Summer Joys In the Ozarks

  This little white birdhouse was orginally meant to be part of a porch decoration placed a few feet from the door several years ago.  A little female bluebird soon claimed it, and we have had a bluebird family on the porch every summer since.  We moved it to the railing to keep the dogs from interferring.  Right now, a bluebird couple is busy with the nest building.  Soon she will start laying, then setting, then we will hear the 'chirp-chirp' of babies.  He will sit nearby singing a lullaby to his beloved.



   No matter how tedious the task in my kitchen, all I need to do is glance out the window and watch the butterflies flit from one flower to another.  Then, I count my blessings!

   A little 'splash' time at the Buffalo River...it wouldn't be summer without it! 

   Summertime means bounty from the garden--and the woods!  Twice this week Jack has slipped out of the  house at dawn and returned an hour or so later with buckets of wineberries and blackberries from the woods and fields near the house!  I can taste the cobblers now!

Because God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame.

                                                          Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Who Da Thought It?



View along Scenic Seven Highway in Newton County



   When driving Highway 7 in Newton County, you will see some fantastic mountain views, old Ozark homesteads, fine new houses on mountain tops, and some old stores.  You may be like us.  We have driven this road many times, always excited when we cross the county line at Pelsor.  We see some of the old places in disrepair, especially the old-timey stores.  Many date back to when Dogpatch and Lil' Abner were a new tourist destination for the county.  The signs for miles still entice us to stop at Booger Hollow--the ultimate in Hillbilly shopping!  I stopped there  in 2001 just for old times' sake. The one clerk didn't bother to get up.  Just said they were "out of water" and weren't serving coffee or anything else! Don't think it made it through the next year!

   Not so at Nellie's!  She had an idea to take advantage of the tourists going to Dogpatch.  She opened a store that allowed many Ozark women (and men) in the area to sell their handmade crafts--quilts, paintings, wooden toys, jellies and jams, homemade soaps, handwoven white oak baskets,various dolls-- from cornhusk and apple dolls to cute little rag dolls,-- and many other items.  She is still there everyday--providing tourists with  genuine Ozark crafts and providing mountain women with a way to make a little extra spending money.  I stopped in there a while back when my car was complaining of the 500 mile trip it had just driven. She stayed after hours, waiting with me, while Jack drove from our house to her place to check on the car.  Of course, after a rest, the little Escape was ready to get home!  No problem!



Old Barn southern Newton County near Lurton

   Driving north from Nellie's is another reminder of the Hillbilly influence left over from the Dogpatch era.  "Who Da Thought It"  is a store with a little of everything--old!  Or it was until recently when they auctioned off the 'old stuff' and 'upgraded' the merchandise.  It is still worth a stop and the outside hasn't changed other than reworking the "Who Da Thought It" wooden letters across the front of the building.

   I often say "Who Da Thought It!", or as Winnie the Pooh says, "Who'd a thunk it"  when I reflect over the last 10 years (yes, 10 years since we packed up and moved to the mountains!).  I guess it was a backward version of the Beverly Hillbillys without the oil wells!  Wow! What the years have given us!  The Lord has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams!

Old Church/Community Building at Boxley

    



      Yes, the beautiful old white church standing reverently in Boxley Valley is not just the 'most photographed church building in Arkansas', it is 'my' church.  When we started visiting north Arkansas, Newton County, and Boxley Valley, the building was always there--peaceful, beautiful, historic.  Who would have thought some day we would call it our home church.  From the pastor and his wife, who now live in the remodeled parsonage next door, to our good friends who rent the cabins in the valley and unselfishly encouraged us get our own cabin business going, to the most selfless, generous-spirited Christian women who are members of the Women of Purpose organization--some who have lived here all their lives and others, who like us, find this place and are welcomed in with open arms. 

   Of course, with church membership comes those little jobs we do with a cheerful heart!  Bring on the Valentine's Banquet!  Our committee will get it done--hearts, flowers, food, candy, balloons, children's party, adult meal!  Blessings!  Sweethearts! Love!

