Saturday Meanderings
Happy April 1st! My husband is successful in playing an April Fool’s joke on me already so I need to pass the mischief on. It’s a glorious day here and though I’m a little late in posting, thanks for joining me for another edition of Saturday Meanderings. I typically write this post late Thursday or Friday but I’ve been so busy these past few days. So let’s start chatting about all the good things this week.
Who Loves Fresh Citrus? A Giveaway!
We are getting ready to glean all our citrus (oranges, ruby red and white grapefruit, tangerines)trees as the fragrant blossoms for next year’s crop are appearing. We will be giving away a box of freshly picked citrus to two recipients. All you need to do is leave a comment below and we will be drawing 2 names from that. The winners will be notified via email for their shipping addresses.
New Shows to Watch
Two very good shows to watch. The first, Vienna Blood is a British-Austrian psychological thriller television series set in Vienna, Austria in the 1900s. Based on the Liebermann novels by Frank Tallis, the series follows Max Liebermann (Matthew Beard), a doctor and student of Sigmund Freud as he assists Police Detective Oskar Rheinhardt (Juergen Maurer). With 3 seasons you can watch it on Prime Video, PBS, Vudu, or Apple TV.
The Night Agent is action packed with 10 episodes (Season 1) that you can see on Netflix. The plot: While monitoring an emergency line, an FBI agent answers a call that plunges him into a deadly conspiracy involving a mole at the White House. Hard not to binge watch!
Fabulous, Fun Invitation
My very innovative friend, Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate is having a wine event at her home. Check out this fun invitation we received in the mail this week. How clever is this? The invitation is detailed in a paper message inside the bottle. Secured around the invitation is a purple ribbon attached to a wax seal on the front of the bottle. I just love things like this!
Don’t Look Frumpy Over 40/Beware of these 5 Frump Factors
I just happened upon a YouTube video by Kay Harms, entitled Don’t Look Frumpy over 40/ Beware of these 5 Frump Factors. Being unfamiliar with Kay, I watched her video (I’m not someone who spends time on YouTube). Kay has a very pleasant and disarming nature and the video did have great advice. You can see it here.
Kay, 58, also writes a blog, Dressed for My Day.
But it got me thinking. What factors add to frumpy-ness? In reading the comments on her video, I found it all interesting and enlightening. What would be your answer to this? The more I think about this, the more I want to write a blog post about it.
Gardening this Week
Our weather seems to be all over the place, but the garden is giving us gifts this week. Lots of small tomatoes, one big artichoke, arugula, kale and fresh herbs.
Spring Cleaning
Do you spring clean? As a child in Connecticut, I have fond memories of Mom throwing open all the windows and sweeping out the winter dust.
Apartment Therapy is offering a program to help you with Spring cleaning. The Spring Cleaning Cure is a free 10-day program designed to help you achieve a clean and tidy home. Starting Wednesday, April 12, 2023, participants will receive a new assignment in their inbox every day — each one focused on a cleaning task that will bring you one step closer to the impeccably clean home. All you need to do is sign up to receive your emails.
Ultimate Spring Brunch Board
One of my favorite recipe-based bloggers, is Tieghan from Half Baked Harvest. This remarkable young gal develops interesting, delicious dishes, many of which can be done in a relatively short period of time. She’s my go-to person if I am stuck on what to make for dinner. Tieghan just posted a Spring Brunch Board, which is perfect if you have entertaining for Easter. You can see it here.
Getting White Sheets White again
My friend, Andrea from Design Morsels used to own and run a Bed and Breakfast. She knows everything about linens and I consider her my cliff notes on many topics. This week in washing a set of white sheets, I notice they are a bit yellow, especially in the middle from body oils.
I tried Andrea’s tip to soak them in hot water and Oxyclean (in the kitchen sink) and it worked! The sheets look brand new again. Hanging them to dry in the bright sun, also helps with whitening.
An article in Apartment Therapy covers the same topic of whitening sheets without using bleach. They use baking soda and vinegar. I may try that next, but Andrea’s solution worked for me!
Cherry Blossom Wreath
Does this look like a paper flower wreath to you? I think I am going to try and make this! Janine from the Happy Happy Nester provides the cherry blossom flower download and detailed instructions on how to make this. So pretty for spring. See it here.
Well, that’s a wrap! What are your plans for this weekend? We are doing a 5K tomorrow and have a black tie event tonight. It’s time to pay bills (not a fan) and do some chores around the house. Wishing you a terrific weekend!
On the internet:
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Oh my goodness what a treat that would be. Thank you for gifting. I love Half Baked Harvest as well.
Her pictures you want to eat, they’re so delicious looking. Just love your blog post.
Cindy, thank you so much for your comment. I agree on Tieghan’s pictures…very appealing and her recipes are rather good too!
