Nature & Seasons - grace grits and gardening

Hiking around Historic Cane Hill, Arkansas

December 1, 2022 By Talya Tate Boerner 3 Comments

I planned to post about our hike around historic Cane Hill closer to when said hike happened, but lo and behold time is a big ole’ thief and I’m just getting around to it. We drove over to Cane Hill back in October when the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibit “Habitat” was on display. That exhibit has traveled elsewhere now but the good news is the trails have been there for some time, long before the exhibit. They are nicely marked, and they aren’t going anywhere. So, you can still enjoy this lovely hike when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of life.

I am always astounded that such Ozark beauty exists right off the highway.

And I’m astounded that I live here.Continue Reading

Diary of a Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar

May 8, 2022 By Talya Tate Boerner 11 Comments

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and prepare to fall in love again. I’ve been sooooo excited to share my diary of a certain cute spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. If you followed my butterfly stories last summer, you might remember that I was a bit obsessed with raising butterflies on the back porch. I successfully released 50 butterflies—44 monarchs and 6 eastern black swallowtails.

And, at the end of the season, after the last monarch had headed to Mexico where they hibernate for winter, two spicebush swallowtail chrysalises lagged behind, still in the chrysalis stage.

So here’s my diary of a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. Two caterpillars, actually.

Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Nature Lover

February 9, 2022 By Talya Tate Boerner 7 Comments

The post contains affiliate links. I may earn commissions on purchases.

Today I’ve rounded up a few unique Valentine’s Day gifts for the nature lover in your life. Are YOU the nature lover in your life? Ha—nothing wrong with buying yourself a neat sweet treat.

These gifts will do your heart good, both buying and gifting them. And many of these gifts will keep on giving.

Yes, with Valentine’s Day only five days away, I should have posted this earlier. Oh well. Gift-giving is a good thing no matter the day.