Turnkey operation! Little House BuffetNear the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO Located on the corner of Hwy 60 and Hwy 5, the Little House Buffet is just minutes away from the historic Laura Ingalss Wilder homestead. A popular destination for families and school children in the State of Missouri. Opened in 1960, just three years after Laura's death, the Little House Buffet has been a staple in the area, known for home cooked food at reasonable prices. The restaurant seats approx. 140 people and is located on a corner, across from a gas station and next to a motel. All equipment is included in the sale, including but not limited to the buffet table, all tables, chairs, kitchen equipment and so much more. This really is a turn key operation for someone or for a famil... 07/24/2008

This week the Mansfield Mirror announced the availablity of free centennial calendars to help commemorate 100 years of journalism in Mansfield, Missouri.  The Mirror plans to note the celebration with a special historical section this Spring featuring Mirror and Mansfield history and vintage photographs.  There will be a special Mansfield Mirror cancellation marking at the Mansfield Post Office.The Mansfield Historical Society has had a rich display of publications, but has offered additonal exhibit space to the Mirror this year for specific Mansfield Mirror items.Not to be left to dusty, musty paper, the Mansfield Mirror is available online with RSS feed; right up there with the big boys.  Mansfield MirrorAt the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce website and my own regional blog: Ozarks Mou... 01/27/2008

In a conversation recently, someone shared they were having trouble with a little thing in email that unfortunately many of us with some experience take for granted.When, at our house, we were all embracing technology a few years ago, some moved ahead of others.  It was SO tempting, when they asked for help, to just say, "Oh here let me do it." -- grab the mouse and fix it for them.  Or for them to get into the habit of calling the 'know-hows' to their rescue.   And, mouse hogs that we "know-hows' were, frequently, we kept our bit of power.In our email conversation, a couple of us commented, "Oh, that is SO easy.  Just click this and right click that and there you go."  When I got back to my computer and checked, I found that the little things we were doing unconsciously, are not SO eas... 01/21/2008

Mansfield Home Center is the new name for the former Mansfield Building Supply.  We are enjoying some creative, but classy new TV commercials for Mansfield Home Center on local (Springfield, MO) television.   We are glad to see aggressive marketing of a good business for Mansfield.  I recommend similar alert marketing for other businesses.  And for those who wonder, Mansfield is alive and well.Congratulations on the new moves, Mansfield Home Center. I am complimented to be able to acknowledge you at my other blog, Ozarks Mystique on the OzarksMountainCountry.com website.There are two other stores connected to Mansfield Home Center in Mansfield, Missouri. They are Ava Home Center and Gainesville Home Center. If you are thinking of moving to the Ozarks, the smaller towns that are home to ... 01/21/2008

On Friday afternoon, November 9, veterans, citizens and school children met at the Mansfield, Missouri school for a program recognizing local veterans.Sixteen veterans in the Mansfield area were recognized with the package which includes a medal, a certificate from the State of Missouri and the United States Government, letters from Governor Matt Blunt (a veteran) and Major General Stillwell.  Two of the awards went posthumously to a WWII veteran and a VietNam veteran. Tech Sgt. Bobby Doss received three medals recognizing service in three theaters of combat: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.   This presentation project was performed in communities all over Missouri.Spec.4 Fred Overbeck received, in addition to the Missouri medal, a Purple Heart medal which has been 36 years in the proc... 11/13/2007

Boy, has it been hot! and Dry. We've had to do the necessary watering to keep things alive. Containers have a particulary tough time, but we manage to get them some sustaining water every day.  Seems like the rainmaking here could have carried over for the real stuff just a little.  Zero precipitation on our road for August. August is like that in the Ozarks; it seems AWFUL during the dry month, but this too shall pass.  And, when it does, the rains will revive the grass; the grass will forgive and grow and Himself will be mowing at Thanksgiving again!  When people make their home in the Ozarks, they just prepare for this and learn to appreciate the moment because it won't last long.  If we hadn't had the infamous Easter FREEZE, this hot weather would be ripening more fruit and bringing... 08/18/2007

Have you seen that commercial asking you to have paperless billing and telling you how much a tree contributes to cleaner air?I'm hoping my abstract growing this year has done some too.  I have a trellis that lost its roses (I am toxic to roses). This year we debated putting a gourd, pumpkin or watermelon vine. We thought about the trouble we could get into with morning glories and honey suckle.  A massive germination of pumpkin seeds in our compost bin made the decision.  And, I think we are too practical -- we would opt for food over flowers. Especially when the food has great flowers.   This pumpkin was born on a fence and I've wound the vines in the trellis to help support it.  I learned the hard way, not to move the pumpkin part of vines.  These golden beauties are part of our morn... 07/29/2007

