Saturday Meanderings

Happy November….already! Personally I find it hard to believe that we are getting close to the end of 2025. But I do love November and the pause it brings before the Christmas rush. Welcome to Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week. Thank you so much for joining me on this beautiful Saturday morning.

Annual Tomato Project

Every August or September, I usually order a big batch of tomatoes from a local farm, McClendon’s Select, to make enough sauce for the coming year. This time, I was running a bit behind schedule, but last week my 100 pounds of beautiful Roma tomatoes finally arrived.

I shared 20 pounds with my dear friend Rick, and the remaining 80 pounds were transformed into 33 jars of rich, delicious tomato sauce. Ten of those jars went to my wonderful neighbor Tevia, who tirelessly cranked the food mill, and the rest now sit proudly on our pantry shelves—ready to brighten countless meals in the months ahead.

If you want to make your own sauce, here is the post with the recipe and process.

Fall Dinner Party

Typically, summer is the season for gathering with friends and family. But in Phoenix, those sweltering months often mean escaping the heat and heading out of town. Now that fall has arrived, we’re finally able to come together again—this week we hosted a cozy dinner for twelve on our back terrace to celebrate friendship and the welcome return of cooler weather.

The menu featured Half Baked Harvest’s Dump and Bake Chicken Broccoli Noodle Casserole, The New York Times’ Sweet Potatoes Baked with Lemon, my own arugula salad with the last of the Utah peaches, and a batch of Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies (source unknown).

If you decide to try the casserole, be sure to read the comments first. I made a few adjustments and baked it earlier in the day, reheating it before dinner. It was good—but not quite great.

The cookies are fabulous and big! A sprinkle of Maldon flaky sea salt is perfection!

Decorating the Table

The 6′ long aspen log centerpiece has been sitting outside all summer with Easter flowers and bunnies in it. That’s how long it has been since we entertained on this table on the back porch. After a good dusting and flower change out, it is now a pretty fall centerpiece that will take us through to Thanksgiving.

To see more about this DIY project, click here.

Instead of a table cloth, I love using these decorative fall foliage paper placemats from Hester & Cook. You can buy them directly from Hester & Cook or through Amazon here. They have such a wide selection of beautifully designed paper products.

The mahogany table is visible underneath and the fall leaves are perfect for the theme.

Perhaps my favorite set of dishes, Windsor Ware by Johnson Bros. of England, coupled with Ballard Design napkins tied with a chocolatey velvet ribbon, sets the right mood for autumn.

A wonderful way to kick off fall with good friends, good food and lots of laughter.

Opening Season for the Theatre

We don’t attend plays very often, but whenever we do, we’re reminded how much we enjoy the experience. The Arizona Theatre Company’s 2025–2026 season—its 58th!—opens with Deceived, a gripping, suspense-filled adaptation of the 1938 psychological thriller Gaslight.

The set is absolutely stunning, and the story keeps you on edge from start to finish. It follows a young wife trying to make sense of strange happenings in her home, as paranoia, manipulation, and dark secrets close in around her. With plenty of shocking twists and turns, this fresh take on a timeless classic delivers a truly captivating night at the theater.

Deceived is playing at the Tempe Center for the Arts through November 9th. Tickets are available here.

Morning Photos

The morning light is simply breathtaking this time of year. Each day, I try and take a few quiet moments after waking to soak in those first golden glimpses around our home. I’m not sure I’ve shared these spaces with you before, but I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Right off our bedroom is an L-shaped outdoor terrace. With a southern view, it does catch an angle of the morning sunrise.

Just outside the bathroom door is the other end of the L-shaped space, where a cozy fireplace sits beneath a collection of iron crosses.

Each morning, when I step out of our bedroom and into the upstairs hall, a bright light shines at the far end. For a moment, I always think I’ve left a light on—but it’s actually the morning sun streaming in from the east, reflecting beautifully off the warm orange walls of my daughter’s bedroom.

The orange walls were her request back in high school, and quite honestly, I’ve grown to love them. It’s a color I never would have chosen myself—too bold, too daring—but it suited her perfectly and still reflects her vibrant personality. Even though she’s now off on her own and I’ve changed the furniture around, this room continues to make me smile every time I step inside.

Albert Einstein Quote

Ah, the older I get, the more this quote rings true. I don’t know about you, but my patience for negativity has all but disappeared. Each morning I wake up, I see it as a gift from God. And if I find myself feeling cranky, I try to understand why and turn it around.

Over the years, I’ve slowly let go of negative people and experiences—and guess what? Life is so much better for it. It’s lighter, calmer, and far more joyful. Life’s simply too short to dwell in negativity.

Something tells me that those of you who read this blog feel the same way. Am I right?

The Home Bird

Do you follow Elle Hervin on Instagram @elle_the_home_bird? I love every aspect of her home. She’s a self-taught designer and she has a knack for blending old and new, creating so much character in her home.

Her first book, The Home Bird, was just released and my copy came in the mail this week. I cannot wait to delve into it. If you love an interesting layered look, this book is for you!

Any fun plans for the weekend? I will continue working on my garden, but the rest of the property is really shaping up. Next week I have 5 blogging friends coming to visit and I am so excited to spend time with them again. Would love to get back to posting twice a week, but life seems to get in the way! Have a beautiful start to November and remember to stay safe out there.