Saltwater Sounds Weekly: Summer Sun and Fun
Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. This is where 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.
This and That…
Welcome to another week on the blog. As always, I’m so grateful to have you following along each week.
We have had the most incredible summer weather so far. Yes, I’m knocking on wood! We’ve really been fortunate so far this summer in the PNW. I will say that there is part of me that misses the occasional rainfall. But it’s nice to not have muddy pawprints all over the floors and white slipcovers.
I know the summer weather has been all over the board around the country. Excessive heat, floods, smoke from the fires in Canada… all of it. For those of you that have had miserable weather, I hope you are safe and sound and things turn around.
What’s happening where you are this weekend?
We had the most fabulous evening last weekend.
My husband and I were guests of the couple who won a progressive dinner at our community auction last spring.
Here we are at the first house toasting to the evening.
And this was the view. Isn’t it incredible? I didn’t want to leave.
I was very proud of myself for not taking pictures for the rest of the evening and really enjoying being in the moment.
But the blogger part of me felt bad for not sharing it all with you.
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My friend who does my hair gets fresh flowers delivered to her business every week. I was blown away by this arrangement.
Speaking of hair, I FINALLY got mine done after 15 weeks. I was sick right before my last appointment so I have been avoiding the camera on Instagram lately. It was pretty rough. But I’m feeling myself again. Yay for hair highlights!
This is my friend Lori’s greenhouse. Isn’t it dreamy?
Around the Garden
I know I’ve been sharing my hydrangeas with you every week but I can’t help it! Every week gets better and better.
I love the variety of colors filling this space in my cottage garden.
Stunning! Am I right?
Here’s a view from the seating area. I told you we were having extremely good weather this summer.
This could be my favorite little spot in the garden. The lilies, coneflower, blazing star, and gladiolus transformed this spot from humdrum to FABULOUS!
I did not do this space justice with the angle and sunlight but I will try to do better when the blazing star is in full bloom.
This is the other side with my new white coneflowers that I LOVE!
My goal is to update my greenhouse garden area this fall. It has gotten too overgrown and tall. I want to move things around and thin it out. This area is giving me some good ideas and inspiration.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to divide my perennials this spring because of my knee replacement, and the garden really paid the price.
Here’s some bird yard art for you. Isn’t she sweet?
Another dahlia variety is blooming. Does anyone know what this is called?
The daisies and allium make a lovely pair here. When these flowers die down the garden phlox will take their place.
I had no idea that the bees loved allium so much. They are all over those flowers.
Here’s the cut flower garden. It isn’t even half of what it will look like in a couple more weeks.
I know I’ve already shared my Queen Anne’s Lace with you but it is just the biggest surprise to me. It’s getting more beautiful every day.
And remember, I don’t have a drip system for it since it’s a volunteer and growing from the brick pavers.
You’ve seen the zinnias but above them are the gorgeous yarrow finally starting to show itself.
Summer gardening is so good for my soul. How about you?
What I’m Using in My Garden Right Now
- I am keeping the slugs away with Sluggo. It’s pet and people safe.
- Do you lose your garden pruners like me? I just ordered more for the season.
- The pests are really messing with my garden this season. I just ordered more neem oil and insecticidal soap.
- I just ordered this tool for the weeds in my brick pavers. Can’t wait to see how it does. I’ll keep you posted.
- The deer and bunnies seem to be staying away from the Liquid Fence I spray on the flowers at least once every other week. I use the concentrate which seems to last forever.
- I had a few more planters that needed some work so I bought some organic potting mix for them.
From the Blog
Summer Tablescape Ideas and Inspiration for Al Fresco Dining
Looking for tablescape ideas and inspiration to elevate your summer al fresco dining experience? I’ll show you the different ways you can transform your outdoor space into a picture-perfect summer vibe with just the right summer tablescape.
25 Best Perennials Plants For a Low Maintenance Flower Garden
Do you love growing a flower garden but are overwhelmed by all the work it takes to maintain and care for it? Today I’m sharing my favorite perennial plant options to create the low maintenance garden you’ve always dreamed of.