Doing the 30 min a day thing and reading while I eat lunch have helped me work my way through two Anne Bronte books this spring/summer.  The bigger collection is in one book with thin pages, like Bible paper.  I'm not sure I want it in the peanut butter territory, but night stand reading will work.  Lunch reading is taking me through a great biography on Quanah Parker.  This week Amazon sent me THE MILLIONAIRE REAL ESTATE INVESTOR and THE MILLIONAIRE REAL ESTATE AGENT (well, I had to order them)   They will add to the studying books -- My Christmas gifts were pruning/grafting books and a tool box with pruning tools.  Will learning the language of investment and the language of tree pruning and grafting become tangles in my vocabulary?   My youngest grandson is coming today.  We're going... 07/29/2007

I have, for years, endured the row of turnips. I recommended they be considered a good plow-down for our heavy, clay soils, if they even germinated. The ones I had tried tasted like cabbage cores. As long as we had peanut butter and celery, someone else could have the turnips.   Turnips are tasty with new potatoes & onions; pretty with the impatienx.  Just as yummy and nearly as pretty as Bob Sharpe's  Tomatoes-Part 2   It looks like Bob is setting up for some fried green tomatoes.This year, we had turnips germinate like you wouldn't believe! They pushed their little purple tops right out of the ground. (in the past, the turnips and carrots loved to keep a strong root grasp, leaving me with a handful of tops.) I gave up and cooked some of them.Then some more of them. We found we really ... 07/27/2007

My cousin's family came to our house for the 4th.  We haven't been able, over the years to spend much time with her family, so we were really excited.  RL got so wound up when I told him they were coming that he just had to leave the office and go for a drive!   He found a produce stand with fresh garden things from the Boot Heel of Missouri -- roasting ears and Black Diamond Watermelon.The guys all had a bonding time sharing hobbies while my cousin and I traded some family heirlooms.  The garden was looking good and her daughter found the first red tomato.  Then, before they had to leave for other family obligations, we started a fine, sweaty family tradition that I hope we can keep, maybe long distance, but still keep.I have had a little Pawlonia seedling since last year.  A neighbor ... 07/06/2007

janeAnne's comments and ideas this morning on her post to the Eco All Stars HORSE and HOME, have given me inspiration to share how we do this on a small scale that can be adjusted to fit most any budget and fit most any land size. We have a small property -- just over three acres. All of that isn't available for use due to slopes, woods, etc. So, what do we do to make comfortable, loved horses and benefit the propertyThe Ozarks offers a climate and geography to appeal to the small property owner.  Horses are extremely popular.  The World Headquarters of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breeding Association is located at Ava, Missouri, right in the heart of the Ozarks.   There is an ample population of Amish people who utilize horses for transportation and work. The horse people want to m... 06/22/2007

janeAnne's comments and ideas this morning on her post to the Eco All Stars HORSE and HOME, have given me inspiration to share how we do this on a small scale that can be adjusted to fit most any budget and fit most any land size. We have a small property -- just over three acres. All of that isn't available for use due to slopes, woods, etc. So, what do we do to make comfortable, loved horses and benefit the property?Just a few things, but as we live and learn here, we're laying even greater plans for the next project.We have horses as a vice.  We love them and enjoy the chores.  They provide company, fertilizer and a reason to go outside a few times a day.Ace is a registered Morgan stallion who likes to show off his shiny black coat with his Mimosa tree in his territory.       Fritz i... 06/22/2007

A couple years ago DH and our grandson had a family compettion to grow a GIANT PUMPKIN.  Neither one had much success, but they were kept busy all summer babying their pumpkins.The pumpkin at our house set off a volunteer vine that DH transplanted in the garden.  It was absolutely a beautiful vine. But the pumkins were all like that little orange gem in the left bottom corner.    But, we still had a picture to send of Grandpa and a giant Pumpkin The puny pumpkins froze in the winter and met their highest and best use in the compost pile.I said I thought that beautiful vine had been awarded too many square feet in the garden and determined to have pumpkins on a trellis that used to support a rose (I don't do well with roses)Spring brought some surprises in the compost bin that we couldn'... 06/18/2007

