This and That

It feels so good to be home!

After two months on the boat, I can honestly say it was one of our best summers yet, filled with so many adventures and lasting memories.

But as much as I loved every minute, I’m also so happy to be back in our little beach cottage.

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Back to Fall Nesting

Dried Flowers to Use for Fall Decor

The best surprise waiting for me when we got home?

Hundreds of dried flowers that our housesitter had snipped and saved—hydrangeas, celosia, statice, yarrow, eucalyptus, and strawflowers tucked into the bathtub, shower, pantry, and my office.

I spent Friday making bouquets and filling the cottage with them, and I’ll share more photos with you next week.

“Home is the nicest word there is.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder

I also filled my favorite vintage wooden dough bowl and hanging basket (both from Red Plantation in Poulsbo) with dried hydrangeas in the living room.

It was the perfect way to ease back into home life.

A Little Living Room Refresh

About 12 hours after walking through the door, I decided the living room needed a little shake-up.

Isn’t it funny how moving a few pieces of furniture around can make the whole space feel fresh? I love the new look—what do you think?

Now that I have checked this project off my list, I can focus on unpacking from our 60-day trip, setting out the fall decor, and catching up on my blog work.

A Quick Garden Glimpse

Even after two months away, the garden is still putting on a show.

Marigolds, cappuccino rudbeckia, sunflowers, sedum Autumn Joy, asters, black-eyed Susans, zinnias, and dahlias are all blooming beautifully.

I planted several new dahlia varieties this year and was so happy to come home to them!

Of course, there’s plenty of work ahead. Some overgrown beds will need to be dug out and restarted, but that’s part of the fun.

This little walk around the garden gave me lots of ideas for next year, and I think I’ll focus more on cut-and-come-again flowers, like zinnias and strawflowers, plus more veggies.

A Trip to Christianson’s Nursery

For our last stop on our boat trip, we took a little outing to Christianson’s Nursery in Mount Vernon, one of my favorite spots for plants, home goods, and seasonal inspiration.

I found a few treasures there that I can’t wait to show you next week. This place always gets my creative wheels turning for both the garden and the cottage.

We almost always stop in La Conner when we’re on a boat trip, but without a car, I was never able to make it out here. But now that we have our eBikes on the boat, we have made the trip two years in a row.

All Things Pumpkins and Fall Flowers

The outdoor spaces were all ready for fall inspiration.

Primrose Antiques and Gifts

The beautiful gift shop, Primrose Antiques & Gifts, is situated in a restored 1940s tractor garage. It still features the original cement floor and most of its original windows and doors.

Here you’ll find curated, unique home and garden pieces, nostalgic gifts, and timeless décor.

I love the many special details, from the dried flowers strung along the front entry of the shop to the many twinkle lights inside.

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

Did I mention details? How about these dried flowers creating a dress on this form in the window?

I was in love with the collection of brown and white transferware and brought home a couple of pieces. I’ll show you their new homes (as soon as I unpack them) next week.

Here’s a picture of the shop inside. I took more videos than pictures, so I’ll share some photos from last year’s visit to give you an idea of how amazing this place is.

Views from Last Year

Summer Barn Sale

I was fortunate to have my new friend, Sarah Joy, open the barn for me so I could do some shopping there.

It had been open for the weekend, but she was nice enough to let me shop for the many items that were still 40% off.

Talk about friendly! These ladies were so amazing and packed up all of my breakable purchases so they would be safe and ready for the bike ride home.

There was some good news and some bad news.

Happily, all of my purchases fit in the bike baskets, but I didn’t have room for any plants or pumpkins.

Garden Store

The owners have preserved the circa 1890 seed shelves and counters from Tillinghast Seeds in La Conner.

As stated on their website, a piece of Skagit Valley’s history would have been lost forever had these interior structures been sent to the dump when the Tillinghast site was developed into a series of retail spaces in La Conner.

At the same time, they laid down an old fir floor and refitted the massive wooden sales counter from the original seed store to finish the renovation.

I absolutely love checking out the mercantile setting and antique collection of books and signs.

The Schoolhouse

This schoolhouse was originally built in 1888 on the Lee Farm, adjacent to the Skagit River.

It is the oldest remaining one-room schoolhouse in Northwest Washington and remains largely unchanged.

Now, they host weddings and special occasion events in Skagit Valley, along with gardening classes and seasonal Nursery events.

The Garden

We found this garden with roses and perennials, which was designed after the schoolhouse was set into place.  It’s tucked away in the corner, and it’s the first time we even noticed it.

You can pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic on the Schoolhouse grounds during warm weather. There are plenty of seating areas around the garden. 

On the Blog

October Gardening Tips for the Pacific Northwest

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

Create a Fun and Spooky Vibe in Your Garden This Halloween

Do you love decorating for Halloween, or maybe you’re looking for new ideas and inspiration to create a fun and spooky vibe in your garden? I’ll show you how to transform your outdoor space into a hauntingly delightful scene, making a lasting impression on anyone coming to your front door for treats…CONTINUE READING.

Create a Simple Yet Fabulous Fall Tablescape By Bringing the Outdoors Inside

Are you looking for some autumn inspiration for decorating your table for the season? See how I brought outdoor elements to this fall tablescape for a fresh look with warmth and coziness…CONTINUE READING.

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

How cute is this wood fence board Jack-O-Lantern DIY?

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

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

Look how easy it is to transform plain candles with napkins.

These apple cider cheesecake tartlets look delicious.

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

Check out how to make a DIY witch broom.

Create fall floral arrangements with foraged treasures.

This autumn apple and pecan salad is the perfect fall salad.  

Looking Ahead

Next week, I’ll have…

I’ve missed this space and can’t wait to share it all with you.

Until next time,

Wishing a wonderful week ahead,

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