Saltwater Sounds Weekly: Wildflower is Back

Welcome to Saltwater Soundsa 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.

Boat Wildflower

This and That…

Our Boat, Wildflower, is Finally Back Home

After 6 months in the boatyard, our boat finally came home on Friday and we couldn’t be happier. 

For those of you who aren’t familiar with our boat story, we had a boat named 3 Star for 5 years before getting a new one.

Her name is Wildflower.

How We Named Our First Boat 3 Star

So, to make a VERY LONG story short, we named the first boat 3 Star because of how my husband and I met. It was at a Thai Restaurant, but because their phone wasn’t working, we had to wait for the food to be cooked.

It was at that time that he questioned me on why I would possibly order my pad Thai with 2 1/2 stars. Now I order the 3-stars, which is spicier, just like him and we are living happily ever after.


boat Wildflower

How We Named Our New Boat Wildflower

So our first boat was named based on how we met. Our new boat is named is how we hope to live the rest of our lives.

Do you know the song, Wildflower, by Tom Petty? Here is the lyric that spoke to us.

You belong among the wildflowers. You belong on a boat out at sea. You belong with your love on your arm. You belong where you feel free”. Tom Petty

That pretty much sums it up, don’t you think?

boat Wildflower

Wildflower has been at the boatyard since February. We were finally able to bring her home on Friday. I don’t have many pics of it clean and decorated yet but that’s what we’ll be working on all next week.

bow of the boat

Here’s the bow of the boat while cruising home.

Narrows Bridge from the boat

That’s the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the distance.

party on the boat

This is the pilot house where a couple of friends joined us for a cocktail cruise last night.

I’ll share inside pictures next week.


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It’s All About the Flowers

How cool is this flower arrangement? I saw it sitting on the counter when seeing my dermatologist the other day. It’s made of LEGOS!

Why didn’t we have Legos like that when I was growing up? I would have been busy for hours and hours and would have never gotten in trouble. OK, I probably would have still gotten in trouble.

Here is my very last bundle of sweet peas for the year. I will miss these beauties but am saving the seeds to sow for next year.

These hydrangea bloom heads are all from the same bush. Can you believe all this color would come from the same hydrangea bush?

3 Easy Ways to Dry Hydrangeas


A Walk Through the Garden

Cottage Garden Happenings

Some of the biggest, brightest, and best blooms in the cottage garden right now are…

  • Dahlias
  • Coneflower or Echinacea
  • Black-Eyed Susans
  • Blazing Star

The daisies, daylilies, gladiolas, and phlox are looking pretty tired. I cut most of the daisies down towards the front of the garden.

Autumn Sedum Joy and Asters will be showing off soon with gorgeous fall colors.


Cut Flower Garden Happenings

I consider dahlias part of both the cut flower and cottage gardens. They will be the star of my gardens at least through the middle of October.

Strawflowers are one of my favorite cut flowers. They are so easy to care for, bright, and uniquely beautiful.

If you missed the garden tour last week here it is. You can see the other cut flowers there, but the strawflowers are this week’s stars.

Although these veggies are not a flower, they are in my cutting garden and look great.

I just harvested the last of the green beans but there are so many more tomatoes for the season and a few more zucchini, I hope.

The onions should also be ready to harvest soon.


The Newest Fall Candle Fragrance

Antique Candle Co. has its fall candle collection available online.

The newest Antique Candle Co. fall candle is called Cozy Cabin. It’s a soothing scent of fresh mountain air, intertwined with woodsy autumn notes of fir, sandalwood, amber, and lush cedar. Wanna try it? Shop Candles HERE!


What’s Happening at Shiplap and Shells…

My Summer Shopping Spree for Vintage and Much More

Do you love hunting for the perfect vintage piece or do you just like to venture out in hopes of spotting an amazing find? I actually do a little bit of both. Come along as I show you the shops I visited and the treasures I found on my summer shopping spree for vintage and so much more.


How to Safely Dig Up and Store Your Dahlia Tubers During the Winter Season

Are you looking for some autumn inspiration? To get you ready for fall, I’ll show you 6 home decor and DIY project ideas that will bring on those warm and cozy vibes for the coming season.



Coming Up…

  • Our Trip to Venice, Italy

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web…

Do you love cut flowers? My friend Jennifer of Cottage at Bunker Hill has the most beautiful zinnias and shares a guide on how to grow these amazing summer blooms.


My sweet friend Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse shares how to use thrifted vintage gardening decor in your backyard and outdoor spaces. You’ll love how she creates a unique and interesting outdoor vignette.


Are you ready for an easy fall craft that you don’t need to use a sewing machine to create? Leslie at My 100-Year-Old Home shares how to make fabric pumpkins for your fall home decor.


More Inspiration

This gorgeous Miami House.

This isn’t your childhood version of spaghetti-os from the can.

A romantic walled garden.

Lavender ice cube stirrers.

A David Adler design home steeped in history.

How to create a library in your living room.

This Sussex farmhouse filled with inherited furniture and flea market finds.

5 fun ideas for filling your vintage bowls.


An Oldie But a Goodie

3 Easy Ways to Dry Hydrangeas

What if I told you that you could enjoy your hydrangeas in your home for months to come? Well, you can! I’ll show you 3 easy ways to dry your hydrangea blooms for a great addition to your autumn decor.


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 week ahead,


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6 Comments

  1. Congtatulations on the new boat, its beautiful. It looks like a yacht. I was wondering, do you spray your hydrangeas with anything after they dry so they dont fall apart? I have a beautiful bunch on my diningroom table but they fall off everytime I move them to dust.

    Thanks for you help. Kim

  2. Kim, your Wildflower’s a beauty. Enjoy every moment of tranquility and exploration aboard her. Short of bunking with you on your breathtaking property next summer, I’d love for you to suggest a 2-4 week itinerary in your area. Best (quasi-reasonable) places to rent and from which agencies? What to do within a 100-mile radius? Favorite restaurants and shops? Where to book half-day sailing excursions? Thanks for your expert advice!

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