Parker Homestead 2016

Parker Homestead is located in Poinsett County, Arkansas. Every fall there is a festival portraying life "in the good old days" in rural Arkansas.

Cotton patch

The old homestead has added buildings from the area. There is a post office, church, several businesses and homes to tour. Demonstrations are ongoing and items for sale as well as a variety of food vendors.

Natural bottle tree

Piano in the old church with hymnals

Making sorghum molasses.

Crushing the sugar cane, extracting the syrup.

Cooking the molasses.

I find these old typewriters fascinating.

Printing shop

Log construction

The blacksmith shop.

Nice car!

Crazy quilt

Antique farm equipment on display.

Nice way to spend a pretty fall day.

Peace,Myra

Bernice Garden

Bernice Garden in Little Rock, Arkansas is privately owned and available for weddings, markets and music events. The garden is located on the corner of Daisy Bates and South Main.

 

There are permanent and temporary sculptures by Arkansas artists.

 

My favorite piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very pretty in blue and green.

 

 

Too much shade to grow flowers? No problem with these cute little metal discs.

 

 

 

There are restaurants and shops along the street near Bernice Garden.

 

My favorite area restaurant is The Root.

 

Breakfast at The Root.

They offer healthy selections and use locally grown ingredients.

 

Nearby is the ESSE Purse Museum and Store.

 

The window by my table at The Root.

 

I encourage you to visit South Main if you are in the area.

 

 

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Christmas in the Quarter 2014 Tour of Homes

Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas had their "Christmas in the Quarter Tour of Homes" last Sunday. The event is a fundraiser for the church.

 

QQUMC began as Winfield Methodist Church in 1889.

The building was designed by Charles Thompson and Thomas Harding, Jr. and completed in 1926. The style is Neo-Gothic.

In 1946 it was the largest Methodist Church in Arkansas .

With the decline of the downtown area the membership has dropped significantly.

The church is very active in the downtown area providing several ministries for the more unfortunate of the community. Stone Soup provides hot healthy meals on Sunday afternoons. Community Breakfast cooks up eggs, biscuits, gravy and fruit every Sunday morning. The Food Pantry serves over 10,000 people each year. The Pantry also provides much needed items such as coats, blankets, etc. The church also has a Pet Food Ministry.

I failed to photograph the church on this visit.

The above photo is from a previous tour visit.

If you wish to make a donation to support the work of Quapaw Quarter UMC the office number is 501.375.1600. They can direct your donation to the program of your choice.

 

 

The House at 2101 Louisiana

The house was first listed in the city directory in 1895-96 as a rental property. The Princess Anne Cottage  style features steep gables, dormers, towers, balconies and verandahs.

The house is now a private residence and has been beautifully updated preserving much of the character.

 

The Empress Bed & Breakfast

Hornibrook Mansion, 2120 S. Louisiana was completed in 1888. The architects were Kasper Kusner & Max Orlopp. There are two main floors with 7200 square feet as well as a wine cellar, laundry, food storage and boiler room in the basement. The style exhibits Gothic and Queen Anne features.

The home served as a rooming house for women during  World War II. In 1947 it became a nursing home. It has since been a private residence, apartment building and halfway house. In 1993 it was transformed into a bed and breakfast.  

 

 

 

 

One of the Christmas trees at the Empress B&B

 

Staircase at the Empress.

 

 

The Foster-Robinson House

2122 South Broadway

 

The Craftman-style house was built in 1904 for businessman Harry Foster. The house has two stories and 16 rooms.

In 1930 the house was purchased by US Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson. Senator Robinson lived in the house from 1930-1937.

 

 

The Villa Marre

built 1881

Scott Street

 

If this house looks familiar, it was portrayed as Sugarbaker's Design firm in the television series Designing Women.

Villa Marre features Italianate and Second Empire styles.

 

Fireplace and wood floor detail at Villa Marre

 

Villa Marre staircase

Villa Marre is open to the public and is used for weddings and meetings.

 

While in LR I dropped by the State Capitol Building the pick up the latest Christmas ornament.

 

 

 

Doll collection at the Capitol Building.

There are three more display cases with more dolls from the collection.

 

Hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did.

 

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Fall Recap 2014

The last couple of months have been busy with family and several short trips around the state.

 

Harvesting Mother's corn crop

 

This old barn is on my way to Eureka Springs.

I finally took the time to stop and take a picture. 

 

A closer look with hay bale jack-o-lanterns.

 

I spent the day at the Arkansas State Fair.

Ate some fair food, visited exhibits and watched my husband help judge the Spam cooking contest.

 

Our son was in Little Rock for a football weekend.

It is always good to spend time with him.

They are always cooperative with my photo snapping (not).

Love the expressions.

 

I walked around the William E. Clark Presidential Park Wetlands.

The walking bridge and Clinton Presidential Center in the background.

 

Another interesting building I pass often.

Would love to hear the history.

 

I made a quick stop at the Peebles Pumpkin Farm near Augusta, Arkansas.

Purchased several pumpkins and gourds for my yard.

 

 

My husband planted late purple hull peas in his little garden.

 

My 95 year old mother-in-law came for a visit and shelled the peas for me.

She kept me busy playing cards and Mexican train.

I spent some time at her home in Eureka Springs before bringing her home with me.

 

Peace♥Myra