This and That

Hello friends!

It’s hard to believe we’re already into the second week of August. We’re currently on our summer boat trip, and I have plenty to share from the first leg of our adventure.

From sunset views to incredible seafood and charming towns, we’ve really packed in the fun so far. Plus, I’ve got a few peeks at the garden for you to enjoy.

Port Madison & Crabbing in Port Susan

We kicked off our trip with a two-night stay at Port Madison, located on the north end of Bainbridge Island. It’s always one of my favorite stops—quiet, peaceful, and the perfect place to unwind before heading farther north.

It was a bit busier than usual with sailboat races for kids ages 9-18. Many boats in the bay were there specifically for the races.

My favorite time of the day… watching the sun go down. It was just breathtaking.

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Next, we anchored in Port Susan off Camano Island to try our luck at crabbing, and it paid off!

We caught 20 Dungeness crabs in just a few hours.

Only the five biggest males made the cut for our dinner table, and we let the others go.

The boys got to go for a dinghy ride after dinner.

A Stop in La Conner: Shopping, Skincare & Favorite Eats

From there, we cruised over to La Conner and hopped on our e-bikes to explore the town.

I was excited to discover a new shop in the space where Nasty Jack’s had been for over 30 years.

The store, called Restless and Refurbished, is completely my style, but sadly, the furniture I fell in love with won’t fit on the boat to take home.

A fall road trip might be in order!

I’m in love with the piece above with all the drawers.

I also love the piece above. Wouldn’t it be so cute in a large kitchen built into the wall?

There were just too many cute items I had to share with you.

We also stopped by Handmade La Conner, which always has the best organic and natural skincare products.

It’s fun to watch them make their products in person.

Jax and Ollie always love their walks around La Conner.

It’s such a quaint waterfront town.

Here’s the bookstore where I learned about Floret Flower Farm and bought Erin’s first book about growing a cut flower garden.

It was then that I knew I needed a cutting garden and greenhouse (it was an expensive trip)!!!

And of course, we had dinner at our go-to restaurant Coa, which never disappoints.

Breakfast at Calico Cupboard the next morning was just what we needed before heading out.

“The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea.” – Isak Dinesen

Sunset Views at Sucia Island

Our next destination was Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands for a short overnight on anchor.

The views and sunsets were absolutely breathtaking, and it was the perfect quiet moment in between our busier stops.

Hello from Vancouver, B.C.!

We’re currently in Vancouver, British Columbia, our first Canadian stop on this trip, and we’ve been busy exploring.

I’ll be sharing more stories and photos from the city in next week’s post once I’ve had a chance to sort through all the pictures!

A Walk Around the Garden

Back at home, our housesitter snapped a few updates for me. One of them was a photo of a mole caught by the Mole Control guy, which I decided not to share here, for obvious reasons. 😂

I’m loving the purple and the white coneflowers!

The gladiolus is beautiful as ever and still going strong.

This is the first time growing this variety of celosia (Shimmer). It just started to bloom a couple of weeks ago. And this strawflower (Choice Mix) complements the celosia perfectly.

Here’s another view of the purple coneflower and yellow black-eyed Susans in the garden, along with the calm waterview.

The cut flower garden view from the street side.

Here are my favorite hydrangeas for drying. In another month or two, these beauties will be a pretty green and dusty rose color.

Flower of the Week: Coneflowers

One of my favorite summer blooms growing in the garden is coneflower or echinacea. Here are a few reasons why I love them and why you will too!

87 Easy Ways to Transition Your Home Decor From Summer To Fall

Summer might be winding down, but that just means it’s just about time to break out the pumpkins, cozy textures, and a whole lot of fall charm. If you’re wondering how to transition your home decor from summer to fall without going full Halloween in August, I’ve got you covered…CONTINUE READING.

Early Fall Vignettes With Vintage Decor and Natural Elements

Are you looking for some fall decor inspiration? I’ll share some of my favorite early fall decorating ideas, including fall vignettes, natural elements from last year, and a few new ones…CONTINUE READING.

15 Ways to Prepare Your Garden for the Fall Season Transition

Have you started thinking about what needs to be done in the garden as we approach fall and before the first frost of the season? Today, I’m sharing tips and ideas to help you start preparing your garden for fall…CONTINUE READING.

Vintage Fall Decor Ideas to Add Charm and Character to Your Home

If you’re looking for fall decor ideas to add charm and character to your home, mixing vintage pieces throughout your spaces is a perfect way to do it. Join me for some autumn decor inspiration as I show you how to create a warm and inviting fall vibe with the thrifted vintage treasures you’ve found throughout the years… CONTINUE READING.

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

I’ve made this Greek chicken orzo salad recipe many times this summer!

Check out this Lakeshore Drive beach house.

Read all about the Dahlia Whisperer.

You’ll love this historic hotel, my friend visited.

A dreamy manor on a Swedish Island.

The best gluten-free salads.

Here are tips on treating powdery mildew on zinnias.

How about some DIY pink milk glass? Or how to use vintage milk glass in your home?

This homemade bourbon vanilla extract recipe.

This is the ultimate flower-arranging guide.

Everything fun about a watermelon!

Until next time,

Wishing a wonderful week ahead,

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