Let It Be Clean! 3-6-14

Tonight after work, after our walk, when Dustin went off to play tennis, I cleaned my car. She needed a deep cleaning so desperately. It took 1 1/2 hours of cleaning and I am not even sure if I got all the dog hair off the seats and nose prints on the windows! It sure looks much better than it did though!

Blackbird Friends 3-5-14

Another walk at the park with our girls tonight!

These two little Blackbirds looked so sweet high up in that tree. 

Snowy Sunset 3-4-14

Dustin and I took the pups to the park tonight. We had the whole place to ourselves! Someone had graciously plowed the cement paths at the park so they were super slick, so we just trotted through the snow instead of the path. It was just a fun time with our little family. As we were finishing up our walk, we saw this beautiful sight. There is no photo filter, effect, or touching up on this picture. I love this one!

Getting Out of The House 3-3-14

After being in the house all Sunday and Monday due to the weather, we decided we had to get out Monday evening. Before the sun went down we took the dogs to the Clysta Willet Trails in Mountain Home. I love this place, but it is even more special when there is snow cover. We took the pups too, and we were all grateful for the fresh air.

Fire and Ice 3-2-14

Blue found a cozy place by the fire on this Icy Sunday. This is pretty much where we all stayed while the ice built up on the ground outside.

Babbling Brook 3-1-14

Dustin, the dogs, and I went for a hike down to this lovely area today. It is off of Push Mountain Road. We turned off onto Merill Ridge Road. It dead ends after 6 miles and there is a steep trail down to this very peaceful quiet place. We walked around, explored, took pictures, and made tea. What a wonderful way to spend a day before a predicted ice storm! 

Flavor Fest 2-28-14

Dustin and I went to Flavor Fest at Blackbird Cafe tonight. They were sampling all the things they are considering adding to their menu this coming year. They had many delectable creations to try ranging from smoothies to sandwiches to yummy pastries. This is one of the items they were sampling, baked cake doughnuts. They were soft, moist and very rich. Dustin and I split one and then we took this one home. I know sprinkles make such things even worse for you, but seriously they are like eating yummy dipped in rainbow!

Lunch Break 2-27-14

My sister and her kiddos came by our work today and my dad decided to treat us all to lunch. These are two of his grandchildren and their "Papa". Thanks for lunch dad!

Fold It 2-26-14

This is one of those "I don't know what to take a picture of" kind of things. Wednesdays are laundry nights. I am blessed to have a man who helps out around the house....and look at those muscles! ;-)

I Rented A Zoo 2-25-14

My husband had to go down to Little Rock today to attend a meeting for the School District he works for. I decided to tag along, but instead of going to the meeting, I spent the day at the Zoo. I had read that Tuesdays are one of the slowest days of the week at the Zoo, but I didn't really think it would feel like I had rented the place out. I saw around 10 families in the 5 hours I was there. It was such a fun experience though! I got to take my time and watch what ever animal I wanted to watch for however long I wanted to watch it. I got to take tons of pictures and I wasn't on anyone else's time schedule. The weather was perfect. It was my ideal day. I learned the differences between a spotted leopard and a cheetah. I learned more about giraffes and got to eat lunch with one. I watched the big cats and saw many aspects of my house cat in their mannerisms, just with A LOT more power behind their every step. I watched an elephant draw in the dirt with a stick. I realized that Cheetahs make the same noise (just louder) as Blue our cat, when they are ready for dinner. Penguins like to be talked to and so do rhinos for that matter. I even found a new appreciation for the barriers between humans and the inhabitants of the zoo as a big long horn made locked on eye contact with me and jumped and started like he would if he could. Yes, it was a perfect day!

Good Girl Treats 2-24-14

Our pups got some new treats at TJ Maxx tonight. Found a big bag of the good stuff for $8.99! These go perfect in their Kongs every night. I tried one of the treats, and I am not quite sure where the appeal is, but they seem to really like them! No regular milk bones for our sweet fur babies!

