Currently, if you don’t make your own bread, you are probably thinking that making your own bread requires too much time and hard work. Not true! There are ways of making your own bread that suit every schedule and lifestyle.

During the pandemic and being sequestered at home, more people are learning about making bread. You can too.

No-Knead Version

It doesn’t get any easier than this. Revolutionized in 2008 by the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day (here), you can make artisan bread with minimal effort.

It is as simple as tossing flour, yeast, salt and water into a bowl. Mix to create a shaggy mess and leave alone for 12-16 hours. Form into a ball and bake. See my detailed blog on Making and Baking a Simple Bread post here.

With this toss it and leave it recipe, you can add other ingredients too if you’d like. Another book recommendation is from my friend, Rick. He loves the best-selling book, Flour Water Salt Yeast by Ken Forkish (link here).

Sourdough Starter

Using sourdough starter is how I make my bread. The process is much longer but I enjoy scheduling this into my week. The evening before I make the leaven (sourdough starter, flour and water) and let it sit overnight or at least 12 hours.

The next morning I create the dough, which consists of leaven, flour, water and salt. During the rise, I add other ingredients. The rising process begins and generally by late afternoon I am baking bread.

The ONLY recipe book I currently use is Tartine Bread by Chad Robertson (link here), mostly because I love the very detailed tutorial photos. I’m not confident enough yet to branch out to other styles of bread baking.

The benefits of sourdough bread far outweigh the work. I typically make Lemon, Rosemary and Gruyere or with a dried fruit (cherries, cranberries) and a nut (pistachio or walnuts). Plus I love one with black/green olives, lemon zest and walnuts! Sometimes I make one loaf and use the rest for fresh pizza dough.

Since we don’t eat a LOT of bread, the loaves get sliced and put into the freezer. Perfect for morning toast.

Sourdough bread is a great alternative to conventional bread. Its lower phytate levels make it more nutritious and easier to digest. Sourdough bread also seems less likely to spike your blood sugar levels, which makes it an option for those monitoring their blood sugar. As a result, I rarely use commercial yeast anymore.

For another post on Sourdough Starter Basics, click here.

Other Methods

Even though I do own a bread machine, it is collecting dust in my basement. I love personally interacting with the dough and watching it transform over time. However, I did use the bread machine when the children were younger as they loved coming home from school to the smells of freshly baked bread.

Apparently you can also make bread in your crock pot. Again, this is something I have never done. But if you try it please let me know. Here is a link to Kitchn’s recipe.

Mental Health Benefits of Baking Bread

According to the Huffington Post, in 2017, five people who were mental health residents at Bethlem Royal Hospital in London spent six two-hour sessions baking bread by hand and answered weekly questions about how they felt. They reported feeling happier, creative, and having a sense of achievement. They also revealed that baking bread made them feel more relaxed and less anxious, and that they had a sense of purpose.

I know when I feel out of sorts or stressed, I put on my apron and start baking or cooking. It truly is better than snapping at someone.

Tips for Successful

Since I have been making bread from scratch for a few years now, I have experienced both success and failure.

One loaf was rather flat after baking. I reviewed all my steps and knew I made it correctly. And then I looked at the bag of flour which was in the freezer. It was dated 2013! How gross is that, especially since it was 2019.

Make sure all ingredients are fresh

Make sure ALL your ingredients are fresh, especially if you are using either fresh or dried commercial yeast. Check the expiration date. Since yeast is a living organism, it loses its potency and ability to rise over time.

One way to find out if your yeast is stale is to sprinkle a small spoonful over very warm water (not boiling or hot), then sprinkle sugar over the yeast. Do not stir. Cover, and wait ten minutes for the yeast to rise and become frothy/bubbly over the water and sugar. If it does, the yeast is active.

Flour has a long shelf life but generally goes bad after 3–8 months. I always freeze my flour. Freezing flour doesn’t affect its qualities if you let it ‘come back to life’ before using. If you use cold flour to bake, your baked good won’t rise. They may also turn out heavy and rubbery.

Why Temperature is Important

Check the temperature of your water before you add it to the yeast. Too cold and the yeast will not activate. Too hot and you will kill the yeast.

Room temperature is equally important. Too cold and your dough will not rise. Double check your recipe for room temperature suggestions. During the winter our kitchen is always cool; but we have the opposite problem in the summer. Drafts and changes in temperature will affect your rise.

