February 2022
Marsha and Joey Antoon, Amy Allen and Tracy Alderson
For Marsha’s 60th birthday, Amy and Tracy opened The Walrus, their underground restaurant they open 2-3 times a year. Featuring Amy’s culinary four star cooking and Tracy’s exceptional hostessing and stylizing; it is a memorable six course meal. We dined on Tracy’s family heirloom china and the food was comparable to the most fine dinning restaurants that I have ever experienced. Be sure to view the menu below. And of course, the company was my favorite. Full of wonderful conversations savored over tasty delights. Following the dining, we were entertained by Amy on piano. Really to experience a private, personal concert is auspicious. We were so happy to attend.

Amy “Legend” Allen Musician https://theamyallen.com/

February 2022
Alderson – Allen Song Book Fundraiser

What a fun night! We had the opportunity to celebrate with friends Amy Allen and Tracy Alderson at the Alderson-Allen Song Book fundraiser at the South Arkansas Arts Center, featuring Amy Allen and Ed Alderson on piano. It was a packed house. Mason Halsted and Carmelo Brown opened and did a fantastic job. But Amy Allen brought the house down, while Ed Alderson supported her on the piano. We had the opportunity to sit on-stage with friends: David and Renee Skinner, Rob and LeighAnn Robinson, and Jay and Andrea Brooks, aka Boyfriends 1, 2, and 3 and their women. The after party at the diva den was memories in the making. We are so happy to make friends with The Diva Den.

December 2021
We had just the best time on our delayed 25th anniversary trip.

Jonesboro, TN
First we went to Jonesboro, TN. This town was one of our first trips we visited as a married couple and we had a great time the first trip and a great time in the town this trip. It was so very cute. While there we went by the National Storytelling Shop. We saw a bunch of people with their pups in town for a pup Christmas costume parade and pups pics with Santa. We visited their little craft festival and purchases a cute felt rat with a sweater. He stays out all year and hangs out in various places in our home. We definitely love Jonesboro, TN and their festive feel. We also enjoyed their cute little bbq restaurant for lunch, and intended to come back at night to sample their moonshine sampler, alas, they closed that night at 8. So we walked over to a bar near the railroad tracks for a beverage. We loved that when the train came by and blew it’s whistle, everyone whooped and hollered and bellied up to bar. Then the bartenders gave everyone a free shot. A fun night and a fun town. Also, while we were there we went on a historical home progressive dinner tour. It was so neat. We started at the railroad depot with cocktails and appetizers. Everyone was social and neat to meet. They had an acoustic group. The man played the guitar, while the lady sang and interpreted in sign language. It was neat. They then took us in vans to a historic home for the soup which was a neat pumpkin soup. We loved their upstairs porch that overlooked the downtown with a cool modern white circle gas fire-pit, comfortable seating and Christmas movies projected on the home exterior wall; I could imagine spending many nights on that porch. Next we loaded up and went over to the local arts center for a set down entree dinner. The food was fine and the musical entertainment cute. I particularly thought it was nice the high school youth who helped serve for their volunteer work. They were pleasant and happy, which is always nice. Our last stop for the dessert home was really nice. This home was at the top of the main street that passed through town, which made for a neat atmosphere outside by their fire-pit which was lit. The home was cute and everyone was jovial at this point. They had a cappella carolers in matching beaded vests, that were so festive and fun to listen to sing. It was a really fun night. I really like Jonesboro, TN and could happily visit again.

Biltmore Estates
We drove down to the Biltmore and stayed at the Inn on the property. It was simply beautiful grounds. I can understand why the Rockefellers fell in love with the land and chose that area to build the estate. It was breath-taking. The Biltmore was simply amazing and I am so glad that we chose to see it. It was totally worth it. It was fun going to the winery and having a bottle of wine there, but it was crowded. We met some other nice couples and enjoyed sitting and visiting with them. The Inn was exceptional and we loved sitting out on the veranda, and in the sitting room and on the Adirondack chairs overlooking the valley and sipping on the wines created on site. And the most amazing gingerbread houses were at not only the Biltmore Estate, but the one at the Inn was the most spectacular gingerbread house I have ever seen, and I’m sure will ever see in my entire life. We also enjoyed seeing the botanical garden house on the estate, with so many varieties of flora and fauna. I have to say I’m so very appreciative that we were there during the off-season, as even at that time there were so many people. But they say it’s double or triple the crowds in the spring. Also, while we were there we had the opportunity to see the Van Gogh exhibit again. It is a really neat digital exhibit where they display his work on the walls put to ethereal music. It’s quite inspiring. And it was different than the Van Gogh exhibit we saw in Dallas. So it was neat to find out that each one is independent of the other. I have to say being at the Biltmore at the Christmas time with the candlelight tours and all the decorations; it was just magical. I couldn’t have asked for more. But, there was. We had a most delightful dinner at the Inn for our anniversary dinner. It was so very romantic in their dining room overlooking the mountains with exceptional service. We were educated an amuse-bouche, which is a bite size appetizer created by the chef to show off his/her talents at the beginning of the meal. The chef dazzled us with the mushroom bisque as the amuse-bouche served in a little espresso cup. And every morsel was delicious from the lobster bisque to the decedent dessert. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Biltmore, definitely take time to have a beverage in the lobby of the Inn and make a reservation for dinner. You will not be disappointed. I could not have asked for a better anniversary trip. It was splendid.

