Saturday Meanderings

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope all of your holiday wrapping, cooking and planning is done and you are enjoying the true meaning of Christmas. Looks like most of the country is experiencing challenging weather, but in Phoenix this is our “good” climate~crisp mornings/evenings and warmer days, deep blue skies and fresh clear air. Thank you for joining me for another Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.

Fun and Unique Places in Phoenix

This week we crossed off a holiday list item and had an ornamentini at the Hermosa Inn. Famed artist Lon Megargee created The Hermosa Inn in the 1930s as his private escape before opening up to guests.

This lovely boutique inn retains that original intimate feel, complete with homey touches: Lon’s original artwork hanging on the walls, a flourishing garden, upscale furnishings throughout.

Every year, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, the bar/restaurant called Lon’s, serves an ornamentini cocktail. The martini comes in a clear ornament, which you pour into a sugared-rim glass. Not only is the cocktail delicious, but imagine sipping it in front of one of the many fireplaces at The Hermosa Inn. The sprigs of fresh rosemary and cranberries make the cocktail even more festive.

Another fabulous destination in our city is Platform 18. Rated one of the world’s best cocktail bars, Platform 18 is taking a trip back in time. You and your party will depart from Platform 18 in a glamorous, Presidential Pullman-inspired train car.

Here is the description from their website: “If you haven’t experienced Platform 18 for yourself, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience that we bet you’ve never had (especially in a bar!) The train bar’s immersive and elevated cocktail experience comfortably seats 36 guests.

By booking a ticket (i.e., making a reservation), travelers will embark on a 90-minute journey through the Rocky Mountains with your host Hollis Cottley Pennington, a railroad tycoon, and bootlegger. Guests will enjoy an opulent adventure to the early 20th century while imbibing on exquisitely crafted cocktails inspired by worldly flavors and ingredients.”

This is such a fun destination and you truly feel like you are on a moving train. So innovative!

Blue and White Tulipieres

Two tulipieres are a recent purchase from The Enchanted Home. Not only are they beautiful but so impressive in size. Located on the coffee table in our living room, I add red roses and white glittery chrysanthemums for the holidays.

Unfortunately, one of the tulipieres is leaking water and here is the other. We are double checking the leak status, hence the paper towel underneath. I am hoping there is a remedy to this, as I love the pair and obviously want to use them with fresh flowers.

Lots of Kitchen Time

Having my son in town means more time in the kitchen with him. This week we made a huge apple pie, barbecue wings, finished up my Mary Berry Christmas cake and learned how to make smash burgers. I don’t think I’ll ever make a standard hamburger again!

Tried my hand at making leaves and berries out of marzipan.

Have you ever made smash burgers? The key is to smash the meat to get as many nooks and crannies browned and flavorful, while retaining as much of the juice as possible. On this burger, there are two smashed burgers, onions, lettuce, cheese and pickles. The picture doesn’t do it justice. Oh my. So delicious.

This weekend, in addition to the holiday meal, I will be baking bread and hopefully making some homemade panettone. January will be a healthy month as I will need to cut back and stop eating all this great food. But isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

Strange Occurrence

There is something going on with my outdoor cushions. Look at the neat, geometric pieces that are missing? What could be causing this? I’m picturing some rodent who is decorating their nest and being very picky about the fabric and colors. Isn’t this just odd?

I will need to get these recovered, but until I realize why this is happening, I don’t want to go to the expense of reupholstering again with Sunbrella fabric. Do you think something is eating it? The green stripes are untouched, but not the white. So strange.

Thankful for you

Thank you so much for following this blog, sending in your comments and feedback and sharing when you try a recipe or DIY. With the world so conflicted, it is so nice to have friends, both real and virtual, who take the time to say something kind. We’re in this together and I believe we need each other to become the best versions of ourselves. Every day I learn something new from you and hopefully, I provide some beauty and inspiration to your life.

I am so fortunate to spend this Christmas with my family. However, I know how difficult the holidays can be for others. This year, I am finding myself sobbing during certain Christmas carols as they remind me of my parents, who are both gone. I miss them dearly. The older we get, the losses seem to add up, whether it be family, friends, acquaintances, or our furry friends. So I am trying to take each moment as it comes, both joyful and sad, realizing this is life.

Sending hugs and a deep sense of gratitude to all of you. Merry Christmas.