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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

What a week it was!

This week I was in Atlanta, Georgia for a blogging conference and had THE BEST TIME EVER!

I got to see my besties Anne and AnnMarie from Simply2Moms again.

And I FINALLY got to meet more of my blogging besties like Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse and Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill.

I can’t tell you how amazing it is to meet such incredible people online and then hang out with them in person?

stacy ling and cottage on bunker hill with artsy and classy
Stacy Ling with Meredith from Artsy and Classy and Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill.

So precious.

And I cherished every moment with them.

I also mentored a group of bloggers. Some have experience with blogging and all the things that come with it, while others were new.

It was fun getting to meet them and hearing about where they are in their blogging journeys as well as helping them along with some tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way about blogging and growing a brand.

haven conference with robyn's french nest, cottage on bunker hill, thistlewood farm, she gave it a go and the ponds farmhouse with stacy ling
Stacy Ling with Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest, KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms, Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill, Brendt from She Gave It a Go and Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse.
garden blogger stacy ling and diy blogger rachel harper
Stacy Ling and Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse

At Home

Wait until you hear what happened with our fish last weekend!!!

Y’all – I saved a fish!!!

Because it’s been so hot here and we haven’t had a lot of rain, the pond water has really evaporated.

We added more back in to keep the water level high enough for pond life but had the scariest experience while doing it!

koi pond with shubunkin goldfish, blue heron decoy and footbridge in new jersey

Because the pond level was so low, we ran a hose to the pond to add some water.

Chris and I enjoy checking on the shubunkins in the morning and evenings to make sure they are all accounted for.

When we ran the hose out, everyone was present, including some frogs and that icky water snake I told you about a few weeks ago. He was hanging out on the surface near the pond liner that was exposed from lack of water.

Anyway, we headed back up to the house to do a few things.

It had been a while since checking on the pond, so I ran down to make sure it was filling and see if I could turn the water off yet.

adirondack chairs by the koi pond with footbridge

I walked down the potager garden, through the arbor, down the stone steps and onto the footbridge.

When all of a sudden, I saw one of the shubunkins on its side on the pond liner WHERE THE SNAKE WAS!

Did the snake have anything to do with this???

I screamed for Chris and ran down to knock it back into the pond.

Chris and Shana came running out to see what the commotion was.

After getting it back into the pond, the shubunkin was floating on its side for a while, but I swear I could see it trying to move fin.

When suddenly, we saw it take a breath and blow some bubbles out.

IT’S ALIVE!!!!!

We didn’t want to leave it alone until we were sure it was ok.

The fish started moving around slowly along the surface and eventually made its way down to the bottom of the pond.

Phew! Crisis averted.

I checked back on him a little while later and he was happily swimming along with his buddies so all is well with the shubunkins!

For now.

christopher d. ling, aia overlooking the koi pond from the footbridge

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

We started out the week where I shared 5 simple tips to thrift like a boss for the garden.

There are so many unique finds that are perfect to display with plants and flowers.

Follow these tips to find the coolest things for your garden.

vintage thrift store find shutters with milk glass vase and fresh cut flowers from the garden

Since I’m slowing down in the garden a bit for summer, the wheels are turning with all the projects I want to take on over the next year.

I plan to refinish the dining room set I found thrifting by painting the upholstery fabric.

We are also planning to paint the kitchen cabinets with chalk paint.

AND, I’m planning to refinish that beautiful mantel I found thrifting using the same gel stain that I used on the hood vent in my former kitchen.

Finally, I shared a beautiful summer garden walkabout in the front yard beds.

Wait until you see how gorgeous the gardens look this week!

CLICK HERE to take a stroll with me.

close up of hostas in bloom in the summer garden

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.

These Pottery Barn dupes for the bedroom.

This hotel is a must-stay!

These before and after photos bring a lot of inspiration! I love the home exterior ones!

This college apartment check-list.

View of the back of our vintage farmhouse built in 1850 with zen garden and back porch
Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling cutting zinnia flowers in her cottage garden with wood picket fence in front of garden shed

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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The bricks \'n Blooms guide to a beautiful and easy-care flower garden book by stacy ling
The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden
  • Have you never met a plant you couldn’t kill?
  • Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
  • Do you currently enjoy growing flowers, but are looking for more tips and ideas to level up your gardening game?

Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

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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 master gardener who’s been gardening for over 25 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.

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6 Comments

  1. Now you earned the badge of hero.

    I have been there we save fish at all times.

    Great pup and fish mom

    Reply

  2. Stacy, it sounds like haven was a worthy trip. I’ve yet to go but I would imagine the highlight would be meeting virtual friends in person. I love your pond and garden stories!!thanks for featuring my before and after photos. You are the best!

    Reply

  3. It looks like you had the best time at Haven Stacy! I wish the event wasn’t so far from here and it wasn’t on my birthday and anniversary weekend. It makes it hard for me to go. But looking at all your pics, I may have to change my mind for next year. Loved your cute outfits too. Thanks for sharing my garden thrifting post.

    Reply