Today on Weekend Meanderings a day out in Sonoma, Nora Murphy’s beautiful new book features favorite blogger Mollie in Maine, niece Sophie shares her sourdough bread baking essentials, and the sweetest St. Patrick’s Day candy board.
Happy Weekend Friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
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How have you adjusted to the time change?
I had a rough start but I think I’m back on track.
First things first, congratulations to Nina in New Hampshire who won last weekend’s giveaway!
A hot-off-the-press copy of The Fragrant Flower Garden
And here’s a look at what’s going in on my winter, nearly spring garden.
Clockwise from the left: Sugar Ann Snap Peaks, Garlic, Strawberries, Bel Fiore Radichio
Let’s jump in …
WHAT I WORE ON OUR CARIBBEAN CRUISE
This week on the blog I shared everything I wore on our Caribbean cruise. You’ll find my review of the entire experience with Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection here.
Trouser Shorts | Cami | Striped Sweater | Slides
OUT AND ABOUT WITH NIECE SHELBY
Two weeks in a row I’ve been lucky enough to spend a day with niece Sophie. Last week we went took a day trip to Historic Auburn to meet up with her sister, niece Sophie, and her littles. This week Shel and I trekked to Sonoma to retrieve my Chateau Sonoma French Bubble Club allotment.
Before hitting the plaza we stopped at the Fat Pilgram & Harvest Home on Broadway. I’ve passed by so many times since the roadside location opened six or seven years ago but never stopped. I’m so glad we finally did. The Fat Pilgram bills itself as a general store and in addition to wonderful home and kitchen items they have sell basic picnic supplies – cheese and crackers anyone? Harvest Home is full of made-in-California ‘Sonoma style’ furniture. I believe they used to have a location closer to the plaza … Jim and I bought several pieces of furniture there for my Sonoma house back in the day.
While we were there a delivery of freshly made adirondack chairs arrived!
We made a second stop at the William Sonoma store, also on Broadway, but a couple blocks off the Plaza. This location has been open for 10 years, but I still consider it new. Ha! Anyway, it’s a wonderful combination of a standard William Sonoma store, plus William Sonoma Home and a fabulous kitchen for cooking demonstrations and classes. It also has wonderful display of framed photos showcasing the origins of the company (opened in Sonoma in 1957) and founder Chuck Williams. It’s really cool to have William Sonoma back in Sonoma again. Anyway, it’s currently a treasure trove of Easter inspiration.
These teak rocking chairs outside the store are very popular come-sit-a-spell spots for visitor to hang out … and Shelby and I did. They’re so comfortable and I’m wondering how I can bring them home to Snowberry. The store manager told me they’re hot sellers and people really love the deeper, wider seat. I’m only 5’4″ but deep seats on chairs and sofas – indoor and out – are high on my priority list. Way more comfortable for sinking in and relaxing. I hate having to perch.
The cushions are sold separately which is kind of a bummer. Apparently they’re easily washable and the store has to wash theirs all the time because they get so much use.
We finally made it to the Plaza and had time to do a quick run through Summer Vine before heading to lunch.
We had lunch at Girl & the Fig on their covered patio. It was a gorgeous, warm day. Lunch was fabulous, of course. We shared a potato bacon soup topped with pesto, Shelby had the burger with brie and fig jam and I had quiche and arugula salad. Shelby had a grapefruit lemonade that was out of this world delish.
After lunch we wandered down 1st Street West to Chateau Sonoma to retrieve my bubbles.
Sonoma is so beautiful this time of years. Everything is green and there are lots of blossoms … the vineyard cover crops are at their best with pretty blooms.
What I Wore to Sonoma ~
Denim | Striped Shirt | Cardigan | Leopart Flats | Tote
By the way, I found my Kut ankle flare jeans thanks to Kim and her recent roundup of current denim trends. She said they’re super soft and comfortable. I can confirm.
