grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

This Time of Year

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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

My VERY Hungry Caterpillars

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Check out my VERY hungry monarch caterpillars!

Do you remember the children’s picture book by Eric Carle titled The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Well, I have my own very hungry caterpillars, and they are so much fun to watch.  Yes, I know they aren’t really “mine”, but I’ve been cultivating a butterfly garden since we moved here, and now that they’re here, I feel the need to observe and protect them.

A couple of days ago, I spied the first chrysalis of the season. It’s attached to the rock wall beside the back gate only a yard or so from one of our milkweed plants.

Magical.
And once I find one, I become completely obsessed.

I found a monarch chrysalis!

Because where there’s one, more are sure to follow.Continue Reading

Dear March,

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Dear March,Dear March,

If I individually track the next thirty-one days, each is likely to feel different. Drizzle. Thunderstorms. Warm sunshine. Days of dreary cold and maybe even snow, weather to remind us we aren’t out of the winter woods yet. And your howling wind! Are you announcing yourself?

Or maybe the biting wind should be blamed on Ole Man Winter who won’t go without a fight.

Charles Dickens perfectly described you, March, as summer in the light, and winter in the shade. 

So true.

Dear March, I know you mark the beginning of spring. I begin to dream of flower beds and lake days and fresh vegetables from farmer’s market, even though I never got a single bowl of snow cream.

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

[tweetthis]Dear March, you are summer in the light and winter in the shade #CharlesDickens #welcomespring[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:
Fiona Apple, Everyday

I started writing monthly letters to each month last July. Did you miss any of them? Here they are…

Dear July

Dear JULY

Dear August,

Dear AUGUST

Dear October,

Dear OCTOBER

Dear January,

Dear JANUARY

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!