From the Front Porch
Happy Friday, from the front porch you guys! We hope your week has been a fun one as we continue to soak up all that summer has to offer.
Nearly afternoon just before the storms roll in off the coast and the marsh bunnies are safely tucked into the underbrush, we head out to the front porch for a “winter surprise.”
The minute the winds pick up, our white crepe myrtle tree situated just beside our house, starts shedding tiny white blooms.
For a magical few moments it looks like it’s snowing in our front yard which makes me all but giddy with delight.
We’ve had a bumper crop of blooms this year and while we’re nearly at the end of the season, it’s been a fantastic and messy blessing to have them around the house.
I can’t wait to have a real cutting garden one day. Until then, I’m counting these grace filled moments as complete joy.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
In case you missed it, Magnolia is hosting a Virtual Vendor Fair Celebrating Black Artisans, Makers, and Business Owners.
This coastal cottage is really charming.
For those of you who adore blue and white.
Have you seen this wicker basket side table yet? I mean, genius, right?
It’s so hard to believe this stylish cottage is only 600 square feet.
Designer Mathew Carter Polishes Up a Bahamas Cottage with Color and Whimsical Details.
These DIY Floor Poofs are totally fabulous.
This Before and After: A Dreamy Beach House on Australia’s Gold Coast is such a DRASTIC makeover it doesn’t even look like the same house!
I literally could not pin this garden design diy and inspiration fast enough!
Unique Raised Bed Gardens For Your Yard
These tips from Simple Roots Wellness based on your enneagram type have been helpful.
2 Refreshing Summer Cocktails (that can also be mocktails)
Summer Beauty Favorites and Drugstore Dupes
This post, How to Beat Overwhelm, has tips you can take action on right now.
6 Ways to Minimize Allergy-Induced Migraine Attacks
Quote of the Week and Free Printable…
Pep Talk of the Week…
About a month ago, a fellow blogger sent me this video Don’t Be Afraid to Fall: Brené Brown Addresses The University of Texas at Austin’s 2020 Graduates and I’m so thankful she did.
Brene’s message on being resilient is really timely no matter what path you find yourself on right now.
Self-Discovery Journey: Books We’re Reading…
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This month, we’re tackling The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People by Rachel Wilkerson Miller
I’m about half way through this one so far and I love it. It’s like having an old sister share her best kept secrets life.
Just a heads up there is some salty language sprinkled throughout so I just wanted to let you know in advance.
Going through the questions in the beginning took a bit. But now that I’m into the book, I can see why she asks them so don’t skip that part. It’s actually been super helpful.
And in August, we’ll read Love Does by Bob Goff.
If you’ve missed any of our other book selections, you can find them here:
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
On the Menu this Week…
Week of July 12 – July 19
07/11 – Saturday – Old Bay Grilled Lime Tuna Steak with grilled veggies.
07/12 – Sunday – Mushroom Ravioli with Spinach
07/13 – Monday – Green Power Bowl
07/14 – Tuesday – Doritos Chicken Casserole
07/15 – Wednesday – Melon Basil Burrata Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
007/16 – Thursday – Cucumber Avocado Gazpacho with Shrimp
07/17 – Friday – Garden Pesto Grilled Cheese
07/18 – Saturday – Chicken Fried Steak with steamed veggies and cauliflower mash
07/19 – Sunday – Pan Seared Cod with White Wine and Tomato Basil Sauce
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Milk Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cookies
Summer Inspiration 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)
Green Dress * Earrings * Tray * Striped Loungewear
Garden Stool * Storage Cubes * Planter * Bistro Napkins
Wreath * Blue and White Dress * Hotel Stitch Duvet Set
Food Storage Containers * Toile Pillow * Inspired Gatherings
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
5 Simple Ways to Reset This Summer
Costal Inspired Tablescape and Summer Festival Blog Hop
Time Saving Kitchen Cleaning Tips
How to White Wash Terra Cotta Pots with Chalk Paint
Our Next Big Project: Metal Shed Makeover Plans
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 …
- 06/27 – Your Car
- 07/04 – Organize Your Purse and Wallet & Update Your Phone Contacts
- 07/11 – Garden Supplies/Potting Shed
- 07/18 – Garage, Attic or Basement
- 07/25 – Kids Room or Guest Room
Upcoming Blog Posts and Dates to Remember…
- 07/11 – Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop
- 07/12 – National Pecan Day
- 07/15 – Taxes Due (US)
- 07/21 – National Junk Food Day
- 07/22 – Summer Leisure Day
- 07/30 – Paperback Book Day
That’s all for now! We’ll see you back here tomorrow with the ladies of the Vintage & Antique Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop Series all about baskets and crates.
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
Oh My Goodness!!! The Wooden Garden Cages!!! Totally Love them. And besides loving them for my garden, I have been thinking of (gulp) Christmas all week. What can I start making to sell in my shop for Christmas this year. So when I see those trellis’s I thought…Hmm how can I use those for Christmas. Wouldn’t they look Cute with eyehooks holding ornaments on them??? I might have to build one and see. It might be a good thing. I really love them. So I am playing catch up on reading the blog. As usual it is full of greatness & goodies. I like the link to the post on starting hydrangeas. I have the bush that came from my grandmother’s house that blooms a beautiful blue. Several ladies in the family have been wanting a start of it. now I know what to do! Thank you so much for your blog.I know it takes a lot of focus and energy to keep it up. I appreciate it. You have a blessed day.
The wooden cages holding Christmas ornaments sounds so cute, Janet! I love that you have hydrangeas from your grandmother’s house too. The irises I have from my Grannys place have all done really well but I’m still babying the hydrangeas just a bit so I’m glad that post helped. I know how important it is to be able to pass along heirloom plants. These Friday posts are always fun to put together because I love to see what everyone has been up to. There are so many creative people in the world and it’s a blessing to be able to discover fresh inspiration. I hope your weekend is filled with all good things. Thanks so much for being such a great cheerleader, CoCo
Oh, I LOVE that adorable cottage with all its bright colorful decor! Being a neutral gal, I don’t always have the courage to add color, so seeing it inspires me to do so! And I just love those DIY poofs and side table too! I’m off to check out those recipes you chose and more of your posts! Thank you for inspiring me as always, my friend! You’re amazing!
You are speaking my love language, Christine, because I don’t always have the courage to add color either. Or I’ll add it and then change it back 🙂 It’s so fun to see how different creatives put things together. Hope you find lots of inspiration. I can’t believe it’s already time to start thinking about Fall. It’s kind of bananas 🙂 Hope you have the best weekend, hugs, CoCo