Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly 261

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Hi there!

I hope you had an amazing week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

Christmas 2025

I hosted my annual Christmas Eve Clambake. As usual, the food was excellent and we had a great time with my mother and stepdad, and my sister-in-law with her family. We even enjoyed some eggnog martinis to kick off the evening.

Six women dressed in festive attire stand together indoors, smiling at the camera. A decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments is visible in the background, along with wrapped presents. Some women hold wine glasses.

Four women pose and smile in a festive living room decorated for Christmas, with a lit Christmas tree, wrapped presents, and seasonal decorations in the background.

Christmas morning was slow roll and festive as we opened gifts before heading over to my other sister-in-law’s house for an early dinner and a white elephant gift exchange. We always have so many laughs and this one was no exception. You know how there’s always that one gift that people fight over? Well…this is what we fought over this year. LOL.

A salt and pepper grinder and a tee shirt that had pics of all of our pets. How cute, right?

A man (christopher d ling, aia) in a gray blazer and a woman (stacy ling) in a black outfit smile together indoors, with holiday decorations and gingerbread houses visible in the background. The woman is holding a glass with a festive drink.

But honestly, the best gift was mine that Chris and the family organized to get me. They adopted two cats that I was eyeing.

Since my oldest moved out and took our sweet kitten Harry with her, I’ve been a little sad. When she moved, I found these two black cats that are a mother/daughter, ages 3 and 2 (ish). I wasn’t looking for two, but the one I found that sounds like a good match for our family is attached to the other so I decided two was good for me!

We are going to meet them on NYE so we’ll see how it all goes but I’m excited about it. They are super cute and would fit in well with our family.

A black cat sits on a cream-colored upholstered chair with wooden arms and legs, in front of a red and white checkered pillow. Bookshelves and plants are visible in the background. — Our one year old cat Harry who moved out with my oldest daughter.

Two black cats are lying side by side on a windowsill covered with a light blue fleece blanket. A window with a reflective surface is behind them, and pale pink walls frame the scene. — Meeting these two on NYE!

Last Week’s Giant’s Game

It was another cold one but not as bad as the week before. Can’t say the same for the game itself as it was another loss, but we had fun and that’s all that matters.

A smiling man and woman in winter clothing and sunglasses pose for a selfie outside a stadium. The man wears a blue beanie and jersey, and the woman wears a striped beanie. The sky is clear and sunny.

Ski Weekend in Vermont

After Christmas, the family and I went to Vermont to get some ski, snow shoeing, and time well spent together in. We watched the latest episodes of Stranger Things, did some puzzles, went thrifting and all around, had a great time.

Author Stacy Ling and Christopher D. Ling AIA at the Last Chair in West Dover, Vermont

What I’m Shopping For This Week

Things I’m Shopping For This Week!

Most of the week, I was shopping for food. But now I am starting over again on my cat supplies! I am shopping for stuff today.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

Best Cioppino Recipe: The Ultimate Italian Seafood Soup

This easy cioppino recipe is the ultimate Italian seafood soup. Perfect for cozy nights or dinner parties!

Cioppino or recipe for italian seafood stew close up with crusty bread on the side — Italian Seafood Stew (Cioppino)

My Summer 2025 Garden Tour

A reflective summer garden tour that shares worked, what didn’t, and lots of beautiful spring garden pics!

Bright pink zinnias in full bloom fill the foreground of a lush garden, with green foliage and trees in the background. The sun is setting behind the trees, casting a warm, soft light over the scene.

The Prettiest Christmas Table Centerpiece and Decor Ideas

Transform your Christmas table into a festive masterpiece with these easy ideas.

christmas table ready for family breakfast or brunch decorated with chirstmas greenery and gold with centerpiece gold bucket filled with poinsettias and a crystal chandelier — Christmas Table

Super Creamy Ricotta and Spinach Quiche Recipe

Super creamy spinach quiche recipe! Made with fresh garden spinach & rich ricotta. Perfect for any meal, with crustless & freezer options.

A baked ricotta and spinach quiche with a golden crust sits on a board, with one slice removed and placed on a plate nearby. Chopped herbs are sprinkled on the quiche and plate, and a fork rests on a second empty plate.

Creamy Zucchini Quiche Recipe

Thinly sliced zucchini steals the show in this EASY quiche! Garden-fresh & bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect brunch, easy weeknight meal, or summer dish. Get my zucchini quiche recipe here.

A savory zucchini quiche recipe with a golden, flaky crust, garnished with parsley. A slice is served on a white plate with a brown rim, alongside a fork. One slice is missing from the quiche, revealing the moist, flavorful interior.

The Easiest Way to Store Christmas Ornaments (This Actually Works)

This simple and effective solution will change the way you decorate! Get my Christmas ornament storage idea here.

A decorated Christmas tree with red and white ornaments stands by large windows. Gifts are wrapped in plaid paper under the tree. Two large lanterns, a garland, and holiday decorations are nearby, creating a festive atmosphere.

Easy New Year’s Eve Food Ideas

Celebrate in style in less than 30 minutes with these easy & delicious New Year’s Eve food ideas.

A festive collage of New Year's Eve food ideas: chocolate bark with a swirled pattern, two glasses of red bubbly drink garnished with cranberries and dried oranges, crostini topped with prosciutto, and skewers featuring cheese, meats, and vegetables.

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Meet Stacy

Hi, I’m Stacy Ling, the gardener behind Bricks ’n Blooms. I’m a trained Master Gardener with nearly 30 years of experience growing flowers, vegetables, and cozy garden-inspired spaces at my 1850 farmhouse in northern New Jersey. Here I share simple tips for growing beautiful, easy-care gardens, decorating with plants and flowers, and bringing the garden lifestyle into everyday living. I’m also the author of The Bricks ’n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden. Thanks for stopping by. I’m so glad you’re here!.