Category: Theme Thursday

Tragedy, Beauty, Mystery {Back in My Day}

by Paige Ray of Approaching Joy

I took this picture in the temporary 9/11 Museum in New York two years ago. This was right before a security person tapped me on the shoulder and told me that taking photos were not allowed. #oops
I took this picture in the temporary 9/11 Museum in New York two years ago. This was right before a security person tapped me on the shoulder and told me that taking photos were not allowed. #oops

I’ve heard it said that September 11th is my generation’s “Where were you?” moment. Just like the generations of Americans before us who experienced horrific tragedy (the attack on Pearl Harbor, the assassinations of John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr, the Challenger explosion) this was our first time to see the world stop for a fraction of a second, and then, in a heartbeat, burst into a thousand little pieces that looked impossible to repair. In that second, it seems as if everyone of that generation momentarily stops, takes a mental snapshot, and then continues living their life at normal speed. It’s that snapshot that everyone is able to recount years later, when the question, “Where were you?” comes up.

Subsequently, that moment is also the moment that, as a group, a generation begins to realize that life does, somehow, manage to go on. Heroic measures are taken, rubble begins to get carted away, plans for a memorial are began and then… A moment later… Ten years have passed. Life has done the thing that is does so well: It shows itself to have been just beautiful enough to be considered desirable, just mysterious enough to be worth chasing.

And that’s the part of the story that I choose to bring into the future. While I will never be able to tell my children that I’ve flown without a fear of a terrorist attack, I will be able to tell them of the loving hearts and wonderful creations I discovered on the other side of those plane rides. While my children will never be able to take in the view from the original World Trade Towers, I do hope they that will eventually have the chance to come out of a dark subway tunnel in New York City and experience the exquisite beauty that is NYC on an early Autumn day.

The same is true with personal loss.
While my children may never meet my grandfather, they will eat East Texas sausage and gravy and hear funny stories of a man who would oink like a pig. While they will never hear my grandmother’s laugh, they will hear the joyous sound of an old timey saloon piano and wonder how two hands could ever make such magic.

While I can never promise a lack of heartbreak and loss, I do believe that there is an abundance of beauty and mystery out there to pull us through.

Paige RayPaige is a friend, a champion of non-profits, and a highly inexperienced world traveler. She prefers reading and exploring over most other things. She blogs at ApproachingJoy.com and spends way too much time on Instagram.

Keisha Pittman {Back in my day}

By Keisha Pittman of

When I thought about “back in my day”, I thought about some of the amazing pieces of advice that I’ve received over the years.  You know the kind – “uphill both ways to school” or “I would have never gotten away with that” or the illustrious “that kind of thing never used to fly”.  So, I thought I would try a little survey, scientifically, of course.   

I sent a group of women, representing the decades of life from 4 to 76, a simple survey; questions that mark the silly, the zany, the stages of life.

Many things about “our day” are influenced by where we live, who raises us and when we “grew up”, but yet so many things are the same about the human experience. 

Eva - back in my day - KP

Eva | 4 | 2004 | Evabelle

  • Favorite toy: my bear
  • Favorite school lunch: chicken nuggets
  • Do you remember your first computer? Leap Pad for Christmas
  • What car did you want when you turn 16? I want a light blue car with a pink steering wheel
  • What do you want for a prom dress? I want one with blue on one side and pink on the other with blue and pink in the middle and a yellow tiara
  • Favorite thing in mom’s kitchen? The toaster
  • Best thing about being a grown-up? Can’t wait to knit stuff together
  • From mom – advice to your daughter? “I want you to always look to God for guidance.  He is there in all that you do, even when Daddy and I fail you, He never will.”

