Saturday Meanderings
As I am writing this, it is a drizzly, quiet late morning here at the cabin. The day started out with quite a surprise~ a big black bear wandered into our yard. Finn’s protective instincts kicked in immediately as his deep, fierce barking sent the bear running off in a hurry. Thankfully, our big white dog wasn’t outside, because I am certain Finn would have charged after him. True to his Akbash breed, Finn was born to protect…and protect he did. Thanks for joining me this today for our weekly Saturday Meanderings, where we chat about all good things this week.
When You Want to Look Small
We went with friends to the annual White Mountains Sheriff’s Posse Barbecue last Saturday. This photo made me laugh. If you want to look smaller, just stand between two handsome guys who are very tall!
The barbecue (great food) raises money for this important law enforcement group. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the whole community to show their support.
Finding a Forever Home
Right after the horrific floods in Texas, my sweet daughter, Julianna (who lives in Austin), fostered this adorable German shepherd mix. Gambit wasn’t doing well in the shelter, and now several weeks later, he is a very well-adjusted boy after spending time in her loving home. Now, I am happy to announce that Gambit is off to his new forever home. This is the photo she took before she said goodbye.
Yuka App
The Yuka app is a mobile app that helps consumers access the health impact of food and cosmetic products by scanning the product’s bar code. According to Yuka this is 100% independent project, not influenced by brands, no ads and they are funded with responsible financing.
It’s free and I recently add it to my mobile phone to investigate the ingredients in skin care. As we all know this industry is not well regulated. After scanning the UPC codes, it also retains your history.
I am surprised to see that my Native deodorant did not score well, but delighted that my face products are get an excellent rating.
During a shopping trip to Trader Joe’s, I am disheartened to find that the Seeds and Grains Crispbread (that I love) has a poor rating. Actually, nearly all the cracker products came up with a poor score. But many products do have an excellent rating.
It’s All in the Details
Earlier this week, I posted the Before and After of the cabin bathroom wallpaper project. Thank you for all your wonderful comments. If you missed it, you can see it here. However, after the papering is done, the room is lacking the finishing touches. To make a room feel complete, it’s the details that count.
Since we bought the cabin as is and haven’t done any extensive interior changes, I am living with items that I personally would have never selected. For example, the toilet in this small bath has a lid that looks like this.
The depression in the middle of the lid makes it impossible to put anything on top (extra toilet paper, room fragrance). How dumb is that? I consider putting a small shelf above it, but don’t really want to poke holes in my new wallpaper. Whoever designed this toilet lid should find another job.
While at Super Target in Phoenix, I find this woven hyacinth rectangular basket from Brightroom for only $10.00. The sturdy construction allows the basket to straddle over this depression and provide space for toiletry needs.
Extra toilet paper, Passing Time in the Loo book, Poo-Pourri toilet spray and the very attractive Bergamot and Green Tea room spray from Anthropology, fill the basket. I just tried to source the Anthropologie spray but it is sold out . The bottle is so attractive and is part of the inspiration for this room-plus the fragrance is very appealing. Glad I stocked up with several bottles and I hope they re-stock it.
The Artwork
At Target, I also find an affordable piece of art. With weekend houseguests arriving, and a desire to finish this room, I pick up this 16″ x 14″ Summer Pasture Threshold designed by Studio McGee painting for $38.00. It has the right colors but feels a bit bland to me, because the surface of the painting doesn’t have any texture or brushstrokes.
I add some depth with my acrylic paints, brush and palette knife to make the painting feel a bit more alive.
The additions are minor, painting in a few clouds and providing more contrast to the river and forest. It will do for now, but in the future, I will more than likely paint something from scratch.
The antique roe deer antlers on a Black Forest wood mount (an Etsy purchase) is placed above the painting for some added interest and texture.
Towels and Rug
These Performance Plus sage green towels by Threshold are scored at Target too. I grab the top two bath towels off the shelf, only to discover when I get home, that one towel is bath size and the other is an oversized bath towel. Not my first choice but it will do.
The quality is very good and the price is even better, on sale at $7.50 for the bath and $11.25 for the oversized towel. Hand towels are $6.75 each, regularly $9.00. These towels come in a variety of colors.
In the past, I have shared this accent rug, as I have two at our Phoenix home. Since I am not a fan of the tile floor, the rug grounds the room. Rust and green, this woven rug is the perfect size (24″ x 36″) to sit right in front of the vanity. A bargain at $25.00.
