grace grits and gardening - ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

We have a cistern!

August 29, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

Yesterday while the dogs explored their new backyard, I tackled this side bed filled with bedraggled lamb’s ear. It had been days since I’d done any gardening. Believe me, I needed it.

After pulling parched leaves from this section of bed, I gave it a long soaking. But not with just any old city water. Water from our very own cistern!

Yes, underneath the back porch, a 3,500 gallon cistern collects rainwater. The cistern is original to the home (built in 1876) and was restored by the prior owners. They even capped it with this antique water cover brought back from New Orleans.

This cistern is one of my favorite things about the house.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but after only one watering and a good night’s sleep, I think the lamb’s ear already looks better.

What do you think?

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

“Water is the driving force in nature.”
― Leonardo da Vinci

miles to go

August 27, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

Over the past few days and nights, I haven’t had one moment to scribble out anything other than to-do lists, and that’s okay because John and I have accomplished quite a bit. Our things won’t arrive from Dallas for several weeks (because I haven’t packed the first box), so I’m hanging out in our new home, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, sitting in old leather chairs that desperately need to be re-worked (but I like the battered feel of them), and unpacking kitchen items moved from our tiny house down the street (that will soon become a rental). I am basically excited, overwhelmed, astonished that we are really making this happen.

And we are all exhausted. Miles to go before I sleep and all that.

exhausted Lucy, exhausted chair

But mainly I am excited.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

New house. Crazy busy.

August 25, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

This is an exciting and busy time for John and me. We close on our new (old) Fayetteville house today which I know we will love, love, love. I say old because it was built in 1876! We are fortunate to have found it thanks to our amazing realtor-friend, Paula Larson of Crye-Leike, who has our back, knows what we like and is willing to put up with us. (If you have real estate needs in NW Arkansas, I highly recommend Paula!)

Also, we have a contract on our beloved Dallas house. I don’t want to jinx it (knock-on-wood), so that’s all I will say about that.

And I have an editor! I will be working with a professional editor in December (she’s in high demand and has edited books for one of my favorite authors). My manuscript is in her hands. This makes me nervous-excited.

Everything seems to be falling into place.

The next few weeks will be crazy busy with Arkansas Women Blogger University coming up in Rogers. (I’m in charge of Instagram, so be expecting a flurry of IG-ing. And, if you aren’t following me on Instagram, I hope you will.) Then I’ll be back in Dallas packing up Worth Street to move our belongings to Fayetteville. By the time this all happens, it will officially be Fall. Football. Tailgating. I have a few Razorback football tickets. WPS!

I’ve joined both Ozark Writers League and Ozark Creative Writers and look forward to getting involved.

Lots going on. All good things:)

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.