This Week at a Glance

Happy Sunday, friends!

I finally get to share some fun news. Our cottage is in the Christmas issue of Country Home magazine.

We shot it last January. That meant the tree and garland stayed up long after the holidays, and I kept a pretty big secret for almost ten months. Photographer John Granen and stylist Janna Lufkin worked through the cottage room by room: the kitchen, the bedrooms, the deck overlooking the bay, the greenhouse, and a hot cocoa bar out by the fire pit.

The magazine pages look so tidy. The other side of the room? Not so much. Our laundry room became the prop room, staging area, and snack spot, and anything that wasn’t in the shot got shuffled from room to room all day.

Jax and Ollie worked hard modeling for the camera, but sadly neither of them made the final cut, so their outtakes are on the blog instead.

If you’ve ever wondered what really happened during a magazine shoot, I wrote up the whole behind-the-scenes story, plus a few things I learned along the way. Link

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Now for a Jax update. His sutures are out! But… he still has to keep the cone on for one more week so the spot that got the worst of the infection can finish healing.

But I might have taken it off on Friday and put him in his little PJs (he can’t easily get to the spot with them on) so he could hang out in the garden with me. He had the best day. He was tired afterwards.

With Halloween this week, I pulled a few of my favorite photos from Halloween’s past.

One year, I decorated the greenhouse porch and the garden path. You can see how it all came together in Spooky Halloween Garden Ideas for a Frightfully Fun Outdoor Display.

We don’t get a single trick-or-treater at our house. Not one.

So, I’ll be doing what I usually do on Halloween night… staying cozy inside with a classic spooky movie and a bowl of popcorn.

A couple of years ago, I decorated our SUV for the Trunk-or-Treat the PTA puts on every year for the local kiddos. Seeing them all dressed up is the best part.

I threw every skeleton I owned back there.

It’s always so much fun to see the kids dressed up.

In the Garden

Here’s the view from the deck this week. The leaves are turning, and the weather has been beautiful.

It’s been so dry this month, which is not normal for October in the Pacific Northwest. Not even close. But the dahlias have never looked better.

So yes, you’re about to see a lot of dahlias. They could be gone any day now, so I’m sharing them over and over while I can.

I’ve been taking full advantage, cutting armloads to bring inside.

The fall containers are still going strong.

And I added a few scarecrows to the garden.

Last but not least, the loofahs are starting to turn brown, which is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. It’s only a matter of time before I can move on to the next stage and turn them into sponges.

On the Blog This Week

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

You have to try this delicious cross between a soft, chewy maple cookie and a steaming Chai latte made with real espresso.

I’m so in love with Whidbey Island retreat, and we will be too.

If you don’t already know how to clean your copper, this will help you.

Shake up your snack mix game with this Parmesan ranch snack mix.

Check out this gorgeous Long Lake House.

The art of making a cozy fall simmer pot.

Here’s how to make your own DIY tartan plaid photo frame.

You won’t want to miss these amazing vintage Thanksgiving decor ideas.

Here are some corn husk crafts and corn stock fall decor DIY ideas for the season.

Calling all flower lovers to see Francis Palmer’s life in the studio.

Have a Fabulous Week

As we wrap up October, I can hardly believe it’s almost November! Cozy sweaters, candlelight evenings, and the first hints of the holidays are just around the corner.

Wishing you a cozy Halloween, a good scary movie, and dahlias that hang on a little longer.

Until next time,