Casual Country, September 2023

August 2023 Happenings

1st Down Town Walking Tour

2pm - Meet in front of Courthouse

Letter from the Publisher

Wow….I’m glad August is over and am really looking forward to some wonderful Autumn days some time soon. I’m excited to announce we have two new columnist (sort of) this month. Shelly Smith, whom I have gotten much joy out of her writing for a long time and I look forward to hearing what she has to say in the future. This months column felt like she had taken all the thoughts out of my head and put them in her words…. who knows, maybe she’s psychic!

. Then we have David Varner who is a very unusual painter… paints over old paintings, on cardboard, just about anything. He has a lot of videos on Facebook showing him going at it!

I’m so delighted to have both of them join us.

This month there’s two new words that I can remember, well actually look on my notes to see what they are again: Hugelkulter: oh my, I’ll let you look this one up. It would take me a full page once I got started to explain it….It’s something I’ve done many times in my life but I didn’t know it had a name. Now if I can just remember the name! The second word is hygge. It will show up in one of the articles, so read on to find this very familiar feeling I’m sure most of us have had many times.

Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour will start Friday, Sept. 15th. I’m looking very forward as I do every year, the first 19 years holding my own studio open and now going out and visiting with all my friends & seeing what they’ve been up to this year - So much fun!

15th, 16th & 17th

I continue to be amazed at this wonderful group who has joined me in this adventure. Not a day goes bye that I don’t hear from a friend or a total stranger how much they are enjoying our little magazine. I’ve had a lot of interest from out of state this month. I didn’t expect that so soon…hope you enjoy this issue.

September Cheers, Joy

Email: casualcountrymagazine@gmail.com Phone: 870-213-6135

P.O. Box 1777, Mountain View, AR 72560

Returning Artist:

Yun Kim, painting

Mark Moller, painting

Cindy Kopack, jewelry

Harry Branton, painting

Janice Clark, leatherwork

Jeanette Larson, weaving

Four New Artists Pictured Here

Terri Thrasher, painting

Eliza Hatman, Clearwater Hats

Dana Finimore, jewelry & painting. Elizabeth Kratochvil, leatherwork

Get a Free Printed Map & Guide to Studios: Arkansas Craft Gallery - Arkansas Craft School - Mountain View Chamber of Commerce - Ozark Folk Center - The Urban Forge all in Mountain View.

Calico Rock Heritage & Visitors Center

Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce

Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery

The Baxter County Library

Joe Bruhin, wood-fired pottery

Owen Rein, furniture & baskets

Doris Fountain, primitive folk art

Liz & Lewie Lloyd, wood & knives

David & Becki Dahlstedt, pottery

Judi Munn & John Perry, pottery & painting

Maria Smith, flame-worked glass bead jewelry

Paul Gillan Jr. & Paul Gillan Sr., woodworking

Tom & Sage Holland, flame-worked glass beads

Visit the

artists

The Studio Tour is the mos t anticipa ted event in Sep tember (rightful ly so in my humble opinion)….have participated in the Tour from the very first year until I got so darn busy in the last few years, & sadly I won’t be on i t this year ei ther. But hopeful ly wil l see some of you as I visi t the s tudios. I sugge s t you plan al l 3 days for i t - bring a bunch of friends wi th you & you’l l al l end up re turning year af ter year!! Lot s of fun, Joy

Elizabeth Kratochvil

Dana Finimore

Eliza Hatman

Terri Thrasher

Shelley Smith

That Delicious Sense of Hygge

I whine a lot in August. It is my least favorite month. Trying to find ways to avoid the oppressive heat occupies much of my time. That and the dust, more like the top two inches of dirt from the yard, that blankets every surface in the house.

Some people dread winter and complain about being cold. I revel in it.

Back in February I waxed poetic and philosophical about daffodils. Late winter has a lovely serene vibe to it, so my thoughts flowed that way. Late summer feels different. To me it has almost a manic, irritable feel, as if I’m stuck in survival mode trying to just angry my way through the seasonal furnace. Nothing will break through this sweaty, grouchy exterior. Or will it? Just when I am certain that I won’t smile until October, suddenly the earth throws out a life line in the form of surprise lilies, nature’s delightful pink jack-in-the-box. They are everywhere, waving and dancing, cheering up the weary souls passing by.