In memory of my friend, Debbie, who never met a flower she couldn't grow, or a party she couldn't throw! We will miss her wonderful spirit, decorating expertise, and cheerful bossiness!
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will be glad and rejoice in it.





Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.  Ephesians 3:20

Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord  And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth.

Isaiah 58:14



Ten Years and Counting



Our first mountain home

       Ten years ago, September 11, 2001, we packed up two vehicles, two mama Jack Russells and five pups, and a very unhappy cat, and headed north for our mountain adventure and the rest of our lives. The events of that day reminded us of how fragile life can be, and made us determined to live life to the fullest.  It continues to be a wonderful journey!

Foundation built over basement

   We were fortunate to be able to build over a basement left over from the old burned house on the site.  I never knew what a wonderful space a basement can be.  It is our guest quarters on one side and storage space on the other.

Builder walking the log walls

   Our Amish builders worked for five months to get us in our house quickly.  We learned later it was unusual for a house to be finished in this length of time.  Their work ethic and craftsmanship was impressive.  We were blessed to get to know them and their families through the months they were on the job.  We were honored to be guests at their school Christmas pagent.
                                                                          


Roof in place before the snow

   Our roofers worked overtime to get the roof on before Thanksgiving and the season's first snow.  We needed to stay with the project and didn't go home for Thanksgiving holidays.  We ate our Thanksgiving Dinner with new friends who were building also and couldn't get away.



Finished house and yard

   We moved into our house on Valentine's Day.  By summer the yard was looking good.  Thanks to the former owners of the burned house, there was a picket fence and some beds already in place and ready for new plantings.


Welcome to the porch

   The porch has always been a favorite place to eat lunch, take a nap in the lounger, linger over early morning coffee, and entertain guests.  We recently had our annual hamburger cook out with our couple's supper club.




Our kitchen

    Come join me for coffee in the kitchen.  I will probably have some zucchine bread hot from the oven.   

Big Blue Mountain Spirit,

The home made of blue clouds...

I am grateful for that mode of goodness there.

                                                            Chant (Apache)    

The End of the Day

Ozark Mountain Spa

     At the end of a long, hot summer day my old tub is waiting for me.  I fill it with water early in the day, and let the sun warm it to just the right temp.  A lazy soak just as the sun is going down is a unique mountain pleasure!




Bathing Bluebirds

      The bluebirds join me for their version of the mountain spa!





Frittilary on Zinnia

And, a butterfly also keeps me company as I cool down after a hot day in the garden.




Summer garden treasures

I'm thinking bacon and tomato sandwiches for supper!


Summer sunflowers

 Nothing says "summer" like a beautiful sunflower.  These were planted by the birds.   

My summer backyard

No house should ever be on any hill or on anything.  It should be of the hill, belonging to it, so hill and house could live together each the happier for the other.  Frank Lloyd Wright

A Summer Song

Trees swayin' in the summer breeze...

Early morning coffee on the porch with the bluebird family.  We often wake up to their sweet, soothing song.





Dewdrops on the pink garden phlox brings out the spicebush early in the morning. 



New babies at the neighbor's farm--I watch them run, hop, prance and play from my upstairs window as I work on my computer.

Summer on the farms in the area means time for the hot, sweaty job of cutting hay.  I would guess nothing satisfies a farmer like seeing his barn full of fresh cut hay.  This one was always stuffed with hay bales until it finally collasped during a spring storm.

What is more fun than a day at the river--a little sun, a little sand, and lots of cool water!  Come on in, the water's great!

The 'fruits' of our labor--worth all the sweat, the dirt under the fingernails, and the aches and pains.  Left to right--Big Boy, Lillian (yellow), green zebra, and Cherokee purple tomatoes.  Small cherry tomatoes are sun golds. Delicious!!!

And for dessert--fresh picked raspberries.  Just top with a little whipped cream or add to ice cream!

And when the rain

Beats against my widow pane

I'll think of summer days again

And dream of you.

