Saturday Meanderings

It is such a beautiful morning as I sit down to write this. However, our lovely spring weather will be giving way to the first hot temperatures next week and already, I am hearing groaning and moaning as I travel around town. As if the heat sneaks up on us every year! It’s coming, folks. But in the meantime, we are having typical Spring weather in the desert~cool, hot, warm, rainy, cool and then repeat. Welcome to Saturday Meanderings, where we chat about all the good things from the week and whatever else happens to wander into the conversation.

Under the Weather

Last Sunday, I began feeling my throat tighten up and I assumed it was simply the result of cleaning out the dusty hen house and working with all sorts of organic fertilizers while tending our fruit trees. But when I woke up Monday morning with a 102.3 temperature, it was clear something else was going on. Of course, that was the very same day, we were expecting a houseguest for a few days-Tom an old high school friend. Isn’t that always the way?

By Tuesday I was feeling a bit better, but now the weekend has arrived, I still feel off. My fever is gone and I’m trying to ease back into my normal routine- exercise and all the usual things- but there’s still a a bit lingering lethargy. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I felt under the weather like this. Perhaps that’s why it’s bothering me more than usual. I put so much effort into keeping my immune system strong-eating well, getting good rest, staying active-that it’s a little disappointing when the body decides it needs a timeout anyway. Bummer.

Tanya Lochridge

Though I have never personally met Tanya Lochridge, she has created some beautiful, personalized jewelry for me over the years. As you know my son is getting married in Chicago at the end of the month. Initially I was going to wear the pearl and diamond earrings I wore on my wedding day. But then I realized those special earrings would be the perfect “something borrowed” for my future daughter-in-law to wear on her wedding day.

Since I am not much of a jewelry afficienato, I reached out to Tanya for help finding something new for me to wear for the occasion. She asked for a photo of my dress and even wanted to know how I planned to wear my hair. After seeing everything, she suggested earrings that were a bit sparkly with pearls-dangly, but not too long.

The earrings just recently arrived and I absolutely love them. The pearls with the crystal quartz are so pretty and will be perfect with my dress. What do you think?

Here is Tanya’s contact information if you are interested in her work. Email: [email protected] or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tanyalochridgejewelry

Hard Boiled Eggs in the Oven

Have you ever made hard-boiled eggs by baking them in the oven? My husband recently tried this method and, well, the jury is still out. Reviews online are good, but mixed. Apparently when you bake eggs in a muffin tin they can develop little brown spots on the shells. Some people claim they’re easier to peel, though that hasn’t been our experience.

Personally, after decades of using the tried-and-true boiling method, I’m not convinced I’ll be making the switch anytime soon-but it’s certainly another option.

One dozen eggs into a muffin pan. Bake at 325 to 350 degrees (we have a convection so 325 for us), 25 minutes and then soak in ice water for 10 minutes. An interesting experiment!

Sunnyslope Scamper

Last Saturday, my neighbor, Tevia and I completed a 5K in support of our local high school. It was a beautiful morning and we spent the entire race happily yapping our way along the course.

One thing that was a bit disappointing, however, was the way they organized the age categories this year. The highest category was 56+, yet there were quite a few participants in their 70s-the oldest being 77. It hardly seems like a fair athletic comparison to place someone in their mid-50s in the same category as someone in their late 70s.

Last year there were more age divisions and they gave out medals. This year, there were no medals, just gift cards for the fastest times. Too bad, because I have to admit…I kind of like those cheesy medals!

Even so, I was pleased with my finish. In the 56+ category, I placed 9th, so I’ll happily call it a good day.

Quick Project Update

I am so ready to have my family room back. We are now on week 3 of repairing the floor and even though we are seeing big progress, it may be another week before it’s fully finished.

John has cut and laid the stone in the cut-out sections of the concrete floor. Grout will come next, then cleaning and sealing. No more electric surprises, so that’s good. I know Finn is very ready to get his “home” back too.

What are You Watching?

Typically, when my husband and I watch television, we watch something together. But since I wasn’t feeling well this week, I found myself on the couch alone and filled my rather miserable existence with a little Emily in Paris.

This season seems noticeably more sexually explicit to me, particularly with the addition of full male nudity scenes. I still love the fashion-of course-and the plot is entertaining enough, but it definitely feels more risqué than previous seasons.

Perhaps I’m just showing my age, but I’ve always had a theory is that when a show has a weak plot, producers tend to compensate by adding more sex, violence and colorful language. I’m hoping that is not the direction Emily in Paris is heading.

Speaking of television, the creator of Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan is releasing a new series tonight on Paramount+. The show, The Madison, stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell.

The six-episode series follows the Clyburn family, originally from New York City, who relocate to the Madison River valley in southwest Montana as they attempt to recover emotionally after a major life-changing tragedy. It sounds promising, and if it has even a fraction of the storytelling magic of Yellowstone, it might be worth adding to the watch list.

What are You Reading?

Currently, I am reading the book, Project: Hail Mary. Recommended by my friend, Andrea, I didn’t know what to expect before opening it up. Science fiction-not a fan, but I am loving this book. Even though my brain didn’t capture every single intricate scientific detail, this book is smart, compelling and beautifully crafted.

Written by Andy Weir in 2021, Project: Hail Mary will be released on March 20 as a movie starring Ryan Gosling.

St. Patrick’s Day

May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

This holiday is always a special occasion in our house. My mother, Julie, was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1925. My daughter, Julianna, shares the same birthday and will be 29 years old on March 17th.

Unfortunately, Julianna is in Austin, Texas and we will be celebrating with her from afar.

Each year, I make the same menu, only because the Guinness pie and Bailey’s Irish cream Cheesecake are fabulous and do not disappoint. For these two recipes click here.

If you need some inspiration to set a festive table for St. Patty’s Day, this one features some real Irish linen…

…and for a more vibrant green table, see that post here.

Wishing you the luck of the Irish on Tuesday!

Making a Spring Wreath

With Spring definitely in the air here, I am all about spring flowers. Trader Joe’s has a fabulous selection of fresh hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils. Many of the grocery stores have affordable bundles of unopened daffodils (they almost look dead), that magically open into bright colorful bundles of yellow in day or two.

Another way to introduce beautiful spring blooms is making your own wreath out of faux flowers. Here’s a tutorial from a few years ago, and I still love this tulip wreath each and every time I hang it.

As always, life this week was filled with a little bit of everything-beautiful mornings, unexpected bumps in the road, time with friends and even a bit of couch time that forced me to slow down. Not exactly how I planned the week, but sometimes that’s just the way life goes. I hope wherever this finds you, you are enjoying a lovely weekend and finding a few simple moments that make you smile. As always, remember to stay safe out there. Have a fabulous week.