From the Front Porch

Happy Friday from the front porch.  We hope your week has been a fabulous one.  Thanks so much for spending time with us today!

We’ve had a great week with a good balance of work life and home life. As you can tell from this week’s blog posts, I’ve been laser focused on trying to get the kitchen completely organized. 

I truly believe when you have a clean and organized kitchen, you can nourish the needs of yourself, your family and your neighbors in ways you aren’t able to when everything feels cluttered and chaotic.

Decluttering, cleaning, organizing and maintaing is definitely a process. Sometimes, it even takes longer than what we expect.

But the end result is absolutely worth it as it sets in place a framework you’re able to follow for the entire year.

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

 5 Tricks for Sprucing Up an Outdated House  from designer Caitlin Wilson. She is seriously so talented.

 This lakeside estate is really beautiful. All that natural stone has me swooning!

Speaking of texture, don’t miss this home tour which features a mix of contemporary and traditional décor styles.

My parent’s home, Bliss Barracks (you can check out their Christmas home tour here) is very traditional.  We’ve already started adding beautiful bits of blue and white to their color palette.  I’ve also been encouraging them to update the wall color with a fresh coat of paint.  We’re still in the beginning stages because it’s going to be quite an undertaking but the warm white in this home tour has provided so much inspiration already.

What Successful Women Do at the Beginning of the New Year 

How to Stop Being Lazy and Get More Done – 5 Expert Tips – I use most of these strategies with my accountability partner each week, specifically #1.  If you’ve heard me say, “If you don’t control your calendar your calendar will control you” #1 is the 152, 489, 212 reason why the technique works.

12 Resolutions for Living Your Best French Life in 2020 

16 Easy Skincare Resolutions You Can Actually Stick With In 2020 

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe One Month at a Time 

If you have healthy eating habits on your 2020 goals list, I thought this post was super helpful.

5 Ways to Get Fit For Free on YouTube 

The State of the Estate Address

The 10 Best Financial Resolutions For 2020Every Christmas my parents sit us down for the “State of the Estate Address.”

While it’s not quite as formal as it sounds, it provides an opportunity for them to review financial records with us and to let us know what their goals are for the year.

In the address, they cover everything from traveling to Europe to investment opportunities they plan to take advantage of to items they’ve placed in the safe deposit box to recent medication changes. 

I’m not going to lie it was SO awkward to have these meetings at first.  But my sisters and I are thankful for them because we get to hear exactly what is most important my parents. 

3 out of 4 of my grandparents had not prepped anyone on their estate plans. When they passed away it was kind of bananas which is not a dig towards my grandparents, I think their generation just never talked about those things.  

So, as you’re planning out your 2020 goals let this year be the year you take control of your finances and have your wishes known – even if it’s scary at first!

The Wildfires in Australia 

Finally, I know a lot of us decide in January which charities and causes we’ll be donating to for the entire year.  Please consider helping the families and wildlife that have been devastated by the heartbreaking wildfires in Australia.

Before you donate, make sure to fully vet each organization so you know exactly where your contribution is going. 

How You Can Help Australian Wildfire Victims (via CNN)

Why is Australia Burning and How You Can Help (via The Everygirl) 

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)

Podcast We Loved This Week…

Straight Up with Trent Shelton Episode 2: How to Find Your Purpose

On the Menu this Week…

*We mostly eat lean poultry, fish and plant-based meat alternatives which you’ll see reflected in our menu plan each week.  That said, there are some recipes you might be able to substitute turkey or chicken with beef or pork so be sure to check the recipe!

Week of January 13 – January 19

01/11 – SaturdayBourbon Glazed Salmon with Super Food Detox Salad

01/12 – Sunday – Baked Chicken with Unstuffed Mushroom Casserole  and green beans

01/13 – Monday – National Championship Menu Ideas

01/14 – TuesdaySpicy Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos 

01/15 – Wednesday Glowing Skin Detox Salad 

01/16 – ThursdaySlow Cooker Chicken Veggie Quinoa Soup 

01/17 – Friday – Black Beans & Cauliflower Rice with 1905 Salad 

01/18 – SaturdayCreamy Spinach and Artichoke Salmon 

with Brussel Sprouts Salad 

01/19 – Sunday –  Insta Pot Chicken Parm 

Sweet Treat to Try This Week…

Keto Friendly Peanut Butter Cookies (they actually look more like a truffle than a cookie so I’m definitely excited to try them)

A Few Kitchen Organization Finds We Spotted on 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)

Sink Caddy  * Dishwasher Magnet * Food Storage Bags

Clear Food Storage Bins * Washable Produce Bags * Scrubbin Stone

Cleaning Brushes * Cleaning Caddy No-Odor Dish Cloth 

Extra Large Grocery Tote (additional colors available)  

Farmhouse Style Shelf Liner Non-Adhesive Roll (additional colors available) 

Expandable Utensil Tray Bakeware Organizer

Refrigerator Shelf Liners * Under the Sink Mat 

Spice JarsStriped Dish Towels (additional colors available) 

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

How to Set and Achieve Goals in Any Season 

52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge (Updated for 2020)

9 Tips for a More Organized Kitchen 

7 Time-Saving Kitchen Cleaning Tips 

DIY Lemongrass & Lavender Sink Scrub 

52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge

Here’s a look at what we’re 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…

  • 01/12 – National Sunday Supper Day
  • 01/13 – National Championship Game
  • 01/14 – Cozy Winter Home Tour Blog Hop
  • 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

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

 

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2 Comments

  1. Wow CoCo – this post is chockfull of excellent ideas and thought-provoking conversations. We look forward to From the Front Porch each and every week! Thanks for sharing! Much love.

    1. So glad you like this series, ladies, thank you so much! Hugs, CoCo

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