Things are heating up here in Phoenix but our mornings and evenings are still cool enough to say it is Spring. Our yard is in full bloom and it’s the prettiest I recall. We are blessed with lots of rain this year and now it is paying off. Happy Saturday! April appears to be racing by and I am really trying to slow myself down a bit to capture its beauty. Welcome to another Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week. Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you?

Moth Invasion

Each year we seem to get too much of one thing. Last year was crickets. This month it’s moths. I’m waiting for locusts. Why does that happen? I’m not a big moth fan especially near any of my good sweaters. Interestingly, it’s only in the library and no where else. Perhaps they are coming in through the chimney? Go figure. Anyone else seeing strange infestations? I am blaming everything on the eclipse!

Yard and Garden are at their best

Lately I’ve been combining my morning walkabouts with Finn so he can do his business and I can enjoy my coffee. Our Phoenix mornings are glorious In the high 50s to low 60s, crisp blue skies and flowers galore.

2024 is proving to be the year of the poppies. They are the breadseed variety and have a rich plum blossom and sage stems and leaves. A perennial, they are truly popping up everywhere……really everywhere.

I just read that you should not use these poppy seeds in baking. It appears they should be carefully processed to minimize the effects of the opium alkaloid they contain. Oops…last year I wrote a blog post about Lemon Poppyseed muffins and used my own poppy seeds. You may want to do some research if you are growing your own breadseed poppies.

The Roses

In an older post, I share my love for the older variety of roses here~Quatre Saison (also known as “Rose of Four Seasons”). Some believe this rose was used in the worship of Aphrodite. Later it was introduced to mainland Greece , where it paid homage to Venus. Even older diaries from previous owners, talk about the beautiful roses here at Bella Terra.

The reason I am so intrigued by having these roses is a reference made in a previous owner’s diary on April 1, 1922, when she wrote “saw first rose bloom”. When we were researching the house, we found these diaries at the Arizona Historical Museum. Apparently the roses are referenced many times as an important part of the landscaping. To know I am enjoying roses here just the same way someone did 100 years ago gives me great joy.

One doesn’t cultivate this rose for the appearance of its shrubs as they are rather gawky and notably prickly. Because of their loose, somewhat unsophisticated form, blossoms are also unconventional, but they are packed with fragrance. These roses were a key ingredient in many ancient recipes for potpourri.

With new varieties of roses that are genetically modified (perfect but no scent), this rose is just the oppose. Messy blooms, very thorny but so highly fragrant. A bedside bouquet is glorious~falling asleep to the smell of roses is a heavenly way to end the day.

A Few Fun Recipes this Week (and before the diet)

In an attempt to use up the bag of rangpurs from my friend, Ryan, I again make these lemon (well, rangpur) tartlets for dinner with friends. This time I use the shortbread crust in the recipe and my, are they D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S! Having individual removable bottom tartlet pans is nice, however, I bet this would work equally well in a large tart pan.

With all the leftover egg whites from this recipe which I do not like to waste, I made a pavlova. If you have never made one of these, it is SO easy and SO impressive. All you need is egg whites, sugar, vanilla, cream of tartar and cornstarch. Some recipes call for lemon juice instead of cream of tartar. You can customize the filling to be anything from fresh berries, fruit, curd, and whipped cream.

I have bags of freshly frozen apricots from last year’s harvest which I defrost and use them on top. Defrosted apricots are not as pretty as fresh ones, but the flavor is still the same. Now the diet begins..

Looking up at the Sky

Though I am not a follower of astrology, April has been an interesting month with Mercury in retrograde, the eclipse, and now the pink moon. Is it just me or does everything feel a bit off? In trying to process some interesting challenges lately, I am finding some peace and calm by just looking at the immense vastness of the sky.

Don’t you think we are spending too much time looking down(at our phones, our computers) and not taking the time to look up into the sky? When I do so, my problems become minuscule; they feel small in comparison to the rest of the universe. Certainly puts life into perspective. I find myself looking up a lot lately and so thankful we have such a beautiful sky to enjoy.