Millie-back in my day - KP

Millie | 8 | 2006|2nd grade | Mil-mil

  • Favorite toy: my blankie
  • Favorite school lunch: pizza
  • Do you remember your first computer? Tablet – Christmas 2013
  • What car did you want when you turn 16? A jeep
  • What do you want for a prom dress? Pink with white polka dots – sparkles at the top
  • Favorite thing in mom’s kitchen? The mixer
  • Best piece of advice you got about being a grown-up? Learning the secrets that kids don’t know
  • From mom – advice to your daughter? I want her to have self confidence and know her worth is in God’s eyes

Chloie |14 | 2000 | 9th grader | CD

  • Favorite toy: plastic toys
  • Favorite school lunch: chicken nuggets
  • Do you remember your first computer? DSI – 2008
  • What car do you want when you turned 16? A mustang
  • What color do you want your prom dress? blue
  • Favorite thing in mom’s kitchen? Mom’s fancy knives
  • Thing you look forward to most about being a grown up? Living with puppies
  • Advice you would give your “younger” self? Think before you speak

Abby | 22 | 1992 | college senior | Abby-dabby (thanks, Dad!)

  • Favorite toy: Barbies, duh!
  • Favorite school lunch: Lunchables or chicken nugget day in the cafeteria
  • Do you remember your first computer? 2nd grade, we got one at home
  • What car did you want when you turned 16? Black Nissan X-terra
  • What color was your prom dress? Red (I’ll add that she looks amazing in red!!!)
  • Favorite wedding present? Never been married, but a Ninja blender would be nice!
  • Best piece of advice you got about being a grown-up? Accept responsibility, but don’t forget how to enjoy life through all the craziness
  • Advice you would give your 21 year old self? (that was last year for her!) take summer classes so you don’t have to take 21 hours the fall semester of your senior year of college

Maresa - back in my day - KP (2)

Maresa | 29 | 1985 | Resa or Pitt | my favorite sister!

  • Favorite toy: soccer ball
  • Favorite school lunch: Salisbury Steak in Preschool and Pizza in Elementary
  • Do you remember your first computer? yes, I remember typing DOS codes to play snake and gorilla throwing bananas to knock down buildings with my estimated trajectory coordinates
  • What car did you want when you turned 16? the FREE one I got, but I always wanted an Explorer – sporty but practical!
  • What color was your prom dress? my dress was of course turquoise, but lots of pink and orange iridescent
  • Favorite wedding present? Money – to use as needed (she just got married, I’m sure something else will be more sentimental later!)
  • Best piece of advice you got about being a grown-up? as a teacher – prepare your students for jobs that do not exist yet; in life – don’t let anyone stop you!
  • Advice you would give your 21 year old self? Let go, and Let God take it; Clean out old stuff you don’t

Emily | 35 | 1979 | Shorty – like before it was a rap lyric

  • Favorite toy: Etch-a-sketch and Samantha, my American Girl doll
  • Favorite school lunch: chili with cinnamon rolls and the stick of processed cheese
  • Do you remember your first computer? It was a Tandy 1000 and we got it early on because of my dad.  I think I was 8.
  • What car did you want when you turned 16? Bubble Gum Pink, Austin Healy convertible – “I was crazy”
  • What color was your prom dress? blue, red and black were popular
  • Favorite wedding present? Kitchen Aid stand-up mixer, cherry red
  • Best piece of advice you got about being a grown-up? 1.  its not about you.  At all.  2.  It’s gonna be okay.
  • Advice you would give your 21 year old self? You are beautiful.  And, its not going to get any better so go ahead and put on that bathing suit or get naked or something.  Quick.  Also, he’s going to marry you.  So, enjoy being single for a little bit.  Quit worrying.

Laura | 48 | 1966 | no nickname

  • Favorite toy: Growing Skipper
  • Favorite school lunch: ???
  • Do you remember your first computer? 1996 was the year
  • What car did you want when you turned 16? Any car, just as long as it could drive
  • What color was your prom dress? white with pink sashes (she left this out, but I’m guessing there was lots of hair product used!)
  • Favorite wedding present? My dishes
  • Best piece of advice you got about being a grown-up? Not everyone is going to like you
  • Advice you would give your 21 year old self? Seek God above all else.  It will protect you from making so many mistakes and having so many consequences.

image
Sue Ann | 59 | 1955 |SAP (but her fav nickname is “Muh-ther”)

  • Favorite toy: Jacko – the yellow and black monkey
  • Favorite school lunch: vegetable soup with pimento cheese sandwich
  • Do you remember your first computer? My mom doesn’t use the computer – she has lots of secretaries!  But, they gave us one for Christmas – there are pictures and I have big glasses and really bad hair.  My sister had a pillow in her shirt like Santa and brought it in the house, joke was on her that the present was for us!
  • What car did you want when you turned 16? Didn’t really think about it
  • What color was your prom dress? teal
  • Favorite wedding present? The pink glasses that matched my china
  • Best piece of advice you got about being a grown-up? Be Yourself
  • Advice you would give your 21 year old self? Enjoy the here and now because it will be gone.

