ramblings from an arkansas farm girl
When I was a kid, Momma always said “Home again, home again, jiggity jig,” whenever we pulled into the carport. Actually, she still does, and so of course, sometimes I do too. After a week in Austin with my daughter, it feels good to be home from Texas.
But Austin was fantastic as Austin always is. I felt a tinge of nostalgia driving home, and realize there are definitely things I miss about living in Texas. Things that are uniquely Texas. A feeling more than anything else.
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 AUGUST
Dear SEPTEMBER
Dear OCTOBER
Dear NOVEMBER
Dear DECEMBER
Dear JANUARY
Last Sunday, we went for an afternoon drive. A Sunday drive. I’ve heard this was once a thing. Back when Sunday activities were devoted only to church services and resting for the week ahead, the family packed up the Ford and set off for a pleasant drive through the countryside. Not a road trip. Not an errand. There was no particular agenda other than to spend time together enjoying what the day would bring. In our crazy, busy lives, I think we should bring back the Sunday Drive. It should be an official thing again.
Like Sunday pot roast. That should be a thing again, too.
I’ve been thinking about what makes a good Sunday drive. A specific destination isn’t a requirement. But good music on the radio and plenty of warm sunshine adds to the pleasure. And maybe there’s food. A stop at a roadside diner or a picnic lunch? Okay so maybe this idyllic plan isn’t realistic for every weekend, but once a month? Definitely!
Our recent Sunday drive included a visit to Chotkowski Gardens, which is an incredible peony farm. With over 800 herbaceous varieties and 200 tree varieties, Henry Chotkowski’s farm is bursting with peak-season peony blooms. (Herbaceous means the plants have non-woody stems that die back at the end of the growing season. Tree means, well, more like a shrub.)
Pink. Red. White. Yellow. Apricot. Lavender. A three-acre field of perfume.
Chotkowski Gardens, 16142 Pin Oak Rd, Fayetteville, Ar
Typically, Chotkowski sells peonies in the spring. Customers walk through the gardens, choose a peony to buy (how on earth, I’m not sure) and pick up rootstock later in the fall for planting. Unfortunately for us, this year his peonies aren’t for sale. For reasons I’m not completely clear on, he’s taking the year off… Waaah! He promised me that he will be selling again next year.
Boy, there’s nothing like being unable to buy one, that reallyreallyreally makes me want one… availability/desirability…there may be something to that.
These pictures do NOT do justice to the up close and personal blooms.
This red beauty (below) was one of my favorites.
This gorgeous yellow peony looks like tissue paper.
I honestly thought I would remember the names of these peonies. Ha.
The truck in the picture below is the perfect reason to go on a Sunday Drive. You never know what treasures you will find along the way. Treasures within treasures.
Peonies in the background…
If you live in Northwest Arkansas and are looking for the perfect Sunday drive, Chotkowski Gardens is open from 1:00 to 5:00 each afternoon during season (beginning of April through end of May). Even though you can’t buy this year, it’s worth the short drive from Fayetteville for the simple pleasure of strolling through and admiring the beauty.
And guess what? Mother’s Day is 3 days away! Chotkowski Gardens hosts a Mother’s Day Open House annually which includes displays of cut flowers, a bit of peony history and more. This year’s event is Sunday, May 10, 1:00 – 4:00. Read more about this year’s event HERE.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]Who wants to go for a Sunday drive with me? #MakingMemories #SundayDrive #WeeklyVenture [/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
Groovin’, The Young Rascals
