Home » Topics » Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly

Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 259

ByStacy Ling Posted on Updated On
Add as a preferred source on Google Add me to see the latest gardening from me.

Hi there!

I hope you had an amazing week!

(Posts on stacyling.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.)

Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

In My Garden

This week was about houseplant care….checking, pruning, watering, fertilizing, and bumping up the humidity. I noticed some plants were getting a little crispy around the edges and to be honest, I’ve been a little lax with care as I’ve been busy decorating my home for the holidays, shopping for gifts, and spending time with friends! (More on this below)

Since I’ve been decorating my home and needing space for our Christmas trees, some plants were relocated and let’s just say…not all loved their temporary light situations. But I’ve made some adjustments, added a few grow lights, and they’ll get back on track.

Two cozy white armchairs with patterned pillows and blankets sit by large windows, surrounded by potted plants and greenery. A round leather pouf and a small table with plants are between the chairs. A "Fresh Herbs" sign hangs above.

OHHHH I also got a gorgeous gorgeous GORGEOUS basket filled with jasmine that is just about to bloom. The basket alone is worth it as it has a lattice-like handle. This is where I sourced mine. It arrived healthy and has lots of buds waiting to bloom. I cannot wait for the fragrance!

I got this for myself, but I just ordered it again for some out of state relatives I know would appreciate it as much as I do for the holidays. There’s still time to get it there in time for the holidays. Order it here.

grapevine basket filled with jasmine and red ribbon on side table

A Night in NYC

My good friends and I hit the city Wednesday night to see Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (From Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures) on Broadway in the show Waiting for Godot. We trained in and had a little experience while heading in.

We were around Broad Street in Newark, when a man started screaming up and down the aisle that he needed money. He was a little aggressive and yelling at passengers. To be honest, I was a little nervous given the violence we’ve seen on trains lately. But we ignored him hoping he’d go away and he did.

After that harrowing experience, we made it to Penn Station and dined at The Dickens restaurant. This place had such a cool, sparkly, and festive vibe. Not to mention…the menu was amazing! We will def go back someday.

After dinner, we made it to the show and it was interesting! Very thoughtful play. Well acted by both Keanu and Alex (like we’re on a first-name basis now hahaha). It was really fun to watch them both on stage.

When the show was over, we breezed through times square to head back to Penn Station and made it back home safely by midnight. Here are some pics from our most excellent adventure.

Four women smile closely together at a lively, warmly lit bar decorated with string lights and wall art. One woman holds a phone, and a cocktail glass sits on the table in the foreground.
Dining at The Dickens in NYC
Four women sitting in theater seats, smiling and holding drinks. Playbills for “Sweeney Todd” are visible on their laps. Other theatergoers are seated in the background.
It’s showtime!
Four women are smiling and posing for a selfie at night in Times Square, New York City. Bright lights, colorful billboards, and bustling crowds are visible in the background.
Times Square, NYC

Lunch with a Longtime Friend

I also had lunch with a longtime friend who I haven’t seen or spoken with in years! Not that anything ever happened where we lost touch but we just weren’t running in the same circles anymore. Anyway, I reached out before Thanksgiving and we made a plan to meet up. And that we did at one of my favorite local restaurants…Sally Lunn’s Tea Shoppe. It was wonderful to catch up and hope to see her more in the coming year.

Another Giants Game

It’s going to be a cold one today, but Chris and I are heading in to East Rutherford to watch the Giants game today. They have not had the best season so we are not expecting much but it’s always a fun time. We usually hit our friend’s tailgate before and overall it’s a fun day.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

Things I’m Shopping For This Week!

A cozy sunlit room with a white armchair, knit blanket, patterned cushion, round red ottoman, wooden side table, and many potted plants by large windows with views of trees outside.

My Curated Gift Lists From Amazon

Its one of the biggest sale weekends of the year! And I’ve curated my finds from Amazon and broken these down by category so you can find exactly what you need without the scrolling fatigue.

A potted green plant sits on a round wooden table near a window. Next to it are a glass dome with sewing supplies inside and a decorative ceramic snail surrounded by greenery and red berries.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

After 30 Years Gardening in Zone 6b, These 5 Plants Are a Hard No

After 30 years of gardening in Zone 6b NJ, I’m sharing 5 plants that flopped in my garden and why I won’t grow them again. And you are not going to believe the last one! Check out the plants I’m not growing again here.

A colorful garden with vibrant pink, purple, and red flowers borders a grassy lawn, with tall trees and a small house in the background under a clear blue sky.

How I Designed My Winter Planters for 2025

See how I created my 2025 winter planters using foraged evergreens, holly, magnolia, and obelisks for structure. A simple, beautiful evergreen urn idea.

A black urn planter filled with evergreen branches, holly leaves, red berries, yellow sprigs, and a large pinecone sits on a doorstep beside a gold door and a black-and-white striped doormat.

Poinsettia Drink Recipe

It’s the perfect Christmas cocktail for any festive gathering. Get my poinsettia drink recipe here.

poinsettia drink recipe - a classic Christmas cocktail for a holiday party

Festive and Chic: Rustic Elegant Christmas Tablescape Ideas

Get easy Christmas tablescape ideas with green, red & gold decor.

The Cranberry Cosmopolitan (With Mocktail Option!)

Your new go-to Christmas cocktail with vodka is here! This cranberry cosmopolitan is simple to make, festive, and so delicious.

A festive christmas cocktail with vodka in a glass with a sugared rim, garnished with a sprig of rosemary, cranberries, and an orange twist. The drink is set on a tray surrounded by cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, and holiday lights with a Christmas tree in the background. AKA the cranberry cosmopolitan

Why Your Dahlias Aren’t Blooming (And How to Fix It Fast!)

If your dahlias aren’t blooming, here are the most common reasons and the proven tips that help mine flower in my Zone 6b garden.

Vibrant purple and pink dahlias bloom among lush green leaves in a garden, with sunlight filtering through trees in the background.
Dahlias in my zone 6b cut flower garden

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

An illustration of a pink flower with green leaves on the left, accompanied by the words "Stacy Ling" in an elegant, cursive font to the right—a perfect piece for any garden decor.
Stacy Ling

Stacy Ling is author of the best selling book, The Bricks 'n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, and writes the blog Bricks ’n Blooms from her 1850 farmhouse located in zone 6b northern New Jersey. She is a trained master gardener who’s been gardening for almost 30 years and enjoys sharing her passion to help beginners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. Stacy loves to bring the outdoors inside her home and decorates with a comfy, casual, and cottagecore style. Come grow stuff and create beautiful spaces with her.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Comments

  1. That snail is so cute, looks like concrete. Better as decor than in your gardens-haha. I truly believe the Giants will be back next year, the QB is a rookie and the rookie RB got injured, they both showed great ability and talent. Kim

    Reply

    1. Same Kim!!! Hopefully it won’t be a blowout. It is not concrete but like a heavy metal – it is pretty substantial and super cute! I bought him a while ago for my indoor plant vignettes. Too cute to get lost among a sea of flowers!

      Reply