Bekah | 62 | 1952 | Becky

  • Favorite toy: baby doll
  • Favorite school lunch: tuna salad sandwiches, potato chips and homemade cookies (were there any other kind?)
  • Do you remember your first computer? 1992 (age 40)
  • What car did you want when you turned 16? Who even dreamed of having a car?? I was happy to get to drive the old coffin-pink Cadillac that our grandfather handed down to my mom.
  • What color was your prom dress? A pale pastel color
  • Favorite wedding present? any necessities for setting up our first apartment – especially our dishes & kitchen things
  • Best piece of advice you got about being a grown-up? I cant remember getting any advice about being a grown up –  all the advice I got for my growing-up years seemed to work in adulthood as well.
  • Advice you would give your 21 year old self? “Quit seeking to be perfect and instead see the Perfect One.  In relationships seek to be patient, gracious (grace-giving) and truth-telling.”

Mary | 76 |1938 | Mamie of Mame or Miss Priss (but we all just call her Nammy!)

  • Favorite toy: paper dolls
  • Favorite school lunch: we didn’t have a school cafeteria until I was in the 5th grade and I lived 1/2 block from school so I just walked home for lunch.  Don’t remember what I ate, but it was probably healthy because my mom fixed it for me.
  • Do you remember your first computer? Black Apple – I was and Elementary Library Media Specialist and they brought one in one day. I don’t remember the year but it was some time after 1980.  Then as the years passed I became the computer person in our building and had a lab and then each classroom got a computer and they “computerized” the library.  They were mine to take care of and I never had formal training
  • What car did you want when you turned 16? The car! I never even thought about having a car when I turned 16. In fact, none of my friends had a car.  You just didn’t think about spending money on a thing like that.  We did a lot of walking.
  • What color was your prom dress? I didn’t go to the prom but we had a nice banquet at church and most of the dresses were pastel colors.
  • Favorite wedding present? I really did want and electric skillet and got one.  One thing you got a lot of in 1959 were sheets and pillow cases.
  • Best piece of advice you got about being a grown-up? I don’t remember getting any specific piece of advice.  My parents raised me in a loving home and made sure I had an education which is still one of the best things a woman can have today.
  • Advice you would give your 21 year old self? I believe that as a young woman you should be out on your own for at least a year or two and find out that you can really take care of yourself before you are married.  I believe that is one mistake I made but because of being strong and trusting the Lord I was able to use my strength to overcome adversity in my life.

Somewhere along the way, I hope you can relate to one of these.  Maybe its “chicken nugget day” at school or the fact that having a car was a luxury.  Some things change like the wind (or should I say the color of our prom dress).  But more things stay the same. 

I’ll leave you with this – the one thing I expect to tell my grandchildren – “Back in my day women started standing up for themselves.  They realized girls could do anything boys could do.  The world may not have fully seen their worth, but they came together.  They learned that encouraging was better than comparing.  They found that the real meaning of life happens in a local coffee shop over a favorite beverage.  They learned that saying “yes” was way more productive than being worried what others thought about them.  They didn’t take themselves quite so seriously and in turn discovered an array of strong qualities that they already possessed.” 

Life’s habits are generational.  Let’s expose ourselves to vulnerability.  The next generation will be more empowered by seeing the expose of our souls

Keisha Pittman is learning to dance in the rain and glory in the rainbows. She started a blog, bigpittstop.blogspot.com, to tell the story of her walk through cancer. Five years later, she’s kicked cancer’s butt, and learned to navigate life a little differently. A self-proclaimed nerd, there’s nothing she won’t try, no side road she won’t take and no recipe she won’t improve. Lucky for us, she likes to talk about her adventures with a healthy dose of self-deprecation humor, and always looks for the good in every situation and person.  Come follow along.

