Happy Saturday, friends! Am I the only one that cannot believe it’s the first Saturday in May? Each time I write this post I like to take the time to look at photos from a year ago. Last year at this time I was harvesting artichokes and this year, there are none growing in the garden. Looking back is a reminder that time marches on whether we want it to or not. Quite honestly, I didn’t even think to plant artichokes this year! So here we are again reviewing what took place this week and having our Saturday morning chat.

The Impact of Last Summer’s Heat

In 2023, there was an abundant crop of apricots, peaches and apples from our orchard. The excessive summer heat killed the apple tree and all the fruit trees have been negatively impacted. One apricot tree is nearly dead and the other is not far behind. We do have some peaches but certainly not the quantity we normally get.

I can only imagine how difficult it must be for any farmer when the weather negatively impacts their crops and their livelihood. Mother Nature is both wonderful and unpredictable. We hope to replant new fruit trees in the fall. It will be sad to remove these trees that have provided us with delicious fruit year after year.

We are certainly hoping for a more normal summer with monsoons and cooler temps…however, we can only hope.

Anomalies in the Garden

On a more positive note, my tomato plants are doing so well and the arugula has gone wild…it’s literally growing everywhere. Funny, in 2020 I was picking tomatoes in late April, early May. This year, they are small and green and won’t be ready to harvest for a few more weeks.

Right now I have amaryllis blooming! Aren’t they supposed to show their flowers at Christmas time? Beautiful deep red, this is a garden surprise this year.

Great Horned Owl

While doing a walkabout with Finn, I am hearing the deep hooting of an owl. Using my trusty Merlin Bird ID app, I discover the sound is coming from a Great Horned owl.

We have many Western Screech Owls (like the one I found in my library), but I did not realize the Great Horned owl resides here. I follow his hoot and lo and behold, I spot him way up in one of the palm trees. Can you make him out in this photo? He is very well camouflaged.

These birds of prey are very large~like the owls in the Harry Potter movies. As I was taking photos he never took his eyes off of me. Such an impressive bird.

Thrift Finds

My friend Christine and I went to Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market which is a huge, 3 day event in Scottsdale. Held at WestWorld in a massive 120,000 sq. ft. space, there are over 160+ local small businesses, vintage curators and handmade artisans from all corners of the country. 

I am able to find some fabulous vintage suitcases (for a theme dinner in June), a gorgeous piece of art for our cabin, an 1800s child-size tea service and a few small pieces of silver.

It is hard to believe this J. Meir & Son Balmoral child’s tea set has survived nearly 175 years without damage ~and the set is complete.

From the Internet

Check out these pecan-topped, chocolate pretzel bites from Lisa at Celebrate Creativity. The rich, smooth chocolate envelops crunchy mini pretzels creating bite-size flavor is the perfect blend of sweet, salty and crunchy.  It’s both indulgent and super easy to make. In addition to this distinct flavor combo, Lisa also elevates this simple, homemade treat for gift giving, that will look more like it came from a fancy boutique than your own kitchen. See it here. I cannot wait to make them after the “I’m watching what I eat” phase is over!

Downloadable Garden Planner

Kim from Shiplap and Shells is truly an amazing gardener….all self-taught. She has a Garden Planner, which is 35 pages that you can download for only $4.99. This week I purchased mine and I am looking forward to being a bit more organized in my gardening strategy. Regardless of what USDA Hardiness Zone you live in, this garden planner is a winner. See it here.

Note: Kim also has a 6 page free planner too, however, why not get the bigger one for under $5.00? This would be a great gift (maybe Mother’s Day) to give~print it and put it in a pretty binder…

I really like this particular article from The Glam Pad. Since I am completely out of my favorite fragrance, and with Mother’s Day right around the corner, here are the perfume choices of 20 Top Designers. In addition to learning what fragrances they like, there are a few interior design photos as well. It is fun to see what other people are wearing…and if I didn’t like their interior designs I’m guessing I wouldn’t like their perfume choice? Do you have a favorite perfume scent?

