From the Front Porch

Happy Sunday from the front porch. Thanks so much for spending time with us today. 

If you’re new here, welcome, we’re glad to have you!

From the Front Porch is a weekly series that was inspired by my baby sister.  Like so many of us, she’s constantly on the run with a busy job, family and social life.

A few years ago, she asked me to create a condensed version of our favorite things from around the web and our blog posts from the week to make it easier to catch up on everything in one place.

I honestly had no idea at the time it would become one of our most popular posts, so I hope you enjoy!

Scenes from Our Week…

We hope you had a joy filled holiday season and this post finds you resting and relaxing as we get ready to welcome a new year and a new decade.

Our Christmas was fantastic with just the right mix of travel, play and quiet time.  It was an “off year” where my sisters were with their in-laws so we had an early Christmas at Bliss Barracks the weekend before Christmas.

While it made for a quiet Christmas, I’m super thankful we were able to savor the extra time soaking in all that the season has to offer. 

We enjoyed the gingerbread exhibit, a drive-thru light display, baked cookies, played with our gifts, ate lots of fabulous meals, laughed until we cried and caught up on some of our favorite holiday movies. 

I can’t even tell you how many days I’ve spent napping and dreaming up ideas for 2020 in my favorite pajamas.

Not having an agenda or any obligations on the calendar felt like the biggest luxury gift ever ?  

Preparing for the New Year…

As we prepare for the New Year, I hope you’ll take a few moments, a long afternoon or even a day with NO distractions to truly think about these questions:

  • What worked so well for me in 2019, I want to carry it into 2020?
  • What didn’t work well for me in 2019 at all?
  • How do I want to spend my time?
  • What goals and intentions am I willing to commit to in order to make 2020 my best year yet?

Taking the time to think about and plan your roadmap for 2020 without distractions is definitely important and absolutely worth the effort. 

If you need a refresher on goal setting or don’t know where to start, this podcast, Why Stretch Goals Are The Secret to Creating a Life You Love is about a 30 minute listen with actionable steps to help weed through anything that might be holding you back.

A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…

I know Christmas is behind us but now is a great time to start planning for next year and creating a 2020 Christmas Decorating Ideas board on Pinterest! Don’t miss all the great ideas in this holiday home tour, they’re definitely worth pinning.

This cozy farmhouse is gorgeous too!

If blue and white is your jam (it’s going to be big next year), you’ll swoon over this gorgeous Connecticut home with southern charm.

Gil Schafer is a decorating genius and this Vermont party barn proves it. When can I move in!

There are so many beautiful spaces in this designer’s portfolio.

This project strikes the perfect balance between old and new.

This post, 6 Hacks to Drink More Water was written over the summer but there are so many people I know that have “drink more water” on their 2020 goals list, I thought I would share it again because it’s totally doable.  

The Benefits of a High Benefits of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet 

13 Techniques For Self-Development Everyone Should Adopt  

This post, Concealer Tips Every Woman Needs to Know  will help if you’re getting ready for a fun NYE out!

Speaking of which, if you’re looking to up your skincare game in 2020 this post, The Correct Order to Apply Skincare Products 

If you’re looking to join an online book club this year you can find Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club here  and a blogger led book club 4 Reading Women here.

With college football bowl games just around the corner, these vintage inspired colligate sweaters would be super cute for any tailgate party.

These i-phone wallpapers are the perfect way to kick off the new year.

Quote of the Week and Free Printable…

Book We’re Reading in January…

You Are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You by Jess Connolly (*Amazon Affiliate Link)

On the Menu this Week…

*After a season of festive food, we’re definitely looking forward to getting back on track with healthier eating habits!

As always, check with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about healthy food choices and before starting a detox plan too.

