Today on Weekend Meanderings, fresh, pretty table tops, a classic striped sweater with jeans and more Meyer lemon recipes.
Happy Weekend, Friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
How was your week?
If you live in California it was wet.
Very wet.
We’ve been fortunate so far … no flooding, loss power loss, or worse.
So many aren’t as lucky and my heart goes out to them.
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I barely left the house this week and yet it went by in a flash.
After writing about my workout routine last weekend, I fell off the wagon.
Between rain storms and deadlines I missed my step classes and there were no dog walks.
I shared my workout uniform here.
In popover news, my proper popover pan arrived.
Several readers shared that they swear by King Arthur’s popover recipe.
I’m going to try it this week when Jim is home.
His nose was out of joint that I made the last, successful, batch while he was away.
And he was shocked and scandalized to learn I’d eaten every single last one.
I’m way behind schedule with this post.
So let’s go!
HGTV DREAM HOME 2023
Yesterday I posted my tour and review of this year’s HGTV’s Dream Home in Colorado. I was late with this one … it’s a lot of work. And all for a house we love to hate. I guess that’s what makes it fun! You can take the tour here.
The general consensus is, if one were to win … immediately hold a garage sale, repaint, redecorate, add a pool/spa and a downstairs bunk/ TV room. Other than that, it’s fine. I’m not a fan of the kitchen cabinets either. They feel cold and industrial to me. What do you think?
I received a lot of good comments with great ideas on how the house might have been better designed. If you read the post, be sure to read the comments too. Maybe HGTV should crowd source their next Dream Home. Bottom line, we all think it’s gone downhill since Linda Woodrum left the scene back in 2015.
MONIQUE LHUILLIER X POTTERY BARN
Monica Lhilleur has a new collaboration with Pottery Barn … Garden Party. Swoon. The second I saw it I ran (drove) to our local story to see it in person. Major disappointment, it’s not in the store yet. But I did come home with this table cloth and these etched wine goblets from her Lily of the Valley collection.
When I think of Monique Lhuillier I think of wedding dresses. Gorgeous wedding dresses. Her recent botanical inspired dresses are heavenly. Sophie Bush wore a botanical design for her wedding to Grant Hughes last summer. Monique’s line has expanded beyond bridal … but who knew it led her to housewares and Pottery Barn. Lucky us.
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- Monica Lhuillier
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- @sophiabush/Instagram
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- Monica Lhuillier
Here’s more from the Monique Lhuillier x Pottery Barn Lily of the Valley collection …
And from the Positano collection …
The Lily of the Valley salad plate shown in both settings is no longer available and they’re showing this pretty new set of 4 floral plates in its place.
The flatware in both settings is the Rivoli design.
The serving pieces are lovely too … I’ve got my eye on the tray and cake dome. And it’s hard to resist a tiered tray.
PETITE WATERING CAN
Last year I shared a watering can round up which was a big hit. I didn’t include my favorite watering can because it sold out. Not one to give up I’ve been monitoring the situation and … big news, it’s back in stock. Mine arrived yesterday!
I love the leaf motif. The can is smaller than I expected, but I adore it just the same. It’s the little things in life, right? Pun intended. I don’t have a green thumb and I try to keep watering cans in various locations making it easier to remember to water. Sometimes I overwater. Like I said, I’m terrible with plants.
Side note, I’m slowly working through my basket of Meyer lemons which brings us to the next topic.
MORE MEYER LEMON RECIPE IDEAS
I finally get what it means to eat seasonally. Our single Meyer lemon tree produced at least 100 lemons and I’m trying to find creative ways to use them. I hoped to give some away, but it seems everybody has a lemon tree (just like everyone has a tomato plant) so it’s not that easy.
Yesterday I made Ina Garten’s Fresh Lemonade. It’s delicious! I halved the recipe and we’ll be enjoying it all weekend. Not only by itself but mixed with ice tea for Arnold Palmers and, maybe, as Ina suggests, spiked with vodka. Or Hot Toddy’s. It can also be frozen into ice cubes. But back to Hot Toddy’s
It seemed odd to be drinking ice cold lemonade on a rainy, winter night … so I made a Hot Toddy and used lemonade instead of plain lemon juice. It worked!
