Carroll County

Picture by Arkansas State Hwy Dept

With buds on trees, and the grass greening, now is the perfect time to find Wildflower Route. There are several wildflower drives through our neighboring Carroll County.

On your weekend drive, make sure you stop in Eureka Springs. Stop by any of the great restaurants in Eureka to take in the city's charm. Tour Keels Creek, an Arkansas winery that also houses an art museum.

Take a trip back in time with the Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway. Here you can explore a 1940's diesel train. In Berryville, you can take a glimpse at Colonel C. Buck Saunders collection of firearms. There are guns used by Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James, and Billy the Kid. Maybe you are looking for a fright? Eureka is home to several haunted hotels.

Picture by Cosmic Cavern

Kings River has 86 miles of river to explore. You can float the river, fish, bird watch, or just kick back and enjoy the scenery. If you are looking for a place to hike, bike, fish, and boat head on over to Lake Leatherwood. While you are being adventurousness, Cosmic Cavern would be a top spot on my list. They offer wild cave tour which go deeper into the cave then the regular cave tour.  

What activity in Carroll County will you try out next?

Madison County

Sorry about the disruption to the Farmers Market counties blog posts. With spring in the air, more and more time is being spent preparing for the 2012 Bentonville Farmers market.

Madison County is home to acres of state and national parks. If you have an adventurous spirit and want to explore the Ozarks head to Withrow Springs State Park. The War Eagle Creek flows through the park and it is a popular spot to put a canoe in and float away the hot summer day. 

The Mill Creek Off Highway Vehicle Trail is only $3 and trails vary in difficulty. This trail also offers horseback riding, bicycling, and hiking. A portion of the Ozark National Forest is also located in our neighboring Madison County. 

With all of these great places to explore, you should try your had at geocaching. Geocaching is a real world treasure hunt using GPS. Check it out and let me know if you find any treasure! 

Washington County

Woo Pig Sooie! At any given Saturday during football season, you can see red and white shirts and razorbacks just about anywhere in Northwest Arkansas. However, Washington County, specifically Fayetteville is home to the Hogs!

Did you visit the Greenhouse Grill trailer that was in downtown last summer? They have a Fayetteville restaurant with a larger menu. My brother is an architecture student and he swears by Hammontrees, a restaurant specializing in grilled cheese. There is a winery in Tontitown where you can taste and buy local Arkansas wine.

Some of my favorite hiking places are in Washington County. Devils Den State Park holds many memories for me. My husband and I have rented a cabin and stayed a weekend, the cabins have been updated and are great for couples, families, or friends. I have camped out at Devils Den with my best friend, the trails to explore have caves, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. 

Lake Fayetteville provides 5.5 miles of paved and natural trails for biking and hiking. The trails back up to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Also in Fayetteville is the Walton Arts Center, that always has a show on and sure to please children to grandparents.

The Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park hosts reenactments, self tours, and guided tours. While you are in the western part of Washington County stop by the Arkansas Country Doctors Museum in Lincoln.

Tera Studios, home of Bluebird of Happiness, is located just outside of Elkins, east of Fayetteville. Mount Sequoya is a retreat center and also features a fair trade gift shop where Riverpure Soap Co. sells their soaps.

If you are a horse lover, or want to experience a new sport, visit Polo in the Ozarks. The event is in September at the Buell Farm in Goshen Arkansas, about a 50 minute drive from Bentonville.

Do you have a special spot in Washington County that you love to explore?

Benton County

Arkansas IS the natural state, so what does Benton county have to offer? Walmart and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art are two establishments that first come to mind. Although I was born in the "Cornerstone of the State," I am still discovering exciting new places.

The Gentry Safari, the safari is about 30 minutes from Bentonville. You drive through the safari in your own vehicle so you have control on how much time you spend looking at the animals. The group I went with consisted of 4 adults and 2 children, it was a blast!

