Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly 262

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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

In the Garden

I have been preparing for spring! Almost all of my seeds have been ordered. This year, I think I told myself I was cutting back on my order for 2026. But guess what this girl didn’t do?

Nope!

I think I may have actually doubled my seed order instead! And that is largely because I’ve decided to grow far more veggies and perennials this year through winter sowing. Oh, and I also snagged a few extras that I can sow later in the summer for fall crops.

Every year when I’ve gone to buy more seeds, they are sold out of many that I wanted to grow. So this year…I’m getting them now.

I plan to get started with my seeds mid-January and just go little by little so it’s not overwhelming. I cannot wait!

A display of various flower seed packets arranged on racks, showcasing colorful illustrations of different flowers, including daisies, poppies, and cornflowers. — Shopping for seeds at my local nursery

New Year’s Week

It’s always a little sad to see the holidays come to an end, but I’m feeling ready for an amazing 2026. After a wonderful trip to Vermont, we rang in New Year’s Eve with close friends at Cafe Sapori — always a great meal and such a lovely atmosphere.

Afterward, our friends came back to the house to watch the rest of the Ohio State vs. Miami bowl game. The outcome wasn’t quite what my husband had hoped for, but you can’t win them all.

Eight adults, five seated and three standing behind, smile at a round dining table with finished plates, glasses, and bottles, in a warmly lit restaurant setting.

We were supposed to meet the new kitties on New Year’s Eve, but since their foster mom was working, we waited until yesterday instead. Before bringing them home, I made sure Christmas was fully packed away and the house felt calm and settled — houseplants back in place and everything organized.

For now, the cats are getting comfortable in a room away from the dogs, and we’ll slowly introduce everyone over time. I want to be especially thoughtful about the transition so they feel safe and at ease with both us and our sweet pups. But so far so good, they are super sweet!!!

One is a bit more shy than the other but we’ve made a lot of progress with her. They both really love food so she is much more social when we have the goods! LOL

My older two daughters were home throughout the holidays and have since returned to their apartments. It was such a gift having everyone under one roof, even if only for a short time.

Next, we’ll be gathering again to celebrate my nephew’s wedding.

A black cat with green eyes lies in a gray pet bed, next to a plush toy, on a floral-patterned carpet. A cream-colored cabinet with lattice doors is in the background.

A fluffy black cat with green eyes and a bell collar sits alertly on a bed with a red blanket, in a cozy room with green walls, a wooden chair, and shelves in the background.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

What I’m Changing in My Garden This Year (and Why It Matters)

Learn how to set simple, realistic garden goals for a thriving, low-maintenance garden. Skip the pressure and grow smarter this season.

Colorful garden with vibrant pink, purple, red, and white flowers in full bloom, bordered by green shrubs and trees. A curved path leads to a stone fence and a house in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

My Fall 2025 Garden Tour

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

A lush garden filled with vibrant pink and purple flowers surrounds a stone fountain. Small terracotta pots are placed on green poles among the greenery, creating a lively, colorful, and serene outdoor scene.

Peace Lily Care 101: Your Guide to Happy, Healthy Plants

Learn how to keep your peace lily plant thriving with this comprehensive guide.

A lush peace lily plant with large, dark green leaves and white blooms in a textured pot sits on a table. A rustic, partially visible sign is in the background, hanging on a tan wall.

Cranberry Apple Dump Cake Recipe

A warm, comforting cranberry apple dump cake that comes together in minutes — the perfect easy dessert for cold winter days.

A white baking dish with cranberry apple dump cake on a red checkered tablecloth. Next to it, a serving on a plate topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A tub of Breyers vanilla ice cream is in the background. Forks are placed around the plates.

How Winter Sowing Expanded What I Grow From Seed

How winter sowing gave me a low-maintenance way to grow more from seed, experiment freely, and expand what I grow in my garden.

A close-up of a raised garden bed filled with green leafy vegetables, blooming purple and white flowers, and herbs. In the blurred background, there is a yellow house and trees.

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!.