Here’s my Lemonade Hot Toddy recipe ~
LEMONADE HOT TODDY
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Hot water You can also use a decaffeinated tea of your choice.
- 1-1/2 oz Whiskey
- 3 tsp Honey
- 1 oz Fresh Lemonade You can substitute fresh squeezed lemon juice, but reduce to one tablespoon.
- 1 Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Heat water to boil in tea kettle.
- Add Whiskey, lemonade and honey to mug or teacup.
- Pour hot water into cup and stir until honey blends in.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
One can’t survive on lemonade, or Hot Toddy’s, alone so I made Ina’s Lemon Cake too. Once again I halved the recipe and made just one loaf. For extra deliciousness, the recipe calls for a lemon syrup to be poured over the cake AND a lemon glaze. Spoiler alert … it’s delicious. Ina never steers us wrong.
I enjoyed my Friday night cocktail in the library.
Opening the library doors is like opening the treat jar. Pippa, Maggie and Abby come running. Abby made herself comfortable while mom enjoyed a Lemonade Hot Toddy and Lemon Cake … while procrastinating on this post. A Hot Toddy may be ill advised with a deadline looming, but the post got out on time so all’s well that ends well.
EVERYDAY CASUAL OUTFIT
Did you read Kim’s Signature Style post this week? She asks the question, are jeans going away? I don’t know … but I sure wear denim a lot less frequently than I used to. I mostly live in joggers and track pants. That said, I did a little New Year sale shopping at Flaunt in Danville and bought this pair of Re/Done denim. Re/Done is a new-to-me brand that offers upcycled and sustainable denim. You can learn more here. I love my new pair’s high waist, straight leg style … with a lot of stretch. They’re a little long and I dropped them off to be hemmed. They’re sold out at Flaunt but you can find them here. At Flaunt’s sale I also found a Michael Stars classic striped sweater. If you can’t get to Flaunt, you can find it here. It’s roomy and I bought an XS. And, no, there is no such thing as too many striped sweaters or shirts. When I got my new jeans and sweater home I realized they work beautifully with my color block loafers that I bought at the end of last year. They were an impulse purchase because I absolutely love the style. I think it will be great with the ivory puffy purse I bought last year that’s sadly no longer available. But look at this great puffy tote from Francis Valentine. It comes with a shoulder strap too. This is a perfect fall/winter/spring go anywhere outfit and I can’t wait to get the jeans back from the tailor and start wearing it.
Denim | Stripe Sweater | Puffy Tote | Loafers | Sunnies | Earrings
So there you have it, this weekend’s meanderings.
Let’s visit Kim and Elizabeth to see what they’re up to.
Odds & Socks ~
When I shared this photo on Instagram I got a ton of questions on the source of my woven bowl. It was a birthday gift from Kim and I believe she found it at Ling Interiors in Los Gatos. You can also find it here. I set the terra cotta pot of daffodils in the bowl intending to repot it or cover the terra cotta with moss. What a happy accident that it looks great as is.
With storms looming I bought these Duracell lanterns. Yes, we have a generator, but it doesn’t power the entire house. And one never knows. Not only do the lanterns provide light, but they have a USB charger too. They’re probably great for camping. If you camp.
I was thrilled to see my friend Suzanne Smith featured, along side her friend, Lisa Richley, in the December issue of Victoria Magazine. You can read the backstory of Suzanne’s bucket list experience here.
I just finished this book. Highly recommend if you love food and Paris.
My new, and informal, book club starting reading this book.
Frontgate is having a winter sale … 20% off site wide. I might refresh our bath towel, I love their towels.
A few things I have my eye on ~
If you missed the last weekend meanderings, you can catch up here.
And follow along for more fun on Instagram and Pinterest.
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
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