Dear Sunday Letter Friends,
Since my last Sunday letter, the whole week blurred right on by. And what I worried might happen with these Sunday letters is about to unfold… I didn’t blog about anything all week, and now I have two back-to-back letters.
Must do better.
John and I spent a couple of days in Hot Springs. A mid-week road trip messes with my brain. I had one of those, “What day is it?” type weeks. Add this morning’s time change to the equation, and I’m really out of sync.
I’ll keep this short and sweet.
In fact, this may be more Sunday postcard than Sunday letter.
BABY SPROUTS
Today, I am super proud to introduce you to my baby okra, basil, marigolds, and daisies. They sprouted about ten days after I planted them, and this morning they are happily growing in my makeshift greenhouse. Soon, I’ll thin them out—survival of the fittest and all. Later, after chance of frost, I’ll transplant them into new beds we’re planning.
I’m so ready for spring, aren’t you? This morning in Fayetteville, we are looking at another cold couple of days. I may need end-of-winter therapy if the weather doesn’t warm soon and stay there.
VERY CROOKED AND STEEP
I’m a scenic route sort of girl. Gimme a road identified as VERY CROOKED AND STEEP over a straight, hypnotic, always-under-construction interstate any day.
Scenic road tripping to Hot Springs means winding through two national forests—Ozark and Ouachita. It doesn’t get much better. Seriously. You never know what treasures you might run upon. Old cabins. Roadside diners. Hiking trails. Historical Markers. Cool Trees. Scenic Overlooks. Rock Shops. Wild critters. A Pot ‘o Gold. Love Shacks. Waterfalls. Interesting signs. Hobgoblins.
Come to think of it, a scenic route is therapy no matter the season.
The Pig Trail is one of my favorites. This time of year, the trees are tinged green and pink, just before budding. And the road is so crooked and steep you might pass yourself if you don’t pay attention.
WHERE THINGS STAY THE SAME
Hot Springs is a family tradition for us, and I’m big on tradition. Downtown is packed with Arkansas history, wrapped in folklore, and decorated with a dose of nostalgia. It’s a place that doesn’t seem to change. For instance, walk by the Wax Museum and take a gander at Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf in the front window. They’ve been on display since I was a kid.
Oaklawn Park never much changes either. The reuben sandwiches are delicious. I always have a blast even though I rarely win.
Laughter really is the best medicine.
Best Burger
What say you?
Among my Facebook friends, there seems to be a long-running dispute about which burger is best in Russellville, Arkansas (and quite possibly the whole wide world): Feltners Whatta-Burger or C-J’s Butcher Boy Burger?
I’ve had both now. And I’m gonna need to have both again to decide.
They are both delish for different reasons. Best bet: Enjoy Feltners on the way to Hot Springs and C-J’s on the way home. Winner, winner.
School Kitchen Tip #3
Speaking of reuben sandwiches and delectable hamburgers, this week’s school kitchen tip (The School Kitchen Textbook c. 1915) comes from Part I Lesson I Food.
The subject of food is of vital importance, for life itself depends upon a regular, proper, and continuous supply of food. Our health depends upon the purity, wise selection, and wholesome preparation of food. Our enjoyment in partaking of food depends upon its flavor and appearance. The school girls of today will be the house and home keepers of tomorrow, and in these lessons they may learn how to select, prepare, combine and serve the daily food, in the most economical, wholesome, and attractive ways.
Oh my. Some things have drastically changed. Others, not so much.
This Sunday letter turned out to be longer than I thought it would be.
Very truly yours,
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]Sunday Letter: baby sprouts, best burger, crooked and steep @visithotsprings @oaklawnracing #tradition [/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
The B-52s – Love Shack
Another enjoyable letter and as always, good to hear from you and about the week’s adventures. From one house and home keeper to another. ? Have a great week!
haha thanks Colene!!
I insist on taking back roads too and Iove the Pig Trail. We use to love whataburger in Russellville but we have a couple of new favs. David’s Burgers – they seem to be all over now but I get mine well done and the homemade fries not as quite as done as they like to cook them. Another new favorite – just opened in Conway a month ago – Red Robin – all you can eat steak fries keep coming to your table and I had the black and bleu burger – delish! We also love steak and shake burgers but there’s none around here yet but two are on the horizon soon. You have my mouth watering for a Reuben sandwich – which are best at the track, but since I can’t go to track anymore – US Pizza also has a good one and Arby’s ain’t half bad. Load it up with Horsey sauce.
Enjoy your Sunday letters. And love me sum back road scenic routes. And good burgers too.
Your friend and cousin always,
Cindy Lu
I’ve never been to David’s or Red Robin. We do have Red Robin in Fayetteville I think. Thanks! Cindy Lu.
Sounds like a lovely trip. I like the scenic route, too. I’m looking forward to seeing your mature plants. Maybe eating some fried okra!
Thanks, Dorothy. Fried okra is the best isn’t it?
So enjoyed your Sunday letter this week, Talya! I think I’ve mentioned this, but I love those curvy, I-wonder-where-this-will-take-me roads where there’s so much to be seen. Glad you had a great trip!
Blessings!
Thanks for reading, Martha!