Salt and Yeast

After watching too many episodes of The Great British Bake Off, I noticed Paul Hollywood always recommends putting your salt on the opposite side of the bowl from the yeast. Salt can retard yeast growth.

Makes Great Gifts

My neighbor recently had a large flood in her home, resulting in significant damage. Feeling rather helpless, I baked a loaf of my sourdough bread. Coupled with a jar of homemade apricot marmalade, I dropped it off to share my sympathies for their crisis. What better gift than comfort food?

I love getting homemade gifts. Not only do you receive something lovely, but knowing someone spent the time, energy and effort to make it, is priceless.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

Last year I shared my sourdough starter with Ursula. Ursula is the same age as my sweet Elisabeth, and they attended grammar school together. From what I hear, Ursula is an avid bread baker. Such a wonderful lifelong skill. Just think about it: with four simple ingredients you can feed others. Amazing!

I hope this post is encouraging you at least try making bread at home. Here is why: it is satisfying and rewarding. In this crazy world where few things feel good right now, I feel pure joy when I pull a loaf out of the oven.

Please share any bread making experience you have! I would love to hear your stories.

So happy you are here with me today to see the Valentine Dinner Party Ideas, Part 2 blog post. If you missed Part 1 yesterday, you can view it here. There is so much that goes into this party, it would be overwhelming to do it in one post, so I hope you enjoy the rest of it today.

The Table

Setting a beautiful table is something I love to do. It sends a message to our guests that they are important to us and that this evening is special. Whether you like Valentine’s Day or not, we think this is the perfect holiday to gather with those we cherish. So why not make a spectacular table?

For the last Valentine dinner party, I did not use a tablecloth. This year, though, I am drawn to the colorful Indian block prints. One of my Instagram friends, Darviny @dayswithdarviny, sources this beautiful fabric. I sent her pictures of my china and she gave me pink options to choose.

My husband made the raised 12″ x 6′ long center shelf (see post here). This focal point is the perfect place to stage all the flowers. Using individual vessels of different heights and sizes, I made the centerpiece out of an abundant display of roses, tulips, hyacinths (which smell heavenly), hydrangeas, snapdragons, and eucalyptus.

This year I ordered the flowers from Torchio Nursery in San Francisco. Instead of going to 3 or 4 locations to find a nice array, this nursery sends out a weekly list of what is available and then ships them to me.

Adding tapers and votive candles, the centerpiece is complete.

This year, I also hung heart-shaped garlands – some purchased, some homemade (see post here) – from the ceiling using clear Command hooks. The white heart garland came from the shop at Whitfill Nursery, and the 3-dimensional heart garland came from LaMia Casa on Etsy here.

Since this is a Valentine celebration, I decide my Royal Doulton Romance Collection china is most appropriate. Napkins are pink linen, found on sale at Pottery Barn. I also opt for Wallace Napoleon Bee Gold accent flatware, which can be found here. Very affordable brushed gold chargers (link here.) The printed menu cards are at each place setting.

Typically we have rattan chairs around the table. However, in attempts to make it more elegant and comfortable, we bring out upholstered white wing and Parson chairs.

The Day of the Event

The table is set; gifts are in place at the table and the caterers arrive. Now it is time to get ready. Unfortunately I tend to leave outfit selection to the last minute. The black taffeta skirt (from Ann Taylor) I decide to wear is many years old. It seems that the zipper doesn’t quite make it to the top without a great deal of not breathing. The dreaded thickening of the waist after menopause…ugh!

Nonetheless I wear it. Fortunately, it fits beautifully beneath my dusty rose cashmere sweater (J. Crew), which covers any malfunctions. I slip on heels just before guests arrive.

Cocktail Hour

A few days before the event, I collect all the answers to the guests’ questions and create a “Who Am I” sheet printed on yes, pink card stock. During the cocktail hour on the front porch, each guest is given a drink and the Who Am I sheet.

The goal is to mingle, ask questions and write in the name of the person who provides the answer. Naturally, it is a fun way to spark conversation and get to know other guests on a different level.

We serve champagne and Ruby Red Grapefruit Greyhounds with Rosemary Simple Syrup, both a pretty pink. Recipe is here. One of our guests always brings some fun cocktail additive. This time it is Rose Gold Brew Glitter, an edible glitter that we add to the champagne flutes. Very pretty and festive! Resource it here.

