grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Backyard Phenology
  • Publishing
  • SHOP!
  • Garden
  • Reading & Books
  • Sunday Letter

Happy Birthday, Theo Gruene!

May 20, 2026 By Talya Tate Boerner 1 Comment

Happy Birthday, Theo Gruene!

 

Today marks the first book birthday of The Third Act of Theo Gruene. I can’t believe it! Kids sure grow up fast, don’t they?

Spring is the perfect time to celebrate Theo Gruene — a man who spent his life preserving plants and avoiding change… until one rainy afternoon changed everything.

Maybe that’s what spring really is: evidence that quiet things are still growing.

Oh, Theo would not want the attention of a book birthday party. He wouldn’t have social media—no way!—but if he did, his posts would probably include:

  • detailed weather observations;
  • plant photos with Latin names;
  • complaints about texting culture and how no one writes in cursive anymore;
  • maybe a viral quote from Penelope

I am grateful to all the readers and book clubs that have selected The Third Act of Theo Gruene as their book of the month. And, I would especially like to thank those who not only read my book, but also took the time to post a review. By spreading the word on Amazon and Goodreads, you’ve help me gain new readers.

That’s no small feat.

Summer reading is almost here!

 

Click HERE to add Theo to your summer reading stack.

 

Thank you for celebrating this milestone with me.

And, thank you for being a good literary citizen!

Talya Tate Boerner
Grace Grits and Gardening
farm. food. garden. life.

 

Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book

November 16, 2025 By Talya Tate Boerner

Maggie and Miss Ladybug

I’m over the moon to share my very first children’s book with you! Introducing—Maggie and Miss Ladybug! 🐶🐞✨

This cheerful, curiosity-filled tale is about a little dog, a bright red ladybug, and the magic of discovering new friends. It’s perfect for snuggly read-aloud moments with parents and grandparents—and wonderful for beginning readers who love nature’s tiny wonders.

(#sponsored)

 

Continue Reading

The Magic of Autumn Reading: Cozy Books and Beloved Classics

October 2, 2025 By Talya Tate Boerner

The Magic of Autumn Reading

Hello, friends. I’ve rounded up a list of fall reads for you. 🍁 I always like to read a book or two that match the current season—there’s something extra-immersive about it. Like surround sound, ya know? And this collection blends spooky chills, cozy comforts, and thoughtful reflections. There’s something for everyone, for sure!

Full transparency: There are a couple listed that I haven’t read yet, but they are on my list too.

And, there are a couple I’ve read multiple times.

(This post contains affiliate links.)Continue Reading

Next Page »


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:

Never miss a blog post! Subscribe via email:

Looking for something?

Categories

All the Things!

A to Z April Blog Challenge Autumn BAT Book Reviews childhood Christmas creative writing prompt Dallas Desserts Fall Fayetteville Food Gracie Lee Halloween Hemingway-Pfeiffer holiday recipes home humor Johnson Family Keiser Lake Norfork Lucy and Annabelle Mississippi County Mississippi Delta Monarch butterflies Munger Place Nana nature Northeast Arkansas Northwest Arkansas Osceola poem Reading Schnauzer simple living simple things spring spring gardening Summer Talya Tate Boerner novel Thanksgiving The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee Thomas Tate Winter Wordless Wednesday

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!

All content and photos Copyright Grace, Grits and Gardening © 2026 · Web Hosting By StrataByte