Saturday Meanderings
Welcome to Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week. I was unable to post last Saturday because we were traveling (secretly) to Chicago to surprise our son. Plus last week is one filled with chores and who wants to share that! But this week, we have happy good news to share, good food and fun projects. So grab your favorite beverage and let’s get started.
Big Announcement
Our son, Benjamin, proposes to his longtime girlfriend, Delaney on July 13th at The Art Institute of Chicago. After weeks of planning the engagement with multiple moving parts, Delaney experiences one surprise after another. After the proposal, her parents (who flew in from out of town) make a surprise visit with 2 of her childhood friends.
Since we were just in Chicago for Benjamin’s graduation and to help with a move to a new apartment, we quickly justified another visit back to surprise them. It was fun to show up at the rooftop bar gathering with friends that afternoon. We are becoming party crashers!
The photographer captured some very special moments in this gorgeous setting. No official plans to date, but a joyous event for all!
Photographs by Ryan Patrick Clarke with Jason Kaczorowski Photography.
Robin Eggs have Hatched
Literally days after we planted a dwarf Alberta spruce in front of the cabin, a bird built a nest and took up residence. The three small eggs just recently hatched and both mother and father are taking turns feeding and protecting their young.
I continue to be amazed every year by birth and renewal. Isn’t Mother Nature amazing?
An Abundance of Eggs
Speaking of birds, our chickens (in Phoenix) are laying up a storm. The youngest 15 chickens are producing so many eggs, however, they are small in size compared to the mature chicken eggs.
Since we have so many, I am pickling them to eat as snacks. After being hard-boiled and peeled, I place the eggs in a large Mason jar and then cover them with my Quick Refrigerated Pickled Cucumber brine and refrigerate. I shared this recipe with you last summer using pickling cucumbers and it is so tasty. See the blog post here.
Baking a New Bread recipe
I am trying to learn how to bake sourdough bread at a higher altitude and so far, so good. This week I have garden tomatoes that I need to use, so I slow roast them in an oven at 250 degrees for about 2 hours. This helps reduce some of the moisture and enhance the flavor.
Roasted tomatoes, fresh garlic and shredded sharp white cheddar are the ingredients I add to the sourdough after the overnight rise.
So happy with this bread recipe and the roasted tomatoes add such great flavor. I know everyone doesn’t have sourdough starter, but if you would like for me to share my basic recipe for this, please let me know.
Holiday Styling Workshop
I am considering conducting another holiday workshop in early November. Last year, as you may recall, we had our first Fall Styling Workshop which was a great success. This year, depending on interest, I may do only one day (vs. 2 days) and some initial thoughts will include stying a holiday staircase, creating a festive front entrance, a project for you to work on to take home as well as lunch and snacks.
The tentative date is Saturday, November 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. here at Bella Terra. Please let me know your level of interest! We had such fun last year and I love an opportunity to gather and learn together.
Mystery Water Leak
The first indication that something is wrong, is the expanding and separating baseboard in the kitchen and the warping of the hardwood floors. We remove the baseboard to find a very wet wall, however, there is no plumbing behind this wall.
Above it, is my son’s bathroom and shower. After removing the shower valve we find dry walls and no sign of a leak. This led to breaking two large holes in the adjoining wall, again, we find nothing wet or leaking.
Once the baseboard was removed, we just assumed the wall would dry out quickly in our warm weather. Weeks pass and the wall is still wet. Arggg. To make matter even more complicated, our walls are thick plaster, not drywall~so not easy to infiltrate or repair.
Finally, my dear friend, Sandy suggests it might be coming from the air conditioning units in the attic and dripping down the walls. It is not easy getting up into the attic, and it’s not very navigable once you are there. However, I climb up and root around to find the source of the water damage.
Though it wasn’t obvious, I see only a tablespoon of fresh water by one of the A/C units, but no major indication that this is the problem. However, I call our A/C person and he tells us that the condensation line is blocked and water is not draining properly, causing this water damage.
So after many weeks, we finally get an answer to the mystery wet wall problem. Now I am hoping the dry, hot summer temperatures will evaporate the moisture from our hardwood floors and flatten them out again. There’s always something with an old house, right?
What are You Reading?
Typically I put together a summer reading list, but failed to do so this year. However, I am reading a crime novel series by best-selling author, Paul Dorion, whose main character is Mike Bowditch, a Maine Game Warden. I have only been to Maine a handful of times, but I am enjoy the author’s detailed visual accounts of the Maine woods. Every now and again I need to look up the definition of a word, so I’m also happy to be expanding my vocabulary.
