From the Front Porch
Happy Friday, from the front porch you guys! How has July been treating you so far?
This week has been both happy and humbling all at the same time.
Happy because getting our taxes completed and squared away was much easier than we had anticipated, we had some unexpected good news come our way, our first little tomato crop survived the brutal summer heat and the supplies for the wall installation on the metal shed makeover have started to arrive!
It was humbling because I had to buy bigger pants this week. Gah – I was SO mad at myself! I mean, I could technically feel it coming but I must have been in total denial ☹
Thankfully, there’s been plenty of grace to go around and I immediately started doing these basic things:
- Intermittant Fasting (we’re at 12/12 this week but I’m hoping to progress to 11/13 next week and 10/14 the week after)
- Working out
- Eating more greens and cutting out unnecessary carbs/sugar like dessert after dinner every night.
- Drinking more water throughout the day. And most especially, drinking water before having coffee in the mornings to rehydrate.
For the longest time, I felt like health and fitness was a journey. As in one day, I would just arrive at a healthy lifestyle.
But the pandemic made me realize it’s really not a journey at all. It’s about taking the time to make a concious decision every single day to nourish our bodies with good food, exercise that celebrates our abilities and water that replenishes our cells.
It’s really the most simple form of self-care.
I’ve also realized, we only get one body in this lifetime so we may as well make friends with it, no matter what the size of our pants.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
Lots of cottage charm in this pretty portfolio.
This house tour on the water has a beautiful European vibe.
Our laundry room is definitely overdue for a refresh. But since we’re in the midst of the shed makeover, I’ll settle for the inspiration I’m getting from these creatives.
Coastal Colors and Boho-Inspired Accents Revive This 130-Year-Old Victorian.
The coastal kids bathroom makeover everyone is talking about.
Speaking of which, wait until you see this cabin bedroom and en suite makeover!
6 Home Styling Tips We Learned From Nancy Meyers
There were so many gorgeous garden and potting shed spaces to pin in this post, I got totally lost down the rabbit hole.
This summer back porch tour is really beautiful.
The 6 Golden Rules of Eating for Longevity, According to the Longest-Living People on Earth
Super Cute Library Card Bookmark with Free Printable
Can’t wait to write these in my journal. Morgan Harper Nichols is so talented!
How to Relieve Stress, According to Experts
I’m all about this summer camp vibe and motto for 2020.
Quote of the Week and Free Printable…
Self-Discovery Journey: Books We’re Reading…
**(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)
This month, we’re tackling The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People by Rachel Wilkerson Miller and I’m learning so many practical tips.
Just a heads up this book has some salty language sprinkled throughout so I just wanted to let you know in advance.
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:
June – Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
We also added, Be The Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison in June.
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 July 19 – July 26
07/18 – Saturday – Chicken Fried Steak with steamed veggies and cauliflower mash
07/19 – Sunday – Pan Seared Cod with White Wine and Tomato Basil Sauce
07/20 – Monday – Firecracker Vegan Lettuce Wraps
07/21 – Tuesday – One Skillet Saucy Chicken Tortilla Enchilada Rice Bake
07/22 – Wednesday – Spicy Shrimp and Citrus Salad
07/23 – Thursday – Summer Vegetable Soup
07/24 – Friday – Kicked Up Cornflake Chicken with garden salad
07/25 – Saturday – One Pan Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon and Asparagus
07/26 – Sunday – Pasta Alla Norma
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Peach Ice Cream with Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookie Crumble
Pink for Summer Inspiration We Spotted Online at 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)
French Country Chandelier * Ruffled Duvet Set * Blush Pink Quilt Set
Bunny Pillow * Royal Teacup Set * Tablecloth * Bistro Napkins
Floral Dress * Baskets * File Folder * Tin * Rug * Necklace
Floral Pillow * Striped Dress * Lantern
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
Office Refresh at Bliss Barracks
How to Make New Books Look Aged
Pantry Organization Made Easy – Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop
52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge …
Here’s a look at what we’ll be working on in the month of July as part of the 52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge …
- 06/27 – Your Car
- 07/04 – Organize Your Purse and Wallet & Update Your Phone Contacts
- 07/11 – Garden Supplies/Potting Shed
- 07/18 – Garage, Attic or Basement
- 07/25 – Kids Room or Guest Room
Upcoming Blog Posts and Dates to Remember…
- 07/21 – National Junk Food Day
- 07/22 – Summer Leisure Day
- 07/30 – Paperback Book 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,
Great collection. I stared at each of those garden/potting sheds for several minutes gazing at each lovely detail. And as soon as I saw the first photo of Michelle’s patio, I knew exactly who it belonged too. I could live out there and be so happy! Hope you have a great weekend. And don’t worry about the bigger size clothes. You are beautiful – inside and out. Besides, the Lord cares more about our hearts that our behinds (thanks goodness, because mine is way bigger than yours!). 😉
I have no idea what I did to deserve your sweet self in my life but I am so thankful you are in it, Cindy! I really appreciate your kind words, they mean so much. I know just how you feel about the garden and potting shed images. They made me swoon too. I used to dream about purses and jewelry but now I dream about pea gravel, lavender lined flower beds and bistro tables and chairs 🙂 Sending you hugs and hoping your weekend was a fun one, CoCo
Oh my goodness that kid’s bathroom is amazing! And that back porch is so dreamy! I seriously wouldn’t leave that space all summer long! Thanks as always for so much fun and beautiful inspiration, CoCo! I’m off to check out the stress relieving tips! Have a blessed weekend!
You are so welcome, Christine! I’m glad you liked this week’s links. The bathroom and the back porch were totally fantastic. I’m pretty sure I could be sitting right beside you with that back porch because it was gorgeous. It definitely makes me want to spruce up mine 🙂 Hope your weekend was a fun one and your upcoming week is peace-filled and stress-free. Hugs, CoCo