Saltwater Sounds Weekly: New Beginnings in May

Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. Here, I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come, and the inspiration I’ve found from other bloggers around the web.

white picket fence garden overlooking the bay

This and That

May is here, and we’re that much closer to a garden full of beautiful blooms! And I couldn’t be more excited. How about you?

new fencing being built

We have a lot going on outdoors this week.

A new fence is being built in our front yard, and many neighbors are wondering what it will look like.

We’ll have cattle panel fencing so you can still see into the garden, but Jax and Ollie will be safe from dogs off-leash (which happens a lot) and cars on the street.

I can’t tell you how much better it will be now that I won’t have to watch every move Ollie makes anymore. We don’t have much of a backyard except for the dog run, so I know the dogs will love being free to run around and hang out with me.

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new fencing being built

More garden beds and an arbor will be added along one side of the fence.

I also have two new 4×4 raised beds that we’ll add to the area in front of the greenhouse soon. So, I still have those seedlings waiting for their new home. I hope they will hang in there for another week or so!

We will add two cattle panel trellises to the raised beds in the cut flower garden for tomatoes, zucchini, etc. I can’t wait to show you when this is all done.

Opening Day at the marina

Yesterday was the Opening Day of the boating season. It’s always fun hanging out with our friends at the Longbranch Marina every year.

Opening Day at the marina

Here’s one of my favorite Opening Day volunteers, Paula.

Although the weather was not the best this year because of the rain, we had plenty of fun undercover for breakfast.

Opening Day at the marina

My friends Alex and Samuel were also helping out for the big event.

I’m going to give Alex and Samuel a plug because they own the fabulous Aluel Cellars. They have three Seattle tasting rooms in Queen Anne, Ballard, and Capitol Hill.

Aluel Cellars
Photo Credit: Aluel Cellars

Aluel Cellars is focused on limited production of elegant wines handcrafted in the old-world style to showcase great fruit sourced from some of the top vineyards across Washington state.

The most exciting news? A new production facility, vineyards, and an additional “seasonal” tasting room are coming to the Key Peninsula soon! This location is 1 hour and 15 minutes from Seattle and less than 5 minutes from our home!

Aluel Cellars
Photo Credit: Aluel Cellars

Be sure to check them out. All Aluel Cellars wines are available for purchase and shipping online.

This is not an affiliate link or sponsored. I just love their wine!

greenhouse view in May

Around the Garden and Greenhouse

I’ve been trying to plant all the annual flowers I bought for the containers and window boxes in between the rain.

bike basket filled with white and purple violas and ivy

I’m amazed that I ran out of flowers already and still need more to fill all the containers I have in the garden. I need some more thrillers and spillers.

white rhododendron blooms
rhododendron caucasicum from my garden

It’s rhododendron and azalea season in Seattle!

We have rhododendron varieties that bloom in the garden from April through June, and they are the most beautiful colors.

purple azalea blooms

This purple azalea never disappoints!

light pink and fuchsia rhododendron trees

Each week looks different as our different varieties of azaleas and rhodies bloom and fade.

cottage kitchen eating area with fuchsia rhododendron blooms in the window

I can’t wait until the rhododendron in front of the kitchen window starts blooming in a few weeks. Do you remember it?

Pieris japonica mountain fire shrub
Pieris Japonica Mountain Fire shrub in my garden

Our Pieris Japonica Mountain Fire shrub has never looked so beautiful. Usually, all you see are the green leaves, but the gorgeous pinks and dusty rose colors have taken over, and this shrub is gorgeous!

This evergreen shrub grows in hardiness zones 5-8.

fern fronds growing in

Do you remember when I cut back the ferns in March? This is what they’re looking like this week.

LET’S GO SHOPPING FOR

Garden Supplies and Tools

Check out my favorite garden supplies and tools for the growing season. Whether you’re looking for potting soil or deer repellent, you’ll find what I use in my own garden.


My Gardening Tool and Product Favorites

From the Blog

light pink foxglove growing in the garden
cottage garden with birdhouse

What I’m Loving This Week for Mothers Who Love Gardening

Who is ready for some of my favorite gift ideas for those mothers who LOVE TO GARDEN?

I’m going to start with my Cut Flower Garden eBooks, which are for sale. They’re the perfect Mother’s Day gift!

In full bloom eBook

Here’s the third and final eBook in the cut Flower Garden series.

“In Full Bloom” offers 36 pages of tips for caring for and maintaining your flower garden for just $12. Click the button below to find out more.


cut flower eBook series

Or buy the bundle with three digital books about growing a cut flower garden. From planning to maintenance, you’ll have 79 pages of downloadable gardening information to read and refer back to at any time.

garden planner

ON SALE: My 35-page Ultimate Garden Planner is on sale now for $4.99. Click the button below to learn more about what is included in this planner. I’m pretty sure you’ll love it as much as I do!

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

First, let’s check out my friends and their amazing accomplishments!

My friend, Jen, at Midwest Life and Style, won the American Farmhouse Style Table Tales Contest. You can see her winning tablescape here.

My friend Skye is, as far as I’m concerned, The Hydrangea Queen. And she has a new website that I’m loving!

Need some Mother’s Day brunch ideas? How about these lemon sugar rolls with vanilla cream cheese icing?

All things lemon sounded good today, so how about trying this Meyer lemon pound cake recipe with a citrus glaze?

How gorgeous is this rustic lake house?

If you need help choosing a paint color to compliment your stained cabinets, I have just the guide for you!

You won’t believe what this rustic candle lantern was made from! I’ll give you a hint. It only cost $3.00 to make!

Have you ever wondered how to treat powdery mildew on zinnias? Here you go!

This Southhampton surf retreat is gorgeous!

If you’re having trouble coming up with a fun Mother’s Day activity to make mom feel special, here are 55 ideas! Here are my favorites from the list:

  • 3 – Plant an herb garden together
  • 21 – Encourage self-care
  • 24 – Take a flower arranging class together
  • 47 – Go antiquing
  • 52 – Spend time in her garden
YOU MAY NEED THESE

Seed Starting Supplies

Check out my favorite supplies and tools for starting seeds indoors. Whether you’re looking for grow lights or a seed starting mix, you’ll find what I use in my own greenhouse.


I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog! Thank you for being here.

Until next time,

Wishing a wonderful week ahead,

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4 Comments

  1. Kim, it sounds like a huge garden update you are doing with the fencing and adding more beds. I cannot wait to see it. The rhododendrons remind me of growing up in Connecticut (of course we cannot grow them here). And I’ve never seen that Mountain Fire shrub but how gorgeous. Have a happy week and thanks for sharing all the beauty.

    1. Hi Mary, I noticed I had not responded to your thoughtful comment. The yard project has been taking much longer than expected. We are into a month and still have more to do. I can’t wait to share it with you when it’s finally done!

  2. It looks like you’ve had a busy week! I can’t wait to see your yard once all the new fencing and raised beds are done. I know it will be gorgeous!

    Thank you so much for sharing my spring garden tablescape and my good news about winning the AFS magazine contest. I’m SO excited!

  3. I know you are loving boat season. It looks like y’all have the best time around the marina. I don’t see how you keep your garden so beautiful and get to enjoy your boat as well. Busy busy girl. Thank you for sharing my lanterns this week. You are the best.

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