Mary’s Must Haves

With everything in bloom, are you experiencing allergies? Stuffiness? Sneezing? I don’t have an allergy issue but occasionally I will get stuffed up from something. The over the counter medication I find, dries you up and I am not a fan. Instead, we use D-Hist and it is a mainstay in our health arsenal at home.

It is not inexpensive but read the 1,115 reviews on Amazon to get information on this product. Since I only take it occasionally, I love the fact it is natural and non-drowsy.

Don’t you love a pretty soap container? Each season I try to change it up and add Michel Design Works hand soaps in our powder room and guest bathrooms. This cheerful brightly colored container is the perfect affordable touch that shouts SUMMER. Right now this Lemon Basil foaming shea butter hand soap is 21% off on Amazon. See it here.

If you need paper hand towels, here are some citrus ones to match.

Last week, I shared how much I love my lighted magnifying glass. A friend and subscriber, Nancy left a comment stating how much she loves these lighted tweezers. With an LED light and ergonomic design, they are perfect for eyebrow shaping and those pesky chin hairs. Currently 26% off on Amazon here.

There is a bit of satisfaction when you use this indoor (or outdoor) zapper and connect with that annoying fly or mosquito. With a 4.4 rating with over 15,500 reviews on Amazon, this is well worth the $29.00 cost. Bug season is on its way!

Well, that’s a wrap! Our middle child is graduating with her master’s degree in Global Security and Intelligence today so we will be happily celebrating with her. Wishing you a magical weekend!

Don’t forget to look up at the night time sky tonight and tomorrow to view a rare super blue moon. If you miss it, you will have to wait 14 years to catch the next one. I am sure you have heard the saying “once in a blue moon” referring to something rare, well super blue moons are even less frequent.

What is a Blue Moon?

Blue moons are not actually blue. The term signifies a second full moon within a single month. In August, the Sturgeon Moon occurred on August 1st. Wednesday’s moon will be the closest full supermoon in 2023! This will be the 3rd of 4 super moons in a row. It may not look bigger but it will certainly look brighter.

What is a Super Moon?

Super moons are generally bigger and about 16% brighter than your average moon. The moon will be 222,043 miles away. Comparatively, the average distance between Earth and the moon is 240,000 miles

But There is More happening in the sky!

This big, bright rare moon won’t be the only exciting thing to spot in the sky on Wednesday evening. Not only will the moon be spectacular, but Saturn is also supposed to be at its biggest and brightest. As the sun sets, the moon near Saturn will rise in the east. In fact, you will be able to see them both all night long, traveling across the sky.

Look for a bright point of light near the moon~that will be the planet Saturn. According to Earth Sky, you don’t need any optical aids to enjoy this spectacular pairing. At the closest, the duo will be two degrees~the width of four full moons~apart.

Why is Saturn at its brightest now?

On August 27, Earth flew between Saturn and the sun. It’s a wonderful time to see it now, rising in the east in the evening and setting in the west at sunrise. Opposition marks the best time of the year to see Saturn, or any outer planet. At opposition, the ringed planet shines at it brightest for 2023. It is also when Saturn is closest to Earth in 2023. Any small backyard telescope will show the rings of Saturn.

When our children were small, we would go out on the front porch and howl at the full moon. Remember to look up for the full blue and super moon near Saturn on August 30~31 and howl to your heart’s content!

I seriously do not understand how fast August is flying by~especially these last two weeks. Happy last Saturday of August and it’s hard to believe the Labor Day weekend is next week. We are so lucky to still be enjoying the cooler mountains of Arizona and lately, I can certainly feel a touch of autumn in the air. Thanks for joining me for Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.

Hummingbird Frenzy

We have two hummingbird feeding stations just outside the front of the cabin. Both are filled with so many hummingbirds, dipping their beaks into the sweet nectar. It is so entertaining to watch them maneuver while batting their wings at lightning speed.

Most of the hummingbirds I have observed are shades of blue or green, but lately, we are seeing multiple bright orange and red ones. Little did I know but they are the Rufous Hummingbird. Out of all the hummingbirds, this one migrates up to 4,000 miles (from Alaska to Mexico).

Research has revealed that the area of a hummingbird’s brain related to learning and spatial memory — the hippocampus — is proportionately the largest of any bird group studied to date. Hummingbirds “brain volume” is up to five times larger than that found in songbirds, for example.

