This time of year makes every morning walk through the garden feel a little more exciting, don’t you think?

With April in full swing and so many plants popping up out of the ground, each day brings something new. Fresh blooms, longer evenings, and all those little spring garden chores that somehow feel more cheerful than work.

And not that any of us need an excuse, but April 14th is National Gardening Day.

I love that there’s a day set aside to celebrate gardening and the wonderful community that comes with it.

Whether you’re visiting your local nursery or garden center, cleaning up the garden beds, planting a few containers, or wandering around the yard with a cup of coffee, admiring what’s starting to bloom, it all counts.

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. My blog also contains other affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

This Week at a Glance

A Little Getaway to Cabo

My husband and I just got back from a cruise to Cabo earlier this week, and it was such a fun getaway. I do have to admit I was so happy to come home just as the garden is beginning to fill in so beautifully!

On the first day in Cabo, we found the restaurant we first visited 15 years ago. We loved the ambiance and listened to a trio of musicians play their rendition of several Santana songs.

We took our time walking back to the tender dock that evening because the sunset was too beautiful to rush past.

Along the waterfront, there was even a long row of containers overflowing with gorgeous blooms, adding so much color and charm to the scene. Between the flowers, the boats, and that golden sunset glow, it felt like the perfect ending to the day.

The tender ride back to the ship that evening was absolutely gorgeous.

The light over the water was stunning, as you can see from these photos of the cruise ship.

We had planned a fishing trip while we were there, which sounded like such a fun idea…for about two hours. Unfortunately, I got extremely seasick.

And my darling husband kindly documented the entire event for posterity.

The first photo is me smiling as we first sat down in the boat.

The second is me doing my very best to still look cheerful.

And the third…well, let’s just say I’m very grateful I wasn’t facing the camera while throwing up in a bucket. Some memories are better laughed at afterward. We asked to be taken back to the dock, where we caught a tender back to the ship, stopping one last time to get sick along the waterfront. I spent the rest of the day in bed.

Here are a couple of views from our balcony on the ship.

Can you believe they even had bumper cars onboard? We absolutely did not hesitate to rise them.

And of course, I have to mention the towel animals waiting in our cabin each day because those little details always make me smile.

Do you remember the baby goats? The girls have grown so much, and they are seriously the most entertaining little things. Each one has such a different personality, and they’re so much fun to watch.

Look what I came home with from the community super sale yesterday!

This sweet little wooden cubby piece (whatever you’d call it) was only $5.00, and I couldn’t pass it up. I’m not quite sure where it’s going yet, but for that price, I know I’ll find the perfect spot with a little imagination.

I also scored this beautiful set of vertical leaded glass windows for $20. You know I’ll be painting them. Now I just need to decide on a color. Any ideas?

In the Garden

The tulips in the cut flower garden are finally blooming, and after what felt like a long, patient wait, those bright, cheerful petals were absolutely worth it.

Every year, I plan my mammogram during the second week of April. The main reason I do this is that the garden center across the street has all its spring and summer annuals for sale. I didn’t miss a beat. I bought enough flowers for most of my containers.

I won’t be planting them for another couple of weeks, and keeping them in a warmer corner near my door so they don’t get too cold.

Today we’re spreading our fish compost throughout the garden beds, something we do every April.

We use organic fish compost from Oly Mountain Fish Compost, and one of the things I love most about it is that it’s nearly odorless. It gives the beds such a fabulous boost heading into the growing season, and it has become one of my favorite spring garden traditions.

Next up will be hardening off the geraniums and seedlings in the greenhouse. I also picked up some annuals last week for the flower containers, but it’s still a bit early for overnight temperatures, so they’ll be spending their evenings tucked safely inside the greenhouse until things warm up a little more.

Another April gardening task we’ll be working on is to go through the entire yard and check the sprinklers and irrigation system.

It’s one of those less glamorous jobs that makes such a difference later on. We always make sure everything is working properly and positioned just right so the garden beds and lawn are watered exactly where they need it.

On the Blog This Week

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

How about making this beautiful naked cake with fresh berries and vanilla buttercream?

Check out these 50+ Quick and Easy Home Spring Refresh Ideas on a Budget.

This is a wonderful make-ahead brunch entrée for spring.

You will not want to miss this stunning colonial home on the bluff.

This spring fling tablescape is gorgeous!

This St. Croix home.

The best prickly pear margarita recipe.

Thank you for being here and following along each week. Whether you’re dividing dahlias, planning your garden, or just taking in the beauty of spring, know that I’m cheering you on from my little slice of the Pacific Northwest.

Until next time,