grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Simple Pleasures #4

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This quote by author Joan Marques says it all—Simple things bring infinite pleasure. Yet, it takes us a while to realize that. Once simple is in, complex it out – forever.

It is common to get tangled in the constant activity and busyness of life, but living in Northwest Arkansas makes it easy for me to slow down and appreciate each day. The pace is much less hectic than Dallas. I marvel daily at the surrounding natural beauty just beyond my kitchen window. Sunrise over Mount Sequoyah. Brilliant autumn floating to the sidewalk. Here’s a recap of the simple things I’ve enjoyed recently.

1. In a word, bacon. I made these yummy bacon-wrapped apricot appetizers for friends using local Petit Jean bacon and White River Creamery goat cheese. (The recipe is similar to THIS one, but I used apricots instead of dates.)

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Apricots

BaconWrapped Apricots

2. Allergy Medicine. Along with the beautiful fall leaves and cooler temperatures comes allergies. Thank goodness for meds. Can I get an Amen?

3. Planting Iris. These irises came from my late mother-in-law’s yard in Fort Smith. I transplanted them into our Fayetteville garden, and I know she is smiling down on them.

planting iris - simple pleasures

4. Football weekend with friends and family. Plus the Razorback won big. Yay.

Razorback Weekend with Family and Friends

5. Long, quiet walks with the dogs. I take in the beautiful scenery while they take in the smells.

walking the dogs

Here’s wishing you a week of simple pleasures filled with peace, friends and bacon.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Cat Stevens – Peace Train

Superior Bathhouse Brewery and Distillery

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After years of sitting empty, Superior Bathhouse in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has been transformed into a restaurant, brewery and distillery. Superior Bathhouse, built in 1916, is rumored to have been the first integrated bath house in Hot Springs. That in itself is cool. So is the creative menu from chef Angela Nardi (trained in Dallas) which includes black-eyed pea hummus, crab risotto, Petit Jean seasonal meats, etc.

We went twice in three days. That’s how much my husband and I enjoyed it. I ordered the citrus quinoa salad with apple basil vinaigrette (both times). It was as tasty as any I’ve had and honestly, up until the Superior Bath House Brewery opened, I doubt the words quinoa and Hot Springs have been used together. Just a suspicion I have based on past experience…

Superior Bath House salad

Not only was the food and drink superior; the renovation is pretty darn superior too. The main floor has been transformed into a craft beer tasting room and the original front sun porch features almost 75 feet of windows overlooking busy Central Avenue.Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!