From the Front Porch
Happy Friday, from the front porch!
We hope your week has been peace-filled and productive as schools begin to open and districts lay out their plans for the rest of the year.
I had dinner with my family earlier this week and we were all talking about how wild it feels that the “new normal” is now our “normal.”
All the littles are set to start school in person (the only option the school district offered) and my sisters are naturally super nervous.
My girlfriends and cousins who are teachers said the uncertainty alone keeps them up at night.
It’s definitely a stressful time so I’ll be sending you lots of love, light, and prayers, as you navigate the transition if you’re in the middle of it all.
We’ve been trying to find extra-special ways to celebrate the milestones of 2020 and I hope you’ll be able to find simple ways too.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
This was such a great interview with designer, Mikel Welch. I loved how candid he was about his road to success being a treasure map complete with ups and downs and twists and turns.
Matt Mazur Returns His Federal Revival to Its Original Splendor (and it’s stunning)
These posts on the Marigold Remodel by Mindy Gayer Design Co are amazing. It’s another before & after series that is so, so, so good! Check out Part 1 here and Part 2 here and Part 3 here.
There are TONS of beautiful homes in this portfolio, and I can’t even begin to pick just one to share.
Recreating the Look of an Old Farmhouse
This garden home tour is such a pretty one.
Monty Don’s August Gardening Advice & Tips
Plants That Won’t Perish In the Intense Summer Heat
The stay at home design trend I hope we carry into the Fall
Fixer Upper is Returning to TV and the Magnolia Fall line is out too!
A Loving Nudge Towards Healthier Habits
10 Basic Health Habits I Swear By (I’ve been doing so many of these and they make a huge difference)
5 Yoga Videos to Try at Home Even if You’re a Total Beginner
9 Secrets From Retirement Super Savers Everyone Can Use
Back to School Links to Note…
Back to School at Home and Making the Best of It Blog Hop
Quote of the Week and Free Printable…
Self-Discovery Journey: Books We’re Reading…
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This month, we’re reading the faith-based book, Love Does by Bob Goff and it’s fabulous!
We’ve been reading a chapter or two each day at our 3 pm tea time and it has been the best pick me up.
If you’re looking for a light but inspirational read, this book is a good one!
If you’ve missed any of our other books, you can find them here:
July – The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People by Rachel Wilkerson Miller
June – Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
We also added, Be The Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison in June.
May – The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming by Sally and Sarah Clarkson.
April – Rhythms of Renewal: Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose by Rebekah Lyons
March – The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P Freeman
February – The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
January – You Are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You by Jess Connolly
Watching Lately…
Decorating 101: Part 2 on my sister’s newly created channel is out now! If you missed the first video, Decorating 101: Part 1 you can catch up here.
Shooting these YouTube videos after gaining so much weight during the pandemic was totally nerve-wracking, but we had a great time working together.
We’ve made a lot of happy memories and I’m thankful she pushes me out of my comfort zone. There’s no better time to support someone you love than right now, you guys!
On the Menu this Week…
Week of August 16 – August 23
08/15 – Saturday – Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
08/16 – Sunday – 4 Ingredient Pesto Rigatoni
08/17 – Monday – Cabbage Stir Fry
08/18 – Tuesday – Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Sriracha Sauce & Cilantro Lime Slaw
08/19 – Wednesday – Summer Grilled Chicken Power Salad
08/20 – Thursday – Swiss Chard Bean Soup
08/21 – Friday – Baked Potato Dinner Board
08/22 – Saturday – Jerk Salmon with Pineapple Salsa
08/23 – Sunday – Eggplant Rollatini
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
No-Bake Lemon Yogurt Cheesecake
A Few Things We Spotted Online at Target and Amazon This Week…
**(Affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. 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)
Coffee Cups * File Folders * Striped Shirt * Boots
Rain Jacket * Mixing Bowls * Smocked Nightgown * Daily Planner Pad
Coffee Stir Sticks * Paint by Number Kit * Cake Stand * Pillow
Binder * Desk Blotter * Assorted Binder Clips * Mixer
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
Our Favorite Home Organizing Essentials
How to Organize a Kitchen Desk
Save Time with Smoothie Prep Packets
How to Organize an Easy Lunch Station at Home
52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge …
Here’s a look at what we’ll be working on in the month of July as part of the 52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge …
- 08/01 – Your Car
- 08/08 – Organize Your Purse and Wallet & Update Your Phone Contacts
- 08/15 – Garden Supplies/Potting Shed
- 08/22 – Garage, Attic or Basement
- 08/29 – Kids Room or Guest Room
Upcoming Blog Posts and Dates to Remember…
- 08/15 – International Homeless Animals Day
- 08/15 – National Relaxation Day
- 08/20 – National Lemonade Day
- 08/24 National Waffle Day
- 08/25 National Banana Split Day
- 08/26 National Dog Day
- 08/26 Women’s Equality Day
- 08/27 National Just Because Day
- 08/30 National Beach Day
A Bit of Housekeeping…
Thanks so much for your patience after last week’s technical difficulties. IT is not my specialty at all so I’m super thankful S is able to handle that side of things.
We spent so much time working on the back end of the blog, I got behind on comments but I should be caught up soon.
We’re still making changes but hopefully, they won’t be as disruptive as they were last week. In case you missed it, here’s last week’s From the Front Porch.
That’s all for now!
As always, we appreciate you so much 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 don’t know how but I totally missed that you were on youtube last week! How fun! I just went over and watched the first one and WOW! You really know your stuff, girl! Now I’m off to watch the second one and learn some more! Thanks for sharing awesome inspiration this week as always! Here’s wishing you have a fabulous weekend!
Aww thank you Christine! Being filmed is way out of my comfort zone especially after having packed on a few pandemic pounds but I didn’t want to miss the chance to support my sister so I jumped on board. We had a great time together and made our Dad run the lights and the craft cart 🙂 Sending you hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo