88th General Assembly Fiscal Session Convenes, Weather Threat and Oysters

Stan came for a visit last weekend.

We all headed to Little Rock Sunday afternoon. The 88th General Assembly Fiscal Session was scheduled to convene Monday. Sunday night Jim and I had dinner at the Flying Fish with a friend.

Flying Fish Oysters. In my opinion, the best fried oysters in Little Rock.

Mexican Cocktail - What is not to like.

This thing is loaded with shrimp and packed with flavor.

The forecast for Monday predicted the possibility of snow, sleet and freezing rain. This was the view from our apartment window Monday morning. Fortunately by the afternoon the temperatures were above freezing and the precipitation had turned to rain.

The ceiling of the Arkansas House of Representatives.

The Opening of the 88th General Assembly Fiscal Session. Joint Session prior to being addressed by Governor Mike Beebe. (House Chamber)





Monday night we had dinner at Cajun's Wharf with other Senators and guests. Stan joined us for dinner.  The weather was cold and wet. The food and fellowship were worth the effort.

Tuesday morning I spent at the Capitol and had lunch with Jim. The Raindrop Turkish House representatives were serving baklava and tea at the Capitol so I stopped by to visit. Jim and I were privileged to travel to Turkey last June with a group sponsored by the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians. The baklava brought back good memories of their hospitality. After lunch I took a quick shopping trip. I purchased several pieces of fabric for a new project.

Representatives with the Raindrop Turkish House in Little Rock serving baklava and tea at the Capitol.

We attended two receptions Tuesday evening. The first was at the Clinton School of Public Service honoring legislators for legislation that helped with after school and summer programs for at risk youth.

The second reception was sponsored by Clark County. 

For dinner we joined a group at The Oyster Bar. This was my second dinner of fried oysters this week.  I couldn't help myself. I love oysters.

Wednesday morning I took care of some housekeeping chores at the apartment and ate lunch with Jim. I decided to return home after lunch. The trip wasn't too bad despite another afternoon of pouring rain.

The Drive Home

Mom joined me for lunch at Mike's Thursday. We both had the catfish special and the coconut pie.

Knights of Columbus Annual Oyster Supper

                

Friday night: This photo only shows half of the room. All tickets are sold in advance. This was my third night this week to have fried oysters. The plate also has catfish, fried shrimp and peel 'em and eat 'em shrimp.

 

Katie Brown's Italian Chicken - Love to cook when I am home on the weekend. Jim decided to work in his garden. We still have turnip/mustard greens and turnips.

I am looking forward to what the next week will bring.

 Until then have a great week    -----     ♥ and Peace. Myra

Quick Trip, Chores, Cooking and Did I Mention Pinterest?

After a quiet weekend at home I accompanied Jim to Little Rock Monday afternoon. We met our son Stan for dinner and decided on The Faded Rose. We enjoyed the salad and bread. Stan ordered the fried oysters and wild rice. Jim had one of his favorites, steamed frog legs and baked potato. I decided to try the crawfish etouffee. The food was delicious as always and we enjoyed our visit. I can't believe I forgot to photograph the etouffee. It was beautiful as well as yummy!

The Back of the Capitol

The reason for the trip was a committee meeting Tuesday morning. I decided to attend the meeting.

Taking Care of the People's Business

We had a very nice lunch at The Little Rock Club. The views are really spectacular, even on a dreary Arkansas winter day.

The View to the West

Looking Northeast

After lunch we headed home. I decided to drive and let Jim take care of business on the phone, nap and read the newspaper. We usually travel in the Chrysler Concorde. My mother-in-law gave me this car when her husband died and it had about 20,000 miles at the time. I put about 65,000 miles on it and Jim decided to keep it when I got a new vehicle in 2008. He doesn't want to buy a new car until his term is completed at the end of the year. Not bad for a "free" vehicle.

Mileage on the Chrysler Leaving Little Rock



There is a really pretty swampy area on the drive home. I have always wanted to photograph it but I am always in a hurry coming and going. It was a cloudy day and almost dark but I decided to stop and see what I could get. When there is light on the water late in the day it is really pretty. Perhaps I'll find time to photograph it again on a better day in another season.  Jim was not impressed.



The Drive Home

With a list of chores for Wednesday, about to walk out the door,  the secretary calls to tell me she has been to the doctor, is waiting for her prescription to be filled and that Jim has left for Little Rock. There were a few things I had to take care of. Mission accomplished I grabbed the fish combo at McDonald's and headed for the office.

Did I mention I got my invitation for Pinterest? Well yeah. There goes the rest of my time. Where do I sign up for Pinterest Anonymous?











We were planning to attend a Chamber of Commerce annual dinner tonight in one of the cities in the district. The dinner plans didn't work out so Jim decided to go on to Little Rock. (3rd trip this week.) He has another meeting there tomorrow. Well yeah - free time for me! I decided to run to the grocery store and do some cooking that I can serve later.

Spicy Vegetable Soup

Turnips

Cranberry Orange Salad



Marinade for Asian Tenderloin

With the addition of corn bread and vegetables/green salad I should be ready for the weekend without too much time in the kitchen. Oh, I'll have more time to work on my Pinterest boards!

Peace♥ Myra

















Sewing, Cooking (Eating), & Celebrating Community

Recently I visited a photographer's blog that captured her week in photographs. I liked the idea and decided to try it this week.

For several years I have needed casual napkins to use during the holidays. I never really found what I wanted for a reasonable price so I decided to make my own. With five yards of half price fabric (about $12 including thread) I now have sixteen napkins that should take care of the holidays plus other occasions. It was a fun easy project. I think there will be more napkins in my future!

Holiday Napkins

With dreary Arkansas winter weather comes the need for comfort food. I created one of my favorites this week, macaroni and tomatoes. I decided to add a can of Rotel to the regular tomatoes with good results. Jim was at the weekly Rotary Club meeting but Mother joined me for lunch.

Macaroni and Tomatoes

Thursday I had a taste for Southern fried catfish so Mother and I went to Mike's Restaurant in Colt for lunch. Jim was attending budget meetings in Little Rock. Mom decided on a barbecue sandwich and salad so that she could "have room" for homemade pie.  She ended up getting the pie to go.

Mike's Catfish

We had several days of rain this week. One afternoon on the way home from the office the clouds were clearing and the sun came rushing through. The rain was still falling.

After the Storm



Looking Out My Front Door



Thursday night was the 7th Annual Crossroads Coalition dinner. Crossroads Coalition"Cultivating Economic and Community Development in Eastern Arkansas". The coalition works with nine Eastern Arkansas counties to "promote broad-based development in Eastern Arkansas through education and workforce training, community, leadership and economic development". General Wesley K. Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, was the Keynote Speaker. The dinner was well attended with regional awards for Vision, Servant Leadership, Community Advancement, Education Innovation and Regional Business Pacesetter.

General Wesley Clark

7th Annual Crossroads Coalition Dinner

Looking back this was a fairly routine week for me. Although I didn't find something to photograph every day and nothing really spectacular occurred I had fun reflecting on and documenting the week.  After all, every day is part of the JOURNEY.              Peace and ♥.