grace grits and gardening - ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Conditions Apply

December 1, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

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Her journey began simply enough.

She had no real concept of the process.

After spilling her soul onto paper, publishers would clamber for her story.

Right?

After all, you can grow up and do anything your heart desires…

Now she understands.

Spirit and resolve and twisting words until they hum aren’t enough.

Other conditions apply.

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life

This was written especially for Write Tribe 55 on Friday. Write 55 words on the prompt: Conditions Apply.

How to Make a Paperback Book Angel

November 30, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

If you can fold a piece of paper, you can make this paperback book angel.

Book angels, typically made from hymnals, have been around a long time. Since I didn’t have a hymnal, I used a paperback book.

Although I’m not one to destroy books, this Glimmer Train book was the easy choice for me since I received it in the mail as a consolation prize for not winning one of their short story contests. Yep, I just ripped the cover right off and turned it into something more positive (after I read it of course).

Fold page to center. (Initially I folded two pages at a time (as shown in the picture above), but it became quickly apparent this would not work. I started over folding one page at a time.)

Fold the same page to center again.

After the second fold, there will be a triangular piece hanging below the edge of the book. Fold this section under so that the edge is even.

Repeat with 25-30 pages. (The book I used had approximately 150 pages. You will need to adjust the number of pages folded for the base depending upon the length of the book. I recommend folding approximately 2/3 of the book for the base.)

Do the same thing with 25-30 pages on the other side of the spine. This will keep the angel balanced.

The angel will now stand. (If you continue folding the remaining pages, you will have a Christmas tree…)

Once you fold a group of pages on each side of the spine, flip the book upside down and continue folding pages the same way to make wings. Again, fold the same number of pages on each side of the spine.

When there are only about 20 pages remaining, flip the book once more and fold the remainder of the pages to make the back of the angel base. (This part will not be visible from the front when the angel is completed but will help with stability.)

Lightly coat the angel in spray paint. I used a pale blue color.

Decorate wings with glitter paint.

Hot glue embellishments onto the skirt. I used flowers from vintage scrap lace.

Hot glue ornament for head. A pipe cleaner with a bit of glitter makes the perfect halo.

I love the way my book angel turned out. Do you have a favorite Christmas craft?

talya

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

Which Came First—the Egg or the Egg Dish?

November 28, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

Turquoise Fiestaware. LOVE.

Which came first, the deviled egg or the egg dish? Since necessity is the mother of invention, I suppose the deviled egg. But the dish must have quickly followed. How else how did folks tote around deviled eggs to church picnics and holiday spreads?

I am obsessed with egg dishes. Never can I pass one up at an estate sale. Each is different, unique in its own way. Most of mine are handed down from family members, but I have a few newish ones like my fun Fiesta dish (thanks Marcia!) and my white plastic Crate & Barrel dish which is more practical poolside and at Munger Place porch parties.

Egg dishes make me as happy as the deviled eggs themselves.

A few of my favorites…

This one was my mother-in-law’s.

I bought this one at Wildwood Antiques in Etowah, Arkansas.

I love the gold rim around this antique one.

So, I’m wondering…

a) Are deviled eggs part of your Thanksgiving meal?

b) Do you have a deviled egg platter? New or vintage? More than one?

c) Do you have a special deviled egg recipe?

My recipe? I’m a purist when it comes to deviled eggs. I never stray from the basic ingredients of Hellman’s mayonnaise (must be real mayo), yellow French’s mustard, egg yolks and sea salt. I top with paprika and sometimes fresh thyme. That’s it.

What about you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

talya

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

Musical Pairing:

Mother of Invention, The Trishas

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