So long, farewell

photo by Dero Sanford

Well, folks, I'm signing off. This is my last post here. In the last few months, weeks and even days, I've been dealing with some personal and family issues. It's also been an incredibly busy time at the agency, which is really good and a welcome distraction. In an effort to focus on myself and my work, I think it's best to move on from this space. I truly appreciate all of you who have read, commented and supported this little blog of mine. As I bid you farewell, I'll leave you with this reminder...

Catbird card.

...and these links to some of my favorite bloggers. I wish I had each of these ladies on speed-dial. I will continue to write about local happenings here. You can also follow me on Instagram @cocohunnicutt, if you'd like. Thanks again, y'all. xo.

Alphabetically,
Bev Cooks (lovely photos and yummy recipes from a funny and gorgeous gal)
East Side Bride (Snark City, home to great wedding and fashion advice)
Emily Galusha Creative (a pistol of a lady) 
A Desert Fete (talented photographer, badass mama)
Fear Ants (a cool cat with the most excellent taste in music, art, food)
How Shall I Wear My Hair (hair and other important things)
Jeremy and Kathleen (climbs mountains, rocks dreds, kicks ass) 
Life According to Celia (the most beautifullest family you ever did see)
Morning Earworm (got a song stuck in your head? my friend, MC, put it there)
Naurnie (she's a lot like your best friend but with a better record collection)
Ordinary Tales (thoughtful tales of fashion, food, travel, love and life)
Postmodernmess (maker of awesome stuff)
Rosemary on the TV (a young Martha Stewart with a smirk)
Sundry Mumsy (mother-model-graphic designer-crafter)
Swoon (foxy mama to a darling blue-eyed baby girl)
A Thought is the Blossom (vintage style maven)
Tulip Louise (stylist whose closet I'd like to raid)
Twin Style (double the style tips)
We Ski Slow (cute baby alert) 

I've taken liberty with the descriptions - if you don't like it, holler, and I'll take it down. And if I forgot about you, eek, sorry. Leave a link to your blog in the comments. Over and out. xo. 

Petit Jean

This week, I took a work trip to Petit Jean Mountain State Park, Arkansas' first state park. I'm working on a new brochure for the park, and I wanted to see it for myself first-hand. The park has an interesting history, including the legend of Petit Jean, bluff shelters and rock caves used by Native Americans, and many of its existing structures, like Mather Lodge and the state park cabins, were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s. You can feel (and sometimes even smell) the history that surrounds you. I stayed in a room at Mather Lodge. Built from native rock and large pillars of pine, the lodge is rustic but elegant. I cozied up to the fireplace with a book until it was time to turn in for the night. My room, with its wood-paneling and twin beds, felt like I was away at summer camp. The next morning, I was eager to explore the outdoors, but the mountain was covered in a dense fog. At breakfast, my view from the restaurant window was a wall of white. I waited until the fog lifted a bit before venturing outside. My first stop was the Visitors Center where I met park interpreter B.T. Jones. He was happy to take me on a guided hike. Here are some of the things we saw along the way: 

This way to Rock House Cave.

"Turtle rocks."

Rock House Cave.

Native American rock art.

Cedar Falls from the old CCC Overlook.

The fog lifting.

CCC Overlook.

Cedar Falls Overlook.

Another view of Cedar Falls.

B.T. Jones, y'all. 

"Carpet rocks."

This way to Bear Cave.

B.T. "Indiana" Jones. 

From inside the Bear Cave.

Petit Jean is a really special place. I am already thinking about my next visit. Next time, I'd like to stay in a CCC cabin and take a walking tour of Seven Hollows, hopefully my new buddy B.T. can join me. This trip definitely inspired me to spend more time at our state parks. 

