grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

easing out of Thanksgiving

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easing out of Thanksgiving...

There’s no easing out of Thanksgiving these days. As John and I walk the dogs in the misty, chilly, day-after-Thanksgiving afternoon, I’m impressed to see so many houses on our street already decorated for Christmas. Tree lights flicker in windows. Garland adorns porch railings, and festive red plaid pillows perch in porch swings. I wonder where my neighbor found those cute red pillows, and I wonder where she stores them during non-Christmastime because storing extra pillows takes a lot of space, but mostly I wonder when she found the time to decorate.

Why isn’t everyone piled on the couch watching football?Continue Reading

The best Spicy Pulled Pork in all the land. And football.

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Spicy Pulled Pork - the best in all the land.

Yesterday I made a spicy pulled pork based on Ree Drummond’s (The Pioneer Woman’s) recipe. I give her all the credit. I haven’t changed any of her ingredients because there’s no reason to tamper with the best pulled pork recipe in all the land. The only thing I do differently is I don’t use a food processor. Instead, I dice the onion and hand mix all the ingredients. I like to have pieces of onion in the mix. Plus, I don’t own a food processor. Crazy, I know.

Here’s a LINK to The Pioneer Woman’s recipe. Go check it out. She has beautiful pictures and step-by-step instructions.

Now on to football. John and I will be at the Razorback game today. And wooo pig, the weather should be nice. (The first game was hot!) Will the Hogs remember to show up? Please, yes. They play Texas Tech—love those old Southwest Conference rivalries. I’ll be secretly scouting the Red Raiders for next week’s Baylor Bear game. (So Briles, call me.)Continue Reading

art of the TAILGATE!

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Wooo to the pig! We are only days away from the beginning of college football 2015. I’m so ready I made a collage to get you in the spirit. Art of the Tailgate. It’s an enormous thing.

the art of the tailgate

A few things to dream and scheme about while counting down to your first tailgate (feel free to imagine your favorite mascot/school colors)…

1. Decorations. No tailgate party is complete without fan decor. In the South, tailgates are known to include chandeliers, big screen televisions and air conditioning. For an over the top look, check out this chandelier from Fiore Fresco. I think a similar look could be replicated with a flea market find and a can of red spray paint, don’t you? In fact, there’s an old one in our basement I may have to experiment on…

Red chandelier for tailgating?

And how about napkins and plates and all-the-rage bunting? Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

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