Today on Weekend Meanderings it’s stay-at-home cozy clothes, fall scented candles, culinary travel and much more. Join me.
Happy weekend, friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.
What a week it’s been.
Did you watch any of the Queen’s funeral coverage?
No one does pomp and pageantry like the Brits.
It was very moving.
I was up at 2:30am and popped my scones in the oven at 4:00am.
They were delicious.
I passed on tea in favor of cocoa.
Don’t laugh but I took a scone to the cemetery where my mom is buried.
To discuss the events of the day with her.
I do that on meaningful dates and for royal events like weddings, and sadly, funerals.
I left a few crumbs behind and I’m sure the birds enjoyed them.
We had our first rain, and it was a good soaking.
And just like that it feels like fall.
Which is nice because we’re fall official.
Yesterday I pulled out my fall bins.
I thought there was just one; turns out there are two.
A couple of woven pumpkins made their fall debut.
And on that note, let’s get to it.
HOOD CANAL CANDLE COMPANY’s NEW FALL/WINTER COLLECTION
Last year my friend, Pamela, of @salishseacottage launched the Hood Canal Candle Company. I was an enthusiastic early adopter and enjoyed them so much they made it onto last year’s Holiday Gift Guide. This year’s fall/winter collection has been released, and Pamela sent me one of each to try out. The new collection, of hand-poured soy wax candles, come in three scents. Apple Cider, Sugared Chestnut, and Pumpkin Caramel Butter. Oh my gosh, just thinking about them makes me long for cooler days, and nights in front of the fire with a hot toddy. And the aromas … absolutely divine. I can’t choose a favorite. Each one is a dream. Snowberry smells like fall and suddenly I have the urge to decorate a tree. Calm down, Juliet.
Anyway, last year I burned the candles day and night, and gave one to everyone I know as hostess gifts, birthday gifts, holiday gifts and gift gifts. Pamela is graciously offering my readers a 20% off, plus free shipping, code which you can take advantage of through October 2nd. Thank you, Pamela. Go to her Etsy shop here and use code: JULIET20
COZY AT HOME OUTFIT
On Tuesday I had my hair highlighted. It was long overdue. This was before Town and Country Magazine announced that blond highlights have gone out of fashion. What? I could have saved 2+ hours and a couple hundred dollars. Anyway, my hair salon is conveniently located kitty corner to Nordstrom so of course I took myself across the street for lunch. Have you ever had Nordstrom Cafe’s Cilantro Chicken Salad? So good. And their tomato soup with a toast baguette slice on top is another favorite. Bonus … they have good iced tea.
After lunch I wandered through the store to see what’s new for fall. It was a chilly day, and their cozy loungewear caught my eye. One of the many advantages of working from home is not worrying – too much – about what to wear to the office. I put on some version of this ensemble most days through the chillier months. Comfortable, yet presentable if someone knocks on the door – quel horreur! – or I need to run a quick errand.
Sweater Jacket / Long Sleeve Tee / Joggers / Moccasins / Hair Ties
I try to steer clear of black pants at home (we have white dogs) but somehow never entirely avoid it. These joggers come in gray too but weren’t available in the store, so I ordered them online. And they’re on sale.
In the collage I’m showing the more figure skimming long sleeve tee, but I ended up buying this roomier version. The sweater/jacket is by Barefoot Dreams. I love this brand. They make wonderful wraps/ponchos that are heavier than the J.Crew version I favor for summer.
CAPTURING HOME
The charming new series, Capturing Home, is exactly the content I’ve come to expect from the new Magnolia Network. Have you seen it? I’m so impressed by most of the new shows on Magnolia. But they still have a lot of airtime to fill, and the filler shows they picked up from HGTV seem out of place. Bargain Mansions comes to mind as particularly egregious. But let’s focus on the positive. Capturing Home is a gem and follows the dynamic duo of Kate Martindale, interior stylist and designer, and Amy Neunsinger, photographer, and designer, as they create beautiful spaces for their clients.
All eight episodes of the first season are available to stream on Magnolia or Discovery Plus.
