Archives for May 2015

The Bearded Ladies of Fayetteville

May 13, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

I love bearded ladies and by that I mean irises and not women with beards. (And yes, that’s a thing, too.) Irises are sometimes called bearded ladies because of the thick, bushy “beards” on the lower petals of the blooms. In our Washington-Willow historic neighborhood of Fayetteville, and all over the South, irises are in full bloom. They are my favorite flower because they remind me of my Nana who always grew them. One whiff of that sweet smell transports me back to the home place every time.

Here are a few pictures I took only steps from our porch.

Just wow. I love this apricot/rose color. If I knew the name, I’d tell you, but there are hundreds of varieties, and I’m certainly no expert.

These deep dark purple irises look like velvet. This might possibly be Superstition or Red Velvet Cake, but don’t hold me to it. Regardless, they are stunning.

This purple and white iris got her beard wet in the storm, but she sure smells nice.

This one came from my own garden. It’s called Decadence. A name that fits, for sure.

This black iris came from my garden too. Love.Her.

Purchased recently at Westwood Gardens. A prolific bloomer!

Check out this pale lavender and yellow. So delicate.

Another classic below. This one’s called Accent (I think).

Snowy white. What a beauty.

Of all the bearded ladies of Fayetteville, here are my personal favorites:

the Annabelle…

and Lucy.

Ha.

Are you an iris fan? Do you have a favorite?

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”
― Georgia O’Keeffe

[tweetthis]Bearded ladies of #Fayetteville. #Iris #Spring #SmellsSoSweet #WestwoodGardens [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Goo Goo Dolls – Iris

Rainy Graduation Fun!

May 11, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

It was a rainy graduation, one filled with family and fun, as our youngest graduated from the University of Arkansas. Time. That was the theme running through my head. What time is everyone getting into town? What time do we need to leave for Barnhill Arena? How long will it take to graduate 500 business students?

How exactly did time fast forward? My son graduated kindergarten five minutes ago. And five minutes before that, he was born.

Future #Waltongrad

Graduation is one of those occasions that makes me stop and reflect in a life-flashing-by-sort-of-way. The music gets to me. The caps and gowns and formality of it all. I remember my high school graduation. Waiting to hear my name called. Waiting to move that tassel from one side of the cap to the other. Waiting for my time. Stepping across the stage to the beginning of something new and exciting.

And then thirty-five years later, my baby has graduated from college. I’m thankful for every second it took to get to this point. I’m grateful for my own parents who instilled an educational mindset in me. We are blessed to live where we live, to have choices, and the means to succeed. So many don’t.

And hard work. Hard work is key.

Happy Graduation to all those walking the big walk this month!

Daughter Kelsey (University of Texas School of Law J.D. Candidate Class of 2016) & Niece Taylor (Future Razorback Class of 2022)

Today the sun is shining, and the future is bright.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]I’m thinking back on our rainy #graduation weekend. #Thankful. So very thankful. #Waltongrad #UARK15 @UArkansas[/tweetthis]

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Musical Pairing:

Seals & Crofts – We May Never Pass this Way Again (My graduation song in 1980…)

Bringing back the Sunday Drive…

May 7, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

Last Sunday, we went for an afternoon drive. A Sunday drive. I’ve heard this was once a thing. Back when Sunday activities were devoted only to church services and resting for the week ahead, the family packed up the Ford and set off for a pleasant drive through the countryside. Not a road trip. Not an errand. There was no particular agenda other than to spend time together enjoying what the day would bring. In our crazy, busy lives, I think we should bring back the Sunday Drive. It should be an official thing again.

Like Sunday pot roast. That should be a thing again, too.

I’ve been thinking about what makes a good Sunday drive. A specific destination isn’t a requirement. But good music on the radio and plenty of warm sunshine adds to the pleasure. And maybe there’s food. A stop at a roadside diner or a picnic lunch? Okay so maybe this idyllic plan isn’t realistic for every weekend, but once a month? Definitely!

Our recent Sunday drive included a visit to Chotkowski Gardens, which is an incredible peony farm. With over 800 herbaceous varieties and 200 tree varieties, Henry Chotkowski’s farm is bursting with peak-season peony blooms. (Herbaceous means the plants have non-woody stems that die back at the end of the growing season. Tree means, well, more like a shrub.)

Pink. Red. White. Yellow. Apricot. Lavender. A three-acre field of perfume.

Chotkowski Gardens, 16142 Pin Oak Rd, Fayetteville, Ar

Typically, Chotkowski sells peonies in the spring. Customers walk through the gardens, choose a peony to buy (how on earth, I’m not sure) and pick up rootstock later in the fall for planting. Unfortunately for us, this year his peonies aren’t for sale. For reasons I’m not completely clear on, he’s taking the year off… Waaah! He promised me that he will be selling again next year.

Boy, there’s nothing like being unable to buy one, that reallyreallyreally makes me want one… availability/desirability…there may be something to that.

These pictures do NOT do justice to the up close and personal blooms.

This red beauty (below) was one of my favorites.

This gorgeous yellow peony looks like tissue paper.

I honestly thought I would remember the names of these peonies. Ha.

The truck in the picture below is the perfect reason to go on a Sunday Drive. You never know what treasures you will find along the way. Treasures within treasures.

Peonies in the background…

If you live in Northwest Arkansas and are looking for the perfect Sunday drive, Chotkowski Gardens is open from 1:00 to 5:00 each afternoon during season (beginning of April through end of May). Even though you can’t buy this year, it’s worth the short drive from Fayetteville for the simple pleasure of strolling through and admiring the beauty.

And guess what? Mother’s Day is 3 days away! Chotkowski Gardens hosts a Mother’s Day Open House annually which includes displays of cut flowers, a bit of peony history and more. This year’s event is Sunday, May 10, 1:00 – 4:00. Read more about this year’s event HERE.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Who wants to go for a Sunday drive with me? #MakingMemories #SundayDrive #WeeklyVenture [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Groovin’, The Young Rascals