grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

My VERY Hungry Caterpillars

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Check out my VERY hungry monarch caterpillars!

Do you remember the children’s picture book by Eric Carle titled The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Well, I have my own very hungry caterpillars, and they are so much fun to watch.  Yes, I know they aren’t really “mine”, but I’ve been cultivating a butterfly garden since we moved here, and now that they’re here, I feel the need to observe and protect them.

A couple of days ago, I spied the first chrysalis of the season. It’s attached to the rock wall beside the back gate only a yard or so from one of our milkweed plants.

Magical.
And once I find one, I become completely obsessed.

I found a monarch chrysalis!

Because where there’s one, more are sure to follow.Continue Reading

Wearing white after Labor Day. Is this still a thing???

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White after Labor Day. Is it still a thing?

I’m no fashionista. This truth is self evident. Most of my jeans are ripped. My favorite shoes are Converse, preferably the ones that don’t require tying. So knowing this about me, why did I nearly panic this morning thinking that after today, Labor Day, I wouldn’t be able to wear my favorite white jeans for months?

Call me old school.

Or simply call me old. I realize I’m showing every single one of my southern-fried fifty-four years.Continue Reading

September Eve and all it brings.

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September Eve

Happy September Eve, everyone! I’m always happy to see August come to an end. Are you? Even though we’ll no doubt have more hot, humid days, there’s just something about flipping the calendar to September that makes me wanna dance. I also feel a little melancholy about the things I never got around to doing. That summer bucket list I wrote? Yeah, I didn’t tick off everything, but I suppose technically I still have time to do a few more things.

Do I dare do a fall bucket list?
Of course.
But not yet.
Maybe when fall officially rolls around. Right now, I’m living in those in-between days still savoring the things I love about summer (like nectarines and walking barefoot) yet looking for fall in the dogwood leaves already tinged with orange.Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

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