Saturday Meanderings

Welcome to another edition of Saturday Meanderings. I’m writing to you from the Arizona mountains, where the weather has cool mornings (50 degrees), warmer than usual afternoons and very clear and clean air. It takes a few days for me to get acclimated to the higher altitude, but I am enjoying the peace, quiet and slower pace. Thank you for joining me as we catch up on the interesting bits and pieces of this past week.

An Unexpected Find

I had a delightful surprise when I arrived at the cabin this week. One of the first things I do each summer is head out to the deck and remove the furniture covers. As I pulled one cover back, I discovered my treasured American flag pillow had been thoroughly pecked and torn, with down feathers scattered everywhere. Needless to say, I wasn’t very happy.

As I stood surveying the damage, trying to figure out what creature did this, I glance up at a pinecone wreath hanging on the wall. Tucked among the pinecones is a bird’s nest. Curious, I held my phone overhead and snapped a photo, assuming the nest was empty.

To my surprise the nest is filled with tiny baby birds. In that instant, my annoyance over the ruined pillow completely disappeared. It became obvious what had happened. The industrious mama bird had discovered the soft down and made the perfect cozy lining for her nursery. My favorite pillow may have paid the price, but as a result, a nest full of babies is resting comfortably because of it. Sometimes nature has a way of reminding us that a torn pillow is a small thing when compared to a mother’s determination.

Preparing for our 250th Anniversary

Growing up in a small town in Connecticut, our patriotic holidays were always special. We looked forward to the local parades, family barbecues, and the excitement that surrounded the Fourth of July. I also remember learning about our nation’s history in school and gaining an appreciation for the people and events that helped shape our nation.

Here at the cabin, the Fourth of July is also a very big deal. We have the most charming homespun parade, which has grown tremendously over the years. Since our cabin sits right along the parade route, decorating for this year’s special Independence Day celebration feels especially warranted.

I’m just getting started, but I wanted to share these attractive patriotic prints from The Paper House Print Shop. They have a nice selection of prints of different sizes at very affordable pricing. Paired with inexpensive gold frames from Walmart (or Amazon here), I think they add just the right touch of red, white, and blue to the guest bathroom. Don’t they look great? If you missed the post about wallpapering this room, you can see it here.

Hanging the flag print was especially challenging. For some reason, the frame would not hang square. Not matter what I did, it would tilt down to the right. It really made no sense whatsoever. I was perplexed, however, I figured out a solution. Behind the picture, I tucked a nickel inside the frame. Lo and behold, it was just the right amount of weight to straighten the picture. Go figure. I do admit I was feeling a bit clever!

Gate Re-do

One of the first projects on my cabin to-do list is tackling the gate on our front deck. We originally installed it to keep Finn from wandering off into the forest. Even though he is certainly large enough to step right over it if he wanted to, he never does. Unfortunately, after two years out in the weather, the gate is looking a little rough. I decided it just needed a little TLC. Famous last words.

The moment I removed it from the deck, the gate literally began falling apart in my hands. As I carried the various pieces to the garage, it became increasingly obvious that this was not a restoration project. It was a replacement project. But did I listen to reason? Of course not.

Instead, I spent the next three days sanding, filling cracks with wood putty, gluing pieces back together, sanding some more, then staining and sealing. By the end of the project, my hands were dry, rough and permanently stained with a lovely shade of walnut. Should have worn gloves. I am still trying to scrub the evidence away.

The good news the gate looks much better than it did at the start of the project. The bad news is that after all that work, I still think it’s time for a new gate. At least I gave it every possible chance to survive. Here’s the finished product.

Man with a Hammer

I recently discovered Greg Penn on Instagram, better known as @manwithahammer, and I am thoroughly enjoying his renovation journey. Greg is bravely taking on the restoration of Admirals House, a near-derelict Georgian mansion in England. The house spans more than 8,000 square feet, 30+rooms, and five stories tall. Remarkably, he is doing much of the work himself and on what he describes as a shoestring budget.

