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!
To bring you up to speed, I told you guys about the blue heron eating all the fish in the back pond, right? We searched the pond high and low for any signs of fish and they were all gone.
My family and I were pretty devastated! So Chris and I decided to restock it and net the pond so the blue heron would have a much harder time eating the fish.
When Chris and I went to Atlantis Water Gardens, they were having a Christmas in July sale for 50% off their fish! Because it is so fun to buy fish and bring them home LOL we decided to get six this time. Maybe even numbers would bring better luck?
We brought them home and started acclimating them in the bag in the pond while we got the netting ready to add once they are in. After about 20 minutes, we gently released them into the pond.
As they were swimming around checking out their new digs, Chris mentioned that one of the fish looked really blue in the water. So I looked and said, huh…I don’t remember getting a blue looking fish but maybe it’s the lighting versus in the store?
Then Chris said…did we get a fish that looked like Tori’s old fish because I didn’t think we did. And that’s when I realized. Oh my gosh some of the fish survived!!!
So Chris started counting the fish and it turns out we only lost ONE fish!!! That blue heron ate the big beautiful white one which was the leader in their school. They must have been so upset and distraught that they hid, and hid really well I might add.
I guess the new fish must have enticed them out of hiding because they came out and looked so happy!!! So we went from 5 fish. To no fish. To bringing home 6 fish. And now we have 10 fish! Which is probably too many for that back pond now, but we will have to figure that out later.
So we netted the pond and I have to say, I don’t mind how it looks and thought I would.
But then!!!!
Chris and I decided to head to Vermont for the weekend (more on that below). On the way up, Tori called to let me know she saw the heron fly out of the backyard. She checked on the fish and they seemed to be ok with the net intact.
A few hours later, she called to let me know one of the fish was pierced on the bottom of the pond. So that dang heron tried to fish and couldn’t get it out to eat it! Since we were not there, I asked Tori and her boyfriend Clay to create a fortress so the bird cannot walk up and touch the pond. I think they did a good job don’t you?
We’ll deal with it later this week but I’m going to leave this for a bit so hopefully the bird takes a hint and my fish survive!
Celebrating 28 Years!
It seems like just yesterday, I was in law school, celebrating a night out with one of my besties, when I met Chris. It was love at first sight and things fell into place from that day forward. Four homes, three kids and several pets later and we are still kicking it!
We decided to keep it low key for this anniversary and headed to Vermont for some boating, thrifting, and quiet time. I found some great finds at the flea market, the lake was beautiful, and we had a great time getting away for a few days.
Dig Plant Water Repeat Podcast
I had the pleasure of sitting down with my good friend and crazy talented gardener Janey from Dig Plant Water Repeat this week on her podcast. If you aren’t familiar with her, she’s got a gorgeous garden in California and has an inspriring YouTube channel that if you are not subscribed to, you’ll want to be after reading this!
Anyway, we sat down to chat about growing easy flowers and creating a low-maintenance garden and would you believe we probably chatted for at least an hour before we even started the podcast!
It’s publishing this week, so I’ll share it with you next week so you can hear all that we chatted about.
What I’m Shopping For This Week
Must-Have Summer Reads!
This week, I’m on a summer reading kick and downloaded a few good books on my kindle! Have you read any of these?
- The Senator’s Wife
- The Librarian Spy
- West With Giraffes
- A Happier Life
- Lessons in Chemistry
- The Paris Apartment
What books have you read this summer? I am always looking for recommendations so please leave them in the comments below!
For more summer reading inspiration, I curated a great summer reading list here.
In other breaking news, my husband just published his first book! He’s been working on it for so long and I’m so proud of him that it’s finally out there!
Garden Supplies
On a different note, I did a lot of shopping for the gardens to help keep up with things, Here’s what I bought this week!
- One of my expandable hoses popped this week when I stretched it too far (I recommend not doing that LOL) so I needed to replace it.
- More potting soil to repot and propagate some houseplants.
- I needed more organic fertilizer for my vegetables and herbs.
- I also needed more organic fertilizer for my roses.
- And I needed more slow-release fertilizer – it is that time in the summer where I feed them again to keep the blooms going.
- Because I have so many plants to protect from deer, I bought more of this repellent too!
What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms
It was a fun week on the blog!
Best Drought-Resistant Plants for a Low-Maintenance Garden
Learn how to create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden with drought-resistant plants that thrive in dry conditions, even during the hottest summers.
Hydrangea Not Blooming? Here’s Why
Have you noticed your hydrangea not blooming well this year? Here are 7 reasons why hydrangeas fail to bloom and how to fix it.
Easy Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe With Sausage and Cheese
Try this easy stuffed zucchini boats recipe with Italian sausage and cheese. This delicious, low-carb meal is perfect for using fresh summer zucchini from your garden!
10 Late Summer Garden Flowers That Bloom Into Fall
Want to keep the color in your flower garden going from spring through fall? Plant these 10 late summer blooming flowers to help bring your garden into fall with extended bloom times and beautiful fall colors.
Best Tips for Harvesting Sunflower Seeds
Did you grow sunflowers this year and want to learn how to harvest sunflower seeds? Harvesting sunflower seeds is simple to do and a great way to save the seeds for next year – or eat and enjoy!
No Bake Peanut Butter Pie: Easy & Irresistible Recipe
Indulge in creamy, dreamy no-bake peanut butter pie with this simple recipe. Perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!
Front Yard Garden Tour – The Driveway Garden
Today, we’re strolling another section along the driveway to explore the beds just outside the potager garden that are in full bloom this July. 🌼 In today’s video, we’re looking at some self watering planters that look amazing, a small cottage garden, hardy hibiscus border, hydrangeas and so much more! Watch the video here.
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.
- This DIY sunflower pillow is so gorgeous and easy to make!
- These easy DIY projects that will green up your home.
- This Greek turkey burger recipe.
- These beachy bathroom ideas.
- These beach reads sound really good!!!
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
