Arkansas Archives - Page 5 of 9

On Day Trippin’

Jan 18, 2012 | Arkansas, Travel, United States

Sunday we drove up to N.W. Arkansas to check out Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. It’s a pretty drive through the Boston Mountains so no one complained about the 3 hrs each way in the car…(not too much anyway.)

Crystal Bridges Museum

We planned on meeting my grandpa (aka Popie), mom, and aunt there but were really late getting on the road so we imagined they would be done by the time we got there. Funny thing was as I was calling them to see where in the museum they were we happened to look across the pond and see them looking out the window of another gallery!

Ceiling is a work of art

My “artsy” guys

The grounds and building alone are enough to warrant a trip to
Bentonville to see the museum. But the collection inside is also
amazing. One of the most comprehensive American art collections in the
world. Here are some highlights:

Can you imagine the dinner conversations with this family?

Hi, George!

Mary Cassatt is my favorite

This reminded us of Scott’s grandma

Maxfield Parrish’s “The Lantern Bearers” is so dreamy

We met up with some friends for dinner in Fayetteville and drove the kids around on a mini- tour that sounded like this:

“See that- that’s where I had geography.” (Dad)
“That’s the dorm I used to live in.” (Mom)
“That’s the dorm I used to live in.” (Dad)
“They didn’t have this cool stuff when we went here.” (both of us)
“That’s where Grammy and your grandpa lived” (mom)
“That’s where mom and dad met.” (Mom)
“That’s where I took your mom on our first date.” (Dad)
“That’s where I used to eat tacos.” (Dad)

Don’t know if they heard us but it was fun anyway!

Local Gift Giving

Dec 15, 2011 | Uncategorized

Christmas always stresses me out.
Seems like our society has become so materialistic with people rushing to max out credit cards at the malls. I can’t abide shopping on a normal day, let alone the holidays!

So, if you live in central AR (or are visiting) and want to avoid crowds and the usual holiday hoo-hah, I’ve made a list of 10 local places with neat (some homemade) gifts that you might enjoy.

1. Box Turtle

This is an awesome store! Top floor is really cool clothing (albeit a bit pricey, but check out the sale rack by the front door for great bargains) Middle floor has the coolest gifts and jewelry (most of it is handmade and local.) In the basement you’ll find a cute little toy store called “Cheeky Marshmallow” which has some of the most unique candy and toys you’ll find in LR.

2. Heights Toy Center

Cool toy store with lots of unique gifts. Out of the way of the mall crowds too! Next door is another great bookstore with cool gifts (Wordsworth books.)

This weekend ride the trolley for FREE to these places:

3. RiverMarket Books and Gifts

Run by the friends of the Central AR library system (and in the Rivermarket district) this store not only sells gently used library and donated books, but also some quite unique gifts for readers and thinkers. Also some fantastic art galleries (with some for sale.) Get a cup of coffee or a cookie at the cute counter inside.

4. Arkansas Institute Studies Art Gallery

Another gem in the Rivermarket district- you might not have realized that this is a free art gallery with much of the work being for sale (by Arkansas artists!) Stempunk Jewelry, hand turned woodwork, books, hand knitted scarves, pottery- they’ve got it!

5. Historic Arkansas Museum Gift Shop

Looking for handmade gifts or unique historical toys and gifts? This is the place! You don’t have to pay admission to the museum to go inside the store.

6. Clinton Museum Store

No matter what your political affiliation, the Clinton museum store has something for you! Tom’s Shoes, handmade jewelery, recycled presents, and more. Not actually inside the museum, but in the Rivermarket district. (More great museum gift shops in the area include- Museum of Discovery, MacArthur Military Musuem gift shop, Old Statehouse Museum gift shop, and the Arkansas Arts Center gift shop.)

7. Heifer Project Gift Shop

The Heifer project is not only a cool place to visit, but houses a wonderful gift shop. I got a fantastic book on beekeeping (for myself) and they have lovely gifts and neat things from around the world. While you are there tour the center and think about getting a gift that keeps on giving- animal donations for people in need around the world. Great organization. Our family registers online now and gives animals instead of gifts to ourselves.

8. Ten Thousand Villages

I adore this store and secretly wish they would come decorate my house. A non-profit, fair trade store with items from around the world. What more could you wish for! ALSO- ALL holiday items are 25% off on the 19th!

9. Argenta Bead Company

Across the river in North Little Rock (but also on the trolley line…)
Not just for the avid beader, Argenta Bead company also showcases work by local beaders and jewelry makers. You can special order almost anything you want made.

10. Argenta Market

This quaint local grocery store showcases many yummy gifts for foodies. Arkansas jellies and jams, as well as great cheese and meat trays.

Wishing you happy, stress-free holiday shopping!

On Being Quiet and Thankful

Dec 2, 2011 | Arkansas, Travel, United States

Thanksgiving the kids begged us to go to “the cabin” again.

Of course, all the (2) cabins where we’d gone before were taken already

BUT,

the owner said “I do have one new one I don’t rent much you can have.”

The kids were out the entire Thanksgiving week (something to be thankful for!)

so we took off into the mountains!

Reality Ridge Cabin in Murray Community

Pretty Field on the Drive Up

Road to Cabin

Neat Gulley with Lots of Fossils

Table Set for Thanksgiving

Misty View from Wrap-Around Deck

Thankful for:

Seeing lots of deer and hearing elk
The kids hiking, hunting for ancient sea fossils, playing games together, making zombie movies…
Our dog, Cole was thankful for- No Leash!
Don’t think any of us wanted to come home.
No internet, TV reception, or cell service (which was WONDERFUL. We love these kinds of peaceful trips. You realize how much you DON’T need and what is important. The hardest part is learning to be quiet and relax.)
Outings to Jasper to eat, buy a puzzle, and visit Emma’s Junk Museum (a great junk store!)
Hiking Lost Valley to the waterfall.
Living in Arkansas-such a beautiful state!
Painting together on a rainy day
My kids and my wonderful guy