Saturday Meanderings

Happy mid-July! It’s hard to believe that I’m already seeing Back -to -School displays alongside autumn and Halloween decorations in so many retail stores. This time of year always feels like a tug-of-war. Part of me wants to savor the slower pace of the summer, while the stores seem determined to rush us into the next season. Up here in the mountains, however, we’re happily enjoying an abundance of rain. The photos and videos of the monsoon deluge in Phoenix has been astounding. We certainly need the moisture, so I’m not complaining one bit. As I write this, dark clouds are rolling in once again, making it the perfect excuse to pour yourself a favorite cup of coffee and tea. So, let’s get cozy and catch up on all the news this week.

Blumenfais Farmette

Do you ever treat yourself to fresh flowers? I recently discover a local flower farm, Blumenfais Farmette in Showlow, AZ, that grows the most incredible selection of seasonal blooms. I first spotted one of their bouquets at The Depot @thedepot.az, an absolutely charming coffee shop in Pinetop-Lakeside, and I knew I had to learn more. Angie, the owner of The Depot, shared her knowledge of this local farm and I quickly texted them.

I ordered a bouquet for pickup last Saturday, and it exceeded every expectation. I counted nearly fifty stems featuring an amazing variety of flowers-from Bells of Ireland, foxglove, and so many other flower varieties-all for just $30.

The flowers are so fresh that I replenish the vase with water every other day. It’s been such a simple luxury, bringing a little joy each day and brightening the kitchen dining table.

Here it is nearly a week later and they are still fresh. Aren’t they beautiful?

Repairing my Flag Pillow

A few weeks ago, I shared the unfortunate damage done to my American flag pillow by some very determined resident birds. Even though the pillow was tucked beneath an outdoor chair cover, those industrious little critters managed to get through the fabric, helping themselves to the down feathers and threads to line their nests.

I did find a replacement one online-the exact same pillow-but at nearly $200, I simply couldn’t justify spending that much on a decorative pillow. Instead, I decided to see if I could rescue the original.

Since I already had several spool of red and creamy white ribbon, an idea came to mind. Most of the damage was on the stripes, so why not stitch new ribbons directly over the old stripes? It sounded like a simple enough project.

Well…after spending hours (which eventually turned into days!) hand-stitching each ribbon in place, I realized I had become the perfect example of being penny wise and pound foolish. If I had calculated my time, buying the new pillow probably would have been the less expensive options. Hindsight is always 20/20!

Even so, I’m please with how it turned out. Is it perfect? No. But it has a bit of character now, and every time I look at it, I’ll remember the birds that inspired its makeover. Most importantly, it has been given a second life, and I think that’s something worth celebrating.

Giving a Planter a Little Character

This week seems to be filled with small home projects and fixing things. Remember the badly faded planter I spray painted green a few weeks ago? The fresh coat made it look clean, but it also looked…well….a little too perfect. It had lost the weathered charm that I liked.

Digging through my garage stash, I find an old can of brown stain and sealer. Using a brush, I applied the stain in sections and then wiped away the excess with a paper towel. The dark stain settled into the texture of the pot, giving it a softer, more aged appearance. Here’s what it looks like now.

I don’t think I’m quite finished with it yet. It still needs a bit more depth and aging, but I’m encouraged by the direction it’s heading. Sometimes it’s better to sneak up on a finish than overdo it all at once.

What do you think? Should I stop here, or give it one more layer of aging with perhaps another color?

Better Late than Never

I have to admit, I felt like such a dunce when I discovered this.

It’s been so long that I honestly can’t remember when I bought this little game table and two chairs. They’ve been at our mountain cabin for the past 14 years, and all this time I thought the chair seats were covered in a simple white linen fabric. Well…they weren’t.

I recently realized that what I had assumed was the finished upholstery was actually the thin muslin fabric that’s used as a base before the final upholstery is applied. In other words, these poor chairs had been sitting around unfinished for who knows how many years-and I never noticed!

