Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. This is where I share all that’s been happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come and the inspiration I have found from other bloggers around the web.
This and That…
Happy Sunday and hello from Venice, Italy.
My husband and I have started our 3-week vacation to Italy, Turkey, and Greece and I can’t wait to take you along.
Here we are in our water taxi on our way to the hotel. I was overwhelmed with the beauty and history as we toured the canals and historic Italian buildings.
Dinner was amazing. I ordered the seafood risotto last night and it was fabulous.
Here’s a nighttime view of the canals outside the restaurant window.
I’ll keep sharing more with you next week! And I’ll have videos in stories and reels throughout the week on Instagram.
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A Walk in the Garden
I worked SO HARD in the garden two days before we left.
The weather was pleasant, something we haven’t had a lot of this spring, and I was finally able to finish planting everything in the garden.
I still have to spruce up my flower containers when I come back because I did run out of time.
I took lots of pictures of the garden and will be publishing the May garden tour on the 24th so stick around to see more pictures of what’s happening in our outdoor spaces and what is blooming.
I know so much will change and the garden will look so different when we get back. I’m hoping that my housesitter will send me pics of the garden and Jax and Ollie so I won’t miss them so much.
What’s Happening at Shiplap and Shells…
Here are last week’s blog posts and all that’s been happening at Shiplap and Shells.
5 Beautiful Spring Flowering Bulb Varieties from Breck’s Bulbs
Are you already dreaming of which spring bulbs you’ll be planting for next year? Take a look at the 5 beautiful spring bulb varieties I planted this year from Breck’s Bulbs and the amazing color and interest they brought to my garden.
Foxgloves: Your Questions Answered
How much do you know about foxgloves? I’ll answer some of the questions you may have about this fabulous flowering biennial and what you need to know about growing your own foxgloves in the garden.
Coming Your Way:
11 Simple Tips and Tricks for Planting Beautiful Flower Garden Containers – May 17th
A Spring Visit to Bella Terra for Friendship and Inspiration – May 21st
Mid-Spring PNW Cottage and Cut Flower Garden Tour For the Month of May – May 24th
How to Support Garden Flowers to Keep Them From Falling Over – May 28th
What would you like to see on my blog? Please leave me a comment and let me know.
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web…
Stacey of Garlic, Salt & Lime shares her recipe for cheesy chorizo quesadillas. This recipe is super customizable and can be made both keto and gluten-free thanks to the large variety of tortillas on the market today. I can’t wait to try these.
My gardening buddy Stacy of Bricks ‘n Blooms has an amazing gardening 101 guide for beginners you should definitely check out.
Leslie of the 100-Year-Old Home has the most perfect DIY that can be done in about 30 minutes. She shares how to make new terra cotta pots look like they are vintage garden pots.
More Inspiration
Refurbishing outdoor furniture on a budget.
This gorgeous home.
The most delicious steak tacos.
This Southern Living show house.
How to host a memorable dinner party.
This Portland patio and deck.
An Oldie But a Goodie
How to Attract Pollinators to the Garden
I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog! Thank you for being here.
Until next time,
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a happy new week,
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Let’s Connect on Social Media
- Follow me @shiplapandshells on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook
- Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks Group!
Your trip is incredible! Italy is just beautiful I hope to go someday! xo
What an amazing trip! The night time canal picture was beautiful! Safe travels, friend!
Wow – what a wonderful trip! Can’t wait to follow along. LOVE your Italy pictures! ♥ Happy travels!
Hope your entire trip is as beautiful as these pictures. I love your gardens. Breck’s is the ONLY conpany I order from. I have black thumbs but their bulbs bloom just like the pictures in their catalog! And that’s not easy with our Maine winters! I finally had enough this year to pick small bouqets for loved ones
Kim I can’t wait to hear all about your trip. It’s going to be so amazing😃
Love seeing the photos of Italy. Hope your trip is as amazing as it looks!
So many things we loved about each oft htese places! Enjoy each moment!
I love risotto! Your seafood risotto is picture perfect. You look picture perfect too – glowing! If this is what Venice does to people, I need to get there ASAP. All your photos on this post are exceptional – the canal at night, favorite. Each and every one of the “inspiration” items was lovely (and inspiring). Looking forward to the list of May postings. You have certainly been a busy bee! Enjoy, Enjoy the rest of your adventure!
Kim, our family LOVES Venice! Those pictures make me want to book a trip right now! I cannot wait to follow your adventures to Greece and Turkey (have never been there). Thank you so much for featuring my post on a memorable dinner party. Cannot wait to read your May 21st post about visiting in Phoenix. Safe travels and that photo of you is just adorable!
I hope you have a wonderful vacation. Enjoy every minute. Hugs to you.
Oh Kim have so much fun on your trip! What a dream! I can’t wait to see more pictures!
Love seeing thyour gorgeous pictures inVenice! Keep them coming. Also I appreciate the foxglove advice. I added a few last year and just bought a few more. But I didn’t know they weren’t perennial. So helpful! Cin cin! xo
Kim,
I can’t believe your are sharing all these posts while you’re on this wonderful trip. Those photos are just great and I know you are having the time of a lifetime. Hope to get back there one day.