Talya Tate Boerner's Blog, page 27

Hungry Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillars

I’m super excited to report that we finally have spicebush swallowtail caterpillars in our garden! In early spring, we planted four spicebush shrubs specifically for the butterflies. Then, almost every day since planting them, I’ve been inspecting our spicebushes, hoping to find caterpillars.

Up until last week, nothing. Each time I see a torn leaf, I look more closely hoping to find a hungry, hungry caterpillar. A folded leaf? I look again, hoping to find a hiding caterpillar.

Nope. Nothing...

Hungry Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillars

I’m super excited to report that we finally have spicebush swallowtail caterpillars in our garden! In early spring, we planted four spicebush shrubs specifically for the butterflies. Then, almost every day since planting them, I’ve been inspecting our spicebushes, hoping to find caterpillars.

Up until last week, nothing. Each time I see a torn leaf, I look more closely hoping to find a hungry, hungry caterpillar. A folded leaf? I look again, hoping to find a hiding caterpillar.

Nope. Nothing...

Hungry Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillars

I’m super excited to report that we finally have spicebush swallowtail caterpillars in our garden! In early spring, we planted four spicebush shrubs specifically for the butterflies. Then, almost every day since planting them, I’ve been inspecting our spicebushes, hoping to find caterpillars.

Up until last week, nothing. Each time I see a torn leaf, I look more closely hoping to find a hungry, hungry caterpillar. A folded leaf? I look again, hoping to find a hiding caterpillar.

Nope. Nothing...

Shishito Peppers: Quick & Easy Appetizer!

Have you tried shishito peppers yet? If not, let me introduce you to this flavorful treat! I had them for the first time about a year ago at a friend’s house. Then, I had them not that long ago at Cheers in Fayetteville. Now, that I know how easy they are to sauté, this is my new favorite make-at-home appetizer (or side dish).

Y’all, I’m not exaggerating. There’s a reason shishito peppers is the hot new summer appetizer in all the coolest restaurants.

And by hot, I don’t mean spicy. These Ja...

The best MAC AND CHEESE in all the land. Period.

We had friends over to eat Tuesday night. John grilled burgers, and I baked the best Mac and Cheese in all the land which hopefully cancelled out the very average pot of beans I served with it. This is my go-to mac and cheese recipe. There’s no need to make any other. You could add lobster like the fancy restaurants do and have a dish people would pay $17 a serving for in Dallas (i.e. Capital Grille). I truly believe that.

My mac and cheese is made with five kinds of cheese.

Five.

White che...

Sunday Letter: 08.11.19

Dear Sunday Letter Readers,

Today’s Sunday Letter is a wonder, not because it’s exceptionally marvelous or anything. Not at all. The fact that it exists is the small miracle. All throughout the past week, I’ve been overly confused about the day. Tuesday felt like Wednesday. Wednesday was Thursday in my mind. On Friday morning, John asked me, “Is today Wednesday or Thursday.”  See? It wasn’t just me. Our whole week was weird.

For the most part, I’ve been tied to my desk working on my book. Ma...

Hello, goldfinch!

Hello, Goldfinch!

This week, American goldfinches have begun feasting on our withering coneflowers. Each one is like a tiny celebration, a bright spot in lethargic midsummer. Goldfinches are found in northwest Arkansas year around, but I always notice them this time of year when their plumage is brilliant yellow. Goldfinches molt twice and year and because of that, they don’t always look as bright as they do now. And as is common in the bird kingdom, the males have the brightest plumage—it h...

Sunday Letter: 08.04.19

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

I’m just gonna jump right in because I’m in a mood.

Today’s Shooting

I went to sleep thinking about the terrible mass shooting in El Paso and woke to news of another one in Ohio. It seems to me we’ve passed a point of no return. Gun-wielding, hate-filled, homegrown terrorists are making it unsafe to run to Walmart for bathroom cleaner?!

Seriously?

You know it’s bad when I start each day wondering where today’s shooting will be…

I have no solutions, but I do have a...

Sunday Letter: 07.28.19

Greetings to my Sunday Letter friends,

I’ve had such a great week because I accomplished things. I think my productivity is 100% related to the fabulous weather we’ve been having. For me, the past week looked like this—6 hours of volunteer work toward my annual Master Gardener and Master Naturalist requirements, actually cooking a real dinner Friday night (baked ham, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and butternut squash), tweaking a few changes on my basically finished manuscript, working o...

Sunday Letter: 07.21.19

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

This past week has been hotter than a pepper sprout. Really, it’s the humidity that’s been blanket-thick here where I live.

Bottom line…

Just forget about the hairdo.

Thank goodness we went to the lake before this heat and humidity settled in like an old man in a horrible mood.