grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Annabelle saw her reflection…

By

I hate to tell you this. Yesterday, Annabelle Boerner saw her reflection in the window of the neighborhood skating rink and this morning it feels like winter again. So much for Punxsutawney Phil and his prediction of an early spring.

Annabelle saw her reflection

Here in Northwest Arkansas, the last few springlike days have made me itch to work in the yard. I picked up a few limbs Sunday afternoon and dragged all my plants into the sun for a good soaking (the ones I’m overwintering in the garage). I worked on my compost a bit, too.

Only 46 days until Spring!

What’s the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Annabelle saw her reflection on Groundhog’s Day![/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:
David Benoit, Waiting for Spring

Dear February,

By

Dear February

Dear February,

When I think of you, I remember Valentine’s Day parties with classmates and cards with silly sayings and lots of homemade sugary treats.

I think of heart-shaped boxes—the (now considered) vintage ones covered in lace and satin—boxes that were typically more exciting than the candies inside. I poked my finger into the bottom of each chocolate piece until I found one filled with caramel or nougat or the rare smooth milk chocolate one. Over time I came to realize oval-shaped chocolates were to be avoided at all cost. Oval chocolates were always filled with orange cream and butter fudge and other “old people” flavors.

Flavors that taste good to me now.Continue Reading

Comfort Books

By

Comfort books

Do you have a stack of comfort books? Books you return to time and again, especially in the winter months when your body only wants to crawl beneath a cozy quilt and read, read, read? Or it that just me?

I call these my macaroni and cheese books, rich and satisfying to the soul, and as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. I can easily slip into the pages and lose hours. Much like comfort foods, comfort books satisfy some deep craving. The good news? Books are fat free (unless you snack on chips while reading). In fact, you’ll burn calories while reading. I know because my Fitbit tells me.Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!