Blog – bigpittstop
Twitter – @bigpittstop
Instagram – bigpittstop
Pinterest – Keisha Pittman or bigpittstop
Facebook – bigpittstop-new journey, new normal, new adventure

Kind Kitchen {Local Flavor}

by Kaylin of Enticing Healthy Eating

Kind Kitchen is a mobile food truck and catering service from Northwest Arkansas.  It is owned by Jennifer and Tommy Rollins and their goal is to use as much locally grown and organic food as possible for their menu—which truly offers something for everyone whether you are gluten-free, vegan, or just love to eat. 

Kind Kitchen Juice

While reading more into the details about this food truck I had frequently seen at our Bentonville Farmer’s Market, but not yet visited, I just knew I had to be missing out on something.  The perfect excuse to finally visit Kind Kitchen was presented to me when I found out I would be writing an article for the Arkansas Women Bloggers featuring the theme of “local flavor”. 

Kind Kitchen’s story really began with Jennifer and her husband, Tommy, and their traveling adventures.  While traveling, Jennifer would often times struggle to find places to eat that catered to either vegan and/or gluten-free customers.  Jennifer and I both agreed that when they started Kind Kitchen 3 years ago, they really were hitting the market just about at the right time.  This year was their biggest year yet, as they are quickly being discovered by those in Northwest Arkansas looking for gluten-free and/or vegan options for restaurants.

Kind Kitchen Truck

While they have a more permanent residence now at THE HUB on SW A St. in Bentonville offering lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11am-2pm, just down from the square, my past experiences of seeing Kind Kitchen has been at the Saturday Farmer’s Market.  Every Saturday, Jennifer and her team source their ingredients for menu items from about five farms.  Since they do locally source from farmer’s their menu does not stay the same the entire year but rather rotates with fresh foods according to the season.

Kind Kitchen Menu

And it’s no wonder they have stayed popular!  With a menu selection featuring everything from fried pickles and sweet potato fries to vegan and meat indian tacos and burritos. Don’t forget about their gluten-free baked goodies and fresh juices too! And they are the only place to get fresh-squeezed juices in Benton County.  When I asked Jennifer what her favorite menu item from her Kitchen was, she quickly replied it was the fresh juices.  Jennifer has become very knowledgeable in fresh-squeezed juices and juice cleanses. Not having ever tried a fresh-squeezed juice, I knew I was in the right place and couldn’t resist when she offered to make me one herself.  The fresh-squeezed juice and carrot cake, coconut muffin were fabulous.  I will be going back for more tasty treats.  Kind Kitchen has gained another loyal customer and fan.

kind kitchen juicer

Upon leaving my first visit to Kind Kitchen and saying goodbye to Jennier, I even remember saying “Can we be friends?”.  Jennifer just smiled, laughed, and replied “Of course!”  That’s what makes the Kind Kitchen not only a fantastic restaurant offering some of the best local ingredients around, but also a place that gives you great hospitality and feel-good vibes, even from the window of a food truck.

jennifer kind kitchen

Kind Kitchen is a must-see, one of a kind restaurant that adds the perfect touch of local flavor to Northwest Arkansas.  You can follow them on their Facebook Twitter and Instagram.

Kaylin GilkeyKaylin is a health coach and nutrition consultant and author of the healthy living and food blog Enticing Healthy Eating .  She hopes to inspire others to create more foods using wholesome and fresh ingredients and teaches people how to live a healthier and happier lifestyle through her health coaching business, Kaylin’s Keys to Health. Being born and raised in Bentonville, AR she is proud to still call Northwest Arkansas her current home and treasure trove for finding more tasty treats and eats.  You can also follow Kaylin’s food and cooking adventures on her instagram.

