I recently attended a Christmas party with my coworkers and their families. We were greeted with pure hospitality and generosity. I truly enjoyed the evening and appreciate the wonderful people I was able to connect with. I felt fortunate to spend time with people of all ages and varied backgrounds.

My coworkers and I work for an association that provides an essential service to our community. I am blessed daily with the opportunity to see and assist my neighbors. Through my job, I can connect with my community; this is one reason I love my job.

During this time of year, I find myself counting my blessings. I have the most wonderful family anyone could ask for and dearly miss those who are not nearby. I could not ask for better friends or coworkers. To top off my blessings, I live in a wonderful community in one of the most beautiful places in the country. I often wonder if I could ever match the hospitality, generosity, and holiday spirit that my friends, family, and community display throughout the entire year.

Because this is a special time of year, spiritually, I also reflect on my connection with my Savior and know I can find ways to strengthen my relationship with Him, with my family, and with my friends and community, and with YOU! Thus, I wish you a very merry Christmas! Happy holidays from Mooskull!

Hi, this is Angela with Mooskull. As you may know, we established Mooskull to celebrate the natural beauty of Arkansas and the people who make it such a wonderful place with a little attempt at humor with our “go natural” logos that spotlight the four different area codes for Arkansas. In addition to trying to promote community camaraderie with our merchandise, we also want to focus on some of our amazing residents.

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with a fantastic lady, Patricia Rodgers, who lives in Baxter County near Lake Norfork. She has two children and five grandchildren.

Patricia was raised in Paragould, Arkansas, a prominent city situated in the northeast part of the state. She comes from a large family. In 1997, despite considerable hesitation, Patricia's husband persuaded her to relocate to north-central Arkansas, specifically Baxter County snuggly nestled in the Ozark Mountains.

Although Patricia was initially reluctant to relocate to the area, she now regards it as her permanent home. She appreciates the region’s natural landscape and mentioned, “We have everything a person would ever want here: mountains, lakes, streams, rivers, and waterfalls. And if you want to shop, it isn’t that far.” While Patricia enjoys vacationing in various locations, she consistently finds returning home rewarding and often questions why she ever chose to leave.

Patricia’s home is her sanctuary, sitting back in the woods less than three miles from Norfork Lake. She enjoys her morning meditation outside and finds peace and inspiration from her surroundings in her front yard. We both remarked how we enjoy watching the small woodland animals and listening to cicadas. She also made sure to point out the peace and tranquility the winter snow brings.

Patricia values quality time with her children and grandchildren. Her family played a pivotal role in motivating her to establish her business, Elements of Nature. While visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park with a few of her grandchildren, Patricia's granddaughter discovered a sizable rock approximately eight inches in diameter. After breaking off several pieces and polishing them, they revealed distinctive black and light-grey zebra-like stripes formed from compressed volcanic ash. Patricia recognized their potential as jewelry and received continued encouragement from her family, who brought her additional unique rocks for consideration.

Currently, Patricia creates jewelry using materials sourced from nature, including rocks, leaves, and flowers. In addition, she sews aprons and hats for children, as well as pillows designed for the Tooth Fairy. Her products consistently demonstrate attention to quality and craftsmanship. Those interested in viewing her work may visit the Mountain Home Farmers Market on Saturdays between 7 a.m. and noon, or contact her at 870-421-3960.

As always, view Mooskull merchandise at mooskull.online. Together, let’s celebrate the bonds that make us strong. Wear your new Mooskull hat and shirt as a badge of honor, a wearable reminder of where you belong.

I’m Angela Johnson and my husband is Rod Johnson. Rod is camera shy and enjoys his privacy; please don’t expect to see any pictures or videos of his handsome face. So, all you get today is mine. We live in the north-central region of Arkansas. I’m an Army veteran and retired with over 20 years of active duty, but 29 ½ of total military service.

We moved to Arkansas in 2021 from Montana where we both spent a large portion of our lives. Having traveled around North America and Europe, I always enjoyed the time I spent in Arkansas. My husband and I spent many months researching and discussing the possible locations to which we would move to once I retired. I always kept Arkansas at the top of my list of desirable locations. Once we viewed our current home, we both knew we found the place our hearts call, “Home!”

The climate and natural beauty of Arkansas brought us here, but the local people are the true reason we love our home.

We established Mooskull to celebrate the wonderful state of Arkansas and the regions within. We plan to explore the Natural State and get to know the people that comprise it. We will share our journey along the way. We will also share a little bit of ourselves, from handcrafted wood and yarn creations to homemade treats, sauces, and other delicious food items. We believe that you too are proud to call Arkansas “home” or one of your favorite vacation spots! Thus, we hope you choose to represent that pride by wearing some of our gear as a badge of honor and dedication to the great, Natural State of Arkansas!

The state’s nickname, "The Natural State," is no exaggeration. Arkansas offers an unparalleled connection to the outdoors through its parks, hiking trails, and waterways. The Buffalo National River, the Hot Springs National Park, and the Crater of Diamonds State Park highlight the state's commitment to preserving the environment while inviting exploration. Whether fishing, kayaking, or simply enjoying the sunset over Pinnacle Mountain, Arkansans celebrate and cherish the natural splendor that surrounds them.