Part of the amaryllis family, people call them by different names. Surprise lilies, resurrection lilies, naked ladies. We cannot seem to settle on a name so I suppose it depends on our level of modesty, but regardless of the name it is hard not to love a flower that bursts out of the ground overnight with no foliage. I chuckle every time I see them and imagine them as flamboyant party-goers who burst into a room and yell “Surprise! Pink is here. Who brought snacks?”

I am easily amused. It does not take much to kick-start my imagination.

September arrives with its pumpkins and mums, trying to temper my irritation with the promise of fall. A few dry leaves turning yellow, and some pleasant breezes whisper softly that the summer sauna is almost over.

It is not only about the temperature. I am not in cranky survival mode anymore. We are heading into my favorite time of year marked by a succession of vivid colors and celebrations. Cool, misty days bathed in the rich hues of changing leaves soothe my soul after all that August angst. I can breathe again. I get giddy over dorky little pumpkin and hay bale decorations. I linger in the Halloween costume aisles reminiscing about trick or treat adventures with my kids. I cannot wait to bake pies and share family meals full of outrageous conversations and laughter.

It is also time to plant all those bulbs that will announce the upcoming seasons. What amazing little powerhouses of genetic memory they are. I have always marveled at the fact that they know when it is their turn to grow and bloom. I have a dream of creating a garden space full of carefully choreographed bulbs and tubers. That way I can enjoy all of them in succession throughout the year, from the crocuses and daffodils bringing a little color to the dull winter ground, through the dazzling orange lilies and the virtual rainbow of irises, all the way to the pink party-crashers. I think it would be very satisfying to create that months-long spectrum of color.

I have been fortunate enough to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina as well as here in the Ozarks. Both are very similar in look and feel, especially in the fall. Tourists travel from far and wide to experience the changing leaves, the crisp mountain air, and the craft fairs and festivals that dot the calendar through November. But after they have all gone home and the air is still, occasional crows cawing in the fields, that is when I begin to experience that delicious sense of hygge. Pronounced hyoo-ga, it is the Danish word that refers to that cozy warm feeling of being at home, enjoying some peace and contentment. Nowhere is this mindset more present than when I’m curled up on a couch, letting my mind wander, listening to the crackling wood stove. Lazy dogs strewn about are a bonus.

My childhood was spent in rainy, cool England. I never knew back then what that sense of delight was as the harvest season got underway. I loved everything about it. The cornucopias, the colors, the anticipation of fireworks in November as we observed the bizarre celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. I mainly liked it because of the huge bonfires, and that I was allowed to hold a sparkler. The burning effigies part was just weird.

Y’all can keep your flip-flops and perspiration, the ticks and humidity, I’ll be over here with my cup of Earl Grey tea, planning my bulb garden and dreaming of snow.

Shelley

Smith is a retired public school teacher

The

Corner People, Places and Things

Linda Widmer Jewelry The Art of Adornment

by Marie & Bruce

What a pleasure it was chatting with this talented and dedicated craftsperson. Linda specializes in WIRE WRAPPED and WIRE WEAVE jewelry.

A lifelong resident of Mountain View Linda is one of those very lucky artists who found their passion early.

There were a few years working in wood. Constructing miniature pieces of furniture. Her husband, now retired, made highly sought after full scale furniture pieces such as chairs and tables and wooden sculptures.

Working in wood did not resonate with Linda so she started making jewelry. It suited her love of color, unusual beads and pretty stones.

Linda originally was hesitant and did not care for the torch work and casting in jewelry. A visit to a used book store in Texas was

serendipitous. There she picked up a worn book on wire wrapping jewelry. She immediately realized that is something that would be enjoyable.

Totally self taught, Linda has honed her technique and has had an art cabin at The Ozark Folk Center for 23 years. Amazing! She has also participated numerous times in The Off the Beaten Path self guided art tour in Stone County in September. (Not this year however).

All the jewelry is totally handmade, no commercial clasps, bales and the like.

The shop features earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, castings and more.

There is very strong customer loyalty of those who like to add to their collection year after year. Lots of ladies are now collecting bracelets so they wear multiples at one time.

The Tree of Life is extremely popular. This has very complex construction. First comes the tree with its trunk and roots. Next the leaves, which are beads threaded singularly and added to the tree. Next the very stylish bale is formed and then the wire wrapping starts to form a circle around the tree. Much care is taken to wrap between each of the strands of beads and the tree roots.

I had never looked closely at wire wrapping before my chat with Linda and it seems a very intensive art requiring much patience and the need for a perfect technique. All the wraps are very tight and perfectly seated next to the previous wrap with no gaps.