In the Market for a Good Story {Local Flavor}

By Christie Ison of arfoodjobs.com

While traveling for work in Jonesboro last summer, I noticed a new, rather large open-air building for a farmers’ market right across the street from the Arkansas State University campus. Signage further elaborated that it was part of the university’s agriculture program, which I hadn’t really heard much about as a journalism student there some years ago.

Jonesboro market building

The market was open. I had a few minutes, and I’m kind of a sucker for farmers’ markets. I dropped in for a look, camera (ahem, smartphone) and notebook in hand. I wasn’t especially in the market for produce, since I was traveling. I was, however, definitely in the market for a good story or two.

I walked slowly down the center aisle, like a bride looking for an appropriate tale to wed. I chatted a bit with a woman selling lovely candles in tiny jars. Locally made, well packaged; just not the story I wanted that day. A gentleman further down had lovely bouquets of flowers along with his seasonal squash and such. Beautiful and photogenic. Was this my story?

Feature guy Jonesboro market (1)

Rounding the other side of the wide aisle, I saw Tony Atchley. His stall was a little different from the rest, not as fancy or designed. A simple, hand-scrawled sign was duct-taped to the market table, listing prices for his wares. Mr. Atchley was bit older than the other vendors, 90 at the time. He leaned back in his folding chair, feeling the slight summer breeze while customers came by.

His produce was in lightweight, round wooden baskets like the ones my grandfather used to use while tending his own immense backyard garden, into which I would often help him harvest mustard greens or okra.

I asked Mr. Atchley about his stand, and I got pretty standard answers: Here we have some squash, some melons and cucumbers, and over here I’ve got some okra. Yes, he grew everything himself; it was good exercise and he enjoyed it. He lives in Lake City, about 30 miles due east of Jonesboro. He still drives and does most things for himself.

Prodded a bit further, he paused, and a different side seemed to open up. He told me about “when Momma and Daddy were alive,” helping them on their own large home garden. Growing was part of his history, his family. These fruits and vegetables were more than the fruit of his labor; they were his own past brought into the present.

I ended up taking a cantaloupe home. I also took with me some renewed memories of my own grandfather, who gardened until the day he passed at the age of 98. I was also reminded that just because I have a black thumb doesn’t mean I can’t dig around in the rich soil of people’s lives and learn a thing or two…and a bonus cantaloupe doesn’t hurt.

Christie IsonChristie Ison has been an intermittent food writer at her blog, Fancy Pants Foodie, since 2009. More recently, Ison launched arfoodjobs.com, an online job board and digital community for the state’s hospitality industry. She also teaches cooking classes and is on the advisory board of Pulaski Technical College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute, of which she is a graduate.

Homemade Salsa {Local Flavor}

by Amanda of Our Homemade Life

Homemade Salsa
If you garden in Arkansas, there is usually always something that tends to never have a shortage, tomatoes!

I am not sure if it is the rich soil, the humid air or the nutrient rich rain, you can’t find tomatoes as good as those grown in Arkansas. The world knows it, we even have tomatoes named after our state, the Arkansas Traveler and the Ozark.

After spending some time in a friend’s garden last week, I couldn’t deny the fact that the weather this year has been especially good for the tomatoes. It is almost time to preserve the abundance for the fall/winter seasons.

There is nothing like being able to enjoy your bounty long after the growing season is gone. One of my favorite ways to use tomatoes is to make fresh salsa. It never lasts long in my house, but I am okay with that as it is full of fresh, wholesome ingredients for the family to enjoy.

sliced tomatoes
If you find yourself with an abundance of fresh tomatoes this year, why not try making this super simple, yet totally delectable salsa!

Simple Homemade Salsa

6 Tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup Onion, diced
1/2 Jalapeño pepper, pitted and diced
4 Tbsp. Fresh Cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
2 Garlic Cloves, diced
1 teaspoon Sea Salt

The great thing about salsa, you can customize it to your preference. Depending on my mood, I may want more or less of some ingredients as well as desired consistency. I prefer my salsa to be smoother, less chunky, so I use my food processor. If you prefer your salsa on the chunky side, you can dice it all by hand.