Mary’s Must Haves

Though I have good vision, there are times where I need a magnifying glass to see tiny print or to remove a sliver. My husband recently purchased this lighted magnifying glass and I love it! With a touch of a button on the side, you can illuminate your view without shadows. It only comes in black on Amazon for only $12.80.

Clean Air

With having a hairy dog in the house again, we are using our air purifier 24/7. It cleans the air from smoke, dust, pollutants and odor from 1,095 sf in an hour. I find it to be very quiet and not intrusive and it has a sleep mode too. Right now it is 15% off on Amazon here.

What a Bargain!!

It appears that I found the perfect t-shirt! First of all, the t-shirt is a dreamy soft cotton; it is not see-through; and the cut works for me. Not too tight to show off all the back fat or muffin tops but nicely fitted around the neck, shoulders, sleeves.

The retail cost is $25.00, marked down to $15.00 on the Banana Republic Factory website. I purchased 6 t-shirts (in white, blue, navy, black, rose and charcoal gray. Each shirt has a $6.00 discount ($9 each) equaling $58.64 (including tax). Say what???!!

I don’t know if the sale promotion is still on but I would have paid $25.00 for these t-shirts. If you don’t like a crew neck, they also have V-neck and different sleeve lengths. Click on the link here for the ones I purchased. Note: I have not laundered them yet so will let you know about that later. Really happy and delighted with this bargain.

What are you Reading?

Currently, I am reading When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. With my limited knowledge of WWII, I was unaware of the dire situation in the Philippines during the war. Here is a summary:

From three bestselling authors comes an interwoven tale about a trio of World War II nurses stationed in the South Pacific who wage their own battle for freedom and survival. In this sweeping story based on the true experiences of nurses dubbed “the Angels of Bataan,” three women shift in and out of each other’s lives through the darkest days of the war, buoyed by their unwavering friendship and distant dreams of liberation

“A novel rich in historical detail that immerses readers in the dangers and deprivation WWII nurses suffered in the Pacific, wrapped up with a hopeful ending.”

I haven’t finished it yet, but it is very good and God bless those nurses who survived to tell their stories.

Mulberry House

If you love looking at English country homes, then you are in for a treat at Mulberry House, a Georgian house situated in Surrey.

I will send you off to crush on these house photos of charm and whimsy.

Ah, it’s the weekend and the weather here will be picture perfect! Do you have any fun plans? I am hoping to get some needed R & R! Enjoy and be safe out there.

P.S. Finn gained 10 lbs. in the last two weeks. He’s becoming a big boy.

This is the last Saturday in January. Unbelievable. It doesn’t appear that 2024 will be passing slowly. What a gray, wet and gloomy week here in Phoenix. Of course, we always love (and need) the rain, but the sun has been absent for days now. Hope you are enjoying the weekend. Thank you for joining me for another Saturday Meanderings, where we chat about all good things this week.

Barrett-Jackson

On Sunday, we spend the day at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction. Widely regarded as a barometer of the collector car industry, this auction has evolved over the world’s most sought-after, unique and valuable automobiles that are sold to a global audience ‒ in person and on live national and international television. 

Really. It is quite an astounding eventswith cars ranging from futuristic prototypes to antique relics. I had my eye on a Land Rover Woody Electric D90~which is a blend of classic and modern. The wood is inspired by the 1940s woody station wagons with the design staying true to the classic Land Rover shape. I actually thought I could see myself driving this….and then we checked the price. $325,000. Choke. Heart attack. Oh well. A gal can dream.

One SUV even has a Nespresso machine with 2 insulated cups and the pods built into the back seat console…now that’s what I need!

This event runs from January 20-28th and if you haven’t been, you must do it at least once! More information here.

