H A P P Y F A T H E R S D A Y ! !

Joe (my dad) and Carlisle (Fred’s dad)… blurry photo… I vow to do better!

 I would also like to say  H A P P Y  F A T H E R S  D A Y to Carlisle Stroud, Fred’s dad!!  You’re awesome DC! We think the world of you! You’re willing to drop what you’re doing at a moments notice and come to help us fix whatever it may be. We appreciate all those times more than you’ll ever know! barbara & fred

Happy Father’s Day to all of you who are a dad, who want to be a dad, who are almost a dad, as well as for those of you who wanted to be a dad but things just didn’t work out… For those of you who have adopted, have married into a family with children, for those who take the time to teach neighborhood kids, you are all the best! Happy Father’s Day…

And a big heartfelt hug to those of you who no longer have your father in your life. I know that makes this holiday, Father’s Day, a tough one. Do good and know he is smiling down upon you…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: The perfect picnic spot…

I have mentioned in past posts a fabulous place called Botany Bay. The light that filters through the trees is incredible. Every inch of that place is stunning. It appears untouched. The beach is beautiful, the entire area looks like you’ve stepped back in time. This is a photo of our lunch spot. We brought a picnic, opened up the back of the car and sat, ate, listened to the birds, the wind in the trees… wow… Let’s not tell too many people about this place, ok? Keep it to yourself!  Have a great weekend!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan Thursday: Block Island Cottage – SL 1059

Block Island Cottage by Coastal Living – SL 1059, 1820 square feet – Image: CoastalLivingHousePlans.com

An Exclusive Design for Coastal Living by Allison Ramsey Architects, Inc.

Yet another house plan that we’ve had on our radar… even if you don’t plan on building a house it sure is fun to look at plans and dream what you would do differently, how you would arrange things, etc.

Things to change… I would paint the lattice underneath the house the same color as the house so it blends in… and unless I had kids or small dogs to contain on the porch I would go without spindles or use wire… I like that look, and that little window upstairs… I would have it open out. I LOVE THAT! The house has a nice porch (a requirement!) and is more than plenty big enough for us with just the downstairs…

This is a sweet plan that allows the master bedroom to be off on a wing by itself, which is nice for guests. I also like the laundry room nearby… right now it’s in our bathroom which is very convenient, but ahhh, the dust! I cannot complain… it could not be more convenient! Fred and I both really like the more open plans. It’s probably because we have a home with rooms… and the grass is always greener so to speak…

The upstairs is a simple loft design with the rest of the room open to the living space below… might be good for painting, or the treadmill… storage of Christmas decorations, etc. Whew, i’m glad I don’t have to be making a decision any time soon! What would you do?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

HB 2 U!

We have the coolest nephew/Godson… his name is Max. It’s hard to believe he’s 15 today (and driving around with his permit!)…

You are the best Max… you’ve always been a blast to be around and we love you with all our hearts.

Here’s a younger photo of Max and Fred… love. this. kid!

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y   M A X ! ! ! !  Come visit… S O O N !

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan Thursday: A Classy Commune… Coastal Living plan SL 358!

Island Cottage (SL-358) is an exclusive design for Southern Living by Historical Concepts, LLC and offered by Our Town Plans, LLC 

Island Cottage (SL-358) would be a gorgeous house nestled amongst mature trees… Somewhere nice and shady, fairly quiet, and if at all possible, near water! As we all grow older and the family dynamics change, this type of house could really make those times much better! If you look at the plan, everyone has their own space, including a screened porch! I love that! Then you have the shared spaces. Can you imagine, outdoor fires, cookouts and shared meals. This gives the younger people an opportunity to help out the older people… it also allows the older people to assist with the kids… It’s a unique plan because everyone truly has their own space to sit and read and be away from the crowd…

The porches are amazing. Some are screened, like the big one off of the Family Room… wow, you could open your door and not let any bugs in by having that screened porch! My only concern is that the kitchen needs to be larger. Especially for this many people… A large pantry would also be a necessity… This plan is 2578 square feet, so it’s not out of control big…What do you think?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image Credits:

CoastalLiving HousePlans.com 

On behalf of a grateful nation…

I saw this at the waterfront park in Mount Pleasant, SC a few weeks ago and thought it would be fitting for Memorial Day!

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

Happy Saturday! A gallery opening and a very special birthday wish!!

Well today is the day! The day of the opening of the Lupine Gallery on Monhegan Island, here’s an image and a blip from their Facebook page “Lupine Gallery” – oh how I wish we were there visiting!

Here at the Lupine, we’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces and new, so if you’re on island, stop in and say hello and see what exciting new art we have on the walls! And then join us for our annual opening party on Saturday, May 25 from 5-7, to welcome the 2013 season.

I would also like to wish a very special someone… a very Happy Birthday! Bobbie Stroud, Fred’s mom… one of the sweetest people on earth! We wish her the happiest of all birthdays!! xoxo us

Catch you back here tomorrow!

The beauty of history…

There is a beautiful Catholic church in downtown Charleston, SC that I truly believe everyone should see. The church is  Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, founded in 1821. You can sense the history when you walk through the doors. Here in Charleston, SC we have many churches like this… gorgeous, big and beautiful!

My parents were here a few weeks ago, and we were having lunch downtown and on the way back to the car we walked through the very impressive doors. AMAZING. It’s hard to get a good shot with a phone camera, but here is a glimpse at one of the many windows. The architecture is breathtaking. A wonderful church for sure!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

What kind of footprints are these??

Not the best shot here… Fred and I were walking on the beach at Botany Bay (Edisto, SC) and we saw footprints… not dog (not allowed on the beach), I’m guessing deer? Kind of V shaped? As we meandered down the path (not near the beach) two deer flew in front of us… they were on a mission, or maybe they were playing tag, who knows… they looked happy! What a cool place to live, where you know you’re secure and protected!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day… even if you aren’t one!

[Image: Villapenna.com]

Wishing all you Mother’s out there a very happy Mother’s Day! You’re the best… I’m sure a lot of sacrifices are made, but its all worth it, right?

I would like to say THANK GOD for my mom, Sheila, and for Fred’s mom, Bobbie. Fred and I couldn’t have hand picked better moms. No chance. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. We love them more than anything… we are very blessed and we know that.

Now for those of you who aren’t yet a mother, or cannot be a mother.  I get it.  I understand. I know how you feel. Motherhood clearly isn’t in the cards for everyone. I wish it was, but it’s not. So, be positive, move forward, spend time with a niece or nephew, neighborhood kid or volunteering where so many kids need a positive influence in their lives. And… more important… don’t worry if you can’t be positive quite yet. It took me a long time…

…and hey, I’m the best darn dog mom you’ve ever seen… he he…. (Charlie when we first got him in 2009)

Believe me when I say… dog moms make lots of sacrifices too! (Caught in the act! Note empty toilet paper roll… nice Charlie… couldn’t have paper on a roll for two years!)

I swear tile is creamy white… not sure why it appears tan… eeeek.

E N J O Y   T H E   D A Y  ! !

Love you moms!

Catch you back here tomorrow!