Hendersonville, NC
After the Biltmore, we headed south for a day or two to Hendersonville, NC. There we took in a theater show with Christmas carols and dancing. It was very entertaining with some great performers. We also piddled around the town, which was cute. On our way back to the airport we stopped at the Billy Graham Library. We toured the home and then got to see part of the interactive tour. We were running short on time. We only had a few hours there and would have really loved more time. It was a neat stop and everyone was so very friendly. I even got to pet a camel. I highly recommend this stop, if you have time time. Again, the entire trip was fantastic. And of course, I had the perfect travel partner, my man Rudy, who I love very much.

Jonesboro, TN
Historic Eureka Inn
Jonesboro Repertory Theater
Chuckey Depot Museum
Christmas Progressive Dinner
Tennessee Hills Distillery

Biltmore Estates
Candlelight Christmas Evenings at The Biltmore
Legends of Art and Innovation – We saw the Van Gogh Exhibit
Wine Bar at The Winery at Antlers Village
Inn at Biltmore
Dining Room at the Inn at Biltmore
Library Lounge at the Inn at Biltmore
Asheville, NC
Henderson, NC
Jump off Rock
Flat Rock Playhouse
Billy Graham Library

It’s here already, then end of summer.  “How did this happen?”  I wonder the same question every year. The older I become the more significant this question becomes.

Today my youngest goes to high school orientation for her junior year.  It’s the day she will receive her class schedule, books, take her school picture, buy her yearbook and sign up for all her clubs and activities that are school related.  She will also be assigned a locker, which she will never use.  I will drive her and a friend up to orientation, stay for just a bit and then leave them.  Her friend’s mom will pick them up later today, after they have had time to adequately say hello to all those friends they have missed seeing over the summer, reconnect and just wander around aimlessly for a few hours.  She is so ready for school to start to see her friends. Honestly, I love the summertime and spending more time with her, but the Time Thief is here and summer is almost over.

I’ll be heading back to work for the rest of the morning, trying to get it all done before she is finished with her aimless wandering.  In another two weeks, I’ll be back on a regular schedule, working more hours because nobody is home.  Everyone else will be back to school or work on a regular basis or moved out to college…Oh, Time Thief, you have been busy.

And now, the part I’m probably struggling with the most: my oldest child moves into college exactly one week from Saturday.  I’ve been silently counting the days down since last fall. I thought I was the only one.  I just heard my son count them down out loud yesterday when speaking to a neighbor. “So, are you ready to go off to Arkansas?” “Yes, Ma’am. Nine days.”  What?!? Nine days? You are counting them, too? I guess you are.  I’ve seen you spending every moment of your time left here in town squeezing in as much time with all your friends you have had since Kindergarten.  Kindergarten to age 18 is a long time for someone age 18.  Most everything you know has been here in this town.  Is it difficult to leave?  Or are you just so ready that you are running out the door?  I’m guessing it is the same as everyone at that stage of life, a little of both.  I know that’s how I feel.  I’m super happy and yet a little sad.  I’m so very excited for you and all you have before you, but I cannot help but glance back over my shoulder and see all the good memories of your adolescence.  The Time Thief has been so very busy.  It seems like yesterday that I pushed your Little Tykes plastic slide over to the window, so that you would be tall enough to see out into the world when you climbed up.  I remember wondering if you would ever be tall enough to see out into the world through the window.  At that moment, it never even crossed my mind about the time you would be going out into the world.  It never even crossed my mind.  The Time Thief was sneaky and yet kind, letting me savor that moment.  But here you are going out into the world.  I’m so happy for you.  I know you will live out your good life. It is and has been wonderful watching you grow.  I hold each moment in my heart.

And now we are here at this moment, the end of summer, the end of your childhood, the stepping across the bridge to adulthood; this summer was short.  The Time Thief ran through the summer and life leaving me wanting for more. But, I am grateful for what I have had and what I currently have. It is good.  And I will treasure these fleeting moments, because the Time Thief has been generous to allow time to slow down for these few days left of summer.  I am allowed to reflect and enjoy and savor this moment.

