Saturday Meanderings
This is my 100th Saturday Meanderings post. For the centennial post, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dedication and loyalty every Saturday. I recently heard a sad statistic that over 50% of Americans feel lonely or profoundly lonely. However, so many of you feel like close friends to me and this blog. You are my blessings and our friendship, either in person or virtual, provide my life with great joy. So for the 100th time and In true fashion, let’s get started on chatting about all good things this week. Don’t forget to check out the giveaway below too.
Easter Recap
After Easter service at church, we have a sit-down brunch/lunch with our children (minus our son), their significant others and friends outside under the palm trees.
The menu consists of: lemon ricotta pancakes and fresh berries; Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, fresh fruit salad, arugula salad with lemon dressing, hot cross buns, bacon, sausage and a spinach quiche. Dessert is the traditional lamb cake, made with Ambitious Kitchen’s healthy gluten-free carrot cake recipe (a winner!).
I love this hot cross bun recipe and only make it once a year. But this year, the buns look perfect going into the oven, more so than any previous year. When the baking timer goes off, I am so excited to take them out of the oven. Unfortunately, I didn’t video the moment because no sooner did I get them out of the oven, that the handle to the ceramic baking dish broke off. The entire pan of freshly baked hot cross buns fell out of my hand, crashes to the floor, shattering the dish and ruining my beautiful buns. Ugh.
But things took a turn for the better when a few minutes after the hot cross bun clean up, my family comes into the kitchen with a birthday surprise (my birthday was Monday, April 10th). Pretty flowers, gifts and 2 of my favorite Chardonnays! All in all the day is a beautiful one~great food, gorgeous weather and lively conversation.
Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I hope your day was filled with love and joy.
Powdery Mildew
Due to all the rain and cooler spring temperatures, my rose garden looks fabulous. However, within a matter of days, I now have powdery mildew. Typically the rose mildew occurs with excessive humidity (which we do not have). Since I don’t want to use chemicals, I am going to try a mixture of one part milk to 10 parts water and spray it on the affected leaves. If you have a natural remedy for powdery mildew, please do share.
In inspecting the powdery mildew situation, I also find aphids. Sigh.
Gardens are like that. Just when you think things are going well, something else comes up. I guess that’s why gardening keeps you humble.
This Week’s Projects
Speaking of gardens, the white picket fence surrounding my vegetable garden finally has a fresh coat of paint. What a difference it makes! My husband gets credit for completing this project!
Now that the guest cottage remodel is complete (see it here if you missed it), I am now back to tackling one room at a time. Most of this week is cleaning up the office and art room. Back in 2020, I shared a peek into our home office. Hard to believe it’s gotten so messy since then.
Here’s a look at a clean office, which is my inspiration. Again, I am wondering if it’s time to get rid of the dark ebony finish on the bookcases and do something else~like blue? Your thoughts?
A little Saturday Meanderings History
When I started writing Saturday Meanderings in 2020, the very first post was after a mother/daughter trip to Vancouver, Canada. Elisabeth and I crossed back into the United States and the very next day, the borders were shut down due to the pandemic.
When I look back over those difficult years, collectively, through this blog, we endured the fear, sadness, loneliness and pain from COVID. The goal of this blog is to continue to spread kindness, a bit of sunshine and civility while sharing tips, tricks and information.
In order to celebrate the 100th edition, I would like to giveaway a beautiful book, An American in Provence: Art, Life and Photography. Written by Jamie Beck, she transports you to the South of France. Her book is part art, part travelogue, part memoir, and part cookbook. It is perfect for art lovers, Francophiles, and armchair travelers alike.
I am slowly making my way through this book, devouring each and every page.
Just write a comment below about what you like about Saturday Meanderings (or don’t like, I suppose!). Names will be put into a bowl and a winner will be selected. The winner will be announced next Saturday.
Around the Internet
I know I have mentioned this before, but I just love reading my friend, Kim’s blog on Sunday. Called Shiplap and Shells, Kim is a self-taught gardener, a fabulous photographer and she lives in the sweetest home on the water in the Pacific Northwest. Just reading her blog makes you happy. I highly recommend reading Saturday Meanderings on Saturday and Kim’s Saltwater Sounds on Sunday.
