Showing posts with label arkansas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arkansas. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Quiet Getaway


Petit Jean Mountain at sunset.

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Red-tailed Hawk in Sweetgum Tree

If I ever get to be an animal, I'd like to become a bird.  Flying must be magnificent!

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Arkansas Scenic Highways in Winter

 

Highway 23, also known as The Pig Trail


My home state is so beautiful, even when the weather is feeling a little harsh.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Green Friday at Hobbs State Park

When our sweet granddaughter asked to spend the night after Thanksgiving dinner, we of course said "yes" and started looking for something to do the next day.  Hobbs State Park was one of the first spots we checked.  Thankfully, they offer a wonderful program called Green Friday!


The feathered welcoming committee consisted of a beautiful Barred Owl and native Turkey Vulture!  As cars were pulling in, these friendly birds were waving and smiling.  What fun costumes!  The excitement began before we had even unbuckled!



Sunday, December 10, 2017

Travels with Marci at Crystal Lake

My full time job (besides blogging) has me on the road quite a bit these days, regularly buzzing around eight different counties here in Arkansas.  I am so very blessed to live in a beautiful area.  When something catches my eye, I snap a picture or two with my phone.


There's really no telling what I might photograph!  

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Travels with Marci at Square Rock

My full time job (besides blogging) has me on the road quite a bit these days, regularly buzzing around eight different counties here in Arkansas.  I am so very blessed to live in a beautiful area.  When something catches my eye, I snap a picture or two with my phone.


Can I just say how much I love this series of posts?  It has me watching for photo ops wherever I go.  This pretty little barn would not have caught my attention if it weren't for the quaint, old church across the highway.



Thursday, June 22, 2017

Book Review: The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee

by Talya Tate Boerner




A partial synopsis from Good Reads:  Ten-year-old Gracie Lee knows a few things. She knows which trees are best for climbing. She knows how to walk through the hallway without making a sound on the hardwood floor. She knows if Daddy's crop gets one more drop of rain, the whole family will pay the price.

My thoughts:  What a wonderful novel!  I've been thinking about this story ever since finishing, hoping there will be a series!  So, the book begins when Gracie is 10 and ends when she is 12.  This young lady is curious and intelligent, caring and kind, protective and brave.  Her home is a farm located in the Arkansas Delta and part of it once belonged to Johnny Cash.  Gracie Lee thinks her life is boring as she brings the reader along with her to school, church camp and the house she thinks is empty just down the road.  Challenges arise though, and I admire her courage as she finds ways to either survive or stand her ground without being hurtful.


Here's a favorite quote from page 243 of the book:  "I decided right then and there that preachers were like weathermen.  The liked to talk and make predictions, but everything boiled down to nothing more than a guess.  No one knew what would happen tomorrow."

What have you been reading?

I received this book in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

;-)  -Marci

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Painting with a Friend


Here's mine!


Of course I am talking when the group photo was snapped.  Anyway...  These little classes are such fun!  You get to create and take home a completed canvas in just a few hours.


We began by using a mix of browns and black to make our canvas look a bit like wood.


Next was filling in the edges to create the shape of my home state, Arkansas, along with a heart to show which area I am from.  Yep!  Northwest corner.  ;-)


If I had my lettering to do over again, I would move the bottom "home" down just about half an inch.


Then we were given instructions on highlights and low lights.  Here's my masterpiece!  ;-)


I love how we all followed the same directions, but had slightly different results.  This is one I think I could do on my own and would like to try something similar at home!  Stay tuned!

;-)  -Marci

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Rootin' For the Home Team

 My Latest Gourd Project

 

Do you remember how our new puppy, SADI BEAR, chewed one of my gourds?  So, it became THIS !

 

Well, guess what she did again? 
 
 
Yep!  Chewed the handle right off another one.  This time though, I looked for what it could become.  Do you see what I see?

 
In all fairness, you may not see it unless you are from Arkansas
 
 
or a big fan of the Southeast Conference.

 
I cut the bottom so it would sit flat and painted the inside black.
 

The team color came next using leather dye.

 
This wine cork is a perfect solution for the snout!  I made sure to choose one from an Arkansas winery!  ;-)
 

 
A couple of wiggly eyes were glued in place.
 
 
Notice how the natural ridges in the gourd actually create an eyebrow on this side!
 
 
This is my favorite side, even though Sadi Bear broke part of it.
 
 
I feel like this project was totally home grown.  The gourd was from my garden and the wine cork was from an Arkansas winery. 
 
 
With a little leather dye and my crazy creativity, we are ready to Root for the Home Team!
 
Who is your favorite team?
 
;-)  -Marci

Monday, August 12, 2013

One Summer in Arkansas, Book Review

One Summer in Arkansas

One Summer in Arkansas book

by Marcia Kemp Sterling

 
Author Marcia Kemp Sterling
 

About the Book

This is a story of place, in the tradition of Southern fiction,
with vivid images of Arkansas and the values of small-town life
 
It is 1990, the stock market is soaring and Lee Addison is on a fast track to success in Silicon Valley. Just out of law school with a job lined up at one of the best firms in the Bay Area, he is positioned to join the ranks of young elites who will shape the 21st century.
 
But standing between him and his shining future is a promise to spend the summer back home in Riverton, Arkansas.  He is unprepared for the siren pull his hometown still holds on his heart, as he grapples with his sister's troubled adolescence, ethical questions relating to the drowning death of a black youth and the weight of his ancestral legacy.  To make matters worse, the allure of a rekindled relationship with Annie Rayburn threatens to disrupt his carefully planned future.
 
It is a tale of crisis and survival and the universal struggle to tap into values that will hold fast against the uncertainties of time.
 
My Review:
 
I received a free copy of this lovely, interesting book in exchange for my honest review.

Being from a small town in Arkansas myself, there were many specific places in this book that are very familiar to me.  White Rock Mountain is mentioned and I immediately wondered if I might be related to those fictional characters!  ;-)  Yes, it truly feels like we are all cousins here in Arkansas!  ;-)  The Summer humidity is mentioned more than once.  EESH!  Just thinking about our Summer weather makes me want some Sweet Tea
 
At first, I found the main character, Lee, to be aloof and somewhat arrogant.  As the book progressed though, his love and dedication to his family completely stole my heart!
 
I love how the relationships in this book are woven together.  Some are carefully planned and  trained, like an elegant, climbing rose on a garden trellis.  Others are fiercely tangled, like fragrant, wild roses on barbed wire.  It is fascinating how Marcia reveals and even questions Southern etiquette, mannerisms and traditions.
 
My favorite characters have to be Annie, Etta and Tommy.  I would love to hear the story again from Tommy's perspective.  Who wouldn't root for Annie?  She brings such spunk to the story!  And then there is Etta.  She has such strength in her God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Etta's God is my God.
 
For me, the ending was somewhat disappointing.  I felt like there were a few unanswered questions.  Hopefully this means a sequel is on its way, perhaps "One Autumn in Arkansas"?  OK.  OK.  I'll let Marcia choose the title!
 
I so love my Ozark Mountains and Arkansas heritage, it's only natural for me to want success for other Arkansas Natives.  I would love to read more from Marcia!  You can reach her site by clicking HERE!  Are you curious about purchasing the book?  I've gotcha covered.  Just click HERE!

Anyone who has ever lived in a small town (or wanted to) will relate to this book!
 
;-)  -Marci