grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Capital Hotel, Little Rock.

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Capital Hotel, Little Rock. Perfection.

If you have an opportunity to stay overnight at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock, thank your lucky stars and do not hesitate for even a half second. This is a no dilly-dallying around decision. The Capital Hotel, called Little Rock’s front porch, oozes classic southern charm from your first step onto the sidewalk out front until the moment your head melts into the Chaz Stevens pillowcase that will surely carry you to dreamland.

No detail is left unattended.

Built in 1872, the hotel has seen all sorts of greatness. You can bet political careers were made inside the oak paneled bar. And many a bride and groom have walked beneath the soaring stained glass ceiling of the lobby. Throughout history, the Capital Hotel has hosted an assortment of VIPs, including President Ulysses S. Grant.

John and I are just regular folk, yet during the weekend of my Little Rock book signing, we sure experienced the luxury VIP treatment. What a special place. Continue Reading

The whole television thing…

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Yesterday I was invited to talk about The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee with Alyse Eady, local THV11 Little Rock news anchor, and food blogger Debbie Arnold (Dining with Debbie). The whole television thing was interesting and fun and completely new to me. I had no idea what to expect which was a good thing because I didn’t have a chance to overthink it or stress too much. Our segment was live. No do-overs.

THV11 - Yes, I travel with cotton

Why, yes, I travel with cotton.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch it, CLICK HERE.

WHV11 The WholeTelevisionThing

When it was over, I had no idea what I said. All I could think about was the smell of that meatloaf right underneath my nose. Continue Reading

I toured American Greetings!

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American Greetings, OsceolaAll my life, American Greetings has been a magical mystery to me. A rather serious looking building, it spreads low on the flat delta landscape even wrapping around its own private lake. And although located only a few miles from where I grew up, I’d never stepped foot inside. Until a few weeks ago.

Being a writer sometimes has its perks. At long last, I wormed my way inside and confirmed lots of things I’d always heard like employees really do ride bicycles inside. And they buzz around in golf cart-type vehicles, too. Internal transportation is a necessary thing because the plant occupies nearly 2.6 million square feet, or 60 acres.

60 acres is the equivalent of 54 football fields, and that’s a big chunk of real estate.Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

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