Mom and Broski Visit

Glad Mason could help drive an hour or so each way to visit Arkansas and visit his shorter big sister!  We started off the visit with a visit to Toad Suck Bucks for AMAZING steak (homemade chicken noodle soup that local brought our waitress from home and she dished us up a bowl, and a few games of Shuffle board)  This place is by far the most local place we have in town.  The owners opened up a restaurant in their pull barn and have slowly evolved it into a hidden gem in town with steak so good you crave it. It is located right on the AR River but it cannot be judged by the appearance.  Looks don't mean a thing down here for a lot of the good eatin' joints. Actually the worse it looks, the better the food. 

Then we stopped at 3 Flamingos only to have Mason get overwhelmed by the option of 20 different yogurts and 50 toppings and having it all be self-serve. This is what he walked out the door with.  If you come to AR you will be eating here.  I have a punch card that needs filling up and I barely ever eat ice cream.  Ya Right.

Mason and I hiked Pinnacle Mountain, which is one of the best workouts around. He stated he had never sweat so much in his entire life.  Didn't help that it is 100 degrees here. 

Took them to the Big Damn Bridge on the way home.  I really think he could make major bucks with his smile here.

We spent our Saturday morning at Petit Jean Park which is definitely a visitor favorite.  

"Would ya look at that?!"

We all went horse back riding at Petit Jean Mtn.  My Mom road Whiskey who was the alpha-male and had a girlfriend back at the stables.  He was quite the gentlemen and wasn't bashful to hoot home to his love when we rounded the bend to the stables.  We could definitely hear how excited his precious soulmate was to know he was minutes away.  Mason rode a horse that was a little on the smaller side.  His feet were close to touching the ground. For some reason I got the sweetheart of barn.  If you want a thrill ride, I suggest riding this horse named Penny.  Her rate it $25/hr. The has to speeds: stopped or galloping. She bucks other horses regularly, she takes off running at every clearing storming off with her head down (ready to buck), and walks you straight into every branch.  I am now really good at using the emergency break on a horse.  I had to yank her chin often. In all honesty, I would ride her again.  Just to prove to her that I can put up with the sassy games.  I was sore for about 3 days though from her gait.

While eating dinner, the world came apart outside and we had no idea.  The streets of downtown Conway had about 3 feet of rapidly flowing water.  The storms down here are absolutely incredible.  It is crazy what can happen in 10 minutes.  

We visited Central High School, one of the oldest High Schools in the United States which still houses students each year.  It is breath taking! Definitely not in the best part of Little Rock though. Let's just say my Mom wasn't sure if we should have gotten out of the Jeep.
It was the site of the Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka decision where 9 black students entered the school for the first time during an integration protest in 1957.  
  

Just another day at work

Cold spell

Update Needed..I know I know

Now that I have a finalized sales quota for my territory, my determined self has kicked it into gear at work.  Adding this to the crazy social life around here has left me going to bed before the sun on Sunday evenings.  I don't remember when it was below 100 degrees but I also don't really notice the heat, besides when I am waxing my jeep at 10 am and drenched from head to toe.  I have been going up to the driving range about 2 times a week and I am not sure if it creates more stress or not being that my irons and I are not getting along.  We visit the pool on a regular basis as it is one of the only ways to be outside for more than 30 minutes but I am not complaining.  Each day I am becoming more and more addicted to Texas Country.  The last liquor store trip rang up a total of $250.00 and the lady knew we were from Conway.  (There were 4 of us, don't worry I am not that thirsty).  People at work found out that I have actually participated in the sport of curling.  They still make me talk just to hear my accent.  Life in the south is pretty good.


I am trying to tackle this learning curve.

Southern Hair

There are no complaints about the beauticians down here.  They blow it out  and poof it to the maximum. I can sleep on it and it looks the exact same! haha.

Vino in the Valley and Stillwater!

You ALL need to go to Vino in the Valley.  Here is the website.  http://www.vinointhevalley.com/

Go now. NOW.

Italian Nachos

Cheese

Mohawk

Can't believe I got him to somewhat "pose"

kayak inside jeep = no good

Fuel a.k.a dinner

Catfish and Hush Puppies

Cookie Dough

Ali and I cook about 3-7 meals a week together.  It's nice that she is right downstairs. She taught me how to make fried chicken.

Ice Cream (of course)

Ahi Tuna

I will admit I barely ate one of these.  Jim and I thought it would be fun to buy them on managers special for $3.73.

It didn't help that Ali showed me how to suck the head.  (She is from Texas)

Inside out tuna sandwich? 

I eat these like M and M's 

I make this black bean avocado dip about 3 times a week and each time it gets better.

This is from a place called Gaucho's.  I had 11 different kinds of meat at my plate at one time. I asked the server if it was ok that I was a vegetarian.  

This is what happens when you eat too much in one meal.  Mission Expansion. Don't worry it went away by the next morning.

Oreo bites that I made for my co-workers 

Homemade. Perogies. DELICIOUS. 

The newly named "Purple Cowboy" dessert made for my birthday.  Cherries and Strawberries soaked in wine and served on angel food cake :)

Wheat thins, grape tomatoes, balsamic vin., spinach, cheese, don't ask.