Add all the ingredients but the tomatoes and salt into a food processor and pulse until diced finely. If you want a smoother texture, add your diced tomatoes and pulse a few times. Sprinkle with salt and mix to combine.

If you wish to have a chunky texture, instead of adding your tomatoes to the food processor, simple dice them by hand and add them to your mixture of the other ingredients.

If you are using exceptionally juicy tomatoes, drain some of the liquid off before serving, otherwise just mix well before serving.

Bonus Tips:
Remember you can always add more of something, but not take it away. Go easy on the salt and heat and if you want to turn it up a notch, you can always add more!

Want a new creamy texture? Add in 2-3 tablespoons of sour cream or cream cheese to transform your salsa into a creamy treat!

What is your favorite way to enjoy fresh tomatoes?

Hi, I’m Amanda and my online home address is: Our Homemade Life. Born is Arkansas, I lived in three other states before returning back home to raise my own family. Now a busy mama to three blessings, our days are spent homeschooling, cooking and making messes. I have a passion for creating and love the challenge of upcycling to make something new again. I share that passion with my children as we can often be found at local thrift stores trying to find just the right buttons.
I will never turn down good dark chocolate and my zen time is working in the garden. Our house has been home to many types of animals, but currently we reside with kittens, our beloved golden and a domesticated hen that sleeps with the dog, what I term my county life. I would love to connect with you at ourhomemadelife.com.
Instagram: OurHomemadeLife
Facebook: OurHomemadeLife

El Progresso Bakery: A Little Local Color in Springdale{Local Flavor}

Written by Laurie Marshall

bakery

When we moved to Springdale eight years ago we did so primarily because we were able to get a lot of house for our money compared to surrounding cities. Our two-year-old son was still sleeping in a crib in the master bedroom, and I knew the odds of my pre-teen daughters agreeing to sharing a room again were not much higher than my being asked to star on Broadway. Before that time, I was a Fayetteville girl and Springdale was a town I drove through on my way to somewhere else, never a destination. But I soon learned that of all the cities in Northwest Arkansas, it is most definitely the one with the most local color.

Over the years, the strong manufacturing and agriculture history of Springdale’s business community has made Springdale a mecca for individuals who have come here from outside the United States to work in those industries. Many Central and South American countries and most of the states in Mexico are represented here. Springdale is also home to the largest population of Marshallese people citizens of the actual Marshall Islands themselves.

Now, I like to eat good food. And I like to post images on Instagram of the good food I eat. Living in a diverse community, it has been a treat to have access to markets full of products I can’t pronounce and am not sure how to cook with, and to restaurants that serve foods that I don’t know how to cook. There are at least a dozen different taquerias in Springdale, and two bakeries that I know of. El Progresso Bakery is just down the street from me, and they’re one of my favorite stops for a baked treat.

El Progresso Bakery

I do love a slice of New York style cheesecake, but in terms of donuts and cakes, I prefer Mexican pastries to American-made ones because they are less sweet. They tend to be more dense as well, and are so lovely to look at! Our fancy cupcakes don’t have anything on their giant pastries.

Cookies

When you enter El Progresso, the first thing to do is grab a tray and a pair of tongs. I wander around looking at all of the items in their glass-front cases before choosing. (TIP: There is plenty of Instagram fodder !!) There are muffins, slices of cake, giant cookies with colored sprinkles, a number of different turnovers full of gooey stuff, and – apparently, a pastry that pays homage to Star Trek by being shaped like the Star Fleet patch. Well, maybe not… but I like to think so. I might be a nerd.

baked good

Baked Goods

El Progresso also sell whole cakes, sandwiches, drinks and occasionally some produce – I picked up a huge bag of jalapeños when I stopped in this morning. I also love to bring home a dozen of their homemade tamales when they have them available. They are huge, and I am happy to eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their refrigerated cases are full of cakes that I believe are traditional flans decorated with whipped cream icing and fresh fruit. I need to come up with a reason to buy one. Or maybe I don’t need a reason.

cakes

baked goods

Things are changing in Springdale, and some old ideas about the kind of community that it should be are starting to slip into the past. I am proud to be a part of what looks like a bright – and very colorful – future in my town.

