Traveling to Ree's Frontier...Meeting Pioneer Woman

 Y'all know I love The Pioneer Woman, and Russell does too! She recently came out with a brand new cookbook, "Food From My Frontier", and she is doing several book signings! The closest location where it took place was Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Ree's hometown. We even drove on part of Route 66 to get there!

 There was a cutest little antique store and soda shoppe nearby so we stopped there early this afternoon. The had many antiques, but I loved the collectible Christmas Tree Spode butter pat plates! Adorable! Yep....30 bucks adorable. We didn't get one. HA!

 Gotta love Beatrix Potter! So cute around Easter!

 Here is the soda fountain! Such a cute place!

 We also stopped at Keepsake Candles. What a beautiful view they have!

 We loved their homemade candles!

 We also saw Frank Phillips home!



 We also saw The Price Tower and Inn designed by Frank Lloyd Wright!

They love their buffaloes there! Ha! There were several of these around town with different designs.

OKAY...on to the BEST part of my post! HA!

 YAY! Here's the sign and table all set up for her!

 Yes, it's a lifesize cardboard display of Ree Drummond! Ha!

 I am telling y'all, I was so anxious and excited to meet The Pioneer Woman! Here I am waiting in line with all of her books! We were actually the 7th people in line! WOW! We were lucky, because the line was awfully long by 5:00. We got there at 4:00 and it started at 6:00.

 Here's her brand new books!

 This doesn't even show you how long the line got by 6:00. I'm telling ya'll, it was crazy!

Okay, can you find Ree in this picture! It was almost 6:00 sharp!

 So we waited about ten more minutes and voila! It was my turn to meet her! (Yes, I was totally giddy at this point. I get excited about lots of things, but especially meeting Ree!)

 She's now one of my new best friends! HA! She was SO incredibly sweet, y'all.

 Here we are! I was totally ecstatic at this point! I just love her!

 Russell, Ree and Me! Russell loves her too. He loves cooking her steak and buffalo wings!

Alas, we had to go home. I almost forgot there were hundreds of people behind me. HAHA!

 But we came home with momentos!

It was so good to be in Ree's hometown of Bartlesville. We made a day of it and had such fun! I like her so much because she is so down to earth and sweet and friendly! So check on facebook or her blog and see if she's headed to a city near you!! You won't want to miss it!

So heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well, mixing in the spices... Ezekiel 24:10

Girl's Night Out!



A few of my friends and I had a girl's night out! We went to the movie and saw The Vow. It was sweet but it didn't change my life or anything. HA! After the matinee movie, we met at Mellow Mushroom for pizza. There's nothing better than catching up with your friends! Hannah, Ana, Marji, Kelsey, and Heather and Adrienne are all so sweet. Missed you at dinner, Adrienne! ;) I always look forward to spending time with special people like them!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Weight Watchers Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday (almost Thursday) everyone! I planned to get this post up earlier today, but time slipped away from me! I thought that I would start a weekly WW update entitled Weight Watchers Wednesday! I know several people are on this program, so I thought this would be a great outlet for sharing ideas!

First idea is.....

Apple Cheesecake? Yep. You read right! Two ingredients? Yep! Just get The Laughing Cow Cream Cheese Spread in Cinnamon Cream flavor then pair it with a sliced apple. Trust me. It's yummy! Plus it's only 1 point! That's it!

If you have any ideas, share away! Let's build each other up! Russell and I walked a few miles so far this week. We are trying to stay active every day, which is important! Keep on keeping on, y'all!

He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:25

Beauty

Can I just say again how I just adore Spring? It's just beautiful outside these days! After church tonight, Russell and I stopped and walked around the Bentonville Square. The tulips really are gorgeous!  

Beautiful!

We had to get a picture together!

Oh my goodness!

God's Handiwork!

We loved walking around downtown and we are so thankful for living here! We love it!

And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. Exodus 37:20

Springtime Visitors!

Oh, I just love it when my sister comes to visit! Kelly, Eric, Logan and Lauren were our special guests earlier this week and we were so glad to have them! I was afraid that the rain was going to put a damper on some of our plans, but luckily, it held off a little on Monday!

 Sisters at the museum!

 Lauren is right behind Pinnochio! How funny!

 Logan is the best nephew!

 The Girls!

 Lauren is the best niece!

After we toured the museum, we went walking on the Crystal Bridges trail. Kelly, Eric, and L & L loved the overlook, too!

We had wild rice and shrimp casserole with French bread and green beans for dinner. For dessert, we went to Andy's Frozen Custard and enjoyed yummy ice cream!

Earlier tonight, Russell and I met them in Eureka Springs at Ermilio's, one of the best Italian restarants in NWA! I love them so much. They know they mean the world to me! But Logan and Lauren are growing up way too fast! Ha!

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:17

Ladies Who Lunch

What is better than The Crumpet Tea Room during Springtime? I can tell you! Friends who join you for lunch at The Crumpet! 

 Mandy and her sweet girl, Eden are adorable!

Mandy and I have been friends for a few years now and I just love her. I am so glad we got together yesterday. We always have such fun together!

 I always love the chicken salad with fruit and their famous orange rolls. Y.U.M. I had to take a picture of my plate! :)

A few of my friends have asked me to post this recipe on here. Believe me, this banana bread is heavenly. I can't wait to make it again soon! It's 4 points a slice and should be 18 slices.

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

3 spray(s) cooking spray
5 large banana(s), very ripe
1 cup(s) whole wheat flour
1 cup(s) white all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
5 tsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup(s) packed light brown sugar
1 large egg(s), at room temperature
1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk, at room temperature
1/2 cup(s) chopped walnuts


Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a large loaf pan with cooking spray.
Peel and mash 3 bananas. Peel and cut 2 bananas into small chunks. Set both aside.
In a large bowl, sift together both types of flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat to incorporate.
Alternating in batches, add mashed bananas, flour mixture and milk to bowl with butter mixture. Combine well but do not over beat; fold in walnuts and banana chunks.
Turn batter into prepared pan; bake until a tester inserted in center of bread comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in pan for 15 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool more. Cut into 18 slices. Yields 1 slice per serving.

**Note for those on WW: I calculated it online and I used 5 Tbs butter instead of 5 tsp. It changed the value to 5 points per slice, rather than 4, which is still not bad! Enjoy, everyone!

Hope y'all have an awesome weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day! Wear Green! ha!

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9

Beautiful Spring

It's Springtime! Oh, my goodness, I love Spring! I love Fall and Spring better than Summer and Winter for some reason. I love the colors that burst during the Spring and Fall and love the milder weather. It feels so good in Northwest Arkansas. The weather is perfect right now.

Russell and I went for a two mile walk at the Crystal Bridges/Compton Garden trail. 

 Here is the end of the trail looking at the Crystal Bridges museum. So pretty!

 Here we are during the walk. This was taken before we got so sweaty. HA! We are trying to walk as much as we can lately because we want to get healthier. We want to walk outside rather than on a treadmill, too. Quick WW update, I have currently lost 17.2 pounds since I started WW. It is a total lifestyle change, but I am loving it. I can still enjoy things like chocolate brownies and pizza, but just watching how much I eat of it! :) Plus, I am trying to continue drinking lots of water and eating fruits and veggies of course. Anyway, on to talking about Spring.....

 We love the flowers at the Bentonville Downtown Activity Center. Just gorgeous.

 So pretty

 Love these tulips!

 More tulips!

Last week, I tried a new WW recipe, Banana Bread. Oh. My Gosh! It was so good! It's only 4 points per slice and worth every bite.

So go outside, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the flowers, grass and trees. Don't ya just love Spring?

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things. Philippians 4:8