Happy new year! I can barely contain my excitement during the transition to a new year. I love the concrete dividing line between old and new, diving into new projects and tackling organizing improvements. I type all this as a mountain of laundry I haven’t folded lurks in the background, but… still. I’ve really gotten … Continue reading »
Inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas, I’ve apparently felt the need to share some Twelvers (my concocted word for lists of twelve) to share with you this month. As if The Little Magpie weren’t already random enough… Oh! Quickly, though: let me tell you that Megan Dingwall was the winner of the Country Outfitter … Continue reading »
Can I share some more random holiday fun? Ok, thanks. (if you stick with me, you’ll have a chance to share photos of your own holiday decor AND a link to enter to win $150 in amazing boots from Country Outfitter!) Ultimately, I’ll rant about 12 little things around my house I love to see … Continue reading »
Inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas, I’ve got some Twelvers (my concocted word for lists of twelve) to share with you this month. As if The Little Magpie weren’t already random enough… Without further ado: Twelve Random Awesome Things 1. My visit yesterday to Acumen Brands, the home of Country Outfitter. This is one … Continue reading »
Like every other little girl on the planet, at about the age of nine I became smitten with horses. Well, let’s not waste our time… ponies. I still have all the books my parents bought me during that phase, and my now nine year old is devouring them too… At the time, we were living … Continue reading »
We can pretty much close the books on November, which means that the final month of the year is upon us. This seems to send people into varying degrees of panic, and it can definitely feel like the grim reaper calling: tasks to wrap up, new year’s resolutions unachieved, the holidays upon us… While I’ve … Continue reading »
I’ve always been taken with the idea of artists and writers and their muses. There was an article on Arkansas filmmaker Jeff Nichols recently and the manner in which he creates much of his work around one actor’s particular attributes. I like the thought of something being created with that sort of focus… as opposed … Continue reading »
Over the river and through the woods Trot fast my dapple gray. Spring over the ground Like a hunting hound On this Thanksgiving Day, Hey! Over the river and through the woods Now Grandmother’s face I spy. Hurrah for the fun, Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie. – English folksong, It’s Raining, … Continue reading »
For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. ~ Edwin Way Teale ~ Why Monday Muse? We have a massive magnetic chalkboard (see that affliction here) wall in our kitchen that serves as a weather/meteorology station as well as, more importantly, … Continue reading »
Sometimes, we get so darn busy just existing and doing that it’s hard to slow down and record it all. This same irony accosts authors in the form of writer’s block, parents who wish they were better at keeping journals and scrapbooks, bloggers in need of inspiration and… yes, even those in the field of … Continue reading »
I mentioned this over at The Food Adventuress, but: my only sister is getting married this Saturday! Jo & Geoff’s Wedding This means lots of fun and lots of chaos (such as all those signs I need to paint today and a houseful of guests arriving tomorrow and the looming disaster of Ainsley as flower … Continue reading »
Paula & Terry Ryan are officially in business with the opening of Jaden’s Doll Mall! It was a treat to help them set up their website, e-commerce, Etsy shop, blog, e-newsletters and social media presence. Watch for them at events this fall such as the Arts Center of the Ozarks American Girl Fashion Show and … Continue reading »
By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather And autumn’s best of cheer. ~ Helen Hunt Jackson (1831 – 1885) ~ Why Monday Muse? We have a massive magnetic chalkboard (see that affliction here) wall in our kitchen that serves as a weather/meteorology station as well as, more importantly, … Continue reading »
I’ve been fortunate to become acquainted with Lynnette Watts and the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and to recently begin serving on the NWA Advisory Council. This is an incredible woman and a fantastic organization – both are deserving of more awareness in northwest Arkansas and beyond. Consider learning more about the WFA and their efforts … Continue reading »
There is a tiny photo in my office in a weathered red wooden frame. It probably seems either unimportant to most, or self-indulgent. To me, it’s one of the most evocative pieces of my past. Look at it, if you like, but let me try to more effectively capture it, if you are interested: Most … Continue reading »
Last night I sat around smoldering embers with the child of Arkansas. She asked for another torch and then settled for sticking a branch into the flames and writing smoky letters using the night sky as her canvas. She bounced restlessly from chair to chair under the half moon, and finally settled down on the … Continue reading »
There’s a post up today over at Magpie Marketing on “How to Spark the Entrepreneurial Spirit in your Child.” It’s posted there because it was so relevant for business owners, marketers and professionals, but it was originally written and intended for parents. I find this is a tough thing – I want to raise entrepreneurial … Continue reading »
Normally, posts about parenting and life in general are confined to a personal blog, The Little Magpie. However, the article below was shared with me in July by Tina Marconi, and I felt it was time to share it here. As a parent, I’ve been guilty of not cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit in my child … Continue reading »
Explore other meanderings, scenic byways and roads less traveled over at Travelin’ Magpie. Follow this trip via Mapquest or see highlights, photos & check-ins on Foursquare. Part Two: Traveling Northbound from Lockesburg to Huntington In a previous post (a *while* back. cough.) I wrote a bit about my enduring affection for Highway 71 in Arkansas. … Continue reading »
September is National Preparedness Month. There are a lot of special days, weeks and months to observe – in fact, a quick search of any solitary day may reveal a litany of causes to celebrate, from International Talk Like A Pirate Day (argh, matey – it’s on Sep. 19!) or National Clams on the Halfshell … Continue reading »
