Author: Julie

The Seedling

I spend most of my warmer days walking the rows of my garden. I start in late spring with a handful of seeds and do everything in my power to end with a bountiful harvest months later. It doesn’t always go exactly as I planned, but neither does life. As I watch how nature and nurture interact to set the course for my plants, I often draw a parallel or two {or three} between gardening and parenting… READ MORE

Jessica Bauer is a small-town girl raising her bunch in southwest Arkansas. Her cast of characters includes a husband of 11 years, three mostly sweet kids, and a flock of chickens. She blogs about them all at Life With the Bauer Bunch. Stop by to check out the good, the bad, and the funny in motherhood. You can also find her hanging out on Facebook and Instagram.

DIY Cut-Off Shorts {No Sewing Required}

A few months ago I was taking out all of the clothes that my daughter had outgrown out of her drawers. And placing them in a bag to give away to Goodwill. When I noticed that she had about three pairs of jeans that were too short in length, but still fit perfectly in the waist. I thought that it would probably be very easy to turn these too short jeans into some DIY cut-off shorts. I thought I could probably go to the craft store and buy some cute iron-on applique patches to jazz them up a bit. After, all this would be a great way to save money since I would be buying three less pairs of shorts for this spring/summer.

I’m so glad that I thought about this because the first pair that I made turned out really cute. Plus, these DIY cut-off shorts were super easy to make since they require no sewing.

Hawksbill Crag

Heather Wilson, Miss August 2017

One of the most bittersweet experiences I’ve encountered; hiking has long had a special place in my life. Years ago, it was during a hike I got the first signs I was sick. I remember having to stop because I couldn’t breathe, yet the gift of the amazing surroundings kept me going. I wanted to see more. It was soon after that climb up a volcano in Hawaii I was later diagnosed with my first form of cancer. That hike reminded me that though the challenge of doing something that felt too hard to complete, the beauty of what awaited me was worth it. And since then I’ve known, every hike, just like every person, has a story. There’s definitely something special about those places where you stop to take an extra look, don’t you think? Read More…

Moss Mountain Farm

Heather Wilson, Miss August 2017

Have you ever thumbed through the pages of an interior design magazine or maybe drooled over some cover-page worthy images on Pinterest? When it comes to décor, I have always been one of those people who has an idea in my head, but I can’t quite execute it “just so”. Now that my husband and I are building a custom home on several acres of land, we want to step it up in the sustainability department. Lucky or me, inspiration doesn’t have to come from very far away. Arkansas boasts one of the most breathtaking estates in the country only outdone by the owner’s beautiful soul. Read More…

Mini-Glamping in a Minivan

Arkansas isn’t called The Natural State for nothing. There are so many opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. But just because you are sleeping under the stars doesn’t mean you can’t be just as comfy and cozy as you are at home. With just a few dollars, some cute linens from home, and a dash of creative thinking I transformed my minivan into a glamping dream.

Hello there, my name is Jeanetta. I’m an Arkansas artist and blogger in love with nature and nostalgia. I showcase the beauty of my garden, the world around me, and the stories from our memories in my artwork and writings.

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Beach Week

For the past few years, there’s been a certain summer date circled in my planner.

This box is typically filled with sunshine doodles, exclamation points, and bold letters spelling VACATION. While my husband and I eagerly look forward to sandy toes and ocean as far as the eye can see, the week leading up to this date is typically spent in a panic. We wonder whether the kids will even like the beach this year, if we packed enough diapers, and how three kids will fare in one car for 10 hours. As it turns out, however, as the kids get older, vacations get easier. READ MORE…

Visit Jasper

Heather Wilson, Miss August 2017

When you think Arkansas, what comes to mind? Be honest now. When we moved here from California I got an earful of pre-conceived notions and stereotypes from other people asking me silly things like, “Do they even have the internet there?” Or one of my favorites, “Where will go out to eat?” I don’t mind, though. It’s like I get to take part in this special secret. The people who live here can keep smiling to themselves about how great we’ve got it. And one place they have it really great? That’s Jasper. It’s got the stuff the perfect getaway is made of. Read More…

Creating a Butterfly Garden

For years, I grew flowers for one reason. They were pretty! Years later, I went to a presentation at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks on butterfly gardening. I learned that butterflies prefer certain flowers to lay their eggs on and need other flowers for food.

