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Sunday Letter: 05.16.2021

May 16, 2021 By Talya Tate Boerner 8 Comments

beaujolais flower - sunday letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Hi! I hope your last few days have been as wonderful as mine.

The past week brought ideal growing conditions for the garden. It was a fabulous birding week at our feeders. And, my son came for an unexpected visit. (He came for grad school classes, and we were the bonus—ha!)

He’s still here now.

In case you can’t tell, I’m floating around like milkweed fluff, a happy momma after a heart-happy week.

Beaujolais Flower

We planted a Beaujolais Flower two years ago when it was a tiny little thing. Last year, we didn’t see hide nor hair of it. Thinking it didn’t survive, I planted bee balm in the same place.

This spring, both plants came back with a flourish. Based on what I’m seeing in our garden, I believe the Arctic freeze we saw last winter gave our flowers a shot of adrenaline. (Our azaleas, not so much.)

Now, Beaujolais and bee balm are married, growing and spreading together in their sunny spot.

Next spring, I suspect I’ll be dividing both.

Sunday Letter: Beaujolais Flower

Beaujolais Flower is a purple loosestrife (not the invasive variety). It is considered a short-lived perennial, meaning its life-span may be 3-5 years, possibly 10, but not 100-years like some peonies. Short-lived sounds a little pointless—like why bother planting it?

Because, a) the pollinators love it, b) it’s gorgeous, c) if I collect and plant its seeds, I’ll have it forever.

Game Camera

We now have a game camera in our backyard. It was installed last week as part of a research project through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Co-Op at the University of Arkansas. The project is a study on the effects of urbanization on mammal population within the greater Fayetteville area.

Based on the deer herds in our neighborhood, I already know mammal populations are being crowded.

game camera

The camera will record through August. Those in charge may be bored with the number of times I fill our bird feeders. And I imagine Gracie and Annabelle will be photographed regularly. Family aside, I’m excited to discover which critters visit our backyard.

Creamy Lemon Pie

creamy lemon pie
I made this creamy lemon pie for Mother’s Day and I am including it in today’s Sunday Letter so that later, I can find the recipe link. The recipe is credited to Sally’s Baking Addition. Bravo to her.

This pie crust—a combination of graham crackers and salted almonds—will be the pie crust I make for all future pies.

I will go as far as saying, if you are a fan of lemon pies (it’s my favorite), this is a last meal worthy pie. In fact, I think its name should be Last Meal Lemon Pie.

Really, what else is there to say?

Tree Table

Check out the cute little outdoor table I made.

tree table

I use the term “made” very loosely.

Last year, we finally took out the Bradford pear growing in the backyard at the little cottage where my mother lives.  In Fayetteville, homeowners are encouraged to remove Bradford pear trees (and other invasion species like bush honeysuckle) because they choke out beneficial native plants. The city even offered a free native tree or shrub in exchange.

The tree is long gone, but we kept one thick slab of wood from its trunk in homage to the large tree. Even though the tree was considered undesirable, it did provide backyard shade.

To make the table, all I did was place the wood slab on a metal plant stand that we already had. Not only is this a reuse and recycle project, it couldn’t be simpler. No tools needed.

If I wanted to get fancy, I could sand and varnish the top.

Maybe later.

Birds Galore!

Take a look at a few of the beautiful birds feeding with us this week! Photo credit to my husband, John, who took these stunning photos.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Fun Fact: Indigo Buntings migrate at night, using the pattern of stars nearest the North Star to guide them.

 

House Finch

House Finch

Fun Fact: A group of house finches is called a “development”.

 

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

Fun Fact: Baltimore Orioles have a sweet tooth. They love grape jelly, orange marmalade, orange slices, and other fruits.

 

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Fun Fact: During migration, grosbeaks fly across the Gulf of Mexico—500 miles—without stopping. And, the males share in parenting duties, often singing while sitting on the nest:))

See what I mean? It was a glorious week. The color at our feeders made our yard look tropical!

Birds Galore!

Things Momma Said:

I got a letter from the IRS saying I owe $300. If anything, THEY owe ME money.

***

Alrighty, friends, thanks for reading another rambling Sunday Letter.

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

P.S. Annabelle and Gracie want you to know they went to the beauty shop last week.

Filed Under: Simple Pleasures, Sunday Letter Tagged With: birds, Desserts, perennials, pie

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Comments

  1. Carol Owen says

    May 16, 2021 at 7:18 pm

    Beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing them! Glad you got to visit with your son. That pie crust sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 19, 2021 at 6:13 am

      Thank you! YES to the pie crust:))

      Reply
  2. Julie says

    May 16, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    Love the birds here in Arkansas! Saw each of the birds you featured in the past couple weeks here at our house too.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 19, 2021 at 6:14 am

      I love that we live in an important migratory flyway!

      Reply
  3. Dorothy Johnson says

    May 18, 2021 at 10:34 am

    What a treat for Tate to come for a visit! Im so glad for you. We’re looking forward to Brady coming for a week soon. We haven’t seen him 3 years!
    That pie looks lucious! I love your Beaujolais, beautiful bird visitors, and, of course, your precious girls!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 19, 2021 at 6:14 am

      3 Years??? Oh my goodness, that’s too long. I hope he is doing well. Miss you.

      Reply
  4. Bob Barnett says

    June 19, 2021 at 8:40 pm

    Talya – is the lemon pie more of an icebox or a meringue? I might try it tomorrow

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      June 20, 2021 at 5:44 am

      More of an icebox and it is delicious!!

      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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