Do you love deviled eggs? We certainly do and even though my husband prefers his version the best, I like trying other recipes. Michele from Vintage Home Designs shares 3 recipes and the way to make perfect hard boiled eggs. You can see it here.
As I wrap up this 100th Saturday Meandering post, I can only hope that the next 100 posts will be as fun and rewarding. Again, my deepest thanks for your support. I am always very grateful when you share Life at Bella Terra with others, too. Wishing you a fantastic weekend!
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.
It’s always so much fun to see what you’re up to each week, Mary! Your home and posts always remind me to slow down and enjoy the little things. I hope you had a happy birthday and a fabulous Easter celebration. Your menu sounds amazing and I’m glad you weren’t hurt during the hot cross buns event. I love Kim and Michele. They inspire me all the time! Congratulations on 100 – I can’t wait to follow along for 100 more. Big hugs, CoCo
CoCo,
Thank you so much. I am so grateful to get inspiration from you and others. It feels like a big sisterhood!
May I first say Happy Belated Birthday!!! May you have many more – with good health and joy surrounding you each and every day! Second, Happy 100th Saturday Meandering. I so enjoy your weekend posts. Kinda makes me feel as if we’re sitting sipping a cuppa and just chatting about nothing and everything. It is personal and sweet and I hope you always do it.
That blue and white Easter tablescape is stunning. Sorry about garden woes. But I live in the worst hot humid summers – bleh – and molds and bugs and mildew and all things gross is just awful, so I feel your pain. Do let us know if your milk remedy works.
This is getting long – just one last thing – thank you for the opportunity to be a possible winner of that book! I was so blessed to have been able to visit that area in the mid 90s with my father not long after we lost mom. I’d love to win that. TY!
Have a fabulous week.
Michele, thank you for the well wishes! How wonderful to travel to Provence with your dad. So sorry about your mom. My mother passed away first and we were able to reconnect on a different level with dad throughout the grief. Small blessings. With 2 milk remedy applications, I think the powdery mildew is less!
Mary
I so enjoy all of your posts but most of all the Saturday Meanderings. They are a slice of “lovely, peaceful and civilized” in our chaotic world. They are a beautiful sunset to the end of our week.
.
KimberlyAnne, what a wonderfully sweet comment. Thank you so much!
What a beautiful table you set out for your adorable family! Easter in our home we were all together again so was the best in years. We lost my mom to COVId March 2020 and I struggled with health problems since but this Easter things started being possible again, thankfully. I’ve been reading your blog since you started redoing your back porch and it does feel like visiting a friend. It has been a real bright spot. really enjoyed the guest cottage reveal. It’s a great, inspiring space that we hope to create one day in a future home. I like the color of the wood in the office.personally I would not change it. If you’re feeling the need for a refresh perhaps brighten things up with spring green. I always love that combo which feels rich and fresh at the same time. Block prints are big again and have been calling my name for freshening up my abundance of dark woods.
Pamela, I am so sorry about your Mom and wishing your health issues to disappear. Thank you so much for the spring green tip for the office~I love that idea! Right now I am cleaning off the bookshelves that tend to get heavy with clutter. Spring green is so cheerful and you are right about all things being possible with Easter and the renewal of Spring. Thanks again for your wonderful comments.
I enjoy reading about your guest cottage. It I was so cute, even before you remodeled everything. I love the exterior, and all the details you painted. I also like reading about France, especially Provence. I have a book on order from Amazon with pictures and recipes from Provence.
DeeDee, thank you for your compliments regarding the guest cottage. It is such a sweet space and we are talking about sharing it with others. More to come!
Mary
Congratulations! I love reading your Saturday posts. It’s always so inspiring. The white picket gate looks amazing. Im a sucker for a white picket fence. Im thinking I need one at my garden now. Lol. Have a blessed day.
Rachel, Thank you. I originally got the white picket fence around the garden from Susan Branch~the cookbook author and illustrator. It makes the garden feel so special. I think you need one!
Mary, it’s always a pleasure to wish another Aries a Happy Birthday. However, we have a special kinship sharing the same birthday, April 10th! Maybe this is why I enjoy your blog so much! Congratulations on your 100th post and always keeping our spirits uplifted.
