Saturday Meanderings
Welcome to the last Saturday of April. If I could only create a solution to slow down the speed of time, I would be very rich! Another month is almost gone as we move into May next week. Thanks for joining me for another edition of Saturday Meanderings, where we chat about all good things this week. Grab your favorite beverage and let’s get started.
Easter Weekend
It’s hard to believe Easter was only 6 days ago! The day started with an outdoor sunrise service at our church. Family and friends gathered for brunch on our back terrace. Of course, I didn’t take any pictures of the Easter table, or the food….go figure.
The annual Easter egg hunt, typically a combat sport when all the children are home, reaped new winners this year.
Finn is loving his new Spring toys brought by one of our guests. A very fun day for all.
I hope you had the chance to read my blog post this week, The Great Lamb Cake Legacy: A Story of Family and Tradition. Also, included are the recipes for a Lemon Pound cake and the Lemon Cream Cheese frosting.
Garden and Yard Update
This time of year brings subtle changes in the garden. As one plant finishes blooming, another starts to come alive. The garden is always in motion—quietly transitioning from one moment to the next.
I expect the artichokes left on the plant are ready to start blooming this week. Season is over for the snow peas, snap peas and lettuces. With the warmer days, herbs are bolting and flowering. Every day the chickens are finishing up the last bits on the spent plants. Tomatoes are slowly ripening and will be plucked from the vines soon.
In the orchard, the citrus is nearly gone and within the next two weeks, the peaches will be ready for picking. These are the real deal-fuzzy and so juicy you have to bend over to eat one.
Poppies are gone and dropping their tiny black seeds onto the ground. Hollyhocks are in full bloom, some reaching heights of 15 feet.
I love the sweet smell of spring in all its bountiful glory. The windows are open, fresh air drifts through the house, and the garden feels alive with promise. But there’s a subtle shift in the light. It’s brighter, sharper—a quiet reminder that summer is on its way. We always find ourselves hoping spring will linger just a little longer.
What is Up with the Flies
Suddenly, we seem to have flies. I’m not a fan ever since my older brother told me when I was young that when a fly lands on you, it poops. Brothers, right? I don’t understand how one day there are no flies, and the next day, they seem to be everywhere.
The hens can attract them and I really do not like the smell of fly repellent products. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve walked into those stinking, gross hanging traps while tending to the chickens. Eeeww.
As a result, I decide to try making my own mixture to use in hanging traps. The worst part of this story is that I re-use an old container that is full of dead flies. I nearly gag cleaning the darn thing out. Not sure it will work, but I will let you know. You can also make this in any plastic container and there is much information on how to do this on the internet.
The mixture is equal parts water and vinegar, a few tablespoons of sugar and liquid dish soap. Keeping my fingers crossed that this works.
Who Knew?
Lifestyle magazine Flower has crowned the Levante Rosa Anemone as its 2025 Flower of the Year, celebrating its frothy pink petals, striking black eye, and all-around scene-stealing charm! A little conversation tidbit for your next dinner party!
Actually it is a very sweet flower and the contrast of the dark button is appealing.
What are You Watching?
Are you watching The Residence on Netflix? A recent review states: “The series stars Uzo Aduba as a quirky detective tasked with solving a murder at the White House.
The “whodunnit” element combined with the eccentricity of some of the characters/suspects makes this show something of a 2020s version of Clue. Aside from the suspense/mystery components, this show is also quite comical, making it an enjoyable watch.” I am only 2 episodes in and so far, so good.
Attention Jane Austen fans! You are going to devour this romantic and heartwarming miniseries based on Gill Hornby’s bestseller. The highly anticipated four-part adaptation offers a fresh take on Jane through her relationship with sister Cassandra. Miss Austen premieres Sunday May 4, 2025 at 9/8c only on MASTERPIECE on PBS.
Mary’s Must Haves
Our mudroom gets so much foot and animal traffic. I recently replaced a few small rugs with 2 new ones from the Threshold line (aka Studio McGee) at Target to freshen up the space. The 2′ x 3′ vintage style Jewel-toned Woven Rug by Threshold™ is flat woven and perfect by the doors. My previous rugs were Dash & Albert cotton ones that needed washing every few days.
