Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens...what a treat

Had a great visit out to Charlotte the other day except for slipping and sliding all the way home. The weather was wonderful going out and while we were visiting but, for some reason the Weather Monster caused us havoc all the way home...

Went to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens while we were there and I must say, I can't wait to return! If it was that beautiful this time of year...whatever will it look like come spring?? And, it was a great way to get knowledge, exercise, and sunshine into the kids for the day (as well as a break from the iPhone)! Here are some pics of our fantastic family outing...

Remember the Old Five and Dimes...

Have you ever fried raw peanuts? If you have, you probably do not buy the ones in the can anymore. Nothing like freshly fried, Spanish peanuts. A bit of cooking oil, an iron skillet, plenty of paper towels, a slotted spatula, a ton of salt, and you're good to go. Just made a jarful today and, I can't help but recall my first batch of freshly fried, Spanish peanuts...

Not at home, rather at the old (and many years closed) Sterling Store in the Pike Plaza Shopping Center in North Little Rock. My mom would shop there often when it opened in the 60s and, she always gave me a quarter plus a penny for tax to purchase a half a pound of freshly fried, Spanish peanuts. The check out lady would come to the peanut machine (sort of looked like a popcorn machine) which was located in the middle of the store and use little weights to measure and bag up my purchase. Gosh, they were fresh, hot, and delicious. Certainly not like the canned ones in the five and dimes of today...

Let It Snow

Another record of snow! Seems like everywhere we live there has to be a record of some kind set for the weather people to carry on and on about for a good while. And, for a good while in Central Arkansas we have a record snow on the ground! So, I just say...(sorry for the other 37 videos, must have been an operator error on my part when I retrieved the embed code from my YouTube account, however I am leaving them in so my kids, grand kids, and future grand kids will be able to view them here as well!)

On A Quest For a Fried Chicken Frenzy...

Had a 3 piece with fries, fried chicken wing frenzy today when I stopped in at Sharks Fish & Chicken. Only $3.99! I have been enjoying Sharks in the North Little Rock area for a couple of years and now they have at least three locations (including the Little Rock area) to Shark frenzy these days. Sharks has got the formula:

Good Food + Good Service + Reasonable Prices = Great Place to Eat!

On A Quest For A Healthier Way of Eating

Stopped in at the Root Café the other day just to get a small snack. I chose the Sweet Potato Fries for a sweet $3.50 and this really hit my snack spot! The fries were not real crispy but, that was OK, they were delicious!! This large order of hand-cut sweet potatoes with a spicy Hickory Chip mayo was to Di for. Maybe the fries lost a little healthy when they got fried, but at least it's a step in the eating better and locally direction.

The Root Café is truly a wonderful place to support. Since 2008, they have connected "individuals, families, organizations and businesses of Central Arkansas by offering a focal point for sustainable activities in the area." Going with the shop local ideology, the Root Café uses locally grown or produced items such as meats, breads, and cheeses and makes everything a delicious experience!

Stop by the old dairy bar place on South Main and experience an eclectic "turn-of-the-century" decor and a certified green roof!

On A Quest For...Always Looking For Something New

You never know what you're missing out on, if you don't try something new every once in a while. Always looking for something new led me straight to Hardin Farms and Market Too out Hwy 165 toward Scott, AR yesterday. Sandwiches, BBQ, fresh vegetables, homemade goodies, ironwork, country store items, and catering seem to be just a few of their spectacular specialties. I tried the Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich ($7.99) which was served on sourdough along with a pickle slice and soon forgot how I had thought the price seemed a little steep. Delicious! Also, brought home some of Mee Mee Deb's Pimento Cheese ($5.99) which I haven't been able to stop snacking on since I bought it. Another impulse splurge was various soup packets ($6.99) that are great for gift giving! The mums were beautiful and the pumpkins were priced way under 40cents/lb and it's just too bad I bought mine for 48cents/lb at Wal-Mart the other day.  This is a sweet lil hole in the wall you might want to visit now that autumn has finally made it's way to the Natural State, and it's always nice to find something new as you ramble down the back roads of Arkansas!

So That's What The Problem Was At The AR Arts Center This Summer...

Read in the newspaper this morning that the Arkansas Arts Center laid off three marketing staff employees this past Monday and hired Stone Ward Advertising to help them out of their 'unfortunate' situation. The article went on to say that the Arts Center had laid off two staff members in June as well.

Hummm.....I knew something was really wrong at the Arts Center because I had read about their financial hardship from a low performance of the 2009-10 Pharaoh's exhibit. I also read where Alice Walton (THANKS AGAIN, ALICE) gave a whopping $1 million to help them out. And on a more personal note, I had taken an art class there this summer and had a heck of a time getting them to take my money for the class. Finally after two months, numerous phone calls, conversations, and emails, they deposited my check of $204. Didn't realize they were working as a skeleton crew.

I do hope the Arts Center turns itself around with the innovative ideas of Millie Ward, co-owner of Stone Ward who plans a lot of new happenings such as:

• Transforming the gallery experience
• Making the atrium and box-office areas more welcoming
• Designing a mobile app (YEA)
• Using e-mail, texts, Facebook, and Twitter (YEA)
• Creating events during lunchtime (YEA)
• Creating a Pinterest following and Google Art (online) Project (YEA)
• Offering online sign ups for classes (the present one is a nightmare to maneuver) 
• Efforts to reach the younger crowd

Hard to believe this fine organization hasn't (ALREADY) done some of the things mentioned above...oh well, best wishes Arts Center...I don't want my grandkids (or me) to grow up without you!!