• Favorite stretch of road in Arkansas:  Hubby and I have explored miles of back roads and byways all across this state.  Several of those are well known, but my all-time favorite is probably The Pig Trail in autumn.  Folks, it just doesn’t get any prettier.  Anytime.  Anywhere.

• Favorite time of year in Arkansas: I readily admit that summer is my favorite time of the year; I tolerate winter. I’m enamored of spring, but I dearly, deeply love autumn in Arkansas.  I think it would challenge any place in New England.

• Favorite place to eat fancy in Arkansas: I really miss Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne’s in Little Rock for this.  Most of you don’t have a clue, but it was THE place to celebrate special occasions for many years.  These days, if I’m thinking festive, we’ll probably head to  James at the Mill in Johnson or Ashley’s in Little Rock. (Update: Ashley’s has been rebranded as One Eleven.)

• Favorite place to eat casual in Arkansas: This is where I excel!  I love, love patio dining so give me a good outside seating any time.  Want that and something really, really good?  Head on down to Benton for some tasty nibbles at Baja Grill.  Craig and Melissa know how to do it up right.  We’ve tried everything on the menu, so you can rest assured that I know what I’m talking about. (Update: Baja Grill is now in Little Rock. It’s still terrific!)

Or, if you’re in Northwest Arkansas, head on over to Bentonville for Crepes Paulette. Oh my goodness, it’s good. E.VER.Y.THING is good!

• Favorite place to get away in Arkansas:  If I can’t have a tropical beach, I’ll take our lake house on Beaver Lake.  I love lots of places in Arkansas, but this is definitely my favorite.

• Favorite place to walk in Arkansas: We are big walkers – most of the time anyway.  One of the trails we enjoy the most is the Crystal Bridges trail in Bentonville.  It’s not remote, not even close, but it is a lovely place to be.  It’s friendly, peaceful and serene.  Never mind that a little culture just might spring up along the way at times.

• Favorite thing that grows in Arkansas: My grandchildren.  I just had to get that in, of course.  My favorite plants have to be heirloom Cherokee Purple tomatoes, peaches from Peach Pickin’ Paradise in Lamar, Bald Knob or Cabot strawberries, summer Clemson spineless okra, and purple hull peas.  You can throw in some Arkansas rice and edamame in the mix as well.  Oh, and Arkansas blacks – apples developed and grown in Arkansas are mighty tasty.

• Favorite place to swim in Arkansas: It used to be our backyard pool, but since we don’t have that any more, I’ll float around in Beaver Lake when the mood strikes.  I wore myself out swimming when I lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons all through college.

 

Hanging their caps on The Hat Tree, Beaver Lake.

• Favorite colorful expression or place name in Arkansas: Bless your heart!  Whatever floats your boat will make me happier than a pig in a mud puddle.  Woo Pig Sooiee!  Ya’ll come on over to set a spell at Granny’s dinner table for some chicken n’ dumplins after Sunday preachin’, ya’ hear?  She lives right near here just past Toad Suck at Figure Five.  If ya’ cain’t find it, well, “you just cain’t fix stupid.”