Saturday Meanderings

This past week was one of those full and happy stretches that began with a marvelous Mother’s Day and somehow ended with a freshly painted hen house. Funny how a week can feel quiet in the moment, yet when I meander for this post, I am reminded how much goodness fills the days here at Bella Terra. Thank you for joining me for another edition of Saturday Meanderings. Let’s get started!

Mother’s Day

My Mother’s Day was absolutely glorious from beginning to end. The day started with an especially thoughtful and inspiring sermon on motherhood at church. You know, the one that stays with you long after the service ended.

From there, we headed to the movie theatre to see Project Hail Mary with Ryan Gosling. I’m so glad I read the book beforehand, though our neighbors, who went in completely unfamiliar with the story, loved it just as much.

Later in the afternoon, I enjoyed dinner with my youngest daughter, Elisabeth. I really cherish the mother/daughter time which was filled with laughter, conversation and catching up. Beautifully written cards from my son and my new daughter-in-law, plus a long phone call from my daughter in Austin, filled my heart to overflowing. And my sweet husband? Well, he gave me the BEST card and handwritten note. By the end of the day, I felt deeply loved and so grateful.

Painting the Hen House

I am feeling nearly 100% better and finally had enough energy to tackle painting the hen house. In my mind, it was the perfect “not too strenuous” activity. Clearly I underestimated the project and the hotter temps didn’t help.

Painting the main body of the building with a fresh gallon of paint went relatively smoothly. After painting the trim of a window and door, I discovered that it was not the correct shade of white. Fortunately, I found the right color and could proceed with the rest.

The original plan was to simply freshen up the body, windows and doors. But with one section looking crisp and newly painted, everything else looked tired and neglected. One thing let to another and before you know it, I was repainting the rafters, eaves and roof trim.

Even the decorative hanging chicken receives a new coat of paint. Right now, I only have the doors to finish, so hopefully this will get done this weekend.

Quince

Have you shopped with Quince yet? I’ve purchased a few clothing pieces and bedding, and I can honestly say I’ve been very impressed with both the quality and the pricing. In a world where it seems difficult to find both, this resource has been a pleasant surprise.

Over the winter I purchased a few of their cashmere crew neck sweaters and I’m considering some of their lighter weight cashmere pieces for the summer. Also, the organic cotton poplin maxi dress gets so many compliments. Remember the washable silk tank midi dress? So comfortable and easy to launder.

I’ve also recently become an affiliate with Quince, so if you happen to do any shopping with them, I would truly appreciate it if you clicked through the link on my blog first. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but I do receive a small stipend from the referral, which helps support Life at Bella Terra.

As you know, I do not have advertising on my blog (don’t like the clutter and distraction) and I never recommend products unless I’ve personally tried them first. My experience so far with this company has been excellent, and I have a feeling many of you would be just as delighted as I have been.

Coronary Calcium Scan

One topic that seems to generate endless discussion lately is cholesterol and what those numbers mean. For years, many of us were taught that a higher cholesterol number automatically meant poor heart health. But today, there appears to be much more conversation surrounding the bigger picture-things like HDL vs LDL ratios, inflammation, genetics, lifestyle, and overall metabolic health.

I’ve always had somewhat elevated cholesterol numbers, yet my ratios have consistently been good. Recently, I had a coronary calcium scan, to get a clearer picture beyond standard bloodwork. It’s an easy CT scan that lasts just a few minutes. I had one in 2012 with a score of zero (zero being the best; 100 being the worst). Fortunately, I scored another zero this time.

Dr. Regis Fernandes, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, says this easy and efficient coronary calcium scan can help determine your risk before you show symptoms of coronary artery disease. I’m not sure why this test isn’t a given before medication is prescribed.

What I find interesting is how much the medical conversation continues to evolve. Some physicians remain very focused on total cholesterol numbers, while others seem to place a greater emphasis on trends, family history, calcium scores, diet, exercise, and cardiovascular health. It can certainly feel confusing at time for the average person to make informed decisions.

As always, I think it is important for each of us to stay informed, ask questions, and work with a trusted healthcare professional who will look at the whole picture rather than isolated numbers on a lab report.

I insisted my doctor order the calcium score and the scan results felt reassuring. This reminded me that health is often far more nuance than a single statistic. If your insurance doesn’t covers this simple test, the cost is minimal~I think $125.00. Well worth the price to get a bigger picture on overall heart health.

From the Internet

I have always dreamed of building my own home so I hope you will enjoy this article as much as I did. Featured in American Farmhouse Style, this Southern European-inspired modern farmhouse was created for an active family of six who wanted a home that was both beautiful and functional. Quite honestly, I have had modern farmhouse fatigue because they tend to all look identical, but I truly appreciate the architectural detail and design elements of this one. You can see it here.

How to Style Your Kitchen Windowsill

We are blessed with deep, attractive windowsills in our kitchen. However, the blessing can sometimes be a curse, because it’s easy for them to get cluttered. This recent post by my friend and blogger, Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse, reminds me that these useful spaces can also be beautiful and functional. See it here.

Who Loves a Good Before and After?

It takes a visionary to make this 1,300 square foot cottage on a 1/2 acre into this adorable, dreamy home! I love when someone sees potential in a forgotten home~plus make sure you check out her amazing garden too. Featured in Country Living magazine, see how vintage linen collector (be still, my heart), Jen Curtis transform this fixer-upper into a swoon-worthy gem.

Chic & Country

I just renewed my subscription to Chic and Country digital magazine. It’s only $25.00 per year and the visual candy provided by this format is so well-worth it. Not only does it generates ideas, but it provides a bucolic sense of living. Here is the link if you are interested. In the meantime, I am trying to figure out where I could replicate this kitchen!

Pinecones and Acorns

One of my favorite bloggers is Elizabeth, from Pinecones and Acorns. Her posts are filled with everything from book recommendations to design and style. One of the gems of her recent post, is an interview with Candice Bergen. Who remembers Murphy Brown? Well, Candice just turned 80 and she is being interviewed by her daughter. This podcast is absolutely delightful and I highly recommend you watch it here.

Getting Ready for Summer

As our temperatures continue to rise, we are getting the property ready for the summer. In addition to fixing any sprinkler heads and leaks, it’s time to cover up all the outdoor furniture on the back terrace. We had these covers made years ago and they still do a good job of keeping out the dirt and dust. While many people enjoy outdoor living over the summer, we move inside to air conditioning. Sigh.

Well, that’s a wrap. As always thank you for spending a few moments of your weekend here with me at Bella Terra. I truly enjoy sharing these little snippets of life, home project, recipes, celebrations and the everyday moments with all of you.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend ahead~may it be filled with good health, laughter, meaningful conversations, and perhaps a little time to slow down and savor the season we are in. Stay safe out there, take good care of yourselves and the people you love, and I’ll see you back here again next week.

Getting ready for the summer