grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

10 Ways to Welcome Winter

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10 Ways to Welcome WinterToday I’m sharing 10 (surefire) ways to welcome winter. What, you aren’t a winter person? I suspect this post is just what Frosty ordered to help you see the weeks ahead in a different light.

Yes, in the northern hemisphere, the first day of winter arrives this Saturday. December 21 is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year (and the longest night). I celebrate the beginning of each season, but winter solstice feels particularly special to me—as magical as that first snowfall of the year.

Soon, we will begin to notice more light.

Gardeners and farmers in particular rejoice in this, (not that I’m omniscient in my knowledge of gardeners or farmers, or anyone for that matter)…

Welcoming winter with peace and grace is the perfect way to end the year and welcome the next. And I truly believe the quiet, positive energy we give off radiates to those around us.

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Sunday Letter: 01.20.18

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Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Happy cold Sunday from Northwest Arkansas! Since I wrote to you last, I’ve mostly been editing my WIP. When the banker in me says WIP, I think of a current asset, a component of inventory. The writer in me knows WIP as my current manuscript. 100,000 words that occupy my every waking (and dreaming) moment.

It’s fun, the editing. And maddening.

I consider every part of writing a book the most important part.

The first draft? Without it, the book would never exist. Every draft after the first one makes the story stronger and more succinct. But the intimate, exhausting, exhilirating editing comes when the writer debates the nuance of every single word, considering whether there’s a better choice in a sea of words.

That’s where I am now. And I’m obsessed with it.

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Savoring February

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savoring february

SAVORING FEBRUARY…

Today is March 1. Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent. In the words of Dr. Seuss, how did it get so late so soon? I believe there’s value in taking a look back. If we aren’t mindful, it’s easy to forget to remember the good. And if you’ve followed me for any period of time, you know I chose SAVOR as my One Little Word for the year. I’m trying my best to savor each day. I crammed lots of good in February 2017.

Savor—to taste, smell, relish, delight in. Doing something slowly.

Savoring FLAVOR…

I’ll start right off with a confession. I didn’t do as well in February as I did in January with my goal of cooking one new recipe each week. Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!