Baby Chicks

We are the new proud parents of 15 baby chickens. With only 5 mature chickens and one duck currently in the hen house, it is time to raise another flock. Due to their size and the cold weather, the little chirpers are in a cage on the breakfast room table, equipped with a heat lamp, food and water.

They are at the eat.sleep.poop stage so the cage needs to be cleaned daily. Our cat, Donovan is VERY interested and we are hoping he gets bored with their presence quickly. The chickens will stay inside until they are about a month old.

It must be feathered friend week because look who is out by the pool on one very rainy afternoon. It’s that time of year where the ducks pick their partners and baby ducklings will soon follow.

Valentine’s Day decorations

It’s is time to get rid of the winter decor by the front door and just adding this bit of pink makes me happy. The sweet blush cable throw is an old purchase from Target, but here is one from Macy’s that is very pretty and on sale for$23.99.

The heart pillow is again from Target (no longer available), but I actually prefer these blush pillows from Amazon, as they are pretty but not seasonal.

A new front door wreath is on its way and once it’s up, I’ll take pictures.

Slowly adding a few heart touches here and there around the house. Do you do any decorating for Valentine’s Day?

Queen of Hungary’s Water

Have you ever heard of Queen of Hungary’s Water? Some say that it was created for the aging Queen Elizabeth of Hungary by an alchemist in the 1300s to restore her youthfulness. According to the legend, it reversed her appearance so much that the 25-year-old grand-duke of Lithuania asked for her hand in marriage when she was 70! 

Even though I would like to make my own (12 different herbs steeped in vinegar for 4-6 weeks), I find one from Karen’s Botanicals out of Taylorsville, Georgia.

Here is the description from Karen’s website: It is a wonderful all-purpose, ph balancing cosmetic lotion, which is safe to use for those with sensitive skin. Queen of Hungary’s Water works by restoring the natural acidity to skin, and problems such as dryness, itching, flaking, inflammation, and acne are greatly improved when using this product on a regular basis. Karen’s Queen of Hungary’s Water is based on the ancient recipe from eastern Europe, this vinegar extract is full of summer flower blossoms and herbs harvested at their peak of summer power. 

I received my bottle of it this week and I’m looking forward to trying it. Not that I’m looking for a 25 year old suitor, but it would be nice to naturally improve the effects of my aging skin. You can buy this from either Amazon here or Walmart here. Both are priced at $18.90 for this 4 oz. bottle.

Two Classes in February

This week I sent an invitation to a spontaneous Valentine Cookie Decorating class that will occur next Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (may end sooner) here at Bella Terra. As of yesterday, I believe I have only one or two spots left. So if you are interested, please reach out to me first to make sure there is still availability at [email protected]

The All Things Lemon class will occur on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. In this class we will learn how to make Preserved Lemons, Limoncello and a lemon surprise (to be determined). Depending on the weather, we will gather on the outside, covered back terrace so seating is limited. Now is the perfect time of year to use all the freshly picked lemons and learn new recipes together.

Giveaways in February

Since February is the month of love and friendship, I will be conducting a few giveaways as a thank you for all your support. So make sure you check back to see what goodies are in store for you.

What Are You Reading?

Elin Hildebrand

When I read that Elin Hildebrand (known as the Queen of Beach Reads) is retiring from writing in 2024 (according to a statement made in 2021), I decide to read every single one of her 33 books. The setting for most of Elin’s novels is Nantucket. I just finished Summerland, The Identicals, and Barefoot.

My reason for liking most of Elin’s books is that I seek a book that is written well, smart, fun, and engrossing, but not too heavy, too serious or dark. Perhaps it’s my reason to escape all the horrors going on in the real world.

Reader’s Digest has a list of Elin Hildebrand’s books in order which I need to reference and mark as I go.

Nita Prose

Number #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list and a Good Morning America bookclub pick, I so enjoyed The Maid by Nita Prose. As described on Amazon, “A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.”

