America Aranda-Hull, Realtor, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Journey

02/19/2025

A few pictures of our most recent snow day! and romped and played today for a while, chasing bones and tug ropes all over the yard. Well, as far and I can toss them lol. This is easily the most slow we've ever seen, since moving up.

Yesterday, it showed so hard every time Calcifer went out he'd come back looking like the Biden family mascot!

It wasn't the pretty, fluffy snow so no snowmen here, but I'm hoping hubs gets done with work early enough for us all to play outside for a bit.

02/15/2025

Last night, we went and had dinner at in Rogers. And while I completely forgot to take a picture of the dinner, I did snap a quick picture of the after dinner cordial. It was delicious, trust me, lol. Today, we each got the other some flowers, and after dinner, I made a mulled cider.

There's isn't a way I can describe just how excited I was to pull cider from our stores and make it tonight for our evening. Forget the wine and make a mulled cider instead!

Recipe:

1/2 gal cider (homemade)
2 apples (I used Gala)
1 orange
1 lemon
2 limes

Spices: cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, dash of nutmeg and allspice

I sliced the apples and citrus, then added them to a pot of cider. Next, add the spices. And bring to a boil and turn down to simmer.

*I added appx 1T of my homemade apple cider liqueur and 1T whiskey. I take -0- responsibility for whatever happens on your date night if you do this. ❤️

11/15/2024

A few months back, I came across a ginger bug homemade soda recipe for fall and decided to try it. I'll try and tag the original account if I can find it again in the comments.

Because this was an attempt at another account's recipe, I want exactly sure what to expect. I feel that too often folks post things that are exaggerated in their ease in a bid to make it more likely folks will share things. For that reason, I'm often hesitant to try things I discover online. But after making this, I'm glad I did. That said, it's like sharing my observations and experiences.

For starters, it does not take 2 weeks to make this. This is about 4-6 weeks of fermentation and cultivation. The original video and recipe call for 1T each of chopped ginger and brown sugar mixed into water. You'll want to fill a quart sized jar halfway and mix equal parts ginger:brown sugar in daily.* after about a week's worth of feeding you let it sit for several more days before straining (save the strained bits). Pour into your jars 1 part ginger bug to about 3-4 parts apple cider. Let sit a few more days on your counter and enjoy once bubbly. Please note that you'll need to burp your bug+cider mix 2x a day.

*1T brown sugar daily was way way way too much, it made a ginger syrup, not bug. 1:1 ginger and brown sugar for day 1 was fine. But after that, add 1: 1/3 parts for 3 days, then let sit for 1 week. Don't add anything!! When ready to pour off, watch to make sure that the bug is bubbling on its own. If it is not, add some small amount of chopped ginger for 3 days. And let sit. I added 1c to a sterilized flip top bottle and then about 3c plain, unsweetened apple cider. To continue the fermentation process, it needed to sit about 3 weeks on my counter. I made the right flip to bottle in my first batch and the second just this last week. The sugars in thr cider will add natural carbonation. Much like in home brewing hard cider.

**you may reuse the strained ginger for another round.

10/10 will be continuing this soda production.

10/07/2024

A couple of weeks ago I decided to try my hand at making homemade fire cider. After letting everything stew for about 14 days I decided I really really liked the flavor and it was time to bottle.

The one on the left is a more traditional recipe, whereas the one on the right, I added elderberries, extra cinnamon 5 some fall spices like allspice and nutmeg. I personally think the elderberry one is sweet enough to drink on its own! However, they both came out great!!

If you've never tried this, I highly recommend you do so! It's super easy and like all things southern/ mountain/ or any other kind of culture there's no hard and fast rule on your flavors! Just add the basics and go a little wild!

09/24/2024

This past Sunday was the Autumnal Equinox. So, I spent a good portion of the day in preparation for the upcoming cough, cold and flu season.🤧🤒

I mixed 2 versions of and attempted to create The first batch had the last few berries I harvested from my elderberry tree. It wasn't much but every little bit helps! (I'm looking at adding more and have reached out to for powdered/dried berries) 🥰

Today, I burped my honey, and it's fermenting nicely! My next project is trying to find a good herbal and digestive bitters recipe!!

I have made enough to gift some of these for the holidays. Well, I hope I did anyway, LOL!