I decided to revamp my garden using native plants and other specific plants to bring in the swallowtail and monarch butterflies. Over the years, I have gradually added more butterfly-friendly plants and registered my garden as a certified monarch waystation. It brings me great satisfaction to see so many butterflies visit my garden. Nature is so amazing and I enjoy raising these caterpillars to butterflies. I hope you will consider adding some of these plants to your garden, too. READ MORE…

Miss August 2017 – Heather Wilson

When I moved to Arkansas, I wouldn’t quite say I did so kicking and screaming, but I would say it wasn’t exactly an easy transition. Previously, I had left my hometown of Miami, Florida for San Diego, California because the pace of life was slower. It was half the population and I thought people were just so laid back. Then I visited my husband’s hometown of Prairie Grove, Arkansas and soon learned what a slow pace really is (he’s heard that story about five-hundred times).

Sometimes in life, we don’t know what we need until the universe shows it to us. The truth is that my life was pretty wonderful, but it needed something greater. That led me to do something I said I’d never do; involve myself with a man who has children and re-marry. Famous last words…

Until then, I thought I had it all figured out. Life showed me that there are things out there greater than I. At first, Arkansas was hard on me. From mosquitos and bugs the size of my head to almost an offensive humidity in the summers and (what I consider to be) bitter cold in the winters, I found a reason to fight accepting my new life at just about every turn. There were things I hadn’t seen before that I encountered in Arkansas. There were things I hadn’t heard before. There was a period of culture shock and, at first, instead of embracing the good things I concentrated on what I didn’t like. I shunned advances from those trying to comfort and encourage me. I was embarrassed to tell people I lived in Arkansas. I would say, “I just moved from San Diego or I’m based out of San Diego.” Now THAT embarrasses me.

When we arrived, a few people told me to give it a year. I thought to myself, “I could give it a lifetime and this place just won’t be home.” I was wrong. I couldn’t tell you the exact time or day, but something in me finally clicked.

Humbled by the farming community in my own back yard, I soon learned about true organic foods and things like beekeeping. I set my eyes upon some of the most beautiful places I’d ever visited (and believe me, a military brat with a career that’s taken me around the world – I’ve visited a whole lot of places). I would travel for work and long to get back to the peace and quiet – and deer family on our land. I would go back to San Diego for meetings and found myself driving in the right lane instead of shaking my fist at people going too slow in the left lane. I changed.

I started blogging to tell the story of a wife who traveled for her career while married to a man in the military. I rebranded to tell the story of a city wife living the country life thinking I’d point out all the ways the country needed to be changed; instead I learned it was I who needed to change. I’ve stepped back to examine what that means and how to best share the story of Arkansas and those who live here. It’s quite a story to tell. This place is a gem (literally and figuratively). I hope, in time, I can do it some justice.

I now proudly call this place home and wherever I may wander off to next, I take solace and yes, even pride, in knowing I have such a beautiful place to come back to. I hope you enjoy this small slice of The Natural State and when you decide to stop by for your own Arkansas adventure, look me up!

Heather Wilson
Country Life, City Wife
Just a City Girl Living in a Country World….

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Learn to Bake at Honey Pies

I recently got the opportunity to attend a pie baking class at Honey Pies in Little Rock! Confession- before this baking class I had never been to Honey Pies before or eaten any of their pies. However, I have been stalking their Facebook and Instagram for a while now and every photo they post makes me want to eat all the sweet things. Not only do they make pies but they make cakes, cookies, brownies and quiches, they also have a full-service coffee bar, cute little tables, and serve Loblolly Ice Cream!! Honey Pies is adorable!!

Let me also confess that before this pie baking class adventure I had never made pie crust before. Now granted, they supply you with the pie dough but you have to roll it yourself and put it in the pie tin and then do all the lattice work yourself. I had never done that before so this was definitely a learning experience for me! And a fun one I might add! Check out Ricci Alexis to see how I did and then get yourself signed up for a pie making class of your own!!

Ricci Ellis is an Arkansas native who has some serious love for the natural state. She loves big hair, monograms, blogging, caramel frappes from McDonald’s and being the “cool” Aunt among other things. She has one spoiled rotten puppy girl, Sophie. You can catch up with her on her Arkansas lifestyle and beauty blog, Ricci Alexis, or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest!