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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 115

Hi there!

I hope you had a great week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

What a week it was!

We are in the throws of winter but it feels like spring here.

Is it like that by you too?

I’m itching to get outside and do a few things, so I’ve been cleaning out containers to prepare for spring and getting ready to start seeds indoors.

Because it’s almost that time!

close up of foxglove digitalis flowers
Foxgloves

A year after moving in, we still have nooks and crannies here that we need to unpack and organize.

Because last year, we moved in and hit the ground running unpacking the necessities and setting some things aside to deal with and unpack later.

Well. It’s later.

So Chris and I decided we’d do one spot per weekend to chip away at it and just get it done.

the front entry hall with vintage market decor and french doors with a view of the dining room in 1850 farmhouse

Two weeks ago, we cleaned and organized the attached garages.

And last weekend we unpacked a bunch of boxes, organized, and cleaned the basement.

It’s not very exciting I know, but it felt so good to finally unpack and put things away in these spaces.

I was feeling stressed walking into them and not being able to find anything.

So if you needed to hear that I’m working on this kind of stuff behind the scenes to inspire you to chip away at a few things in your home too?

You are welcome!

And for those that have been praying and asking about my mother, thank you. She’s continuing to slowly improve and I know she’s happy to be back here in New Jersey.

my black lab Bodie in the zen garden near the stairs with a white railing

What I’m Shopping For This Week

Since I’ve been in clean out mode here, I haven’t done a whole lot of buying.

More like looking around for inspiration. But I did snag a few items to get a jump on spring.

Here’s what I’m shopping for this week!

winter living room decor in my 1850 farmhouse with leather sofas, neutral throw pillows and winter greenery

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

This week, I shared some indoor plant inspiration.

There are few older posts that I updated and wanted to put back out there because so many of you tell me houseplants aren’t your thing.

And you know what?

I struggled with them for a long time too. But after thinking about it, I realized I wasn’t working with plants that were easier to care for, resilient, or suited for my home environment.

So I tried again and found some success.

And now?

I try a few new plants every year and my stock keeps growing.

close up of anthurium with red flower
Anthurium

So if this sounds like you, there’s a plant out there for you and these posts will help you grow that one plant.

And when you find success growing that one plant, I bet you’ll grow a second.

For basic indoor plant care tips, you should start with this post.

And then, read this post about how to know when to water. Because we should NOT water on the same day every week.

If you do that…stop.

snake plants at the nursery
Snake plants at the nursery

Finally, I shared some winter houseplant care tips that will help you get them through the rest of the winter.

There’s not a whole lot you need to do, but there are a few thing that will helop your plant babies get through the next few months until spring.

And speaking of easy care houseplants, if you want to try one to grow, look for a Christmas cactus. They are easy to grow, bloom a few times per year, and let you know when they are thirsty.

Christmas cactuses are resilient plants that are easy to propagate and a must have if want to grow a pretty indoor plant that flowers.

close up of christmas cactus that is just starting to bloom im the sunroom with checkered tile floors
My Christmas cactus in the sunroom is just starting to flower

In addition to indoor plant care, I also shared ideas for soup you can make this winter. I make pot of soup at least once a week because it’s quick, easy, and a healthy dish for my family.

There’s a few recipes I make on repeat that I think you’ll love. (Chicken soup homemade, pasta fagioli, and tortellini soup I’m looking at you!)

Wait until you try these quick, easy and delicious soup recipes!

I also shared some thrift store finds as we continue to hunt for more storage pieces for the foyer.

Did you see that holiday piece Chris and I found at the end?

It was HUGE!

close up of vintage painting and frames that I refinished in rub and buff antique gold with vintage plate holder on buffet

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.

My good friend Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful, budget-friendly DIYs!

This week, she shared these incredible paper roses that she made from book pages.

Aren’t they so cool???

the ponds farmhouse paper flowers made from book pages on a vintage shutter

My good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill also made the prettiest DIY this week for Valentine’s Day.

I love this wreath!

She made it from a heart-shaped wreath form with small wood hearts and gorgeous ribbon.

It’s gorgeous right?

cottage on bunker hill valentines day diy wreath

My good friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells shared her beautiful winter home tour this week.

I love her pretty home by the sea.

She’s got a beautiful garden and knows how to bring the outdoors in really well.

shiplap and shells winter home tour in living room cottagestyle decor

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

This tomato tortellini soup recipe.

These tips for organizing a dining room.

These tips to revive a bistro set and chairs.

I love these thrift store finds.

These cozy ideas for a bedroom.

This little library.

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

the front yard koi pond in winter with adirondack chairs and footbridge at sunrise

Winter Inspiration

What have you been doing this January so far? Have you been bitten by the cleaning and organizing bug too? Are you doing any indoor gardening like me too? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind the scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it on the blog. Would love to see you there too!

If you prefer to binge watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!

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.

potager garden in fall with table decorated for an adult halloween party.

Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 150

Hi there and Happy Fall! I hope you had a great week! Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms What a week it was! New Jersey had amazing weather all week long. The temperatures were more mild so I was able to start decorating the porches and gardens for fall. I added…
Read More Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 150
asters in the cottage garden with rudbeckia and ruby snow hydrangeas

Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 149

Hi there! I hope you had a great week! Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms What a week it was! After a fun weekend in Columbus, Ohio visiting our daughter Shana, we got right back into the swing of things here. The weather is still pretty hot but much cooler than…
Read More Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 149
two black labs in front entry hall with vintage furniture finds from the thrift store nearby in 1850 farmhouse

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

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6 Comments

  1. Stacy, sending well wishes to your Mom. Our New Year’s resolution is to go through every room in the house and clean out all the nooks & crannies. I figure it will take at least a year to go from top to bottom. So glad to hear others are doing this. It’s a bit daunting but so rewarding. Thank you so much for sharing my redo of the French bistro table and chairs! You are the best.

    1. Isn’t it great? I told him let’s just do I small space at a time so it’s not overwhelming and it’s so much easier to tackle! You are welcome Mary! xoxo

  2. Your Christmas cactus is looking amazing Stacy. You really do tempt me to try to grow more houseplants other than the 2 I have. Thank you so much for featuring my winter living room. You are the best!

    1. You should! You would love it – this one is fun because it flowers a few times a year and you’ll have it forever!