Saturday Meanderings

Today’s post may be a short one, as I’m putting the final touches on our holiday plans—and despite my best efforts to stay organized, I find myself a bit behind. This season has a way of holding both joy and sorrow at the same time. It has been a difficult week in the world, and my heart feels heavy over recent tragedies. Still, I believe there is comfort in coming together, in listening, and in helping one another heal. So welcome to Saturday Meanderings, where we pause and chat about the good things that carried us through the week.

Winter in Phoenix is our Autumn

This time of year, the North Central Avenue streetscape is beautifully lined with ash trees as they turn color and quietly drop their leaves. While most people picture desert when they think of Phoenix, our neighborhood looks as though it’s been lifted straight from the pages of a New England autumn. It’s so darn pretty—and paired with our crisp mornings and cool evenings, we are loving this season.

Our own yard is filled with deciduous trees, and the grapevine arch at the garden entrance is deepening into rich burgundy hues. We may not have the fiery reds and oranges of maple trees, but the abundance of golden yellows is just as lovely.

It’s such fun to walk through and kick up the leaves, instantly reminding me of my childhood in Connecticut. When the children were little, we would rake everything into one big pile so they could jump in with pure happiness and glee. Of course, someone will eventually need to rake them up and cart them away—but for now, it’s nice to leave the messiness and simply enjoy it.

A Week of Injuries

I managed to break my right third toe, which is now sporting a lovely mix of black and purple. As a result, I’ve been gimping around a bit, and of course my left knee has decided to join the party. Then yesterday, Finn’s leash caught my left pinkie as he darted off in the opposite direction. It is swelling and changing color matching my toe, and hurts like the dickens.

For the most part, I feel healthy and strong—but weeks like this are a humbling reminder of just how little patience I have for pain or the tedious process of recovering. Perhaps this is God’s not-so-subtle way of telling me to slow down?

Christmas Tree tradition

Each year, on (or near) my husband’s birthday, we make our annual trip to our favorite place—Whitfill Nursery—to choose a fresh Christmas tree. The hunt requires Santa hats, of course, and after a thorough search, we all vote on the best possible tree. Once the decision is made, the chosen tree is crowned with a Santa hat, officially sealing the deal. 🎄

We also picked up a smaller tree for our bedroom—our first time ever doing that!

Both trees then spend a day (or two) soaking in the pool for hydration and a thorough cleaning. And if you’ve ever brought home a tree with a spider nest, you’ll understand exactly why we make sure they’re completely free of any unwanted infestations before they come inside.

Warm Apple Water

I recently spotted this on Instagram and decided to give it a try—it’s said to help reduce sniffles. Simply slice a whole apple and steep it in hot water, keeping it warm or letting it sit longer for a deeper flavor. I’m only on day two, so I haven’t added extras like cinnamon or ginger yet, but it’s easy to customize to your taste.

Since it’s mostly water infused with apple, it’s a great way to stay hydrated while getting a boost of antioxidants, vitamin C, and digestive support from the fruit. The warmth and subtle aroma are surprisingly soothing, too. I save a few of the apple slices to eat for extra fiber—proof that the old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” might just have some truth to it. 🍎

Since I’m gimping around and temporarily typing with only nine fingers, please forgive the shorter length of this post. I wanted to wish each of you peace, happiness, and moments of stillness in the week ahead. I’m looking forward to connecting again after Christmas.