Random This & That
I hope you had a great week.
Every week goes by faster and faster, doesn’t it? Not much to tell except that the garden is changing so much EVERY DAY! It’s fun to take a daily walk and see what’s blooming. I’ve heard from so many new gardeners this summer, and it’s really fun to see what everyone is growing.
We went to a concert in the park last weekend which was so much fun! It’s nice to be able to listen to fun music while enjoying the outdoors. That’s about the most excitement I had all week!
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Ollie is in group puppy training class for 6 weeks and is catching on so quickly. Can’t wait to show you some of his AMAZING tricks like “sitting” and “coming”…you know, the really big stuff! My boy is even learning how to play cards now. He’s actually pretty good.
Do you ever have a project that should only last a couple of days, but then ends up taking A LOT longer? We had a vintage farm sink in our kitchen that we actually built our new kitchen around.
Throughout the years it has discolored and peeled so much that we really had no choice but to replace it. We felt that a reproduction farm sink was the best choice going forward because of how much we use it.
I’m sure you can imagine the pain I was feeling as I took this picture. Yes, we were only replacing a sink! But let’s just say that a 101-year-old house slopes a lot and we had a little trouble making adjustments. I’ll share the end result next week.
In the Garden
I’m still working on the white pest that is infesting my garden. We are pretty sure it’s an aphid, I’ve just never seen a white aphid before. I have also had people suggest that our culprit is whitefly and leafhopper.
I’ve gotten so many great tips from other gardeners and am currently trying a few different ideas to get rid of these little tiny monsters!
Not sure what this is. Someone told me that the ground “cooks” the under leaves making them susceptible to fungus. She suggested removing the dead foliage and spraying milk on them.
The outside of the plant looks perfectly happy and healthy.
This has been a really bad year for my plant leaves, poor things. And I don’t have a clue as to what is doing this to them. Any ideas?
Have you joined my Gardening Tips & Tricks group on Facebook? If you have, I would love for you to post some of your garden pictures so we can see what’s happening where you live!
What’s Happening at Shiplap and Shells…
WHAT’S BLOOMING IN MY EARLY SUMMER COTTAGE GARDEN
Isn’t it amazing how different the timing is for summer flowers to bloom, depending on your location? Come take a tour with me as I show you what’s blooming in my early summer cottage garden.
Coming Up on the Blog:
How to Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies to Your Garden
Christmas in July
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web…
My friend Meeghan at Cali Girl in a Southern World created the most beautiful blue and white tablescape.
I’m always inspired by the way my friend, Cindy at County Road 407 decorates using her architectural salvage pieces.
More Inspiration…
This farmhouse hutch and dresser match made in heaven.
Ways to style your deck this summer.
A taste of Christmas in July.
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cherries on National Cherry Day.
Saturday morning pancakes.
Staying on top of your kitchen.
Thrifting with the Gals
My good friends, “The Gals” write a blog post every month about their thrifted finds. I thought it would be fun to share their links with you this month…
In Case You Missed It…
LAST YEAR’S HOME RENOVATIONS
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. It means the world.
Enjoy your weekend,
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Let’s Connect on Social Media
- Follow me @shiplapandshells on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook
- Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks Group!
What a fun round-up, Kim. I’m sorry you are having pest problems. I have budworms that are demolishing my petunias and geraniums. I can’t get rid of them! Ugh!
Thanks so much for sharing my Granny’s dresser and hutch, Kim! I really appreciate it. I always love your garden and how you make it feel so approachable. We’ve had a major problem with slugs this year and whiteflies too. Hopefully, you’ll get it figured out and your plants will be on the mend soon. I know you work so hard out there! Can’t wait to hear how Ollies training goes too – such a cutie pie! Hugs and thank yous, CoCo
Thank s for visiting CoCo! Hope you had a great week.
Ha! I love that Ollie is learning to play cards! Looks like he’s got you tied on the hand though – whose crib is it? 🙂 Happy Sunday up there!
He seems to have really taken to the game Barbara!
Oh wow! I feel for you with the whole sink thing. I have had that happen to me too. We need to replace our bathroom floor as we just found out our bath has been leaking. I just know that this is going to lead to whole bathroom renovation. Something ate all of my hostas this year too and I couldn’t figure out what it was. Hoping they come back with a vengeance in the summer. Your garden looks lovely. I really love reading your posts and seeing all your pictures of your wonderful garden and, of course, your beautiful home. Good luck with the kitchen.
Thank you, Carol. I really hope that your bathroom doesn’t end up needing much help. Thanks for visiting.
Your garden is just gorgeous: I did very little this year; didn’t even plant my veggies; 2 years of tomato blight, slugs, and land snails have discouraged me!
I can understand being discouraged. I felt that way when I went from plant to plant and saw different pests on different plants. It’s a lot of work to keep up.
Kim, you are so sweet to share Thrifting with the Gals. We miss having you along every week, but I understand! Beautiful post this week.
Thank you, Rachel. If I can’t follow along with you ladies, I can at least share you.
Even with bugs eating your garden, it’s still the most gorgeous I’ve ever seen. Truly! We are about to get a new sink too but it’s still going to be in an ugly kitchen. :/ Looking forward to seeing the finished results.
And thank you for featuring my architectural salvage post. I do love good junk! Hope you have a great weekend.
Thank you for the compliment, Cindy.
Kim, I just LOVE pictures of your kitchen. I completely understand the old house quirks! Can’t wait to see the new sink. If I had to rate my garden this year it would be a 4 out of 10. I had such problems with pests, weather and low production. Right now, I am letting it go fallow and will tackle it again at the end of August. I’m scratching my head as to what happened differently this year. BTW, I generally spray soapy water on my aphids or hit the plants with a garden hose. They actually reproduce while they are crawling on your plants…..ewww. So gross. Anyway in spite of some of your garden challenges, it still looks beautiful. Thanks for featuring my National Cherry day post. I am so loving cherries this time of year.
I usually don’t get many pests either Mary. That’s why it was so hard this year. I’m a huge fan of soapy water, and that’s exactly what I did to those little monsters.
I love your new emails Kim! Thanks for sharing Thrifting with the Gals too💯
It was so fun to share you ladies. And thank you. I really like them too, so happy I made a change.
How cute is your pup at the table!!!! Thanks for including my thrifting post! Love your gardens!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks, Stacy! And Ollie thanks you too.