Fair Isle Sweaters, Penicuik Estate, Eskfield House, forcing Amaryllis and more on Weekend Meanderings.
WEEKEND MEANDERINGS
Good Saturday morning to you friends. It’s time for Weekend Meanderings with Juliet and Kim. Join us as we share all of the things that piqued our interests and caught our eye this week.
Whew…it has been a week full of ups and downs. A half an hour after 4 people came to demo the bathroom(s) and part of the bedrooms we receive the call that my mother-in-law passed away. The rest of the day was a blur of noise and making arrangements.
At the same time this week, my family leather business of over 40 years was closed. I started working at the company when I was 17 when we sewed each piece by hand and had thought of taking it over, but I am at a different stage in my life than I was 15 years ago when I said that I would. The good news is that my cousin purchased the company, moved it to New Hampshire so it is still in the family.
As for the renovations, there have been some issues and now there need to be some design changes. I won’t go into the details because they are boring and insignificant in the scheme of things. It won’t be exactly as we planned but it will still be beautiful.
Ok, enough about me, let’s meander.
Wanderlust~Eskfield House on the Penicuik Estate
Eskfield House is the newest house for rent on the beautiful Penicuik Estate which has been owned and managed by the Clerk family since 1654. In the late 1800’s a fire started in the attic and burned the original Penicuik house.
Apparently there wasn’t enough money to rebuild, so the family moved into the stables, which are fabulous and are also available for weddings etc. The family was able to salvage most everything in the house and has furnished the stables with these pieces. The ruins of the Penicuick house are still on the grounds and you can tour them, and also rent them to host events.
Today though I am focusing on the beautiful Eskfield house. It has recently been remodeled and is for rent for your next holiday in Scotland. Penicuik is just 10 minutes from Edinburgh but with the extensive woodlands and parks it seems like it is in the middle of the countryside.
“Built in 1714, Eskfield is our Palladian spa house – one of the most important features of the Penicuik Designed Landscape. It sits within an astonishing 1.5-hectare arcadian walled garden, all for your exclusive enjoyment. With a burn running through a beautiful orchard and wildflower meadow, Eskfield offers a natural sanctuary surrounded by ancient woodland in every direction.”
If you have plans to visit Scotland in the coming year or have it on your bucket list be sure to check out this stunning property. You can learn more about Penicuik on their website or follow them on Instagram. Even if you have no plans to visit at least check out the stunning drone footage, it may change your mind.
Fair Isle Sweaters
Speaking of Scotland, are you familiar with the classic and iconic Fair Isle sweater? Did you know they began as a hat to keep fishermen warm in the 18th and 19th century? The Fair Isle knit, is a two-stranded knitting tradition originating off the coast of Scotland on the island of Fair Isle.
They have been wardrobe staple for over 100 years and have even graced the runways of some of your favorite designers including Chanel. These versatile, practical and sometimes whimsical sweaters can be worn with everything from jeans to a tulle skirt. They are definitely a sweater that you will want to add to your to Fall and Winter wardrobe.
I put together a little collage of some of my favorite fair isle sweaters this season. You can see more choices at the end of the post.
Amaryllis Bulbs
If you love the look of fresh holiday flowers like Amaryllis and Paperwhite for the holiday season it is time to start thinking about planting your bulbs. You can start them indoors in late October or early November.
If you prepare now and plant, water, and care for these bulbs in the weeks leading up to Christmas you will have a beautiful and decorative display to use on your table or in your decorations.
They also make a wonderful hostess gift or gift for family and friends, especially if you put them in a decorative container that matches their decor and they can use again and again. If you are like me and do not have a green thumb you can always use faux amaryllis flowers in your arrangements.
How to force amaryllis bulbs
- To grow a single bulb the pot needs to be bigger than the bulb(about 1-2 inches), but you can also plant 3 or four bulbs in one large pot. Just be sure that you are not using too small a container otherwise the flowers will be top heavy and flop over.
- Make sure the pot has a drainage hole. When planting cover it with a rock so that the soil stays in the pot but also allows for water to seep out. This is important because you do not want the bulbs to rot. Set the plant pot or container on top of a drainage saucer so that water does not damage the surface of your furniture.
- Fill the pot about 1/4 full of soil.
- Make a well in the soil and pick up your bulb so the roots hang down. Set the roots and the bulb into the well. You want the bulb to stick up above the rim of the pot. Fill around the pot with potting soil.
- Water the bulb generously and after it soaks remove the excess water from the tray underneath the container or garden pot. Only water the bulb when the soil surface is dry, then give it a good soaking let the water run through, empty the saucer.
- If you like you can top the soil with mulch, moss, rocks, etc.
- Place the pots in bright, indirect light and keep them warm ideally 70-75 F. Rotate the container every few days so that the stem grows straight. You may need to add a stake to keep the stalk steady.
- That’s it, enjoy!
Another great idea is to recycle and use vases, bowls, vintage tea cups, silver-plated bowls or other vessels from the thrift store, they all make great planters for forced bulbs.
For more tips read this post and be sure to take a look at these stunning flower arrangements using amaryllis.
