Hi there!

I hope you had a great week!

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What a week it was!

We’ll start with the bad news first because I’m still really upset about it.

A Blue Heron Heist

Literally overnight, a blue heron ate all of our beautiful koi fish in the backyard. And yes, it was my fault because we did not net the pond and should have. But hear me out.

This pond is so covered by foliage and trees, the heron used to only drop by the end of the season. We were planning to net it in August but have clearly learned the hard way that the pond needs to netted all year round.

I am determined to enjoy koi in this pond if it is the last thing that I do! So we got some new babies yesterday, netted the pond, and we are going to try again in the backyard.

So how did I know it was a blue heron? Well let me tell you the story.

Before we went to bed, I noticed the fish weren’t really out much like they normally are. And really only saw about 3 of them darting around oddly. It was thundering and a storm was coming so I sort of brushed it off like they were skiddish from the oncoming storms.

In the morning when I let the dogs out, no fish were seen. I usually fed them then and started getting worried. So I texted Chris who was still in bed to let him know we should check the pond a little more closely to see if they were hiding.

A serene garden scene featuring a small stone waterfall flowing into a pond adorned with lily pads. Surrounding the pond are various green plants, rocks, and trees, with a stone lantern positioned near the waterfall, adding a touch of tranquility to the environment.

About 10 minutes later, the blue heron landed on our back shed roof and was peering at me through the window as if to say thanks for the meal!

I quickly ran outside to chase him away. Chris came down and ran out to check out the front pond. We know he hangs around there but have tried to make it more difficult for him to fish by leaving the big fountain on from before dawn to after dark, stringing lights to make it hard for him to fly down, and adding a blue heron decoy.

He’s definitely gotten some fish down there but the rate versus last summer has dramatically slowed down so we believe we are onto something. It’s difficult to net that pond with the fountain running.

I literally just mentioned to Chris the other day we needed to move the decoy. So he added him to the bridge and would you believe? When he ran out there the blue heron was perched right next to the decoy?????? UGH!

A lush garden scene with two herons perched on a wooden bridge among verdant foliage. String lights hang above, adding a charming ambiance. Various plants and trees surround the area, creating a serene and picturesque setting.

Happy Birthday Tori!

This weekend we celebrated my youngest daughter’s birthday! She had some friends over to celebrate and it was a fun time.

Four women are posing closely together outdoors. They are all smiling; one is making a kiss face. They are dressed casually, wearing sunglasses and tank tops or sleeveless dresses. The background features a wooden deck with railings, suggesting a relaxed, sunny setting. Stacy Ling and her daughters at a summer party

// sunhat // little black dress //

Feature in Birds & Blooms

Thank you to Birds & Blooms Magazine for sharing my thoughts on growing and caring for Korean spice viburnum! Are you growing one yet? If not you should! Read this informative article here.

A BIG Surprise is Coming!

But that’s not all… I’ve been working on something special that will revolutionize your indoor gardening game. If you’ve been on the struggle bus growing plants indoors, I got you! Get ready to say hello to a new way to nurture your leafy friends and create the indoor garden you’ve always dreamed.

A small outdoor seating area with a round table and two chairs. Potted plants sit on the table and chairs. Behind, a decorative sign reads "Farm Fresh Eggs, Special Large, Standard Large, Mediums." A wall-mounted lantern is also visible.

Top sellers of the week (some of which are still on sale) include:

Other things I’m shopping for include:

When I’m not in the garden, I am usually dressed in some sort of boho look! I’ve always loved the long flowy dresses and jumpsuits. Here are some of my favorites! Click on the image below to see more.

A collage of four different boho summer outfits for women. Each item is shown on a model and accompanied by descriptive text: a green maxi dress, olive green strapless jumpsuit, beige tiered maxi dress, and dusty blue crop top with matching high-waisted pants.

It was a fun week on the blog!

How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden

Learn how to keep rabbits out of your garden with effective strategies, natural repellents, and planting tips to protect your plants.

A vibrant garden bed filled with blooming flowers in various colors, including pink, purple, yellow, and orange. Behind the flower bed is a stone wall, and in the background, there are trees, shrubs, and a neatly trimmed lawn. A white fence is partially visible.

How to Make Snapdragons Keep Blooming

Learn how to make snapdragons keep blooming all season with expert care tips for continuous color in your garden.

A hand holding a colorful bouquet of snapdragons with vibrant yellow and pink flowers, set against a lush green garden background.

How to Dry Hydrangeas Perfectly

Learn 4 easy, foolproof methods to dry hydrangeas perfectly to preserve their beauty for months to come.

A vibrant garden with clusters of hydrangea flowers in various colors, including purple, pink, and blue, surrounded by lush green leaves. The blossoms are densely packed, creating a rich tapestry of hues and textures against the green foliage.

Boost Your Home’s Value With These 5 Essential Curb Appeal Ideas

Enhance your home’s look with these 5 essential curb appeal ideas.

A large yellow house with white trim sits behind a vibrant, lush garden filled with various flowers and green plants. A stone wall and path lead to the entrance, with colorful flowers, including yellow, purple, and blue blooms, adorning the garden in the foreground.

Sunflower Decor Ideas to Brighten Your Home

Discover easy and beautiful ways to use sunflower decor to brighten your home and create a cheerful atmosphere.

Three sunflower at various heights with large green leaves, standing along a paved path amidst lush greenery. Discover ways to support tall flowers like sunflowers with staking.
Sunflowers

Floral She Shed and Cottage Garden Tour

Come stroll along the driveway to explore the cottage garden flowers that are in full bloom this July. I shared an update on how my seedlings are thriving (and some lessons learned!), plus a peek at my NEW she shed dedicated to all things floral. Get ready for dried flower inspiration, wreath-making ideas, and a glimpse into my creative space. Watch it here!

Image of vibrant purple foxgloves and peach flowers in a lush green garden with text overlaying. The text reads, "Cottage Garden Tour" and "Summer Garden and She Shed Reveal." Background shows more greenery and flowers.

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

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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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4 Comments

  1. I’m so sorry about the fish again. Netting isn’t ideal with a waterfall but the Heron are horrible.

    You have had a battle between this and the rabbit

  2. Stacy
    So sorry to hear about your Heron issue. 😢. Thanks for sharing my wall basket post.