograph, TRAVELLeave a comment

Mackinac Island, Michigan. I have such fond memories of Mackinac Island. The fun we had as kids. It was a place that all of us kids could hang out – and by hang out, I don’t mean stand around – we were busy. Busy exploring the island. We had to check in every so often, meet for lunch and dinner and then we were back out with our friends. Such FREEDOM. As a kid I never ventured to this part of the island. This photo was taken from the West Bluff, so what you are seeing is the back side of the Grand Hotel. Those skies! Lake Huron… cold water.

If you ever have a chance to visit the island, be sure to explore the backside of the island – it’s captivatingly beautiful! There are many interior trails, as well as the more well known trails around Arch Rock – which are pretty stunning themselves!

I hope i’ve piqued your interest! Catch you back here tomorrow!