Category: Uncategorized

DIY Christmas Fabric Canvas

By Alicia Dowell

I have been discovering or I should say rediscovering my love of crafting. It has been fun to diving back in and the best part is Glitter Bug has been finding out she loves to craft as well. We recently made Christmas fabric covered canvas. This DIY Christmas Fabric Canvas is such a simple craft and doesn’t take forever.

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Amazing Grace of Autumn

by Talya Tate Boerner

Oh my stars. The amazing grace of autumn is truly astounding. Here we are ankle deep in autumn, and I can’t get over the trees. I’m a new mother showing off pictures of her baby. I’m me showing off pictures of Lucy and Annabelle. Nothing whatsoever wrong with either scenario. Just a disclosure of what’s to come.

Pictures of trees.

And so here I go with a few of the pictures I took yesterday.

Filtered only by the grace of God.

Amazing grace for sure.

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A Pollinator Friendly Garden

by Brenda Embry, Miss November 2017

Gardening, for me, is a state of mind.  To connect with nature, to create beauty, and to provide food for birds, bees and butterflies, gives me great satisfaction.  Pollinators, in particular, have a rough time when their habitat is limited. Restoring the landscape with native perennials or nectar-rich annuals can hopefully bring a balance to their uncertain future.

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The Best on Monika Rued

I’ve really enjoyed my time as Miss May 2017. Thank you again to Arkansas Women Bloggers for giving me this wonderful opportunity and I’m honored to be in the company of so many fantastic bloggers. It means the world to me. I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite Arkansas State Parks blogs, will subscribe, and share our blogs that connect with you.

What’s it Like to be Scarlett? 

This blog was so much fun to put together. As with most of our blogs, this was created out of collaboration. I had the idea to have a “dress off” with my colleague and see who could get all those layers required in 19th-century fashion on first. So, we shot a video of this difficult challenge. I was surprised how hard it was! I edited it in black and white and sped it up with some fun Benny Hill-like music.

Billy Nations, the supervisor of interpretation at Historic Washington State Park, did one of the things he does best: interpret history in a way that connects with the audience. People often glamorize 19th-century dress and he breaks down what it would really be like to be Scarlett O’Hara. This blog is loaded with facts and history about the 19th century, but Billy makes it relevant to today.

Vlog: Chalk Up Buttercup, We’re Climbing at Mount Magazine 

Armed with a GoPro and determination, I set out to shoot my first video blog for Arkansas State Parks. There are a few things I would do differently and it’s way too long, even with some fast-forward action, but it’s still one of my favorites. People want an authentic experience. They crave an opportunity to explore and go on an adventure. If you fast forward, make sure you check out me reaching the top, exhausted and a little frightened!

This vlog still gets a great response and I’m excited to share my Mount Magazine State Park rock climbing adventure with you.

What is a Park Interpreter? 

We have an amazing team of park interpreters. We know your free time is valuable, and we want to help you make the most of your schedule, so we offer a diversity of interpretive programs and events to help you make memories of a lifetime. Park interpreters help you connect in a meaningful way. Kelly Farrell, our chief of interpretation, takes a look at the role of a park interpreter in this blog.

Vlog: Unexpected Challenge at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park 

Meg Matthews takes a look at how an interesting problem at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park that turned into a family affair.

A Day in the Life of Monika Rued

When I found out this “A Day in the Life” post was a part of my reign as Miss May 2017, I wasn’t exactly sure what to do since my average day isn’t full of thrills and chills. While it’s interesting and fun for me, I’m not sure how interesting it is for everyone else! So, I put together this little video to give a little glimpse into one of my typical days.

If you take a look at the Arkansas State Parks social media and our newsletters, you can see my work and the types of media I use to help tell our story. I hope you enjoy it and if you have any questions about my go to programs I use daily or such, I will happily answer those. Just leave me a note in the comments.

James Moore: Choose Your Garnish Ramen Salad

Our Foodie Friday post this week is brought to you by none other than Busvlogger (aka James Moore).

I developed this simple version of Ramen Salad for busy families with picky kids. If someone you’re serving can’t even, with the green onions, leave them out and reserve them as a garnish. I also give you a few pointers for add-ins that make this salad a lot of fun.

 

James Moore: Choose Your Garnish Ramen Salad

Ingredients

    Salad
  • 2 packages Ramen noodles
  • 1 14- ounce package coleslaw
  • 1 bunch green onions (greens chopped)
  • 1 6-ounce can black olives
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
    Dressing
  • 1/3 cup white vinegar
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 packages chicken seasoning from Ramen package
    Garnishes
  • 1 cup edamame
  • 1 15-ounce can Mandarin orange segments, halved
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • ed pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Cook noodles as directed on package (or leave crunchy). Drain; let cool.
  2. In a large bowl, mix all dressing ingredients until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Combine all ingredients except garnishes and crunchy noodles. Chill.
  4. If you chose to keep noodles crunchy, incorporate just before serving. Present garnishes alongside your salad.
  5. You can really get creative with your garnishes.
  6. Try panko or, heck, crunch up your favorite chips; wouldn't crushed Takis be interesting?
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