Saturday Meanderings

Happy Saturday, friends! We have had so much rain here in Arizona’s White Mountains and I am not complaining one bit. After two very dry winters, every soaking rain feels like a gift, helping replenish the forest and reducing the risk of devastating wildfires. At our high elevation, the afternoon thunderstorms have been spectacular, with dramatic lightning displays and very loud booms. As I am writing this, the clouds are beginning to part, the sun is peeking through, and the fresh, earthy scent after the rain is filling the air. It’s one of those simple pleasures that never gets old. I am so glad you are here today. Pour yourself a favorite beverage, get comfortable and let’s catch up on all the happenings from the past week.

Saving Gandalf

Years ago, one of the large pine trees in the middle of our driveway died. Rather than remove it completely, we decided to leave about 15 feet of the trunk and transform it into something special. While many mountain homes feature carved bears or squirrels, my husband wanted something a little more unique. Enter the wizard, Gandalf-complete with magical orb and lantern. For years, he faithfully greeted us and our guests as they arrived at the cabin.

This spring, my husband was the first to arrive at the cabin after the winter months. As he drove up the driveway, he immediately noticed something wasn’t right. Gandalf was leaning-about 12 inches off center. Thankfully he spotted the problem before the wizard toppled to the ground.

Once Gandalf was removed, we discovered the cause. Years of ant and wood-boring insect activity had hollowed out much of the interior, leaving the carving structurally unsound. With the help of our construction friend, Richard, the rescue mission began. Because of Gandalf’s height and weight, they had to cut him into two pieces just to move him safely.

After removing all the damaged wood and ensuring every trace of the infestation was gone, the hollow core was rebuilt with structural epoxy, restoring the carving’s strength.

After weeks of ingenuity, patience and a lot of elbow grease, Gandalf was ready for his second life. Rather than return him to the driveway, we chose a new location on the property where he now stands securely on a newly poured concrete pad. Although I still have a little cosmetic work ahead of me-touching up areas of the damaged exterior- we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Scott truly caught the problem in the nick of time. Had my husband arrived even a little later in the season, Gandalf may have crashed to the ground beyond repair. Instead, our faithful wizard once again stands watch over Bella Terra North, and with any luck, he’ll continue to welcome family and friends for many years to come.

One-Hour Projects

I’m always looking for ways to make the most of my time, so I keep on ongoing list of what I call “one-hour projects“. You know the kind-those nagging little tasks that don’t really require much time but somehow keep getting pushed to another day.

I recently read that Martha Stewart spent about 35 minutes re-grouting part of her kitchen floor before starting her workday. That sounds exactly like something Martha would do! She has always been the queen of productivity, and I have to admit, I try to adopt the same philosophy. If I have an hour, why not cross something off the list?

This week I tackled two projects. One truly was a one-hour job. The other…well, not so much.

The first project was reorganizing one bay of our garage. You wouldn’t think a mountain cabin would accumulate much clutter, but somehow it does. We have metal rolling racks filled with extra cleaning supplies, paper products, and all sorts of miscellaneous items. Since I’m definitely a “place for everything and everything in its place” person, the growing disorder has become impossible for me to ignore. One hour of sorting, organizing, and decluttering made a remarkable difference, and both Scott and I appreciate walking into a tidy garage ever since.

Then came Project Number Two: hanging two antique clocks. In my mind, this was another simple one-hour project. Clearly, I was overly optimistic. First, you can never find a wall stud where you actually need one. Then there’s the challenge of balancing a heavy clock while standing on a ladder. To make matters worse, older clocks often have tiny keyhole brackets on the back. After wrestling the first clock into place, I discovered the screw head I used was too large to fit through the opening. Back down the ladder.

The second clock presented its own challenge. The narrow wall where I wanted to hang it had no stud at all, so out came the heavy-duty wall anchors and toggle bolts. After several trips to the toolbox, resulting in more climbing up and down the ladder and stairs to the second floor. Toss in a few words that aren’t fit for publication, both clocks are finally hanging exactly where I wanted them.

Two and a half hours later, I had officially completed my “one-hour project”. Several jobs take longer than expected, but crossing them off the list is still incredibly satisfying. And every time I look at those clocks, I smile…mostly because I don’t want to have to hang them ever again.

Sourdough Fun This Week

In an effort to use up some of my ever-growing sourdough starter and discard, I spent a little extra time baking this week. One of my favorite recipes is focaccia bread. After seeing so many beautiful creations on Instagram, I decide it is time to try making one of those gorgeous focaccia “gardens”.

I prep all the ingredients-sliced black olives, tomatoes, fresh rosemary, green onions, chives and herbs from the garden. Taking my time, I arrange everything into a pretty floral design on top of the dough. I step back, admire my handiwork, and even snap a photo before it went into the oven.

I looked lovely. Then I glanced at the bowl filled with the remaining toppings. Being someone who hates to waste perfectly good ingredients, I promptly scatter every last bit over the bread. So much for my artistic focaccia~from delicate floral garden to a full meadow!

While it may not have been Instagram-worthy by the time it reached the oven, it certainly made up for it in flavor. Every bite was loaded with fresh herbs and vegetables!

