Simple Pleasures - grace grits and gardening

I have a publisher!

August 9, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

I have the best news! And if it’s possible to truly walk on sunshine, I’m doing it. Yesterday, I signed a publishing contract with SYP Publishing, a Florida press that specializes in southern authors. Someone pinch me. I have a publisher.

I love the way those four little words feel in my mouth and melt on the tip of my tongue like old-fashioned butter mints, the sort served in a crystal compote at baby showers and weddings.

Know the mints I mean?

♫♫ Wonderful feeling, wonderful day! ♪♫

I plan to enjoy the floating-on-cloud-nine-feeling for as long as it lasts. And, yes, the clichés are flowing in this post, but I can’t help myself. The air is light, the sun is bright, and the view is brilliant.

Right this very second, I want to thank every single person who reads my writing (on-line and print) at Grace Grits, Front Porch Magazine, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Blog, OnlyinArkansas(dot)com and wherever else I am lucky enough to finagle an article. I am especially grateful to those who stop me in Wal-Mart or tell my Momma at church how much they enjoy my writing. This often keeps me going, and having a following, however modest, has helped me obtain a publishing contract. I truly believe this.

More coming on this later, but for now, I have a publisher, and it feels like one of those Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah days!

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

And p.s. this is for the publication of my first novel…might help if I told you that:)

[tweetthis]Oh my stars, I have a publisher! @SYPPublishing @BookPeople @nightbirdbooks #AccidentalSalvationOfGracieLee [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (original)

art of the TAILGATE!

August 4, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

Wooo to the pig! We are only days away from the beginning of college football 2015. I’m so ready I made a collage to get you in the spirit. Art of the Tailgate. It’s an enormous thing.

A few things to dream and scheme about while counting down to your first tailgate (feel free to imagine your favorite mascot/school colors)…

1. Decorations. No tailgate party is complete without fan decor. In the South, tailgates are known to include chandeliers, big screen televisions and air conditioning. For an over the top look, check out this chandelier from Fiore Fresco. I think a similar look could be replicated with a flea market find and a can of red spray paint, don’t you? In fact, there’s an old one in our basement I may have to experiment on…