grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Sunday Letter: 05.01.22

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sunday letter

May Day greetings! So much has happened since my last Sunday Letter, I’m not sure where to begin. I suppose I’ll just write whatever pops into my head.

First of all—I’m just gonna say it—how is it May already?? Yikes. Time is slipping away.

May is the month of flowers, right? You know, April showers bring May flowers? Based on the steady April showers we’ve been getting, I’m expecting an overabundance of blooms.

May is the month we celebrate mothers more than normal. It’s my son’s birthday month. And this May, in only a few days, he will graduate with his master’s degree.

We have lots to celebrate in our family!

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O Come, O Come to Thorncrown Chapel

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Thorncrown Chapel

We visited Thorncrown Chapel while the leaves were turning. Nestled in the Ozarks just outside Eureka Springs, Thorncrown Chapel is one of the most stunning and iconic structures in Arkansas. Today, I’m bringing it to you.

Woo-hoo!

Arkansas’s own brilliant architect, E. Fay Jones, designed Thorncrown Chapel using native woodland elements. The 48-foot tall structure consists of 425 windows totaling over 6,000 square feet of glass. So much glass brings the surrounding Ozark forest inside.

Inside your mind and heart.

Thorncrown Chapel

Because of the marvel of the design, Thorncrown Chapel never looks the same inside or out. Hour to hour, day to day, season to season, surrounding nature is an important part of the overall experience. Continue Reading

Garvan Woodland Gardens

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Garvan Woodland Gardens

Before my pictures get lost in the black hole of Photo Feed Land—yes that’s a place I can’t begin to understand or organize—I thought I’d post a few shots from our recent visit to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Here’s a fun fact: members of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks enjoy the perk of reciprocal membership with over 300 gardens across North America. It’s pretty satisfying to show our membership card and stroll right on through the gates without paying admission.

As an aside, I truly would like to visit all 320 gardens. John and I have only been to about ten (in Arkansas, Texas, and Colorado). This should keep our bucket list full for all our livelong days.

Anyway, with the holidays quickly approaching, I highly recommend a membership to the botanical garden closest to your home. Botanical gardens have become destinations for not only flowers and nature but also musical entertainment and special events throughout the year. Another perk!Continue Reading

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