Saltwater Sounds Weekly: A Lovely Life

Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. This is where I share all that’s been happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come and the inspiration I have found from other bloggers around the web.

This and That…

Happy Sunday and Happy May Day! Welcome to the blog.

I don’t know what it is about Sundays lately but we have another beautiful one today. It could get up to 61°F today and let me tell you that is warm for us these days.

I’m so excited to plant the rest of my geraniums and seedlings today.

---

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. My blog contains other affiliate links as well for your convenience. Click here to read my privacy policy.

---

A Tough Teeth Week in the Shiplap and Shells Home

It’s been a heck of a week.

The above picture was Jax last Sunday. You all know he’s my garden helper and protector, right? It was a good day…a really good day.

On Monday I took Jax to his vet appointment to get 5 or 6 rotten teeth pulled.

I brought Ollie along for the road trip because he has never been by himself, without Jax, at home. Unfortunately, after the 45-minute commute, Ollie threw up about 4 times in the car and left quite a mess. I was more upset about him than the mess.

He’s never been car sick so I’m not sure what that was all about.

So back to Jax. The poor baby ended up needing 16 teeth extracted that day. He’s only 6 years old!

We rescued Jax so we don’t exactly know what breed he is and if it is common for so many teeth to be taken out so early in life. We know his mom is a terrier mix but not sure about the dad.

The thing is that my hubby cleans the boy’s teeth regularly which is how we even knew Jax needed to see the vet.

As you can see he was drugged big time when he got home. His surgery was at 2:00 PM and when I went to pick him up at 5:30 PM they were just suturing him up. He was so confused. It was really sad. I just held him all night which Ollie didn’t appreciate because he’s usually the little spoiled one.

Jax will be on a soft food diet for the next 10 days and we’ll bring him back to the vet to see how everything is healing.

---

Someone Watching Over Me

Speaking of teeth and soft food diets, I had my own issues this week and you know what? Jax was there for me just like I was for him.

This was a head-scratching experience for me. I think you’ll agree.

As I was walking into the laundry room I tripped over something on the floor. I fell straight down on my mouth and nose.

You can see here that I broke 3 of my teeth and I had a bloody nose but THAT WAS IT! I could have broken bones, a jaw, my nose, gotten black eyes…you get the picture. But I didn’t. I truly believe that someone was watching over me.

I have the best dentist! We called Dr. Jang in Gig Harbor on the emergency line that night and he texted right away and said to come in the next morning. After looking things over he had me come back later that afternoon to fix 2 of the 3 teeth.

We still don’t know if one of my front teeth will need a root canal. No chewing, hot or cold food, and tender loving care is the prescription for the next 3 weeks to see if we can save the tooth. I get the other chipped tooth fixed on the 10th.

---

Plants are Not Blooming Like Usual This Spring Because of the Extreme Weather

We have been abnormally cold and wet here in the Seattle area this last couple of months and so many plants in the garden have been affected. I have clematis blooms that froze and fruit trees that barely bloomed this year.

I will say it is so strange to see pictures from this time last year where we had quite a few blooms already and barely anything now.

---

Adding Annual Flowers to Containers for Much Needed Color in the Garden

I’m planting annuals in containers around the garden right now so we can have some added color in the garden that we didn’t seem to get this season.

The geraniums that were overwintered in the greenhouse all winter are acclimated and ready to be planted. I got some planted in window boxes and containers on Thursday in between dentist appointments and have a few more to plant in containers today.

---

Seedlings Will Be Planted in the Cut Flower Garden

You can see that most of the seedlings are ready to be transplanted this week in the cut flower garden. I can’t wait!!!!

I just have some marigolds, bachelors buttons, and sunflowers that still need to be hardened off for another week before we transplant them.

I’m going to take my extra seedlings and plant them in our community garden next week as well.

---

A Walk in the Garden

Things are filling out in the garden right now. We do have a few blooms already and some that are just starting to show.

I replaced the pansies for petunias in the planter on Thursday but forgot to take a picture. I’ll share it with you next week.

The greenhouse will be empty next week!

Here’s the container garden with herbs, spring bulbs, and a few annuals mixed in.

We have some really pretty and unique daffodils coming up right now. This one is a Yellow Cheerfulness Daffodil.

