This Week at a Glance

Winter is still hanging on, but you can feel the shift, can’t you?

It’s that weird phase where you don’t know whether to wear a sweater or a t-shirt, and your garden is just as confused. Buds are starting to pop up, but the ground can still be icy in the mornings.

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It’s that late-winter moment where everything feels like it’s quietly preparing for something bigger.

And honestly? I love this stage where I feel the excitement of what’s to come in the garden.

Vintage Shopping Finds

Last week I went vintage shopping with friends in Puyallup. I know that this may not be a surprise, but I did not leave empty-handed.

There were Pyrex collections, cast-iron skillets, crocks, and dishware in large quantities.

The Pillsbury Dough Boy pieces and vintage lunchboxes were fun to see. Who is old enough to remember The Bionic Woman and Hardy Boys?

I found several pieces that I can’t wait to style in the cottage. Among my big finds were three separate brown-and-white transferware pieces, which were offered at a good price.

I’ll share my goodies next week after I find a permanent home for them. You know how much I love mixing old and new, and this little shopping adventure definitely fed that creative spark.

In the Garden and the Greenhouse

The greenhouse is starting to get full!

We have sown cell trays of onions, eggplant, statice, and so much more. There is nothing better than seeing those first tiny green sprouts pushing through the soil.

I’ve finalized most of my seed plan for the cutting garden this year, and I can already picture how it will all come together. Now comes the patient part…watering, watching, and trying not to hover too much.

If you haven’t started seeds indoors yet, there’s still time. We’ll take a couple of weeks off and get back to sowing more cut-flower and vegetable seeds mid-March.

Speaking of Seeds – My Favorites are On Sale!

The more you spend, the more you save at Botanical Interests this weekend!

Be sure to check out the seed bundles! Many of the bundles I personally bought are sold out, but there are still some great ones available, like The Beginner’s Garden Seed Bundle and Pollinator’s Paradise Seed Bundle

I had to show the geraniums overwintering in the greenhouse again. They look so good this year!

I had to share this picture of the handmade wooden herb signs I found at a shop last year. I thought they were so cute and want to try this myself now that we found some old wood after working on the bathroom/closet project we’re still working on.

Other Garden Tasks I’m Taking On This Month

What’s on your gardening to-do list this month?

Around the Cottage

Renovation Update

Our bathroom built-in and walk-in closet project is so close to being finished.

After removing the bathtub and rebuilding storage (still laughing at how we thought we wouldn’t miss that closet space), it finally feels like things are coming together.

I am trying to be patient as we head into the fifth week of construction. The cabinet doors are being painted in the living room because that’s the only space available in our home.

I know it will be so worth it when it’s done.

Beating the Winter Blues With Fresh Flowers

One of my favorite ways to chase away those winter blues is to bring fresh flowers into my home. There isn’t much out there in the garden these days, but I’m cutting those gorgeous hellebores and bringing them in.

On the Blog This Week

President’s Day Sales This Weekend

Epic Gardening is offering 25% off all items sitewide. And if you use code SHIPLAPANDSHELLS you’ll get another 5% discount stacked on top of the sale. Greenhouse Members get an extra 10% off.

If you’ve been waiting to buy a garden bed, seed starting supplies, or seeds, do it now!

Revival Rugs is running a Washable Sale offering 20% off.

You won’t believe all the washable and easy-care rugs available for 20% off! I shared a couple of my favorites above.

Pottery Barn Extra 20% off selected styles

Terrain extra 50% off sale items

McGee & Co. up to 25% off sitewide

Williams Sonoma up to 75% off

Anthropologie extra 50% off sale

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

This garlic butter pasta alla vodka recipe looks amazing!

Check out this Cotswolds charm in a Brentwood home.

Learn how to make a fake cake with this tutorial.

This Spanish bungalow by the sea is the absolute cutest!

Your home will smell amazing with this simmer pot recipe for spring.

Here’s how to make a fairy garden for your centerpiece.

You’re never going to believe how this decorative cabbage was made!

Check out this carpet stain remover.

Looking Ahead

Next week I’ll share:

Until next time,