Niece Shelby always looks so cute. She’s wearing my favorite trousers from Alo. She’s 22 and I’m 61 … and they work on both of us! She’s also wearing Alo’s cute tennies … she talked Jim into buying a pair too. Her bodysuit is from Aritzia.
SOURDOUGH BREAD
Speaking of niece Sophie, last week I shared the beautiful sourdough loaf she made for us. She’s become quite a baker. Jim and I sliced it up for toast all week. Yum.
Did you get into baking sourdough during the pandemic? A popular pastime that bypassed me. But better late than never and I might give it a whirl. Sophie shared her recipe sources with me … this Beginners Sourdough Recipe from Farm House on Boone and also recipes and tutorials on The Southern Sourdough Co. Instagram. Soph also makes sourdough cinnamon rolls and sourdough cinnamon raisin bread which we also enjoyed this week. Dangerously delicious.
These are some of Sophie’s sourdough backing essentials. First of all a 5-1/2 quart dutch oven, she has a Le Creuset that I gave her when I changed colors (don’t roll your eyes) . She also recommends, a food scale displaying weight in grams, a Danish dough whisk, a scraper, she say you can use parchment paper, but she likes silicone bread slings, 100% organic proofing towels, lame bread slashing tool, and round Banneton bowls for proofing. Oh, and finally she recommends this sourdough starter.
COUNTRY HOUSE LIVING
Early spring is a book release bonanza, and this week Nora Murphy’s latest, Country House Living: Celebrating the Beauty of Life at Home arrived at my door. And the best part … favorite blogger Molly in Maine is featured!
Chapters in the book are named by emotions their featured homes evoke and, no surprise, Molly’s chapter is titled Joyful. Molly recently wrote a blog post on her collection of Victorian Painted Cottage Furniture and you’ll find much of it featured on the pages of Nora’s book.
Congratulations Molly! It’s been so fun reading more about about you and your joyful home.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY TREAT
Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, also known as my sister’s birthday. It’s a real all-in-the-family post today isn’t it?! Anyway, having a holiday birthday creates a jumping off point for gift ideas. And no surprise my sister has received a lot of green gifts from me. Last year I gave her my favorite JW Pei bag in grass green. And this year it’s a St. Patrick’s Day candy board from Sandy’s Sugar Drop. Isn’t it adorable?!
My friend Shelley told me about Sandy’s Sugar Drop, a local business … you can find her here on Instagram and Facebook. She creates all sorts of custom candy boards and pouches with holiday, birthday, and celebratory themes. Easter is coming and what a fun addition to a holiday buffet, gift or party favor. Sweet!
Speaking of my friend Shelley, you may remember her amazing, over-the-top holiday decor. This is her St. Patrick’s Day front door wreath.
It may be St. Patrick’s Day outside Shelley’s home, but inside it’s Easter all the way. She’s been hard at work on her Easter decorations and from what I’ve seen so far she’s outdone herself. She graciously agreed to let me share a few snaps next weekend. Stay tuned!
Odds & Socks Blogger Edition ~
Speaking of cruises, my friend KariAnne shared everything she packed for her Caribbean cruise here. She and I were swanning through the Caribbean at the same time. Although she was on the maiden voyage of spectacular mega-ship Icon of the Seas. While I was holding on for dear life as the bigger ships passed us by … and waiving wildly hoping KariAnn might see me.
Signature Style is out this week and Kim and Cindy are covering white shirts. A wardrobe staple. Don’t miss Kim’s White Shirt Styling Ideas and Cindy’s White Shirts Women Over 50 Can Rock With Confidence.
One of my all time favorite Easter craft posts from Elizabeth!
MaryAnn is such a talented designer and stylist and she has a few ideas to refresh our homes for spring.
Since we’re talking about baking bread, Annie shared the cutest clay flower pot bread recipe. Don’t you want to bake bread today?!
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today.
Let’s visit Kim and Elizabeth to see what’s inspiring them.
If you missed last weekend’s post, you can catch up here.
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Until next time, cheers from Snowberry!
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