The House Restaurant in Hillcrest - Losing More Than Meets The Eye

Bestie Boy took me out to eat this week at a Hillcrest staple - The House.  Located at 722 N. Palm near the Hillcrest Kroger, The House opened in 2009 as a self-proclaimed 'Burger Joint'.  Josh Blevins, owner of The House, uses almost exclusively Arkansas produce to prepare some pretty delicious meals.  The burgers and other sandwiches come on fresh rolls and stand a mile high.  There is no way you are going to put these babies in your mouth for a true bite.

We had been to The House once before and found the burgers to be good.  This week, Blevins announced that The House would close its doors for good at the end of August.  "Restaurants operate on the slimmest of margins, The House exceptionally so.  I've always been able to find ways to make us scrape by, but in the past month, our revenues have dropped considerably, to a degree that for a small operation like ours it is simply unsustainable." says Blevins.

We had to go for one last meal - one last hurrah.  Since we are back to the empty nest (see previous posts about moving the kiddos back to college), we could just decide to go out for dinner and go - no checking with kiddos, no wondering what to feed them, no listening to complaints because the menu didn't have what they wanted.  In other words, bliss.

I decided to have the 'world famous' macaroni and cheese.  I was disappointed.  It was dry and sticky. After talking with our waitress, we have decided most of the employees have already left for new jobs (Blevins even said in an interview he was helping to get his employees placed elsewhere) so that might explain the slow service, only standard drinks and my macaroni disappointment.  But really, how do you live up to 'world famous'?  This gave me an excuse to drink my mojito is big gulps and ask for another, thank you.

Bestie had the chicken sandwich with sriracha fries.  Wow.  The sandwich was good and the fries SPICY. Glad he had leftovers because this became my lunch the next day.  Again, the sandwich was so tall he had to cut it up in order to even get it to fit in his mouth.  Yes, I know.....Bestie does have a big mouth so it should have been able to fit......ha ha.

So, getting to eat at The House one last time was nice overall.  The best part was not the food or the atmosphere of the restaurant, but the time I got to spend with Bestie during which I had his full attention and he had mine.  Even on the stinking hot walk from home and back, we were able to hold hands, linger at interesting points along the way, and relax as best friends do.  Miss both kids already, but I am so glad to have back my husband who is also my lover and my best friend.

Moving the Kiddos back to the University of Arkansas - Go Hogs Go

I was in Fayetteville this past week moving both kiddos back to college.  Kiddo #1 was returning Sunday morning after 3 months in Alaska and needed her apartment set up so she could start back to work on Monday.  Did I mention her plane didn't land in Little Rock until Sunday morning?  Well, who do you think got to set up the apartment for her? Right, Mom.  Just another day in the life of a Mom (I did enjoy getting to play decorator so it wasn't all bad.)

I found this little gem at a flea market for only $45!

The dining area is ready for her first dinner guests.

Found this painted bedside table at another flea market for a steal.

This picture is by an artist in Fayetteville and was at the Painted Pig in Farmington for $12.

The mirror and table came from flea markets in Rogers.  I WILL be back to shop on Walnut Street in Rogers.  The flea markets there are FANTASTIC.

Kiddo #2 moved into a dorm room.  Where it took 4 days to move, unpack, and set up the apartment for kiddo #1, it took 15 minutes to set up dorm room for kiddo #2.  At this point you can probably tell kiddo #1 is a girl and kiddo #2 is a boy.  If not, you don't have kids or at least do not have one of each for the comparison.  When I took kiddo #2 to Wal Mart to get the "necessities" we hadn't already purchased he began to fill the cart with Nutty Bars, Swiss Cake Rolls, Chips, Honey Buns, etc.  The only non-junk food item we purchased was a pillow.  My children are like night and day.

Notice how few clothes are in the closet?  Robby said there were plenty!

The bed is made up only because I nagged him about it.  The walls and bulletin board are still empty.

The most important part of the room - two TVs and two gaming systems.

I had a wonderful time with both kiddos getting their room/apartment ready.  When I think I will miss them I just look at the football schedule and see how many times we will be together this fall.  I just hope the Razorbacks win a few games so we will have happy times together instead of insane fussing about the Hogs losing - again!

Phi Mu Bid Day - Fall 2013

 

I joined Phi Mu sorority at University of Arkansas in 1984.  I had three wonderful years at U of A and being in a sorority was part of what made those years so great.  Having a built in support system and feeling a part of such a great group of girls was wonderful then and is still wonderful today.  That is what made Bid Day 2013 so nice - getting to see old friends and making new ones all in our bond of Phi Mu.

After a long week for the PNMs (Potential New Members) and all the sorority members, Bid Day was upon us.  It was the first Phi Mu Bid Day in years and we were all excited to see the new members get their bids.  This is the second year for Phi Mu to be back on the campus of University of Arkansas.  The girls looked fantastic in their Bid Day T-Shirts and we got a full class of new Phis - 160 girls!!!  So excited to see the Chapter growing by leaps and bounds and really making a positive name for themselves on campus.

Members are in smokey blue shirts and Phis are in yellow

The "Sir Fidel"

NWA Alumnae and Friends

The Phi Mu Pledge Class of 2013

My Phi Mu "Daughter" - Kaitlyn Carson

As an added bonus, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette had a picture about students heading back to school at U of A and the pic showed Phi Mu girls in their Bid Day t-shirts!!  Great PR for a great year.

When you see a great girl, don't as 'Who?'  Know she is probably a member of Phi Mu!