If I am not fortunate enough to win that lovely book about Provence, I will definitely buy it. We visited that beautiful area on our 40th anniversary several years ago. It seems like yesterday we took in the sights, sounds, and heavenly smells of that amazing countryside.
Your bookcase system is very large, painting it would make a huge difference in look and feel. A toned down paint color would certainly give the room a lighter lift.
Sorry about your hot cross buns…we’ve all shared similar experiences.
Pat, Happy Birthday and how exciting we share the SAME birthday! Yay!Thanks for the feedback on the office. I’m still cleaning, sorting and organizing it.Once it is finished I will step back and try to look at it with a critical eye. I haven’t finished reading the book but I’m enjoying it so far. As one who isn’t fond of taking pictures with me in it, Jamie Beck is just the opposite….many pictures of her in this book. But I think it’s still a very good read!
Cannot believe it is your hundredth! Wasn’t it just a few weeks ago we were talking about how you might want to start a blog? You’ve done a great job, Mari. Of course, you always do with anything you do. Your Easter table looked gorgeous and I know it was beautiful in your backyard. Love you.
Mrs. Mary, Happy belated birthday and congratulations on your 100th Saturday meandering! I always enjoy seeing your email in my inbox. Very informative and I also enjoy how you keep everything true and not try to fake your blog post. On the part of the bookcases….Have you thought about sanding the bookcases and staining in a lighter hue? Or maybe keeping it like it is and putting up wallpaper on the back? I’m sure whatever you decide, it will be beautiful. Have a blessed weekend
Crystal, thank you so much for the thoughts on the bookcases. I like the idea of wallpapering the back! Love your sweet comments and so happy you are a subscriber!
100th Saturday Meandering????? Amazing! Wasn’t it just a few days ago that you mentioned that you wanted to start a blog? You’ve done a great job, Mary. I look forward to them all!
I look forward to your Saturday Meanderings every weekend and congratulate you on your 100th post! I live a bit north of you and love to see the beautiful flowers and grounds of your home, you have a lovely way of writing.
Belated birthday wishes!
Nancy, if you are ever in No. Central Phoenix let me know. I’d love to meet you and show you my garden, etc. Thank you so much for your comments and have a wonderful weekend!
I love Saturday meanderings. Your photos are always beautiful and I love seeing your gorgeous home and garden. Miss you sweet friend. Happy belated Birthday and Easter
Happy Birthday and Congratulations my friend! You are amazing! Your orchard table is beautiful. Thank you for sharing all these wonderful things with us! Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Congratulations on your 100th post. I look forward to having my first cup of coffee with you on Saturday morning, and especially admire your “Yankee ingenuity”, cleverness, and practical solutions to home and garden. Additionally, thank you for sharing your recipes. One of my favorites, which I have prepared many, many times, is your “Clean Out Your Fridge” dinner…easy and delicious!
Best wishes and blessings on your birthday!
Mary, I feel as if I have read every one of your 100 “Saturday Meanderings’ and have loved them all. They have been interesting, informative, and so fun! I also share a love of Jamie Beck and her husband Kevin Burg. I started following them back in 2012 when they were just developing their Cinemagraphs back in New York at Ann Street Studios. Honestly, Jamie’s posts during Covid kept me going and gave me something creative to look forward to every day.
Congratulations Mary on your blog – as long as you write I will continue to read.
Congratulations on your 100th post, so informative, creative and ambitious. Happy birthday, always remember we’re a week apart.
Our Colorado weather so crazy, golfed two days ago , snow everywhere today.
Lovely Easter table as usual. Love the idea of blue book shelf, will give it a boost.
Love your blogs! Though they make me feel lazy at times!
Bev, Happy Birthday! When is your actual date~the 3rd or the 17th? I am sure the word lazy and you are never in the same sentence. Thank you for following the blog and I appreciate all your comments.
Mary, Congratulations on 100th, and your birthday also. Your blog always lifts my spirits and this one
in particular . Thank you for sharing all your projects and tips. Have used many of them. As far as the bookcases–I like dark wood if a room gets plenty of natural light but a blue gray color would brighten
up things also. Sometimes I think you are super woman so the hot cross bun story brought a smile
to my face and a reminder of when I had a large pyrex dish of mac and cheese break in a hot oven.
My young son cried (no mac and cheese) and I almost did too because the mess was terrible to clean.