The hors d’oeuvres are individually plated for couples. Our bartender and servers wear masks. After fun games, delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks, we make our way to the back terrace for dinner.

At the Table

Once we are seated at the table, the guests open their gifts. We get to share what we discover during the cocktail hour as the salad is served. This helps keep conversation flowing and stimulates lots of laughter!

The Wine

My husband carefully selects the wine pairings to go with each course. When the wine is being served, we share a thorough description of the wine region, year of harvest, maker and tasting notes.

The wine glasses are mostly vintage pink glass and add to the dinner theme.

Toasts about friendship, love, wisdom and peace are printed on paper ahead of time. Female guests read them to welcome the wine, salad, entree and dessert.

Dinner

By this time, conversation is very lively and the food is delicious. As I look down the table, I see happy faces and beautiful flowers.

After Dinner

After the last course and wine, we continue to play the game of getting to know everyone a bit better. Soon a Waterford crystal biscuit jar filled with questions makes its way around the table. It is a delight to hear stories and shared memories from each couple.

Though a great deal of planning and work go into this evening, it is one of our most favorite events.

Expect the Unexpected

We were watching the weather all week. The temperature predictions kept dropping, saying it might be really chilly. Then, the day of the dinner, the wind picks up. In my mind they seemed to be gale force winds, blowing everything over on the table. The candles will not stay lighted and my beautiful heart shaped garlands become a tangled mess.

But what can you do? The addition of propane heaters are a big help. Blankets and shawls are available for guests. Try and focus on what is important: engaging with your guests and living in the moment.

I hope you enjoy all the details and ideas regarding our Valentine Dinner Party. Even though our party is much smaller this year, we cherish our friendships and time together.

This post shared with Charming Homes & Gardens Link Party 47.

Most of our entertaining is rather casual, but once a year we try to have a formal event that requires a bit more planning. Since the pandemic hit, almost all entertaining here is done outside in the fresh air with a small number of people. Today, I want to share the Valentine Dinner party we had on Saturday night. This post is long, so I am breaking up into two parts. Enjoy Part 1 today; I will continue Part 2 tomorrow. Hopefully you will glean some tips and ideas for when you host your next dinner party.

The Guest List

Even though we would like to extend invitations to a larger group of friends, we know that big gatherings are not smart right now. Since we are having the dinner outside, we reduce the number of guests to 8 (even though the table can comfortably seat 10 or 12). This allows us the chance to spread out a bit and be respectful of social distancing. A few weeks before we send a Save the Date email to make sure our guests are available to attend.

The Invitation

A few blog posts ago, I shared my homemade Valentine note card using watercolor pencils. If you missed this post, click here. The invitation is printed using my computer/printer on pink card stock (found at Michaels). The edges are decoratively cut using Fiskars decorative scissors, hole punched, affixed with ribbons and placed inside the decorative notecards. Date, time, and location are expressed for this event, as well as attire.

We hand-deliver invitations to the guests along with a box of homemade Linzer heart-shaped cookies with jam filling (recipe here from King Arthur).

Determining the Menu

This is one of the few events where I hire a caterer to do the cooking, serving and cleaning. This gives me a chance to really engage with our guests. The accomplished Julie Greder always caters our events and knows what to do…. and with excellence! Beforehand, I do ask each of the guests if they have a food dislike or allergy and design the menu accordingly.

The dinner will be plated and served, but first Julie and I discuss our options on appetizers. She suggests we individually create plates as a precaution.

Next, my husband and I determine the wines that will be paired with each course. Lots of time and research go into selecting the proper vintage and varietal.

Menus are printed on pink card stock, decorative edges cut. A pretty satin ribbon graces the top.

The Preparation

From designing the table/color theme to extensive yard work, my husband and I spend many hours the week prior to the event making sure everything is in tip-top shape. We plant new flowers, rake the leaves, mow the lawn, wash the windows. In the above photo, I hang heart-shaped garland (both purchased and homemade) over the table from small, clear Command hooks on the ceiling.

A few days before the event, we assess the weather, sun patterns. What will the temperature be? Do we need outdoor heaters? Will we need to provide shawls or blankets? What time is sunset? Will there be enough light?

We also walk the house to determine entrances and exits. Do I need more candles? More ambiance? Where will flowers go? What bathroom will be accessible?

