simple living - grace grits and gardening

Hot Dogs and the Thrill of the Roast

October 10, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

Oh, hot dogs! Today I’m honoring the hot dog roast, a simple slice of Americana that reminds me of lake days and baseball and a summer soon behind us. I know, I know, hot dogs are the opposite of healthy, and vegetarians probably gag at the thought of them. I only eat two or three (okay five or six) a year, so no doubt I have worse habits I could / should / do fret over from time to time. But this is me trying to keep things light over here in my Grace Grits and Gardening world.

Personally, I think we could all use a big ole hot dog roast.Continue Reading

The Art of Slowing Down

August 6, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

If there’s anything I’ve learned during the past two weeks, it’s that slowing down is an art form. I know everyone is tired of hearing about my broken bones. I get it. I’m tired of it, too. But this is my reality. And in the here and now, I’ve learned a few things about the art of slowing down.

For starters, it’s not natural. It goes against everything we know. Let’s face it, we are a list-making, multiple hat-wearing, get ‘er done people. BUT. There is NO multi-tasking with a broken wrist. Everything I do takes three times as long. Unload the dishwasher? Whew. It’s a big thing moving one clean dish at a time to the cabinet. (#Slowpoke).Continue Reading

Summertime, and the livin’ is joyful.

June 21, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

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