In addition to beads, she greatly enjoys working with freshwater pearls, coin pearls, semi precious stones like garnets and polished stones. Here is an earring pendant suite of coin pearls that is delicious…… definitely for a special date night.

It is easy to see that Linda is in love with stones. They are so tactile and the patterns captivating. She purchases from a gem show yearly. She feels studying the stones gives her the inspiration for

One stone we looked at was approximately 1⁄2” wide by 2” high. It was grays, taupes, smokey blacks throughout. Looking closely you realize there are little nautilus type fossils encapsulated in the stone. We had to wonder how many thousands of years this lay on the bottom of a dried seabed before being discovered by an intense geologist rockhound!

The rings have unusual shapes dictated by the twist of the wire and shape of the stones. If beads are used there has to be a hole so they can be threaded into the ring.

The wire used is mostly 14 carat gold filled, also called rolled gold. Then there is silver and copper. Everything is very fine gauge, demanding quite specific tools for such detailed work.

Next we looked at a very attractive pendant of a stunning blue stone (Chrysocolla) which is a turquoise blend. It is wrapped in a copper wire that has been woven. The work this must have taken. It is very very impressive. Something totally new to me; not only is there wire wrapping there is wire weaving.

Buying jewelry is a very personal decision and Linda only makes what she likes. It seems as though she has a very good eye and has appealed to many customers over the years.

Custom pieces are possiblewith qualifications. Linda knows what the wire will and will not do. Many folks seem to like having old coins wire wrapped, half dollars and the like from a date that has a personal connection to the owner.

This is Turritella Agate from Green River Formation in Wyoming

Next we discussed the two dimensional castings which are made by pouring babbitt, zinc and two other alloys which has a lower melting point and Is frequently used in jewelry making.

Her husband carved the molds which are cherry wood, a non porous and hardwood. The metal is poured into the molds and allowed to harden.

The charming plaques are palm sized and cover many different genres. There are leaves, animals, birds, and Christmas ornaments. Most lay flat but some are placed on little metal stands and sit up, perfect for your desk or to dress up a dining table.

Finally, both Linda and her husband are very proud to have had President Jimmy Carter see their work and contract them to carve a large scale eagle which sits at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta. What a thrill that was!

Speaking of Jam, go to page 16 to read all about pectin from the ‘Jam Maker’ herself.

Marsha Edwards ~ Doing What Delights

“I first discovered this beautiful part of the country in 2014 while I was caring for my aging parents. Knowing that assignment would be temporary, I used the internet to find a place where I could retire, somewhere in the South, far from the ‘madding crowd’. I had spent my younger years in northeastern Oklahoma and had very fond memories of the woods and southern hospitality, so I chose Mountain View as my retirement home.

While caring for my parents, I worked part time alongside a family friend who was a quadriplegic. It is there that I learned how to weld. Because of his injury, he had lost the ability to use his fingers. So he taught me to make various parts and pieces out of metal in order to make his life as independent as possible. Things like an over the seat desk, a cell phone holder mounted to the desk, telescopic magnets so that he could pick things up off of the floor, practical things like these. We were always reinventing his chair in order to perfect it according to his particular needs. So began my journey into mig welding.

After my retirement and my parent’s had ‘fallen asleep in death’, I moved here. And here is where I used my welding skills to turn old farm equipment into metal art. I like to tell people that’s it’s a lot like knitting except that I’m using hot metal as my medium instead of yarn. It’s a lot of fun and I get a kick out of creating these sculptures.” Marsha E.

Upon arriving at Marsha’s home early one afternoon in August, I realized there was way more than one magazine article….way more!

So Stay Tuned……Joy

Above is her Weeping Willow Tree. And it doesn’t take any water to keep it alive!

At left is the base with what reminds me of toadstools cropping up.

At right there’s a knot in the tree with a hole for a squirrel. Made out of some old discarded gears.

Recognize this 2 wheel thing below? The blades and wheels of an old push lawnmower….stand it upright, put a piece of glass on it and you’ve got a very uniques little accent table to use inside or out.

Soon Marsha will be starting on the 3 seat metal chairs you see in the background. The wood is all worn out, but the metal is great….can’t wait to see how she reinvents it…bet she already has ideas percolating.

Saw blades were welded into a beautiful curving movement flanked by two windows. The curve is a favorite form that she has also carried out in the flower bed off one porch, all in stones.

Marsha’s Spike Tree is on the bottom right. She has walked all the old railroad tracks to find spikes and other discarded metal.

