From the Front Porch
Happy Saturday from the front porch, you guys. Thanks so much for spending time with us today.
It’s been a week of soul searching, hasn’t it?
Like many of you, I’ve been wrestling with so many different emotions. I know we each have our own opinions and experiences that have shaped the way we feel about injustice, the rights of others and a path forward.
I can no longer place myself in your shoes any more than you can place yourself in mine.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to try.
Now more than ever, we’re committed to becoming better educated, to diversify our media consumption and my social media feed, to support HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges and Universities) and businesses run by people of color, to have the tough conversations, to listen with an open mind and heart, to continue to advocate for education and health services for underserved neighborhoods, to become an ally, to vote our conscience and values and to pray for our nation.
I hope you will consider doing these things too, as we all work together to create a lasting and positive change in the world.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
The heartbreaking and eloquent Facebook post, I’m STILL thinking about.
And the one that gives me hope. You can read more about this heartwarming experience here.
This was a fabulous post by blogger and author, Kennesha Buycks
How White People Can Be Better Allies to the Black Community
A super easy way to help address the needs of HBCU students, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund .
A list of Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners and a way to help support local bookstores, here.
An uncomplicated farmhouse tour.
If you love all things chippy, you’ll love this gorgeous home tour.
Sarah Tucker throws the prettiest parties and here’s proof.
A Modern Finnish Home with a Warm, Rustic Touch of the Med
A fresh take on spongeware from Tory Burch.
15 Best English Garden Ideas to Transform Your Backyard Into a Charming Oasis
An interesting take on a screened-in porch.
9 Top Dermatologists Reveal Their Skin-Care Routines
Sneaky Causes of Belly Bloat and How to Fix It
How Experts Rate the Risks of 14 Summer Activities
Quote of the Week and Free Printable…
Book We’re Reading in June…
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In June, we’ll be reading Jennie Allen’s Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts
July, we’ll tackle The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People by Rachel Wilkerson Miller
And in August, we’ll read Love Does by Bob Goff.
If you’ve missed any of our other books, you can find them here:
- 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 June 8 – June 15
06/06 – Saturday – Vegan Sheet Pan Dinner
06/07 – Sunday – No Fry Eggplant Parmesan
06/08 – Monday – Grilled Salmon Fillet with Peach Salsa
06/09 – Tuesday – Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas with Insta Pot Mexican Rice
06/10 – Wednesday – Summer Citrus Salad with Grilled Orange Marinated Chicken
06/11 – Thursday – Summer Minestrone Soup
06/12 – Friday – Greek Chicken Kebabs
06/13 – Saturday – Cajun Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner (recipe found in Magnolia Table Vol 2 but was also sent in an email to subscribers)
06/14 – Sunday – German Spaetzle with Mushroom Gravy
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
French Country Summer Inspiration 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)
Bookends * Throw * Wicker Love Seat * Cloche * Jumpsuit *
Restoration House by Kennesha Buycks * Café Au Lait Bowls *
Turkish Towel * Pillow Covers * Sandals * Folding Tray Table * Fountain * Planter * Peonies * Stackable Organizers *
Beautifully Organized by Nikki Boyd
You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
Ballard Designs Hack: Tufted Bench Makeover
Decorate for Summer in 5 Easy Steps
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 …
- 06/06 – Bills/Mail/Paper Clutter
- 06/13 – Computer Files/Passwords/Photographs
- 06/20 – Email Inbox
- 06/27 – Car
Upcoming Blog Posts and Dates to Remember…
- 06/08 – Best Friends Day
- 06/20 – First Day of Summer
- 06/21 – Father’s 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
Thank you for your thoughtful comments addressing racism in our country – the elephant in the room that most whites don’t talk about. Like many others I have been trying to figure out ways to be help and I really appreciate you providing practical solutions for everyone to be part of the solution.
A million times over, Loretta, thank you so much for this sweet comment. You are so right, racism is not an easy subject to talk about. But it’s a necessary conversation to have, even when it feels uncomfortable. I spent a good part of the weekend researching POC companies and entrepreneurs, books and movies, and other resources to highlight that I’m excited to share. And I will be standing right alongside you trying to figure out ways I can be part of the solution. It’s going to take us all. Sending you hugs and thank yous, CoCo