Fall Porch - grace grits and gardening

Sunday Letter: 10.02.22

October 2, 2022 By Talya Tate Boerner

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Happy October!

October is one of my favorite months of the year because of cooler weather and college football and harvest time and blooming asters. This October is even more special than normal because my third book—Bernice Runs Away—launched yesterday!

I promise I won’t talk about Bernice forever, but for now, yes, yes, I shall:)

I chose October 1st as my launch date because Bernice’s story begins in the fall. Well, technically her story began in 1938 when Bernice was born to Dorothea Greer and Bud Byrd, but Chapter One of the book begins in the autumn of 2019. So a book birthday in October made sense to me.Continue Reading

Decorating my Porch for Fall

October 9, 2019 By Talya Tate Boerner

I’ve been decorating my porch for fall, y’all. I waited until the most recent heat wave dissipated. After living in Texas for so many years, I have lots of experience with putting pumpkins on the porch early, only to have them melt and turn grody by Halloween. Especially the carved ones.

I want my pumpkins to last through Thanksgiving.

Especially the non-carved ones.Continue Reading

How to Choose a Pumpkin

October 2, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

How to choose a pumpkin and have a fantabulous October? No, this isn’t rocket science. Yes, there’s a certain method to my madness.

But first, a confession—I do not like pumpkin pie. I feel a smidgen bad about this. Pumpkin pie is such an American thing. But I’ve never liked pumpkin pie and don’t imagine this will change.

Do you think this adds a blemish to my southern card? Nah, surely not. Not with my sincere love of grits and collard greens, my under-the-sink coffee can filled with bacon drippings, my predisposition to say y’all and lord help and fixin to.

No way.

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.