It was pretty frustrating to have to shift into neutral on Monday afternoon when the telephones and DSL went capoot for a couple hours. I called the telephone company to lodge a report/complaint. They seemed pretty sure it was ME and had me go around unplugging my phones and checking in the house. Then the recommendation ramped up to going outside to check the box on the house. I finally figured out that I would have to use my handy dandy screw driver to get the cover off of the box outside. Cover off, I was definitely not going to think INSIDE this box! There was supposed to be a jack that I could plug a phone into. I called them back and said what does this jack look like? I can't see anything but stuff that looks like "KEEP YOUR BIG FINGERS OFF!" The lady was very understanding about... 05/23/2007

I need roots -- literally. Richard plans to build his dream home, but we know that will be delayed by the Straw Bale Project. But, I cannot continue to live as a temporary person. I have pets buried on these three acres and about 30 little trees that we've 'rescued' and potted. It is time to get a life!Fortunately, this week, the tree thing has been a team project. Richard has tried valiantly to get a sassafras thicket going, but only one has survived. And we put some native cedar juveniles into holes abandoned by other evergreens between us and the highway. Monday night, he took the tractor and dug 15 major holes (do not walk the dog over there after dark). Seven of them are the proud new location of redbuds, hawthornes, sassafras and maple babies. Their 'cribs' were immediately filled... 05/23/2007

I spotted this little box turtle in the grass the other morning, but thank goodness Duke didn't. The turtles look like rocks to him, then they walk away. They are snooty till he catches them, then they hiss at him, creating offense. The turtles and armadillos are migrating in their mobile homes this time of year and the highway traffic is really hard on them. Harder on them than Duke. I don't welcome armadillos to the yard, but tolerate the turtles. They get a few nibbles out of the garden, but I'm sure eat enough bugs -- the ox is worthy of his hire. The early morning sun was warm, but not hot. The turtle was snoozing because I had time to take Duke to the house, put out his fresh water, grab the camera and get back to the turtle for several pictures before he opened his eyes and close... 05/17/2007

Taylor Realty Services, with the Mansfield Community Center, will be hosting a presentation about the USDA Rural Development Loan Program on May 22, at 6:00 PM in the Community Center.Robert Strickland of the USDA will be the presenter for this information. USDA has, for qualified applicants and properties, loans available offering 100% financing with no money down and subsidized payments. Pre-qualification is free with no obligation to continue. These loans have particular impact in the Ozarks economy. People who have always rented may qualify to own their home, making a dream come true. We would like to help make those dreams come true. Kelly Taylor at Taylor Realty Services has successfully brought home buyers, property and loan together and she is eager to work on more such projects... 05/17/2007

The Smithsonian Institution and Missouri Council of the Humanities has made an exhibition available that fits the scene and history of Mansfield. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum is working with the Mansfield Community Center to host the Mesuem on Mainstreet exhibition of BETWEEN FENCES, from May 12 through June 23, 2007. The exhibit will be open to the public without charge.                                                                                                              The topic of fences in our country covers tangible and virtual divisions. We are all learning about the need for boundaries that are fair and reasonable.Because of the rocky and rough terrain of the Ozarks, fences have been made of peculiar materials at times. Rock fences, rail fences, living fences of... 05/05/2007

This week I will finish harvesting the worm casting material from my hardworking nightcrawlers in the basement. I've been scooping about 3-5 lbs of casting material, seeds, egg shells and worms out of the bin into a wiremesh basket. The basket is then placed on top of the new bin, out in the light, such as it is in the basement. The worms head for food, darkness and new digs without a lot of hassle from me The process takes about two days, then I fill the basket again. This week, the first canteloupe were available and the worms always love the rind and seed "stuff". Plus when Duke and I walk in the dewy early morning, my shoes get SO wet. To stave off the scent of jungle rot in them, I stuff them with newspaper, changing for dry paper a couple times a day. This time of the year, they s... 05/05/2007

C & C Hardware is a thriving example of a local business in a small town. Charlene and Chris have set up a supply that provides local service at very competitive prices. Think about the advantages of dealing with people you know. They carry an inventory of small hardware and garden supplies, some wire, paint and pipe. They have a firearms license and sporting equipment is another great option that C&C offers the area.The members of the Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce got even better acquainted when C&C hosted the May membership meeting this week.          Mansfield Chamber of Commerce is gradually growing and developing into a group that provides information service to folks outside of Mansfield, plus marketing and information service for area business members. Having the membership ... 05/04/2007