LaurieMarshallLaurie is a writer and junque-hunter living in Springdale, Arkansas with her husband, son and three goofy cats. She raises kids and chickens and makes messes in her craft room. She loves to create good food, pretty gardens, and happy kids. But when that doesn’t happen as planned, she simply reads about them on Pinterest. You can follow Laurie at See Laurie Write.

{Hot, Hot, Hot} A Poem

Written by Katharine Trauger

Hot, Hot, Hot

“Hot. Hot. Hot.”

Breathe earth’s breath.
And know.
It’s fever.

Her creek beds dehydrate;
Mouths of her caves parch.

She burns.

Her dying trees cry out;
Lighting caresses them.

Walk the once-cool carpets;
Crunch dead grass.

The cat pants.
Turtles disappear; fish hide deep.

Waiting.

Katherine TraugerKatharine Trauger is a retired educator and a women’s counselor. She and her husband spent 25 years managing a home and school for children who would otherwise have been homeless. She has worked 15 years as contributor and/or columnist for several small professional magazines, with over 60 published articles. She blogs about the rising popularity of being at home, from a sun room on a wooded hilltop in the Deep South, at: Home’s Cool! and The Conquering Mom and tweets at @KathaTrau. She is currently working on a self-help book entitled: Yes, It Hurts, But . .

4 Products You Need to Beat the {Hot, Hot, Hot} Summer

By Rebekah Hearn at Wearable

In keeping with this month’s theme of “Hot, Hot, Hot,” I would like to share my favorite 4 beauty products that you need to survive this summer heat!

4 hot products for the summer.

The sun totally dries out your skin & hair. I know we all love to get outside in the summer, but it’s HOT out there! The sun is beaming down on us all the time when at the beach, lake, or park. Luckily, I have found the 4 products that you absolutely have to have to survive this hot, hot, hot summer.

Hot Summer Products

1. Clinique Superprimer–I use Clinique for MANY of my beauty products. This is a recent find & I’m in love with it. It’s oil free which is great in the summer, because the last thing we want is to be greasy looking in pictures! This product smooths out your face before applying makeup and helps your makeup stay on all day.

2. Urban Decay Chill Makeup Setting Spray–this product also helps your makeup stay on all day. AND IT WORKS AMAZING. This particular bottle is cooling & hydrating which I love for summer. Just put on all of your makeup then spray 4-5 times around your face for perfect all day wear. (hint: this is also oil free!)

3. Moroccan Oil–don’t neglect your hair this summer! You want to keep your hair strong & hydrated! While I like to keep my makeup products oil free, it’s different for my hair. I like to wash my hair, then add a TINY amount of this oil to my hair. Don’t add this to your roots though, because it will make your scalp oily. Add to the ends of your hair and about halfway up the length! (Any questions? Just email me!)

4. Baby Lips Dr. Rescue–when I don’t have Carmex in my purse, I have this! It’s the famous Baby Lips brand, but it’s also medicated. This help sun chapped lips to become moisturized & hydrated again. Cooling menthol helps to relieve your chapped lips quick!

No matter where you’re going this summer, you definitely need these items in your bag. It’s about to get hot, hot, hot again around Arkansas y’all, so stay cool out there!

Rebekah Hearn of WearableHey y’all! I’m Rebekah and I blog over at Wearable. On my blog you can find anything relating to style, fashion, and beauty! I love to share great sale items that I have found. I also love to share “Steal vs. Splurge” posts where I find an item that looks like a similar to a more expensive item!

I have a passion for style & I love to create outfit looks for the everyday girl to wear to work, school, or a even a night out. I LOVE to help people pick out fun outfits using items that are already in their closets! Let me know if you ever have any questions. Be sure to stop by the blog & say hi!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Thanks for reading.

Bella Vista’s Best Cocktail Sauce {Hot, Hot, Hot}

Bella Vista’s Best Cocktail Sauce
by Sarah Coller of Hope in Every Season

As brand new Arkansan this summer, our family was expecting some super hot weather. However, while we have had some warmer days, we’re still waiting for those sweltering temps that were supposed to make us wish we were back in Eastern Oregon where it’s only 106º today in our old hometown. In fact, those of us in Northwest Arkansas are on Facebook this morning bragging about the fact that we got through the night without turning on the air conditioning.

