Talya Tate Boerner's Blog, page 24

The Books I Read in 2019

Today I’m looking back on the books I read in 2019. I’m sad to say I was short of my 2019 book goal by 2 measly books! Ugh. Yes, I considered dropping everything to cram in two more books during the last two days of the year but decided that was silly. What does it really matter?

Plus reading 63 books in 2019 isn’t too shabby.

I likely missed my target because I spent so much time reading my own, coming-soon book, Gene, Everywhere a million times! Editing is time consuming (but very...

Sunday Letter: 01.05.20

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Happy first Sunday Letter of 2020! So far this year, I’ve been super busy. If you read yesterday’s Grace Grits Newsletter, you probably know why. If you aren’t a subscriber, you cansign up HERE.

Forgive me for such a short letter. I was super excited about typing the first one with 20 in the date. The truth is, when you spend all your days hunkered over your MacBook, there isn’t much to report. You may get to the end and think she should have skipped this one...

Sunday Letter – End of the Decade Edition!

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Welcome to today’s Sunday Letter – End of the Decade Edition. Sounds both ominous and celebratory, doesn’t it? But in the spirit of optimism, I’m expecting 2020 to tip the scale on the positive side. Wishful thinking. I truly believe in it.

But seriously. 2020? JUST YESTERDAY, I worked at State Bank & Trust in Dallas where the year 2000 loomed over us, unknown and questionable. We fretted and plotted and attended monthly Y2K planning meetings to prepare our...

Sunday Letter: 12.22.19

Dear Sunday Letter readers,

Surprise!Last Sunday I wasn’t sure if I would write a Sunday Letter this week. But here I am saying hello again. The truth is I enjoy this “virtual chat” we have each week. It’s fun to read your comments both on the post and to each other. That’s become my favorite part.

So thank you for joining me on Sunday morning or whenever you find time to read.

Sugared Pecans

Last week I made the most delicious sugared pecans.

I followed this recipe from Dining with Debbie....

10 Ways to Welcome Winter

Today 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...

Sunday Letter: 12.15.19

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

We only have two more weeks in this decade. I say this only because everywhere I turn I see these sorts of announcements—last full moon of the decade!—last Christmas of the decade!— last fill-in-the-blank of the decade!

Ha.

We could play this game for the rest of the year.

Last Sunday Letter of the decade?

Maybe. Maybe not.

It’s always a game-time decision for me.

Chocolate and Lemon Mousse

What’s the plural of mousse?

I looked it up and found a confusing bunch...

10 Books for the Nature Lovers in your Life

Give me books for Christmas and I’m a happy girl. Give me books about nature and you might not hear from me until spring.

Since we are gardeners here, it’s only fitting we discuss books for nature lovers. I’ve compiled a list of my 10 favorite books for the nature lovers in your life. Or for yourself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with helping Santa out and gifting to yourself.

It’s true. Being in and around nature boosts the spirit. Reading about nature has the same effect for me....

Sunday Letter: 12.08.19

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

I woke up this morning and remembered that my Baylor Bears lost the Big 12 Championship game in overtime yesterday. But what a game! Yes, I’m disappointed, but I’m also extremely proud of the incredible effort and the overall season and the way Matt Rhule has coached the dickens out of a team that only won 1 game two years ago.

If I could invite anyone to dinner, tonight it would be Matt and Julie Rhule. The house is clean, so now would be a good time, ya know?

...

O Come, O Come to Thorncrown Chapel

We visited Thorncrown Chapel while the leaves were turning. Nestled in the Ozarks just outside Eureka Springs, Thorncrown Chapel is one of the most stunning and iconic structures in Arkansas. Today, I’m bringing it to you.

Woo-hoo!

Arkansas’s own brilliant architect, E. Fay Jones, designed Thorncrown Chapel using native woodland elements. The 48-foot tall structure consists of 425 windows totaling over 6,000 square feet of glass. So much glass brings the surrounding Ozark forest inside.

...

Sunday Letter: 12.01.19

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Happy December!

Ready or not, here we go headfirst into the holidays. December is busy for my family not only because of Christmas, but also because we have lots of family birthdays this month. Really, the whole month is a celebration.

Fun! Fun!

I’ve missed a few Sunday Letters lately. Last weekend, we were in Denver for a quick visit with our kids. (I’ve gotten pretty good at leaving my computer at home when I travel. Yay me.) This Sunday Letter almost didn’t...