Holiday - grace grits and gardening

saying goodbye to Christmas

January 7, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

Confession. I enjoy putting away my Christmas decorations as much as I enjoy bringing them out of storage. Possibly even more. Soon after Santa visits, the tinsel begins to look tired. Decorations turn to clutter. This downward spiral happens quickly for me. By New Year’s night, I’m done.

On January 2, John and I removed the ornaments from the tree. This part is a bit nostalgic. We take a little extra time to reminisce over favorites—every ornament has a story.

Each year, I consider leaving out certain decorations for a few more weeks—those that lean toward winter rather than Christmas. Going from decorated to bare can be jarring, even for me.

This year I left out two snowmen related things. And what happened? We immediately received a dusting of snow. I’m not taking credit, but sort of I am. I also left glittery stars hanging from white branches in a vase. This was a complete oversight, but I’m okay with the stars for a while.

Our fir tree is now laying out on the curb in the frigid cold. From the front porch, I can still see a few sparkly icicles. It was a great tree.

The clean house feels a bit empty. After the holidays, there are always blank spaces that make me wonder what was there before Christmas? And since we haven’t been in this house all that long, I’m really having that problem this year.

In an attempt to add life back into the house, I snagged up this small houseplant at Lowe’s. At $4.99 on the clearance aisle, it was the only after Christmas sale item I bought anywhere:)

So how about you? How are you doing this first week of 2015?

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Muddy Waters – Cold Weather Blues

on the Fifth Day of Christmas…six movies, one little word

December 29, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, the sunrise is glorious, and I’m happy to be on the tail-end of the crud. During this last week of 2014, I’ve done nothing but watch movies and guzzle cough medicine. The good stuff with codeine. John’s been supportive of my movie-watching even though he’s officially on vacation and probably had more exciting things in mind.

So far we’ve seen Nebraska, Divergent, American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave, The Words, and The Book Thief. Probably more even.

Obviously, I haven’t been writing. But, I’ve been thinking about writing. And I’ve been thinking about my One Little Word for 2015.

Are you familiar with the One Little Word project?

Bottom line: find One Little Word for the upcoming year—a word with heartfelt significance—and use that word to help push you toward desires and goals both personally and professionally. Sound cheesy? I think it has merit. (Learn more about it HERE from my friend Jacqueline Wolven.)

I’ve never had a word before. But I’ve followed along as several of my friends have selected words that subsequently shaped their years. Words like Focus. Fearless. Dream. Thrive. Journey.

One little word can have a huge impact.

I do believe in the power of positive thinking. Small gestures. Good deeds. One little word.

I’ve narrowed my word choice down, and now I’m toying with three. Stay tuned.

Do you have a word for 2015?

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p58902-1f1″]One Little Word can have a huge impact. What will your word be for 2015? [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Natasha Bedingfield, Unwritten

Dear Santa – My Christmas Wish List

December 23, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

I’ve been thinking about my Christmas wish list. A list with a bit less. A list with a bit more.

Moving from Dallas to Fayetteville put me in touch (literally) with every single item we have collected through the years. Every juice glass and dinner plate I carefully packed in wrapping paper. Every dirty garden tool—many duplicates because you can’t have too many garden tools. Every book—those memorized and those waiting to be read—every candle stub and picture frame. Every Dallas Mavericks t-shirt. Every.Single.Thing.

So.

This year’s list is different. I’m still too close to the move to get excited about anything new, other than the fence going up in my backyard. Plus, I need nothing.

I want less.

Less hustle and bustle.

Less stress over selecting the perfect gifts.

Less glitter and glitz and jingle all the way.

Less casseroles on the Christmas buffet.

Less.Less.Less.

Yet I wish for more.

More peace and quiet and relief for those struggling to survive each day. More time with family and friends and people who make me laugh until my sides hurt. More flickering candlelight and fireside chats. More silent nights spent wrapped in a good book, warmed by faithful dogs curled at my feet.

On a cold December morning, I want to walk through the woods and enjoy the raw, silver beauty of winter.

I want to watch for Santa’s sleigh among stars that went dark long ago.

This Christmas, I want to hear heaven and nature sing.