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 New Year!
I hope you had the most wonderful holiday and have enjoyed this past week.
There so many people who were affected by all kinds of chaos and trauma right before Christmastime… the bomb cyclone, broken water pipes, travel delays/cancelations, health issues, and broken hearts this Christmas and holiday season.
My hope is that you were still able to make the most joyous memories that you can look back on later in life and smile.
Please know that it means the world that you’re here. My heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation for you. The positive words, following along on my blog and other platforms, and the kindness you show me when there seems to be a lack of it elsewhere.
Thank you for being here. I will work hard to bring you the best I have in 2023.
I have high hopes for 2023.
I’ve been in my office the last couple of weeks, planning and creating in between holiday celebrations.
I really love this time when I can brainstorm for blog topics, plan the new year’s garden, and make some personal goals.
I’ll be sharing my 2022 year-in-review post with you next week along with the best gardening posts of all time.
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Garden Planning in January
As soon as Christmas is over my head is already into gardening.
I’ve already bought most of my seeds which I’ll also be sharing with you next week. I’m finalizing my plan for the cut flower garden.
I will be getting a knee replacement sometime in February so I just don’t know how things are going to go. Hopefully, I can sit in the greenhouse and sow seeds. I guess I will just figure it out once I get to that point.
I’ll continue to add posts to the Growing a Cut Flower Garden blog series this year but I’m hoping to start a new series for beginning gardeners, those with small gardens, and those who need low-maintenance options.
I’d love to hear what topics you would like to see on the blog for 2023. Leave a comment at the end of this post to let me know.
And just for the record…the moles are still making me crazy! You can actually see the tunnels they have made in the grass. It’s beyond frustrating.
Winter Shopping
I’m starting to put together some winter decor options for you.
You can see my favorites that I’ve started posting like:
- Hearth & Hand Collection
- Threshold Designed with Studio McGee
- Faux Flowers & Branches by AFloral
- Faux Plants & Greenery by AFloral
You can also visit the entire winter shopping page throughout the winter season for changes by clicking below.
I’ll also be adding items every day on LTK so make sure you’re following me on the app to see all the latest.
I also have my favorite shopping categories for winter and gardening on LTK. I’d love for you to follow me to get my newest shopping faves.
You can also shop my Amazon storefront for my favorite home and garden items.
COMING SOON: I will have a guide to my favorite gardening tools and seed-starting supplies next week!
What’s Happening at Shiplap and Shells…
My Top Viewed Home and Gardening Blog Posts of 2022
Are you ready to see your favorite blog posts of 2022? It was a great year on the blog.
After realizing that the majority of the top posts were about gardening I decided to break them out into the following sections by home and garden posts from last year. So there are 10 home decor and 10 gardening posts for you to look back on and enjoy.
Tips, Ideas, and Inspiration to Transition From the Christmas Holidays to Winter
Looking for tips for storing and organizing your holiday decorations, and refreshing your home now that the winter holidays are over? Here are some ideas and inspiration to transition your home from Christmas to the cozy winter season.
Create a Warm Winter Space by Adding Flowers and Greenery to Your Home Décor
Are you tired of the winter blues and need some help with your home decor options? I’ll share some of the ways you can create a warm winter space and brighten up your home decor this winter with flowers and greenery.
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web…
For those of you that don’t know already, I’m obsessed with Tieghan at Half-Baked Harvest. I follow her blog regularly and own 2 of her cookbooks. Her recipes are basically the only ones I try these days.
This simple one-pot spicy Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Tortilla Soup is the first recipe I’ll be making in 2023.
17 simple ways to ease into the new year.
This Atlantic beach house
Wendy from WM Design House shares another beautiful DIY project. See how she made an outdoor chandelier with fresh greens.
3 white wine spritzers to try.
100 best New Year’s quotes to ring in 2023.
My friend Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse shares her 10 most popular DIY crafts from 2022.
A look inside “The Holiday” cottage.
This Spanish Revival residence, built on the shores of Lake Minnetonka.
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 you a wonderful week ahead. Happy New Year
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How cute are you guys! Gah those little faces get me every time. The week between Christmas and NY is always a favorite of mine too. Snuggling down and enjoying quiet time feels like the perfect way to plan out goals, and dreams and tend to your garden list. Thank you for starting a beginner series. Our soil is crazy sandy and so far I’ve only been able to get knock-out roses, irises, and crepe myrtles to grow in my zone which is coastal zone 9a (i believe) We have a big porch though so I’m looking forward to planting lots of container gardens this year. Thank you for sharing my simple ways to eae into the new year post. Last year we gave ourselves the gift os easing into things instead of trying to organize all the things. Taking the time to rest and plan before diving into big organizing and diy projects made a huge difference! Sending you lots of hugs and love for a joy filled 2023, CoCo
Thank you CoCo. I feel the same way about taking it slow and taking time to rest and plan. I want to plant more containers this year as well. I love the way they add interest to the garden. Happy new year my friend.
Glad to read about smaller low maintenance gardening ideas. I’m 73 and sometimes think I should give up gardening since I don’t have the ability to do as much anymore. looking forward to 2023, Kim!
I’m so glad that’s something that sounds interesting to you Kathy. I’ve been struggling myself with bad feet and bad knees so I have really had to slow it down. Can’t wait to share more about low maintenance. Thanks so much for your feedback. it really helps.
Happy New Year!! All my garden carols started rolling in last week!! I spent a long car ride yesterday circling things with my highlighter and bending down the corner of the pages!!
It’s so much fun going through all the gardening catalogs. I love the planning process. Happy New Year Jennifer.
Good morning. I’m looking forward to your posts this year. I’ve been gardening for the past year in my 5 raised garden beds with (mostly) success. However, this past year I have been cursed with RACOONS! They come into my garden beds at night and dig through the soil – looking for worms and grubs, I assume. This activity pulls up and kills all my (previously) happy plants. I’ve read that sprinkling chili powder in the soil may help. Have you any other ideas on how to discourage these hooligans?
Raccoons are absolutely terrible! I am so sorry to hear that they are causing such havoc. This is what I found online. https://www.applepestcontrol.com/4-natural-raccoon-deterrents/#:~:text=Spices%20like%20cinnamon%2C%20black%20pepper,to%20the%20mixture%2C%20as%20well.
4 Natural Raccoon Deterrents. Let me know if any of this works. I’ve also heard that you shouldn’t have compost piles or bird feeders around. Motion sensor lighting may work.
Kim
This has been a great year and I know 2023 is going to be amazing! Can’t wait to see what awaits us this year.
It has been fun hasn’t it Rachel? Here’s to a great 2023 my friend.