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My 1,000th Blog Post: GIVEAWAY and book signing NEWS!

February 6, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

That Bookstore in blytheville book signing The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee

News and a Giveaway: Today marks my 1,000th blog post. That’s so crazy to me. I wrote my first post in January 2012 while sitting at the Osceola Public Library. I had recently left my Dallas banking job and was thinking about writing a book. And just so you know, there’s lots of “thinking about writing a book” that occurs before the book actually gets written.

Fast forward to today. I was already planning to blog about my upcoming book signing at That Bookstore in Blytheville when I noticed that yesterday’s play dough post was #999. What perfect serendipity. My #1,000th blog post should be about the book I was “thinking about writing” back when I wrote post #1. So perfect, in fact, that I’ve decided to celebrate with a giveaway. Details of the giveaway can be found at the bottom of this post, but first…

If you live in Northeast Arkansas, the bootheel of Missouri, or simply think the time has come for a road trip, consider attending my first official book event at That Bookstore in Blytheville scheduled for Saturday, February 13 at 1:00. I hope to see lots of school friends, family, teachers, blog readers, people I’ve never met but who know Momma, and complete strangers who will soon become fast friends (I feel certain). Don’t expect a typical book reading. Expect more.Continue Reading

how to make Homemade Play Dough

February 5, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

how to make homemade play dough

A few days ago I made homemade play dough. You may find this odd considering I have no young children at home. But I figure since we’re all coloring again (did you get an adult coloring book for Christmas?), we may as well get in a little play dough time, too.

When we were kids, my sister and I loved to make homemade play dough. This is NOT one of those woe is me I walked barefoot in the snow to school uphill both ways sort of stories. Any time we spent in the kitchen with Momma was fun. Plus, there was food coloring involved.

Food coloring was on par with glitter.Continue Reading

Annabelle saw her reflection…

February 3, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

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

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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 (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Our Garden Mission Statement
  • Goodbye, 2025. Hello, 2026.
  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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