Saturday Meanderings

We are half way through November (already!) and it’s been an exciting week! So many good things to share with you today and I’m so happy you are joining me for another Saturday Meanderings!

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a time to honor and thank the men and women who have served our country—those who stepped forward, in both peace and war, to protect our freedoms. It reminds us that service comes in many forms, and that every veteran, not only those we’ve lost, has made sacrifices and upheld their duty with courage and commitment. To all our veterans: my heartfelt gratitude for your service and the liberties we enjoy because of you.

Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday began as a commemoration of the end of World War I. The armistice that halted the fighting between the Allied forces and Germany took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month—November 11, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson marked the first Armistice Day one year later, and Congress recognized it in 1926. In 1938, November 11 officially became a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of world peace.

I hope this week you continued to share your appreciation for all our veterans!

The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere

I’ve always loved The Wizard of Oz. As a child, I was completely captivated by that unforgettable moment when the screen shifted from the sepia tones of Kansas to the dazzling technicolor world of Oz—it felt like pure magic. Eighty-six years after its release, the music still stands among the most iconic ever written for film.

This week, my sweet husband surprised me with tickets to see The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere in Las Vegas. I intentionally avoided learning too much about the venue beforehand, wanting to experience it with fresh eyes. I’m so glad I did.

Words hardly do justice to what it’s like to watch my favorite movie inside this extraordinary 4D technological wonder. I won’t spoil the details—just in case you ever find yourself lucky enough to go—but let’s just say: Toto, we are definitely not in Kansas anymore.

There were moments when it truly felt as though I had stepped inside the film itself. The ability to experience something so beloved in such an immersive way genuinely brought tears to my eyes. It took every bit of self-control not to sing along with every song, and yes, I still cry when Dorothy says goodbye to the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion.

I’ve never seen anything like it. It was unforgettable in every possible way.

Bellagio Resort

I’m not a big fan of Las Vegas—too many people, too much stimulation, and I’m not a gambler. But for one night, it was absolutely perfect, especially since we stayed at the Bellagio Resort, which we were pleasantly surprised to learn is part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.

The hotel is in the midst of its Christmas transformation, and watching the process was such a delight. Massive construction equipment rolls right into the conservatory as they assemble the opulent holiday displays.

Thousands of flowers and plants are woven into the breathtaking art, and witnessing it all come together felt like getting a behind-the-scenes peek at a magical production.

Getting to Las Vegas from Phoenix is relatively easy~flights are frequent and it’s a short time in the air. Unfortunately, our flights were cancelled due to the government shutdown so we ended up driving instead (about 5 hours or so), listening to Audible and our favorite British mysteries along the way.

Making a Pretty Pie

In the Spring I hope to host a pie-making day and I am expanding my knowledge of trying to make a pretty (and tasty) pie. This week, as a housewarming gift for my daughter and her boyfriend, I made a chicken pot pie (recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction). This is the 3rd time I’ve made this recipe and I think it is a winner.

The new leaf plunger cookie/crust cutters work really well. Made of food grade plastic, they can be used for cookies, pies, fondant, chocolate, sugar crafts, pastry, and polymer clay. With four in the set and 20% off at $7.99, this is a great purchase for the holidays. See it here.

Family Room Decorating Inspiration

It feels like the right time to give our family room a little attention and freshen it up. Since this space is essentially the pets’ main headquarters, I often struggle to find the motivation to redecorate. Yet it’s also where we unwind at the end of each day, and I can’t help but sit there imagining all the ways it could be improved.

With Finn still very much in his “not quite mature” phase, I’m trying to figure out how to make the room more attractive without investing heavily in things that will immediately face the realities of pet life. How do you strike that balance between beauty and practicality.

Here’s my inspiration~ we purchased this painting from a street artist in Estonia many years ago. I love the colors in it and it goes well with the existing drapes in that room. Just ordered 10 fabric swatches online so more to come on this!

The last time I published anything about the family room was in 2018. However, there have been a few changes since then, but it is really time for an update!

The Miracles of OxiClean and Memories

While cleaning out the linen cabinet at the cabin, I came across a set of linen café curtains from Rue de France. Founded in 1985 by Pam Kelly, Rue de France sold French lace curtains and other upscale French-inspired home accessories. Who remembers their gorgeous catalog? I used to look forward to every issue.

Sadly, Rue de France eventually went out of business in 2004. It was one of those moments where a beloved brand had to either go big or go home—and, much to my disappointment, they chose the latter. With only one retail store in Newport, Rhode Island, their catalog was truly the heart of their business.

These curtains had been tucked away for years—possibly decades—and I had always remembered them as bright white. Time, however, had turned them into more of an ecru. Fortunately, if you ever need to revive linens, I can’t recommend OxiClean enough. Not only is this product a fabulous stain remover, it also eliminates odors. After soaking the curtains in a bowl of OxiClean and water for six hours, they emerged looking wonderfully fresh.

I bought these curtains during a time in my life when I didn’t make very much money. Purchasing French linen café curtains was a real stretch—something I could only justify by sacrificing in other areas. But I wasn’t being careless or extravagant. I simply knew how much I valued well-made, beautiful things, and I was willing to work hard and choose quality over quantity whenever I could.

Looking back, those small luxuries weren’t foolish at all. They were thoughtful, intentional purchases that brought joy then—and still do now. And here they are, all these years later, proof that investing in things you truly love can be one of the wisest choices of all.

Have you ever purchased something outside of your means because of quality and love of an item?

New Glass Coffee Cups

Last Saturday, I shared a link to the beaded glass coffee cups that caught my eye during a recent visit to Coffee Builders. The set of four arrived, carefully packed—and I am officially in love! They’re gorgeous in person and even better than I expected. While they’ll be perfect for coffee, my mind is already spinning with all the creative ways to use them throughout the holidays.

I just had to share my excitement about the quality, especially since I try to recommend only the products I’ve personally used and truly enjoy. And they come with these 4 adorable spoons!

Well, that’s a wrap! Looks like we might be getting some rain this weekend~which is always welcome here in the desert. Hope you have some fun plans. We will continue to work in the garden and looking forward to taking it a bit easy and bask in the glow of all things Wizard of Oz! Whatever you do, stay safe out there!

Veterans Day