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Gracie Lee’s Spaceship Squash

April 7, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

Gracie Lee and the Spaceship SquashWhen Gracie Lee’s Momma let the girls buy seed packets at Savage Crossing Hardware, Gracie Lee chose spaceship squash for obvious reasons—the squash looked like a flying saucer and flying saucers were intriguing. The variety was really called patty pan squash. The odd name caught her attention too.

Spaceship (Patty Pan) squash

Patty pan squash is a “bush” squash meaning is doesn’t vine like other squash varieties, but grows in more of a bush shape. I’m excited to grow it this summer in the back of my yard where the sun blazes for hours. Cooking Light has some amazing recipes using this particular squash variety. The nutritional value alone should be enough to get anyone interested in it. One cup of patty pan squash is loaded with 43% of your daily Vitamin C requirement, 5 grams of fiber, and no cholesterol. Boom. All that for only 38 calories…

They look like pumpkin seeds, don’t you think? But they aren’t. Continue Reading

The whole television thing…

March 30, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

Yesterday I was invited to talk about The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee with Alyse Eady, local THV11 Little Rock news anchor, and food blogger Debbie Arnold (Dining with Debbie). The whole television thing was interesting and fun and completely new to me. I had no idea what to expect which was a good thing because I didn’t have a chance to overthink it or stress too much. Our segment was live. No do-overs.

THV11 - Yes, I travel with cotton

Why, yes, I travel with cotton.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch it, CLICK HERE.

WHV11 The WholeTelevisionThing

When it was over, I had no idea what I said. All I could think about was the smell of that meatloaf right underneath my nose. Continue Reading

Gracie Lee’s Favorite Strawberry Cupcakes

March 28, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

Gracie Lee's favorite strawberry cupcakes

Man alive this is good. I’m making Gracie Lee’s favorite strawberry cupcakes for tomorrow’s THV11 food segment with Dining with Debbie. This was my Nana’s strawberry cake recipe but I decided to go with cupcakes for easier transport to Little Rock. I’ve blogged about it before. HERE’s the recipe. It’s worth talking about again.

This recipe is the best combination of everything. Sugar. Strawberries. Memories.Continue Reading

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 26, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 5, 2025

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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