This Sir Winston Churchill Daffodil is one of my very favorites.

Here is the Tulip Renown Unique variety that looks a lot like a peony to me.

Here are the same tulips a few days later.

The Red Campion plants are one of the few perennials that are flowering right now.

Here’s a Lady’s Mantle that is just starting to get her blooms. As you can see, this is a plant that desperately needs to be divided and I haven’t gotten there yet.

I need your help! From everything I’ve read, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a Centaurea Montana. Can anyone confirm or correct me?

Whatever it is, it’s one of the first bloomers of the season and its deep purple is so gorgeous! I will cut it down after the flowers and foliage is spent and it will make another performance before dying off for the season.

---

Lavender Vanilla – Another Favorite Candle Fragrance

Lavender Vanilla is a soothing bouquet of fresh florals and lavender blossoms, highlighted with warm vanilla bean.

• Clean Burning
• 100% Vegan
• Hand-Picked Fragrances
• Sustainable Materials
• Moderate Strength

You can get the 8 oz. for $22 OR 16 oz. for $30. This fragrance also comes in wax melts for $9.

Here’s another fun option. The Friend Favorites Sample Pack for $26 includes 4-2 oz. candles: Sweet Lemon, Country Pear, Momma’s Kitchen, and of course Lavender Vanilla.

VISIT ANTIQUE CANDLE CO. HERE TO SEE MORE.

---

What’s Happening at Shiplap and Shells…

Here are last week’s blog posts and all that’s been happening at Shiplap and Shells.

Savor the Simple Joys Around You and Your Home

Are you intentional when it comes to finding joy in your home? I’ve created a home that I love just by allowing myself to be “perfectly imperfect” and enjoying what is around me in the present moment.

I’m also sharing my friend Melissa Michael’s new book “A Lovely Life” which shows us how to love our home by savoring the simple joys around us.

I was lucky enough to be part of a book launch tour this last week where some blogger friends and I are offering a different giveaway bundle on each of our blog posts. I have all the links in my blog post. CLICK HERE for the link to Melissa’s new book.

My blog post is where you can enter to win a Lovely Gardening Bundle!

---

May Gardening Tips and To-Dos for the Pacific Northwest Region

The weather is getting warmer and the plants are getting bigger and better this month. Here are some May gardening tips and to-dos for your Pacific Northwest garden.

---

Coming Your Way:

12 Tips for Creating a Low Maintenance Garden – May 3rd

5 Beautiful Blooming Spring Flowering in My Garden – May 7th

7 Things You Want to Know About Foxgloves – Your Questions Answered – May 10th

11 Simple Tricks for Beautiful Flower Garden Containers – May 14th

What would you like to see on my blog? Please leave me a comment and let me know.

---

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web…

The talented Courtney of French Country Cottage has 7 quick, easy & temporary ways to update your kitchen and they are all so beautiful.

---

Here’s a pretty and delicious recipe from Michele of Vintage Home Designs. Check out her parmesan rosemary shortbread crackers. I can’t wait to make these.

---

My good friend Stacy of Bricks ‘n Blooms shares her gorgeous afternoon tea party for a Mother’s Day brunch.

---

Are you looking for some easy spring basket centerpiece ideas? Rachel of The Ponds Farmhouse has plenty of inspiration for you.

---

I absolutely LOVED this quote that CoCo of The Crowned Goat shared in her latest “From the Porch” post.

---

More Inspiration

This extraordinary Westlake home.

Best way to clean a concrete patio.

Hosting an elegant Kentucky Derby party.

A French Country Mother’s Day Brunch.

This Tuscany villa.

An English tea room treat.

This island oasis.

These vegan wings.

The healing properties of roses.

This no-bake lemon berry cheesecake cup recipe.

---

An Oldie But a Goodie

Mother’s Day Inspiration in the Cottage Garden

Take a little tour to see what was blooming in my cottage garden last year. I also share some ideas on how to make Mother’s Day even more special with flowers and plants.

---

I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog! Thank you for being here.

Until next time,

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a happy new week,

---

PIN AND SAVE ON PINTEREST

If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, please pin and share this on Pinterest.

---

Let’s Connect on Social Media

• Follow me @shiplapandshells on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook
• Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks Group!