Listening

Over here, the gals are talking music, and it got me thinking: What are you listening to? For Christmas, I bought Elvis: Ultimate Gospel, and put it in my stocking. This particular album, sort of, found me. At the time when my grandmother was placed into hospice care, I was driving to the hospital to see her, and I was listening to a local radio station, KABF. There was a segment called "He Touched Me: The Gospel Music of Elvis," and the song, "Milky White Way," came on. This is when my grandmother was VERY touch-and-go, and it felt like this song was dropped down from the heavens, just for me, to comfort me in that very moment. It was powerful stuff, and I vowed to buy the album as soon as I could. It's been on rotation ever since. I highly recommend it, especially for true Elvis fans. What are you listening to? 

Inspired by

With the arrival of a new year, there is the impulse for a new look. I have a hair appointment on Thursday, and I'm feeling inspired by this gal, Lynette Pomeroy from 1982's An Officer and a Gentleman, which I recently watched for the first time. Have you seen it? I think I've seen every other Richard Gere movie, but his hair was always gray. In this one, he was so young, fresh-faced and not-yet-gray. I've never seen him look more handsome. But I was even more captivated the beauty and talent of Arkansas' own Lisa Blount in the role of Lynette. What do you think? Should I go for this haircut? 

Friday finds

I hope you've had a great start to 2013. Week one, for me, has been challenging, both personally and professionally. This weekend, I'm going to spend time with girl friends and try my best to fit in a yoga class and a bootcamp session. Our regular bootcamp program doesn't officially begin until Monday, but I'd like to get a jumpstart on it. This month's theme is the Amazing Spider-Man (yes, that's our trainer; he commits to the theme). Have a good weekend. Here are some things that inspired me this week. xo.

Girl power.

Wildfox goes Clueless.

This haircut, this year.

This home tour.

DIY kitchen pegboard.

Hearty veggie tacos.

New glasses.

On the first day of Christmas

Happy New Year, friends! I'll admit that I'm thrilled 2012 is behind us. One of the final surprises of the year was the Snowpocalypse that descended upon Little Rock on Christmas. We received about 9 inches of snow with ice causing the most damage as trees bent and broke under the weight of it all. We lost about five small trees in our backyard. We were without power for four-and-a-half days, which was long enough to lose all of the food in our fridge, but power was (thankfully) restored before I had officially lost my mind. My dad, the colonel, came down from Fayetteville to help "unfuck" (his word) the situation. His moral support and military expertise came in handy. Highlights of our father-daughter bonding included: being decked out in head-to-toe camo, shoveling snow, powering the generator (let there be lamplight!), getting $5 haircuts (yes, both of us) at the Air Force base, sharing our first hot meal after eating a lot of PB&J sandwiches, and going to a gun and ammo show. Thanks, Dad! You kept me entertained. Here are some photos of the damage we endured. 

Our driveway is under there. 

Fence line, side yard.

Backyard, trees on power lines.

Backyard, tree down on fence.

Walking my dog, surveying the damage.

Once the roads were passable, power had been restored, and the snow had begun to melt, we had some professionals with chainsaws clear the yard. Here's some of the mess, which is pretty much how everything still looks as we wait for the City of Little Rock to pick up the debris. 

Side yard, trees down.

We can see our fence again.

The technical term for this is "clusterfuck."

Attn: City of Little Rock, clean up on aisle 4.

Now that THAT is behind us, I feel more appreciative in the New Year. Mostly, I am thankful for a warm house and a hot meal. It's the little things, y'all, which is something I hope to remember every day of the New Year. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2013. xo. 

Friday finds

All is calm, here at the office, as it seems most folks have gotten a jumpstart on their holiday break. I am ready to join them; it's been one hell of a week. What are your holiday plans? What I love most about the holidays is that it brings everybody home again. I can't wait to catch up with family and friends - especially our dear friends Billy and MC and our godson Isaac in town from Atlanta. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Here are some pretty posts to enjoy. xo. 

This Q & A.

Camp by The Brick House.

Ermie.

Triple braid tutorial.

Naurnie Claus's Christmixtape.

Room with a view.

The perfect tee.

Wrapping gifts with Kraft paper.

Since I still need to wrap gifts!