West Bound and Down

Tapp Allen helping me water

 

Isaac Smith and I

 

 

 

It's so nice to be back home for a little bit. I feel like I have been to Little Rock about 10 times in the last month, and I have probably have been. The construction on Interstate 40 which leads us from the Delta to Little Rock is littered with orange barrels and miles of stand still traffic. Although, its a pain to get there, its always nice to see old friends. Tapp Allen recently had 2 big Doctors appointments that went excellent. We got to eat a great dinner at Acadia with our friends Isaac & Morgan Smith and then on Friday we got to see our friends Franklin Fogleman, Isaac Smith, Jordan Cooper and JR Carroll inducted into the 2013 class of Arkansas Business' 40 Under 40.

 

Political Animals Club and The Tamale factory

George Eldridge and I

 

The month of May has been good to me so far. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Political Animals Club luncheon at the Governor's mansion, thanks to my friend Rex Nelson. Rex is kind of a big deal hear in Arkansas and it was a real treat to be invited by him and get to sit at the main table. I remember telling one of my friends before I left for Little Rock how exciting it was going to be, to be there when Davy announces for Governor. As it turns out, that guy- Speaker of the House Davy Carter, is not running for Governor but he gave a great speech that was well recieved by everyone there. Although the speaker has decided not to run for Governor in 2014, I am sure he will make his way back into Arkansas Politics again, which I think- would be a great thing for our state. Rex was kind enough to let me bring  a couple of friends along, so I invited future Arkansas Land Commissioner and Razorback great Blake Eddins and Mr. Arkansas himself Denver Peacock. We had a great time and I will defiantly become a regular.

 

The next day I had the opportunity to spend some time with George Eldridge over at his new place, The Tamale Factory located in the big metropolis of Gregory. I feel like I was the last person in the state to eat there and now that I have, I want to go again. The Tamale Factory is really not new anymore as it's been opened for close to a year or more now, but I have no doubt it will become every bit the legend that George's other little restaurant Doe's has become. Just like Doe's, order the tamales and the 2lb porter house. 

BBQ Season

Davy Carter and I

Denver & Presley Peacock, Me & Blake Eddins

Grafton Home & Gardens

Tapp Allen playing like Dad 

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year.Spring means the start of BBQ season. This past weekend I got to see some old friends and make some new ones at "Downtown Pig Roast" held by my good friends Gabe and Katherine Holmstrom. Even though the weather didnt really cooperate we all had a great time. The Pit Crew conisisted of Gabe Holmstrom, Grant Tennille, Chad Causey, my new friend Mitch Berry, Bill Vickery and Ben Noble. These guys cooked a whole hog for over 24 hours and it was great. You can catch them throughout the summer at some of the "Summer Supper Events."
It was great catching up with some folks I hadnt seen in awhile and getting to visit with some folks I didnt really know to well.
As Tapp Allen has now learned to walk, he loves to go outside. Naturally we decided to expand our backyard in order to accomadate him. My ggod friend Ben Grafton of Grafton Home & Gardens provided the landscaping.
In just a couple of weeks Esperanza Bonanza will be here and its one of our biggest events of the year. Its a BBQ festival here in Crittenden County and our tent will feed close to 1,000 of our friends and customers by the the time its over. It starts on Wednesday night with a party for Chamber members hosted by Randy Sullivan and his folks from Budwieser and wraps up on Saturday afternnoon with the judging. I hope all is well and have a great week.