From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch you guys! Thank you for making us a part of your day.
This week has always been one of my favorite weeks of the entire year. Just like Memorial Day kicks off the unofficial start of Summer, Labor Day seems to usher in all things Fall.
I love new beginnings and fresh starts and I know so many of you feel the same way.
I was talking to my accountability partner on Monday about goals, dreams, and intentions. It blows my mind we’re on day 194 of our “new normal” given we’ve been under some sort of quarantine, safer at home orders or social distancing since the beginning of March.
Couple that with the fact the election in the US is 53 days away, Christmas will arrive in approximately 105 days, and the last day of the year is in 111 days.
Just let that sink in for a minute.
I don’t know how 2020 did it but it feels like time has flown by at warp speed yet simultaneously stood still.
Looking at these stats immediately lights a fire in me and has me thinking about how I want to spend the rest of 2020. Does it you?
Of course, it’s absolutely going to look different than any of us ever imagined. Honestly, it will probably change in the coming weeks and months too.
But on December 31 at 11:59 pm how do you want to say you spent you 2020 and what will you be most proud of?
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
This was a really pretty French Country Home Tour (don’t miss the dish pantry ?)
Loved this post and interview with designer Nicola Bathie Mclaughlin! Her home and designs are seriously just as stunning as you would expect them to be.
The Formula for a Charming French Inspired Kitchen
If you love designer Beth Webb (and honestly who doesn’t) you’ll love this beautiful home tour.
A look at how Ashley Darryl blends old and new in her gorgeous colonial.
This cottage tour is from 2012 but one I could easily live in today
Your Nancy Meyers House Based on Your Enneagram (I’m a 3 and it’s one of my all-time favorite NM movies? )
This post was such a fun read, I can’t wait until 2021. I’ve seriously loved all their books!
10 Interior Designers You Need to Follow
The Behr Color Trends 2021 Palette
15 Foods That Boost Your Immune System
A Fall Succulent Centerpiece Idea
Super cute t’s for a great cause.
A great way to help support teachers and educators right now.
These Paris iPhone Fall Backgrounds are really beautiful!
A buzz-worthy gift idea if you’re trying to knock out your Christmas early.
Quote of the Week and Free Printable…
Self-Discovery Journey: Books We’re Reading…
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I’ve been reading and implementing some of the techniques from September’s book of the month, Eat That Frog: 21 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
While I’ve been using some of the techniques discussed in this book for years, I’m still learning so much. Plus, I’m thankful most of the ideas can be put into practice immediately.
Here’s a list of the books we’ll be reading for the rest of the year in case you want to go ahead and pick them up too…
For October we’re tackling, Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round by Myquillyn Smith
In November we’ll read, Present Over Perfect Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist
December has us reading, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person Paperback by Shonda Rhimes
And in January, we’re looking forward to reading The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin
If you’ve missed any of our other books, you can find them here:
August – Love Does by Bob Goff
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
On the Menu this Week…
Week of September 13 – September 20
09/12 – Saturday – French Onion Chicken
09/13 – Sunday – Spicy Pesto and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Involtini
09/14 – Monday – Grilled Chimichurri Portobellos with Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes
09/15 – Tuesday – Easy Tamale Pie
09/16 – Wednesday – BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad
09/17 – Thursday – Vegetarian Black Bean Soup
09/18 – Friday – Kale Pesto Pizza or Back to School Charcuterie Board
09/19 – Saturday – Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Salmon
09/20 – Sunday – Cauliflower Gnocchi with Asparagus, Chicken Sausage, and Pesto
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
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)
Pink Pillows * Stoneware Pitcher * Dining Chair * Buckets
Tureen * Reed Wreath * Scrub Brush * Necklace
Throw * Coffee Sticks * Cast Iron Braiser * Stain Bar
Rug * Marble Bowl * Ellery Jar * Chargers
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
A Vintage-Inspired Apple Picking Sign
How to Make a Simple Greenery Table Runner
The Easiest Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake
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 …
- 08/29 – Seasonal Decorative Items-Fall
- 09/05 – Fall Bucket List
- 09/12 – Family Doctor Appointments
- 09/19 – Family Calendar
- 09/26 – Transition Seasonal Items (coats, sweaters, ski gear, sports equipment)
Upcoming Blog Posts and Dates to Remember…
- 09/11 Patriot Day
- 09/12 Mason Jar Blog Hop with County Road 407
- 09/13 National Grandparents Day
- 09/22 First Day of Fall
- 09/25 National Daughters Day
- 09/26 National Pancake Day
- 09/29 National Coffee Day
Never forget.
TCG Housekeeping Notes…
There was a time early on when we started the shed makeover I realized things would start falling like dominoes at the worst possible time for a blogger.
And that time has come. Labor Day to New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest and one of the most exciting times of the entire year to be a blogger.
While it’s an absolute blessing to be working on multiple projects at once the shed, guest bedroom, guest bathroom, and the garage all have challenges opportunities that will have to be addressed in the coming weeks.
We’re going to try our best to keep everything consistent around here. But my weekend just got turned on its head last night at 6 pm and we’re having to make some pretty quick adjustments.
I know in the next few weeks we’ll have to make even more.
So, if our posts come on a different day or at a different time I just wanted to let you know we still intend to make this season this best it can possibly be.
We’re just having to put aside the pumpkins for paint rollers, caulk guns, and shelving units for just a bit. I know it will be worth it though.
Thanks for hanging in there with us as we balance work life, blog life, family life, and all the house projects we have going on while simultaneously embracing the season and sprinting towards making our 2020 goals a reality.
As always, we appreciate you so much and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing. We’ll see you back here tomorrow with the Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Coco, 2020 is one for the books, I miss my family and friends so much. I’m making the best of it and making our home pretty fir us fir the seasons.
The holidays will be different because I’m usually entertaining friends and family. Our friends may come for Thanksgiving and Christmas day and we’ll eat social distancing and wear masks, still not 100% sure yet but its been talked about.
Cindy
Making the best of it is such a great way to look at 2020, Cindy. I know it’s been difficult to go long periods of time without being able to see or be around your friends and family. I really admire the way you’ve made taking care of yourself and your home a top priority. You are so creative and it’s been fun to follow along on your crafting adventures. Sending you hugs, CoCo
I really need to think about what I want to remember 2020 for. Goodness! What a year!! Your apple dump cake looks SCRUMPTIOUS, CoCo, andI just love the home tours you link to! So much inspiration! BTW-I’m a #9! I’m off to check out the fall clothes now! I need some retail therapy! 🙂
My Mom, sister, and brother in law are all 9s too Christine! They are such great people and bless our family in the best possible way so I can totally appreciate you being a 9 🙂 When I saw there were only 111 days left in the year and how many days we’ve been quarantining – I could not believe it. It definitely makes you think about how you’re going to leave your mark on this wild and crazy year! I hope you find some clothes you like (send me some curvy girl jean recs if you have any) and that you’re weekend was a relaxing one. Hugs, CoCo