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week
These year-round wreath ideas.
How to store fresh-cut rosemary for the best flavor.
This Nantucket cottage.
This yummy and easy Mediterranean Mezze Platter.
How to make an easy topiary with a vintage urn.
The best summer salads.
How to make DIY coasters with burlap fabric.
Summer garden flower arrangement tutorial.
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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Kim
I’m blown away by your hydrangeas! Wow those colors don’t look real. I also love the queen Anne’s lace. You are so sweet to share my burlap coasters. I appreciate you so much.
I can’t believe how beautiful the colors are in July Rachel. And the queen Anne’s Lace is growing better as volunteers as the seeds did last year!
Kim I love that first photo of you and your husband it’s so happy and cute. I hope you’re having a great summer😁
Thank you, Ann. I always forget to take pictures of us and I’m so glad we did get one that evening. Out summer has been really nice. I hope your weather is getting better.
It always feels good to get your hair done, doesn’t it!! That flower arrangement is beautiful! Speaking of beautiful…I can’t get over your hydrangeas!! Goals, my friend! 💙🌸
It does feel good to get it done, especially after waiting so long. I will admit, the hydrangeas are looking pretty spectacular this year. Thank you.
That pic of you and your hubby is so sweet! Your garden is so full of color, I’m just Gaga over it. And Lori’s greenhouse is sooo cute 🥰. I know you have some cute lacey ball lanterns to share with us! Can’t wait to see the link show up so I can buy some 🤗
Thank you, Tanya. That was such a great evening. So glad we have a picture of it. I will have the lantern info in the next post on Sunday but I can share it here too. https://allsopgarden.com/ . I really love them!
Funny, I ordered that same garden tool recently for weeding spaces between pavers. It’s been too warm out to try it yet. Your garden looks beautiful this time of year!
Thank you, Nancy. We’ve been really lucky with the weather and the garden still looks pretty good this month. I haven’t used my tool for weeding yet. We’ll see how long it takes me to get out there and get it done.
I don’t blame you for sharing your hydrangeas a lot lately. They are stunning! And such a beautiful photo of you and hour husband. It sounds like you had a fabulous time!
Happy Sunday, Kim!
We did have a great time. And I only wish the hydrangeas would stay this vibrant color all summer. I’ll just take a lot of pictures!
Kim, I never tire of your hydrangea pictures~love them, cannot grow them here so I get to live vicariously through your garden pictures. That Nantucket cottage~oh my. And Rachel’s peach coasters are just too cute. Happy Sunday! Leaving Chicago to head back to insufferable hot Phoenix tomorrow.
Isn’t that Nantucket garden just the best Mary? I wish you could grow hydrangeas but you have so many other beautiful flowers like your hollyhocks. They are so stunning. Stay cool in that Arizona record heat.
What a happy sweet photo of you and your husband. The yard is looking so full of life and so pretty. Totally get the hair highlights thing. I really dislike missing my appts. too.
The colors you get from your hydrangea’s are so varied. Lovely. It must be due to your pH there. I have to apply aluminum sulphate to mine to get blue so I generally pot them to make things easier. I leave the 2 in the ground and they are pink mainly.
Cheers to the good weather. So many haven’t been lucky. We too have had some really nice weather and the really hot days have missed us as we are in the upper part of Indiana. The coastal areas have not had it so cool and easy.
I’m so glad to hear that you’ve been having some nice summer weather, Lori. I am just soaking it all up! I have the blue and purple shades of hydrangeas on one side and the pink on the other. They’ve never changed colors and I’ve never had to do anything to them. They are one of my favorites and I can’t wait to dry them in the fall.
Your place is so gorgeous Kim! I could sit and look at that view all day! Thanks so much for sharing it with us, and Happy Sunday!
Thank you, Barbara. You will have to come to visit me so we can sit and watch the view together.
Everything about your home and gardens are gorgeous! Not to mention that smile of yours. Hugs to you.
What a sweet compliment. Thank you, Renae.