Today on Weekend Meanderings, everything we planted in our edible kitchen garden, a strawberry muffin recipe you’re going to love and a summer to fall outfit idea.
Happy weekend, friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
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This week we’re celebrating birthday’s.
Grandniece Maesyn is 5.
Maesyn, her mom and big brothers are visiting from Texas.
They came over last Sunday.
It feels like just yesterday I was sharing Maesyn’s baby shower.
Grandniece Haddie is 2.
We sent her a personalized shaggy dog sleeping bag … she seems to like it!
I shared her parents intimate family wedding last summer.
And Dylan Marie arrived.
I shared her backyard baby shower last month.
Can’t wait to meet her!
That’s a lot of excitement for one week, let’s get to this weekend’s inspirations …
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM – THE NORDSTROM SALE
Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale went live for all this week. The first two years of my blog I ignored it, mostly because I ignore it myself. But this year I actually bought a few things including this fall cardigan, these cropped jeans and Olukai flip flops. I ordered online for pick up in-store and Jim swung by to retrieve everything. Everything fits so I consider my first Nordstrom Anniversary Sale shopping experience a success. What about you, have you bought anything at the sale?
Denim | Cardigan | Flip Flops
I should also say I bought unmentionables … which I’ll mention. My favorite Hanky Panky Boy Shorts and super comfy True unstructured bras.
COASTAL GRANDMA SUMMER
While we’re talking about clothes, here’s my Coastal Grandmother Summer outfit of the week. I love these Rails high waisted, wide leg jeans in a warm white. The brand photos show them to be ankle length. But on me (I’m 5’4″) they’re full length. Ideal for flat sandals and flip flops. I’m wearing a Skim’s body suit underneath and my favorite Jenni Kayne cotton cocoon cardigan. I can’t believe they no longer offer this style … here it is in the cropped version and cable knit style.
Ecru Denim | Body Suit | Similar Cardi | Earrings | Similar Sandals
WHAT’S IN MY EDIBLE GARDEN?
Last week I shared my excitement over our new edible kitchen garden planted in raised beds. This week I’ve been a frequent visitor to the garden. It’s amazing to watch it change day-to-day. Sometimes hour-to-hour. It was hot this week and the garden is still getting established so I gave it extra water in addition to the 2x daily drip irrigation runs. Good news … the garden seems to be thriving!
Here’s what we planted ~
The beets, arugula and radishes were planted from seed and are already sprouting.
We planted flowers too, mostly edible ~
That’s a lot of plants, right? The first thing I’ve learned from Stefani and Ian is that we can plant a lot in our raised bed space. More than I thought. Also, after reading the first chapters of Stefani’s book, The Beautiful Edible Garden, I’m gaining a better understanding of how to underplant faster growing plants like radishes very close to longer growers like tomatoes. The radishes will be harvested by the time the tomatoes start to consume more space.
STRAWBERRY MUFFINS
Jane Brody, New York Times personal health columnist and cookbook author, retired earlier this year. I mentioned it here along with my version of her chicken enchilada recipe. Two of her cookbooks, Jane Brody’s Good Food Book and Jane Brody’s Good Food Gourmet from the mid-80’s and early 90’s, are still favorites and I use them often. This week I made her Strawberry Muffins … they’re so good.
When strawberries are out of season, use frozen.
The recipe says to bake for 25 minutes. I set the timer for 20 minutes and they got browner than I’d like. Next time I’ll start checking at 15 minutes.
Jane Brody's Strawberry Muffins
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- In a large bowl, combine both flours, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Beat in apple cider and oil.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring the ingredients until they are just moist.
- Gently fold in the strawberries and divide the batter among 12 greased muffin cups. Top each muffin with a slide of strawberry.
- Bake muffins for about 20-25 minutes. Start checking them after 15 minutes.
I hope to be making these muffins with my home grown strawberries soon!
THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is coming to San Francisco August 1 – 27. I can’t wait to see it. The tour will be making its way across the country over the next year. Check tour dates and buy tickets here.
In other news ~
Easy ways to maintain a raised bed garden.
My girlfriend told me to drop everything and run to buy this miracle glotion! She heard about it from Martha Stewart. I’ll let you know if it works miracles on me.
My favorite life coach and podcast host, Kym Showers, unveiled her revamped website this week. It’s so colorful and fun … just like her. If you’re a woman over 40 and don’t listen to Kym’s podcast … do! Her next coaching group will start soon … and includes her November retreat in Avila Beach (California). I had an amazing experience at her inaugural retreat in May.
Current favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you this week.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth …
If you missed my last post, you can catch up here. You’ll find all my weekend roundup posts collected here.
Good morning Juliet!
Your garden looks fabulous! It is amazing how many plants are in there! Is it planted with mostly perennials? And will they flower at different times and add color for every season? I am a novice gardener and trying to learn.
Soon you will be making these muffins with your own strawberries! The muffins look delicious. I am going to add these cookbooks to my collection.
The Nordstrom sale is always interesting. I have purchased a few things in the past and I think I returned them all except 1. Sometimes it is hard to shop online. This year I purchased the Barbour trench and sadly it is too big. It is going back for exchange.
Your grandnieces and nephews are ADORABLE!!!
