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I hope you had a great week!
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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms
Can you believe it is almost July 4th?
Like summer is flying by and it just got started!
We had a rainy week here in New Jersey but I was able to get a few things accomplished in the gardens.
Like cutting back all of those daffodils already!
Remember how many there were?
It took a while, but I got them all cut back and the front gardens look so much neater now don’t they?

It’s really important to wait until the foliage yellows and starts to die back before cutting them to ground.
Daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs store their energy for next year’s flower production that way.

So while it may look unsightly, leave them alone.
And yes you can tie them back with a rubber band, but I wasn’t about to do that with thousands of them.
So I waited it out instead.

Although it was a mostly cloudy and rainy week here, this weekend was beautiful!
So the dogs and I spent some time by the pool.
And Chris and I enjoyed some quiet time here in the gardens.

A New Resident in the Front Yard Pond
Well, we have a new resident in the front pond that I’m not a fan of.
It’s a watersnake.
I saw him a few times slithering around the outside of the pond but didn’t think two things of him because we have a bunch of mice and voles around.
And I saw him one time IN the pond and thought, hmmm. That’s interesting.
But the other day, I went out to clean the pond filter and went to remove the cover and HE STUCK HIS OUT ABOUT A FOOT AWAY FROM MY FEET before I got there!

I was not thrilled to see that.
Before that happened, I was confident to walk over, remove the cover, and stick my hand in pond to pull out the filters.
But now…not so much!
We’ve noticed a decline in the frog population out there too.
Not sure how I’m going to get out there and change the filters on my own anymore because that was a little too close for comfort.
There are a few things Stacy does not do.
I don’t do mice. They are not my jam.
I don’t do big cave crickets (except back in the day I used to spray them with my can of aqua net to freeze them so I could suck them up with the vacuum).
Although they surprise me when I’m working, in general, I’m ok with garter snakes in the garden because they take care of the mice, voles and moles.
But this?
I’m now officially not doing! LOL

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms
It was a fun and SUPER BUSY week on the blog!
You know how you schedule yourself for things and get the dates messed up? Well, that was me this week.
So I was double booked on some posts but managed to get it all done!
Wait until you see this week’s inspiration because this week might be my favorite one yet.

It was my favorite time of the month where my supper club and I get together with a dinner party theme and coordinating menu.
This month, we kicked off summer with a Hawaiian party theme sharing gorgeous table decor and centerpiece ideas.
The cool thing is we each had a different take on a tropical dinner party so be sure to check it out!
To see this table in real time, you can see it in my latest highlight video on YouTube.
And we made the most fun menu with 6 ridiculously delicious food for luau ideas that used a similar ingredient.
Can you guess what the ingredient is?

For this month’s supper club, I was in charge of this insanely delicious dessert that is super simple to make.
And let me tell you, it’s like heaven in a bowl.
Wait until you try it!

I also shared some finds with a vintage aesthetic while I was bargain hunting for my garden and home at the antique flea market Vermont and thrift store here in New Jersey.
When I was at the flea market, I found the coolest item that I’m flipping into a planter.
You’ve got to check it out.
I also got together with some friends to share some easy patriotic decorating and celebration ideas.
Come hang out with me on the front porch and see how I changed it from pinks and purples, to red, white, and blue!

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.
My good friend Jen from Midwest Life and Style made a festive 5 minute centerpiece and it looks so pretty!
I love the vintage crate she used and the geraniums are the perfect accent!

Speaking of patriotic decorating ideas, my good friend Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse made the easiest wreath from a can!
It looks so good doesn’t it?
And it is simple to make too!

And here is some more inspiration you’ve got to see!
This coastal table decorating idea.
These vintage guest bedroom ideas.
This summer garden tour.
This DIY garden wreath idea.
This tablescape idea that is perfect for book club!
I’m loving this DIY handscrub recipe that works!
And this mirror update looks pretty amazing!
This red beans and rice recipe.
And these summer decorating ideas for small front porch.


Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
