Saturday Meanderings

Happy Saturday! I am writing to you from the chilly mountains of Arizona. Currently at our cabin getting ready to close it up for the winter. It is so quiet and peaceful here. The silence is almost deafening. Fall is in full swing with the leaves making a carpet on the forest floor. Today will be cleaning and scrubbing day, preparing the cabin for a long winter’s rest. So happy you are here today to share another week of all good things.

Are you Set in your ways?

Sometimes it’s far too easy to settle into our familiar routines, but I’ve learned that shaking things up—big or small—keeps life vibrant. Trying a new hobby, exploring a different route on your morning walk, or even rethinking long-held habits gives our brains a healthy nudge and keeps us engaged with the world. Staying curious not only supports our cognitive health but helps us remain interesting, adaptable, and relevant. A little variety is good for the soul.

But stepping outside our routines does take a little intention. Lately, my husband and I have been exploring different coffee shops around town. It may not sound like much, but in our home the morning coffee ritual borders on sacred. Still, committing to try something new in our own city once a week has been a refreshing change of pace, and discovering new coffee spots has become an easy—and enjoyable—way to break the pattern. And you certainly don’t need to be a coffee drinker to join in; most of these places offer plenty of other beverages and delicious bites to try.

PeiXoto (pay-sho-tow) Coffee and Roasters

Steeped in family history going back over 100 years, the Peixoto family has been growing and roasting coffee beans for generations in Brazil. This is true farm to table coffee. Their new location in downtown Phoenix at the ASU Bioscience Center is a great addition to their other locations in Chandler and Gilbert.

Their sweet and savory pastries and bread are a visual and yummy treat.

A fun downtown vibe with seating inside and out. Peixoto Coffee, 850 N 5th St, Suite 120
Phoenix, AZ 85004. Open every day of the week from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Moxie Coffee

Where else can you get a thermal shock washed Colombian coffee? Moxie Coffee is a micro roastery and bakery in Phoenix, Arizona. They started Moxie to share their love for uncommon coffee. At the core of what they do is source rare coffees that they find exciting, highlight the story and journey of the producers, while discovering novel processing and fermentation methods.

Not only is their coffee fabulous, but they bake all their delicious pastries on site.

Moxie Coffee + Pastries is located at 4626 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016. We’re open 7am-5pm everyday at the ground floor of The Art on Highland Apartments. Plenty of parking in the garage.

Coffee Builders

On South 7th Street, just south of Chase Field, lies an unexpected treasure in the Phoenix coffee landscape: The Coffee Builders. Amid its industrial surroundings, the café buzzes with energy on any given day, particularly on Saturdays, drawing crowds lured by the enticing aroma of coffee beans and food with an inventive twist. The decor on the inside is completely unexpected and there is a delightful patio where you can dine outdoors.

My 16 oz. coffee was served in this very attractive, beaded glass cup. I am a bit particular about having the right coffee cup and this one is a winner.

When I asked where they sourced their cups, they said Amazon. Well, after a bit of hunting, I was able to find them here. If you are looking for a special coffee cup for the holidays, I believe you will love these. The cute spoons are an extra bonus!

In addition to a variety of beverages, they also have a delicious food menu. Coffee Builders, 901 S. 7th Street, Phoenix.

Do you try and mix things up in your life? Or do you keep the same routine and schedule each day?

Fall Cozy Baking

Baking, for me, is very seasonal. No one wants to turn on the oven in the middle of our hot summers, so when the temperatures drop, the baking begins. Longing for the smells of apples and cinnamon filling the kitchen, this week I made an apple sourdough bread complete with melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Though I didn’t get the complete rise in the bread during baking, which I believe was due to the moisture content of the apples. Nonetheless, it is still a very delicious loaf of bread, perfectly satisfying my need for fall flavors and scents in the kitchen.

What are you baking this time of year?

Fall Content

I have to admit I’ve felt a bit behind these last few months. My goal has always been to share a fresh mid-week post and then follow with my Saturday Meanderings. Yet with a full schedule and plenty of travel, creating solid mid-week content has been tougher than I hoped.

I never want this blog to feel stressful, because writing it truly brings me joy. So today, rather than push something forced, I’m leaning into the season and sharing an exciting fall bundle created by 16 talented bloggers. This collection, organized by my dear friend Chas from Chas’ Crazy Creations, is packed with inspiration for autumn and beyond.

Inside the bundle you’ll find recipes, planners, hostess gift ideas, a fall coloring book that is perfect for keeping children busy on Thanksgiving, and much more, all for only $9.99. Chas is offering this significantly discounted price to my Bella Terra subscribers, so be sure to scroll to the bottom for the details. I just purchased it myself, and one of the tutorials teaches you how to crochet (which has been on my bucket list)!

Click the link and treat yourself to something you can enjoy again and again.

From the Internet

This time of year I love the combination of apples and cranberries. Elizabeth from Pinecones and Acorns shares an easy cranberry apple crisp with a buttery oat topping.

I bet you could adapt this recipe for air fryer too. Check it out here.

Goodbye Farmers’ Almanac

The iconic Farmers’ Almanac, based in Lewiston, Maine, and published since 1818, has announced that its 2026 edition will be its last…after 208 years.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the end of what has not only been an annual tradition in millions of homes and hearths for hundreds of years, but also a way of life, an inspiration for many who realize the wisdom of generations past is the key to the generations of the future,” editor Sandi Duncan stated in a press release.

In its announcement, the publication cited the increasing financial challenges of producing and distributing its almanac in today’s media environment.

Are you still in fall mode or have you moved onto Christmas? I really try to slow things down during the month of November and hold off any Christmas decorating until after Thanksgiving. But everywhere I go, it seems the rest of the world is all about Christmas. Trying to shut my eyes and cover my ears, but it’s hard to keep it all at bay.

Hope you have a terrific weekend. Any fun plans? Remember to have fun and stay safe out there. Veterans Day is next week and I believe many people are making it a very long weekend.