One of my favorite trail riding spots is the Pea Ridge National Military Park. The park is great even if you don't have horses to ride. There are trails for hiking and biking. A self guided driving tour is offered if you want to learn about the history of the park.

How about waking up early to go to War Eagle Mill and eat at their restaurant The Bean Palace? After a huge buckwheat waffle, made from waffle mix from the mill you can shop for local flour and treats in the ground floor of the mill. While you are over that way, visit Hobbs State Park. With the park covering over 12,000 acres, you can imagine the trail for biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

Park Springs has been on the radar in Bentonville since 1890's where two therapeutic springs were discovered. Today the park has been updated with a pavilion, play ground, bridges over the spring and beautiful trails. Discover the springs with your bike, dog, or the quite sound of nature.
In the 1930's the Spanish Treasure Cave started giving tours. The cave is about a 30 minute drive from Bentonville, and be prepared for some curvy roads and don't forget your camera.

Whether you are a native or a newcomer, where is your favorite spot in Benton county?

Six Farmers Market Counties

The Bentonville Farmers Market has a guideline stating that sellers are to be from Benton county and the five surrounding counties: Washington, Madison, Carroll, McDonald, MO, and Delaware, OK.

Friday will start a series of blog posts highlighting different activities in each county. April 28th when the Bentonville Farmers Market starts back, ask your produce, meat, or craft vendor what they enjoy doing in their hometown. You might find a new hiking spot or a local restaurant tucked away in a little town.  So be prepared to put your dogs, kids, best friend, spouse in the car and go explore the Natural State.

Cabbage

Although market isn't currently active, January does boast several crops. My favorite vegetable being harvested this time of the year is cabbage. I love to boil cabbage and eat it just like that! Since my husband throws a fit if meat isn't involved in dinner, this recipe will satisfy both of our culinary needs.


http://www.savagechickens.com/



Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound rice

• 1 head fresh cabbage, approximately 3 pounds
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped

 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Steam the rice and cabbage head separately. Set the steamed rice aside. Peel off the cabbage leaves to have individual leaves.

Add chopped onion, oil, bouillon, and the steamed rice to the ground pork meat. Mix together. Season with salt and pepper. Roll the ground pork mixture into golf ball-sized balls. Wrap each pork ball in a cabbage leaf.

Add carrots and celery into the baking pan (vegetables prevent the cabbage from burning onto the bottom of the pan, and also adds an aroma to the rolls) and arrange the cabbage rolls on top.

Place the pan into the oven and cook for about 1 1/2 hours. Check if it is thoroughly cooked before
removing from the oven.

Visit Food Network to keep your dinner satisfying for all involved.

If you are looking for new ideas for produce bought at farmers market check out the Bentonville Farmers Market Pinterest board.

Baked Brie

The last time I went to Freyas house for a gathering, I was introduced to a wonderful appetizer, baked brie. Apparently this is a common dish that I had never had the privilege of eating before. Not only is it a wonderful gooey, cheesy dish but it is so simple to make.

Picture by Freya's Keeper

Bake Brie:

Brie cheese wheel* (I was informed that typically brie comes in a wedge and that is ok to use too!)

Fruit preserves, any flavor will do I like raspberry

Egg

Pastry sheet, I like to make homemade but you can use store bought too

• Set oven to 425 degrees.
• Place pastry sheet in center of cookie sheet.
• Spoon 1/3 to 1/2 cup of fruit preserves on to the center of the pastry sheet.
• Put brie on top of the preserves and press down gently to spread out the preserves.
• Seal the pastry, do not leave brie exposed. It is ok if some of the pastry overlaps.
• Beat the egg in a bowl and brush over pastry or use a fork to to spread the mixture.
• Cook 10 minutes, brie should be golden if not leave in for 5 more minutes.
• Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

You can serve brie with crackers, bread, or if you are in the privacy of your home with just your dogs for company just dig in!

*Brie comes with a white rind. With baked brie it is best to keep the rind on, it is edible and complements the cheese.