Cave Springs Church

Several years ago when we were planning a wedding, David looked up churches that were on the historic register for our county. We visited a few, including this one in the tiny community of Cave Springs. We peeked in it's windows, and even talked to a woman working in her yard nearby. I think I called the pastor, but it didn't seat many and didn't have indoor plumbing so we didn't consider it for long.A week or so ago, it was in our newspaper as the "Home of the Week." Restoration is in progress to save the old building that was built once the Civil War ended.
Last weekend, they held an open house, so we went to check it out.
It was decorated with simple Christmas decorations, keeping with the era in which it was built.
Despite the outhouse (newly finished!), I think maybe we should plan another wedding! What a wonderful old building.
Besides, it would give people something to talk about. How many weddings have you attended where you had to use an outhouse? ;)

Camping in Jasper, AR

Last weekend we camped just outside Jasper, AR. It was a little cold at night, but the days were beautiful. The trees were bright oranges, yellows, and reds.
We drove on dirt roads and small highways to see the scenery and fall colors.
David got us cots for our great pumpkin tent, which made sleeping there much more comfortable. It was Riley's first camping trip, and he did pretty well. He's never slept outside and he spent part of the first night shivering on the cot. The second night was a little warmer though, and he was worn out.

It was a gorgeous fall weekend for a camping trip!

Odds and Ends

Poor neglected blog...I can't imagine anyone is still reading due to the lack of updates. Mom? Are you there? ;) Keethas? Hello?You wouldn't know it by the blog, but we've had a lovely busy fall. We've gone to a few craft fairs, Mule Days in Ozark,
Decorated for fall...
Took a scenic drive to Oark, AR for some delicious burgers
Saw the Wiener Mobile crusing around Branson,
Toured the Coca-Cola bottling plant in honor of Coke's 125th anniversary,
Went to Silver Dollar City to the National Harvest Festival,
Spent lots of time outside with this guy,
Decorated some more, baked pumpkiny treats, planted pansies, bought mums, read lots of good books...Hope you are having a wonderful fall as well!

On Your Recommendation…

For the past couple of years, possibly longer. A couple of friends have been talking about this little know burger joint in the middle of nowhere Arkansas. Oark, Arkansas, to be exact. Oark lies on a stretch of road that is popular with motorcycle riders and is often referred to as “The Pig Trail.”

View Larger Map

The Oark Cafe serves up a delicious burger that can only be outdone by the warm welcome and down-home hospitality of the owners. We had Riley with us Sunday afternoon so going inside to eat was out of the question. Allowing Riley to stay in the truck while we went inside was also not an option. No problem for the folks in Oark. Pull up a seat on the front porch and they will bring lunch out to you. The father of the owner was helping out in the kitchen but took a break to come out and talk with us. He made it a point to thank everyone who stopped and wish them safe travels as they left.

A big THANKS to Dan and Jeff for letting me in on this well hidden gem of a joint.

He’s a shot of Riley and Erin. This is on the upper Buffalo River at a low water bridge near Ponca, AR. When we have floated this river in the past there would be about a foot to two feet of water flowing where Erin and Riley are standing.

dd

Willing Subject

I received a new camera for my birthday. It’s 14 megapixels and replaces my old 4 megapixel camera. It’s waterproof and shockproof. Now all I need is a willing subject.

OH!

Never Mind!

Found One.

This picture is not that great but a cool shot of the sky.

dd

Treasure Hunting

One thing I've done this summer while keeping cool indoors is shop. A little online, but more fun have been a couple of antiquing days with my friend Christina.Here are Christina and I way back when...
And slightly more recently. In search of a picture, it has come to my attention that we are practically incapable of taking a picture in which we are both smiling with our eyes open.
Anyway, last Saturday we embarked on an antique and tea room day, and I brought home this coffee table. It wasn't in coffee table form though, it was in little desk form. David cut its legs down, and voila! Coffee table! My old coffee table has gone to live at Christina's house. Convenient, as I can visit it any time I might miss it. ;)
My online shopping led me to a new rug for Riley's room. It is soft and colorful. So could someone please tell me why Riley is currently laying off to the side?