With enhanced spatial memory, the Rufous and other hummingbirds pinpoint prime locations of nectar, their main food source. Remarkably, hummingbirds can also remember feeder locations from previous years, both on their home territories and along their migratory pathways.

Anyway, just wanted to share a little hummingbird info that I found fascinating this week. In the meantime, we are refilling our feeders almost daily and enjoying their elaborate flight displays, steep dives and territorial nature.

I hope to post a video on Instagram documenting the Rufous Hummingbird invasion~you can see it @lifeatbellaterra.

Fun Finds this week

Speaking of birds, many years ago I purchased these bird plates from Anthropologie as part of a wall grouping. When no longer needed as that, I realize how much I like these plates from their colors to their size. However, I only had 3 of them.

A quick visit to eBay and I find 4 more, with just the blue and yellow border. These are the perfect size for a small meal or dessert. A happy purchase.

Do you use eBay to find or sell your treasures?

A Sustainable Way to Reuse Candle Vessels

I am trying a relatively new product from a company called Siblings. According to their website, they do candle refills, not single-use vessels. Their 100% compostable bag contains everything needed to make a luxe, non-toxic candle in a vessel you already have. A candle with less waste, lighter weight and fewer emissions.

Basically, you microwave the bag and pour the melted candle wax into your own vessel. No fuss, no mess! The scents I ordered are: clove lavender cedarwood, eucalyptus balsam wild berries and bergamot white rose oak moss.

I am making one candle and it is super easy. Check them out. Again, I don’t get a stipend if you buy this, but if you remember the mess with melting candle wax in a pot on the stove…you will love this!

Cute Little Painting

While at Big Lots, I spot this cute 8″ x 10″ painting on a wrapped canvas. The colors match one of my vintage quilts in my daughter’s room. Not sure about the black leaves as I can touch them up with a bit of green, but I will live with it for awhile. A steal at $5.99…..really!

Another find from Big Lots is this faux fern with a basketweave pottery pot. I add it to the nightstand in the cabin guest bedroom~surprising how real it looks! If you missed the post this week about Reworking the Home Office to a Guest Bedroom, you can see it here.

Face Moisturizing Question

In a recent email from Costco entitled $80 OFF Moisturizer, my curiosity leads me to open the marketing piece. I am thinking…$80 off? That’s quite a savings. Then I click on the link which takes me to La Mer Creme De La Mer Moisturizing. The online price for 3.4 oz. container is $409.99; sale price (for 2 days only online) is $329.99.

I then look at the ingredients. Not sure what Miracle Broth is, but the second ingredient is mineral oil, which is a heavily processed petroleum product. For some reason, I am under the impression that mineral oil is not something you want to use on your skin….?

Anyway, after having sticker shock about this product, both the retail and sales price, does anyone use this? Personally, I can’t imagine spending this much money on a face cream unless it’s going to get rid of all my hard earned wrinkles and spots.

Recently, I did switch my day time moisturizer to Clinique Moisture Surge and so far, I am very happy with the way it works on my skin. You can order this directly through Sephora here. However, if you look for this product on Amazon, they only have it with an SPF of 25. Not sure if it is a knock-off, but on the Clinique website they do not have Moisture Surge with an SPF of 25. Make sure you get the real thing with an SPF of 28. Cost is $48.00.

This 1.5 oz container is lasting quite a long time. I’ve been using it every morning for a few months now and only 1/4 of the jar is gone.

What type of moisturizer (day and night) do you use?

Help!

A few months ago, I posted a picture of this wonderful rocking chair given to me by my neighbor across the street. It has a wonderful history and I love the wide, comfortable seat.

I haul it up to the cabin with the intention of stripping off the yellow paint, determining the original wood and perhaps just staining and varnishing it.

Well, I start this project and what a colossal pain in the butt. There are at least 3 layers of paint and after working on it for several days, here is my progress.

Getting the old paint out of the decorative turns is so tedious and often times, impossible….at least so far.

Does anyone have any great solutions to making this stripping go faster? I am using an orange gel stripper and wondering if it is just not strong enough? Dipping the entire piece into stripping solution is not an option due to the woven seat and back of the chair.

