Saltwater Sounds: Fall Focus With Home and Garden Updates

Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. Here, I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come, and the inspiration I’ve found from other bloggers around the web.

This and That

It was a week of all things fall.

The garden has shifted from summer to autumn. I’ve been working on a lot of cleanup, cutting back the phlox, chocolate lace Dara, and some spent black-eyed Susans.

Homegrown Pumpkin Patches

My favorite garden task this week was harvesting my jack-be-little and white pumpkins, which I grew this year. There wasn’t much, but it still made me so proud that I grew them in my own garden.

My friend down the street had planted the biggest pumpkin patch in her front yard and was gracious enough to offer me some of her beautiful pumpkins and cornstalks.

This has inspired me to grow an even bigger patch next year. This was the first autumn I didn’t have to spend any money for outside fall decor.

I was also inspired by these fabulous fall displays around her yard.

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Fall Home Decorating

I finally decorated the living room and kitchen for fall. Better late than never.

After I finished, the boys were tired and needed a rest. For a few days, it was a bit chaotic while I transitioned from summer to fall.

My sunflowers are already spent, so I got a little help from Trader Joe’s.

I’ll share more pictures of my fall decor next week.

Christianson’s Nursery

We almost always stop in La Conner when we’re on a boat trip, but without a car, I was never able to visit one of my favorite places to buy flowers and home decor.

But now that we have e-bikes, we were able to ride to Christianson’s Nursery, which was, by the way, one of my favorite stops of the entire trip.

I couldn’t buy plants because our baskets had limited storage space, but I bought a few spring bulbs and seeds for next year’s cut flower garden.

They have a charming home decor shop.

There’s a great mix of vintage and new here.

I also found a few home and garden books.

I took home a vintage copper fish tin and spoon. The “plant lady” doormat was too cute, but we didn’t have room in the bike basket.

They had the prettiest wreaths.

They were just starting to bring out the spring bulbs. I bought tulip and daffodil bulbs for next year.

This cute little building had antiques and vintage books on display, gardening books for sale, spring bulbs, and seeds that were 40% off.

How amazing is the red vintage” flower bulbs” sign?

Bainbridge Island: Last Stop on Boat Trip

The last stop on our boat trip was Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Island. We anchored close to the ferry terminal.

I have always loved this stop because of the classic Pacific Northwest view, complete with the downtown skyline and ferries.

We found the cutest dahlia stand on our bike trip.

Running Errands Back Home

I spent a day running errands. Trader Joe’s never disappoints with its assortment of flowers and pumpkins.

I stocked up on fall plants and half-off perennials at Willow Tree Nursery in University Place, Tacoma.

Can’t wait to plant them this week! For all you locals, Willow Tree is moving to Gig Harbor at the beginning of next year!!!

I’ll share pics of my retreat to Minnesota on next week’s Saltwater Sounds, so stay tuned.

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From the Blog

October Gardening Tips for the Pacific Northwest

Are you looking for tips on October gardening in the Pacific Northwest during this busy seasonal transition? I’ll share what areas need attention in the early fall garden now that the leaves are changing color and summer flowers are fading away… CONTINUE READING.

How to Make a DIY Fresh Magnolia Leaf Wreath

This easy-to-make DIY fresh magnolia leaf wreath is perfect for fall and holidays. I’ll show you how I incorporated magnolia leaves from the tree in our yard, branches of all kinds, and dried oranges. A step-by-step tutorial is below… CONTINUE READING.

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

Don’t these baked Cinnamon Crunch Apple Cider Doughnuts look delicious?

This “Dutch Fields” project from W Design Collective is inspiring.

Check out how to make a DIY witch broom.

These apple cider cheesecake tartlets look delicious.

What do you think about this industrial and colorful warehouse conversion in London?

Create fall floral arrangements with foraged treasures.

This is the cutest fall home tour!

I’d love to hear from you! Please 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 a wonderful week ahead,

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