Two powerful memories: seeing the oranges on the trees immediately threw me back to my younger years growing up in SoCal surrounded by orange and avocado groves. The sweet smell of orange blossoms will always be with me. Then…nothing better than bed linens dried on the clothesline in the sun and fresh air. As a little kid my job was to take down the dried pieces. I wasn’t tall or strong enough to hang up the fresh-from-the-wringer pieces! Had to avoid knocking into my mom’s “pet” spider who had the most beautiful webs on one of the end poles!! So…considering I haven’t had a decent orange since moving out of SoCal I would love to sample yours from Casa Bella!!
Tanya, I love these stories! And yes, the orange blossom smell is so intoxicating. There’s nothing quite like it!
I love the look of the paper flower wreath. Can’t wait to see how that turns out for you.
To answer the question, “Who doesn’t love citrus?” I don’t. Or rather, I should say, citrus doesn’t love me. Too much acidity. So, I do not wish to be considered for the giveaway. But it is a really kind and generous gesture.
Valerie, thank you so much for commenting, even though citrus isn’t your friend. I completely understand. I’m that way with broccoli!
Who doesn’t love fresh citrus? They look so bright, sunny, and yummy! Much happiness is in this give!
Hello Mary,
I am new to your meanderings and I so enjoy your multi faceted topics. I am drawn to your humble every day living on an estate brought back to life (with elbow grease). Your blogs are inspiring and informative. My favorite topic is your tablescapes with all the lovey flowers and suggested recipes that compliment the occasion. I love your attention to detail. Saturdays just got better!
Thank you for sharing.
JoJo
Jolene, Thank you so much for your sweet comments! So happy you are joining us each week!
Each week I look forward to reading your blog, especially on Saturdays. I love Saturday Meandering and all of the great ideas that come with it. Thank you for sharing such wonderful goodness and for the citrus offering. Welcome to the spring of all things great!!!
Helen, thank you so much for such a nice comment!
Thank you so much for offering the citrus giveaway! What a fun and yummy give away opportunity! I always enjoy reading your blog!
Karenann, thank you for taking the time to comment! Yes, we hope to pick the winners this week.
As seniors my husband and I strive for good nutrition. We would love to receive fresh fruit as we eat quite a bit of it. We’re looking forward to the weather changing soon in Michigan so that we can get our gardens going, both flowers and veggies. We have quite a while before we can that. I so enjoy reading your blog; always something of interest in it. Thank you.
Deb, I think eating nutritiously is the best thing we can do as we age! Thank you for commenting and I am happy you enjoy reading the blog.
I so look forward to your posts. You are the Martha Stewart of Arizona. I do not care for her and am sure you are much nicer!
I love that you always provide the necessary links. Specially keen on the Spring Cleaning program. If we take it a day at a time, I think it will be far less stressful and it might get accomplished.
Thank you for all you say and do. You are a STAR!
Diana, you are too funny!And thank you so much for your super sweet and kind comments!
I get such inspiration from the decorating ideas you share on your blog!
Nancy, thank you for your sweet comment. I am always inspired by others. Sharing ideas and helpful tips is a gift that doesn’t cost anything…
I love your posts. I was so sad for you to lose your dog, We lost our dog about the same time and I was able to commiserate.
Linda, I am so sorry you lost your dog too. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? Sending hugs your way.
I enjoy your blog. Envy you living in Airizona as I live in Michigan with frigid cold winters.
Shirley, right now we are finally having such beautiful Spring weather. I will be envious of you living in Michigan when it’s triple digits here! Thanks for commenting!
Would love to see a “how not to look frumpy” post, Mary. Maybe your readers could contribute their personal favorite tip. Mine would be, keep your hair style current. Nothing ages you faster than your Farrah Fawcett “do!”
Count me in on the citrus! Thank you.
Patricia, I’m excited to write a don’t be frumpy post! I am really opening my eyes (and looking hard in the mirror) to what makes one look frumpy! I’m with you about the current hair style too, or at least one that compliments the type of hair and face shape…High school hair in your 60s is hard to pull off! Your name is going in the hat for the citrus!
New to your blog. We love fresh fruits and vegetables with easy prep.
Marj, I’m with you on the easy prep!
I look forward to reading all
of your articles . They are informative
and inspiring! Love the pictures also!
Very down to earth and things we can all use in our everyday lives.
Thanks for all the input!
Debbie
Debbie, thank you so much for the kind comments!
So excited for Spring and to see some color here in the Northeast!
Patricia, I remember those monochromatic days growing up in Connecticut. But soon everything will be green and lush!
Mary, Your harvest of fruits and veggies is amazing. You surely have a green thumb to produce those
results. And thank you for posting all the great tips. I like fresh linens too. Think will find a spot to put up a line for drying in the sunshine. Nothing like that fresh smell. I often put my pillows out on patio
furniture to bask in the sun.. And will check out other sites you mentioned. Enjoy your event
.
Blessings
Virginia, there is no better smell than sheets that have been dried outside on a clothes line. If only someone could replicate that….
Thank you so much for all the comments you are kind to leave~ I really appreciate them!