Thank you, Time Thief.

Like many today, at the end of another Thanksgiving Thursday, it makes me reflect on things that makes me thankful. Here’s a little list. Of course, the list can continue for an infinity, yet this one will be as long as my small brain can go or my lazy fingers can type:

• Stretchy jeans – Whomever came up with Jeggings had Thanksgiving meals in mind.  A pure “jeanous”!
• Friday Trash Day- The trash cans are full outside and I’m pretty sure that whatever the raccoons don’t get tonight will be a little stinky tomorrow.  Yea for trash day!
• Friendsgiving – When things happen and you can’t make it to your families for the holiday and your friends are in the same boat, so you get together with your friends.  It makes for a very laid back day, with the pressure of traditions out the window.  So however it happens, its all good. Real good, in fact.
• Third helpings – When you leave the Thanksgiving food out all day and you graze so much that the third helping  is where you should have stopped, but you are kind of glad that you didn’t.
• Dogs – When you don’t feel like sweeping or moping up after a full day of cooking, you just let the dog in and let him get to work.
• Scented Candles – When you are sure that your little bit of cleaning isn’t enough before company comes over.
• Ziplock bags – When you don’t have enough tupperware for all the leftovers, ziplock bags will do.
• Black Olives- Because it’s really not Thanksgiving until someone wears an olive on the end of their finger.
• Facebook – Everyone posting pictures of their families smiling on Thanksgiving. Some seem a little staged, but I still love seeing them.
• Family and Friends – I like thinking about all my family and friends and how lucky I am to have known so many good people along the way.

Dear Children,

Just know that I am saving you from impending starvation, this is why your lunch kit is so very full.  The side items of the lunch kit would be plenty, I know.  I cannot help myself. You need the singles Pringles (catchy phrase), baggie of grapes, baggie of carrots and celery, and baggie of popcorn.  And your entrees are different, yet both filling.

Big Kid,
You receive the same standard every day since kindergarten, The peanut butter sandwich, no jelly.  And now the bonus add on Protein drink, per your request. I never waver, usually. Although today it’s no peanut butter sandwich, because there is no bread other than the tiny rye bread slices for the cucumber sandwiches I made Little Bit earlier this week. Peanut butter and rye do not mix, I don’t care how “foodie” you are.  So, left over steak is your entree today.  It will be cut up and microwaved warm, and placed tenderly in an aluminum foil packet. I think I should shape it in a swan shape like they do in the movies when you leave a restaurant, but I don’t.  I know the shape will be lost in transportation with the lunch kit in your backpack and then it will just be a weirdly misshapen wade of tin foil with a tiny amount of steak and you will wonder why your mother over wrapped this steak? and where is my sandwich?  So, no swan shape.  But I will throw in a plastic fork and a paper plate, so I can pretend you won’t eat it with your hands.

Little Bit,
Today you again will receive ramen noodles.  I know third day in a row of ramen.  I apologize.  I know you are unlike your brother.  You cannot stand to have the same lunch since kindergarten, much less yesterday.  But, again I’m out of bread, except the tiny rye.  And I don’t have the time or energy to make the cucumber sandwiches at 5:30 a.m. today.  Although for once I have all the ingredients to make cucumber sandwiches.  You can have them for your afternoon snack, My Foodie Child. Yet, points are in my favor.  I made you oatmeal and Oolong tea for breakfast and I know you loved it.  In separate bowls, I sliced strawberries and put in brown sugar. You found spices in the cabinet of cinnamon, and I have no idea what else, and made yourself a little oatmeal bar.  After stirring it all up, you noshed on three bites, took one sip of “too hot” tea and as I ran to get you some ice cubes, you darted out the door to the bus saying you would just eat the singles Pringles for breakfast instead and drink some water. Sigh.

Big Kid,
In another hour, you and the Hubs will awaken. And I’ll scramble y’all some eggs and give them juice and coffee. In a mere three minutes, the eggs will be scarfed down and the juice and coffee chugged like pros. Then y’all will grab a protein bar or a Pop-tart and head out the door, too.

Children,
All I can think to myself is “You are all fed, at least for another hour.”   And I smile, because it warms my heart to spend this time with you. This fast paced, 4-minute dash. I love to see you in the mornings, because you are a raw, not-fully-awake, not-fully-aware self.  You are unfiltered and open. You are hungry and moving fast; trying to make it out the door in time for the bus and school.  You give all you have and then some in these moments, and I am appreciative. I love these moments I get to spend with you. It is worth the effort in the mornings.  I love the time and I love you.

Love, Mom