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a good sort of chaos

September 25, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

Today marks one week since we officially moved to Fayetteville. Even though we’ve only been here one week and things are chaotic, it’s a fun chaos. Stuff is spread everywhere. The whole process is a jigsaw puzzle. What fits where? This house is a bit smaller than Worth Street. Smaller is good.

the chaos of moving

Yes, that’s a cornucopia in the middle of my table…

 

We should have been caterers. Seriously. We have every style and type platter, serving piece, decanter, pitcher, crystal, china, candlestick, mercy… and for every season. Luckily, we have a fantastic pantry. This is my first official pantry ever. There’s great storage for all that china we never use, because in reality we aren’t caterers and probably never will be.

With each unpacked box, the house feels more like home. Especially the book boxes. And even though I was the person who packed the books in Dallas, there are more than I realized. Today I hope to finish the library. Yes, we have an entire room devoted to books. You know I love love love that. (Reveal coming up.)

We’ve carved out time for fun too. Saturday afternoon, we walked to the Razorback game. Being able to walk to the stadium is a huge bonus. No parking worries!

Razorback Game

In fact, we’ve walked to the grocery store, lunch on Dickson Street, post office, farmer’s market, etc. The early fall weather is perfect. Trees are beginning to turn with splotches of bright orange in uppermost branches.

We sleep with the windows open and the attic fan roaring overhead. The sky is painted with stars, yet our neighborhood is dark. Much darker than Dallas. We go to bed exhausted, sleep all night (including Lucy and Annabelle who are typically up and down and up and down) and awake to a chilly forty-nine degrees. Love it!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

 

a rare august storm

August 17, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

On this Sunday morning, we are in the midst of an amazing, unusual August storm. Rolling thunder moves from one side of the house to the other. The air is electrified. I feel the couch tremble as another wave begins.

Flashes of lightening brighten the dimly lit room where I sit. John, Lucy and Annabelle sleep extra late, lulled by the glorious storm.

I write. But mostly I listen.

stormy morning

via lunamom58 morgueFile

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

P.S. and now we have no electricity…

Musical Pairing:

The Weather Girls, It’s Raining Men

Fog hovers. Birds sing.

July 21, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

Foggy Lake Morning

Fog hovers above the lake

and moves along the shore

like a live thing.

In the distance,

the docks are barely visible,

ghostly even.

The oak trees beyond my porch

sit motionless,

watching for the sun.

A cool morning in July

feels as rare as this spot

hidden in the Ozark Mountains.

The birds sing a thousand songs

as everyone sleeps.

 

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Danny Wright – White Lyte

 

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of:

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Why a Rainy Day Is the Best Time to Visit a Botanical Garden
  • Happy Birthday, Theo Gruene!
  • Sunday Letter~ 05.17.26
  • Sunday Letter: 03.29.26
  • Sunday Letter: February 22, 2026

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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