Where will we serve cocktails? What path will our guests take to get from the front porch to the back terrace? How will it all be illuminated?

Gifts for Guests

For this event, we select a gift for each guest that will remind them of this evening. For each woman I choose a piece of jewelry. My dear friend and talented jewelry maker, Tanya Lochridge, sends bracelets that are similar but different: friendship bracelets we can all wear. You can visit her website here.

The men get novelty wine glasses with a funny inscription (source here). Utilizing pink card stock, I make a heart shape, punch a hole, add the guest name and tie the name card to the gift bag. Pretty pink-themed wrapped gifts serve as place cards which is helpful in seating arrangements.

The Homework

Prior to the event, the guests are sent a list of 5 questions to answer. We try to inquire about things that are unknown. Once I compile the answers, I create a game during the cocktail hour where each guests needs to find out whose answer is whose. More on that tomorrow.

That’s a wrap on Part 1 of planning our formal Valentine dinner party. Tomorrow we will cover the table, flowers, place setting, my outfit and the details of the actual event.

Happy Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend and a Monday off.

This post shared with Charming Homes & Gardens Link Party 47

Being well into our citrus season, I am taking advantage of all the different fruits available to us. A typical day means a walk to the orchard to pick an orange or tangerine or kumquat from a tree. However, this year, my Lisbon lemon tree did not produce anything. I am so grateful to neighbors for their lemon contributions to me. So today’s post is about lemon love and all the recipes I love making with these gorgeous yellow gems.

Eureka and Lisbon lemons grow well here in Phoenix. Meyer Lemons, with their thinner skins and less tart flavor are harder to come by. But now is the time to use all the fresh lemons, because at least here, once the season is over, lemons get very expensive. Plus, can’t we all use a little more Vitamin C?

Since I am on a lemon-make-all-you-can now mode, here are my favorite lemon recipes with lots of lemon love.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

The very first time these delicate pancakes passed my lips, I was at the dreamy Shutters on the Beach restaurant in Santa Monica, California. Every time I taste these, I am back at the beachfront restaurant smelling the ocean air.

So the recipe I use is actually from this restaurant and can be found in The Summertime Anytime cookbook by Dana Slatkin. For the full post with recipe and yummy pictures, click here.

Joann’s Lemon Cake

My sweet friend and art instructor, Joann shares her DELICIOUS lemon cake recipe. What makes this loaf cake special, is the lemon syrup that gets absorbed into the cake after baking. Similar to a pound cake with lots of lemon flavor, this is perfect for dessert or with coffee or tea.

For the recipe and more detailed instructions, click here.

Lemon Curd

Prompted by a request from my neighbor, Karleen, I decide to make lemon curd. Lemon curd is a fruit spread and is often used instead of jam on scones or toast. It can also be a filling for cakes, small pastries and tarts. The lemon filling in a lemon meringue pie is lemon curd.

Since it doesn’t keep as well as jam, it is generally made in small quantities.

With only a few ingredients (eggs, lemons, butter, sugar), you too can whip this up in a short period of time. And it tastes WAY better than store bought lemon curd. Now I need to make some scones! Recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction is found here.

Lemon Blueberry Bread~gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free

Who doesn’t love the combination of lemons and fresh blueberries? Using coconut and almond flour, this loaf is easy to make. The berry icing is just so tasty on top. The recipe is from Ambitious Kitchen and you can find the blog post with further instructions here.

Freshly made Lemonade with a twist

Everyone loves fresh lemonade but have your tried it with other flavors? This Basil Lemonade is a family favorite. The addition of basil simple syrup takes the taste up a notch!

The blog post also includes strawberry lemonade, which is especially delicious on a hot summer’s day. See it all here.

Limoncello

Limoncello is a lemon liquor which is mainly produced in southern Italy. It is typically served chilled and after dinner as an aperitif. If you have a lot of lemons (this recipe uses 11), you may want to try this. And I wonder if this recipe counts as getting your daily dosage of Vitamin C…..See post here.

Farfalle Pasta with Lemon Chicken and Herb Salad

I know I mention Preserved Lemons ALOT, but this is one of my favorite ways to use them (thanks for my friend, Kim for the recipe). With a new batch of preserved lemons in the refrigerator, it will be very soon when I can make this again. The fresh greens, chicken, pasta and those luscious preserved lemon morsels will be a guaranteed hit at the family dinner table.