Just Gets Prettier 2-23-14

It was our mom's birthday today! I know I shouldn't say her age but, seriously her pretty face does not look 53! She has a beauty that glows from the inside out. I love mom so very much for so many reasons. She is kind, considerate and thoughtful. She is also hilarious and has a strong soul. She has been a beautiful example for my sister and I to look to. She is so very loved more than she even knows! Happy Birthday Momma!

Driven' Crazy 2-22-14

Dad and I went on our dad/daughter date today. We went out to Bull Shoals to listen to a presentation given by Tim Ernst, a nature photographer and hiking trail guide book author. I got my Arkansas Waterfalls book signed by him and proudly told him that I had been to at least 11 of the places in the book. His presentation was fantastic! His Wife, Pam Ernst was fun to talk to as well. We were very glad we went and really enjoyed the experience. After the presentation we went to Gaston's resort and walked around the trails there. We came across this old jeep and I thought it would be an excellent place for our picture! I am pretty sure if my years as a teenager could be summed up into a picture for my dad, this would be it, driven' him crazy!

Hedbanz 2-21-14

After work tonight we picked up pizza and went over to my sister and brother in law's house. We a ate and then played games. We had all kinds of good fun playing games like Headbanz, Pinkalicious, and Sleeping Queens. I then got to read the girls a bedtime story. After I read the story the three of us sat on Natalie's bed and made up stories. We all had a great time tonight!

Dinner and Friends 2-20-14

Thursday nights the Cochran's come over for dinner then Dustin and Kib go play tennis. Tonight they brought over the ingredients and we all took part in preparing it. It was a greek type meal with falafel and a yummy greek salad. Kib also made some real good lime and parsley drinks. Fun times! :-)

Safe Now 2-19-14

Yesterday an Amber Alert went up from Springfield Missouri, a 10 year old little girl taken from her front yard. Today they found the suspect and her body. We see so much senseless violence these days. And with the help of Media it is constantly in front of us. We easily get desensitized by it all. But this little girl was someones baby and she had people who watched her grow and loved her. Her life was unjustly cut short. My heart has been aching for this family all day. I am so tired of the hate and evil, discontentment and devaluing of human life. I have struggled to get my emotions in place most of the day, and I can not even imagine what those close to her are feeling. But as I was trying to wrap my mind around this, this drawing came out. She is safe now.

Rescued 2-18-14

I had a wonderful lunch at the park today. I ate and read my book even took a short walk around the park. Then I came back and tried to start my car....she didn't make a sound. I then realized the headlights had been on for my whole lunch hour.....
Thankfully, I work just down the street with my dad, so I called him and he came and gave polly (my car) a jump. Thanks Dad! :-)

Brush It 2-17-14

This is my husband everyone! I was headed to bed with still no picture of the day so he allowed a getting ready for bed photoshoot.....many giggles and histerics later I give you this piece of art.
He has said before, that his favorite thing is to hear me giggle and this picture brought on a whole side splitting fit. I love this picture and this man!

Perfect Ending 2-16-14

The sun setting on a beautiful weekend... This morning my sweet husband and I slept in and did yoga together. This afternoon we took our dogs Push Mountain Road to a serene spot where there is a cascade, waterfall and a trail to hike. We spent lots of time at the cascade and waterfall taking pictures, eating lunch and enjoying the sounds and company. We walked the trail and saw another waterfall we weren't expecting. As we drove back home we stopped at a place on the side of the road and sat in the back of our CR-V, with our dogs, and watched the sunset. It was an absolutely wonderful weekend and this was a perfect way to end it.

A Bit of Color 2-15-14

Dustin, the dogs and I went on a walk around the trails that are behind the ballpark today. We were walking and I saw this read leafed vine contrastng with all the brown of the dormant trees. I especially liked the effect the afternoon sun had on the scene as well. We had a wonderful time on our walk and got nice and muddy!