Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas Fun

 Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

What do these have in common?

Original Zentangle by inkspired

Well, no, not a Zentangle or a pumpkin!

They are alphabetically the first 4 states 

of the United States of America.

Let’s have some fun with states!

puzzles-to-print.com

All 50 states can be found in the above puzzle.

Alabama

Let’s start with Alabama. It became the 22nd state to join the USA, in 1819. It considers itself

 “The Heart of Dixie”.

Vintage song sheet cover art

Even though it is just one state, it has some distinct differences within its borders. Language and accent is one of them.

I found this to be so true when visiting from the south, then further north. Montgomery is the state capital . 

Woojr.com

During the Civil War it served as the first capital of the Confederate States of America. (To my foreign readers, the Confederate side lost the war, thus preserving the United States of America to remain as one.)

Song sheet cover, c.1919

If you visit Alabama, a famous food is their boiled peanuts. Personally, I think they taste somewhat like garbanzo beans. Those who like them, love them!

Alaska

The next state to explore is Alaska. Why?

Because I am going alphabetical, not by proximity!

Song sheet cover, c.1916

Alaska size-wise is bigger than Texas, California and Montana combined! That’s big!

It became the 49th state in 1959. It is commonly known as

‘The Last Frontier”.

Alaska is known for several things -

- the incredible nature landscapes,

- including the Northern Lights

- and glaciers.

Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

It is also known for a diversity of wildlife.

WordSearchAddict.com

If you want to get a “taste” of Alaska, try chicken with a white barbecue sauce.

Or anything with salmon…

The Alaska state capital is Juneau, although Anchorage is its most populated city.

Wildlifenomads.com

Alaska has 100,000 glaciers and 3 million lakes. (Yeah, I typed that right!)

Arizona

Arizona is the 48th state admitted to the USA, in 1912.

That’s a lot of years between the 48th and 49th.

“The Grand Canyon State”

It is perhaps most famous for the Grand Canyon, found in the north of the state. However Arizona is home to many unique and unusual landmarks and places of interest.

Phoenix is the capital, located in the south central part of the state. While many people think Arizona is just desert, it actually has high elevation mountains and the world’s largest Ponderosa Pine forest.

Song Sheet cover, c.1903

Western movie lovers will instantly recognize the gunfight at the OK Corral, but did you know that yes, it really happened, and yes, it was in Arizona!

Arizona may be the sunniest state, with 300+ days average per year of sun (out of 350 days).

Want a taste of the Southwest? Try a crispy chimichanga, originating in Arizona. My personal favorite however is an Indian Fry Bread Taco. There’s nothing else quite the same!

Education.com

I have to mention the Saguaro cactus and the Sonoran Desert. This desert extends from southeastern California to Arizona to north Mexico. Within the Sonoran there are places in Arizona with very specific weather conditions - and this is where you can find Saguaro cactus growing. It is the only place in the world where they grow natively. A Saguaro cactus may live 150-200 years, and in the first decade may only grow a few centimeters. They are fascinating!

Education.com

One more piece of trivia - Arizona is where the first McDonald’s drive through opened!

Arkansas

Arkansas became the 25th state in 1836. It’s motto is

It is a Southern state, with many typical Southern characteristics such as sweet tea. If you ask for unsweetened tea, they know you’re a tourist!

The capital is Little Rock. It is a modern city, despite all the joking about backwoods small town stuff.

Little Rock, Arkansas 

Arkansas is the only state in North America with a diamond field. The largest diamond found in North America was in the Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas, in 1924. It weighed in at a whopping 40.23 carats and is named ‘Uncle Sam’.

museprintables.com

Arkansas has rivers, lakes, mountains, bears, bald eagles, hot springs - many ‘natural’ things to check out and explore.

Song sheet cover art, c.1917

That’s it for today!

I will be continuing my exploration of states in my next few blogs.

‘Til next time,

Inkspired

A is for Auspicious, Appetizing & Amazing Apples

 APPLES!

Apples. 

They come in over 50 different varieties. Many of those are readily available in your local grocery store, or by mail order companies like Harry & David.

This chart just shows a few. Some I have never heard of! How many have you tried?

  Waechtersbach vintage mug

Autumn chills make me think of Fall things, and that includes apples, pumpkins and falling leaves swirling with color.

Found on Pinterest, no artist name

Browsing the internet, I found quite a few apple-themed items. Buildings, furniture, kitchen appliances, clothing, jewelry, accessories - the list goes on…

And on…

And on.

Cat bed and toy

Let’s have some apple-icious fun today.

(I have shared where you can find a few of the items, when I can find out information.)

Clock

Telephone, Poshmark

You an easily transform your kitchen into an apple orchard with the variety of apple-themed products out there. Let’s start with a simple but effective way to get started with the transition - door/cabinet knobs.

Another fairly inexpensive change is something we don’t think about often - light switch covers.

On a severe budget? Why not take plain covers and decoupage them with images of apples cut from magazines, napkins or stickers? Finish with a good coat of Mod Podge and they will wipe down easily

Stove top burner covers used to be so popular. They are still a great way to protect the top of your stove and add some color.

Of course you will need an apple pie plate to bake an apple pie in that oven -

Kaldun & Bogle; Wayfair

and apple measuring cups to make that apple pie -

The Design

and an apple utensil holder you need for the spoons and such to make that apple pie -

and an apple timer to know how long to bake that pie.

Hermosas

A nice lazy Susan (turntable) could be handy to hold napkins -

and some apple hooks to hang your apron on.

I found a ‘vintage’ 1960’s sewing pattern. You might need to wear this to serve your apple pie?

Fashion Frocks; 1960’s

While we’re getting ready, let’s comb our hair and put in a hair clip or two -

Oops! Need to sew on a missing button -

For that I need some light to see.

GoatapplianceGifts 

We can set the table with a vase of apple blossoms-

or sit in our favorite apple chair -

…and listen to some music, 

usb.brando.com

or perhaps watch a little television.

Hannspreetv

‘An apple a day

keeps anyone away

if you throw it hard enough!’

- unknown

How many of these have you tried?

My favorite is Gala for eating, although I also like Pink Lady and Fuji.

Apples seem to go just about anywhere in your home.

The bathroom -

The Craft Room (we all have one of those, right?) -

Knitting-bee.com

Found on Etsy

The bedroom -

monmaris

Jewelry keeper

Walmart

The music room -

solethings, a Korean web site

The office -

and the Den -

You can even travel with your apple luggage -

using the apple bus stop -

Bus stop, Japan

…to visit your favorite apple orchard information booth!

Meaford, Ontario, Canada 

Whew!

Who knew?

I have had fun finding all the apple items.

Why not try out a new-to-you variety from the store?

‘Til next time,

inkspired