The book sounds lovely and is on my list to read also.
Blessings
Virginia, thanks for mentioning the light in the office. The French doors are facing south, however, there is an outdoor terrace with a large overhanging roof. So mostly indirect light. First, I am going to clean off the shelf clutter and then take a step back and see if it’s time to repaint. It might be that the room has been messy which adds to the claustrophobia. Sorry to hear about your Mac and cheese~I bet that was very messy. At least mine ended up on the floor! Ha! Thank you again for all your wonderful comments.
Happy Birthday, Mary! What a beautiful Easter table. Sorry about the hot cross buns. They looked so delicious.. Something like that always seems to happen to me when I’m hosting a dinner. This year, my au gratin potatoes took forever to bake! Painting your bookshelves would be such a huge job, but I think they would look amazing. Your blog is one of my favorites. You always have such interesting things to share, but most of all, I love your heart. Your opening paragraph explains it all. Thank you for opening your life to all of us!
Ellen, thank you so much for your lovely comments. I suppose having unexpected holiday mistakes makes the conversation lively for the next year! Thanks for the nudge on painting the bookshelves…I’m now intrigued to pursue. I so appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Have a beautiful weekend!
Happy 100th!!!
Susie, thank you, sweet sister!
100 wow congrats! This is really your medium. Love your Easter table. So pretty
Andrea, thank you. Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks.
Congratulations on your 100th Saturday meanderings. I found your blog by chance and after reading it told my husband what a beautiful writer you are and how I looked forward to reading it because they always left me with a feeling of peace and calm. I’ve saved many of them in a special folder and refer to them often. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and grace.
Catharine, what a sweet comment. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Have a glorious day!
I so enjoy leisurely reading your posts, especially today as I sit in our sunroom with the sun streaming in. What a beautiful way to spend my birthday! And happy belated birthday to you. It’s rare to have these warm days this early in Michigan. In fact, they are predicting snow flurries on Monday. Oh well, enjoy each day as it’s given.
I currently have a copy of “An American in Provence” borrowed from the library and would love to have my own copy. To say it’s beautiful is an understatement.
Congratulations on 100 post!
Deb, Happy Birthday to you! Your sunroom sounds so relaxing and I can envision the sun streaming through. I have dear friends in Michigan and have loved visiting there. Have a beautiful day and I agree, I love this book. I find myself reading it and it reduces any stress. Thank you so much for you wonderful comment.
Happy 100th Saturday post! I really enjoy these! If you decide to paint your bookshelves, please share. I’m contemplating the same thing, but mine are FILLED with books. I just don’t know if I’m up for the task.
Susan, I think I may get a bid to paint them. The thought of them blue with gold handles is a bit exciting! Will definitely share if I go that route. But you are right, it’s a big task.
Congratulations on 100 Saturday Meanderings. I so enjoy spending my Saturday morning with you. Hugs to you.
Renae, thank you so much for joining me each Saturday!
Congratulations Mary, I’m so very excited for you and your 100th post! It’s always amazing to see what you’re up to you. Happy belated birthday and thrilled. You got to spend time with family! We also get powdery mildew here in Colorado and shouldn’t with our dry climate. I also use natural things to get rid of aphids and powdery mildew, when I see you, we should chat.
Chas, will be tackling the powdery mildew this a.m. Have two organic remedies so I hope to try both and see if one works out better than the other. Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks!
Always look forward to see what’s going on in your world!
Sara, I love seeing what is going on with others so I am happy you check out mine! Thank you.
HBBD!! Looking forward to the next 100!! franki
Franki, thank you so much!
Happy Belated Birthday!! Mary, you are like fine wine–you just get better with time 🙂
Love, love, love your paper cherry blossom wreath. Noticed it’s outdoors now, placed on your newly painted garden fence (kudos to your husband!). Will it hold up if it rains?
Congratulations on your 100th Saturday Meanderings post! I look forward to it each Saturday. Hope your next milestone is 1,000th!
Valerie, you have a good eye! I put the paper cherry blossom wreath on the garden gate as the dried chili pepper one just did not look very spring-like against the newly painted fence. All for the photo! It’s now back on the back terrace where it will not get wet with any rain. I’m liking this wreath so much I may try another paper flower one. Thank you so much for your sweet comments and your continued support!