The first chicken house is pictured in the forefront in the photo on the left and had a little bump out to make egg gathering very easy. It was outgrown almost immediately and is now used to store garden tools.

Pictured below is the new luxurious hen house..No complaints here! Everything they could ever want.

I love the starburst of old weathered wood

on her workshop. (middle left)

The grey door opens to a work area that anyone working in welding or woodmanship would be envious of. The recycled weathered wood and red tin roofing came from an old shed not in repairable condition. Same with doors & hardware, just about every single thing is getting a new life!

Old metal carpenter files and a saw blade have a sunny expression.

A friends collection of Allen wrenches makes for a interesting Indoor wall sculpture. Looks like they’re all walking!

What would you call this iron sculpture….looks like red poppies to me (the kind people wear in remembrance of our veterans). The leaves below…

Marsha started the article and I had a blast adding the descriptions to her interesting world….. Can’t wait for the next one. As I said: stay tuned ….Joy

There was an old bluebird who lived in a shoe, She had many children, a mighty fine crew.

A true pallet shed…made of pallets & storing pallets.

Deb Jolly Embrace Goldenrod

The month of September starts revealing Autumn is around the corner by the bright yellow sprays of goldenrods blooming alongside the roadways.

Unfortunately this beneficial flower is mistakenly blamed for hay fever, when in actuality, the plant ragweed is the culprit, due to it’s pollen being windblown. The goldenrod’s pollen is not windblown but distributed by pollinators.

Many butterflies and bees feed off the nectar. This plant hosts ladybugs, praying mantises, assassin bugs and bees to name a few. There are at least 34 species of goldenrod(solidago) found in Arkansas.

Solidago, the scientific name, means “to make whole”. Native Americans used the plant for its many medicinal properties. It is a diuretic, astringent and decongestant and has been used as a sore throat gargle, made into a tea for urinary tract infections, fevers and a poultice to help heal wounds. However this plant can cause allergic reactions in some people if ingested or used topically if there is already a predisposed allergy to plants in the Asteraceae family.

Goldenrods make an attractive addition to the landscape in mass plantings adding color and continuing to bloom until frost when a lot of the summer flowers are fading. The clustered yellow flowers are beautiful planted near the American beautyberry showcasing it’s purple berries. The sprays of Goldenrods add beauty to flower arrangements and fall wreaths.

So, do not wish for goldenrods out of your landscape, embrace them.

Easy way to tell apart:

If it’s bright yellow, it’s Goldenrod. Ragweed (seen on the far left) has small greenish flowers. Goldenrod has lance shaped leaves. Ragweed has deeply lobed leaves.

The Mirror Effect of the Ozark Region

What is in a mirror? Having been around for over 8,000 years, the mirror is used to view yourself, take note of how you feel about yourself, and prepare for the day. If you arose on the wrong side of the bed or did not sleep very well, you might realize how tired you are by looking in a mirror. The next day, the mirror may offer the lift you need to start the day with positive thoughts and expectations. The Ozark Mountain Region, is a place to enjoy music, rivers, lakes, laughter, and folklore. The area has what we may call a “Mirror Effect.” It is hard to wrap your mind around the friendly welcome and outdoor activities experienced first-hand in a visit. Many days our rural environment defines us, as we keep economic wheels rolling forward.

In rural areas of the country, we must be resourceful providing health care, jobs, parks, water systems, schools, etc., on limited funds. We have the mirror effect to keep us grounded in work, art, music, and tradition. This being true, local residents’ step forward, reach out, and encourage tourism and promote economic growth. We know most visitors have a positive opinion of our community and return to experience more of the same positive adventures. There are reasons you will plan a return visit.

The small-town experience may cause you to question the importance of your last text or email notification. Sometime in your visit you may even hit the pause button on social media. We encourage folks to lift their heads, look over our clear waters, enjoy fishing for rainbow trout, or admire the handiwork displayed in a beautiful quilt. Truth in fact, many residents in our community surf most days on that very tenuous lifeline, otherwise known as the internet. We do tire of it and take our seat on the front porch, listening to the cicadas on beautiful, quiet evenings.

