May always feels like the month where everything shifts.

The garden gets fuller almost overnight, the evenings stay lighter a little longer, and life starts moving outside again. This past week gave me two of my very favorite things… time in the garden and time on the boat. That feels like the perfect way to welcome May.

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This Week at a Glance

Opening Day at the Marina

Yesterday was Opening Day at the marina, which always feels like the official start of boating season for us.

It was so good to be back on Wildflower again. Since our last trip in December, we’ve been working through several boat projects, so we’ve definitely been missing her. This past week was full of cleaning, organizing, and getting everything ready, and by Friday night, we were finally able to relax and spend the evening on the water.

There’s something so peaceful about waking up on the boat. The quiet mornings, the soft movement of the water, and that feeling that life slows down just enough for you to actually notice it.

We’re already talking about our next trip and looking forward to more sunny days on Puget Sound.

Refreshing the Deck for Summer

I also spent time getting the deck ready for the season: putting down the rugs, planting containers, and adding those simple touches that make the space feel ready for summer evenings outside.

We’re just about set for slow mornings with iced lattes, dinners on the deck, and all the long evenings ahead. More next week!

In the Garden

It’s lilac season, and if you know me, you know this is one of my favorite times of year.

I confess…these pictures are from several years ago, but for some reason, every time I bring lilacs inside, I forget to take pictures of them.

I’ve been clipping big armfuls and bringing them inside, filling old galvanized buckets with as many branches as I can carry. They’re beautiful to look at, but honestly, it’s the fragrance that gets me every time. That sweet spring scent fills the whole house, and I wish lilac season lasted twice as long.

The clematis is blooming on several of the arbors and trellises in the cottage garden, and the rhododendrons are putting on their annual show.

White, pale pink, purple, and bright fuchsia varieties are blooming from April into June, and right now they’re absolutely stealing the spotlight.

The lavender azalea is also blooming, and I look forward to it every single year. It always feels like one of those little seasonal milestones that tells you spring is here to stay.

Everywhere I look, something new is opening.

This Week in the Garden

The other half of the week was less glamorous but just as satisfying.

I’ve been transplanting seedlings and planting annuals in containers and window boxes all week, and it has taken longer than expected.

Last week brought unusually warm weather with no rain. We should hit 81°F today and 78°F tomorrow, and with that kind of heat, you have to be careful with newly planted seedlings.

The first few days, I had shade cloth over the beds to protect them, but now I’m timing things better, stopping at noon each day before the heat gets serious. These poor new babies need a gentle start.

The drip and sprinkler systems are helping, but I’ve still been out there hand-watering to keep up. Transplanting in warm weather is slower, more careful work than I’d like, but I’d rather be patient now than sorry later.

The best news of the week… the greenhouse is officially empty. Every last seedling has found a home. That’s a milestone worth celebrating.

I can’t wait to show you the progress once we finish up today or tomorrow.

On the Blog This Week

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

You’ll love this 1906 carriage house!

Find out more about the healing properties of roses.

Here’s a list of the 10 best herbs to grow and why. 

Want to learn how to start collecting vintage home decor?

Learn how to easily revive tarnished flatware and trophies.

This elegant house, located in Victoria’s historic Uplands neighborhood, was originally designed in 1907.

This sweet and swirled iced lemon loaf is a great Mother’s Day brunch recipe.

May on the Maine Coast with blue stripes, bright blooms, and buoys is truly amazing!

Looking Ahead

Next week, I’ll have pictures from yesterday’s Opening Day festivities at the marina. It was a good one, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

I’m also hoping to have the yard art out by the end of the week. Stay tuned for some views of the deck, those metal garden fairies so many of you ask about, and all the cottage garden charm that comes with the warm season finally arriving.

I hope you find yourself somewhere with flowers, fresh air, and a little sunshine this weekend.

Until next time,