From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch, sweet friends. It’s a pleasure to spend time with you today!
How are you?
Earlier this week I found myself standing in the middle of the pass between the living room and the entry for no other reason than to get completely still while enjoying the sounds of home.
They weren’t anything extraordinary, mind you.
But after being on the road for so many weeks in a row hearing the sounds of the stick vac, the washing machine, the dishwasher, and our sweet rescue Piper’s squeak toy playing in unison nearly broke me wide open.
We’ve taken things super slow this week which feels really nice.
I finished the book of the month and loved it (see below), talked to my accountability partner every day, finally took our Christmas tree down (I left it up for my birthday so I could enjoy all the pops of pink and twinkling lights for as long as possible), painted a piece of pottery, caught up on all the laundry (again), and started a new healthy living challenge.
It’s been one of the easiest weeks I’ve had in a long time and even though we’re getting ready to head of town again, one I know I’ll look back on as a gift.
I hope you’ve found a few unexpected gifts on your path this week as well.
A Few of Our Favorite Things Around the Web…
A US Post Office Becomes a First-Class Home (I’m so excited for this homeowner because this is on my life bucket list too!)
There are so many things to love in this home tour, especially the kitchen – it’s gorgeous!
Speaking of gorgeous, have you seen this Fresh Start home tour yet?
The floral design studio I can’t get enough of – that sink, right? So pretty
New Year’s Meditations for Each Enneagram Number
8 Closet Staples Women Who Always Look Put Together Swear By
The Best Ice Globes and Cryotherapy Tools to Depuff and Soothe Skin
Simple tips on gut health you can do beyond the holiday season.
How to Build a Flavorful, Booze-Free Home Bar
I need to add these to my afternoon apple snacks ASAP
Words to Live By…
January Book of the Month…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff
As I shared above, I finished this book and it was SO, SO GOOD!
I usually try to pass books like these along but my copy is filled with so many highlights it will probably live on my nightstand for a while. It’s definitely one I’ll be referencing again and again in the weeks and months to come!
February Book of the Month…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
Master of One: Find and Focus on the Work You Were Created to Do by Jordan Raynor
This faith-based book has been recommended to me multiple times so I’m excited to dive in and see what all the fuss is about!
Devotion of the Quarter…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
Courageous Influence: Embrace the Way God Made You for Impact
If you haven’t started this 6-week Bible study yet, there’s still plenty of time. It’s a really good one and has without a doubt changed the way I interact with everyone from the bank teller to my bestie S. It’s also changed the way I view social media and blogging!
On the Menu this Week…
Week of January 30th – February 6th
- 01/30 Sunday: Baked Spaghetti with side Italian salad
- 01/31 Monday: Rainbow Poke Bowl (we’ll be subbing canned tuna for grilled salmon)
- 02/01 Tuesday: Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole (we’ll be subbing chicken thighs for shredded rotisserie chicken)
- 02/02 Wednesday: Harvest Chopped Salad
- 02/03 Thursday: Winter Minestrone
- 02/04 Friday: Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil Recipe
- 02/05 Saturday: The Best Falafels with mixed greens salad
- 02/06 Sunday: French Onion Brisket with cauliflower mash and roasted asparagus
Prepping for Super Bowl Sunday: 90 Super Bowl Sunday Recipes to Satisfy Your Hungry Guests and 37 Desserts to Make Super Bowl Sunday Sweet
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Raspberry Honey Linzer Cookies
Travel Inspired Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
Shoulder Bag * Makeup Removing Wipes * Toiletry Bag * Walking Shoes
Travel Steamer * Wallet Document Organizer * Luggage Scale * Packing Cubes
Portable Charger * One Step Hair Dryer Brush * Suitcase * Pill Organizer
Suitcase Set * Outlet Adapter Kit * Collagen Peptide Travel Packs * Utility Bags
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog or the Archives Recently, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Guide (updated for 2022-80 ideas across 5 different boards)
