Saturday Meanderings

November. The 11th month of 2024. Already. Happy Saturday Meanderings day. I love writing this post and I cannot tell you how delighted I am when you take the time to share your thoughts and perspective. Honestly, your comments make my day. So on this first post of November, I want to thank you for being gracious and kind to me. Life at Bella Terra is a passion for me and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Halloween Dinner Party

Though we didn’t really do anything on October 31st, we did have a Halloween dinner party with friends and neighbors last Saturday. Being the first get together after our long, hot summer, it is so nice to see everyone again.

Last year, I bought a dozen witches hats and just having them hang from the ceiling, makes the outdoor terrace feel festive. Most of the scary decor focus is on the dinner table. Dishes are from Williams-Sonoma as the ones with the witches look so vintage. I mix these with another collection of spooky dishes (again, from Williams-Sonoma) featuring a raven, scorpion, snake and spider. Unfortunately, all styles are out of stock.

I am not a fan of paper napkins for a dinner party, but can you believe that I do NOT own a set of black cloth napkins? These black cat ones will do.

The centerpiece is really the most fun to create~dripping wax bottles with candles, skulls, skeletons, mice, black and purple leaves, old apothecary jars, and a dead floral arrangement (which I save from year to year).

Surprisingly, I do not have black tablecloth either, but find these black drapery panels in the barn and they suffice. It wouldn’t be Halloween without Mr. Bones, who shows up each year in different places. Here he is on the unfinished rocking chair that I need to complete. Add it to the list.

Lots of Training

As I mentioned last Saturday, I am working the polls on both Monday (early voting) and Tuesday (Election Day). With a total of 8 hours of training, I didn’t get much else done this week. The good news is that our county is improving its election process, with significant changes from previous elections.

I know we all want honest and fair elections and Maricopa County is stepping up this year by hiring 4,000 people to help work the voting centers. By Wednesday, I am guessing I will be exhausted, however, I will be happy to stop getting all those political texts, right?

Why I Love Gardening

Why do I love gardening? Each year I try and grow some fresh food for my family. Some years I am successful; others not so much. There is an inexplicable joy in seeing something grow. My fall garden is fairly new so there is not a lot of activity, but this little gorgeous gem appears this week.

I carefully pick it and even though it’s smaller than the huge strawberries you get in the grocery store, it is perfection. And guess what? It tastes like a strawberry! Pure joy.

Finn must be doing his job because I haven’t seen any evidence of garden predators to date!

Life in the Hen House

The 15 new baby chicks we got earlier in the year are laying up a storm. On any given day, we collect approximately 10 fresh eggs. The laying will slow down as the temperatures drop, but often times I see a traffic jam in the nesting boxes.

Check out this super cute stamp I received from ForestFoxPress on Etsy! I’m trying to master not smearing it on the egg cartons, but I love the design. If you are looking for a personalized stamp, this resource has quite the selection.

Holiday Styling Workshop

The holiday styling workshop is one week away! I am so excited to host this gathering again this year. My friend, Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate and Andrea, from Design Morsels are flying into Phoenix this week.

Generous donations from local businesses are filling up the swag bags. It will be a day of creativity, friendship and crafts. I cannot wait to share all the details with you, as this workshop will be even better than last year.

How Long do You Want to Live?

Elizabeth Francis, the oldest person in the U.S. and the third oldest person in the world died peacefully at the age of 115 on October 22nd. The longtime Houston resident lived with her 95-year-old daughter Dorothy Williams and her granddaughter, Ethel Harrison, who served as the supercentenarian’s primary caretaker, until her death, according to Houston Public Media.

William Taft was president when Francis was born in Louisiana on July 25, 1909. After her mother died when she was 11, she and her five siblings were sent to different homes. Francis ended up in Houston, where she was raised by her aunt and has lived since.

Dorothy, her only child, was born in 1928. Francis was a single mother, operating a coffee shop for almost 20 years before retiring in 1975. She moved in with her daughter in 1999 and has been there ever since. Incredibly, Francis didn’t need a wheelchair until she was 108.

“I just feel like living every day!” she told LongeviQuest’s Ben Meyers earlier this year. To read more about Elizabeth’s life, click here.

After reading this article, I started thinking about my Aunt Gail, who lived independently until she died a few months shy of her 101st birthday. If I have my health then I am all for living as long as I can. But 115? Wow! Your thoughts?

The Ultimate Advent Calendar

If you truly want a luxurious Christmas experience for yourself or someone else, My French Country Home has created an Advent Calendar box.

From their website:

Treat yourself or a loved one to the magic of the holidays with our exclusive MFCH Advent Box, filled with 24 individually wrapped surprises from some of France’s finest brands. Each gift, ranging from chic fashion accessories and artisanal edibles to luxurious cosmetics and elegant home décor, has been carefully curated to bring a touch of French sophistication to your December.

• Exclusive Collection: Each item is a new discovery or a different variation in color or style, ensuring that even our most loyal customers will experience something special this season.
• Hand-Wrapped & Numbered: Each gift is beautifully packaged in our custom holiday wrapping, making the countdown to Christmas a daily delight.
• A Treasure Trove for Christmas and Beyond: Delivered in a stunning box that doubles as the perfect storage solution for your holiday decorations.
• Limited Availability: Only a small number of these exclusive Advent Boxes are available – don’t miss your chance to make this holiday season truly special.

Priced at $550.00 it includes shipping. To order, click on the MFCH image on the right hand margin of my blog post. Not only will you get a wonderful item, but I will get a little bit of credit too.

Next Week

It will be a very busy one for me~2 days of election work; guests in from out of town and last minute preparations for the styling workshop. I hope to manage a haircut in there too. Thought I might try a new do and here’s my inspiration. Just wish my hair was as thick as hers.

Happy November! Wishing you a relaxing, enjoyable and happy weekend. Stay safe out there.