Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Fall Splendor in the Ozarks

You must come and visit our lovely state of Arkansas in the fall. The dogwoods are turning the most striking burgundy this year as in the photo on the right of our driveway to the Turquoise House. Beautiful, huh? There are lots of other wonderful foliage drives through the Ozark countryside...

One of the familiar routes that we are so blessed with in our lovely state has to be scenic Hwy 7. This wonderful stretch of roadway goes through the Ozark Mountains, along the Arkansas River Valley toward the Ouachita Mountains. Another well known national scenic byway is the Talimena Scenic Drive which runs along Rich Mountain near Mena. Be sure and stay at Queen Wilhelmina State Park atop the mountain http://queenwilhelmina.com/. #3 and me stayed there in the Honeymoon Suite in 2007 and what a wonderful visit we had! You can plan your  get away as well. Just call for the Arkansas Vacation Planning Kit at 1-800-NATURAL or order online at http://arkansas.com/. The Natural State has something for everyone!

Maybe the rain we have been blessed with all summer has made the hillsides more colorful this year, but whatever the case may be, the transitions of the seasons are like the constant changing of the guard ...fascinating to look at even if you have seen it a dozen times before. Today, it is especially nice to be alive and well, and roaming the scenic roadways in the Natural State of Arkansas.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

On A Quest For...The Pumpkin Church


If you have lived in the North Little Rock area for any length of time you will know what I mean when I say that I attend the Pumpkin Church! And the pumpkins will arrive this Sunday, September 26th! Yes, this wonderful pumpkin ministry is once again in full progress as The First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock celebrates Fall and the arrival of the pumpkins! Please plan on purchasing your pumpkins at our beautiful and friendly church this year...or just come by and visit...to experience all the love and friendliness for yourself!


Peace and Love and Pumpkins Aplenty to All of You!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

On A Quest For...An Official AR State Park Explorer Badge and Certificate




This summer I had the privilege to rove around the Natural State with one of my fave buds...that would be my little nomad, Noah! While we had a blast making ghostly YouTube videos to checking out the Laman Library, we especially enjoyed exploring the beautiful State Parks of Arkansas! You see, I found out about the AR State Park Explorer Badge and Certificate program (for kids from 6-14) by following @ArStateParks on Twitter and FB. This knowledgeable program is for people who care about nature, history, safety, and fun and it also helps kids (and Nana's) to...
Discover what State Parks are. Prepare to be safe. Connect your mind and heart to State Parks. Share your experience.
Noah and I are still working on his badge and certificate...maybe we will see you at one of the AR State Parks in the near future as we plan to complete the necessary activities soon.  However, there is no time limit as we journey the 52 state parks of AR at our own leisurely pace. Wanna get your badge and certificate too? Just go by any Arkansas State Park and ask for a Field Guide for the Explorer Badge and Certificate and follow these easy and fun steps:
 Print your name on the first section of this Field Guide. Complete all the activities and questions on the Field Guide. Each section has a yellow circle in the upper right corner. When you complete that section's activities and questions, fill in the circle. Sections can be completed in any order, at any Arkansas State Park(s). No time limit. When you fill in all the circles, take your Field Guide to a park official. He or she will review and sign it. You are ready to receive your certificate and badge! 
 Discover and own your Arkansas State Parks today! And who could say it better than Willa Cather, an American novelist as she wrote in O Pioneers!
We come and go, but the land is always here.  And the people who love it and understand it, are the people who own it-- for a little while.