Bee’s, Zarafa the First Giraffe in France, Fall fashion and More…Weekend Meanderings
Good morning friends, it’s Saturday morning and time for weekend meanderings with Kim and Juliet.
It was a great week, yesterday the washer and dryer arrived, a week early! They are not hooked up yet but hopefully Monday I will be washing clothes. We have counter tops, sinks, faucets and the backsplash is in but not grouted. All of the molding is installed, the walls are prepped for paint and the the dishwasher and cooktop arrive on the 17th. We are so close to being finished and I could not be more excited with the results. So far no change on the late January arrival of the refrigerator but that’s ok because the temporary one works just fine.
Enough about the kitchen lets’s meander.
Bee’s
Have you every read a book or watched a movie that weeks, days or even years you still think about? For me that is the movie Honeyland a documentary that I originally watched 3 years ago but each time I see a buzzing bee I am reminded of.
Bees are vital to our existence and in the last few years their declining numbers worldwide has scientists stumped. So far no one cause has been found for their demise but rather a combination of things are causing them to die and in fact become endangered.
In my area there has been a big push to educate people about bees and how to help increase not only their chance of survival but to increase their numbers. My local garden center has even been giving talks on raising bees, and creating a bee friendly yard.Although I think it would be interesting to raise bees, I have a fear of being stung, not to mention to the fact that my HOA will not allow it. Can you imagine making your own honey?
Instead, this year, as a beginner “gardener” I decided to plant a wild flower garden to attract bees and other pollinators. The bonus is that it attracts lots of hummingbirds too. Every morning the first thing I do when I wake up is visit my wild flower garden, I like to see if anything new has bloomed, if the deer have eaten anything and to see the buzzing bees.
Bee Resources and Information
Want to know more about bees and why they are so important to our future? Check out these TED Talks and for interesting facts about bee’s read this article from National Geographic.
Honey Bee Health Coalition is an amazing resource not only for bee keepers, and farmers but for all of us who care about bees and and their health.
More than Honey gives you a “bees eye” view of life inside the hives and takes you around to world to explore why bees are facing extinction.
Interested in raising bees? This beginner beehive from Flow looks like a great place to start, this book might be helpful too.
Recipes

Image Gobble the Cook
Doesn’t this honey cake look beautiful and delicious?
Your guests will be buzzing with excitement if you serve these cupcakes at your next barbecue.
Spiced honey vinaigrette is perfect on all of your salads.
Do you like hot honey? This is my favorite kind! I like to eat it on sweet potato rounds spread with peanut butter and then drizzled with hot honey.
Bee Finds
Grace the Giraffe In Paris

Image Earful Tower
Are you a fan of Oliver Gees’ Earful Tower blog and podcast? If so, did you know that he just wrote his 3rd children’s book Grace the Giraffe in Paris, illustrated by his wife Lina? You can pre-order it here.
A delightful story about a giraffe that walks from Marseilles to Paris. This beautiful book would make a wonderful Christmas present or could even be used as part of an advent calendar for your children or grandchildren.

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Zarafa, the First Giraffe in France
Grace the Giraffe in Paris is based on Zarafa a real giraffe that was gift from Egyptian Pasha Muhammed-Ali to King Charles X in 1826 who in fact did walk from Marseilles to Paris.
How Zarafa, France’s First Giraffe, Became a Cultural Sensation
Zarafa the Giraffe – A Fashion Icon and Trendsetter in Paris
Many years ago I read this book about the first giraffe in Paris and just ordered this one while reading articles to include in this post.
Fall Fashion 2022 From Chanel
It is almost time to pull out the sweaters, scarves and boots and I am ready. I cannot wait to wear my plaid scarves, Frye boots and puffer coats.
While fashion trends come and go my style is pretty consistent. I like classic pieces, white shirts, cashmere sweaters in traditional fall colors, like camel, gray, maroon, add some plaid or tweed and I am set for the day. By the way, TJ Maxx has some beautiful cashmere sweaters if you are looking for a few reasonably priced.
Fall Outfit of the Week
dress//boots// bag//glasses//polish//bracelet
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
This week I shared house updates, J. Crew favorites, and more on Monday Musings.
Cosy Fall Finds From Williams Sonoma
And on Friday Favorites post, you will find a risotto recipe, banana bars, lots of cocktails, a few fall finds and so much more
In other news
5 Easy Tips to Drink More Water
The 14 Best Places to Travel in September
16 Treehouse Airbnbs Fit For Magical Fall Getaways
The Best Drugstore Beauty Products, According to Vogue Editors
An Ode to Bookstores(Brick and Mortar)
30 Jane Austen-inspired books for Janeites of all ages
This blouse is a great piece to wear now and in the Fall.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
That’s it for this weeks post of weekend meanderings. I hope that you enjoyed meandering today and that when you leave here you pop over to see all of the things that Kim and Juliet have discovered this week.
If you missed lasts weeks weekend meanderings post you can find it here.
Have a wonderful and safe weekend.
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
Have a wonderful weekend! What are your plans? Will you be relaxing? Getting the kids ready for school? I would love to hear what you are up to!

I was in close proximity to a number of bees collecting nectar this week. No problems.
Good morning, dear Elizabeth! What a fabulous post. One of my favorite books of all time is The Secret Life of Bees. I added another “bee” book to my faves called Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult. It is not out yet, but it is such a good read! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, and I am delighted to hear that your kitchen is moving along quickly.
Elizabeth, Love all about bees! As you know we have a natural yard and it’s been wonderful having bees and hummers here as well as little birds all the time. This summer I left a thyme plant from the winter in my tomato garden and I have bees all day and night on the blossoms! I can’t figure out why they love these teeny blossoms so much.. I love that your nursery did this too. We need more of it. Beautiful outfit so classic and pretty. I will look at that dress and watch the whole fabulous Chanel show this afternoon. Thank you for sharing it! And yay for the kitchen. I can’t wait until you share more photos. Have a beautiful weekend! xo Kim
Oh meant to say I love Giraffes!! What a great gift book… About to go on a deep dive with it all.. xo
I love honey … and hot honey. On fried chicken. So so good! There’s been such a push to educate about bees and as a result I smile and take videos of them buzzing around my garden. And of course the difference between a good bee and the yellow jackets to plague our al fresco dining dreams. Love the book about Grace. This would be a wonderful gift for my little grand-nieces. They love books. I’m so not ready for fall, but I do love fall and all the warm, cozy clothes that come with it. And on that note, I’m off to the Apple store to surrender this dear laptop and pick up my new one. Have a wonderful weekend, Elizabeth. I’m thrilled at how much progress has been made in your kitchen. What a difference a week makes, right?! Soon it will all be a distance memory while you’re baking away in all that fabulousness! xo
Love watching bees. They are so very interesting.
Elizabeth, I am intrigued about the bee situation, but I too am concerned about getting stung. I don’t think I am a good candidate for raising bees. I see a lot of people around my area do though. I love hot honey! I m use try that recipe for salad dressing!
Hope your kitchen install continues to hum along this week!
Xo