ramblings from an arkansas farm girl
Dear Sunday Letter friends,
Greetings from the Bat Cave! I’m home on the farm this morning—just a quick trip, long enough to sleep in my bed and have lunch at the Wilson Cafe. If you are new to GGG and don’t know of this Bat Cave I mention, click HERE. If you aren’t from around the mid-South and haven’t experienced the Wilson Cafe, it’s worth a drive for the purple hull peas alone.
I’m super excited to report that we finally have spicebush swallowtail caterpillars in our garden! In early spring, we planted four spicebush shrubs specifically for the butterflies. Then, almost every day since planting them, I’ve been inspecting our spicebushes, hoping to find caterpillars.
Up until last week, nothing. Each time I see a torn leaf, I look more closely hoping to find a hungry, hungry caterpillar. A folded leaf? I look again, hoping to find a hiding caterpillar.
Nope. Nothing.
I worried that our plants were too new. Maybe it takes a few seasons to be discovered? Continue Reading
Have you tried shishito peppers yet? If not, let me introduce you to this flavorful treat! I had them for the first time about a year ago at a friend’s house. Then, I had them not that long ago at Cheers in Fayetteville. Now, that I know how easy they are to sauté, this is my new favorite make-at-home appetizer (or side dish).
Y’all, I’m not exaggerating. There’s a reason shishito peppers is the hot new summer appetizer in all the coolest restaurants.
And by hot, I don’t mean spicy. These Japanese heirloom peppers are crisp and sweet with only a tiny bit of heat.
A game changer for sure.