Overall, Paul Dorion writes very well and reading these novels provide great summer entertainment. I believe there are 15 novels in this series and would be enjoyed by all. To date I have completed the first 6 and do plan to read all 15.
Please let me know what you are reading!
Finn is 6 Months Old
Finn is growing like a weed and quite honestly, he will be a very big boy. He is long-legged and there are days I feel like I could put a saddle on him and ride him around the neighborhood.
It’s easy to forget that he is only 6 months old. He is goofy and uncoordinated which remind us of his young age. Training continues and he is a rather good student. He does shed ALOT so I need to vacuum nearly every day~cannot wait to get my robot vacuum this week.
Mary’s Must Haves
I hope you were able to score some great deals during Amazon’s Prime Days this week. Here are a few additional items that I am finding very handy this week.
My friend, Tevia, bought us this 6 slot cherry pitter last summer. What a lifesaver if you are making a cherry pie or galette with fresh cherries. It is cherry season and this pitter makes the task a breeze. On Amazon for $13.99.
It has been hot during the day at the cabin and we do not have air conditioning. These window fans have made the different in getting some air circulation on the second floor. We have four of them running non-stop during this unusual hot spell.
With a reversible airflow, you can pull out the hot air and pull in the cool air. Designed to fit most windows, the fan sits nicely in our double hung ones. See window fan here.
Who wants to wear tight fitting clothes in this heat? Not me! I find this cotton knit tiered dress at our local Walmart. It comes in 9 colors. I purchase the grey one at $7.00 (on sale) and the black one at $11.98. You may want to check your local Walmart to see if they are on sale in store.
What I like about this dress is that the back is slightly longer than the front, which is nice when bending over. And it has pockets! You can’t go wrong for under $12.00! I am pairing this with a pair of white sneakers, but sandals would work too. Not a great photo but you get the picture.
I haven’t washed it yet so I don’t know how it will hold up, but it’s a great dress to wear around the house or for a quick run to the store~while keeping cool. P.S. I am 5’4″ and wearing a size Small.
Let’s Be our Best
Each week I try really hard to share goodness…even with stories about plumbing failures or life’s challenges. I believe that if you keep a kind heart and an open mind while being good to those around you, life will be happy and make the difficult times bearable.
It’s been a tough week for our country. After being on this Earth for nearly 7 decades, it hurts my heart to witness hatred at levels that are disturbing. Maybe because information is so readily available 24/7, we are exposed to the vitriol more frequently. But I believe people are responsible for their own behavior. We must be accountable and hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Imagine a world where everyone spoke freely with kindness? Imagine a world where we could have conversations and truly listened to opposing views? Please join me in being more accepting, loving and cordial to our fellow man. Daily I pray for a kinder, less violent world.
Enjoy your weekend. Do something nice for yourself and others.
Just a reminder that any words that are italicized bring you to the source. If it is a product on Amazon, please note that I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you purchase something through my website, I receive a small (very small!) stipend, which doesn’t affect the price you pay at all. My goal is to make sourcing the items easy for you. Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs. Mary, congratulations to your son and future daughter-in-law. Many blessings to all.
Finn is such a cutie and I can’t get over how big he is getting.
We had some Mockingbirds build a nest in our patio fan, so we have been unable to enjoy our rocking chairs in this heat without air.
Crystal, thank you for your sweet well wishes! Finn is getting too big for me to handle but I’ve been working alot with him on training. But he is still such a puppy so I expect it will be a few months before I see my efforts pay off! How interesting the birds found a way into your fan…they are so clever. Love all your comments! Thank you.
Best wishes to your son and his fiancee. What a thrill! And her ring is stunning. Glad you got to be in on the fun. As for everything else – I just love your blog. It’s always so full of wonderful things. Thank you!
My niece from Scottsdale was working from home here in cooler Ohio for over a month, but went back yesterday and back to that dry unbelievably high temperatures. So stay cool and hydrated!
Michele, thank you so much for your kind wishes.How lucky your niece got out of the heat. We are trying to hang out at our cabin as much as possible. Even though the daytime temperature is still higher than usual, it cools off at night, which is a relief. Yes, staying cool and hydrated is a must!
Mary, your postive and informative posts are always so welcome and very much looked forward to by me. Many times you have brightened my day, taught me new things, or happened to suggest something I’d been trying to find! Thank you Mary!
Sue, you are so sweet to take the time to write something so nice and kind. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. Thank you for being a loyal reader!
Congratulations on your son’s engagement! Happy news indeed! Fingers crossed your floors will return to normal. Water damage is no fun!
