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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 117

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!

I met up with some friends this week and enjoyed an amazing brunch at my favorite spot, Sally Lunn’s Tea Room. They have the most amazing food where everything is made and served fresh.

It’s been a favorite of mine since we moved to the area and whenever I get a chance, that’s where I’m brunching!

High Tea with the Traveling Teacup while having tea and scones at sally lunns tea room in chester new jersey
An adventure with the Traveling Tea Cup

While in the area, we stopped by the Chester Library where my good friend Margaret is showing her incredible artwork. And one of the pieces she’s showing is a painting of our pond garden. Isn’t it amazing?

Margaret paints all types of things from pet portraits to landscapes and other scenes you’ve got to check out. She’s a great resource if you are looking for a gift for that special someone that is unique and personal.

You can check out more of her work here. I am so proud of her and thrilled for her success!

blogger stacy ling and margaret compton at her art show
margaret compton at her art show hanging portrait of blogger stacy ling's pond garden
painted portrait by margaret compton art of blogger stacy ling's pond garden with footbridge on beautiful spring day
Does this view look familiar! Isn’t it amazing!

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front entry hall christmas tree 2023

Chris traveled to Cincinatti last weekend and while he was there, he caught up with our daughter Shana who’s at school. While he was gone, I spent some time cleaning and organizing what we call the cottage.

The cottage is a separate outbuilding that I use for my office and garden supplies while also housing my decor and DIY supplies. We used to store things in our attic and basement but I don’t really have that kind of storage space here.

Our basement is unfinished and not set up to really store things on display where I can see them and the attic space we have isn’t easily accessible for me.

So I’m still in the process of organizing it as we pretty much moved in and dumped everything there with minimal unboxing. So I guess you can say, I’m almost moved in. LOL!

the cottage at sunrise in winter
the cottage at sunrise

I’m planning to move some desks in there for my office and it’s turning out to be a great space!

Someday in the next year or so, I would LOVE to take all of the liriope out and plant it up with a cottage garden design.

Not sure if it will happen this year or not, as we are taking on the potager garden. This area will have a whole new look before May. We laid it out this weekend and plan to get started on the raised beds over the next few weeks.

Weather depending of course.

potager garden in early winter at sunrise

What I’m Shopping For This Week

I finally bought some new pillows for the living room and I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve been shopping around for quite sometime and haven’t loved what much.

Because we aren’t in this room all the time, I also decided to choose pillow covers that will work from spring through fall so I can set and forget it until the holidays.

Oh and I also started shopping for Valentines Day too. So here’s what I bought or am still shopping for this week!

close up of books on a library shelf with copper vase and faux fern branches

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

We started looking ahead to Valentines Day with some beautiful table decor ideas and gift ideas.

I also shared ways to create a backyard zen garden. And let me tell you…I didn’t know I needed on until I had one.

So you should read up on whether this type of garden is for you here.

Zen garden with round concrete pavers, stairs with white railing that leads to container gardens fill with pink superwave petunias 'bubblegum pink' and the backyard garden with black labrador retriever standing on stone wall with koi tree sculpture in the background
Zen Garden and Backyard Gardens

Although the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter, we are moving into full on spring mode here. I’ve been shopping around for spring decor and more specifically, throw pillows for my living room.

And I found some beautiful mix and match patterns that I think you’ll love too! You can check them out here.

Finally, I shared my love for one of my favorite easy care indoor plants, the anthurium lily. It is resilient and forgiving, blooms long, and is super simple to grow. You can learn more about anthurium lily care here.

close up of anthurium with red flower

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.

I LOVE the grapevine wreath my good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill made this week.

How pretty is it?

It’s the perfect easy DIY craft idea for spring that costs very little to make!

diy moss grapevine wreath by cottage on bunker hill

My good friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells is always busy decorating her home with pretty flowers, so this week has been no exception!

This week she shared her favorite ways to decorate with flowers for Valentines Day and the thing that I love about it is that it’s not in your face Valentines Day decor.

Wait until you see how making some simple decor changes can elevate your Valentines Day style.

vintage roses in bucket for valentines day by shiplap and shells

My good friend KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms always has the best life hacks.

And this week, she’s sharing some great ways to organize the kitchen on a budget.

Can we all just admire how beautiful her kitchen is too?

white subway tile in kitchen - organizing kitchen on a budget with thistlewood farms

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

These easy Valentine’s Day tree ornaments.

This DIY spice rack copper craft is AWESOME!

These are the best vintage repurposing projects!

These tips for creating a vintage look with your dining table centerpiece.

I love these St. Patrick’s Day decorating ideas.

This easy taco soup recipe sounds divine!

This new old cabinet.

And this spring table centerpiece with garden statue is simple and so elegant.

close up of kalanchoe plants on books on the table

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.

close up of pretzel chip with hot artichoke dip with spinach

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front porch Christmas Decor with red roses

Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 159

Hi there! I hope you had a great week and a wonderful Thanksgiving! Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms What a week it was! My girls came home for Thanksgiving weekend and our entire family celebrated Thanksgiving here in our home. It was so nice having everyone under one roof and…
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close up of charcuterie board with raspberries, oranges, manchego, brie and backberries with crackers on bistro table.

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5 Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Decorating to Make Your Home Extra Cozy

Create a warm and inviting atmosphere with these rustic farmhouse Christmas decorating ideas. Embrace natural materials, neutral colors, and winter greenery for a cozy and inviting home. The rustic farmhouse aesthetic is all about creating a relaxed, warm and inviting atmosphere, and that’s exactly what you want for your home during the Christmas holidays. Am…
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About Me

Want to learn more about me?

I’m a master gardener who’s been gardening and growing things for over 25 years. With a deep passion for gardening, I enjoy helping others find their inner green thumb with all things plants and flowers, as well as find ways to bring the outdoors inside their homes too.

Get the inside scoop about my background as a master gardener, education, and experience, as well as why I started blogging.

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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8 Comments

  1. How cool is that…her painting is amazing!! That is one talent that I wish I had.
    Thanks for sharing my hearts!!

  2. So fun that you have the traveling tea cup. Barbara is a friend of mine. She is awesome. She lives near me. Hugs to you.

  3. Stacy
    I loved that painting of your garden. How special is that. Sounds like you had a great week. I appreciate the share of my spice rack also. Have the best week.

  4. I can’t wait to see your potager garden when it is all done. It’s already so beautiful! And your cottage office sounds amazing. What I wouldn’t give for an office space!

    1. I know! We made one in the old house in the attic – it’s a good spot for my office and all the blog stuff! It feels good to finally get everything out of boxes. hahaha