We have so Much to be Grateful For

I’m one of those people who loves the holidays. This year we are in our new house in Hot Springs and our family is coming to spend Thanksgiving with us. I’m grateful to have a wonderful family and friends to share the holidays with. I’ve learned more about gratitude lately and how quickly changing my attitude to be grateful in whatever situation I’m in changes my perspective. So I challenge us all to look at life from a perspective of gratitude and truly enjoy the holidays.

In Hot Springs we have so many holiday treats starting this weekend and going through December. I mentioned in the last blog about the Holiday Lights at Garvan Gardens that starts this weekend. They are spectacular and something not to be missed. Some additional Thanksgiving events include:

·         Thanksgiving Buffet at Oaklawn – From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Carousel Restaurant. Guests must be 21 to participate.

·         Arlington Hotel Resort & Spa – From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. a Thanksgiving Feast is available. A Thanksgiving Evening Dinner is served from 6-9 p.m. Call 501.609.2575 for reservations.

·         Porterhouse Restaurant – From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. a buffet is offered. Take-home Thanksgiving is also available. Call 501.321.8282 reservations.

·         Bella Arti – From 11 a.m. -10 p.m. a sit down meal is offered. Call 501.624,7474 for reservations

·         Cracker Barrel and Dixie Café offer a regular menu for Thanksgiving.

·         Diamondhead Community Church invites the community for  dinner at noon on Thanksgiving day

If you’re preparing your own feast or plan to let the restaurants do the cooking for Thanksgiving, I hope you’ll take some time to say thank you to the people who mean the most to you in your life. One of the great blessings in our life has been our move to Hot Springs and to Diamondhead Resort Community.

I love living in an area that promotes and honors our neighbors and community living. We celebrate the holidays together and share with those around us. This Saturday, Nov. 22, we have a bake sale in the Club House from 9 a.m. until the goods are all gone. If you need goodies for Thanksgiving come out and shop with us. If you’d like to visit Diamondhead in Hot Springs and see the wonderful place we call home, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 and we’ll schedule a tour for you.

Fall Colors are Hanging On

We’ve had several weeks of gorgeous fall foliage in Hot Springs. Fall is my favorite season and I’m always amazed once again when the warm temperatures subside and the cooler weather moves in. The last few days have surpassed cool to cold, but the beautiful reds, yellows and oranges are still around.

Along with the cooler weather brings lots of activities in Hot Springs. My favorite holiday event last year was the Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens. This year Opening Night is Nov. 22, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The Opening Night Concert takes place at 6 p.m. on the 22^nd with the Village Big Band in Anthony Chapel.

This year Holiday Lights will have four million brilliant bulbs transforming about 17 acres into an animated holiday display and includes complimentary hot chocolate. The Chipmunk Cafe’ at the Gardens is open each day from 3-9 p.m. For more information on purchasing tickets, go online to garvangardens.org.

Sunday afternoon, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m. Garvan Gardens offers an afternoon with the dancers from the Ballet Arkansas cast of “The Nutcracker.” The afternoon includes the characters in full costume presenting a short performance and reading a portion of the ballet. The Gardens has planned a dessert reception with the dancers along with a photo opportunity after the performance. Tickets can be reserved today online at garvangardens.org or by calling 800.366.4664.

The Annual Chili Cook-Off and Light-Up Downtown takes place from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Exchange Street Parking Plaza in Historic Downtown Hot Springs. Money raised by the Cook-Off is used to support the Downtown Association’s Deck the Park Challenge for the holiday lighting display.

I could go on and on about the holiday events coming up but I’ll save that for another blog. If you’re around for any of the events and have some extra time, we’d love to have you come out to Diamondhead Resort Community and take a look at the wonderful place many of us call home. Our community is gated and makes a safe place to live. We have a great golf course, beautiful lots on Lake Catherine and the greatest neighbors anywhere. If you’d like to arrange a tour for Diamondhead in Hot Springs, please give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 and we’ll get you scheduled.