I know I say this every week, but I can’t help it. I’m always a little amazed by how fast things move this time of year. Don’t you feel that way too?

It feels like a whole new garden every time I walk outside.

And somehow, just as it starts to become irresistible, we start getting ready to leave. That part is always a little bittersweet.

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Evening in the Garden

I’ve been staying outside as long as possible these days, especially with the garden doing that thing it does in the evening light.

Everything goes a little softer and a little more beautiful.

The peonies are still hanging on, which feels like a gift at this point of the season.

It’s the kind of garden that turns a five-minute walk into thirty. But I’m not complaining.

The deck has been getting some evening use, too. With the candles lit, the bay turning pink at sunset, and Jax and Ollie nearby, these are the nights I want to hold onto.

The bachelor’s buttons are so pretty this time of year with their purple and white wild blooms, just doing their thing.

The bellflower is tall and gorgeous.

Getting Ready for Our Summer Boat Trip

While the garden is hitting its stride, we’re deep in preparation mode for our biggest boating trip of the season aboard Wildflower.

We’re leaving a little earlier than usual this year, and I did that on purpose. I always seem to miss the vegetable harvest and the late-blooming dahlias. Not this year. I planned the trip so we’d be back in time for all of it.

The plan is Canada’s Sunshine Coast, Desolation Sound, The Butchart Gardens, and time in the San Juan Islands on the way home. We’ll spend time in some of our favorite places and a few we haven’t seen yet.

I’m already thinking about quiet mornings on the water, small harbor towns, and farmers’ markets.

The one thing that stings a little is missing our 4th of July parade party. We’ve hosted for 13 years. Thirteen! It feels strange to skip it, but new adventures have a way of making up for things.

This Week from Years Past

Looking back at this week last year, we were on a short early-summer trip aboard Wildflower with our first stop on Vashon Island.

One of my favorite parts was grabbing our e-bikes and riding into town… slow enough to notice everything, fast enough to actually get somewhere.

We stumbled onto the most charming nursery.

It’s owned by a local gardener with a real eye for unusual plants and rustic garden pieces.

I couldn’t leave empty-handed, of course. I brought home the cutest iron hanging planter. I still smile, remembering that fun trip every single time I walk past it on the porch.

On the Blog This Week

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

From the sweet sleeping porch to the heirloom blue-and-white dishware, these cottages are full of charming character.

This no-sew patriotic pillow cover DIY.

Here’s a DIY American flag garland you’ll want to make.

Looking for inspiration? This renovation will blow you away!

Learn how to make a DIY flower frog using air-dry clay.

This is the cutest AND easiest DIY patriotic flower basket to make!

This prosciutto-wrapped peach baked brie should be everyone’s go-to summer appetizer!

Learn how to make a succulent wreath.

Looking Ahead

The daisies are next to bloom, the black-eyed Susans won’t be far behind, and the cottage and cut flower gardens will keep shifting into summer while we’re gone, and we’ll come home to something new.

The longer boat days and those late golden evenings on the water are all waiting.

For now, I’m trying to soak up both sides of it… the joy of being here and the excitement of what’s coming. Summer always moves a little too fast for me.

Until next time,