Blue Skies

There was a little boy at the grocery store the other day, his cutie pie feet dangling from the cart where he set. He kept telling his Mom, "Look up, look up Mommie, look up!" She was frantically gathering up the groceries, two older kids hanging onto the edges of the shopping cart for dear life. Speeding down the aisle, dressed in career wear (the shoes were a tip-off, they had heels) she had most likely just got off work, picked the kids up and off on Mommy errands.

Persistant, he wouldn't give up. He finally turned his Mom's head with his little hand skyward. Up above the aisle of tomatoes and beans, soups and salad dressing...was a big Halloween display of ghosts and goblins, Witches on brooms and candy floating in the air. All  us adults woulda' missed it totally if he hadn't told us. We have our heads down next to the grindstone, gathering up rocks and stones in our bag...go to Aunt B's post to understand this one! We are missing out on a lot blue skies if we don't look up. Everyday there's that one special moment when you take the time to get outside of your daily routine. Me time. Selfish? I don't think so.

Lessons

That's what the GRANDson's call our house, like it's all mine! Our daughter corrects them but they still call it Grandma's house... actually Nana and Nanny's. We were given our names before the Grandsons even arrived, "TITLES" if you will to note our importance. I took note, I feel the honor! We became Grandparents for the first time in 1994. I was 42 and was thrilled to become a Nana. I couldn't wait to have that little bundle of joy join our family. When I found out it was going to be a boy, that worried me. I knew everything there was to know about Barbie dolls, Easy Bake Ovens and I could shop til' I dropped but boys... they scared me. What would I play with them? 

 That was before I knew about Hot Wheels, before I knew you could have a "Car Show" right in your own bedroom... or even at Nana's on the coffee table!

The World of Hot wheels opened up to me and Mattel provided many toys for them to play with! Car Wash was a soapy mess that permanently set on our back patio in Texas, waiting for Jackson to come over on Friday nights!

In fact, anything with wheels appealed to Jackson. By the time he was 2 he could tell you the names of almost all kinds of cars!

 

Grandma's house for me was a place that was full of warmth and love. It was more than the old farm that made me want to go back again and again. It was a place I was loved unconditionally, my deepest thoughts could be shared with the assurance that no judgement was ever placed. I felt free to explore and imagine what the world held for me, just for me. I learned respect by being given respect, I learned compassion when I saw them care for the many farm animals or share food with a neighbor. Learning by example, it still works!

War Eagle Craft Fair

On the banks of the War Eagle River in a serene valley sits an old Grist Mill that dates back to the 1830’s. When you drive down Highway 12 East as you leave Rogers, the worries of the world will melt from you. You have to slow down physically, the road is very curvy and winding. Huge hardwood oaks, hickories and pines are dense as you make the 15 mile trek to War Eagle Road. As you go around the final curve the Mill jumps out of nowhere. Three stories high with an 18 foot waterwheel, it’s a beautiful building. 

This weekend, October 14th-17th, War Eagle is bracing for 250,000 visitors over four days. Held on the green pastures that lay beside the War Eagle River, it's called the "Granddaddy of all Craft Fairs." Craftsmen from across the US bring their pottery, quilts, folk art, watercolors, oil paintings, candles, homemade soaps, whimsicals, jewelry, and primitive Santas, Halloween and Thanksgiving crafts are highlighted in the fall. A huge assortment of fair foods tempt hungry shoppers. Hot peanuts and almonds are roasted in antique roasters with ice cold sarsaparilla. Or if you would like a “sit down meal” the “Bean Palace Restaurant” up on the third floor of the Mill offers country breakfasts featuring War Eagle biscuits and gravy, eggs and sausage and giant cinnamon rolls. The lunch specialty is War Eagle beans and cornbread made from the cornmeal being ground on a 150-year old stone buhr mill on the first floor of the mill. Other choices are freshly made smoked turkey or ham sandwiches on the Mill’s delicious whole grain breads. If you have room for dessert you must try the pecan cobbler served with Blue Bell ice cream! If you can't make it to the Craft Fair this weekend, here's the recipe for their pecan cobbler!

I hope I’ve tempted you to come to Arkansas and visit the state we call “Home.” Log onto their website War Eagle Mill and plan a trip, consider this your “Official Invitation!”