Saturday Meanderings

Well, it’s mid-September and also, today is National Coloring Day. I wonder who comes up with these quirky commemorations but you may want to pull out your coloring book in recognition. It’s been such a busy week that I failed to post anything on Tuesday. We have returned to Phoenix from a summer in the mountains. There is so much to be done, especially in the yard which looks very tired and worn. Welcome to Saturday Meanderings, where we chat about good things this week. So appreciate you joining me.

Vertigo

Fifteen years ago, I have my first vertigo episode. We were traveling in Connecticut and I woken up in the middle of the night by one of those nerve neck stingers. Immediately my horizon tipped vertically, everything was spinning and I became gravely ill. When I returned to Phoenix, I discovered my neck was significantly out of alignment and I assumed that was the cause.

Nothing has occurred in the last 15 years until last Saturday. I was home alone and at first thought I was having a stroke. Very scary. But shortly after, the symptoms got much worse and again, I am having another bout of vertigo. Of course, this is the day I supposed to pick up 120 lbs. of tomatoes and drive back up to our cabin.

Long story short, it took nearly 5 hours for the symptoms to subside, however, I was wrung out from all the vomiting. Hoping to get to see an ear doctor soon as I never want to experience this again. There is little to no warning when it will strike.

If you have any information or experience with this, please let me know.

Tomato Canning Season Again

Fortunately, my daughter’s boyfriend picked up the tomatoes. Forty pounds gets delivered to my friend, Rick, whose recipe I use for my sauce. On Monday, my friend, Tevia and I get to work making tomato sauce and processing it in a hot-bath canning method.

This project is much more fun if you have helping hands. It took us all day but now we have delicious summer tomato sauce to use for the next year.

Here is a previous post on making this delicious 4 ingredient tomato sauce. Also, you can freeze the sauce too.

Fire Roasted Green Chile Jam

It has been a busy week in the kitchen. With an abundance of Hatch green chiles from our neighbor, I try this new recipe, Fire Roasted Green Chile Jam. That same night we try it on hamburgers and hotdogs and it is D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.

I know that processing your own food is time-consuming. But there is something so rewarding about taking summer crops and preserving them. You cannot get a good tomato in January and all the effort pays off when you can enjoy homemade tasty food throughout the year.

A Little Fall Decorating

I am embarrassed to say I still have my Spring wreath on the front door. With traveling and leaving for a good portion of the summer, these things happen. It is nice to wipe down the front door from all the monsoon dust and put up my Fall wreath.

If you recall, I updated this wreath in 2022, by reusing the elements of 2 different wreaths. You can see that post here. While unwrapping it, I am still so pleased with how nicely it turned out.

I find these super cute (and soft) 13″ yellow pom pom picks at the Vintage Old Brick Market (more on that below). At $2.98 each, I buy 12. Of course, when I get home I want more, and a Google search finds them at a company called Piper Classics. Naturally they are less expensive and have free shipping for purchases over $50 too. Here is the link. For 6 14″ stems the price is $12.79 ($2.13 each). The yellow mustard color is perfect for fall decorating and the leaves are rather realistic too.

The pretty fall print boxes I find at Ivy and Sage Lifestyle Co.

Weekly Adventure

In attempts to fulfill my goal of exploring the area, my weekly adventure took me to The Vintage Old Brick House Market in Mesa, Arizona. Not only am I finding fun places to go, but my daughter, Elisabeth is excited to come with me.

Started by a group of friends who were selling vintage items out of their garage a few times a year, this market has turned into a highly anticipated monthly event, showcasing carefully curated items from 7 designers.  Only open 4 days a month, the rest of the time the designers are preparing for the next event.

Currently the market is open until September 14th. Here is a link to their website so you can determine the next market dates. Right next door, there are a few really good restaurants if you want to grab a bite to eat.

Sweet Salvage on 7th Avenue in Phoenix has a similar concept and their next shopping days are September 19-22. If you have never been to one of these markets, you may just find a fun treasure.

Animals are back in Phoenix

Up at our cabin, dogs need to be on leashes in the neighborhood. Finn is not a leash dog, as he is bred to be the protector of the flock. However, I believe it was a good opportunity to do some training during the 4-7 month age range.

Here in Phoenix, we can just open the door and let the big fella out, where he can run around our 2 acres. He is almost 8 months old, but still such a puppy soul and runs with wild abandon. A recent trip to PetsMart (I should never be allowed to shop there alone), reaped several new chew toys for the pup.

We are becoming those empty nesters who treat their pets like children.

The Boys are Fishing

My husband is currently in Alaska with our son on a father-son fishing trip. As I am writing this, it is my son’s 29th birthday and I am happy he is with his dad, doing guy things.

Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday I was carrying him around on my hip. Looking forward to lots of fresh fish when they return.

One of My Favorite Instagram Accounts

I try to stay off social media as much as possible but I am so enjoying this account @aprilhaus. April and her husband are renovating her grandparents house on a budget and I love how innovative she is. For example, she couldn’t afford wallpaper so she hand painted her entry walls.

I love her innovation and what she has done with her own sweat equity is truly amazing. It is worth spending time on her account.

Terra Cotta Pumpkins like Pottery Barn

Wendy, from WM Design House, shares how to make these this easy DIY terra cotta pumpkin dupes, without the Pottery Barn price.

This step by step DIY is easy to understand and in no time, you will have beautiful terra cotta pumpkins. I’m not a crafty person but I want to try this. See it here.

Any fun plans for the weekend? I am trying to get caught up with all things community and home. We have some changes happening in the near future. Our daughter, Julianna received a wonderful job offer this week and will be moving to Austin, Texas in the next month. Though we will miss her being close by, this is a fabulous opportunity for her. Just trying to process having another child out of state.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, filled with joy and relaxation.