From the Front Porch

Happy Friday, from the front porch and welcome to May!

I know, right? March seemed to drag on and April flew by in a blink.

How are you guys holding up this week?

I can honestly say this week was WAY better than last week.  But last week was so bad, I’m pretty sure anything would have been a step up ?

It was by far the hardest week for us since we started social distancing and self-isolating around March 9th and I know I’m not alone. 

A huge thank you to everyone who reached out with their own pep talk as well as tips and tricks with things that are getting them through this time. 

My aunt sent me this picture of our family’s pecan grove and it was such sweet “thinking of you” gesture.

I know we’re spread out all over the world and at different stages in how we’re having to deal with everything.  But I can’t tell you how much you’ve helped to lift our spirits this week.

We appreciate you so much!

 

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

Another gorgeous portfolio that has too many beautiful spaces to pick just one!

How amazing would this be? Move into a grand seven-bedroom house in the Oxfordshire countryside 

Adding this fun trip idea to my bucket list travel board!

London in Bloom 

Tabletop Inspiration: A Wedding in the Cotswolds, England 

The farm  I can’t stop thinking about.

The furniture, home décor, and accessories company  I can’t stop thinking about.

And the two fabrics I can’t stop thinking about at Spoonflower and Fabric Guru.  I’m curious if you’ve ever bought fabric from either place.

Beautiful bouquets for Mother’s Day or for any day you want to make a special one.

Love these stunning bouquets  from Grace Rose Farms too!

My Mom and I look for antique brushes every time we go treasure hunting and they usually go from $8-25 each which is why I was super ecstatic to stumble upon this DIY!

7 Quick, Easy & Temporary Ways to Update Your Kitchen 

8 Fresh Front Door Colors to Brighten Up Your Home 

11 Things You Have Control Over Right Now 

21 Easy Home Projects to Tackle While You’re Hunkered Down 

91 Little Ways to Green Your Life at Home  

Quote of the Week and Free Printable…

Book We’re Reading in May…

**(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)

After finishing the faith-based book Rhythms of Renewal: Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose  by Rebekah Lyons, we’re reading another faith-based book called The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming  by Sally and Sarah Clarkson. 

It’s a book that has been recommended to me so many times over the years and as we inch closer to reclaiming our lives and a new normal, I can only imagine it’s going to be another timely read.

On the Menu this Week…

Week of May 3 – May 10

05/02 – Saturday 20 Minute Healthy Sausage & Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner 

05/03 – Sunday Chicken Mediterranean Skillet Pizza with side salad

05/04 – Monday Easy Asian Style Tuna Lettuce Wraps 

05/05 – Tuesday Cinco de Mayo – 42 Recipes to Spice Up Your Cinco de Mayo Party 

05/06 – Wednesday Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese 

05/07 – Thursday Vegetable Soup with Fennel, Herbs and Parmesan Broth 

05/08 – Friday French Onion Chicken Casserole with steamed veggies

05/09 – Saturday Sheet Pan Chipotle Lime Shrimp Bake 

05/10 – Sunday Mother’s Day – 100 Mother’s Day Recipe Ideas 

Sweet Treat to Try This Week…

30 Mother’s Day Dessert Ideas 

Mother’s Day Inspired Items We Spotted Online at Target 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)

Striped PJ Set Drip Coffee, Cappuccino, Espresso, Latte Maker

Duvet & Sham SetCake Stand  * Makeup Bag Set MugSlippers

Heel & Foot CreamArborFloral PillowFooted Bowl

Pink Indoor/Outdoor RugPave Flower Stud Earrings

Magnolia Table Volume 2

Olive TreeJoy Sign

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

17 Easy Gifts to Make For Mother’s Day 

Simple Spring & Summer Gift Guides 

 Breakfast in Bed Picnic for Mother’s Day 

Bliss Barracks Lanai Makeover Reveal 

52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge

Here’s a look at what we’ll be working on in the month of May as part of the 52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge

  • 05/02 – Living Room
  • 05/09 – Household Books & Magazines
  • 05/16 – Office or Guest Room
  • 05/23 – Office or Guest Room Closet & Drawers
  • 05/30 – Summer Bucket List

Prepping For Mother’s Day:  Thoughts on Grief and Loss …

Mother’s Day is on May 10 in the US. I know these next couple of weeks are going to be hard for those of you that have lost loved ones during this time.

Everyone says the first year is the hardest, but truthfully, they’re all hard.  I think we just learn to handle special occasions and events in a different way over time. 

However you chose to mark the day, please know I’m thinking of you and praying for you.  There is no right or wrong way to commemorate the day.

Do what feels best for you and your family.  

It helped us to have a loose plan of something special to look forward to.  But every family is different and you should spend the day as you want without fear of judgement or guilt. 

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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6 Comments

  1. Coco,
    Thank you very much for including a recent post from The Simply Luxurious Life in your round-up today. What a wonderful post full of inspiration. ? I am tickled to be amongst so many great ideas and talents. Wishing you and your family a lovely May.
    All my best,
    Shannon

    1. You are so welcome, Shannon! I’m constantly learning from you whether it’s tips and tricks in the kitchen, watching you style your gorgeous mudroom or how you handle elegant living with such kindness and grace. You make me want to slow down and enjoy the little things every day. Thank you for freely giving us such fabulous inspiration. I hope you and your family are all safe and well. With gratitude, CoCo

  2. I SO look forward to these Friday posts, CoCo! Whenever I can I put aside a bit more time in my morning to sip one more cup of coffee and enjoy the beauty that unfolds as I read each word and view each link. You truly are gifted at making your reader feel at home and you always seem to know just what I need to brighten up the last day of a usually busy work week. Thank you and bless you for sharing.

    1. You’re melting my heart today, Christine, thank you for such kind and thoughtful words. These Friday posts are always fun to put together. I love to discover and share new things. People like you make me thankful for this job and for all the good in the world we get to share with each other. Sending you big hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo

  3. I’m off to have a peek at a few of your links, CoCo! We have had such a longing to visit England and it looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer. I hope you continue to hang in there—you’re not alone! My frustration during this time is staying positive about myself. Sometimes we set goals and plans that even with this extra time, we aren’t figuring in just relaxing and distressing mentally. I have a laundry list of things I want to get to but it makes little sense if I’m just going to beat myself up at the end of the day when I don’t check all the boxes. Do you ever feel that way?

    Sending love from Chicago?

    Jane

    1. All the time, Jane, YES! I finally just had to give myself a more realistic list and a more manageable timeline. I’m totally with you – sometimes we put way too much pressure on ourselves to create and do when we just need to “be” I hope you’re week has been a better one. I know it’s hard so hang in there. I’m cheering you on! Hugs, CoCo PS: My Mom had planned and surprised my Dad with a trip to France to celebrate his 70th birthday and it’s been postponed too. Here’s to hoping we’re all safe and well and traveling to all the places we dream of soon

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