grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Watermelon is my spirit fruit. (And other fun news from last week.)

By

Watermelon is my fruit spirit!

It’s true, watermelon is my spirit fruit. But first, Happy Sunday and Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there in the blog-o-sphere. (Yes, if you are reading this, you are part of the blog-o-sphere ???. ) I may as well confess right off, this post really isn’t about anything in particular. It’s more of an update. Let’s pretend we are chatting over a cup of coffee, glass of tea, or whatever your drink of choice may be.

I won’t judge.

So what’s up with you? Tell me in the comments if you’d like.

In my world, a few really fun things happened last week.Continue Reading

Crossing the Arctic Circle (Grímsey Island)

By

Crossing the Arctic Circle and Grimsey Island, Iceland
It isn’t every day a girl gets the opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle. But when I find myself in North Iceland, only 25 nautical miles from the Arctic Circle, I can’t pass up the chance. So I booked passage on the ferry out of Dalvik, and John and I made the three hour voyage to Grímsey Island.

(I know what you’re thinking. ?A three hour tour…?)

The Arctic Circle straddles teeny tiny Grímsey Island on the northernmost side. Teeny tiny as in land area of two square miles and a maximum elevation of 344 feet. Seriously, the ratio of real estate to spectacular scenery is off the charts magnificent.

Getting There

The ferry ride was stomach-plunging bumpy. This is a working ferry that transports loads of fish, so no, not luxurious, but comfortable enough with bathrooms and Tom & Jerry cartoons playing on the television. I’d hoped to spot a whale, but we left in dense fog and saw nothing of the gorgeous shoreline leaving mainland Iceland. The small harbor on the island appeared out of the fog the instant we arrived and not a heartbeat sooner.Continue Reading

Almost Glamping at the Jonquil Festival!

By

Glamping at the Jonquil Festival

Jonquil Festival!

A couple of weeks ago I shared a booth at the Jonquil Festival with fellow Delta author, Rhonda G. Williams. This was the first time either of us had sold our books at a craft fair. In fact, it was the first time I’d had a vendor booth at any fair. (I’ve been to book fairs with my publisher, but I wasn’t in charge. Totally different.) I wasn’t sure how this event would turn out. Local books and local crafts? Why not?

Truth: sitting under a canopy for three days subject to wind, cold, heat, humidity, rain—all the crazy Arkansas weather—life begins to feel like camping. And I prefer my camping with a touch of comfort. As in glamping.

Almost Glamping?

glamping at Jonquil Fest

So what’s glamping? It’s inspired camping. Camping with glamour. Glamping is about having fun, being adventurous, stringing up a paper chain and not worrying about making things perfect.

Almost glamping is what Rhonda and I did with our Jonquil Festival booth. While technically we “camped” in town at local hotels, we glamped up our booth.

Are you an author?

I have a theory. While nothing will replace engaging writing, an interesting title, and a compelling cover, a creative vendor booth will bring folks over and allow you to visit with them. Books don’t sell themselves. I’d like to believe someone walking by might glance over to our booth and think, “My, my, aren’t those ladies creative. Their books must be magical!”

See how it works? It makes perfect sense in my mind.Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!