Maybe it’s best to just repaint it? Perhaps a heat gun? Would appreciate your thoughts and expertise.

From the Internet

You have heard me mention Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate (such a creative and talented person!). If you are looking for a non-traditional look for Halloween, check out Chloe’s living room mantel. I love it when I see something I’ve never seen before.

Letting Go of Summer with Gratitude

I would consider myself someone who hangs onto summer for as long as I can. It’s rather easy to do when you live in Phoenix, Arizona and the heat really doesn’t seem to end until Halloween. But there is something about the ease and fluidity of days in this season, that doesn’t really happen the rest of the year.

Heather from Home with Heather has a thoughtful post on Letting Go of Summer with Gratitude. If you are having reservations about saying goodbye to the summer rhythms, you may enjoy this.

Easy Sheet Pan Recipes

Quite honestly, I rarely make any meal on a sheet pan. But this article from Food 52, makes a compelling argument on why one should try it. Sheet pan Harissa Chicken with Smashed Olives and Apricots, anyone? See it here.

It’s time to wish you a wonderful weekend. I am driving down to Phoenix for a few days to see my daughter(s), catch up with a doctor’s appointment and maybe a haircut. Be happy and be safe out there!

Can this possibly be the next to the last Saturday in August? Part of me is trying to milk the most out of the last bit of summer because once Fall hits, then we are in full stride toward the holidays. There is something about the “lazy days of summer” that resonates right now. We are still in the mountains enjoying the silence, the storms and the stars. It’s that time again for another Saturday Meanderings, where we chat about all good things this week.

Enjoying August

I cannot even recall the last time I plopped myself into a hammock. This Hatteras hammock is literally decades old, and it finally gets hung between two Ponderosa pines at our cabin. If you are looking for a hammock, I strongly suggest this brand.

Handcrafted with a Brazilian teakwood spreader bar, all-weather proof rope and quilted Sunbrella fabric, I am truly impressed with how well this hammock has held up over the years. The extra bonus is that it’s made in the U.S.A. in Greenville, North Carolina. They come in all different styles and colors and you can find more directly through Hatteras Hammocks here. No commission to me, just sharing an excellent product with you!

Guests for the Weekend

Neighbor friends from Phoenix came up to the mountains last weekend to get out of the heat and attend the Annual White Mountain Sheriff’s Posse BBQ. This fundraiser is a slice of Americana where the entire town turns out for this event.

Posse members get up early Friday morning to prepare a deep pit in the ground and fill it with coals so it will be hot enough to cook the meat and beans that they bury and cook onsite. They actually begin cooking around 3 p.m. on Friday so they are ready to go when they open at 11 a.m. on Saturday. This is their only fundraiser so if you ever in Pinetop, Arizona in August, it is certainly one of the best barbecues…plus you get to meet a lot of men in big hats!

We hosted our friends for dinner both Friday and Saturday night. When cooking for a crowd, I love serving my healthy turkey chili. With fall approaching, you may want to add this recipe to your meal plan. You will get lots of compliments and it’s even better a few days later!

A Stormy Cocktail

Some 40 years ago, I vacationed in Bermuda. After riding a moped in a downpour, wearing an unattractive huge rain poncho, I took shelter at The Swizzle Inn, the oldest bar in Bermuda. At that time it was just a great old bar with the walls and ceiling covered in business cards. Here I had my very first Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail.

The story of this beverage starts in 1806 with a gentleman named James Gosling, who set out on his ship from the UK with the intention of traveling to America. The boat didn’t quite make it to its destination, docking instead in Bermuda. By 1857, Gosling had started a rum business with his family. They started by selling their spirit from a large rum barrel, allowing the locals to bring their jugs to fill up as required. It didn’t take long before the company progressed into selling their rum in champagne bottles, giving their product the name Black Seal rum.

The rum became very popular on the island, but the Dark ‘N Stormy cocktail was not born until sometime after the First World War. It is thought to have been created within the Royal Naval Officers Club, who ran a ginger beer factory. They discovered that the combination of the two drinks made for a delicious treat.

