Arkansas Wildlife

Love seeing the deer out front.   We had a bumper-crop of acorns this year, so there seems to be plenty for them to eat.  There are a few different groups — this is our 11-pack.

Some Deer, Dear!

Ch-ch-ch Changes!

There are some big changes in the making regarding my beloved blog.   I’m working on a different format and will actually be switching platforms in the near future — so keep an eyeout for my new blog.  I’ll tell y’all about it soon, once it’s up and ready.  Just wanted to give you a quick headsup!

 

Wishing You a Wonderful Year!

December Sunrise on Norfork Lake

Farewell to 2011

Our Christmas Tree Flotsam

You know how some people have fabulously expensive Christmas ornaments with carefully coordinated bulbs and perfect bows to decorate their tree (micromanaging placement of each individual bobble), and they carefully pack each ornament away every year in its own special box?  Well, I’m NOT one of those people.   We refer to our Christmas tree decorations as “Christmas Tree Flotsam”…

Flotsam:   The wreckage of a ship and its cargo found floating on or washed up by the sea. 

Imagine the stuff that’s left behind on the surface of the ocean after a recent ship wreck — that’s rather like our Christmas tree decorations!  — But how I cherish and unapologetically love the random, bizaar, and exceedingly quirky items that we feel oh-so-nostalgic over year after year.

Our Christmas tree flotsam includes lots of vintage ornaments that have graced our trees over the years, both artificial and real.   They’re admittedly a bit beat up, but they retain their charm and sparkle.  

Then we have our traditional ”plastic green cow” which is always placed in a prime place on the tree, prominently, in the front, and somewhere about eye level.  The plastic green cow goes back to before I was born and was hung on the tree many years ago — during the hard years, when my mother was young and newly immigrated from New Zealand to Los Angeles with her family.  Times were lean, and they had to make due with what humble means they had.  There was no extra money to spend on fancy Christmas decorations.   They would cover walnut shell halves in tin foil to hang on the tree as something sparkly, and any random item was a candidate to be a Christmas tree ornament especially plastic toys from inside cereal boxes….Hence, our green cow!    “Hang it up on the tree!”    My mom said they used to hang it on the tree with a thread around its neck.  Hanging by the neck seems so barbaric (haha!), so we opt instead to just lean it gently on the branch.  But specifically, when I put up this ornament, I am reminded to be thankful for all my blessings; to remember those less fortunate; to be humble and generous; and to reflect with gratitude on the inginuity of my loving family members who have passed on.  

Back to the flotsam:  Let’s not overlook the random little oddity ornaments, like the miniature wooden penguins (WHERE did THEY come from?…not sure), repurposed curly ribbon from previous presents, vintage tinsel ballie-things (which must be thrown from six feet away and wherever they stick on the tree, they must remain!), some VERRRY old plastic icicles that back-in-the-day used to glow in the dark, and some large star-trek-esque bulbous science-fiction inspired bulbs that you’d better hang near the trunk of the tree or you’ll break the tree branch…they’re so heavy. 

There is a whole slew of handmade quirky decorations — these are my favorite I think, including a collection of glitter-covered seashells (Lianna, Val and I made years ago) complete with hot-glued ribbon to hang; woven raffia swirls; hand painted wooden ones; grandma’s crocheted white cross; a blue paper ornament from Val’s fifth grade art class; and many colored stars and snowflakes made out of faceted beads. 

Being the lover of glass, let’s not overlook  the beautiful crystal angel ornaments in each of the girls’ birthstone colors — Lianna’s angel is sapphire blue, and Valory’s angel is emerald green.  There is a set of glass heart ornaments that I actually did buy from a “real” store, back when I was a teenager — I still enjoy them.  And one year, Frank’s sister Cindy gave us a pickle ornament that we have fun hiding on the tree very year!

As we came across the 3 shiny red bulbs with gold metallic sharpie writing of each of the kids’ names…with a lump in our throats, we hung up Lucas’ bulb.  How sad that he’s no longer with us this Christmas.

So after all is said and done, I think our flotsam-covered Christmas tree this year actually looks exceptionally beautiful with tons of multicolored lights and plenty of sparkly lusciousness. 

My wish for each and every one of you is to enjoy your own personal Christmas tree decorating traditions, and emotionally connect to your own  personal flotsam and the memories you hang on your Christmas tree this year — and be brave; don’t be afraid to break from the boring decorating norm!   Add some unique random, homemade, vintage and nostalgic flotsam to your tree this year!                  Merry Christmas!!!

Reminder of Days Gone By

 

We Cherish Our Flotsam

 

May He Rest In Peace

 

 

 

Shop Local, Small Town America

Christmas 2011 — Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list — post it to discussion groups — throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city — send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

(Borrowed from Rural Tourism Marketing.com)

Now back to Mockingbird Bay Resort

$1000 Harps Raffle Winner!

The Lucky Winners!

A big Congratulations to Valerie & Ray F. from Salem, who were the winning ticket holders for the $1000 Harps shopping spree!

The Sportsman’s Dinner & Extravaganza

…is coming up once again! This year, The Sportsman’s Dinner & Extravaganza will be held on November 10th, which is a Thursday night (so you might want to consider booking a cabin and turning it into a weekend fishing trip at the lake!). It will be held in Mountain Home, AR, at the Baxter County Fairgrounds Hall, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be catered by Sean’s Restaurant; there will be an open bar; and music will be by Cedar Crest Studio. Many, many local businesses have donated some very cool items for the auction, raffle and door prizes!

This year, the BIG auction item will be a brand new Kawasaki 360 4×4 ATV!

You can buy tickets for the event for $30 each at Midland Marine, or from us here at Mockingbird Bay, or you can pay with a credit card/Paypal from the Norfork Lake Chamber’s website…for your convenience!

The Norfork Lake Chamber of Commerce will apply proceeds from the Sportsman’s Dinner toward the maintenance of 37 courtesy docks on both Bull Shoals and Norfork Lake.

Mark it down on your calendar and plan to come… It’s a really fun night at a great value! Where else can you enjoy a delicious dinner and drinks from an open bar, and have a grand ol’ time with your friends for 30 bucks? I’ll see ya there!

Bid on this at the Auction!

Getting Up Early Paid Off in Pics

October Sunrise over Norfork Lake

Honestly, I wasn’t very happy about running out the door with my camera before sunrise this morning — but I could tell from my bedroom window that the sunrise was going to be really pretty, and the lake looked so cool! –as though it was boiling on a stove with wispy white plumes and columns of fog billowing up. It was destined to be a great photo opportunity, so off I trudged. As I headed down the gravel road toward the lake, it wasn’t long before my attitude started to change. The morning was so beautiful; the air was so still and crisp, and there were a few squirrels scampering around and birds flitting about. By the time I reached the lake’s edge, I was in a good mood!

October really is beautiful in the Ozarks (this year exceptionally so), and Mother Nature did not disappoint! (I took over 100 photos…and posted a handful on our website.)

I’m so thankful for the many blessings I have in my life.

I hope you enjoy a few of the pictures taken during my early-morning trek!

Super Hot Habanero Peppers

Rainbow of Hotness!

The Garden Is Closed

Here’s a picture of Frank’s last haul of peppers for the season before the cold weather sets in. He sure has enjoyed these habaneros and jalapeno peppers! They are ultra NUCLEAR hot, so be forewarned, if he ever tempts you to try them.