LINKS TO READ+WATCH+LISTEN
Afghan women cannot pray loudly or recite in front of other women, says Taliban minister
70 Farrow and Ball Colors in Real Homes
6 Small, Everyday Things Physical Therapists Wish You’d Stop Doing
Are Kitchen Islands Outdated Now? Interior Experts Explain.
Why Do Some People Need More Sleep Than Others?
Daytime snoozing offers the same life-improving benefits of nighttime sleep—if you do it right.
IKEA Brings Home Décor, Art, and Annie Leibovitz to Paris Fashion Week
Outlander Season 7 Part 2: What We Know So Far
An Essential Guide to the Best of the Scottish Highlands
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
On Monday I shared this fabulous holiday and lots more on Monday Musings!
If you are Mad for Plaid you will love Tuesdays post.
Wednesday I joined Sheri Silver for our monthly series “sweet treats for your sweet tooth”, I shared these scrumptious Cranberry Cheesecake Bars and Sheri shared Cranberry Curd Mud Hen Bars. Both are perfect for your holiday dessert table.
Last but not least, Friday Favorites. You can find all of the details to this stylish outfit and this scrumptious soup!
You can find all of my outfits on LTK so be sure to follow me in case you missed one.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
I hope that you enjoyed weekend meanderings. If you did please share the post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or Pinterest.
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend friends.
Don’t forget to pop over and visit my friends Kim and Juliet you can find the links below.
If you missed any of the previous Weekend Meandering posts you can find them all here.
This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
On My Radar~Fair Isle Sweaters
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your dear mother in law. May she be at peace.
Thanks for the timely reminder about amaryllis bulbs! I never remember until mid December. I’m thinking about my containers, and am headed to the nursery later.
I also thank you for links to some Fair Isle sweaters, that are wool and cashmere free. Can’t wear either of them, and it makes me sad this time of year!
Lisa, let me know how your bulbs turn out. And if you have any tips please share!
Also I you find a fair isle sweater come back and tell us how you liked it.
Have a wonderful weekend.
So sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. Our prays are with you and your family.
Lillian, thank you for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated.
Dear Elizabeth,
I’m a card sender, however since I do not have your mailing address, I’m coming to you softly and tenderly when words fall short on the loss of your mother-in-law. I know you both were so good and kept closely connected. Loss is so hard to handle and process. My thoughts are with you and your entire family.
Gee, having contractors knocking at your door so early is a challenging way to start your morning. There always seems to be a speed bump when you are remodeling. You never like to hear of surprises at the last minute. I’m sure your remodel will be beautiful.
I’m so glad your cousin is taking over your family business. Over 40 years running a family business speaks volumes how smart you all are. It’s not easy owing a successful business. Very impressive. Great you were involved at such a young age. Did your parents develop the business when you were youngsters?
Have a peaceful weekend, a time to start to heal a little. Baby steps, a minute, an hour, just a day at a time. Loss is huge.
Katherine, thank you my friend. It will be a long week but it will be nice to be with so family and friends and all who loved Betty.
There does always seem to be a problem or an issue when remodeling, especially as you are taking on someone else’s home and putting your stamp on it. The other challenging thing is that we are trying to renovate not for the age that we are now but for what we will need in the future so there is that to think about as well. I am excited for however it turns out.
To be honest, I am a little sad about the business, in fact I think I was more sad than my mom. My mom and my step-dad started the business together 40 years ago, and I was 17 years old. It is an interesting story about how they started it and perhaps I will share it on the blog.
It was my nephews birthday on Friday, it is my sister in laws birthday today and my step-daughters on the 4th.
Thank you again for your kindness. Loss is always hard and I am going to miss Betty as we talked almost every day, I guess now we will talk in my dreams.
HAve a wonderful weekend.
Elizabeth
Hello Elizabeth,
I am sorry to hear about your mother in law and sending my condolences to you and yours. Wishing you peace.
Francesca, thank you. Your message is so appreciated.
Elizabeth, I am so very sorry and sad for you all. You Mother-in-law sounded like such a sweet person. I cannot believe you had the construction demo happening at the same time. It’s a lot. I am thinking of you.
I am glad you are with family and hope you can celebrate your birthday a little with them I hope. Your family business is intriguing.. I hope you have time to share more. I would also love to hear more about the house remodel!
Love the Fair Isle sweaters you choose! I need one. The dessert and the soup looked so good too. I am popping over to read about them. Take care of yourself. xo
P.s.. love the place in Scotland!
Hi Elizabeth, I’m so sorry about your Mother-in-Law who sounds like an absolute treasure. I know how much she’ll be missed. Congratulations on getting your next renovation underway. Don’t you love unanticipated surprises? I guess they’re par for the course and it sounds like you’ve already figured out salutation. So funny you mention Fair Isle sweaters. I know one when I see one but had no idea where they got their name. My list of placed to visit in England, Scotland and Ireland grows each time I read your blog. At this rate I’m going to need at least six months to visit all the fabulous hotels you find. Wishing you and your family peace as you navigate the loss of your beloved family member. xo