A man after my own heart.

I am nearly finished reading his book, Man with a Hammer, and have savored every page, every photograph, and every wonderful British moment along the way. Greg writes with honesty, humor, and a deep appreciation for old homes and the stories they hold. His willingness to tackle daunting projects, learn new skills, and persevere through countless setbacks is both inspiring and entertaining. And did I mention, he has a wicked sense of style.

If you are anything like me and find yourself drawn to those daring souls who rescue historic homes from the brink, I suspect you will enjoy Greg’s story as much as I have. Just be warned-you may find yourself spending far too much time scrolling through his renovation photos and dreaming about your own next project.

What I am Watching

Since I’m up at the cabin by myself, I am a bit giddy to have the remote control. Though television viewing time is a minimum as I am so busy with chores, I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying The Other Bennett Sister. I may have mentioned this before, but truly after each episode I am filled with delight. You can see it on Amazon Prime. A new episode drops every Wednesday. A must see!

From the Internet

Country Living Magazine

I don’t know what it is lately but I seem to be drawn to old English everything-from cottages to grand homes. In Country Living this month, there is a story about a 175 year old English Manor house on 8 acres. Oh, be still my heart. Here is an excerpt:

“When Amy Bell’s mother-in-law, Olli, found her 7,969-square-foot Victorian Gothic house to be too much to handle on her own, Amy and her husband, James, decided they couldn’t resist settling into the beloved country home and its storied rooms.”

Here is the link to the article (not sure if you have to be a subscriber?). It is so refreshing to see rooms with color and layered patterns….and a kitchen that isn’t boring.

Isn’t this old glass conservatory just stunning? Simply beautiful! Really enjoyed this great article by Country Living.

Fresh Eggs Daily

Do you follow Lisa from Fresh Eggs Daily? She has chickens and ducks, lives in Maine and is a television personality, an author and has really good recipes. This Avocado, Goat Cheese, and Pecan Arugula Salad with Cherry Dressing not only looks pretty, but sounds delicious. I hope to try it this week because I love anything with cherries.

She admits she’s not much of a salad person, which is why she created this with all the ingredients she loves. You can find it here.

Flour in Your Sink?

I have never heard of this before. House Outlook recently posted an article, The Surprising Reason to Put Flour in Your Sink. Has anyone ever done this? I am intrigued about this simple, effective DIY hack and will try it this week and report back.

Mary Must Haves

I don’t know about you, but I have pretty much given up on wearing shorts. When God was passing out good-looking legs, I was clearly somewhere near the back of the line. Don’t get me wrong-I am incredibly grateful for the legs I have. After a major ski accident resulting in a serious knee injury years ago, I don’t take mobility for granted. My legs are strong, they carry me wherever I go, and they have taken me on some wonderful adventures.

Having said that, between the surgery scars, the veins, and the general wear and tear that comes from a life well lived, shorts have largely disappeared from my wardrobe. They are firmly in the rear view mirror. Anyone else feel the same way?

Fortunately, I have developed quite an affection for skirts. These days there are so many attractive options available in a variety of fabrics, patterns and lengths. Whether casual or dressy, skirts are comfortable, flattering, and perfect for staying cool during the summer months. And I don’t miss those denim cutoffs one bit.

Though I haven’t ordered new ones yet, Quince has a nice collection of skirts and they are fairly priced too. You can see all the darling colors and lengths here.

And with that, another week of mountain adventures, unexpected discoveries, and summer projects is in the books. As I sit on the deck listening to the breeze rustle through the pines, I’m reminded how much joy can be found in life’s simple moments—a nest full of baby birds, a freshly decorated room, a good book, or even a gate that survived one more season.

Thank you for spending a few minutes of your weekend with me. I hope the days ahead bring you time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the people and places you love most. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you again soon. Stay safe out there.

P.S. Our injured chicken survived and is back out in general population!