From the Internet
Short on time but want to make an impressive salad? Coco from The Crowned Goat shares great ideas on How to Jazz Up Store-Bought Salad Kits. There are so many delicious salads in this post~perfect for hot summer days. You can see it here.
Wendy from WM Design House has a great recipe for all those summer cucumbers. Each year Wendy makes pickles with her granddaughters (isn’t that sweet?). This year she shares Mrs. Wages Bread and Butter Pickles Made Easy.
I am definitely trying this recipe! You can see it here.
My girls are in Chicago for my future-daughter-in-law’s bachelorette party. Looks like quite the weekend!
We’ve been having lots of glorious rain this week. Hoping for some sunny skies and lots of rest and relaxation for everyone! 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.
Mary I love that crisp bread from Trader Joes too! I can’t believe it gets poor ratings!! Genius idea for the Target painting!
Cindy, I know, right (about the crisp bread?). However, I eat healthy most of the time and it cannot be that bad as it is loaded with seeds. I find it fun to alter paintings, and I think that might be a good future blog post! Thanks for weighing in.
I love Finn was so sleepy he fell asleep on your foot. ♥ Always enjoy your posts.
Michele, thank you. He was very close to us that day after the bear…He’s a wonderful dog.
A black bear is definitely a surprise that I would not want to wake up too. Two of our three dacshunds would definitely have given chase. Thankful your pup was not outside.
I love your new wallpaper! We have just wallpapered our powder bath and I do not want to poke any holes in the wall so I am being very selective about what I bring in the room. You are right, that is a strand toilet lid.
How wonderful for your daughter’s foster dog to have a new home. I would find it so hard to give them up.
Have a wonderful week, I am off to check the links from Wendy and Coco.
Elizabeth, I’ve never heard of a strand toilet cover and I don’t really understand the indentation on top. So happy to find a firm basket to straddle the depression. I’m with you on the fostering dogs…I would want to keep every one. But I believe she is satisfied that she started with a stressed, nervous dog and sent him to his forever home as a well-adjusted, happy one. She does have a big heart. Re: Bears. Finn was our bear hero. My friend, Tevia caught 2 bears wrestling on her outdoor camera. I am always on alert while walking. Thanks for weighing in!
I just downloaded the Yuka app too, I can’t believe that about the Native deodorant, I love that brand… let me know what kind you decide to get next that actually works. That Bachelorette Party invite is hilarious! And, I hope that spray comes back in stock at Anthro as I am dying to try it!
Michele, I find that hard to believe about Native deodorant too, so I am going to do a bit more research. I’m wondering if the individual Anthropology stores have that spray on a sales table. I bought 6 of them but will keep checking back to see if they plan to restock. Maybe they’ll come up with a different scent, however, I just love the painted bottle.
Hi Mary,
Pretty black eyed Susan’s.
What a surprise you had with the big Black Bear. Your Finn is fearless, he sounds like an excellent protective bodyguard. I’m glad you were not out hiking or running on a trail when the Bear appeared. I think the size of them is pretty intimidating.
You and Tevia are little littles next to cute Gary and Mitch all with great smiles.
Wonderful Gambit has a home. Julianna is made of good stuff.
I’ve never heard of a Yuka App. I will be checking it out. Thx.
The bathroom looks great. Perfect wallpaper.
Katherine, I recall Black-eye Susans back east, but I wasn’t sure if these were the same or a variation of a sunflower. Hope to pick a big batch of them today as they grow wild along the roadsides. Thank you for all you sweet comments. Yes, try the Yuka app and let me know what you think!
I’ve always loved everything about your home in the mountains – the grounds, your decor, how the temps are always cooler and even the neighborhood seems so quaint and peaceful…until you mentioned the bear. At least you have someone to protect you!!
Elena, thank you so much for your nice comments. Yes, Finn did a very good job of warning us. I think since we had an unusually warm and dry winter here (not typical), the bears are coming down from the higher elevations looking for food. There have been quite a few sightings, but this was certainly our first. Finn is definitely our bear hero.
What a bathroom improvement!! This should last many years.
We are CONSTANTLY looking out for bear…guess we need a “Finn!!” franki
Franki, oh my! I would imagine bears are afraid of us, but it doesn’t help with fear of them. I just read that you reaction to the bear should be based on the type of bear. I think we only have black bear here, no brown or Grizzlies. I’d lend you Finn but he doesn’t fit on a plane!! Be safe.