Maureen, thank you for your well wishes. Yes, the only good thing about the very hot summer in Phoenix is helping the floor dry out!
Happy news for Benjamin and Delaney! Congrats to them and so fun you could be there as a surprise.
Water damage is the worst but glad you found the source.
But mostly, thank you for sharing your inspiring words to listen and treat each other with more kindness and respect. We’re fortunate to live in a country that was built on free speech and expression.
Melody, Thank you for your happy wishes to the newly engaged couple! Hoping the hot Phoenix summer will dry out the boards and flatten them by fall. I continue to pray for our country, and especially those who have become so hateful. It’s a terrible way to live life. But I believe there is more good than evil. We need to keep positive and not let ourselves be dragged down. Keep the faith!
Thank you for sharing a week in your life. Following on the blog is like sharing with a friend.
And, thank you for your thoughts on how we need to treat each other and accept accountability for our behavior. It is our exchange with people that is what life is about.
Have a great week.
Michele, I feel like you are a good friend. I appreciate all your comments and feedback. We can only change the world one person at a time and my heart goes out to those who thrive on hatred and anger. What a horrible way to live. Stay positive, stay safe and keep praying!
SO exciting that you’re adding a new daughter!! Congrats to them and all of you! Sorry about the water damage – you’re right, it’s always something with an old house. And thanks for all the great suggestions. Love your dress, your eggs, bread, birdies, and puppy! And how fun to have a cherry pitter! Hope you’re having a lovely weekend and staying cool!
Barbara, thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my posts! You are such a sweet friend and thanks for the well wishes to the newly engaged couple!
Would love to attend the workshop! Unfortunately, now that my Dad has passed I can freely travel!
Cynthia, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I remember when you Mom passed. When I lost both my parents, I felt a bit untethered but I suppose that is life. I would LOVE for you to attend the workshop. I attribute meeting so many wonderful people in the mastermind group to you and your initial organization of it. Sending hugs.
Congratulations to your family! Nothing like wedding planning! I look forward to you sharing those details in future blogs.
I finally got to read a book and I highly recommend it- “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. Having a brother that served in Viet Nam and my own nursing career, I couldn’t put the book down! With all the heat in Phoenix it was a good excuse to stay indoors!!
Love your posts!
Karleen, thank you for the book recommendation. Summers in Phoenix are a great time to read (in cool airconditioning) and to catch up on all the movies one has missed throughout the year.
Mary – i hope to attend the holiday workshop this year. I have it on the calendar. The book you are reading has a great review on the cover.! You actually met the reviewer.
So happy for your son and his fiance.
Thanks for making my Saturdays fun
Debra, it would be so exciting for you to attend the workshop! Yes, CJ Box did a wonderful review of the Paul Dorion books and I feel honored to have met him (thru you!). Sorry we missed you on your recent trip but I am sure we will get together again soon.
Congratulations to Ben and Delaney! So exciting as your family continues to expand.
So much great info and recipes on your blog. Always look forward to them!
Bev, thank you for your well wishes to the newly engaged couple! Thank you so much for being an avid reader of my blog. You are the best!
I was recently introduced to books by Paul Doiron when we were in New Hampshire. Our neighbor had set up a little library at the end of their drive so I left a few books I had finished and picked up a few to read – had never heard of him before. As you said, his descriptions of Maine are wonderful and I’m enjoying his style – looking forward to reading more of his series.
Karin, I am hooked on Paul Dorion’s books. I think I’m on the 6th one? Once I finish it, I’m downloading the next. I love that there are 15 books in the series so it will take me through the summer. Hope all is well with you and Donnie!
Congratulations on your happy news! Stunning photos of the proposal and I’m happy for you, thinking of the fun plans and events this engagement and wedding will bring.
As for workshop — YES!! I’ve got it on my calendar. Consider me signed up.
Love the dress and that bread looks fabulous!
Barb
Barbara, Yay! I am so happy you will be attending the workshop again this year. And thank you for your well wishes to the newly engaged couple! Hopefully I will be able to plan something related to the engagement or wedding….
Love all the updates (minus the leak!). Hope the floors return to normal soon.
Tevia, we seem to have leaks and floor problems…yours much worse than ours. But hoping the floor flattens out with the dry, hot summer weather….
Mary
I’m sorry you’ve had water damage. We are still repairing and replacing from our water leak. It’s such a mess. I hope your floors don’t need replacing. That’s the worst part. Have a blessed week.
Rachel, I can certainly empathize with experiencing water damage. I think yours is much more extensive and I hope it all gets resolved soon for you.
Life in the “fast lane!!!” franki
Frankie! Ha! You are right!