                                A Summer Song

                                             Metcalfe, Noble, Stuart

                                                  sung by Chad and Jeremy

Visions of Flowers Dancing in My Head

Lilacs in April

It is a little cool this morning (47 degrees), but sunny, so I'll have to get out in the yard this afternoon.  It is still too early to put out bedding plants on the mountain so I'll just pull a few more weeds that have popped up.  I was going through my flower photos from the last few years and thought this was a good time to enjoy looking back on our Mountain Springs flower gardens.  Every year is different to some degree, but the lilacs are one of my favorites.  Probably because they are among the first to bloom each spring.



Wild azaleas at Wildflower Falls



The wild azaleas bloom in the woods behind the house every May.  They grow all over the woods and their fragrance fills the air!  I pick a bouquet for the house each year.  Watch out for bees!!!  They love them too!



Mournful Thyris moth on Butterfly Weed

June at Mountain Springs is a "sight to behold"!  The weeds are still under control and the garden is usually at it's peak. I looked up the little moth in my butterfly/moth book and this is really his name.  There is absolutely nothing "mournful" about his little fellow.  He brings happiness to my garden.  I think I will change his name to "Cheerful Thyris".



                                       July in the Garden

plethora n: an excessive quantity or fullness: also; PROFUSION

This word aptly describes my July garden.  Hot, dry weather, but a "plethora" or profusion of flowers, bees, butterflies, and birds.
(I think I will introduce Jack Henry to "plethora".  He loves words.  His latest is "hypothesis".  He can use it correctly, but I can't spell it correctly--thank you, spell check!)




August "volunteer" sunflower

The birds "plant" our sunflowers all over the yard.  We let them grow where ever they are planted.  I guess they are doing some gardening of their own which helps increase the birdseed supply.
Oh my! So many flowers---so little space!  I'll have to do this again!



 

I know a little garden close,

Set thick with lily and red rose,

Where I would wander if I might

From dewy morn to dewy night.

                                          William Morris

March Mountain Madness



Bluebird day in March



     In the mountains we expect March to come in like a lion.  And, the lion will come and go the whole month!  Wednesday was a spectacular day--sunny 70's light breeze.  Great for anything outdoors--gardening (a little early for bedding plants), hiking (perfect!), or shopping at Branson Landing (you guessed it, that's what I did!)  Two days later, the lion is back bringing near freezing temps.  That's okay, it's March Madness mountain style.  Last year, we had a 12 inch snow the first day of Spring.  Beautiful!  And, then it melted a few days later.  Perfect!

Canoe dog on the Buffalo River

     Our cabin "spring breakers" (guests) accept the fickleness of the weather.  Never knowing what they will get when they reserve, but wanting to make the most of days off, they are blessed with a little of both-- the bluebird days and the roaring lion days.  Hiking is on every ones list, and this year many bravely made the Hemmed-In-Hollow hike which is always a challenge.  But, they all say it's worth it.  Canoeing the cold waters of the Buffalo River in March takes more than bravery.  One must understand the "ups and downs" (pun intended) of canoeing a fast flowing stream.  Hypothermia can set in fast if not prepared for the unexpected.  We usually wait until late spring or early summer for our float.





April tulips at Mountain Springs



     Then comes April!  Beautiful! Showery, flowery, bowery!  Every year, the garden centers tempt me!  But, I have learned--tiny little greenhouse plants cannot take the shock of cool winds on the mountains.  I'll stay with the tulips and daffodils that are already blooming in my yard, and plan my garden center trips for mid-May.  Then I get in a planting frenzy, as does my neighbor, the Master Gardener!  I can never keep up with her (nor do I want to!)



Lilac explosion!



     Every yard should have a lilac bush--I have five!  A few in a vase (or use a jar) in the house brings heaven a little closer.  



Shooting stars near Wildflower Falls



     The woods in April always are the greenest with tiny wildflowers peeking out among the brilliant green leaves.  Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot, wake robin, I even spy a Jack-in-the-Pulpit along the trail now and then.  Has anyone seen the illusive Morel mushrooms yet?  We never have much luck finding them :-(  No matter, it gives us one more reason to get out in the woods!

Little Johnny-jump-up said,

"It must be spring,

I just saw a lady-bug

And heard a robin sing."

      Edwina Fallis