Saltwater Sounds: Sweater Weather, Saved Garden Photos, and a Jax Update

Welcome To This Week’s Saltwater Sounds…

A collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. Here, I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what to look forward to on the blog, and the inspiration I’ve found throughout the week.

This weekend went from sunshine to sweater weather.

It’s been so gorgeous here all week… perfect garden weather, if you had the time to be out in it.

I didn’t. Last week was all things dog. Poor Jax.

Last Sunday, I ended up driving him to doggy urgent care. His incision was clearly infected. It looked exactly like the photos that come up when you search “infected surgical site,” which is never a search you want to be doing at 8 a.m. on a Sunday.

The good news is the stronger antibiotics are working, and he’s doing so much better. That’s after yet another vet visit Tuesday evening, when the infection scabs started falling off, and it looked like his sutures were coming apart.

It also helped that the vet sent us home with sedatives so Jax could sleep through the night. And so could his mama. If all goes well, his sutures will come out Tuesday afternoon. And we can talk about happier, more inspiring things.

I’d love to have more to share this week, but I truly did nothing except take care of my little buddy and nap when he did. Ollie, meanwhile, decided he’d been neglected and needed some extra loving too. He’s been a little jealous lately.

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In the Garden

The good news? I saved half the pictures I took two weeks ago so I could share them today. I had a feeling I was going to need them.

Purple asters and sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ blooming in the fall cottage garden

Purple asters and sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ make such a good pair in the fall garden.

Black-eyed Susans and a lone sunflower in the fall cottage garden

A few black-eyed Susans were still hanging on in this corner, along with one lone sunflower that took off after all the others had come and gone. A little bird must have dropped a seed.

Pacific Northwest cottage garden in early fall
Cut flower garden beds winding down in fall

The cut flower garden is looking a bit wishy-washy, but there are still a few blooms left to enjoy.

Colorful zinnias still blooming in the fall cut flower garden
Zinnias and yellow marigolds blooming in the fall cut flower garden

I’m still cutting zinnias, dahlias, and marigolds.

Zinnias growing in the cut flower garden in front of the cottage and greenhouse
Cut flower garden with zinnias in front of the 1920 beach cottage
view of the garden greenhouse in fall

Not much is blooming on this side of the greenhouse, but I love this view anyway.

Stone patio with fall containers leading to the greenhouse

The fall containers look pretty in front of the greenhouse, and the purple asters are as bright as ever.

Fall flower containers and purple asters and orange mums in front of the greenhouse
Fall containers on a stone patio with toppled mums

Did you notice my Costco mums fell over? I did.

Fall cottage garden in front of the cottage with blooming heather and a hydrangea tree

Here’s the view in front of the cottage. You can spot the hydrangea tree in the back, and the heather is blooming.

White coneflowers grown from seed blooming in the fall garden

The white coneflower I started from seed is finally blooming. Better late than never.

LET’S GO SHOPPING FOR

Garden Supplies and Tools

Check out my favorite garden supplies and tools for the growing season. Whether you’re looking for potting soil or deer repellent, you’ll find what I use in my own garden.

Vintage Christmas decorations on display

22 Charming Vintage Christmas Decorations for a Classic Holiday

I can’t resist vintage Christmas decorations. Give me a slightly chipped Santa mug or a faded Shiny-Brite ornament, and I’m right back in Christmas past with Bing Crosby on the record player and sugar cookies in the oven.
garden greenhouse in the snow

Christmas Decorating Ideas for a Small Front Porch

Our cottage porch is small, so I’ve learned to keep it simple. A few evergreens, some lights, and a vintage piece or two go a long way.

Cottage kitchen decorated simply for Christmas

21 Quick and Simple Cottage Christmas Decor Ideas to Try

Mini trees, fresh greenery, vintage finds, and twinkle lights. These are the easy ideas I come back to every year when I want the cottage to feel like Christmas without a full weekend of decorating.

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

If you’re in the mood for pasta this fall, try this pumpkin pasta alla vodka recipe.

You’ll love this home from Micah and Co.‘s portfolio.

Learn how you can add a personal, handmade touch to your gifts.

Check out these easy pumpkin cream cheese muffins with spice cake mix.

I love soup season, and this crockpot chicken enchilada soup is just what I’ve been looking for.

I am so in love with this home!

Coming Up Next Week

With Jax on the mend (fingers crossed for Tuesday), I’m hoping to get back out in the garden and keep putting it to bed for the season.

I’ll be bringing more dahlias indoors while there are still some to bring, and keeping a close eye on the loofahs to see when they’re finally ready to become sponges.

I’ll also share the inside of the cottage dressed for fall, dried hydrangeas and all.

Until next time,

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