So when The Mystery Guest: Molly the Maid Book # 2 arrives, it is an easy decision to download this one. From the reviews, “Nita Prose shines with the return of Molly the maid who is one of the most memorable, endearing characters I’ve ever read. From page turning suspense, to laugh-out-loud humor and moments that are deeply heartfelt, The Mystery Guest has it all! This book is a knockout.”

Amy Harmon

My friend, Christine is reading A Girl Called Samson and is thoroughly enjoying it. Downloaded, it is on my list to read. Here is a review, “This is a thought-provoking, deeply moving read in which a patriotic woman, forbidden from serving her country due to her sex, defies all odds to do it anyway. Harmon’s riveting narrative allows Samson’s bravery, both on and off the battlefield, to soar from the pages of long-forgotten history.”

What are you reading? Please share as I know many of you are always looking for great book recommendations.

Have a terrific weekend. We are hoping for blue skies and some sunshine. Whatever you are doing, stay safe and warm!

Happy Saturday from Phoenix, Arizona! I am back in the Valley of the Sun and even here, you can feel the shift in temperatures in the mornings and evenings. In order to get in the fall spirit, I am hanging the autumn wreaths and adding seasonal touches to the porch too. Thank you for joining me today for Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.

Finally pulled out my paints

I dream about painting outside in beautiful weather (plain air), but I have not taken out a paint brush in months. So on a lovely day this week, my husband sets up a table for me to finally do some painting.

Unfortunately, I am only to do so for a few hours, but here’s my rough (very rough) draft of 4 ducks. More editing to be done, but this small attempt is a reminder how much I enjoy painting. Why can’t I make more time for this??!!

Pool Cleaning

We completely re-did the original pool back in 2001, as part of the property restoration. I didn’t realize that you are supposed to drain the pool, acid wash the walls and clean the tile every 3-4 years. Oops. Here is it 22 years later and we are doing this for the first time.

You can see the difference in the calcification on the tile before and after cleaning.

Looking forward to a clean and sparkling pool to use in the late summer.

What are You Watching?

Did you see Guiding Emily last night? We recently dropped Direct TV and am now using Direct TV streaming. Unfortunately, I did not realize that Direct TV streaming doesn’t carry Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. However, after some scrambling I was able to do a free 7 day trial to Philo in order to see the movie.

Guiding Emily is really well done! Garth, the guide dog is adorable. Sarah Drew’s outstanding performance as Emily truly conveys the fear, hopelessness and frustration in suddenly losing your sight. If you love movies with a fabulous house, this one is stunning. Hallmark truly elevated their game with this movie.

But what I liked best about this movie is how much I learned about sight impairment. The author, Barbara Hinske, sheds light on the challenges of those who are blind and operating in a sighted world. I highly recommend watching this.

Two Shows on Prime Video

We just finished Pie in the Sky and I didn’t want the 6 seasons series to end. If you like detective mysteries and good food, you will love this enjoyably British mix of character comedy and murder mystery.

Starring Richard Griffiths (Mr. Dursley in Harry Potter) as DI Henry Crabbe, a good cop finally retires from the force and opens his dream restaurant. He hopes to while away his retirement serving up his favorite dishes, but his old boss puts his plans on the back burner. It’s an oldie, but we found it very enjoyable.

Just started watching All Creatures Great and Small, based on the books about James Herriot, a veterinarian in 1930s in Yorkshire Dales. The characters, scenery and situations are all so entertaining and visually beautiful. You will find this on PBS or it is free with your subscription to Prime Video, I think.

Live to 100 on Netflix

Everyone needs to see this 5 show series. Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones takes you around the world to investigate the diet and lifestyles of those living the longest lives. It’s fascinating and also sad how the United States has one of the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Did you also know that for the first time the longevity rate in the US is declining? A must see.

What are You Reading?