Located 14 miles northwest of Mountain View is “Mirror Lake.” The lake is 3 acres fed by the water from Blanchard Springs Caverns. As you look over the clear water, a blue sky, mountains, and a bald eagle appear in a reflection. If you have a true sense of the mirrored effect, an image emerges in the beautiful scene. Do you do see it? Yes friend, your image appears in that reflection of serenity. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a stone and concrete dam to develop a fishing and recreation area near the caverns. The Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, and it is your national forest, offers 1.2 million acres of forests, clear streams and scenic drives. Maps are found on-line at Ozark St. Francis National Forest

If visiting on the weekend get ready to enjoy the small-town night life. Bring your lawn chairs and get ready to “dance to the music” performed on the Stone County Courthouse stage. While the outdoor venue usually wraps up around 9:00-9:30 p.m., walk on over to the northwest corner of the courthouse and music continues in the “Picking Park” with jam sessions any night of the week. Our area is blessed with musicians and they love to entertain visitors. Let’s not forget the word-of-mouth connection that filters and enhances our story lines. In a small community, we are quick to pass along advice, hearsay, and other tidbits. We often connect with visitors in the most wonderful ways.

The mirrored effect may be fleeting as you leave the area. Like other visitors, you will have made little impact on the landscape. However, adventure realized in the Ozark Mountain region will have made a lasting impact on you. The next time you tire of city traffic, overcrowding, and noise, you will recall and remember a reprieve, a destination, a relaxing place to visit while being warmly greeted by local residents. We invite you to visit Mountain View, Allison, Calico Rock, Fifty-Six, Big Flat, Fox and Leslie to find all the “Ozark Region and Ozark Life” has to offer.

Pictured: Kara Knapp, Shawnee, Kansas visits Mirror Lake Falls below the dam. © Karen Avey 2017

Pectin…What & Why?

PECTIN, what is this stuff and why is it necessary? In short it is the gelling agent behind your favorite jam. Think of it as pixie dust for jam.

The word pectin is derived from the Greek “pektos” which means to make solid. Scientifically it is a soluble dry or liquid complex starch derived from plants. A polysaccharide present in ripe fruits which is extracted to use as a setting agent in jam, jelly, gummies, and certain baked items.

Most pectin sold is found in the grocery aisle and it comes from fruit such as citrus peel, pith, seeds. This is why it is sometimes labeled fruit pectin. Pectin has been used safely as an ingredient in foods for many decades by food companies and home cooks. Pectin is strongly regulated all around the world.

As pectin comes from plants it is nutritious in many ways, it is an excellent source of soluble fiber, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, binding substances in the intestines, adding bulk when taken in significant amounts. It can also cause gas or bloating in some people. You should avoid pectin if you are allergic to the fruit it has been sourced from. The amount of pectin used in jams is negligible but the taste is delicious.

There are different types of pectin but when folks discuss it most often they are referring to the kind purchased in the store and used for jams in either dry or liquid form. As stated, the primary purpose is to help jams, jellies, preserves to get their signature semisolid consistency and giving thickness.

It is entirely possible to DYI pectin but the easiest is to go commercial. It is also entirely possible to make jams without pectin and get the right consistency. But this is much harder and takes longer (expect a lot of failures if you are a newbie jam maker).

The no pectin jam is a little soft and looser. Learning the techniques means you can generally make jam at home with what is in your pantry.

Also, cooking without pectin means a much longer cooking time to reach the “set point” as it takes time for much of the moisture to evaporate. Also with no pectin jams you tend to lose the vibrant color of the jam and the fresh fruit flavor.

Strawberry jam with added pectin can be cooked in as little as 10 minutes and preserves that fresh berry flavor in the number of jars filled. Strawberry jam without added pectin needs to be cooked up to 4 times longer to get to the gel stage. This jam will be much sweeter but less fresh tasting.

There are substitutes for pectin:

Citrus peel and pith

Cornstarch (a natural thickener)

Extra sugar

Gelatin (as long as you are not vegan as gelatin is animal based)

Technically both pectin and gelatin have great jelly making abilities but unless you are an experienced jam maker do not interchange as working with gelatin requires different techniques to set up and will give different consistency.

Now we understand that pectin is integral to making most jams and jellies and bakery glazes.

Certain fruits, apples, quince, cranberries, grapes, automatically contain high levels of pectin. That is why cranberries have that glossy, wobbly Thanksgiving day tradition. These jams will also generally require less sugar in cooking as the high pectin helps with the gelling.

Other fruits like strawberries, peaches, and pears have a much lower level of pectin. So instead of firming up when exposed to heat they often turn to mush. To turn these fruits into jam it typically needs more sugar and an extra thickening agent such as commercial pectin.