Ingredients

An added interesting fact is that it is actually illegal to make a Dark ‘N Stormy cocktail without the original ingredients. Even a slight twist on the recipe could get you in trouble, as the Gosling brothers have trademarked the name and the family have not been afraid to sue anyone caught using the name without the right ingredients.

During a huge storm, this is my cocktail of choice and brings back my Bermuda adventure memories. Remember to use Goslings Black Seal Black rum, a reputable ginger beer (like Fever Tree, Goslings or Q), and fresh lime wedge. I depart slightly from this recipe and add the fresh juice from 1/2 lime, which I have been told is called a Partly Cloudy, not a Dark ‘n Stormy. See the recipe below.

A Colorful Cottage

I dream about a beach cottage in my future and love this very colorful one from Cottages and Bungalows. Artist Erin Houghton’s sunny beach cottage mixes classic and whimsy and will make you smile. I so appreciate her personal and cheerful touch to this sweet space.

Read the full article and see more pictures here.

Bargain Tea Set

Look what I found on a 75% off shelf at a local florist! Have you heard of Tea Forte? I love their triangular tea bags with the paper leaf at the top. Included in the set is an oval bamboo tray, porcelain cup and lid, mini sugar & creamer and the tea bag tray.

You can order the triangular tea bags or loose tea online as they have many flavor choices from black tea to herbal and tea samplers.

If you were to purchase each piece individual it would be approximately $50. Tea Forte also has tea sets in boxes but not with all these items. The entire set just makes me happy and knowing I got it for $13 makes it extra sweet! Here are the links if you want to purchase this:

Oval Bamboo Tray

Porcelain Cup with lid

Mini Sugar & Creamer

I cannot find a link to buy the tea bag tray. You can also purchase a stainless triangular tea infuser with a green silicon leaf and just add your own loose tea instead of buying their tea bags.

Each afternoon I am trying to stop for a few minutes and enjoy a cup of tea (sometimes coffee). Such a wonderful and valuable British tradition to pace ourselves, right? This set would be the perfect gift for someone who enjoys a relaxing cup of tea.

Pesky Woodpeckers

The woodpeckers are relentless this year. I don’t mind them tapping on a tree, but when they continue to destroy the cedar siding on our cabin, it is infuriating. Of course, they are a protected species and are rather territorial too. Two pesky ones try to dive bomb me while on the hammock.

Of course, I look like the crazy neighbor running outside trying to scare them off from their pecking damage to our exterior.

As much as I don’t like the aesthetics, I am now trying Bird-B-Gone Flash Tape that is supposed to scare critters away. The birds are repelled (apparently) by the flashing reflections. You can see all the pecking damage done around the window and on the siding above the window.

Doesn’t it look ridiculous? Does anyone have a solution to prevent woodpecker house damage? Has anyone used this tape? Please advise because these birds are driving me a bit nuts.

From the Internet

My friend, Kim from Shiplaps and Shells is a self-taught expert on flowers. Her post, 13 Tips to Extend the Vase Life of Your Cut Flowers, is filled with fabulous information. We all need fresh flowers on a regular basis, right? Now you will discover how to keep and enjoy them even longer. You can see her post here.

Scottish Fairy Tale Castle for Sale

For those with deep pockets, here is a real estate opportunity for you! It comes with 28,500 acres, 12. 5 miles of river front, 20 cottages and houses and of course, Dunbeath Castle. I wonder if the sale price includes the furniture? See this spectacular property here.

If you missed a post this week, you can see how to make Refrigerated Pickles here. My son, inspired by my post, sent me a photo of the pickles he made this week. Love his creative flavors. He uses Persian cucumbers, adds Serrano peppers in the spicy dill jar. For the spicy Asian one, he includes rice vinegar, splash of fish sauce, gochugaru and ginger peppercorns. Not only is it an easy recipe, but see how you can change up the flavors to your liking?

Here at Bella Terra we are always trying to live simply and here are some of the ways we do so in Wednesday’s post Living Simply and Efficiently.

Wishing you a wonderfully relaxing weekend. This week went by so fast and I’m looking for ways to slow things down a bit… I think I hear that hammock calling me….