After I stopped laughing at myself, I dug through my supply of fabric remnants and found a warm plaid that seemed perfect for the cabin. Armed with a staple gun (thankfully we keep one up here), I got to work (with a bit of help from Scott).

Within an hour or two, the chairs that had been “naked” for well over a decade finally received their proper upholstery. Isn’t if funny how the smallest projects can bring the greatest satisfaction? It wasn’t expensive, it didn’t take long, and yet every time I walk by that little game table now, it makes me smile. Those are the kind of home projects I love the most.

Protecting the Pears

Our mature Kieffer pear tree has a mind of its own, producing an abundant crop only every other year. So when it decides to bless us with fruit, I’m determined to do everything I can to make sure we get to enjoy the harvest-not the squirrels and the birds!

After doing a little research, I found inexpensive white organza drawstring bags (yes, the same kind used for jewelry or wedding favors). The small pears fit perfectly inside, giving them plenty of room to grow while still allowing for good circulation.

My hope is that these little bags will discourage our pear-stealing scoundrels from helping themselves before the fruit has a chance to ripen. I didn’t have enough bags to cover every pear, but I did manage to use all 60 that I ordered.

As if that weren’t enough, I also installed a metal trunk guard around the base of the tree. The idea is to discourage climbing animals, although I have a feeling the squirrels may simply find it as another challenge. They are amazingly athletic and seem capable of finding alternate routes to the branches.

I can also report that installing the trunk guard was not for the faint of heart. Judging by the scratches and puncture marks all over my arms, I may have lost the first round! Now it’s simply a waiting game. I’m hopeful we’ll finally be able to enjoy a good harvest this fall., as I long to make my pear and caramel pie (see post here). If not, I will have to admit defeat.

Mary’s Must Haves

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to accept that a few more aches and pains seem to be a part of everyday life. While I don’t love that reality, I do appreciate finding products that actually make a difference.

One of my favorites is the Theragun Mini, which my son, Benjamin gave me as a gift. Unlike the larger massage guns, this one is lightweight, fits comfortably in my hand, and is small enough to toss into a tote bag or suitcase. Don’t let the size fool you-it packs plenty of power and does an excellent job of working out those stubborn knots and tight muscles, especially in my back.

Whether I’ve spent the day gardening, working on house projects, or simply slept in an awkward position, I find myself reaching for it again and again. It’s one of those items I didn’t realize I needed until I had it.

If you are looking for a compact way to relieve muscle tension at home or while traveling, the Theragun Mini has earned a permanent spot on my list of favorite finds. You can find it here.

Do You Test Your Water?

Have you ever tested the water that comes from your tap? I have to admit, it’s something I’ve never done.

Recently, our mountain water provider sent a notice encouraging homeowners to test their water. They were quick to point out that their own testing showed no indication of contaminants in their well water supply, but they reminded residents that issues can sometimes occur within individual homes, depending on the age and condition of the plumbing.

Since we have no idea when all of the plumbing was installed in our cabin, I decided to pick up an inexpensive home water test kit-mostly out of curiosity. The good news? Our water passed with flying colors in every category the kit measured, including hardness, chlorine, alkalinity, and pH.

One thing to note is the particular kit I bought at Ace Hardware did not test for lead. However, most kits ordered from Amazon do more extensive testing including lead, iron, and E. coli for example. If that’s a concern, especially if you have older plumbing- you’ll want to choose a test specifically designed to detect it. Here is a much more extensive one on Amazon that has good ratings and is only $26.99.

We have delicious water in the mountains coming from deep wells. Unlike Phoenix, we don’t have an R-O system or filter on our tap water. This is one of those simple projects that takes only a few minutes, yet it provides peace of mind. Have you ever tested your home’s water?

Thank you, as always, for spending a little part of your weekend with me. I hope you have a relaxing few days ahead, whether you’re tackling a project, enjoying time with family and friends, or simply finding a quiet moment to recharge. Stay safe, stay cool (or dry if the monsoons are headed your way!), and I’ll look forward to catching up with you again next week. Have a wonderful weekend!