Marlsgate Plantation!!!

I think for me the highlight of the trip was the plantation we just went to visit today, Mr. G. is the host, he fed us the most amazing southern "Dinner" of ham, rice, sweet potatoes, green beans and homemade dinner rolls.

His hospitality is unrivaled, Steve enjoyed the finery in the home as much as I did. There are at least 3 generations of beautiful linens, dishes, lighting, furniture, etc. HE was most gracious in opening his home and acres to the bus tour. We would love to come back and see how it is all done.

His mother and his brother were there to assist in serving the noon meal, running the gift shop and welcoming us to their home. It was so much fun.

Tonight is a tour of the USS Razorback Submarine and a dinner boat ride. We're looking forward ot it, we are at the presidential Holiday Inn in LIttle Rock, it is impeccably spotless.

Last night we stayed in Mt. Magazine Lodge, in a state park, the only thing I have ever stayed in that was more beautiful for a lodge area was Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National park.

I am dreading the end of this week. It has been great spending time with Jim and Joyce and the others on the bus. There are about 10 or 12 people from our area that we know that are on the bus, it has been fun.

Wal-Mart...WHO KNEW????

Arrived in Bentonville AK today.....last night we saw a special on Sam Walton on TV, what could be more timely than that? Turns out today's tour was of Sam Walton's first store in Bentonville, a little 5 and dime store. He was a persistent person! Just goes to show you hard work and persistence pays off, you can be successful financially if you are willing to work and sacrifice.

Our tour guide told us that she learned 3 things living in an area that produced 5 billionaires

1. Frugality
2. Persistence
3. Focus

I thought this was interesting. The Wal-Mart family is worth 280.8 billion $$. To put it into perspective, she told us 1 billion $$$ is 1,000 millions........WOW!!!

The tour guide's mother was a seamstress, she used to patch the jeans the 3 Walton boys wore about every 2-3 weeks. At one point her mother pointed out to Helen that the jeans had to have something left to patch. Mrs. Walton told her to just do the best she could. Apparently she watched every dime......which I believe is how they keep their billions.

All in all, it was a very interesting first day on the trip.

There are 3 billionaires from this area:

1. J.B. Hunt
2. Tyson
3. Wal-Mart

Sam Walton was the one in first place......they have a Wal-Mart museum here that we walked thru that I found to be extremely interesting, I could have stayed there much longer.

Tonight we ate at Bill Clinton's favorite restaurant, AQ chicken. It was good, the service impeccable!

Tomorrow is a train ride, I'm excited about that. Really enjoying the time spent with Jim and Joyce.

Vote for Lindsey

Vote for my friend Lindsey's recipe. She'll win some money, link here.

Thank you!!

Car didn't start

I hate it when the car won't start or does something unexpected!

Monday it woke up and decided it wanted to stay home in the nice warm garage out of the rain and cold wind. It wasn't meant to be, Steve got out the can of starter fluid and made it get back to work!

This started us on a quest to look at cars once again. But with this one being paid for it is hard to go back into making payments.

Oh, the decisions.........this one has to get us thru the winter before I get another one............I mean it!!!

Photos Sister Breakfast October

This is the condo we stayed in for the breakfast. The dining room table is always so pretty, love the light above it













This bed is huge and like sleeping on a big pillow















This is the little artsy 'niche' in the curved condo, so pretty










Sister in law Brandy on the left, birthday girl, then Deanne and Michelle














I love the kitchen, it is curved, too. Laid out pretty smart!









bedroom in the larger condo where I normally sleep











curved kitchen with Dianne making her tea










Surprise!! Snow on Saturday morning, it snowed all night, the wind blew, it was pretty seeing it hit the ground.

You've Been Boo'd

I am going to start this next week, here's a link if you don't know what I'm talking about.









Usually I get a cute bowl or witch's boot from Kohl's and fill it, but this year I loved the colored bowls, I decorated them with paint markers, I'll put Halloween candy and kitchen towels in it. It's a fun thing to do, most likely it will get started at work.

Recipe Friday Oct. 9th 2009

I don't really have a recipe in mind...I've been trying out new things, I've got to make a pumpkin recipe, it's an assignment for Blog 350.....I'm keeping that one a secret.

We have a traditional recipe we use every year, it's a recipe you shape like a pumpkin, then frost and decorate the face.

Pumpkin Jack-O-Lantern Cookies

1 pkg Yellow Cake Mix

1/2 c. oatmeal

2 t. pumpkin pie spice

16 oz can pumpkin (not pie filling)

1/4 c softened butter

1 egg

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Mix together all ingredients. Drop by 1/4 cup onto sheets. Make a little knob for the stem. Don't be perfect the frosting will cover it. Bake 14 - 20 minutes or til edges are light golden brown. Decorate with orange and green frosting. I buy the can cream cheese frosting and tint it. Decorate faces with gum drops, m&m's, candy corn, licorice etc.. Make them look like Jack-O-Lanterns. Yields: 19 cookies!