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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!

In the Garden

After a beautiful weekend in Vermont, it was blazing saddles hot here almost all week long. Like the upper 90’s. My gardens did not love it as they were just getting used to some cooler evening temps.

This is about the time of year I get tired of watering every day and this week was no exception. I am done!

Of course, I’ll still do it to keep my planters going, but it would be nice if we had some milder temps. I’ll take a nice 75-80 degree day!

august cottage garden view in new jersey zone 6a with rudbeckia and zinnias
garden blogger stacy ling with her dahlias in the cut flower garden

The dahlias are doing so amazing this summer! They are blooming like crazy! Except Dahlia Cafe Au Lait. That one still has flower buds and I’m getting sick just looking at it.

Not growing it again.

More zinnias are getting that end-of-summer powdery mildew on them. I’d say about 25% are showing signs the growing season is coming to an end. Sigh.

The tithonia that I started from seed started blooming and looks so pretty right now. And It’s so tall! One plant has to be like 9 feet tall. I can’t even photograph the flowers unless I grab a ladder. LOL!

Aromatto basil started blooming a few weeks ago and has finally hit its stride. It looks really pretty in the garden. I haven’t found it to hold up super well in a bouquet but maybe I need ot learn more about it.

Got any tips? This is my first year growing it. I bought the seeds two years ago and forgot to plant them. So 2023 is the inaugural year.

rudbeckia by the porch in late summer

At Home

A few weeks ago, I told you guys I started doing Noom to lose a few pounds. And I’m happy to report that I am about 8 pounds down now!

I am not affiliated with them or anything, but wanted to share my thoughts on it because a few of you asked.

It’s a great program if you want to change how you approach your health, diet, and food. I love the app for it and it coaches you daily which helps keep me on track.

You log your food, exercise, water, and it’s been a great fit for me. I don’t feel deprived, still enjoy “forbidden” foods on occasion and am getting fit while losing weight at the same time.

I have about 10 pounds to go, so let’s go!

Front entry hall decorated for fall with houseplants, vintage frames and dried gourds

Another Weekend of Travel

This weekend, we visited Shana at Ohio State. I know, she just left right? Well, it was parents’ weekend here, so we drove out Friday and are heading back today.

We went out to dinner, hung out with her friends and their families, and caught a game! Ohio State football games are always so fun to attend.

But the band always puts on a really good show too! Have you ever seen them perform before? Wow!

And I am exhausted from all this traveling around. But it was great to see her and we had a blast!

stacy ling and her family at ohio state v youngstown football game

A Little More About My Book

From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate all of your kind messages, comments, and shares together with your excitement about my first book!

It means the world to me that you are as excited about this as I am.

A few of you had some questions because you wanted to learn more about it, so I’ll try to answer them here.

Some of you live all over the world and want to know if this book will still be helpful to you. And the answer is YES!

This book is a guide for beginners, those who think they kill things or want an easier approach to growing flowers. The basics of gardening, my approach, and design tips will still help you regardless of where you live.

Stacy Ling's Book The Bricks 'n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden

While you may not be able to grow some of the flowers I suggest, you can find substitutes that will work in your hardiness zone just by visiting your local nursery or chatting with the local gardening extension.

My book was written to inspire and give you the confidence to go out and just grow things. So if you’ve always wanted to grow plants and flowers, have struggled, or want an easier way to do things, this book is for you.

Why should you preorder when the book is published in February?

When you preorder, those preorder sales tell Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.. this is going to be a good book.

The preorder quantity is a good early indicator of a book’s success and can lead to retailers increasing their initial orders. Which I want, of course, after all the hard work I put into writing it.

As a result, they will push it out more in their algorithms to get more consumers interested in buying the book.

sedum autumn joy rudbeckia and gomphrena by the porch with flower wreaths

So what’s in it for you?

When you preorder, you’ll get a freebie! So save your preorder number so you can get it when it becomes available.

In addition to the book, you’ll get a guide for growing a garden with year-round beauty plus a few extra garden designs with different light conditions.

So it’s almost like an additional chapter that is not included in the book and you can only get it when you preorder.

If you haven’t preordered yet, click here!

What I’m Shopping For This Week

On the shopping front, I am all about fall! Fall garden stuff, fall fashion, fall decor, and everything pumpkin spice!

Although it’s been hot here this week, things will start to cool down, and I’m feeling the vibe! This is what I’m shopping for this week!

formal living room in fall with throw pillows, faux pumpkins, wicker end table and mosntera plant and pilea plant

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

We started the week off with my rustic elegant fall home tour. If you are thinking about decorating for fall or just getting started, there is a ton of inspiration in this post as I shared my home with 29 other home decor bloggers.

So there is a decorating style for everyone in this post!

Since I started decorating my home for fall, I also shared 5 quick ways to spruce up your home for fall.

Wait until you see how easy it is to get the fall vibes with a few quick changes.

dining room decorated for fall with crystal chandelier and neutral pumpkin centerpiece

In the garden, I shared tips for planting bulbs in the fall to get an unforgettable spring display. This post will guide you through planting, design ideas, and tips for getting early spring flowers.

Looking for ways to improve your garden for next year? I also shared 10 must-do fall garden chores that should be done before winter arrives to prepare for the next growing season.

It’s apple-picking season! Wait until you try this quick and easy dessert for fall.

And finally, I shared a soup recipe that will spice up your dinner repertoire this fall that is super quick and easy to make. Get dinner ready in under 30 minutes with this yummy dish!

white front porch rockers in fall with zinnias and alliums

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.

These 5-minute cheap fall decorating ideas.

I love these fine art printables. Have you seen them yet?

These braided yarn pumpkins are adorable and easy to make.

This fall home tour.

And this peach upside down cake.

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.

A lush flower garden layout with vibrant green foliage features tall sunflowers, white hydrangeas, and pink flowers in bloom. The background is filled with dense, green trees, creating a serene and colorful outdoor setting.

The Essential Flower Garden Planner: Track, Learn, and Grow Your Best Garden Yet

Plan your dream garden! This essential flower garden planner and journal helps you track, learn, and grow your best blooms yet. The thrill of spring planting, the vibrant colors of summer blooms, the satisfying harvest of fall – gardening is a journey of joy, learning, and connection with nature. But amidst the excitement, it’s easy…
Read More The Essential Flower Garden Planner: Track, Learn, and Grow Your Best Garden Yet

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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

  1. It was 107 here Friday. An all-time record for September. Even in hot west Texas, that’s just crazy. I loe summer and hot weather but no! I’m over it.
    Now this week, we have rain and low 80’s forecasted. Please please please.