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Sunday Letter: 04.18.2021

April 18, 2021 By Talya Tate Boerner 7 Comments

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter readers,

This is the time of year I fall behind in my writing and reading because I spend the bulk of my waking hours working in the garden. Nurseries lure me in with fuchsia blooms and bright green foliage. Warm weather entices me, tries to make me believe things that aren’t true.

I know better.

I’ve held off on planting seeds and buying most flowers because a late cold snap always arrives just when our corner of the world is stretching awake. There are plenty of other things that keep me busy. I’ve been dividing lilies and coneflowers, and moving them to other places. I’ve been weeding and weeding and weeding.  Removing deadwood from trees and shaping up ornamentals is fun for me. And John has built a trellis, laid gravel—well, he does the heaviest lifting.

Next Tuesday, our forecasted low is a rude 27.

The good news: by the mere passing of days, we are nearing the tail-end of cold weather until fall. For real.

Sweet Caroline

Last week, I told you a Carolina Wren was building a nest in our mailbox. I snapped a couple of quick pictures with my phone a few days ago. They aren’t super clear, but you can see her peeping out the hole.

What a sweet face. Carolina Wrens are easy to spot because they have white, eyebrow-like face markings. They like to nest in bird boxes, and this metal mailbox fits the bill.

Sunday Letter: Carolina Wren

Below, she is flying to get more material.

What a beautiful and dedicated bird. She’s been working on her nest for at least a month.

Of course, I named her Caroline.

Carolina Wren

Mushroom Bisque

If you are a fan of morel mushrooms and are lucky enough to have foraged a few, this mushroom bisque recipe from AllRecipes is FANTASTIC.

Rather than using heavy cream (which I’m sure would be incredible), I used 2% lactose-free milk. It’s what I had on hand, and I wanted a lighter version. With only a few simple ingredients, this recipe really highlighted the earthy flavor of the morels. And I bet it would be great with other mushroom varieties too.

morel mushroom bisque

My picture doesn’t do the soup justice. If you like mushrooms, definitely, put this one in your rotation. With more cold weather haunting us, soup is sounding really good.

Gracie Don’t

We’ve lost whatever control we thought we had.

Gracie Don't

Two days in a row I’ve found Gracie sitting in a chair at the kitchen table, as though patiently waiting to be served supper. She’s quiet and sneaky and black as midnight, which helps her go from Point A to Point B so quickly I do a double take.

Of course she isn’t allowed to sit at the kitchen table, but I can’t help but laugh and take a picture before telling her to get down. Umm, inconsistent training for sure.

Her full name is now Gracie Don’t.

Gracie Don’t eat that.

Gracie Don’t do that.

Gracie Don’t…

Bless her. She’s a mess.

Coming Up Roses!

It’s a good day when you receive any type of flower delivery, but the best kind is the sort you can plant and enjoy for years. Back in January, we order four David Austin roses to plant at the little cottage where Momma is living. This week, our roses arrived!

The three shrub roses are bare root, but the climber is potted and loaded with buds. It even has one blossom! We are going to wait until after the coming cold snap to plant her.

David Austin rose

I’ve admired David Austin roses for years, but these are the first we’ve purchased. I have a feeling these won’t be our last.

David Austin roses are bred in Shropshire, England and grown in the USA. They come with an expert planting guide and 5-year guarantee.

The most difficult part is deciding which roses to buy from the multitude of varieties.

Things Momma Says:

To tell you the truth, I’m never going back to the grocery store.

***

One of the best things that happened last week was John and I received our 2nd dose of the Covid vaccination. I had the same minor reaction to the 2nd dose that I had with the 1st—tiredness, sore arm, and a flushed face. It feels great to have it behind us. I hope you’ve gotten yours too.

I am grateful for last week’s kind words and prayers for my cousin Cindy. Keep the prayers coming. She needs them.

Thanks for reading yet another Sunday Letter.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Sunday Letter Tagged With: birds, soup recipes, spring gardening

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Comments

  1. Cathyv says

    April 18, 2021 at 7:55 am

    I’m pretty sure lots of people are giving up in person grocery shopping! The Gracie episodes remind me of our 14 month old granddaughter. She is in to everything.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 19, 2021 at 8:21 am

      I think lots of covid changes will become permanent.

      Reply
  2. Sissy Abbott says

    April 18, 2021 at 10:47 am

    Enjoy all your Sunday Letters!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 19, 2021 at 8:20 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Sharon Collins says

    April 18, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    I always love your letter.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 19, 2021 at 8:20 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Dorothy Johnson says

    May 5, 2021 at 1:38 pm

    I”m glad that little wren chose your mailbox. They are the cutest! My dad grew roses, so I’m partial to them; although my one attempt at a rose garden was not very successful. I just admire them from afar now. I’m sure there are disease free varieties I could try though. Maybe someday. Glad you got that second dose! Now you can come to see me.

    Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


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

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

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

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Oct '22)

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