The sourdough fun didn’t stop there. I also made pizza crusts for future dinners and got to try a new pizza recipe by Love and Lemons. This easy pesto pizza recipe is a delicious summer dinner. It’s topped with bright, nutty pesto, fresh mozzarella cheese, and savory roasted tomatoes. I love my pizza topped with my arugula salad and lemon dressing-more salad than pizza. Very yummy.

I also whipped up a batch of my favorite sourdough chocolate chip cookies. Since those cookies are especially dangerous to have sitting on the counter, I scoop the dough into individual balls and freeze them. That way we can bake just one or two whenever the mood strikes. Honestly, is there anything better than warm chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven while a summer thunderstorm rolls through the mountains?

Smart Phone Care

I don’t know about you, but I’m not very good about cleaning my smartphone. It’s a little like pulling the refrigerator away from the wall-you know it’s probably dirty back there but you are still surprised by just how much debris has accumulated.

The same thing happens every time I remove my phone case. Dust, lint, and who-knows-what seem to find their way into every little corner. Considering how much we handle our phones each day, keeping it clean and disinfected is something I need to pay more attention to. Plus my screen often has smudges, food splatters and heaven knows what else.

In an effort to do better, I recently ordered a smartphone sanitizer case and charger from Amazon. I look forward to putting my phone in it every day to encourage a more cleanly routine. This unit will disinfect your entire phone and small objects using UV-C light all while charging with the dual USB and USB-C charging ports. Its design ensures powerful, germicidal UV-C light reaches all sides and surfaces of objects placed inside. Add your keys, wallets, headphones, jewelry, glasses, and more. This unit comes in white, pink, gold and black.

It’s funny how we routinely wipe down our kitchen counters, keyboards, and eyeglasses, and wash our hands frequently, yet the one item we carry everywhere-and touch hundreds of times a day- is often overlooked. Here’s hoping my new gadget helps me develop one more good habit.

How often do you clean your smartphone? Be honest-I promise I won’t judge!

Another product I am loving is this portable charger. It is not one of those huge charging blocks, but small and mighty. It has 4 different cables for multiple devices and is not much bigger than your smartphone, so it is very portable. Plus it is TSA compliant so great for travel. On Amazon at 16% off right now ($21.84) and comes in 11 different colors.

I also recently had to replace the broken handle I have on the back of the case. Having something to grab onto is a life saver for me as I am always juggling many items at the same time. What I like about this grip is that it lays flat and is pocket friendly. The phone holder makes for easy texting, selfies, and photos with a one-handed or even no-handed grip. Love Handle’s easy-to-clean, easy to apply, waterproof silicone strap feels great and won’t stretch out over time. Compatible with smartphones and tablets. It comes in several colors and is 20% off on Amazon for only $23.99 here. A must have!

Grip Strength Matters

An interesting discussion came up in my Pilates class this week about grip strength and how it naturally declines as we age. I recall a few years ago I caught myself automatically handing stubborn jars to Scott to open. It wasn’t a conscious decision-I had simply adapted without realizing that my hand strength wasn’t was it used to be.

Research has shown that grip strength can be an important indicator of overall muscle strength, mobility, and healthy aging. Strong grip strength supports everyday activities like carrying groceries, opening doors, gardening, lifting grandchildren. It even helps in preventing falls by making it easier to catch yourself or hold onto a railing. As we get older, maintaining muscle strength- including in our hands-becomes increasingly important for preserving independence.

Determined to do something about it, I ordered a set of hand therapy exercise balls with three different resistance levels. They’re simple to use while watching television or reading, and they don’t take much time at all.

To my surprise, within just a few weeks, I noticed a significant improvement. Opening jars became easier, my hands felt stronger, and I realized this was one of those small habits that produced noticeable results. For only $22.95, these balls are a great investment in your health. Great gift too!

It’s a good reminder that not every exercise has to involve a gym or a long workout. Sometimes just a few minutes a day can make a difference.

Farewell to a Rose Legend

This week, I was saddened to learn of the passing of David J.C. Austin, the visionary rose breeder whose beautiful English roses have graced gardens around the world for decades. As you know, I am a novice rose grower, but I’ve admired David Austin roses with their intoxicating fragrance, old-world charm, and abundant blooms.

David Austin revolutionized rose breeding by combining the beauty and fragrance of old garden roses with the repeat blooming and vigor of modern varieties. His legacy lives on in countless gardens that continue to flourish with the roses he so lovingly developed. While gardeners will certainly feel his loss, every new bloom will serve as a lasting reminder of the extraordinary gift he gave to all of us who love to garden.

Thank you, David Austin, for making the world a more beautiful-and fragrant-place.

That wraps up this week’s meanderings! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, wherever you happen to be. I’ll be making the drive back to Phoenix, where I’ll be trading cool mountain mornings and afternoon thunderstorms for triple-digit temperatures. I’m not quite sure I’m mentally prepared for that change, but such is life in Arizona! Thank you, as always, for spending part of your weekend with me. Stay safe, stay cool, and I look forward to catching up with you again next week.