HELLO
Mom to Iris. Wife to Todd. Our little family lives at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We love it here and I love sharing little bits of our life.

© 2014 sarahfortune.

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Articles written by: Sarah

Headed Your Way 30A

All day, every day. Or at least until Friday. #rosemarybeach

It’s been a bit of a rough week. I’ve been recovering from a terrible pulled neck muscle, which had me pretty much bedridden for a couple of days, then got an eye infection, and now I feel like a cold is sneaking up on me. I’ve been drinking all the water and Emergen-C I can though because today we start the long drive to the BEACH! We’re off to one of our favorite places in the world – Rosemary Beach along highway 30A in Florida. Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Snapchat (sarah-fortune) while I share our fun.

Equestrian Bridges: Mini Derby!

This past weekend our friend invited us to visit Equestrian Bridges here in Fayetteville. He’s been volunteering for the organization for about four years now so I’ve heard about the organization, but wasn’t fully aware of what all they did until our visit. The property was beautiful and, surprisingly, just over five minutes from our house (even though it felt like we were way out in the countryside). Iris got to spend some magical one-on-one time with a few very fancy horses. When we pulled up, there were two mini horses with ribbons in their hair and one big horse drenched in red roses.

In less than two weeks Equestrian Bridges is holding their fourth annual Mini Derby, a benefit for children with autism and their families. Here’s a little more about what they do and what to expect at the Mini Derby (but really, do you need anything more than tiny horses and mint juleps?).

Equestrian Bridges’ Mission:
The Vision and Purpose of Equestrian Bridges is to empower children and youth considered to be at risk for social, behavioral or academic delays with the tools to develop emotional, mental and physical fitness using Natural Horsemanship doing Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies.

Equestrian Bridges 4th Annual Mini Derby 2016:
Saturday, May 7th 2016
3:00pm – 7:00pm
Parkerman Stables
(3100 Oakland Zion Rd. Fayetteville, AR 72701)
There will be music, mint juleps, beer, food trucks, and of course mini horse races! A perfect Saturday of fun while supporting a great cause.

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

Equestrian Bridges

We Love Thimblepress

About two Christmases ago I bought nearly half of my holiday gifts from Thimblepress. I had been a fan for a while, but when they had a booth at The Little Craft Show, I kind of went crazy because I loved it all. So when they recently reached out and asked if they could send us a box of goodies, I was beyond excited. Iris has total heart-eyes for the Push-Pop Confetti and Donut Love Print which we had a bit of fun with in her playhouse this afternoon.

Donuts, fun, and pretty messes. What more could a girl ask for?

Thimblepress

Thimblepress

Thimblepress

Thimblepress

Thimblepress

Thimblepress

Thimblepress

TRAVEL LOVE: Heber Springs, AR

This past weekend Iris, Todd, and I took the three-hour journey over to Heber Springs. Todd’s dad and stepmom recently bought and renovated a home there on the river and it is just heaven. Nestled right next to the water, with a boat and a dock I truly didn’t want to leave. Iris ran up and down the little bridge to the dock (making me nervous, of course), baked cookies with Nana, and went for rides in Poppy’s John Deere trailer. I’m already dreaming and scheming about when we can go back.

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

Heber Springs

FOOD LOVE: Mom’s Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

I am by no means a food blogger. In fact, I don’t even consider myself a decent cook. That said, I love to eat (don’t we all) and over the last few years I’ve actually grown to like being in the kitchen. In this series I’m sharing some of my favorite go-to recipes that I’ve gathered over the years from various cookbooks, across the internet, as well as friends and family.

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Growing up my mom always made a mean broccoli casserole at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and – if we were lucky – maybe at least once more throughout the year. In my twenties I was living hundreds of miles away from her and finally asked for the recipe so that I could have it at holidays when we were apart. I jotted down exactly what she said over the phone and, ten years later, here’s what that looks like:

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Before this card is completely illegible, I thought I should take the time to type out the recipe and, as much as I love the term “glop”, perhaps make it a little more specific. This dish for me is the ultimate comfort food that’s super easy to whip up and a great addition to any southern-style meal.

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Ingredients:
1 lb frozen broccoli florets
8 oz (1 block) sharp cheddar cheese
1 small white onion
2 eggs
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 sleeve Ritz crackers
1/2 tbsp. butter
salt & pepper

Directions:
– Preheat oven to 375°
– Steam the frozen broccoli until soft (5-7 minutes)
– While the broccoli steams, prep the other ingredients: Shred the block of cheddar. Finely chop the onion (my family doesn’t love onions, so I usually save half the onion for another meal and only chop half).
– In a large bowl, lightly beat two eggs.
– Add the cheese, onion, mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, & Worcestershire sauce to the bowl of eggs. Season w/ salt & pepper.
– Stir until combined, then fold in the broccoli.
– Lightly grease a medium casserole pan.
– Pour the mixture into the pan, crumble a layer of classic Ritz crackers on top.
– Chop one tablespoon of butter into tiny bits and sprinkle across the Ritz topping.
– Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375° (or until top in brown and casserole is cooked all the way through).

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Enjoy, ya’ll.