A Birthday Celebration in Savannah
Valentine’s Day Dessert Buffet
February Bucket List…
- Celebrate February Birthdays
- Order and Deliver Valentine’s Day Goodies
- Attend Family Valentine’s Day Party
- Celebrate Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day
- Watch the Super Bowl
- Continue New Anthem AM and PM Routine
- Get a Vibrating Watch
- Wake Up at the Same Time Each Morning
- Walk or Bike 45 mins Each Day
- Continue Quarter Challenge
- Mg Supplement and Stretching Before Bed
- Schedule Dermatology Appointment
- Get an Eye Exam & New Contacts/Glasses
- Collect & Sort Tax Documents
- Reclaim Afternoon Teatime
- Plan Spring Home Décor and Porch Projects
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
February Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Kitchen
- 01/29 Organize the Pantry & Spices
- 02/05 Organize the Refrigerator & Freezer
- 02/12 Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers
- 02/19 Kitchen Counters/Coffee Bar
- 02/26 Refresh and Organize the Breakfast Nook
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember and Upcoming Posts…
- 01/31 National Hot Chocolate Day
- 02/01 Buy Birthday and Special Occasion Cards and Gifts
- 02/01 Chinese New Year Begins (Year of the Tiger)
- 02/09 National Pizza Day
- 02/13 Galentine’s Day
- 02/13 Super Bowl Sunday
- 02/14 Valentine’s Day
- 02/17 National Random Acts of Kindness Day
- 02/20 Love Your Pet Day
- 02/21 President’s Day (US)
Computer Glitch Update…
In addition to receiving today post, about half of you also received an email for Monday’s post, Dear Future Self… which has not been published yet.
We had two big computer glitches on the back end this morning that affected several of our scheduled posts (including today’s post) so I wanted to apologize and clear up any confusion.
Dear Future Self…is the encouragement of the month post for January and will be sent out as scheduled (fingers and toes crossed) on Monday!
As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing. We can’t wait to share even more with you next week!
Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
I’m sure with all the traveling, simple things like hearing the washing machine was good.
It’s good for the soul to have normalcy
It truly is, Cindy! I’ve never been so excited to wake up in my own bed 🙌 We have until the end of February before things start to settle down a bit but it definitely feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hope your week has been a special one, CoCo
Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful week and it’s definitely well-deserved. The last book you read sounds intriguing. I’ll have to check it out. I need a good read right now! Thank you for sharing all this amazing inspiration! Happy weekend! Hugs, Christine
Thank you, Christine! Jon Acuff the author of Soundtracks was a speaker at Haven one year and he was fantastic. He also has a great book called Finish if you struggle with procrastination at all. His stories are totally relatable and his writing style is easy to read. I thought I would struggle with overthinking for the rest of my life because as an introvert I’m “in my head” analyzing everything. I’ve already put several of his suggestions/techniques into place and they are helping immensely. It’s definitely worth checking out! Sending you hugs, CoCo
Glad you’re home safe and sound and I totally agree, there’s just something about waking up in your own bed and being in your own surroundings no matter what the condition. Although, I always clean my house before a long trip. I want to come home to a clean house! Glad you had a great time. I’ll have to catch up on your posts. Going back to check out a few links. Big hugs,
I’m totally with you sweet friend, there is no better feeling than walking into a house that is fresh and clean. Especially, after a long trip. It just instantly lifts my spirits. Hope all is well with you and your family. I’m looking forward to catching up on your posts as well. Sending you lots of hugs for a super happy week, CoCo
CoCo,
I loved seeing all your beautiful photos.
Thank you, Rachel! We had such a great time and I’m thankful we were all able to be together. I swear it’s been way too long. Hope you have the best week, CoCo
So much inspiration in one place CoCo. Have a great week.
Thanks so much, Kim, I really appreciate it! Hope you have the best week too. It goes by so fast! Big hugs, CoCo