grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

This Time of Year

By 10 Comments

This time of year.

I love love love this time of year. This time of year right before Christmas. This time of year when the days are pale and cold, and the bundling up to go for a walk takes as long as the walk itself.

Yesterday, I read half a book and napped on the couch underneath blankets. Two warm schnauzers curled next to me. I felt a little under the weather, a little tired, a little like maybe I needed to hibernate the afternoon away. So I did. Dreaming away the cold. Sunday afternoon is good for that.Continue Reading

University of Arkansas: Decking the Halls at Christmastime

By 4 Comments

University of Arkansas at Christmas

Yesterday, I spent some time walking around the University of Arkansas. During this almost-winter, end-of-semester, Christmas-is-a-coming season, campus has a completely different feel. The Hill is no longer packed with tailgate tents. Gone is the new fall semester excitement centering around game day. Now, students laden with backpacks and plugged into earbuds rush from here to there, briskly, because the morning is cold, and there’s somewhere to be. Campus beats at a raw, efficient pace. Let’s get ‘er done and get to Christmas or home or graduation or wherever.

Buildings are decked with boughs of holly and crowned with holiday wreaths.

Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Continue Reading

What I’m Giving Up for Advent

By 10 Comments

What I'm giving up for Advent

Wow. Can you believe we’re already in the second week of Advent? This year, more so than any other I can remember, I’ve been sitting with Advent, thinking about it, needing it. As I reflect on the past year and prepare for the next, I’m determined to make these days before Christmas simple and easy. To do that, I’m giving up things for Advent.

In case you think this “giving up of things” sounds more like Lent than Advent, let me elaborate.

Yes, Lent is about giving up things or taking on tasks as a form of sacrifice or penance, and Advent is a time of waiting. Waiting for the birth of Christ. Waiting for the second coming.

Waiting and reflecting and resting is difficult when I feel weighted down with items on my to-do list. Items that really, in the scheme of thing, don’t add up to a hill of beans. Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!