My Favorite Store...

TerrapinTradingCompany is on Face Book and in down town Norfork, Arkansas, home of the Wolf House and where the Norfork River joins the White River.  A beautiful town to visit with other shops but the only one I see is Terrapin Trading Company with Amanda and David Quinney and their wonderful dog!

I feel badly I didn't ask the dog what her name was. Amanda had her sit for the picture.  I had to play ball and visit a little, no, a lot!  Amanda and co-owner/husband are artists and make amazing silver jewelry.  Displayed are local art pieces, natural products and clothing along with, you guessed it... ROCKS! Or should I say crystals, jewels, and stones, oh, my?!

There were drums, rain sticks, wind chimes, smell goods. finger-less mittens, art, clothing, cards, jewelry, purses, and pretties, lots of pretties.

I was as happy as a pig in a mud hole!!!!  Every where I turned discovered new products and endless items to delight me.

There is a reading room where you can relax and read, play drums, or just have fun visiting.  They do mail products, too so if you take a liking to something give them a call or contact them through FB.

I was successful in taking the dog's picture.  I had to sneak around because this dog is all about playing ball.  I tried to trick her but the dog was smarter than me.

Something for every one

and something for me.

Pure silver hand crafted rings with Amazonite and snow flake obsidian

using two different design styles.

 A silver pendant using my amethysts, an orange calcite and David's amazing talent.

The photos do not do justice to the place nor the pieces.

So if you're ever traveling north of me stop in, visit, play ball and carry home a treasure.  In addition to my jewelry I found a book and a drum I could not leave behind. I can guarantee you will leave with a smile and a warmer heart form meeting Mr and Mrs Quinney.

It's Not Every Day You Turn Sixty...

Just November 19th for me.  Yep, the big six o.  Hubby woke up and said, If you go to Walmart with me, I'll buy you lunch for your birthday.  How can I turn down a romantic invitation like that?

It's early so Walmart should be okay.  We head to the Walmart in Mountain Home. There are two or three closer but none of those towns have Salvation Army.  That was my first birthday stop.  I bought a wallet and a beautiful three tier basket for fruit and didn't even burn a ten-spot.

Next stop Walmart.  Wasn't so lucky there but hubby's paying so I bought two new skillets and a cutting board.  I don't get out much.

Visited with my nephew, Jason, and saw an old friend I haven't seen in years. My guess is if you stay at Walmart long enough you might see every one you know.

Bonnie needs a new collar, I hear.  Okay, what kind?  A big one.  Okay.  I search through the collars and find the x-large.  I hear, Bonnie likes blue.  Okay, how do you know Bonnie likes blue?  I just do. She won't wear another color.  She likes blue.  Okay, so my newly turned-sixty body is squatted digging through all the blooming collars looking for a blue one.  I'm not balanced very well.  Hubby has the cart to lean on so he's steady to give directions.  I, on the other hand, am having trouble finding a BIG BLUE collar and breathing and keeping my balance.  Each one I show him has to be adjusted to Bonnie's size so he knows it will fit.  Decision made.  Blue collar in the cart.

This was the next part of  my present...another job.

Hubby says he is replacing outlets

but I know who'll be doing it.

And you thought Mel's Diner was just on tv!

Had a great birthday lunch with Hubby and nephew, Toni.

I can't go to Mountain Home without checking out the gun shops, that's right, I dream of gun shops. I wait in the truck while Hubby finds some shells "we need". Notice the big rock out front?

You know I had to get a closer look!

My best birthday surprise is when he turns toward the town of Norfork, Arkansas and The Terrapin Trading Company!!!  Hubby asked if I had my rocks with me.  Yes.  He parks here and walks to the gun shop next door while I'm allowed to go wild. 

The owner knows my name!!!  The dog doesn't bark, she knows me.  Maybe Hubby should not have "allowed" me free rein in here, my favorite store.  I pulled out my little sack of carefully chosen stones and we talk design.  That's right.  The owners make silver jewelry.  I gave him some of my extra stones and he gave me a "pocket rock" of labradorite.  

I've already received the call.  My pieces are ready!

Not a bad birthday for a gray haired over weight sixty year old lady that doesn't bend as well as I used to...now I must get to these outlets. They won't install themselves.