Saturday Meanderings

Happy September! The lazy days of August are behind us and now we wait for the temperature to change. We are still up in the mountains and there is a shift in the light, the smell of the air and the temperature is cooler now in the mornings and evenings. Welcome to September’s Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.

Mark Your Calendars

As few weeks ago, I mentioned that my dear friend, neighbor and author, Barbara Hinske is having one of her books made into a Hallmark movie. It is airing on September 8th and she needs all our support for this to be a success. This movie will shed necessary light on those with sight impairments. Please read her request below and let’s be friends helping friends.

My novel Guiding Emily has been adapted for the screen by Hallmark. It will air Sept 8, 9ET/8 CT (6:00 p.m. in Phoenix)on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. I was present for filming again and this will be a terrific movie. They stuck with the book this time. Hallmark has stepped out of their usual romance box for this movie. The principal cast and crew are set to work on a series based on the books. The movie has to do well enough or trend on twitter for Hallmark to pull this trigger on this. Needless to say, this is the Holy Grail for an author. 

The actor’s strike has prevented both Sarah Drew (Emily) and Eric McCormack (voice of Garth) from promoting the movie and I’m doing everything I can to get eyeballs on it. 

So–please tune every set in your house (heck–on your street!) to watch on Sept 8. If you’re on social media, please spread the word. Sample text is below and graphics are attached. Word of mouth is so powerful, too. I get emails every week from newly-blind adults telling me the book has given them hope and from people losing their sight telling me it’s made them less afraid. The movie will exponentially expand the reach of this message. 

Thank you for anything you can do to help!

How to Post on Social Media

Here’s that text: 

I’ll be watching! Will you? Guiding Emily, a tale of love, loss, and courage, premieres 9/8/23 on @hallmarkmovie #visuallyimpaired #guidedogs #guidedogsfortheblind #guidedogpuppy #servicedogpuppy #servicedogintraining #hallmarkmovie #guidingemily #hallmarkmoviesmysteries

Mark your calendars! Guiding Emily, based on Barbara Hinske’s book, premieres 9/8/23 on @hallmarkmovie @sarahdrew #visuallyimpaired #guidedogs #guidedogsfortheblind #guidedogpuppy #servicedogpuppy #servicedogintraining #hallmarkmovie #guidingemily #hallmarkmoviesmysteries

Celebrate guide dogs! Meet Emily and Garth in the Guiding Emily movie on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Friday, September 8th @hallmarkmovie @sarahdrew #guidedogs #guidedogsfortheblind #guidedogpuppy #servicedogpuppy #servicedogintraining #guidingemily #hallmarkmoviesmysteries

Liking/retweeting my tweets during the movie would help, too.

Growing Luffa or Loofah

This week I did travel back to Phoenix for a few days. Mostly to pick up mail and packages, check on the house and property and spend some time with both my daughters. My garden is typically fallow this time of year but the luffa seeds I planted in the spring have taken off!

What is Luffa?

I certainly didn’t know this until my friend and chiropractor, Diane, shared some luffa seeds. Many people think all shower sponges come from the ocean, but most commercially-produced sponges are actually dried fruit. The luffa plant is a climbing vine that produces cucumber-like gourds. Per Epic Gardening, as the gourds mature, their inner layer transforms into a fibrous network that’s mostly made of cellulose. This network turns into the loofah we are all familiar with.

Although Luffa is the correct spelling of the genus, ‘loofah’ is a widely accepted common name. Look how this vine is growing down the entire south side of the garden on the picket fence.

Large yellow flowers are now in bloom. When this plant didn’t do much the first few months, I was worried that it wouldn’t produce. But now with multiple flowers I am very hopeful.

With the help of the local bees, pollination will occur and then fruit will grow. While still green, the luffa gourds are edible. They can be eaten raw or cooked. Their taste resembles cucumbers, zucchini and winter squash. However, I hope to dry them to use as loofahs. Keeping my fingers crossed and will share pictures!

Bargain at Walmart

I’m not a huge fan of Walmart but occasionally I find something worthwhile. You are probably familiar with Ree Drummond, the creator of the wildly popular blog, The Pioneer Woman. Ree has several of her products with Walmart and I am a fan of her colorful and cheerful patterns.

While looking for bed linens at Walmart in Prescott, Arizona with my daughter, Julianna, I spot The Pioneer Woman’s sheets and pillowcases….on SALE. Not just on sale, but for pennies.

The 300 thread count cotton percale pillowcases come in a cute drawstring bag (same fabric as the cases) in sweet patterns. For $2.00 (yes, can you believe it?), you can get two standard/queen or king size pillowcases. You can’t buy the fabric for that price!

In addition, they have matching sheet sets (flat, fitted and a set of pillowcases) in a cute sack for queen beds at $11.00 (!) and king size sheet set for $13.00. Full size is $9.00. I bought the pink ones above.

If you are like me, you don’t refresh your linens very often and what an affordable way to do so. Right now all my purchases are all in the wash but I hope to take a picture of them on a bed. The fabrics with their ruffles and trim are SO cute!

Cannot get to a Walmart? You can also order them online. Just click the bold links under the photos. It appears they are selling fast online and your local store may have more options. I have a pretty fine blue striped set (Wildflower) that I found in the store but not online. However, the Wildflower pillowcases are still available online.

Depending on the size you need, different styles are available. Walmart is obviously significantly discounting these items to move in winter merchandise so get them while you can!

Did you See the Super Blue Moon?

On Wednesday, a super blue moon was (and still is) illuminating the night time skies. We will not see another moon like this until 2037! Not only was the moon spectacular, but near by is Saturn, which is at its closest (and brightest) point to Earth.

Fortunately we had clear skies in the mountains. The moon was SO bright it was almost hard to look at it. In the above photo, my husband has his laser pointing directly to Saturn. With an old telescope we could actually see the shape of the planet. Yes, and I did howl at this beautiful moon!

With some help from my husband and the internet, I am able to capture this photo on my iPhone. Do you see the Man in the Moon?

From the Internet

I am always inspired by decor that is out of the ordinary. Even though it may be over the top or something I do not like, it’s nice to see something different!

Architectural Digest takes you on a tour of LoveShackFancy Founder Rebecca Hessel Cohen’s Parisian-Inspired NYC Townhouse. It is over the top. You can see it here.

Utah Tart Cherries and a Delicious Recipe

I love Montmorency cherries and we just planted our first tree here in Pinetop. Did you know that Utah is the second largest producer of these tart cherries? Jen from Tatertots and Jello shares her experience visiting a cherry farm, and a Montmorency tart cherry and almond galette recipe. It looks divine! You can see it here.

Next week I will share more information about the Fall Styling Workshop and why you will want to attend. Also, you will see the reveal of my newly wallpaper master water closet!

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend! Hopefully many people realize this holiday was established to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. Be safe out there.