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Sunday Letter: 11.22.2020

November 22, 2020 By Talya Tate Boerner 19 Comments

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Thanksgiving is nearly here! Even though it will look a bit different, and it has taken some effort for me to get excited about it this year, I’m finally there. Hands down, the holidays have always been my favorite time of year. Momma always made it magical, and I strive to carry on that tradition as best I can. (She continues to add an entertaining dose of fun.)

I know lots of people have already begun decorating for Christmas. I’m all for doing whatever is needed to up the joy in your life. (Lord knows, we have enough judgment being thrown around to add guilt about early Christmas decorating or tree preference.) Personally, for me, I can’t bring on Christmas until Thanksgiving gets its full and deserved attention. I’ll admit when I heard Christmas music playing at the grocery store this week, I was hap-happy. And I love seeing pictures of Christmas trees all twinkling.

Now, onward to Thanksgiving!

Friendsgiving

Have you ever attended or hosted a Friendsgiving?

We hosted our first one a few nights ago. We thought it was important to celebrate friends, this year in particular. Because of COVID (of course), it wasn’t the large group we would have liked, but still it felt special and mighty important for our mental health. Even though I’m a homebody, not being around friends this year has been a bummer.

So this is how our safe Friendsgiving went down…

  • We invited two other couples (our across-the-street neighbors) for cocktails and appetizers. We planned to sit in the backyard around the fire pit, but because of gale force winds(!), we moved our shindig to the front porch. With chairs spaced out and a stiff breeze, hopefully any COVID in the air blew right on through.
  • Rather grazing from a community platter of food, I created three separate charcuterie bowls, one for each couple.

friendsgiving

  • I placed hand sanitizer at each spot.
  • Drinks were serve yourself in plastic cups (or bring your own).
  • Our neighbor, Valeria, brought individually made apple tarts for dessert.

With good conversation and a little music in the background—our Friendsgiving was a much needed respite and a relaxing way to kick off Thanksgiving.

I believe it’s possible to be careful and safe without going insane. At least I hope so!

Thanksgiving Greetings

This year, I decided to mail Thanksgiving cards to a few friends and family members I don’t often see. (I’ve not been very good about sending Christmas cards the last few years—I get busy and distracted and simply never get around to it.) But Thanksgiving seems like the perfect time to mail greetings. After all, that’s what the holiday is about—being grateful. And friends/family are high on the Things I’m Grateful For List.

I bought Thanksgiving cards from my friend, Jo Ann (Designs by Jo Ann). She creates the cutest handmade cards for every occasion. And she donates the proceeds to Random Acts of Kindness projects throughout the year. How thoughtful is that?

Happy Turkey Day

I say all this as a reminder to shop from your local artisans this year and to drop a handwritten note in the mail to a friend. A card or letter can brighten someone’s day. It may even be a random act of kindness to the person receiving the card.

I don’t think Jo Ann has a website, but if you are interested in her cards, let me know and I’ll try to connect you. If you live in Fayetteville, I’m pretty sure you already know her.

Another thing you might do is make your own cards! Click HERE for creative handmade card-making tips from The Spruce.

Fallen Leaf Art

Here in Northwest Arkansas, most of the brilliant fall color has begun to drain from our leaves. But fading leaves worked quite well for today’s art. You knew I couldn’t let Thanksgiving pass without a new fallen leaf art creation. Right?

Tada!

Tom Turkey
Gobble Gobble.

I might be able to make one more leaf design before all the color is gone. Any requests?

Meet Gracie

If we are friends on Facebook, you have probably already heard about our new baby. Gracie is joining our family at Christmastime! She’s a miniature schnauzer (like Annabelle) and sooooooo stinking adorable (like Annabelle). We officially met her last week when she was 3.5 weeks old.


Gracie the Schnauzer

This week, she began transitioning to milk.

She’s still trying to figure out the milk bowl. 😍

gracie drinking milk

Annabelle has no clue the change coming to her idyllic existence.

Annabelle

Things Momma Says:

I deleted my TikTok account.

😳

*****

Thanks for sticking with my Sunday Letter ramblings this year, for reading, sharing, and commenting. No matter how your Thanksgiving looks, I wish you a safe and peaceful holiday, and I hope your heart is full.