Have you or do you use fire cider or garlic honey?

08/12/2024

It dawned on me yesterday that I haven't yet posted my gardening successes. This year wasn't a squash year for us. Instead, we got POUNDS of tomatoes!! After a bumpy start where all my seedlings froze from a final cold snap in April, then a freaking invasion of squash bugs or bore or whatever the hellspawn are so named, I've canned jars and jars of stewed tomatoes and blended tomato sauce. With the tomatillos now coming in, I suspect a jar or two of those next.

I even got a small harvest of elderberry! It translated into 2 syrups, 2 (currently attempting) tinctures, and a pint of an (attempted) elderberry liqueur. I'll let folks know how that turns out in about a month.

The big surprise was a butternut squash vine that grew out of our compost that's been a quality producer so far!

07/23/2024

So I have a confession! I bought a small order of quality mail lacquer from and it's gorgeous!! I want it noted that I am not good at painting my nails. And I'm hard on my nails. I've seen their ads in IG for some time now. I'm absolutely terrible when it comes to keeping my hands and specifically my nails well groomed. I probably will never be good at it, but this polish gives me hope that I might 😅

This is 3 days and 2 yard work shifts and still looking amazing. I can't wait to try the other few colors.
🥹🥰

Do you paint your nails?

07/16/2024

06/26/2024

Not sure about you but summertime means Mediterranean! A couple of days ago I pan seared chicken seasoned with Oregano, onion, garlic, lemon, salt and pepper. I made my own whipped feta inspired by an account I follow (I'll try and tag them in the comments) to add to the pita (store bought, not fresh, don't hate me).

Today, I created my own pick-two! I got the urge to add peaches and apples along with feta to my salad also inspired by (wonderful cookbook, a must for every kitchen!!)

Love the way everything turned out!! 🥰



Do you like Mediterranean flavors??

05/30/2024

Yesterday we got our power back!! I feel like a couple of shout outs are needed:

1. Every single Lineman, Electrician, tradesmen, craftsman and whoever else was called in to make repairs and fix lines, from the bottom of my heart and the frosty air from my AC I thank you!!

2. The MVP goes to: The Predator line of generators from Harbor Freight, you, our little engine that could and *DID*! This little guy chuggalugged for almost 80hrs straight (2 small breaks to add oil and balance usage). I'll tell you right now! 10/10 and 5*, totally will tell everyone they need to get them one! 💯

3. And our Honorable Mentioned the Thunderbolt Magnum 7Watt Solar Charger. This little guy charged my dead 2 seater UTV. Where our plug in battery charger takes a full 24hrs. This is going in my CYA Sh1tstorm bag for sure!🌞

We moved out to the country in order to learn new skills to survive, not just a tragedy or catastrophe but to be more self-reliant. In all things. We came through well enough and we were quite blessed (yes we were blessed, we didn't have a tree fall into or on to our home, didn't get hit by lightning or were in the direct path of 80+ mph winds or the tornado), but it was rather humbling to see just how far we still need to go.





Do you have a go-bag, emergency cache or are prepared for a tragedy?

Comment on what gear or items you think folks should have!

05/28/2024

This past Sunday, our area was hit by a tornado and damaging in-line winds. My father's house lost several large treesand while they took out a few poles, they missed his house by a few feet. In fact, the tree fell in such a way as it ripped the cable from the house. Our house didn't receive any direct damage, but all of us are without power. 😮‍💨

In facts tens of thousands have lost power and more. In Northwest AR, people lost their lives.

As of yesterday, linemen and power crews had begun restoring power to at least those in town and on the highways. I am hopeful that we're on the list for today or tomorrow.

Regardless, we have what's important. All of us are safe, severally inconvenienced! But safe!! Many can't say the same. Thankfully, we've been slowly preparing for emergencies like this, and while we're stressed, it's still OK.

If you're in the area, please stay safe. If you're not, perhaps spare a thought for those that are. ❤️

03/03/2024

Today we officially joined the family! It took the afternoon to assemble the individual seats, disassemble the old reclining sofa and loveseat and then place the new into the configuration we wanted. I want to give a shout out to the Pinnacle location in NWA for assistance in the buying process as well as a hearty shout to our friends The Orozcos for pointing us in this direction.

This looks amazing!