And of course to make things more confusing there are the in between fruits which contain moderate amounts of pectin and do not gel as quickly. These include apricots, raspberries, blackberries, plums. (Now I know why I have trouble getting my Apricot Habanero jelly to set!)

The type of fruit is not your only consideration. Generally speaking the riper the fruit the less natural pectin it contains. Jam divas recommend staying away from those juicy dripping ripe peaches as you will get a less reliable result (not to mention ease of clean up after cutting up all those peaches).

Most jam recipes call for fruit, sugar and an acid like lemon juice. Stick with bottled lemon juice because the PH level is more consistent.

As the fruit mixture simmers, the sugar leaches water out of the fruit allowing the pectin inside the fruit to react with the pectin naturally inside the fruit and bind in a type of jam mesh.

Pectin needs to heat to a certain temperature in order to activate. 220 degrees is the magic set point where the pectin adheres to the fruit, binding and creating that glossy mesh that traps liquid. As the jam cools it sets and suspends the pieces of fruit.

As the jam approaches that magic temperature do not over boil, remove from the heat. If pectin gets too hot it loses its setting power.

The yellow box in the canning aisle is the pectin most often used when making jam. This is HM Pectin (high methoxyl) and is rapid set.

LM (low methoxyl), more difficult to find, and most often used in freezer jams which falls into the slow set category. Many professional jam makers prefer LM pectin as it gives more control of the sugar level of the jam. And at the end of the cooking process, once the fruit juice has already reduced the flavor is more concentrated and there is extra gelling insurance. Calcium is also required for LM pectin jams to gel.

Pectin does not add any flavor to the recipe. Homemade pectin will taste like the fruit it is made from.

The main difference between liquid pectin and dry is timing.

Liquid pectin is dry pectin that has been reconstituted to a liquid form to assure there are no lumps and clumps in the fruit mix. Thus it is quite often used in jelly recipes where a lump of pectin would be visually unappealing.

Liquid pectin is added to the fruit and sugar mix last, as the jam reaches that 220 number. Boil 1 minute and immediately remove from heat, or after the mix reaches 220 take it off the stove and then add the pectin.

Powdered pectin is added at the beginning of the jam making process. The powder needs to rehydrate and spread through the mix as we previously discussed.

It is possible to make your own pectin from scratch if you consider yourself a purist, staying up to the wee hours surfing reruns of Ree Drummond and her Pioneer Woman recipes. Here goes…

7 large tart apples

4 cups water

2 T lemon juice

Wash apples do not peel. Quarter, cores included. Put all into a large pot and boil for 40 minutes. Stirring at the halfway mark. Strain thru cheesecloth overnight. The next day boil the pectin again until it reduces by half. Approximately 20 minutes. Place a few drops of pectin into a dish of rubbing alcohol. If it congeals you are good to go. Refrigerate and use within 4 days or freeze and use within 6 months.

Jam on! Bruce and Marie

Building Lots in…. Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas

A ‘Land of Many Lakes’

Horseshoe Bend has mild winters, pleasant summers and the spring and fall are glorious. Year-round activities center around an abundance of magnificent lakes, the Strawberry River, the village bowling alley, a 9 hole golf course and an 18 hole golf course with clubhouse and indoor swimming pool.

If fresh air and a laid-back lifestyle is your thing, then give us a call.

We have beautiful wooded lots, view lots and golf course lots for sale! $3500 to $6000 per lot

Golf Course lots have electric, water and sewer available. Other lots have electric and water available.

All are level lots on paved streets and easy to build on.

For more information: Call or Text 650-995-2369

Or email: L.L.A.P.Properties@gmail.com ~ Live Long and Prosper ~

Farmer’s Daughter is so much fun

“Who Painted This Wrong”

“Who Painted This Wrong”

By EyeArt22

This is a “before and after” painting. Before it was bowls of fruit & a water pitcher. After it is two small cottages on the river. I’ve also hidden 22 - 22’s in this painting. It may be hard to see them here. If you’re interested in finding the 22 - 22’s, prints can be purchased. You can contact me personally at: 1-870-214-8212.

You can see how this painting transformed by going to EyeArt on Facebook, then scan down about 20 or so posts…

You’re welcome to come and see my work anytime at: 412 Downey Drive in Mountain View, Arkansas

The 23 rd Annual Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour is Fri/Sat/Sun, September 15th, 16th & 17th Here’s a few images of the artist’s creations that will be available for purchase. Grab your best friend & head out on an adventure you won’t forget!