Recipe for both the pasta dish and lemons is here.

Benefits of Lemon Water

If you don’t feel like cooking or baking, now is the time to take advantage of fresh lemons. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should be drinking lemon water according to PositiveMed.

• Boosts your immune system
• Balances pH
• Helps with weight loss
• Aids in Digestion
• Diuretic
• Clears skin
• Freshens breath
• Relieves respiratory congestion (use warm water)
• Keeps you Zen
• Help kicks the coffee habit

I am hoping you are excited about these recipes, as there are even more in older blog posts. Yesterday, I made a batch of Meyer Lemon Marmalade (my absolute favorite) and will be spreading that on a piece of my Lemon Rosemary Gruyere sourdough bread today.

Have a blessed Wednesday!

If you enjoy today’s post, please share on Pinterest.

This post shared with Thursday Favorite Things #476.

How did another week go by so quickly? If anyone has the solution to slowing down time, please share. I am so happy you are joining me this Saturday to review the week’s coming and goings on Saturday Meanderings.

What do you do when you are out of sorts? I either work out or don my apron and start baking/cooking/making. Since it’s been a bit of an off week for me, I completed 5 workouts and accomplished quite of bit in the kitchen too.

Madeleines, French in origin, are very small sponge cakes with a distinctive shell-like shape acquired from being baked in pans with shell-shaped depressions. Three years ago I wrote a blog post about this recipe from Dessert University (see here). With a lemon glaze, these tasty morsels are worth making.

However, my existing Madeleine pan is a silicon pan which I DO NOT RECOMMEND. I literally threw this pan out after baking. New pans just arrived (see link here) and I will let you know if they pass the test. The problem with the silicone one is that it buckles in the oven, therefore the batter cannot lay evenly, resulting in brown edges and soggy centers.

This creamy-in-the-middle and crispy-on-top Hasselback Potatoes au Gratin recipe is a winner. I didn’t realize that hasselback means stacking the thinly sliced potatoes accordion style. The recipe is doubled for a neighbor’s birthday celebration. If you are looking for a perfect au gratin recipe, this Serious Eats version is it. See recipe here.

We are in the height of our citrus season here in Phoenix. What I love about our community is the sharing of fruit with each other. Steve, who lives a few streets over shares his Meyer lemons (soon to be marmalade) and my sweet neighbors, Dale and Dawn, let me take a big bag of lemons from their tree. Our regular lemon tree must be on sabbatical because not one lemon showed up this year.

Last year I discovered Preserved Lemons and cannot believe I have lived without them. We use them on fish, salads, pasta, you name it as I cannot get enough of this tangy, salty Moroccan ingredient. Preserved lemons take a few weeks to make so if you have access to fresh lemons, now is the time to do this. See my previous post for further details here.

More to come next week about why I am making Valentine cookies now. This buttery Linzer cookie recipe from King Arthur Flour can be made with heart-shaped cookie cutters for a seasonal treat. Filled with raspberry jam, they are so yummy. See recipe here.

In my neighborhood, there are water irrigation well containers scattered all over. Funny, but I never really noticed them until I went on a walk around the block. Nearly all of them are unsightly; some have covers, others not. We even found one buried under foliage in the front corner of our lot.

My creative neighbor and her husband (Tevia and Mitch) did a complete transformation to their inactive well. Using faux greens stapled to a wooden pallet, this once eyesore is now a decorative statement. Tevia will be using a Krylon UV Floral protectant spray to prevent discoloration from the sun during our hot summers (see product here).

Wouldn’t this be a fun neighborhood project to clean up all the inactive wells?

In a November Saturday Meanderings I did mention buying a Cashmere bag to protect the few cashmere items I own. With evidence of moth holes in one of my favorite sweaters, this bag is a worthwhile investment. See link here. It comes in two sizes and I bought the larger one.

Here is my feedback on this. First of all the size of the bag is deceiving. I can fit 3 sweaters, 2 large shawls and 1 scarf inside~and there is room for a few more things. The zipper goes around two sides for easy access. Will be ordering another one of these well-made bags for my husband’s items.

Before I wish you a wonderful weekend, I need to share these last few photos with you. As my son is making a snowman in Washington, DC, we are having spectacular sunsets. Hard to believe we live in the same country!

That’s a wrap. Be well and enjoy a restful weekend!

If you enjoy this post, please share on Pinterest. You can also find me on Instagram @lifeatbellaterra.

