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July Cobbler, an old Ozark recipe

July 8, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

Have you heard of a July Cobbler? Until last weekend I hadn’t, but I found this recipe in an old Ozarks Collection Cookbook someone left in our Little Free Library. I LOVE old cookbooks, and I’ve been reading it cover to cover. The cookbook is filled not only with old regional recipes but also snippets about traditions of a “storied region”. And there are sketches throughout, small pencil drawings of barns and farmers and crops growing in fields. This treasure is a great example of one of the many benefits of having a Little Free Library. I never know what will show up next.Continue Reading

another 4th of July

July 6, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

We celebrated another 4th of July with good food, family and friends, and a mixture of pleasant, not-too-hot weather. Of course, I must post a few pics for posterity…

We made a trip to the Confederate Cemetery in Fayetteville which is only a few blocks from our house. I was in search of a particular tree (for an article I’m writing elsewhere). The cemetery is beautiful and peaceful and parklike and being there on the 4th of July seemed right—different battles yet integral American history no matter what you think about the Confederate flag.

Saturday in Fayetteville means the Farmer’s Market. Yes, we went. Yes, we conquered by buying local Arkansas peaches and blackberries.

And we bought Pedal Pops which are all natural, low-cal, made with simple ingredients, and sort of perfect for the 4th of July. I got banana-orange-strawberry. John got honeydew-peach. Delicious!

Our Sunday included a trip to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Oh my, what a wonderful place. The botanical garden is only a few minutes from our house and SO EASY! (Parking, admissions, everything.)

Let me just say this about living in Fayetteville—everything is easy, every day’s the 4th of July.

This week I’ll be showing you what I made with those peaches and blackberries—yum! And, I’ll be talking more about my garden (specifically about butterflies), plus Lucy and Annabelle have a post coming up. I may even do my first periscope broadcast. We’ll see. In other words, for once I’m not blogging by the seat of my pants. Crazytown.

Here’s to a great week!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Another fab #4thofJuly! @BGOzarks @PedalPopsIce #Fayetteville #buylocal[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Chicago – Saturday in the Park

Our tiny clay house!

June 12, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

This! Check out the whimsical, tiny clay version of our house. Our mini-me house.

I’m a big believer in supporting local artisans whether the artist is a painter, writer, potter, jeweler, cheese-maker, basket weaver, etc. Handmade artisans work hard, and they do it for the love of their craft. One of a kind, handmade items add a special something-something to a home. Cookie cutter decor? No way. Think outside the mall. It’s so much more fun.

Beth Macre of Beth S. Macre Studio (Springdale, Ar) made our clay ceramic mini-me home based on the picture below.

She completely exceeded my expectations, so much so that I felt compelled to blog about it. Look at the porch detail. In the picture below, our tiny clay house is sitting on the front porch rail. A porch on a porch:)

Beth makes all sorts of whimsical clay art and can custom make a version of your house, too. (Ours is featured on her blog, along with a peek of her other fanciful creations.) She’s a true, meticulous artist who even worked to get the paint colors just right.

I’m thinking this would be a great gift idea for a new homeowner. Also, what a perfect hostess gift for folks on home tour (Munger Place, Swiss Ave, Washington-Willow, etc.). In fact, I can probably think of a ton of reasons everyone needs a one-of-a-kind miniature house. Because the sun is shining. Because I didn’t eat ice cream last night when I really wanted it. Lots.Of.Reasons.

Beth’s clay homes are small. Tiny, really. As with most handmade items, sizes vary. Mine is smaller than the width of a clothespin.

tiny whimsical clay houses by Beth S. Macre Studios

Back of our house. Such detail!

Check out Beth’s HeartHomes Etsy shop for lots of cute, ready-to-buy little houses, clay bowls, and other items. Or go the custom route like I did. And, p.s., I just discovered she also makes clay trees which I may need around my house.

I’m not kidding when I say this little house makes me happy. Sometimes it’s the tiniest of things that put a smile on my face.

Fyi, this is not a sponsored post. I’m spreading the word because I love Beth’s work. And guess what? Through the end of June, Beth S. Macre Studio is offering a 15% discount off any purchase, including custom listings. Use the code BLOG15 at checkout to get your discount at HeartHomes, Beth’s Etsy shop.

I can’t wait to see your happy mini-me house. Yay!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Because everyone needs a miniature version of their home! @bmacre #ceramic #ArkansasArtisan #clay #SupportLocalArt[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Happy, Pharrell Williams