In the past, I have canned pickles but have never made refrigerated pickles. Not only am I surprised how easy they are to make, I am equally delighted with how delicious they taste. Whether you like dill or sweet pickles, you can make your own version of refrigerated pickled cucumbers in less than an hour. A perfect recipe for all the amazing fresh cucumbers that are currently available.

I prefer a crisp, crunchy pickle vs. one that has flavor but with a soft and soggy bite. What I like about this recipe is that you can eat them the next day or they will last up to 2 months in your refrigerator. No long canning process, no sterilization of jars, no hot water baths involved. Only a quick and easy method to get those crunchy, delicious pickles.

My Pickle Inspiration

With a little research on the internet, I am able to find a recipe that I like. Suzy from The Mediterranean Dish has an easy, 40 minute recipe. What draws me to her recipe is that there are many adaptations so you can make your own pickle variety.

What Type of Cucumber

The first batch I make is using fresh pickling cucumbers from the local farmers market.

However, in later batchesI use the slender English cucumbers (easily found in the grocery store). Kirby and Persian cucumbers will work well too.

Prepping the Cucumbers

Based on Suzy’s recipe recommendation, I cut them approximately 1/2″ thick and find that the slices are a bit too thick for my liking.

Since this is my first time making refrigerated pickles, I follow her instructions and ice the pickles for 20 to 30 minutes to give them extra crunch. I skip this step next time, because we are eating them so quickly, the crunch is present without the ice bath prep.

Making the Brine

With equal parts water and vinegar (2 1/2 cups each), I add the spices, green onion, dill and garlic but eliminate the jalapeños (I’m not a fan of spicy anything really). Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the temperature and simmer for 10 minutes. Allow the brine to cool.

Packing the Cucumbers into the Brine and Jars

Since I make enough pickles to fill a few different size Mason jars, I experiment with one jar by adding a tablespoon of sugar to the brine. It didn’t add any sweetness necessarily but took the edge off the tartness of the brine.

Enjoying these Pickles

We are flying through these pickles. Each day I am eating them with lunch, dinner or as an item on a charcuterie tray. They are so delicious even one day in the brine. Every few days, I add fresh cucumber slices to the existing brine and even those are fabulous!

The two amber colored ones are quart size Ball jars with a wide mouth. I would recommend a clear jar so you can see the pretty contents! Again, these can last up to 2 months in your refrigerator, but I guarantee they will not last that long!

The Health Benefits of Eating Pickles

When you make your own pickles, you know exactly what ingredients you are using. It’s important to note that not all pickles are created equal, as some commercial varieties may be high in sodium and additives. Here are some potential health benefits of consuming pickles:

1. Probiotics: Fermented pickles encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. These probiotics can support a healthy gut microbiome, aiding in digestion and overall gut health.
2. Low Calorie: Most pickles are low in calories, making them a suitable option for snacking if you’re trying to manage your weight.
3. Hydration: Pickles can contribute to hydration due to their high water content, which can be especially beneficial on hot days or after physical activity.
4. Vitamins and Minerals: Pickles retain some of the vitamins and minerals present in cucumbers, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, and potassium. These nutrients play roles in bone health, immune function, and electrolyte balance.
5. Antioxidants: Cucumbers contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and flavonoids, which can help protect cells from oxidative damage and contribute to overall health.
6. Blood Sugar Regulation: Some studies suggest that vinegar may have a positive impact on blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, which can be beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those at risk of diabetes.
7. Controlled Appetite: The combination of vinegar and fiber in pickles may contribute to feelings of fullness, potentially helping with appetite control.
8. Electrolyte Balance: Pickles can provide a small amount of sodium, which is an electrolyte important for maintaining fluid balance in the body.

What I love about this recipe

You can experiment and make this recipe your own using different spices and herbs. Think of all the possibilities. I love the fresh dill in mine. You can make the brine tart, sweet or spicy~I even add some candied jalapeños in the jar. Not only can you use this recipe for cucumbers but other vegetables such as: green beans, carrots, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, maybe even hard boiled eggs?

Make it your own! Please let me know if you try this recipe and what you add to customize it to your tastes.

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