Tag: SC

Sullivan’s Island Home Tour, Day 1!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment
View from back of house…

Welcome to Sullivan’s Island, SC. How would you like to pull up to this home? (And this is the BACK entrance…)! In the upcoming weekends I’m going to be taking you on a tour of this gorgeous home, so check back often, you won’t want to miss it! The renovating and building of this house is a result of just one of the homes done  by the GRAY WADE company that is owned by Michael and Alison Brewer.   They did a magnificent job of keeping the home looking like it could have in it’s very best days… I didn’t see it when they bought it, but from what I’ve heard it’s the first house they bought that they couldn’t walk all the way through (floors not safe). The part of the house that was added on was done seamlessly. Its nearly impossible to tell where the original house stops and the newly added portion begins. They went to great detail to have it be that way and it shows…the outside is fabulous in itself, but it’s the inside where the magic begins!
The innovative couple who renovated and built this home have since moved to another gorgeous home in a fabulous location. Perhaps that will be a tour we can take together in the future?. Enjoy today’s photos, more tomorrow!

Back door – love how it’s wider than normal!
Front door… gorgeous green!
View of pool area from upstairs bedroom

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Dee Beard Dean!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments
Image: KarenHagen.com

What a wonderful painting of King Street in Charleston, SC. You can feel the hustle and bustle. If you haven’t heard of Dee Beard Dean I urge you to check out her WEBSITE. She’s a magnificent artist with a great website (oh so important)! She’s in many galleries, the image above is from the Hagen Fine Art Gallery and Studio located at 27 1/2 State Street in Charleston.  She offers workshops all over the country… check her out!

I’ll catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance, check out my photo blog!

Hootie and the Blowfish… Concert – Family Circle Cup Stadium

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image: FamilyCircleCup.com

That’s right… Hootie and the Blowfish this weekend at the Family Circle Cup Stadium on Daniel Island… We’re very fortunate to have such awesome local talent!

Here’s info from the Family Circle Cup website:

Hootie and the Blowfish Homegrown Weekend
Marking their ninth anniversary at Family Circle Stadium, Hootie & The Blowfish will come together for a two-night musical engagement kicking off Friday, August 12th with opening act Toad the Wet Sprocket.  The weekend continues with a daytime festival on Saturday, August 13 beginning at 1:30 pm featuring Ken Block & Andrew Copeland of Sister Hazel as well as other national and regional acts (TBD).  Hootie and the Blowfish will wrap up the festival with a performance Saturday night at Family Circle Stadium starting at 7 pm. 

Catch you back here tomorrow!


Artist to watch… George Pate!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: WellsGallery.com

George Pate has the most unique style. His paintings have caught my eye for a number of years now… love the little beach birds that he paints. I like how he paints Charleston scenes… not typical, it’s a style all his own. After reading about George, I see that he’s originally from Detroit, (Yay, George! Me too!) although now resides in Santa Fe… a place that is on our list to visit one day! The Wells Gallery in town carries his work, as does the Wells Gallery on Kiawah at the Sanctuary. If you get a chance stop in, if you’re out of town visit their website!

 Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance visit my photo blog… http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Bowen’s Island… where you either like it or you don’t!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOODLeave a comment

 

 It’s funny when you look at this picture. If this were anywhere else on earth it would be deemed a catastrophe. But for some reason it just WORKS and works perfectly at Bowen’s Island seafood restaurant… (I guess that’s why it’s in so many magazines!) where the motto is something like YOU EITHER LIKE IT OR YOU DON’T… ha ha… no kidding. This isn’t where we ate this year, they built a new building, where you can still write on the walls, but it is a little more refined… no paint or anything, but it’s big and the food is delicious! I noticed since my last Bowen’s Island post that the link to their menu no longer works… hmmm. I’ll have to see what I can do about that! This is the building closest to the water (right on the water) where I believe they have parties, charity functions, as well as other functions. It’s very “Bowen’s”… unique, likeFolly Beach. Nothing dressy, but hey, the food is beyond fantastic and you see people there who have just woken up (quite possibly after a looooong winters nap?), dressed for church and everything in between. Someone sent me a comment asking if they serve oysters in months that don’t have an “R”. We were there in May and YEP, they were serving oysters. Another commenter mentioned that things have changed since that rule was in place long ago… who knew? Thanks to those of you who keep me up on things! Catch you back here tomorrow!

If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Artist to watch… Sue Stewart!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: SueStewartPaintings.com

The artist to watch today is Sue Stewart. Love her paintings. It amazes me how so many people can paint well and some people can paint so differently (in a good way!). You can recognize their style anywhere. Sue has a nice website, check it out www.suestewartpaintings.com! She’s got a diverse collection of subjects, I love that! After reading about her on her website I see that she has taken workshops with Kevin MacPherson, Charles Sovek, Kim English and Kenn Backhaus… Whoa! A pretty impressive list! Locally Sue shows her work at the Wells Gallery in Charleston, SC, stop in and check it out!

 Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Charleston Farmer’s Market Poster

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, HOMELeave a comment
Image: charlestonarts.sc

The Charleston (SC) Farmer’s Market is on Saturday’s at Marion Square from 8AM until 2PM. For more information, click HERE.  It’s a good time with lots of good vendors, fresh fruits and veggies, both organic and conventional as well as arts, treats and pretty much everything else you can imagine.

