Saturday Meanderings

I always find it hard to say “Happy Memorial Day” weekend, as this holiday is a bittersweet one. As we remember those men and women who lost their lives defending our freedoms, we now have the benefit of enjoying this 3-day weekend with family and friends. Life does go on, but let’s remember the real reason for this holiday. I am happy to be back chatting with you about all good things that happened over the last two weeks.

Commercial Shoot at our Home

Without a lot of notice, we received a call from a location scout looking for a green, lush property for an outdoor commercial shoot for the product, Pocket Hose. Fortunately, the timing is right and last Friday, we had a crew here all day filming in various parts of the yard.

The big surprise (and delight) is meeting the spokesperson for Pocket Hose, Richard Karn. Richard is best known as Al Borland on 203 episodes of the sit-com Home Improvement which ran from 1990-1999 with Tim Allen.

Surprisingly, I was just telling Scott how I would love to replace all our outdoor hoses and try Pocket Hose. Lucky us, the director left several of them for us so I will let you know how these hoses work.

In addition, they brought several potted plants, trees and shrubs for the shoot and left them with us. It’s been a busy week of planting but who could say no to free foliage. If you see any future commercials for Pocket Hose, they may include our home!

The Great British Bash

On the same day filming was taking place at our home, I was decorating for a fund/friend raiser for our church. Located in the adjacent school’s gymnasium, I am tasked with turning this big and sterile space, into a festive, British-themed venue…which is a bit of a challenge. How do you deal with high ceilings, sharp industrial lighting and 6 basketball hoops?

Starting with two volleyball net poles, I am able to string lights and British flag garland from the center of the gym to each of the basketball hoops, in an attempt to “lower” the ceiling.

Berridge Nursery, loans plants and flowers to the church and they generously let me pick as many as I needed to create a “garden with the Queen”. A clever way to somewhat hide the volleyball posts and create a photo destination for the attendees.

If you are looking for a rechargeable, cordless lamp, I use this one on each of the 28 tables. You cannot beat the price~they are dimmable, have 3 light settings and are waterproof. The pack of 2 is $24.99 at Amazon.

After purchasing 36 of them, I am impressed with the quality and light choices (warm, neutral and bright). What a difference these lights made in the ambiance of the evening.

In addition to a lamp on each table, so many people donated tea cups for the floral element. Lucy, my co-chair and helpful floral expert, and I make 28 of these tea cup flower arrangements just before the event.

This is the first big gathering at our church since the pandemic and over 200 people attend. A few British backdrops create fun photo opportunities ~ a red phone booth, my 1974 TR6, Buckingham Palace guards, Big Ben, and of course, the Beatles.

Our church has an excellent music program and our director did not disappoint, performing as Elton Tom.

All in all, the Great British Bash is a resounding success. Many hands made the evening possible. Lots of work, yet a great deal of fun too.

My Sorbet Obsession

Yes, I am at it again! I don’t know what has gotten into me, but I am having such fun experimenting with sorbet flavors. Much of this is driven by me not wanting to waste or discard the fruit harvested from our orchard.

This week’s focus is the juice from the Ruby Red grapefruit. Two flavors of sorbet are created~grapefruit and basil; grapefruit, Lillet Blanc and tarragon. In my goal of using less granulated sugar, I sweeten the tart juice with a local honey.

The grapefruit sorbet flavors are a big hit so far and make the perfect dessert on a hot summer day.

More Grapefruit Recipes

In addition to my delicious Ruby Red Grapefruit Greyhounds with Rosemary Simple Syrup, I use some of the grapefruit for marmalade.

Using this David Lebovitz recipe, I whip up a batch of grapefruit marmalade, just in time to slather it on a loaf of homemade sourdough bread. Yum. Yum.

First Peach Pie of the Season

Yes, it is peach season! Our tree this year is heavily laden with this fuzzy, juicy fruit. Of course the first recipe is always peach pie. Over the years I have tried many recipes with the hopes that I don’t end up with a soggy bottom crust. Here is my favorite recipe so far.

I’m guessing there will be a peach sorbet coming soon!

Love this Wallpaper

I am obsessed with this wallpaper. The combination of the strawberry red and the blue background with the pink flowers is just dreamy. Where can I hang this? Any ideas?

A Trader Joe’s Find

I am a marketing person’s dream consumer. It doesn’t take much to attract me to something visually pretty (like the wallpaper above). Hence the attraction to this bottle of wine made with Valencia oranges. First of all, the wine color is orange and the label is so cheerful. Looks like the perfect summer-by-the-pool kind of wine.

Only 51 calories per serving, this product from Spain is made from the best Valencia oranges, a symbol of the vitality and freshness of the Mediterranean (so says the label). So I buy it ($9.99) at Trader Joe’s to try it. This doesn’t taste like a typical wine. It’s very light and refreshing. There is a fizzy version too but I haven’t tried it. If you pick up a bottle, let me know what you think.

Garden Abundance

In spite of our warmer temperatures, our garden is still giving us so many gifts. The sunflowers are so stunning and this is the first year I am cutting them for bouquets.

All the artichoke flowers will be dried and saved for a future flower arrangement or wreath.

I cannot pick tomatoes fast enough. What a great crop this year! I need to come up with some recipes this weekend or give them away. This time of year I could easily make canning and preserving a full time job.

Mary’s Must Haves

I order both of these products once a year…that’s how long they last. Fortunately, there is a limited deal with Amazon of 15% off each. Instead of an under eye highlighter, I use this Colorscience 3-in-1 anti-aging renewal therapy for wrinkles and dark circles. Plus it has an SPF of 35+. Comes in different shades.

Instead of any face powder, I love this Colorscience Brush-on Sunscreen Mineral Powder with an SPF 50 for sensitive skin. It’s easy to apply and travels well. Not greasy like liquid sunscreens. Also on sale right now at 15% off. I have one by my bathroom sink and one in my purse. I don’t believe I have ever seen either of these products on sale. Make sure you get the right shade for you.

Years ago, I had a hair test to evaluate levels of metals in my body. When the test came back higher than normal for aluminum, I quickly reduced any exposure to aluminum products. That is when I found Native deodorant and have used it ever since. Native is aluminum-free and made with clean and simple ingredients.

Their scents range from scentless to unisex to very feminine like Lavender and Rose and Lilac and White Tea. You can find some scents on Amazon or a wider variety on the Native website. They also have broadened their products to include body wash, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. You will love them!

Today we are saying our final goodbyes to a dear friend. Tomorrow, I hope to take a trip to our National cemetery to honor our fallen soldiers in recognition of Memorial Day. Lastly we look forward to getting together with our favorite neighbors for the holiday weekend. What are your plans? Whatever they are or wherever you go, be safe out there.