Blessings to those who are sick.

Extra blessings to those who have lost friends and family in 2020.

Be kind.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Filed Under: Sunday Letter Tagged With: Fallen Leaf Art, miniature schnauzers, Thanksgiving

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Comments

  1. Cathy Voight says

    November 22, 2020 at 7:11 am

    Happy thanksgiving to your family! I have enjoyed all the Sunday letters.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 22, 2020 at 7:30 am

      Thanks, Cathy!

      Reply
  2. Katybug427$ says

    November 22, 2020 at 7:15 am

    Loved this! I have so enjoyed your leaf art I had no clue you were so artistic🍁 Gracie is such a cutie; I’m eager to meet her. Will she stay black? Hugs to you, sweet friend, and HappyThanksgiving🍁❣️

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 22, 2020 at 7:31 am

      Thanks, Debbie. Gracie has a tiny bit of white, but she will mostly be black.

      Reply
  3. Jodell says

    November 22, 2020 at 7:27 am

    I always look forward to your Sunday Letters. They’re uplifting, inspiring, and just plain fun. Things Momma Says and the musical pairings are the icing on the cake. Happy Thanksgiving.🦃

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 22, 2020 at 7:31 am

      Thank you! Who knew she had a TikTok account????

      Reply
  4. June Graham says

    November 22, 2020 at 7:47 am

    Love your letters—- and your artwork!!! I always look forward to see what Barbara says!!!!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 22, 2020 at 11:51 am

      We look forward to seeing what she’ll say too-ha. Hope you and coach are doing well.

      Reply
  5. Valeria says

    November 22, 2020 at 8:03 am

    Friends giving was a success!
    Thank you Talya, i am so glad and thanksful for our friendship!
    I love reading your Sunday letters, I generally read it in bed with a nice cup of coffee…it is a treat to start the day in an happy way!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 22, 2020 at 11:52 am

      Thanks Valeria! Great neighbors are the best!

      Reply
  6. Jo Ann Wardein says

    November 22, 2020 at 9:26 am

    I love your well thought out, safe, Friendsgiving celebration idea, Talya! And, thank you so much for the lovely sharing about my cards. Do you realize that your purchase of those cards could buy a dozen $5 Arsaga’s gift certificates to put in Fayetteville library books as a Random Act of Kindness? Or a nice donation to many needed causes right now? What it actually went towards this time was 5 Blessing Bags for the homeless – Sanitizer, warm hats, gloves, socks, healthy treats (and one candy bar), toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, wipes, a McDonald’s gift certificate. You make a difference…in so many ways! I love your Sunday letters, blogs, recipe sharings, Momma’s humor, artistic and community photos. Keep on keeping on and writing and blessing all of us!
    Oh, and I assure you: my notoriety in Fayetteville only extends so far…😍

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 22, 2020 at 11:53 am

      Wow! I’ll keep buying cards and you keep sharing the kindness.

      Reply
  7. Karen Gastler says

    November 22, 2020 at 11:41 am

    Gracie is adorable! Schnauzers are the BEST❣️

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 22, 2020 at 11:53 am

      We agree!! Thank you so much.

      Reply
  8. Sharon Collins says

    November 22, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    I love your new baby. Puppies are the best! I have a special place in my heart for new puppy parents and their new little ones. She is gorgeous. Please send us a lot of Gracie pics. Find yourself a great dog trainer so she can be welcomed everywhere she goes. We drive our dogs out to visit retail friends in stores in the entire Richmond area. We are still in touch with Kelly, our favorite dog trainer. Right now she is training a pig!

    Reply
  9. Rita says

    November 23, 2020 at 5:58 am

    I just started receiving your weekly newsletter after your sister mentioned the website. Thank you for the content! I love the Friendsgiving idea! My college age daughter has always done this with her friends but I never thought I could do it too! I love the individual charcuterie bowls! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 29, 2020 at 5:44 am

      Great, I’m happy you are a new reader! Yes, we can do Friendsgiving too:)))

      Reply
  10. Julie says

    November 23, 2020 at 6:25 am

    A new puppy! Your holidays will be merry! PS your leaf art photos could easily be made into a coffee table book.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 29, 2020 at 5:45 am

      I’ve been toying around with making them into something… Thanks for the nudge!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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