Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 163
Hi there!
I hope you had a great week! And Merry Christmas!
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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms
What a week it was!
I Did the Coolest Thing!
My publisher, Harvest House, and Christian Audio Books made arrangements for me to go to New York City to narrate my book! Isn’t that so fun?
Because I’m more of a country mouse than a city mouse, Chris accompanied me in and helped me navigate my way to the studio. I joked that he was driving Miss Stacy this week. LOL!
I spent 6 hours in the studio recording the book. It was a little exhausting to talk for so long but I did it! And I felt like I was chatting with you guys!
Cause that’s how the book sounds. Like we are just having a chat about how to grow low-maintenance flowers, build confidence as a gardener, and to find success just growing things. From cottage gardens and pollinator gardening to cut flower and container gardening, this book will inspire you to grow beautiful blooms in 2024.
The book releases after the new year – so it’s just around the corner! Are you as excited about this as I am? Get your copy here.
And if you want to join my prelaunch team, I’d love to have you join! Fill out this form and I’ll be reaching out after the holidays via email.
Holiday Preparation
It’s been a whirlwind of a week wrapping up (literally) all things Christmas and getting ready to host Christmas Eve today. We are hosting our annual Christmas Eve clambake so I’m getting the seafood ready and couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with family!
I’m taking a little risk and ordering the seafood from somewhere else that’s a little closer to home. We were still shopping at a market close to our old home but they are always so busy on Christmas Eve when we pick up the seafood. So this year, we are trying something new that’s a little closer to where we live now.
We also spent some time with my in-laws at a Christmas party on Friday night. It was so much fun! My girls came with us and we had the best time with my niece and nephew.
What I’m Shopping For This Week
I am preparing to get back into the gardens this January. We are having a mild late fall/early winter so far and I decided I’m going to prepare for the next growing season earlier this year.
After the holidays, I’m planning to winter sow seeds outdoors and get my indoor seed starting supplies ready. Not to mention, I will be moving some houseplants around again after I take Christmas down and need a few plant stands so I can get them up off the ground. Here’s what I’m shopping for this week!
- This stainless steel oil sprayer will help lighten the calories when I make some of my signature dishes in 2024.
- This cozy sweater.
- These terracotta pots. Getting a few for my houseplants. (I’ll be propagating more this spring)
- These ornament storage bins are for my vintage ornaments.
- These Christmas wreath storage bins work really well and protect my winter wreaths while in the attic from damage.
- I also love the idea of getting a Christmas gift-wrapping storage bin so I don’t have to keep mine out all year round. This will help safely store it all away for next year!
- I also bought a few more Under Armour Coldgear Shirts – I love these. I mostly wear them outside when I’m running or walking outdoors in winter, but they are also great to have on if you need to do a few outdoor chores in the landscape too.
Must-Have Seed Starting Supplies I Use
It’s almost seed-starting season! If you want to start seeds indoors this year, it’s time to stock up on the supplies now!
- Seeds (They are going on sale soon!)
- Vermiculite
- Seed Starting Potting Soil
- Seed Trays
- Bottom or Drainage Trays
- Clear Dome Lids
- Grow Lights
- Table or Shelf System for Seedlings
- Heat Mat
- Plant Labels
- Oscillating Fan
- Programmable Timer
What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms
It was a fun week on the blog! Here’s a quick rundown of the week on the blog!
We did a lot and covered a lot of ground as we wrap up the holiday season over the next week! It’s almost time to prepare for the next growing season and I couldn’t be more excited.
- Grab a cozy mug of hot cocoa and join me for a candlelight Christmas home tour.
- Skip the fuss! Winter sow seeds outdoors & get a head start on spring blooms & bountiful harvests, even if you’re a newbie gardener. ❄️ Read on for this easy-peasy guide!
- Looking for better ways to store your Christmas decor? Level up your ornament storage! This TikTok hack is the secret to stress-free decorating next year.
- Impress your guests with effortless, melt-in-your-mouth Christmas treats and easy holiday desserts! Ditch the complicated recipes & whip up these 10 show-stopping treats in no time.
- Forget dry pork! This cranberry crockpot pork loin recipe delivers fall-off-the-bone perfection with tangy cranberry sauce & minimal effort. Try it tonight!
- Transform your home into a serene sanctuary with these easy-to-follow indoor gardening ideas for beginners. Discover the top 10 indoor plants that thrive in any space.
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 small space Christmas decorating ideas.
- This cheesy breakfast tater tot, bacon, and ranch casserole.
- This baked potato soup recipe
- These gift-wrapping tips
- Love this bagel charcuterie board idea for Christmas breakfast.
- This DIY curtain rod is genius.
- Love this breakfast grazing table.
- And these tips for making your Christmas tree extra cozy.
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.
Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 277
When and How to Harvest Lavender for the Best Fragrance
Best Companion Plants for Lavender (What to Plant and What to Avoid)
How to Grow Lavender for a Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden
Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 276
How I Transformed My Zen Garden with Low-Maintenance Evergreens
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
Merry Christmas Stacy. Looking forward to another great year.
Merry Christmas Rachel! Cheers to another great year in 2024! xoxo