LIMA GOURMET … CULINARY ADVENTURES IN PERU
Summer 2022 was the summer of travel. Doesn’t it feel like everyone was off to a wonderful destination … from Mexico to Hawaii to the Caribbean. All over Europe to Central and South America. Speaking of South America, have you been to Peru? I haven’t but it’s on my bucket list and recently shot up to the top since discovering my long-lost cousin, Sam, runs a business with her husband, Lucas, in Lima. A culinary tour business called Lima Gourmet. Sign me up!
Images via Lima Gourmet
“At Lima Gourmet we are a team of food and travel experts. We’ve scoured (and devoured) Peru’s vast culinary scene and woven an edible tapestry that relays the country’s rich history. With more than 10 years of experience and more than 1,500 five-star reviews from happy guests, we think we’ve found the perfect recipe that strikes a balance between unforgettable dishes, restaurants, attractions, and neighborhoods. More than meals, we offer a dynamic way for guests to understand the history, culture, and society of Peru.”
Cousin Sam and husband Lucas, founders of Lima Gourmet
“We’re Lucas and Sam, the founders of Lima Gourmet. As newlyweds we moved to Lima, a return home for Lucas and a completely new destination for Sam. After more than 15 years abroad, a lot had changed, and we were fascinated with the city’s culinary delights as much as its charming neighborhoods. Relocating to Peru quickly attracted visits from friends and family and Lima was our playground. We realized how easily everyone connected with the culture and traditions through the country’s food (and Pisco Sours). It wasn’t long before we received our first requests to design more formal itineraries and that’s when the “aha! moment” came. What if we could create the same experience for other travelers beyond our circle? And that’s exactly what we did. Lima Gourmet has now created that experience for over 30,000 guests that we consider extended friends and family.”
In addition to culinary tours and experiences in Peru, they offer several virtual experiences including a Pisco Sour class. That sounds fun! Maybe I should sign up and recreate the classic Peruvian cocktail for Cocktail Night at Snowberry. What do you think?
Ok, so back to Sam, my long-lost cousin. For years I’d been searching, unsuccessfully, for my mother’s only living relative on the maternal side. I scoured the internet and Ancestery.com regularly in vain. Eventually I left a note on a message board on Ancestry’s site. Seven years later – yes SEVEN YEARS – someone answered. Turns out she, Debbie, is the granddaughter of my mother’s cousin living in Missouri. We began an enthusiastic email correspondence, and she filled me in on all the relatives on that side of the family. One of those relatives is Sam. I tracked her down online and messaged her via Instagram. Amazing how the internet and social media have the ability to connect us in such positive ways. Since Sam and I connected, she and her husband have relocated to Spain and continue to run Lima Gourmet from there. I look forward to visiting Lima one day and enjoying their culinary adventures. And maybe my travels will take me to Spain as well … to meet Cousin Sam in person. Oh, and I still need to visit Missouri and meet Debbie.
You can learn more about Lima Gourmet’s culinary experiences here. And be sure to follow them on Instagram.
PREPPY KITCHEN’S NEW COOKBOOK
And while we’re on the subject of culinary adventures, are you one of the 1.3 million followers of John Kanell, Preppy Kitchen?! Well, there’s good news, John has a cookbook coming out, Preppy Kitchen: Recipes for Seasonal Dishes and Simple Pleasures.
Pre-order now for delivery October 4th. On the same date, John embarks on a 9-city book tour. He’s not coming to San Francisco. Darn. But maybe he’s visiting a city near you! You can find his tour schedule here.
So, there you have it, my weekend meanderings.
Let’s see what’s going on with Kim and Elizabeth.
In other news ~
- To my astonishment I have a viral Pinterest Pin. It’s a fall decorating post from two years ago. My less-is-more décor philosophy seems to resonate.
- This amazing bedroom makeover featuring Sherwin William’s 2023 color of the year.
- A few weeks ago I shared my favorite chicken enchilada recipe. This week I posted a video you can watch here.
- Going to a formal winter wedding? The dress I wanted to wear to Kyle and Melody’s wedding is back in stock. It’s a showstopper.
- This is one of my absolute favorite fall recipes.
In case you missed last weekend’s meanderings you can catch up here. And this week I shared some amazing green kitchen inspiration and favorite green paint colors.
It’s a busy few days for us.
We went to a concert Thursday night.
CalShakes performance of King Lear last night.
And tonight we’re off to Sonoma to meet up with our supper club.
What are you up to this first official weekend of fall?
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
Reader Interactions