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I hope you had a great week!

Have I got a story for you today – because this was scary!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

What a week it was!

Here’s What Happened…

To take a much-needed break, Chris and I went to Vermont for a few days.

We were having fiber optic installed at the cabin and wanted to start preparing our home for renters and the ski season.

About a month ago, we had a new propane gas stove installed in our home.

Because we wanted the connections double-checked by the gas company before using it, my husband met them in Vermont about two weeks ago.

Garden Blogger Stacy Ling and Christopher Ling

The service guys walked around and checked some things and said it all looked good. So my husband ran the unit to keep the house warm as it’s our main heating source when he left.

After arriving on Thursday, there was a seriously heavy gas smell in the house. Chris carefully opened all the windows and doors, and I called the propane company immediately.

We had the dogs with us so I kept them outside and in the car while we waited for the gas company to arrive.

propane gas stove in vermont cabin beneath wood pallet sign DIY

After about an hour, the service person arrived and checked the inside connections. He noticed there was a leak in one of the old connections. So apparently, when the first person checked the connections for a potential gas leak, he didn’t fully check the inside unit.

(Really glad we scheduled that appointment, drove all the way up here for it, for them to check and make sure there were no leaks, she says with a smirk and an eye roll.

We were fortunate that this second service person was able to repair the connection as quickly as he did. And he thoroughly checked inside and out for any other issues.

Wilmington, Vermont in fall

I’m thankful that we were extra careful when we arrived in Vermont because that was the first time we ran the unit and wanted to be sure there were no issues.

It was very scary. I’m so glad that we took extra precautions and called the gas company immediately upon arrival.

With that hiccup behind us, the new propane gas fireplace is a stunner and works very well.

We went out to dinner a few nights, started decorating for the holidays, and was able to enjoy the rest of our time at the cabin.

A beautiful day in wilmington, vermont overlooking river near Dot's Restaurant

In the Gardens

I wrapped up the fall gardening season with my last of the bulb plantings.

Better late than never I always say.

We haven’t had a killing frost here so I’m still cutting flowers from the gardens! I think we’ll see one this week though, so it all ends just before Thanksgiving.

last cut flower bouquet of the season in new jersey garden in mid november

What I’m Shopping For This Week

I spent a lot of time shopping for my new King of Christmas 7.5′ King Flock Christmas Tree.

My incredibly talented niece crocheted a tree skirt for me and I can’t wait to share how it all looks next week!

Most of the ornaments I bought locally from Morris County Farms, but I found some dupes that come pretty close so I’ll share them.

As an aside, if you are local and love Morris County Farms too, it sounds like they didn’t get everything they ordered for the holidays.

So if you typically shop their Christmas house, don’t wait to go.

sneak peak of my new king of christmas king flock tree with neutral garden theme and bling ornaments

Here’s what I shopped for this week!

A few of you have asked about the Christmas window in my former kitchen.

Those lights are fabulous right?

You can buy them here. They sell out quickly so if you want them, don’t wait.

Rustic farmhouse kitchen decorated with fairy lights and garland around the window with prelit mini trees - how many more months until christmas?

And you’ve also had some questions about my older faux Christmas tree. I love my new flocked tree, but I have to tell you, this one might be my favorite.

The needles on it look really authentic, it has both white and multi-colored light options, a foot pedal to turn it on and off plus a remote!

I mean, does it get any better than having a remote for your Christmas tree?

The flocked one has a remote too, but I appreciate the different bulbs on this one so you can change the look depending on your mood.

If you are interested in this tree, they are having a huge sale. Buy now here before they sell out. And these trees will be gone quickly too.

But you also asked about the tree collar. It looks so rustic, right?

Here’s where you can buy it.

Rustic Farmhouse christmas tree with DIY paperbag snowflakes in farmhouse living roomHow to Make Snowflakes with Paper Bags

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

We wrapped up our 10 days of Christmas where my friends and I brough you daily inspiration to get psyched up and ready for the holidays.

From Christmas decorating ideas to gift-wrapping ideas, these posts have you covered with lots of creative and budget-friendly ideas.

close up of christmas swag

The 10 Days of Christmas lineup included:

Also, if you plan to use fresh greens, learn how to stop the needle drop with my free guide and keep your greens looking fresher longer.

Sunset in the front porch cottage garden in fall with rudbeckia, sedum autumn joy and snapdragons overlooking the valley

In addition to wrapping up the 10 Days of Christmas, I shared a beautiful blog post chock full of breathtaking fall garden photos.

From the front yard to the backyard and everything in between, wait until you see how gorgeous my new gardens looked this fall.

And finally, I shared my latest YouTube Video where we are coming out of the garden and into my sunroom so you can see the before, and the after and get the details on the transformation.

Watch the video here.

small sunroom ideas

Amazing Inspiration from Around the Web

I love finding cool inspiration from around the web and wanted to share some of what I’m loving right now.

Probably my favorite Christmas inspo was from my good friend Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse who shared these beautiful cedar and dried orange topiary trees that she made.

Aren’t they gorgeous???

Cedar orange topiary trees by the ponds farmhouse

And here is some more inspiration you’ve got to see!

These foraged Christmas decor ideas.

This DIY wreath idea for the holidays.

These Thanksgiving recipes saved a lot of money!

This antique door.

And these tips for updating any lamp.

sunset in the front driveway gardens with garden mums and changing fall foliage
Backyard zen gardens in fall with changing foliage at sunset with tree sculpture shaped like koi fish

If you enjoy these posts, you can find past Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly posts here.

And… If you’re catching up on blog posts you may have missed, be sure to sign-up to get my newest posts via email to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on the blog and more.

Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling cutting zinnia flowers in her cottage garden with wood picket fence in front of garden shed

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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The bricks \'n Blooms guide to a beautiful and easy-care flower garden book by stacy ling
The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden
  • Have you never met a plant you couldn’t kill?
  • Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
  • Do you currently enjoy growing flowers, but are looking for more tips and ideas to level up your gardening game?

Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

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12 Comments

  1. Goodness, that is scary! I’m glad the second tech was able to find the issue and quickly resolve it! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend, friend!

  2. Stacy,
    Oh my gosh. A gas leak is so scary. I’m so glad you and your cabin survived! Thank you for sharing my topiaries this week. I hope you have the best week.

  3. Oh, wow, so scary about the gas leak! It’s frustrating when you have a “professional” check things out and they don’t do a thorough job, especially when it involves something so potentially dangerous. We know of two families who had gas leaks in their homes that ended tragically, thankful you guys are okay! On a lighter note, thanks for sharing your lovely home and gardens, I love your style! Those kilim pillows are gorgeous and would look great for fall and winter! Take care!

    1. Wow Vicki that’s terrible and so tragic! It’s so true…we really were very fortunate. Thank you so much – I LOVE those pillows! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

  4. Oh my gosh, Stacy! I am so glad that this scary story had a happy ending. Vermont is such a beautiful location from what I see in your pics. I hope to visit there one of these days. Thank you for featuring my Christmas post. You really are the best.