Putt Putt and Marshmallows 7-11-14

Tonight we got an invite to go Putt Putt golfing with my sister's church group. We got to play mini golf with our my sis, her husband and our nieces and nephew. When playing mini golf with young children you just don't keep score, but it was really fun anyway. After golf and a few arcade games we went over to my sister's house and roasted marshmallows on their new fire pit. What a wonderful Friday night!

Buffalo River Fun 5-24-14

Dustin and I headed down to the Buffalo River this morning with three guidebooks in hand. We decided to go down to Woolum Campground and look for the trail that would take us to "The Nars" or "Narrows" Well here it is.....

So we went to the car and changed into our swimming attire and waded across the Buffalo River. It wound up being just past waist deep for me but the rocks were super slippery and the current made it tricky, but we did it without slipping an falling all the way in! There is actually an easier way to get here down a little dirt road, but it would have taken us 45+ minutes out of our way. Once we made it across there was a nice mile and a half walk down to the place you can scramble up the rocks to see the Nars. We had a picnic up at the base of the Nars and then I scrambled up to the top. Dustin was so stinkin' nervous for me. Later he told me it is because I am often so clumsy.......thanks hon. Half way up though I got a little nervous myself. At some points climbing up, your footing is less than a foot away from the dead drop off into the Buffalo River. I made it to the top though and Dustin came too. It was seriously an awesome view at the top. On one side you get a gorgeous view of the Buffalo River and Skull Rock then the other side you have a beautiful outlook over Ozark farm country with rolling hills in the backdrop. So worth the wading of the river, the hike and the climb!

The "Nars" on the Buffalo River. If you look close enough you might see Dustin!

The view of the fields as seen from the top of the Nars

The view from the top of The Nars looking out over the Buffalo River.

I loved the view from the top!

We also went to a swimming hole in Erbie Campground before we headed into Jasper to have dinner at The Arkansas House in Jasper. After dinner we watched one of my favorite bands, National Park Radio, do FANTASTIC job as they rocked out the little theater in Jasper.

Stetsons and Stilettos 5-3-14

This evening Dustin and I volunteered at the Hospice of the Ozarks Charity event, Stetson's and Stilettos. We got to Stone Creek Ranch at about 3 in the afternoon, got fed dinner, pet some horses and were assigned jobs. I was helping our friend Lindsey with the Vegan option for the menu and Dustin was busing and serving and really just running around doing whatever was needed. They had a live auction after dinner which was pretty fun to see. We helped with the silent auction and live auction check outs. Then I got to take a break so I grabbed a drink and sat on an empty bench and just watched couples slow dance in the glowing lights that lit up the dance floor. I wish I would have had my camera with me for that picture, but sometimes, some moments are to good to be busy taking pictures anyway. As people started trickling out we started cleaning up the tables and ultimately taking the chairs down and making the job as easy as possible for the clean up crew on Sunday. We didn't get out of there until midnight, we were so exhausted, our feet hurt and I haven't had that much fun in a while. Not trying to "toot my own horn" but I seriously LOVE to volunteer. It just gives me this high that I just can't explain. I wish I had just a good stream of money coming in so that I didn't have to work and could just volunteer every day, ok or at least way more than I get to now. It was great also, to be reminded of the special character my husband is made of. The way he just did whatever was needed and just wanted to help, made me fall in love with that sweet man all over again. Just such a great evening!

The pictures below are just taken on Dustin's iPhone, because I didn't have big enough pockets tonight to keep my camera with me!

Right as everyone was getting there, didn't they decorate it so pretty!?



The table arrangements

Sweet decorations on the wall..



My kind hearted husband :-)

My sweet friend Lindsey

Good Times in Batesville 4-12-14

We went to the Scottish Festival in Batesville today with Dustin's parents. We got to see this man and his dogs give a sheepdog demonstration. It was a really cool thing to see!

For me the sheepdog demonstration was the highlight of the Scottish festival. My dog is an Australian Shepard Border Collie Mix, and although she doesn't get to get a lot of her natural herding instinct out on a daily basis, she exerts as much of that energy as we let her on our cat and our other dog.

The man doing the demonstration had recently lost his other herding dog and was sharing a touching poem he had written about the experience. He got choked up about it and as I listened I had to fight back tears as well. I love this picture of him and as he reaches for Hannah, the herding partner of the dog that passed away.

Then there is this dog in a kilt.....

After the Scottish festival we walked around a couple shops in Batesville and started to get hungry.

We had been told by a shop owner that there was a restaurant just down the street. Dustin went to grab a menu and check it out. He decided that would be the best place and being hungry and tired we didn't really argue.

 

We stepped into Big's and were pleasantly surprised. Before I could even really notice the super cool interior of the restaurant, a super friendly woman, Savannah, greeted us and asked if she could get us some drinks while we decided what we wanted to eat. The place is set up as a diner/sandwich shop, so you order at the counter before you sit down. She was real helpful asking questions and making suggestions.

We all finally decided and sat down. After we got our food, the cook, Dylan, came up and asked us how everything tasted. It was amazing to say the least. The fries were fresh cut goodness. My wrap was full of flavor and just plain scrumptious.

The inside of Big's

We asked why the restaurant was named Big's, turns out BIG is the first initials of the 3 children of the Owners, Anthony and Mindy. The names of the sandwiches on the kids menu are made up from the children's names. The whole place is just great, so next time your in Batesville, AR stop in at Big's and I can guarantee you'll come out with a happy belly and smile on your face!

Savannah, Dylan and Anthony