I admit that the reason I wasn’t drawn to this book is the cover. The old adage, don’t judge a book by its cover is exactly what I did. But after hearing great reviews I took the leap and loved it. Lessons in Chemistry is cleverly written, smart, and well worth the read. New York Times is calling it the best book of the year.

French Country Cottage Christmas

Even though my style is not French Country, I do like the work of Courtney Allison. I met Courtney during my visit to Patina Farm (see that post here). Courtney writes the blog, French Country Cottage and has previously published 2 books. I love her first book, but wasn’t wild about her second one.

Though I haven’t started reading her third and newest book, French Country Cottage Christmas, but the photos do look stunning. There is a section on 25 Inspiring Trees and DIYs for a handmade natural Christmas. If you love Christmas like I do and want ideas, you can find her book here. I have the hard copy vs. a Kindle version, and cannot wait to study all the gorgeous photos.

Enjoy the Weekend

If you missed any posts this week, please read about the Fall Styling Workshop we will be holding here at Bella Terra in October. We’d love for you to join us.

Thinking about wallpapering a room in your home? See how I use Peel & Stick wallpaper in a bathroom at our cabin here.

It’s homemade tomato sauce time. Today I am picking up 100 lbs. of Roma tomatoes from the Uptown Farmers Market. Since I am getting ready to head to the ocean for a few days, canning will take place next week.

Have a splendid weekend, friends!

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.

After 26 days of straight inferno temperatures, the Valley of the Sun finally got some rain. We are out of town but according to friends, the storm came in like a tornado. Many homes lost power and there is lots of debris due to high winds. But a change in the weather is a welcomed break. We are up in the mountains where the weather is cooler in the mornings and the days are nice, albeit warmer than usual. No air-conditioning up here but I’ll take high 80s over 116 degrees any day. Welcome to Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week. Let’s get started!

Deck is complete!

As you may recall last summer we embarked on replacing the front deck to the cabin. Long story short, the licensed contractor did the worst job and the entire deck had to be removed and replaced by another contractor. Finally, the deck is complete, and it looks fabulous. So happy this project is behind us and now we can concentrate on it being a positive and good thing.

Cabin Life

We are so blessed to have a place to escape the hot Phoenix summers. However, ever since we’ve owned the cabin, I confess we have not used it as much as possible. Now that the children are off on the their own, it’s easier to come up here for longer periods of time. One of the reasons I love it here is that it is SO quiet. You can actually hear silence. It’s amazing how noisy our world has become with sirens, airplanes, traffic, etc. There are far less cell and radio towers and you can actually feel the difference. Do you think the world is becoming louder? What do you do to “turn off” all the noise?

Deadheading Geraniums

My large potted geraniums are in dire need of deadheading. Since I haven’t been here since mid-June, they are filled with sad looking blooms. If you have geraniums, you must read this post by my friend, Rachel. In her Best Tips to Keep Geraniums Blooming from Spring to Fall, there is everything you need to know about growing and maintaining geraniums. It took me 3 days to deadhead all of mine this trip and each and every bloom and dried leaf I removed, I thought of Rachel! Now they look healthy and happy.

Let’s Support Barbara

My dear friend and neighbor, Barbara Hinske recently left a law practice to become a full-time novelist. Her novel Guiding Emily was conceived during a tour of The Foundation for Blind Children, an amazing facility located here in Phoenix. She now has 4 books in the Guiding Emily series and Hallmark is airing her first book, Guiding Emily on September 8th. If the Nielsen ratings are high enough, then Hallmark will more than likely make this into a series.

Please mark your calendars and tune into the movie on September 8 (I’ll try and send a reminder). Why is this important? If you haven’t read Guiding Emily, I strongly suggest you do. These novels shed light on blindness and its debilitating impact on one’s life. You will fall in love with Garth, her seeing eye dog and get his perspective too. Here is the description from Hallmark:

Emily’s life changes after losing her eyesight, while a guide dog struggles with training. Through a series of missed encounters both overcome their obstacles and find each other. Stars Sarah Drew, Antonio Cupo, Eric McCormack.