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Wilson's Creek 150th Anniversary

This weekend, David and I went to a reenactment of the Battle of Wilson's Creek.The actual reenactment was a little too far away to see much, or keep our attention, but there were lots of other things to do and see.A photographer who looked like he had a story to tell...

Horses in Wilson's Creek...
People dressed in period costume, camping as they might have in 1861...
Picturesque campgrounds...
More people in character...
Canons....and every imaginable civil war related item you might need, from books and DVDs about the war to a fabric store tent with period fabric for creating your own uniform or dress, a vintage baseball game, cloggers, and music. It was an especially big event this year for the 150th anniversary, but there is a big reenactment of this battle every 10 years. David and I attended 10 years ago, and plan to be there in 10 more.

Zippity Do Dah

For Christmas I had the bright idea for my dad and I to go zip-lining for his Christmas gift. Six months later on Father's Day, we finally got to go! It was very fun. We first crossed 7 swinging suspension bridges. I think that was more unnerving than the actual zipping. It looks like a really long way down!
Dad was of course, very calm on his turns. I, on the other hand, couldn't figure out who was breaking the peace of the forest by screaming so loud. Then I realized, the scream was coming from me. :)
The first run was a little scary, especially as I ended up being first. The next three were smooth sailing and so fun.
It was a very good way to spend Father's Day I think!

The Many Faces of Riley

Patient Riley

Thoughtful Riley

Smiling Riley

Sorry. I just can't resist. He's too darn cute.

Meet Me in Margaritaville

A month or two ago, David got us tickets to see Jimmy Buffett in Dallas. At the time, it seemed we might not be able to go due to his work schedule, but miracle of miracles, his new job started and it turned out that we COULD go!
The party going on in the parking lot is always very entertaining. We wondered how early some people must have arrived to get all set up in their RVs and trailers and tents and... It is just a crazy place!
Please ignore my weird hair (humid and windy) and focus instead on the happy smiles of the couple seeing JB for the 6th (me) and 10th (David) time. One man had a poster saying it was his 43rd JB concert. I can't imagine!
The people watching is almost as entertaining as the concert itself. The guys in the fin hats are the "fin men" and are there in some sort of official capacity. Otherwise, the people dressed as pirates, parrots, cheeseburgers...well, they're just there for a good time.
It was an outstanding concert, as always.
On our return trip from Dallas, my phone rang. It was my dad, calling to tell us of a serious tornado warning a few miles ahead of us. We pulled off and waited for a while, then traveled on past Joplin. We saw the semi trucks lying on their sides on the highway and though how awful it looked. It was only in the days following did we learn that we learned that we were just about 30 minutes behind a devastating tornado that destroyed much of the city of Joplin. Our prayers and thoughts are with them still.

The Reader's Digest Version

Since we returned from our vacation, seems that we've been on the go. In no particular order, we've...Attended Krista's annual Derby Party. Hats are strongly encouraged, but I didn't get one put together this year. It's okay...I still got to partake in the most delicious sandwich ever - a Hot Brown with turkey, bacon, and most importantly, gravy.
Attended two Springfield Cardinals ballgames. For one of those games, we had these fancy-schmancy recliner seats. I think I can never watch a ball game from regular seats again. It was wonderful!
Mulched the backyard. 6 cubic feet of mulch. And now...there are tiny maple trees growing EVERYWHERE in our shiny new mulch. It's driving me crazy!
Visited World Fest at Silver Dollar City. It was a rainy day, which was perfect as there was hardly any crowd. We always like to see the group from Trinidad and Tobago.

David also has a new job, which is great because he is home every night. He got to spend a full holiday weekend at home, which hasn't happened in several years. He's been grilling for us, as noted in the delicious picture in the previous post, I've been planting flowers, and we've been to a great concert (will get it's own post soon). It's been a busy spring, but we've enjoyed it!