Another week has come and gone! And it is nearly February~this year is already flying by! It’s been an exciting weather week here. I am so happy you are joining me today for Saturday meanderings to chat about all things new and wonderful this week.

New Beverages

Nothing better than a cuppa tea when it’s chilly and rainy. My sweet friend, Gabie from Tea End blog is my go-to person when I am seeking a new tea. She recently featured this one, The Wellness Tea on one of her blog posts. Ordering online is very easy and here are some of the claims this 100% organic herbal blend does to boost your daily balance:

• Immune System
• Anti-inflammatory
• Ease digestion
• Control blood sugar level
• Calming
• Cleanse
• Heart Health
• Energy Boost
• Improve skin health

Every afternoon I make a cup and add a bit of honey of Crozier honey. The tea package holds 30 pyramid tea bags. There is no caffeine, artificial colors or additives. See Gabie’s post here (photo above from Tea End Blog). To shop The Wellness Tea click here.

Our orchard is bursting with delicious citrus fruit but we are specifically enjoying our fresh tangerines. This Sidecar cocktail is SO good. Not only are you getting lots of Vitamin C, but I also add fresh ginger to the simple syrup. The bourbon is warming on these chilly evenings too. We are loving this tasty cocktail. Recipe is below.

Time to Prune

January and February are gardening months here in Phoenix. It is time to prune your fruit trees, before the spring growth starts to bud. This year I decide to prune the apple, peach, apricot and fig trees myself as I haven’t been happy with how they look.

In doing so, I discovered that our apricot trees have a borer which is creating havoc. I am in the process of reading up how to deal with these nasty characters as we have previously lost a peach tree due to these invaders.

Cleaning and Organizing Projects

There are no big or complicated projects on the horizon. But I am tackling smaller ones that take an hour or so each and every day. Does anyone hate cleaning out the freezer as much as I do? It would be embarrassing to show you the before picture, but here is what it looks like now. Hard to believe I threw out a lot of things.

Over 3 years ago, I converted a huge tv armoire to store our bedding and linens (see post here). It is finally messy enough for me to pull everything out and re-organize it all over again. Why can’t things stay perfect?

It feels good to get these things done as they are not overwhelming nor do they dominate my day.

More Antlers

Our sweet friends Sam and Kate, who provided us with the fabulous elk antler sheds (see post here), just sent us several deer antler sheds. I cannot wait to use them in different scenarios up at our cabin. Just a reminder that deer shed their antlers every year and no animal was hurt in the process.

Does anyone watch The Great British Baking Off? Well, we are watching the Masterclass episodes by Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry. They are addicting and the worst part, is that all I want to do is B.A.K.E. Recently I made cinnamon rolls with dried cherries, cranberries and walnuts with an orange glaze.

Then I had a hankering for brownies, but made these Black Bean and Avocado brownies instead. I know what you are thinking~black beans and avocado? Surprisingly, these brownies are rich and chocolatey. For this recipe I did add butterscotch chips vs. chocolate ones. Here is the link to Ambitious Kitchen for this healthier version.

Making Nut Milk

Several people find it surprising that I make my own nut milk. I cannot tell you how easy it is to make this. What I like most about it is that I get to control the ingredients. My fresh nut milk only lasts a week so I wonder what they put into commercially produced nut milk to lengthen the shelf life. The best and inexpensive helper to making nut milk, is a nut milk bag. You can find it here.

To see a post on how to make your own nut milk, click here.

iPhone Photos

A year ago I invested in an iPhone 11. There is probably still so much I do not know about it, but I do know that the camera function is excellent. Most of my photos are taken with this iPhone. Since improving my photography skills is ongoing, I take a lot of pictures. Here are some I took this week while walking the yard after the rain.

Our Weather

Since Phoenix has approximately 300 sunny days in Phoenix, we LOVE getting any weather that produces precipitation. With little rain this past year, it is so glorious to have all the rain (and snow) this week.

My friend, Louise, who lives in a more northern part of Phoenix, sent me this picture. Typically, her desert views are expansive but not only did it snow, but the visibility is nearly zero. Such a rare occurrence!

And we had 14 inches of snow at our cabin in the mountains!

Well, as we wrap up January 2021, I hope all is well with you and your family. So happy you are here today for Saturday Meanderings. Stay safe, healthy and warm!