Saturday Meanderings

Happy last Saturday of May 2026! It’s hard to believe we will be turning the calendar page to June. The weather here is Phoenix has been glorious! As I write this, it is a perfect 72 degrees with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze. The forecast suggests we may have another week of these cooler temperatures before summer and the arrival of triple-digit heat. Has summer arrived where you live? I am so grateful that you’ve chosen to spend some time with me for another Saturday Meanderings, where I share the little bits and pieces of life here at Bella Terra.

Memorial Day

Perhaps the most meaningful part of our Memorial Day weekend was a visit to the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Years ago, when our son was in Boy Scouts, he and his dad would rise before dawn to join volunteers to place American flags at every gravesite in preparation for the holiday. I am so grateful we chose to on Memorial Day. The experience was both humbling and moving.

Since many of the flags had blown over in the wind, we stopped to secure some of them back into the earth. It felt like a small gesture of gratitude and respect. Spending time there reminded us that Memorial Day is one of remembrance, reflection, and appreciation for those who gave so much in service to our nation.

Dracula:A Comedy of Terrors

On Saturday, we attended Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Arizona Theatre Company’s final production of their season. It was absolutely delightful! Turning the classic Dracula story into a fast-paced comedy is brilliant, and the performance was filled with humor and clever acting. The costumes, set design, and talented cast made it thoroughly worthwhile. If you are looking for a fun afternoon or night out, I can highly recommend it. The show runs through June 7th at the Tempe Center for the Arts. For more details, click here.

Summer Camp

I was chatting with a mom recently who was sharing her children’s packed summer camp schedules, and it got me thinking about my own childhood. The truth is, I never went to summer camp-not once. No cabins, campfires, canoe races, or friendship bracelets. That conversation sparked an idea: why not create my own Adult Summer Camp? After all, who says camp has to be just for kids?

Mine would be a day camp only because planning anything longer sounds a bit exhausting. Here is my tentative schedule:

6:00 a.m. – Hike to Hidden Valley and Fat Man’s Pass at South Mountain

8:00 a.m.– Breakfast and great coffee at a new-to-me spot

10:00 a.m.-Head home to clean up

11:00 a.m. Watch a movie (uninterrupted) that I’ve always wanted to see. With popcorn.

1:00 p.m. -Lunch at a fun new restaurant or take out food that is delivered

2:00 p.m.-Reading hour

3:00 p.m.-Craft-work on one of my DIY paint kits

5:00 p.m.-Cocktail hour with heavy hors d’oeuvres

7:00 p.m. Play a board game

8:30 p.m. Stargazing

9:00 p.m. Lights out

Honestly, it sounds pretty wonderful. If Scott wants to enroll, I’ll consider accepting his application! And if this camp is just for me, I might add a massage somewhere in the afternoon.

Now I’m curious-if you could design your own Adult Summer Camp, what would be on the schedule?

Instagram Accounts I Love

As much as I try to limit any social media interactions, there are a few Instagram accounts that I find so unique and enjoyable.

The Instagram account of the musician who travels around serenading animals is Plumes (handle: @plumesofficiel). 

He is a French-speaking artist and animal advocate who travels the world playing his bright pink acoustic guitar to all kinds of creatures. His soothing, heartwarming videos capture animals—including cows, horses, tigers, wolves, and parrots—responding peacefully or curiously to his music. 

India Rose Crawford (handle: @indiarosecrawford) is a creative artist known for her cozy, heartwarming stop-motion videos featuring (knitted) friends Frog and Toad. One post shares the eve of Halloween, what better time to celebrate Frog as he keeps warm with a cup of tea! If love all things whimsical, then this artist’s work never fails to delight! She is truly remarkable as she makes all the items in her videos.

Of course I love any IG account that involves rescuing an old houses. Once I get a list of those I will share them with you.

My True Sincerity Roses

My rose garden this year is supplying me with the most abundant bouquets. Nearly every day I am cutting gorgeous blooms. This True Sincerity rose bush provides one joy after another. Depending on the stage of the bloom, you would swear these roses came from different bushes. The early blooms are yellow with pink tip.

Then they mature into ruffled blossoms of pink, cream and pale yellow. In between, the flower is a deep shade of pink and white. The variety of colors and bloom shape on the same plant is so interesting.

Starting to make plans for summer sun protection structure. Hope to get my shade cloth cover up and over the rose garden this weekend.

Merlin ID App

Right now, our yard is filled with a delightful cacophony of birdsong. From sunrise until dusk, the trees seem alive with chirps, whistles, trills, and calls. If you’ve ever wondered who is providing the soundtrack in your own backyard, I highly recommend the Merlin ID app. Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this free app allows me to identify all the birds singing together at Bella Terra.

Merlin makes bird identification remarkably easy. Simply listen to the birds around you, and the app can identify many species from their songs and calls in real time. You can also snap a photo of a bird and let the app help determine what kind it is. I love that it turns a walk through the garden into a little nature scavenger hunt and helps me get to know the feathered residents in the yard.

Mary’s Must Haves

Do you change up your sheets when the seasons change? I’ve always enjoyed switching to lighter, brighter bedding in the spring and summer months. Out go the textures of fall and winter, and in come the cheerful hues that make a bedroom feel fresh and airy.

Lately, I’ve been eyeing linen sheets and wondering if it’s time to make the leap. I keep hearing how comfortable the are-cool in the summer and softer with every wash. Quince has a beautiful linen sheet set at a surprisingly reasonable price point ($204 for king w/flat sheet), and the color choices are endless. From classic solids to charming stripes and checks, there is something for everyone.

So tell me, are linen sheets worth the hype? Have you tried them? And while we’re at it, do you refresh your bedding with the seasons, or stick with the same sheets year round? Perhaps it’s time for all of us to be a little adventurous and give our bedroom a seasonal refresh.

First Saturday Lime

I am finding more and more uses for First Saturday Lime around Bella Terra. If you are not familiar with it, First Saturday Lime is a natural, non-toxic mineral-based powder that can be used around pets, livestock, gardens, and outdoor living spaces. It helps create an environment that is less inviting to insects while remaining safe for people and animals when used as directed.

Around here, I sprinkle it throughout the chickens’ outdoor run to help keep flies under control. I also add a light layer to the bottom of the nesting boxes to discourage bugs and mites. Spreading it around the foundation of the hen house provides an additional barrier.

One of my favorite uses, however, is in my geranium planters. For years I’ve battled those pesky budworms and caterpillars that seem to devour every bloom. First Saturday Lime has been the only product that has made a noticeable difference. It’s one of those simple products that earns its place on the shelf because it has so many practical uses. Have you tried it? If not, I’ve included an Amazon link here.

Garden Shears

I have several sets of these smaller garden shears that I use nearly every day. They are handy for cutting flowers, herbs, or doing fine trimming of plants. Some garden clippers are just too big and unwieldy. I prefer the smaller size as they feel like an extension of my hand. Price is very reasonable and currently 28% off at $12.89. You can buy a two-pack here for 33% off at $23.88.

Well, goodbye May and hello June….geez. This weekend’s list of things to do include working on the Fantasy Table invitations, outfits, and table settings plus a bit of yard work. Wishing you a splendid weekend of fun, relaxation and perhaps you will be planning your own summer camp! Stay safe out there.