Saltwater Sounds: An Adventure at Every Turn

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

Happy Labor Day to my U.S. friends. I hope you are spending your extended holiday weekend doing something fun. Let me know what you’re up to.

It’s the last hurrah of summer…I still can’t believe I’m saying that. August was gone in the blink of an eye.

We had the most amazing time at Desolation Sound in B.C., Canada. It was incredible to spend time appreciating all that nature has to offer.

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It has been a fun experience with hiking trails, coves to kayak in, and plenty of clams and oysters.

It’s week three, and we arrived in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, yesterday. This is our first visit to an area with restaurants and shops in at least two weeks. There are so many bike trails along the water, so that’s on the list for today.

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” –Vincent van Gogh

Tenedos Bay

Our first anchorage in Desolation Sound was Tenedos Bay.

We spent two days exploring along the shores in our kayaks with the boys.

I couldn’t believe how tall the granite walls were that created the cove we were in.

The picture above shows a spit of land that goes dry at low tide. We waited in our kayaks for the tide to come back in so we could get to the other side.

We kayaked to shore the next day, where hiking trails led to Unwin Lake. Jax and Ollie were so excited to be on the trail after boating for days.

We found the lake, but getting to the water’s edge took us a while because of the logs and vegetation.

Once we reached a small beach, Jax was ready to swim in the freshwater. Ollie, on the other hand, preferred to eat grass and explore instead.

Then, it was time to head back to the kayaks for our ride back to our boat, Wildflower.

We found gorgeous streams along the way.

It was a perfect stop and on our list to visit again.

Prideaux Haven – Melanie Cove

Next, we selected a cove with maximum wind protection and a good muddy bottom anchorage to secure us during stormy weather.

Due to the extended bad weather, we stayed in Melanie Cove for three days.

You can see that we had to stern-tie our boat. We attached our line to a chain anchored into the granite, which prevented our boat from swinging around when the wind and tides changed.

Check out the people hiking in front of our boat to get an idea of how large these rocks are.

Teakerne Arm

Because we were in the area, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see the Teakerne Arm waterfall. We cruised by to get the photos we wanted and then went on to the next destination.

Last Year’s Garden

Since I won’t be home to share my garden pics with you this week, let’s look at what I was working on last year.

I planted the most beautiful fall planters last year.

Last year, my friend Lisa spent the morning helping me harvest my cut flowers to dry indoors and make flower arrangements for some fall tour pictures I was working on.

I’m so lucky to have a friend like that.

You can’t see it here, but when we were finished, we had 10 buckets full of beautiful blooms. We tried cutting as quickly as possible to beat the noon heat.

My takeaways when it comes to the cut flowers in my garden…

Here’s the Sedum Autumn Joy I was talking about. Can you believe the beautiful colors? As the season progresses, it will eventually turn to a deep rose color.

How to Choose Which Mums to Take Home With You

Here’s some mum inspiration for you! These were at our Costco this time last year. Always try to pick the plants with the least amount of blooms on them. Here’s why:

Longer Bloom Time: When you select mum plants with more buds than open flowers, you can enjoy a longer display of blooms. These buds will continue to open over time, extending the blooming period and ensuring your garden or containers remain vibrant for weeks.

Healthier Plants: Plants with fewer open blooms often have more energy for root development and overall health. This means they are likely to establish more robust root systems, which helps them to thrive in your garden or containers. Healthy root systems are crucial for plants’ ability to absorb nutrients and water, making them more resilient.

Better Adaptation to New Environments: When you buy mums with fewer blooms, you allow the plant to adapt to its new environment (whether it’s your garden bed or a container) before putting energy into flowering. This can reduce transplant shock, helping the plant to settle in and grow more vigorously.

Reduced Stress: Flowering is an energy-intensive process for plants. By choosing mums with fewer blooms, you reduce the initial stress on the plant, allowing it to focus on establishing itself first. A less stressed plant is less susceptible to pests and diseases.

Fuller Growth and More Blooms: Mums with fewer blooms often grow fuller and more compact as they have more time to develop additional branches and buds. This leads to a more aesthetically pleasing, bushy plant with a more abundant and even display of flowers.

Maximizes Bloom Display for the Season: Buying mums with many open blooms might mean the best part of their show is over soon after planting. In contrast, plants with more buds will ensure a consistent and fresh display throughout the fall season, maximizing the enjoyment of their vibrant colors.

Customization of Bloom Time: By selecting mums with different stages of bud development, you can stagger bloom times in your garden or containers, ensuring a continuous display of color. This method allows for a more orchestrated and long-lasting visual impact.

A Walk Through the 2003 Garden

Here’s a look at our garden last Labor Day weekend. There are so many colors and even more deadheading opportunities this time of year.

From the Blog

September Decorating Ideas: Budget-Friendly Fall Home Decor

Are you looking for simple, budget-friendly early autumn decorating ideas? Today, I’m sharing some September decorating ideas that will save you time and money while transitioning your home to warm and cozy vibes… CONTINUE READING.

12 Best Plants for Fall Planters and Container Gardens

Now that autumn is almost here, it’s time to refresh your window boxes, containers, and flower pots. I’ll share 12 of the best plants for fall planters and why they’re a perfect choice for your container gardens… CONTINUE READING.

September Gardening Tips and To-Dos for the Pacific Northwest

Are you starting to see signs in your garden that the fall season is approaching? During this important seasonal transition, I’ll share essential September gardening tips and to-dos for your Pacific Northwest garden… CONTINUE READING.

Flower of the Week: Sedum Autumn Joy

Sedum Autumn Joy is one of my favorite plants in my garden.

It’s one of those plants that adds interest to your landscape all year. The pink, star-shaped flowers bloom in late summer to fall.

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ has thick, fleshy, uniquely beautiful green leaves. The plant’s flowers change color from green to pink to a deep coppery red as they mature.

Even after the flowers fade, the dried seed heads of Sedum Autumn Joy can add visual interest to the winter garden. The plant’s sturdy stems hold up well under snow, providing texture in a dormant landscape.

Here are more reasons to grow sedum autumn joy in the garden:

Low Maintenance: incredibly easy to care for, requiring minimal watering, and thrives in well-drained soil, even in poor soil conditions.

Drought Tolerant: This succulent plant is highly drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for areas with hot, dry summers or for gardeners who want a low-water garden. Once established, it can thrive with little supplemental watering.

Pollinator-Friendly: attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Long Bloom Period: can extend from late summer into fall when many other plants are fading.

Deer and Rabbit Resistant: generally resistant to deer and rabbits

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

These mini pumpkin bundt cakes are perfect for the fall season.

You’ll love reading about this Nova Scotia Road Trip with antiquing coast-to-coast.

And if you only have one day to play, here’s a day in Bristol, Maine.

Looking for creative pinecone wreath ideas? Here are 3.

This autumn apple and pecan salad is perfect for this time of year.

Check out this beautiful Edwardian house with period features.

Create a relaxed and refreshing end-of-summer menu with these tips and recipes.

Here are 3 room decor layers that add the most personal style.

I’d love to hear from you! 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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