From the Front Porch
Happy Thursday from the front porch, you guys. Welcome to the first day of August!
How has your week been? We hope it’s been fantastic and you’re ready to usher in a fresh month.
After working pretty much nonstop for the past few weeks, it felt really good to be back at home all week and into the swing of things. I’m definitely one of those people who craves structure so my biggest goal for the month of August is to be more consistent with a new morning and business routine I’m trying out.
Scenes from Our Week…
I’m also hoping to knock out the last 10% of the house projects we’ve been steadily working on this summer. We’re SO close to being done with a lot of them including my office, the breakfast nook, one of the bathrooms, the garage and several home organization projects too.
We still don’t have any solid plans for the little white workshop just yet, but we have started adding a bit of fencing around the base. I’ve seen several rabbits and turtles underneath there already which totally makes me nervous about putting up real fencing.
The crepe myrtles and goldenrods have started blooming around the property and we can hardly believe it! The goldenrods normally don’t bloom until late August in our area. We’ve had several days of wet, rainy weather with temps in the 80s so of course we’re beyond excited for Fall now he he.
Speaking of Fall, I spotted this aisle in the floral department of Hobby Lobby.
Also included in this section was a bunch of lamb’s ear picks which I’m kind of obsessed with already. These stems can be used for the fall or winter season. Now is a great time to pick up faux florals like this especially if you’re on a budget. It’s easier to buy them along and along instead of buying an entire bouquet or centerpiece at once. Florals of any kind definitely add up quickly especially if you use them around the house.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
If you read only read one article in this entire post, let it be this one, Life Rules for My Beautiful Daughter. This quick and fabulous guide could easily be read every day!
This Palm Beach waterfront home tour in Sydney, Australia has lots of pretty layers of texture to it.
Speaking of Palm Beach, how gorgeous is this tablescape?
If coastal style is more your vibe, you’ll love this beautifully restored house tour.
5 Tips to Stage Your Home Before You List It on the Market.
How to Decorate a Small Space.
The Best Time to Buy Everything Throughout the Year
Do hair, skin, and nail pills actually work?
10 Smoothies that Will Actually Keep You Full Until Lunch
The minimalist guide to meal prepping 60 minutes, $50, 10 portions.
A great reminder on the importance of gratitude .
The 20 Best Kids’ Books to Calm the First Day of School Jitters according to the Today Show.
Calling All Stargazers – This is the best time to enjoy the Black Supermoon which also makes it the perfect time to stargaze this summer.
Quote of the Week and Free Printable…
On the Menu this Week…
**(Just as a sweet reminder the person that makes the menu doesn’t eat beef or pork so keep that in mind when you see this feature each week, wink wink)**
*Week of August 5 – August 11
Monday – Garlic Butter Herb Scallops with Roasted Asparagus
Tuesday – Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chile Enchilada Soup
Wednesday – Green Bean Salad with Peaches and Balsamic Bitters Vinaigrette
Thursday – One Skillet Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
Friday – Easy Chicken Gyros with Easy Tzatziki Sauce
Saturday – Grilled Stuffed Peppers (we’ll be subbing the beef for veggie crumbles)
Sunday – Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
Sweet Treat to Try this Week…
Here are a few Back to School Inspired Finds We Spotted on Amazon This Week…
**(Affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
Erasable Pens (these are awesome especially if you use a planner or journal)
Water Bottle (comes in multiple colors, sizes and lid options)
Document Organizers (for all those field trip and permission slip forms)
Multiple Device Charging Station
My Quotable Kid (this would make a cute Christmas gift for grandparents that live out of state and miss the day to day funny things kids say)
If You’ve Missed Anything on The Blog Lately, here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
7 Things to Prioritize Before School Starts
Yard Sale Tips and Latest Finds from Renningers
How to Create a Morning Routine and Video (from the archives)
52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge…
If you’re part of our 52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge, we’re completing Week 31 Kid’s or Guest Room Closets and Drawers and looking forward to working on Week 32 Back to School Supplies and Emergency Contact Lists.
*** Keep in mind, if you’re new to this challenge or have gotten behind for whatever reason, simply pick up on the current week and start again. You don’t have to be perfect, just don’t stay stuck! This challenge is all about making progress no matter how big or small. ***
TCG Housekeeping Notes…
If you’re in Florida, tax free weekend starts this weekend. This post will help guide you through all the things you can buy tax free. If you’re not in Florida, no worries, 16 states are participating in tax free weekend so check the list to see if your state is one of them.
I have a TCG blog planning meeting today with a business and community leader I’ve long admired. I’m so excited and yet totally nervous all at the same time. After that, I’m hoping to hit the ground running to finish up or at least make solid progress on our home goals to-do list tomorrow and through the weekend. I know once the littles go back to school and Fall starts our schedules will all be totally bananas.
Next week, we’ll be teaming up with some of our favorite bloggers for a fun Summer Celebration blog hop. August is always kind of tricky as far as decorating goes, but we’ll be sharing some great ideas with you.
Whatever you have planned I hope it’s something you’re excited about too. I can’t wait to see you back here next week. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
I love the home decor links this week Coco. The meal plan is always helpful. I wish I was going to the longest yard sale. It always looks like a lot of fun. Have a great weekend
Thanks so much Sarah, I’m glad you enjoy this feature. It’s definitely one of our most popular posts each week and they are always so much fun to put together. Hugs, CoCo