Saturday Meanderings
Today will be one of the cooler ones (high of 92 degrees) as this week was indeed a warm one, well over triple digits. I guess summer is officially here in the southwest. Fortunately, our neighborhood has one of the largest tree canopies and I truly believe we are 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the Valley…at least it feels like it. Yes, it is another Saturday and a time for Saturday Meanderings, where we chat about all good things.
Zucchini Harvesting
I think zucchini is one of the easiest things to grow….and does it produce! When I first planted this years ago, I had 6 plants that yielded over 85 zucchini. Friends and neighbors finally told me to stop donating it to them. This year I have 3 plants and a bumper crop of this squash. What to do with so much zucchini?
This week I made Zucchini Pineapple Bread (here is the recipe) which is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. If you have a favorite zucchini recipe, please share. I will be cooking with this vegetable ALOT!
P.S. The recipe picture show chunks of pineapple, which is a bit misleading as the recipe asks for crushed pineapple.
Peaches, Peaches and more peaches
Another abundant producer now is the peach tree. It is so full of fruit and daily I check to see which peaches are ripe enough to pick. The birds often beat me to it, but I suppose they have to eat too. And I don’t blame them, as these peaches are fuzzy, juicy and just plain old delicious!
Super Cute Blouse
For the life of me, I cannot recall where I first saw this blouse but it was a recommendation from someone. Nonetheless, I ordered a small in the pink and love how feminine (and inexpensive) it is. The sleeves are fun too. Just ordered the blue which should look good with white pants for the summer.
It can be worn tucked in (I tucked it in the front only) or worn outside. It is loosely casual and can be worn as a V-neck or the drawstrings can tie closed. For $27.98 you cannot go wrong. Find it in multiple colors on Amazon here.
Check out this Cake
I love finding unusual things on the Internet. This cake makes me want to have a book themed party.
Interesting Tidbits from the Internet
My friend, Kristen from White Arrows Home is such a source of terrific information. In addition to being a mother of five, she has her own podcast, store and successful blog about her fabulous mountain home in Wisconsin. Her post, How to Have a Great Morning Routine Waking Up at 5:00 a.m., is full of information about the benefits of waking up early.
Though my morning alarm goes off at 7:00 a.m., our hearing and seeing deficient beagle, Sox, is our barking canine alarm at 5:30 a.m. Does that count? One of Kristen’s tips I did adopt is drinking a full glass of water, with lemon and pink Himalayan sea salt as soon as I get up. Seems to help keep me better hydrated.
What time do you start and end your day?
Gardening 101
Through my blogging world I am very lucky to meet this talented woman who gardens frequently. My friend, Stacy Ling of Bricks ‘n Blooms has a very comprehensive guide to gardening. She is geared more toward flower gardening and you will enjoy the photos of her beautiful property.
Stacy lives in New Jersey so is in a different growing zone than here in Phoenix. So if you are taking the leap into getting a green thumb, check out her post here.
Rub-On Transfers
I have never used these rub-on transfers. But look at how Cindy from Reinvented Delaware transforms this sweet old piece of furniture from sad to fabulous. I have an old armoire in my basement that needs some love and maybe I will try this.
If you like to repaint or refurbish furniture, you may enjoy seeing more of Cindy’s website.
Speaking of DIYs
I am getting ready to re-paint the wicker/wood chairs in the pool house and will be recovering the cushions and lumbar pillow….hopefully this weekend. Can’t wait to share it when the refresh is complete.
Wishing you a relaxing weekend. Do you have anything fun planned?
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Hi Mary,
went back to post to look at wicker chair again. I have some wicker pieces and thinking about
changing the color and cushions. Please share the blue paint on wicker and source of plaid fabric.
Love your choices. Thank you so much.
The paint is Dunn Edwards Nightfall DE5804. I bought the Supreme interior with low sheen. The price here is $18.99 a quart. It took nearly the whole quart for these two chairs. But again, double check the color. The fabric doesn’t have a name, but it’s a Glenn plaid from Boca Bargoons. It was priced at $49.99/yard but there was a 50% discount. I purchased 4 yards but since it was the end of the run, they gave me 4 1/2 yards and is 54″ wide. If you’d like, I can send you a scrap. The Blue Radish fabric is a Belgian linen. I don’t recall the price but it was alot. You can find it and other pretty linens at radishmoon.com. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much…I would like to have a scrap of the plaid fabric. can you email me so I can then email you my mail address. I am not familiar with Dunn Edwards paint I do have SW paint store near me so if you have a paint chip of that color would think they could make for me.
Am recovering from knee replacement so not doing much but getting things together to
tackle when am better.
Thanks again for your kindness and help.
Going to try the zucchini bread. I like zucchini about any way but have not done bread or the pickles
mentioned.
Can’t wait to see the pool chairs also.
Thank you for sharing.
Will be making the zucchini relish recipe today…I’ve never made it before either, but trust my friend and neighbor, Karleen!
I just found your blog, through the write-up on Shiplap and Shells. I am having fun going through your old posts and have subscribed to your blog. I am looking forward to receiving your posts and catching up on “life at Bella Terra.”
Susan, welcome! Yes, it was so much fun to have Kim come and stay for a few days. I am so lucky to be in a group of really nice women bloggers, who have all since become good friends. Thank you so much for subscribing. I am always open to new ideas on how to make my blog better, so all comments are appreciated!
Mary,
The minute I saw your zucchini bread I thought of my mom. She made the best. Thanks so much for sharing!
Rachel, if you have your Mom’s recipe, please share. I am always experimenting with zucchini bread.
Your blog makes my Saturday!! I am including my sister in law”s favorite thing to make with zucchini- relish that is so so good!
Thanks, Mary! ~ Karleen
Zucchini Relish Canning Recipe
Ingredients
16 cups of shredded zucchini I leave the peel on, but you can do either
2 cups of small pieces of diced up onion
Mix Together
8 cups vinegar apple cider or white
9 cups sugar this can be lowered
6 teaspoons celery seed
12 teaspoons mustard seed
2 tablespoons turmeric
Instructions
Place all the ingredients except the zucchini and onion in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. Add in the zucchini/onion mixture and boil for an additional 5 minutes.
Place the hot relish into your pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars clean and place the lids on and screw down (fingertight) before placing the jars in the water bath canner.
Process the relish in boiling water for 15 minutes or adjust for your altitude according to the chart from NCHFP below. When the jars are finished processing, leave them in the water bath for 5 minutes and then remove and do not touch until all have sealed. Place unsealed jars in the fridge and enjoy.
Karleen, thank you so much for this recipe. I hope to make it today!
Mary, I love all your great finds. I can’t wait to see what you do with the chair makeover.
Carol, thank you! I am really ready for this pool house project to be complete!
Mary, you are such an inspiration ! Is there anything you can’t do? I can’t wait to see the wicker chair in its new duds!!!
As I look at the clock, it’s 8:30. Guess I should get up … haha
Christine, I am laughing over the fact you are in bed at 8:30 a.m. Good for you! I need to do more of that!