Although we might be going through an uncharacteristic wave of cooler weather here in mid-July, I’m pretty sure things are going to heat up again soon. In the meantime, enjoy this sweet and spicy cocktail sauce straight from beautiful Bella Vista. Served either warm or cold, it’s an excellent dipping sauce for your favorite appetizers and summertime snacks!

Bella Vista’s Best Cocktail Sauce
15 oz. tomato sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar
3 TB horseradish
2 TB lemon juice
2 TB vinegar
2 1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp. allspice (or pinch each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)
1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix all ingredients together and cook on medium-low heat until brown sugar dissolves. Cool in refrigerator, if desired, until ready to serve. Refrigerate leftovers.

Sarah Coller is a married mother of nine who stays busy homemaking and homeschooling. Her passion is creating a comfortable and peaceful home for her husband and children and she loves to encourage other women as a food and homemaking blogger.  Thankful for God’s saving grace, Sarah hopes to leave a legacy that reflects His faithfulness.  She blogs at Hope In Every Season.

Summer Heat: My Journey From Hating It To Reveling In It {Hot, Hot, Hot}

by Dr. Margaret Rutherford

A lot of folks dread the heat.

I prefer the colder temperatures myself. Get to channel my inner polar bear.

However, there is a part of me that relishes the chance to get outside. Just to feel sweat running down my face as I walk briskly down our hill. Or maybe do some chore. Work out in the sun.

My reason? I want to warmly welcome a season, I used to hate.

A part of my brain, when I was young, didn’t function properly. My hypothalamus. The primary symptom was that my body temperature was all over the place. When I got too hot, I couldn’t cool down. In fact, sometimes I just got hotter.

Weird.

When the heat came, living in Arkansas, the only outside activity I could enjoy was swimming. That made for summers that were not your typical running around, enjoying bike rides or camps kind of summers. I read a lot. Played piano. Spent time with friends, as long as they had air conditioning. Could play outside for short periods of time.

But had to go inside and cool off.

Sometimes my body wouldn’t cooperate. I remember being packed in ice.

I understood the rules. I railed against them a lot. My mother worried about me constantly.

During the hot months of school, everybody wanted to sit by me. Schools weren’t air -conditioned back then and I had to have big fans hitting me all the time. Sort of a strange popularity. At least for a little while.

I grew out of this completely by about age 18 or 19. Other symptoms decreased as well. Stopped taking the required medications.

I got to grow out of my illness.

There are so many people that don’t.

Either physical or mental, they deal with painful or draining symptoms all their lives.

It is lonely. Even well-meaning people forget how hard it is to make life work in a wheelchair. Manage the mood swings of recurrent depression or the nightmares of PTSD. Cope with the fears of deterioration in muscular dystrophy. I could go on and on.

My own experience taught me how hard it is to be different from others. To feel out of control of your body. To have to learn to manage an illness.

Please be aware of those around you. Maybe you yourself deal with chronic illness.

It just takes a little looking around. Noticing. Saying something when it seems appropriate. Helping when you can.

I know that I am as guilty as the next guy of forgetting. I am going to try harder.

When I go to reunions, inevitably someone will come up to me. “Do you mind if I ask you something? What was wrong with you back then? I just knew you left school a lot. Are you still sick?”

“No”, I smile, as I am standing with them under some big tent.

Just out of the hot summer sun, a little sweat running down my back.

Dr. Margaret Rutherford is a clinical psychologist who has been practicing in Fayetteville for over 20 years. She began blogging in 2012, coining the term “NestAche” for her empty nest feelings, after her son left for college. She is now the Mental Health Columnist for Midlife Boulevard and is a featured contributor to the Huffington Post, BlogHer, Boomeon, and here at Arkansas Women Bloggers. You can find her on her own website: Dr.MargaretRutherford.com or on Twitter @doctor_margaret.