Saltwater Sounds Weekly: Giving Thanks and Feeling Grateful
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…
It’s the last weekend before the big Thanksgiving holiday. Are you ready?
My hubby and I consider ourselves holiday orphans. We won’t be hosting the holidays, but we do celebrate Friendsgiving with very dear friends.
It’s always a wonderful day with delicious food and great memories. My friend Lori is the very best cook. I’m making a pumpkin pie.
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My Friend
I’ve really been feeling grateful for so many things lately. Especially for my health.
We have a neighbor who is in the hospital. He’s not expected to make it past the next week or two. Our friend was just sitting on our deck the last 4th of July, eating my quiche and enjoying the community parade that goes down our street.
I remember being so happy to see him because it was the first year he was able to come. I’m so glad I had some time with him that day. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for that time.
We don’t know how much time we have. I’ve seen so much unexpected loss the last several years and it has made my husband and I realize that living in the moment and enjoying each day is really what matters.
Girl’s Trip to Willamette Valley, Oregon
I had mentioned in the last Saltwater Sounds post that I was spending some girl time in Oregon.
First of all, the Willamette Valley could not have been any more beautiful. The fall season is just stunning in this area.
We stayed at Durant at Red Ridge Farms during our trip.
I stayed in the small cottage, just above this gift shop, with a friend.
There’s nothing better than staying in a suite that has shopping just downstairs.
I bought several olive oils after the tastings we went too. My favorites were basil, garlic, and lemon. I also found some gift sets for friends. Some had wine and others had olive oils.
We loved spending time in McMinnville.
There was a lot of great shopping for decor and clothing.
I didn’t take pictures of the antique mall because I was so distracted, but I found SO MANY vintage ornaments.
I’d like you to meet Frankie, this sweet horse pulling a carriage full of tourists.
There are so many wineries in Willamette Valley.
Here are a few of my favorite views from the weekend.
Fall was definitely in the air but it was an absolutely gorgeous weekend with sunny skies.
A Walk Through the Garden
So…there really isn’t anything to see after a frosty night except for this cafe au lait dahlia plant.
This picture pretty much tells the story. All the dahlias are now black and gone. I will spend the next few days cutting the plant down to 6 inches.
You can see more about putting your dahlias to bed HERE.
What’s Happening at Shiplap and Shells…
Cozy Christmas Decor Ideas for a Rustic Natural and Neutral Style
Are you looking for some decorating inspiration for the holiday season? Today I’m sharing some rustic natural and neutral style décor ideas for Christmas.
14 Wonderful Ways to Use Vintage Finds in Your Christmas Decor
Are you a fan of all things antique and vintage? I’m sharing some wonderful ways to use your special vintage finds for Christmas decor.
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web…
Do you love gingerbread houses as much as I do? Jen at Midwest Life and Style shows how easy it is to make a simple gingerbread snow globe centerpiece for your holiday table.
Ready for an easy appetizer this holiday season? Tieghan at Half-Baked Harvest shares these pull-apart garlic butter spinach and artichoke dip sliders. Don’t they look amazing?
If you’re looking for some holiday table inspiration I’ve got you covered. My good friend Stacy at Bricks ‘n Blooms has created the prettiest Christmas table centerpiece.
More Inspiration
Ina Garten’s tips for a less stressful Thanksgiving.
This festive Christmas cocktail.
This gorgeous house.
The best crockpot cheesy mashed potatoes.
Making these DIY Christmas topiaries.
This remote Maine retreat.
Antiques to look for this Christmas.
A delicious Thanksgiving menu whether you are a vegetarian or not.
3 Christmas porches you’ll love.
An Oldie But a Goodie
Discovering New Holiday Traditions Through Loss and Self-Reflection
I have so many questions for you!
Are you cooking or visiting this Thanksgiving?
Have you decorated for the winter holidays yet?
What’s your favorite food for Thanksgiving?
I’d love to hear from you! Leave 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 week ahead,
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I’m so sorry to hear about your neighbor. That’s so sad. I’m glad you had fun on your girls trip looks like a great time! Thank you for sharing my Chrstmas table! xoxo
Your holiday status of being orphans is cute and that would be us also. We aren’t making dinner either. What a great Friendsgiving gathering you must have. Good idea!
Having friends to shop with is a blessing! We’ve lost touch due to hubby’s work that it’s just us mainly. I will enjoy the quiet day at home. I made note of your Oregon shopping fun trip…maybe I can get my husband on board with that??? Probably not..Lol!
So sorry about your friend’s health. At our age of 53-58 we are seeing much more of this as well. Enjoy them while they are here and make more moments for friends when you can.
I am mixing some hot cocoa to share with neighbors and just potted some hyacinth bulbs to hopefully make it thru our winter here in IN in our garage and shoot up for the spring..first time of done this….I haven’t the large landscape for placing in my garden beds but pots I can do!! Fingers crossed!!
Enjoy your holiday together!
I so enjoy your posts..and hope to find a quaint spot to create a rest and relaxing retirement like yours some day…hard to find the right location. Yours is beautiful!
SO gad you had a wonderful time in the Willamette Valley – one of my favorite places to be – and I hope you gave a wave and you passed through Portland! 🙂 You’re so right about enjoying every moment possible! Thanks for the reminder, and for sharing all this beauty and your great ideas! Take care my friend!
Kim, yes I am cooking as we are having a big gathering at our cabin in the mountains (with a less than equipped kitchen). No, I haven’t put up any Christmas decorations~that comes after Thanksgiving. I know, weird for a blogger, but I love Thanksgiving too much to skip over its importance. Favorite food is the turkey and stuffing and gravy and my husband’s legendary pumpkin pies.
Wish we lived closer as we would love to have you and your husband join us.
Happy Thanksgiving, my sweet friend!
Kim
I’m also so thankful for my health. Since getting all the Christmas boxes out I’ve realized I can’t work as hard as I used to. Getting old isn’t fun. But I’m thankful I can still decorate and your post was a much needed reminder. Thanks for sharing my topiaries also sweetheart!
Kim, I’m so sorry to hear about your neighbor. Praying for peach for you and his family during this time. And thank you so much for sharing my gingerbread snow globe centerpiece. I hope your reader enjoy it as much as I do.
Wishing you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for sharing Kim. Your girls weekend sounds amazing. Always so nice getting a way❤️
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. It brings back great memories of when I lived in Beaverton, Oregon. I really miss it. This post made my day.