Sunday Letter: June 2024

Dear Sunday Letter friends:

Oops—my Sunday Letter for June is quite tardy. My goal is to post on the first Sunday of each month, but last Sunday I was traveling back from Austin after a whirlwind weekend. We went to celebrate our daughter, Kelsey, who was an Austin Under 40 Finalist.

What an honor to be nominated❣
What an honor to be her mother❣

All the accomplished and inspirational nominees give me hope for the future.

You know what? It’s been a minute since I attended a black-tie event, and that was fun too. For real, if i’m not writing, I’m working (aka, playing) in the garden. The garden has been my natural habitat for many moons, as evidenced in the first picture. ✨

On with today’s Sunday Letter…

Phenology for the Win!

Last week, I taught a class on phenology and nature journaling at the Arkansas State Master Gardener conference in Hot Springs. This has been a recent goal of mine—to introduce the basics of phenology and spread my love of nature journaling via phenology wheels.

I never imagined doing something like this even ten years ago.

Here are a few of my slides:

So what is phenology?

Phenology is the study of recurring natural phenomena such as migration, hibernation, leaf out in spring, etc., especially in relation to plants and animals and how they react to the environment.

Phenology is comparison. As we compare behaviors over time, we see changes such as birds migrating off season or flowers blooming early.

As gardeners we realize everything is connected, right? And a change in one plant or animal affects another. For example: an earlier spring may mean a longer growing season. A longer growing season could result in more invasive species (ugh), more pests (ugh), and a worse allergy season (ugh).

I could go on and on.

If you belong to a garden club, PEO group, or art association, and you would like me to introduce your group to phenology, please reach out and let me know. As a leading indicator of climate change, phenology is probably one of the most important topics you know little about. Plus, the history and science behind it is oh so cool.

All the Swallowtail Caterpillars

In a couple of weeks, my swallowtail caterpillars went from this:

To this:

And now this:

I brought these guys into my butterfly hotel near the end of their growth period because they had munched our dill down to the ground (there’s a reason a group of caterpillars is called an army), and I worried two rambunctious schnauzers I know might accidentally trample them. Also, inside the safety of the hotel, I was able to provide more food including sprigs of fennel and parsley growing nearby.

Unlike monarch caterpillars who feed exclusively on milkweed, swallowtail caterpillars enjoy a more varied diet that includes dill, fennel, parsley, wild carrot, rue, phlox, and more.

With the dill completely denuded, maybe they would have wandered over to other plants to keep eating, but again, schnauzers…

YAY—Book Four!!!!

As of June 1, my fourth book is in the hands of my editor. What a feeling! Until I hear otherwise, I’m pretending the story is magnificent and will require no edits.

Ha ha ha. I know that won’t be the case, but this nice little writing break allows for some major daydreaming.

AND, today I’m sharing the title with you.

Drum roll, please.

I’m still in the cover design stage, so what you see might change, but I’m happy with how everything is coming together.

Stay tuned! In the coming weeks and months, I will share more details about Theo and his heart-warming story. 🌳 🦉 💚 🌿 ✨

July Cobbler

Since it’s almost July and local peaches seem early this year (phenology, y’all!), I thought I’d re-share my favorite cobbler recipe. July Cobbler is an old Ozark recipe that’s absolutely delicious!

Seriously, just look at it.

Now imagine a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream melting on top.

Click HERE for the recipe.

Things Momma Says:

Basketball guys have the skinniest legs! Just look at ’em.

(Go, Dallas Mavs!)

***

It’s hard to believe this year is nearly half over and summer will arrive in eleven days.

Things I’m looking forward to:

• My first garden harvest—I’m growing cucumbers, okra, trombetta squash, pole beans, two kinds of peppers, watermelon, and lots of herbs (minus dill until it grows back);
• Lake time with family;
• My birthday;
• Fresh peaches from farmer’s market;
• Maybe a road trip or two;
• Oh—and this is a big one—receiving feedback from my editor, getting back to work on The Third Act of Theo Gruene, and finally introducing you to the new characters who have become an obsession of mine for over a year now.

Seems I’ve just compiled a summer bucket list!

Do you have one?

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