I love how the colors complement the slate floor and the pattern helps hide any dirt or stains. An elegant looking rug for a reasonable price of $25.00. Here’s the link if you are in the market for an attractive, durable rug. It does appear to come in other sizes too.
This All-Clad stainless steel immersion blender is a necessary tool in the kitchen. Its powerful motor blends foods in seconds, from milkshakes to baby food and delicate sauces. This is a life saver when I am making large batches of dog food for Finn. My son bought this for me a few years ago and every time I use it, I give him a secret thank you. Variable speed, it’s easy to clean and store and you can find it here.
In May, I am decorating tables for a fundraising event for 200 and I found these cordless lamps at an incredible price. The similar lamps I own are a bit more expensive, but if you are in the market for a very affordable rechargeable lamp, this is a bargain!
This 2-pack (yes, 2 of them!) is now 50% on Amazon and priced at $24.99 (that’s $12.50 each). Color options are gold and black. There are 3 light choices too. Here is the link. They also come in a 4 pack but the price is the same. I just ordered 20 of the gold ones and honestly, they are rather attractive and the light is good.
Creative Idea
If you have a lamp you love but it looks outdated or needs refreshing, or if you find a thrifted lamp but it needs help, check out this creative post from my friend, Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse. I have a couple of lamps that could use this technique as I find it hard to find lamps I like that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
That’s a wrap, folks! Enjoy the last part of April 2025 and I will chat with you again in May. Stay safe out there.
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.
Your hollyhocks are so beautiful, Mary! I’m growing artichokes for the first time, and I’m so excited. I always love seeing your lamb cakes each year. What a fun tradition! It always fascinates me when your vegetables are almost done, and ours have not even begun to grow yet.
Have the best week, my friend.
Hi Mary,
Your Hollyhocks are such a beautiful color. When we had our retreat in Oak Creek Canyon many of our neighbors had them growing wild. Your garden is amazing, wow you even have peaches too.
Oh my, the fly issue is a big deal. I have a low cope level for flys.
❤️ the Lavante Rose Anemone, it’s unusual.
I’ve had it on my calendar for sometime to watch Miss Austen on May 4th, first of 4 episodes. I’m looking to it.
Pretty woven rug, perfect color too, you scored.
I enjoyed everything you shared.
Katherine, oh my! A retreat in Oak Creek Canyon? That is such a spectacular area. I recall staying at a sweet inn right on Oak Creek where someone was playing the violin (or was it a cello?) in the morning at breakfast…just divine. My homemade fly trap doesn’t have one fly in it, so I’m going to have to re-think this. Did sprinkle Diatomaceous earth around, as suggested by another reader. Thanks for all your thoughts and comments! Enjoy Miss Austen!
It was such fun seeing the vibrant hollyhock photos which brought back sweet childhood memories. Our across the street neighbor always grew hollyhocks and were so lovely to see every spring which meant school was nearly done for the year and summertime fun was upon us.
Catharine, I’m surprised I don’t see more hollyhocks here~they grow so well and come back year after year. They are a bit of a weed because they sprout up all over the place, but I love them! I’m glad this post solicited some great memories for you. Thanks for sharing.
Love your posts, makes my Saturday morning special. There is a product called Diatomaceous Earth, food grade ( very important- the other is for swimming pool filters). I have used it for years for my horse stalls and have even thrown it on the walls of the barn. It is all natural and is used in animal food products to share any bugs. It is harmless for the animals as we even feed thru the horse’s feed. If you throw on floor and ground around chickens, you will be amazed at the reduction in flies as it gets the larvae before they hatch instead of trying to trap when there are hundreds after they hatch. You will see that if you start now , you will decrease the flies to almost none. Feed stores carry it in 50# bags and it lasts forever. Is even good for around doors for scorpions.
Luci, what great information. I have a huge bag of Diatomaceous Earth and I spread it around the hen house to keep scorpions at bay but I didn’t think to use it inside their outdoor area! On my list of things to do today! Thank you SO much!