Week of December 30 – January 5

Monday – Lemon Parsley Baked Cod  with side of asparagus

Tuesday – 50 New Year’s Eve Dinner Ideas to Deliciously Welcome a New Decade 

Wednesday – A Traditional Southern New Year’s Day Menu (on a side note, as a 6th generation southerner we always have macaroni and cheese which for some reason didn’t make the list)

Thursday – Inner Goddess Detox Salad

Friday – The Best Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup 

Saturday – Cuban Fish Tacos with Citrus Mango Slaw 

Sunday –  One Pot Healthy Zoodles Pasta

Looking Ahead to National Championship & Super Bowl Menu Ideas…

75 Super Bowl Foods That are Better Than a Touchdown 

Sweet Treat to Try This Week…

Fudgy Avocado Brownies with Chocolate Fudgy Frosting 

A Few Items We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week to Help You Kick Off Your Goals in 2020…

**(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)

 Pillow Forms 

Mattress Topper (also available in gray) 

Towel Set (multiple colors available) 

Pump Bottle Set 

Mug Warmer 

Featherweight Vac (multiple colors available) 

Drawer Divider Boxes  (multiple colors available)

Cosmetic Storage Organizer 

Ninja Blender Set (we make a smoothie in the previous version of this one almost every morning) 

Glass Food Storage Containers (we’re obsessed with these)

Deep Cleaning Brushes 

Sink Caddy 

Insulated Tumbler with Straw (multiple colors available)

Paperless Towel Set 

Car Phone Mount  

Car Trunk Organizer (multiple colors available) 

If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…

 

A Rustic New Year’s Tablescape 

Florida Kiss Cocktail 

DIY Drink Charms 

52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge

I’m in the process of updating our post 52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge so I’ll share the revised version with you in the coming week.

If you’re ready to get started, here’s a look at what we’ll be working on in the month of January…

  • Declutter Kitchen Counters/Coffee Bar (Week of Jan 4)
  • Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers (Week of Jan 11)
  • Clean Out/Organize Pantry & Spices (Week of Jan 18)
  • Clean Out/Organize Refrigerator & Freezer (Week of Jan 25)

TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember & Upcoming Posts…

  • 12/29 – Plan for 2020 Goals and Intentions
  • 12/30 – Take a Walk Day, Begin 2020 Cleaning Schedule
  • 12/31 – New Year’s Eve, Take Time for Self-Care
  • 01/01 – New Year’s Day
  • 01/06 – Buy Birthday Cards and Gifts for January Birthdays
  • 01/08 – National Bubble Bath Day
  • 01/12 – National Sunday Supper Day
  • 01/13 – National Championship Game
  • 01/14 – National Dress Up Your Pet Day
  • 01/15 – Buy Valentines Cards, Gifts and Countdown Calendar Supplies
  • 01/18 – National Use Your Gift Card Day
  • 01/20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • 01/23 – National Pie Day
  • 01/24 – National Compliment Day
  • 01/25 – Chinese New Year, The Year of the Rat Begins
  • 01/26 – National Green Juice Day
  • 01/27 – National Chocolate Cake Day
  • 01/28 – Plan for Vacation Day
  • 01/31 – National Hot Chocolate Day

Our New Posting Schedule…

Just a heads up, we’ve decided to change our posting schedule for 2020 to help make things easier for Team Crowned Goat.  

We will be posting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday instead of Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Today will be the last time, From the Front Porch will be posted on a Sunday. Our plan is to finish out this week with a post every day to tie up a few loose ends from 2019 and then begin the new posting schedule on Monday, January 6th.  

As always, we appreciate you so much and thank you for your understanding.  We hope your Sunday is peace filled and relaxing.  We can’t wait to share even more with you coming up this week!

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo

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2 Comments

  1. Happy New Year & may 2020 be prosperous for you (including good health, fun times, etc.). Cheers!

    1. Thank you so much, Anne! I’m definitely excited about all the good things that are in store for us in 2020. I’m sending you lots of thank yous and hugs and wishing you more blessings than you can even imagine in 2020. Happy New Year! CoCo

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