Spring blooming at Garvan Woodland Gardens

 

Photo by Cheré Coen

I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Garvan Woodland Gardens at the onset of spring, viewing what seemed like endless rolling hills of daffodils and other spring flowers such as crocus and hyacinths. I’m a daffodil fan but I’ve been told that tulip days at the gardens outside Hot Springs, Ark., are a sight to see as well.

That’s why Garvan Woodland Gardens offers Tulip Extravaganza through April 30, showcasing more than 150,000 Dutch tulips, in addition to other spring annuals and azaleas in bloom. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with admission, $15 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12 and tykes 5 and under admitted free.

The gardens also offer a wide variety of workshops, special events such as bridal expos and musical performances, such as the upcoming “Celtic Spring” concert by the Muses Creative Artistry Project on March 12. Be sure and visit their website for more information at http://www.garvangardens.org.

Now enjoy the following spring fashion show:

Photo by Garvan Gardens

Photo by Cheré Coen

Photo by Cheré Coen

Photo by Cheré Coen

Photo by Cheré Coen

Cheré Dastugue Coen is a food and travel writer living in South Louisiana who is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire and the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Doodle your way through a Monday at Garvan Woodland Gardens of Hot Springs

There’s a community out there that doodles on stones, then hides them for people to find. These range from people's faces, hearts, animals and strange objects. Want to know more? Artist Bryan Payne will lead a workshop on “Doodlestones,” a worldwide community art project, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, March 21, at Garvan Woodland Gardens, an expansive botanical gardens outside Hot Springs, Arkansas. The all-ages event shows participants how to create their own Doodlestone, focusing on creativity, storytelling and individualism. Afterwards, participants will hide them around the garden. Payne will also be reading from his picture book and offering a short lecture. Cost is $20 for members, $35 for non-member adults and $5 for children ages 0-12. All include Garden admission. Reservations are required, call (800) 366-4664. For more information on Doodlestones, visit www.facebook.com/Doodlestones or http://www.instagram.com/doodlestones.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” She also writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Is there possum in Possum Pie? Whatever, it's good!

Arkansas is known for its pies — lots of ‘em and plenty of variety. Just ask Kat Robinson, author of a whole book on the state’s desserts, titled “Arkansas Pie: A Delicious Slice of the Natural State.” Robinson’s book is as much travelogue as foodie fare, and there’s lots of recipes as well.

There’s a reason Robinson wrote an entire book on the subject. Pies are everywhere in Arkansas and they are some delicious. Many are unique to the state, many carry strange names. Whatever you choose, it’s hard to find one not to your likin’.

            Take the Possum Pie, for instance. I sampled this delectable creature while dining on top Petit Jean Mountain about an hour north of Hot Springs. Petit Jean State Park offers a lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and there’s a fabulous restaurant that overlooks the mountains and the canyon below. My waitress claimed my slice of possum pie contained layers of cream cheese, chocolate mouse, cream cheese again, then topped with whipped cream, caramel and chocolate dribbles, and finally chocolate chips. Talk about good. And no, there are no possums involved in the cooking of this pie.
            In Eureka Springs, I sat on the balcony of the Basin Park Hotel in the aptly named Balcony Restaurant and devoured the Huckleberry Pie, the restaurant's signature dessert. This crescent-shaped trip to heaven includes a huckleberry filling (my first time) that’s fried and served with huckleberry ice cream. Take about good! And while you’re giving yourself a sugar coma, you can view downtown Eureka Springs and the nearby Basin Spring, where the town originated after the water there was found to be curative. Better yet, spend the night in the historic hotel, enjoy the spa and maybe see a ghost; the hotel’s haunted like most of the historic town.

Cheré Coen is an award-winning travel writer specializing in the Deep South. She is the author of "Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History," "Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana" and "Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana" and co-author of "Magic's in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets." She also writes Louisiana romances under Cherie Claire, including "A Cajun Dream" and "The Letter." Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.