grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

10 Books for the Nature Lovers in your Life

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Books for Nature Lovers

Give me books for Christmas and I’m a happy girl. Give me books about nature and you might not hear from me until spring.

Since we are gardeners here, it’s only fitting we discuss books for nature lovers. I’ve compiled a list of my 10 favorite books for the nature lovers in your life. Or for yourself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with helping Santa out and gifting to yourself.

It’s true. Being in and around nature boosts the spirit. Reading about nature has the same effect for me. Especially during the coldest days.Continue Reading

Sunday Letter: 11.17.19

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Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter readers,

I didn’t write a Sunday Letter last weekend because I was in Eureka Springs. The significant thing about this isn’t that I was too busy to do it. The bigger deal for me is that I left my computer at home. Since I started writing, I always take my MacBook with me when I go out of town. We are tight that way. (Only one other time have I left him behind—Kelsey’s wedding weekend.)

I’ll admit I felt a little anxiety over leaving Mac home alone.

computer

But if I’m being honest, after the panic subsided, it felt freeing.

We both survived. And today I’m back, writing from the Bat Cave—aka the farm in northeast Arkansas. Mac would really be upset if I didn’t take him to the farm.

And by the way, the smoke detector in my bedroom began shrieking at 1 a.m. this morning. WHY do they only do this in the wee hours?Continue Reading

Fallen Leaf Art

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Fallen Leaf Art

Have you heard about fallen leaf art? I read about it thanks to Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. On Facebook, Baker Creek linked to an article on fallen leaf art. The official term is ochiba art. Ochiba is Japanese for “fallen leaves.”

落ち葉

Did I ever tell you I studied Japanese at Baylor University during my college years? And that I spent a summer in Japan? I would love to return someday (#bucketlist). For now, I’ve decided to embrace the eastern idea of fallen leaf art. After all, supplies are plentiful in our neighborhood this time of year.

Well, in reality, colorful leaves were plentiful last week before winter came down like the Polar Express.

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