Let’s support Barbara in getting her Guiding Emily books into a worthwhile television series!

Speaking of Books..

Andrea from Design Morsels, asks this question in her recent blog post, what are the 5 Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time.

After some thought, here are a few of mine.

The Once and Future King by T.H. White. Several years ago, I acquired this book from a stranger sitting next to me on a plane ride. He finished reading it and gave it to me. Not only did I love the book but his generous gesture is something I will always remember and appreciate, even 35 years later!

All the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon. This book series is now an award-winning 6 seasons series on STARZ.

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins. One summer we read this 3 book series to our children and I loved them as much as they did. I believe there are now 5 in the series. But if you have children or grandchildren between the ages of 8 and 11, these are fabulous summer books for them to read.

I’ll keep pondering this as there are many books I love but it’s reading them again for the first time that gives me pause. What would be your answer to this question?

Recipe I want to make

Salads seem to be a mainstay during the summer and here is one I will definitely make this weekend. As per the description on Ambitious Kitchen’s website, doesn’t this sound delicious?

Gorgeous peach brussels sprouts salad with sweet & salty nuts and a creamy tahini poppy seed dressing. This vegetarian brussels sprouts peach salad is filled with a wonderful mix of textures and flavors. Enjoy it for the perfect summer lunch or side dish on its own or with your favorite protein!

See the recipe here.

How to Freeze Fresh Herbs

With the summer bounty comes a wide array of fresh herbs. Of course, there are dried herbs but nothing can replace the flavor of fresh basil, rosemary, thyme and chives to name a few. Whether in a recipe, salad or cocktail, fresh herbs have the highest concentration of flavor.

Here is a great blog post from Ambitious Kitchen on How to Freeze Fresh Herbs using either olive oil or water. I am definitely doing this!

Feeling Blah?

With this oppressive weather here and around the country, it may contribute to feeling blah. I noticed earlier in the week I was feeling a bit listless and aimless. It’s called languishing. A state of languishing can leave you with a neutral or flat mindset, one where you have few strong emotions. Instead of feeling sadness, joy, anger, or enthusiasm, you simply remain in a state of “meh.”

We all get moments like this in our lives, but what can be done to help get rid of the blahs? According to Psych Central, here are 5 tips to overcoming the blahs.

1. Practice mindfulness. Tuning into what your body and mind are experiencing through mindfulness brings you back to the present moment and helps cultivate gratitude and connection. I love the Calm app which has several ways to practice mindfulness, in addition to improving sleep and focus, reducing stress or anxiety, and sharing self-improvement exercises. You can also try it for free.
2. Feel your Feelings. Try and pin point the source of feeling in a funk.
3. Get Outside. Easier said than done when it is SO hot and the awful daily ozone reports don’t help. Maybe watching a National Geographic show or listening to outdoor sounds, like crashing waves, might help. For me a trip to the mountains and a change of scenery elevates the mood. Try an early morning walk when the temperatures are more acceptable.
4. Reach out for support. This week I was telling my friend, Christine that I was feeling blah. Come to find out she was too! Christine is a great friend who would be the first one there to help get you out of the doldrums. So reach out. You are likely to find others are feeling the same way and together you can turn languishing into laughter.
5. Engage with your Community. Volunteer to help others either through time or treasure.

What do you do to turn your feelings of blah into more joyful moments? Please share any valuable tips.

Christmas in July

If you missed my blog post on Tuesday, I am happy to share Christmas in July inspiration with 16 other bloggers. Not ready for Christmas yet? Bookmark it for later. There is a lot of good holiday tips you don’t want to miss!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! As I write this, we have dark, moody skies with the wind blowing through the pine trees. Hoping for a nice rain storm as we need it here in Arizona. I’ll be doing a bit more bike riding and pulling out the paints this weekend! Always seeking moments of joy…