I hope that you have a wonderful and not too hot weekend.
xo Elizabeth
Elizabeth … I’m a novice Gardner too … always learning. The garden is a mix of herbs, greens, veggies, perennial & annual flowers. They’ll be continually replenished every season so something is always in blooming and or ready to harvest. Hope you can get the Barbour trench in the right size … a classic! It’s very hot here this weekend. Perhaps not as hot as it is there. Stay cool! xo
Hi Juliet,
You have had an exciting and full week.
Your grandniece and grandnephews are cute. Great ages. Grandniece Haddie in her personalized shaggy dog sleeping bag is precious. What a clever idea, smart you for finding it.
Great news, Dylan Marie arrived.
You did well at the Nordstrom sale, everything fits is a big bonus. I have purchased some Natori Bliss Perfection Bikinis. On the invoice it looks like they substituted one of the colors I ordered black for a dark gray. By the time they filled my order I’m sure they had sold out. I have never had Nordstrom do this in the past.
I have always had good luck with Natori . Kim recommended this particular style.
The sales lady recommended Chantelle Lingerie Soft Stretch Bikini. Due to arrive today. Hopefully they will be comfortable and fit well. One size does not fit all so we shall see.
Love the coastal grandma look, so comfortable, relaxed.
The edible garden is looking great. You must be pleased after doing all your homework.
Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Katherine. That’s interesting about the substitution. I’ve never had that happen either. Natori is a beautifully made brand and Kim’s recommendation are always spot on. Hope today’s arrival is the perfect fit. Happy weekend! xo
Hi Juliet! I missed a couple weeks while family was visiting, but I am happy to join you again this morning! You always look so dang casually chic. I just couldn’t pull off your look, but I sure wish I could! I have been a Jane Brody fan for years! I will definitely have to give those strawberry muffins a try! And wow, your raised beds look amazing! My plants are having such a hard time this summer with all the fog we have had — more foggy days than not. We might have to write this summer off, but I am still hoping things will improve in August. Have a wonderful week, my friend!
You’re a busy lady, Molly. And I’m dismayed by your foggy summer. After complaining about our fog I’d give anything to have it back today. The fog is always grayer on the other side of the fence?! That doesn’t make sense!!! Hope you’re enjoying some quiet time as you get your house back in order and wait for the sun. I’ll swing over to your blog in just a bit! xo
Beautiful garden with the raised beds! I’m thinking of doing that in a plot where I have full sun now. Sadly, I lost several cedar trees during our last winter storm. I hope to grow lots of cutting flowers too. I miss Jane Brody’s health articles now that she has retired. Enjoy your weekend, Juliet. Can’t wait to see what delicious recipes you will post with all the great veg and herbs
Hi Karen, I hope you do give raised beds a try. We’ve lots several trees too. And our neighbor lost one that turned our shady bed into a sunny bed. Another Jane Brody fan! We sure do miss her and I’m glad I’ve kept her books … so many of her recipes are timeless. Happy weekend! xo
Juliet, you have the cutest family. I love those ages!! They are lucky to have you guys too. What fun. The muffins were delicious I’m gonna try them. I am addicted to getting my strawberries at the farmers market on Sunday and they’re amazing.
You look really cute in the white jeans I don’t think I’m tall enough for them but they look great on you with the cardigan.
Yeah, I had some luck with a couple things at the Nordstrom Sale, and some of the things are already sold out. I’m waiting on a trench right now to pick up.
The garden looks great and that’s an interesting idea planting so many things. My dad’s a purist so he doesn’t let me do that but I try to sneak some flowers in last year. I can’t wait to see what you think of it all looks like it’s already doing super well.
xoxo
Hey there Kim! Strawberries are so good right now … I should stick to eating them straight from the basket. This muffin addiction could be a problem. I’ve heard so many express frustration about the Nordstrom sale and availability … it’s too bad. This was my first year trying to take advantage of it and I kind of got lucky. Can’t wait to see your trench! Don’t tell your dad about my garden coloring outside the lines. We’ll see how it goes … it’s so hot the last fews days, I’m out there every hour to visit and give it a little pep talk. Happy weekend! xo
Juliet, those strawberry muffins looks so good! Loving your raised bed garden and you coastal grandmother look!! It’s perfect!
Xx
Annie, you’re the sweetest! Thank you! xoxo
Good morning Juliet,
I love seeing your raised edible garden take root! I am an avid gardener and love to see others grow their gardens. It creates such a wonderful learning experience our lives. Last year I worked for a family who had 5 huge raised beds. Once established, those beds yielded constant and steady harvests. It is a daily ritual for certain! As always, it is lovely to read your meanderings.
Diana XOX
Hi Diana … thank you! I’m so excited about the garden. This morning our arched trellis’ were delivered … can’t wait to see the magic they create! xo
YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THOSE RAISED BEDS!
SO HAPPY YOU DID THAT!
STRAWBERRY MUFFINS!I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE OF THOSE BEFORE!
MY MOTHER COLLECTED COOKBOOKS DID I TEL YOU THAT BEFORE?I BET I DID………..XOXO
What happened to you mom’s cookbook collection … is it at La Contessa’s abode?! xo