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Summer Essentials (according to me)

June 21, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

Summer Essentials according to me

I woke early, drank my coffee on the porch, and watched the sun begin to glide over the trees. I ate a handful of blueberries and wrote nonsense in my journal. Nonsense with a common theme—summer essentials. Things essential to my summer, either by necessity or joy.

Today is the first day of summer, y’all. So it’s the perfect time to discuss.

Whatyouwannabet many of our summer necessities overlap?

At the top of my list, I wrote a few days at the Lake. Arkansas is blessed with stunning lakes. I claim Lake Norfork, and it claims me. I’ve been coming here since I was a baby.

Something I realized while sitting on the porch and drinking my coffee and writing nonsense…When I’m able to enjoy a few days of lake time, all my other summer essentials magically fall into place.Continue Reading

Summer Favorite: Adventure!

July 6, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

Summer Favorite Adventure

Next up in my Summer Favorite Series: ADVENTURE. Summer is the ideal time for adventure, big and small. Kids are out of school (or in my case—grown and gone), days spread out long and warm, nights twinkle with the flicker of lightning bugs. Adventure is tucked behind every tree.Continue Reading

Summertime, and the livin’ is joyful.

June 21, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

Summertime!

With the turn of the calendar page, summertime is here! And I’m dropping in with the happiest of greetings.

“Today’s the morning you’re gonna rise up singing. Spread your wings and take to the sky.” Yes, I’m taking liberty with the lyrics of George Gershwin’s jazz standard composed in 1934 for Porgy and Bess. It’s the perfect song to kick off the official start of summer. Don’t you agree?

Tell me, what are some of the things you LOVE about summertime? Traditions, foods, memories you hold tight. Simple things that fill you with the ease of summertime living.

As for me, I plan to do a series of posts highlighting my summer favorites. (I’m sure they will be sporadic because I’m trying to keep my head down and finish a solid draft of Book Two. But hang with me and they will come, I promise.)

Cheers to the first official full day of summer. Do something that makes you joyful!

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:
Summertime, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

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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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