Talya Tate Boerner's Blog, page 2

Merry Christmas Sunday Letter!

What’s this? A Merry Christmas Sunday Letter!

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I’ve been on a blogging sabbatical. It wasn’t something I planned; it just happened during this “time is flying part of my life.” Seriously, Christmas is three days away, and I’m not sure what happened between Labor Day and today. Really, the whole year has been a blur.

No, that’s not entirely true. I’ve spent much of 2024 working on my next book, The Third Act of Theo Gruene. And now I’m...

Sunday Letter: September 2024

Hello, Sunday Letter friends! September is here.

Goodness. Weren’t we celebrating Memorial Day ten minutes ago? And now, Labor Day is here to close out another summer.

Did I do all the things on my summer bucket list? Probably not. (I can’t even remember what those things were.)

Our family recently spent a fabulous week together at Lake Norfork. Bravo for unseasonably cool weather and family traditions. Lake time is always good for my soul; even more so when my kids are there and the air is not...

Sunday Letter: August 2024

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Recently, I spoke to a group of Arkansas librarians about the importance of storytelling, and in particular, how I find inspiration. By now you probably know nature and gardening are huge creative influences for me. Being surrounded by the natural world and caring for the plants I’m growing colors my world.

There’s much to anticipate as we steam ahead towards fall.

Fall is like spring in reverse. Heat begins to unspool, the trees enjoy a pleasant morning breeze, and ...

Sunday Letter: July 2024

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Once Independence Day is behind us, I imagine we are coasting on the downhill side of the summer Ferris wheel. How did that happen already?

Our 4th of July celebration started with a yummy potluck with friends (is there anything better?) and ended with the most delightful sort of fireworks—the rumble of thunder, a lightning show, and much-needed RAIN! Until the rain, the temperature was downright rude. Since the rain, we’ve had a pleasant cool down. I think we might ...

Sunday Letter: June 2024

Dear Sunday Letter friends:

Oops—my Sunday Letter for June is quite tardy. My goal is to post on the first Sunday of each month, but last Sunday I was traveling back from Austin after a whirlwind weekend. We went to celebrate our daughter, Kelsey, who was an Austin Under 40 Finalist.

What an honor to be nominated
What an honor to be her mother

All the accomplished and inspirational nominees give me hope for the future.

You know what? It’s been a minute since I attended a black-tie event, and th...

The Magic of Teeny Tiny Things

I noticed the most incredible thing a few days ago, something that literally stopped me as I rushed down the porch steps toward the front yard. A teeny tiny viola was happily growing from the brick walkway in front of the house.

A volunteer flower.

Truly a wonder to me, volunteer flowers represent amazing determination as they often grow in less than ideal conditions.

There she was, so easy to overlook yet impossible to miss.

Miss Viola seemed proud standing smack dab in the center of the walkw...

10 Sun-Loving Perennials and Annuals

10 Sun-Loving Perennials and Annuals

Since spring is the best time to work in the garden, now is the perfect time to introduce you to my favorite sun-loving perennials and annuals.

I garden in Fayetteville, Arkansas, which is growing zone 7a, recently shifted from zone 6b after an update in the USDA Plant Hardiness Map. (Check your zone HERE.) Depending on where you live, my favorites may not be the best choices for your area, but many of these will do well in a wide range of the country. As al...

Sunday Letter ~ May 2024

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Don’t you just love May? While I don’t know the history behind the maypole, I love the idea of it, girls dressed in floaty, flouncy dresses wrapping Easter-colored ribbons around and around and under and over. Hair woven with flowers—clover and daisies and baby’s breath.

May feeds me and fuels me; fills me now with words to use later. If I could, I would spend all of my time crawling on my hands and knees looking for every tiny change in each plant budding and bloomi...

We Created a Moon Garden!

We created a moon garden by accident! I realized this a few nights ago when, half asleep, I trudged outside with Gracie and Annabelle and saw the Man in the Moon perfectly situated in the sky above our backyard. It was like he was waiting for us. And, even though he was still one day shy of full, his brilliant spotlight made our plants glow.

We’ve created a moon garden, I thought, completely mesmerized by the scene.

Sometimes, darkness brings light.

The next night, under April’s Full Pink Moon ...

Sunday Letter ~ April 2024

Hello Sunday letter friends and happy April to you! April is one of my favorite months for so many reasons. The dogwoods in our neighborhood are in full bloom making a dog walk downright magical. Isn’t it incredible how quickly the world greens up when the right time comes?

Finally, we can spend lots of time in the garden.

Butterflies and bees are back, milkweed is coming up, and although I’ve not yet seen a hummingbird, my feeder is hanging just outside our kitchen window.

My sister’s birthda...