This years poster entitled PETER PIPER’S PEPPERS by Ginny Versteegen captures the essence of the Farmer’s Market perfectly. A great souvenier if you’re visiting, or nice to hang in a poster frame in kitchen! If you get a chance, check it out!
Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… IAN MASON!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: DogandHorseFineArt.com

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 7th is the Charleston Dog Show located in Marion Square from 9Am-2PM. Last year we saw original paintings by Ian Mason. He is represented by Dog and Horse Fine Art. THEY ARE WONDERFUL! If you’re in Charleston check it out, if not, check out their website!

Here’s the LINK for the Charleston Dog Show if you would like more information!
 
Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com!

Artist to watch… Mary Whyte!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: ColemanFineArt.com

Mary Whyte. Many of you have heard of her. She is utterly spectacular. The talent is scarely amazing. I’m not kidding. Every single painting is museum quality. To watch her paint is a real treat. Mary often participates in the outdoor paint out in Charleston held in November, where the artists donate the painting from the day and it’s auctioned for charity. Wonderful! Mary’s work is in Coleman Fine Art Gallery. If you’re in the area, it’s a beautiful gallery full of amazing talent, I highly encourage you to visit! Otherwise check her out on their website!  Mary has also written books, has DVD’s and has illustrated some children’s books that are simply magical.

Catch you back here tomorrow, if you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Fast & French… yo… G&M is a tasty treat!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOODLeave a comment
Image: FastAndFrench.org

Some refer to this restaurant as Fast and French, others as G&M and the rest of you as Gaulart et Maliclet Cafe. It’s the cool little restaurant on Broad Street in Charleston where you see many of the locals as well as some visitors. It’s a great place to meet people. It has to do with the seating, there aren’t separate tables and chairs, there is a long bar area and a few shorter wider bars where you sit across from people. It’s perfect for dining alone, or meeting new people. You can always find someone interesting to talk to at G&M. Thursdays is fondue night, a popular night for many. I happen to love their cold cucumber soup especially on a hot summer day when anything heavier than that just doesn’t sound good. They have wonderful sandwiches among many other dishes at night. Great coffee and desserts too… check out their MENU.

Catch you back here tomorrow, in the meantime if you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Artist to watch… Rhett Thurman…

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: TheSylvanGallery.com

Rhett Thurman. I love her paintings, so full of color and life! After meeting Rhett and speaking to her you will walk away knowing that you just spoke to a true southern lady. She is soft spoken and kind. To watch her paint is a treat. She usually participates in the paint out in Charleston in November. Her work is at the Sylvan Gallery on King Street. Pop in and say hello if you get a chance, you’ll be glad you did!

Catch you back here tomorrow… if you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com!

Taco Boy restaurant in Charleston is the ticket!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, THOUGHTS1 Comment
Image: TacoBoy.net

MMMMM, I am thinking of a Taco Boy salad right now… sure sounds tasty, it’s much more than “just a salad”, it’s an experience! Really. Oooolala, with those tasty thin tortilla chips and a side of guacamole, ohmygosh! A treat that can’t be beat!

We took a break last night, sat down, and turned on the TV… what does Tivo have to offer us on this fine evening? Hmmm, Army Wives… Cool! First show of the season. Guess where part of it was filmed?? INSIDE TACO BOY! YAY! Good for them!
If you haven’t been to Taco Boy  yet… RUN… don’t walk! I’ll probably see you there sipping on my half sweet half unsweet tea (It’s DESSERT!), munching on those oh so wonderful thin tortilla chips dipped in guacamole, salsa or for the heavenly treat… QUESO! Take a peek at their menu, it’s too hard to decide which tasty dish to order! Did I mention how cool the place is? They took an old run down building and transformed it into an ultra cool place to hang out with friends, or just your sweetie. Don’t take my word for it, head on down to Taco Boy. We have yet to visit the one on Folly Beach, but it just won the BEST OF CHARLESTON 2011 for best restaurant on Folly Beach! Congrats to ya man!
Where are my car keys? I’m outta here!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com

Sugar Bakeshop – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOMELeave a comment
Image via http://www.sugarbake.com

Sugar. Not sure why, but I’m craving something sweet right now in the biggest way. I’m trying to re-route my thinking, but I’m not too successful so far… banana for the resistant starch to make me skinny (ha ha), ok… now some oatmeal with walnuts and raisins, more resistant starch… ok, I think i’ve worked my way up to something tasty! Maybe some homemade brownies or that darn apple crisp that was so good I can’t get off my mind… Poey… I had visions of Sugar Bakeshop in downtown Charleston pop into my head… oh what I wouldn’t do for a lemon cupcake, or a caramel cupcake, or just about any other cupcake, not being piggy… just wanting  a cupcake, not a big cake… I. DON’T. THINK. Hmmmm… If you get a chance, check it out, we’ve had most of their cakes (except chocolate, for that we always go to the Chocolate Cake Charleston, the best chocolate cake in the world, and a future post!)… Sugar Bakeshop shows their cake images as a slideshow, so I couldn’t include here, but check them out at www.sugarbake.com ! If you haven’t been before it’s worth the drive FROM ANYWHERE! They even make dog cookies, and let me tell you, Charlie gets just as excited about his cookie as we do with our cupcake! Have a sweet day, until tomorrow…!