From the Front Porch
Happy Friday, from the front porch! We hope your week has been fabulous as we get ready to say goodbye to August and welcome September.
I feel like I’ve been simultaneously tying up loose ends while knee deep in plans for September this week. I’m not a multitasker at all and for the past few months have been having trouble concentrating on even basic tasks.
Thankfully, I have my planner and a timer to help keep me on track. But it’s been quite a balancing act.
The roofers came to fix the leak around the chimney. I was able to get the first coat of paint on the shed. And I think I’ve selected a colorway for Fall.
I’m heading uptown to pick up a few things, so we’ll see how it all comes together.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
A beautiful coastal-inspired home tour for those of you holding onto summer or who have a home on the water.
Swooning over this book club dinner party from Sarah Tucker.
There are so many beautiful spaces to explore in designer Ashley Gilbreath’s portfolio.
This Berkshire Farmhouse before and after is bananas!
The flower-filled Georgian home tour that gives me hope for the shed makeover ?
5 Fall Decorating Hashtags on Instagram You Don’t Want to Miss
The Crown Season 4 Exclusive Release Date & Trailer Video
These would be so cute in a holiday coffee gift basket. Don’t miss this one Mom!
This post, A Beginner’s Guide to the Ordinary Skincare Line was really helpful.
How to Address and Tackle Your Limiting Beliefs
Quote of the Week and Free Printable…
Self-Discovery Journey: Books We’re Reading…
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Love Does by Bob Goff has been a great read for August! It definitely felt like the best way to wrap up Summer.
I know a lot of you are on your own self-discovery journey too, so, while we were mapping out our Fall season, we decided to choose our books of the month.
Here’s a list of the books we’ll be reading for the rest of the year in case you want to go ahead and pick them up…
In September, we’ll be reading Eat That Frog: 21 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
For October we’re tackling, Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round by Myquillyn Smith.
It’s available for pre-order now which gives you access to one of her online classes as part of the Academy of Home for free as long as you sign up before the book is released!
In November we’ll read, Present Over Perfect Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist
December has us reading, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
And in January, we’re looking forward to reading The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin
If you’ve missed any of our other books, you can find them here:
July – The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People by Rachel Wilkerson Miller
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
Watching Lately…
I don’t watch a lot of tv so when I find something I’m excited about, I try to pass it along.
As you guys know, I’m passionate organizing, and when I saw Reese Witherspoon was the executive producer of Get Organized with The Home Edit coming to Netflix on September 9th I knew I had to put it in my calendar.
On the Menu this Week…
Week of August 29 – September 6
08/29 – Saturday – Foil Packet Spice-Rubbed Fish with Watermelon Salsa
08/30 – Sunday – Easy Freezer to Oven Chicken Parmesan
08/31 – Monday – Summer Noodle Stir Fry
09/01 – Tuesday – One Skillet Chicken with Fiesta Cream Sauce with Cucumber, Tomato, Avocado Side Salad
09/02 – Wednesday – Summer Farro Salad
09/03 – Thursday – Blushing New England Fish Chowder
09/04 – Friday – Italian Breakfast Bowl
09/05 – Saturday – Zucchini Chicken and Rice Bake
09/06 – Sunday – Summer Skillet Vegetable Lasagna
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
A Few Things 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)
Blue and White Pillow * Candle * Aspen Leaves Wreath * Finial
Lantern * Aerin Lauder Book * Tufted Chair * Ribbon
Acorns * Wonder Water * Blue and White Lamp * Coffee Stencils
Salad Plates * Stoneware Cake Stand * Wheat Stalks * Throw
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
The Busy Girl’s Guide to Fall Planning
Fall Monthly Bucket List Ideas
13 Easy Summer to Fall Decorating Ideas and 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 …
- 08/29 – Seasonal Decorative Items-Fall
- 09/05 – Fall Bucket List
- 09/12 – Family Doctor Appointments
- 09/19 – Family Calendar
- 09/26 – Transition Seasonal Items (coats, sweaters, ski gear, sports equipment)
Upcoming Blog Posts and Dates to Remember…
- 08/30 National Beach Day
- 08/31 Buy Cards and Gifts for September Special Occasions
- 09/01 Create a Christmas Closet and Start Stashing Away Presents
- 09/05 The Kentucky Derby
- 09/07 Labor Day
- 09/11 Patriot Day
- 09/12 Mason Jar Blog Hop with County Road 407
- 09/13 National Grandparents Day
Thoughts on Hurricane Laura…
Finally, I couldn’t let this post end without letting you know I’m sending lots of hugs and prayers for all of you that were in the path of Hurricane Laura. I know several of you not only lived through Hurricane Katrina but also lost everything in the process.
To think about how much damage this storm has caused to multiple states, during a pandemic no less, completely blows my mind.
I literally don’t understand what 2020 is trying to teach us but I hope we never have to go through this amount of pain and turmoil ever again.
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
You had me at season 4 of The Crown is coming! YIPPEE!! Loved the sweet little Berkshire Farm and back yard oasis! Now I’m off to read all about hashtags! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! Hugs!
I know Christine! I’m so excited for Season 4 of The Crown too. I’m dying to see how they handle it all and I wish we lived closer so we could have a viewing party 🙂 Our roofer told us they could barely keep up with all the projects people have been doing for their backyards since the pandemic started. I know we’ll be spending lots of extra time outback as well. Sending you hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
I love these posts. It’s a virtual Disney World of information! Thanks for adding my 5 Fall Hashtags You Don’t Want To Miss! I was so surprised! And I can hardly wait for The Crown! Woo Hoo! You were so right, that before and after of the Berkshire Farmhouse was bananas! I couldn’t believe that interior. Looking forward to seeing your fall color combo. It’s gorgeous with that pinky mauve color. I have that same plate pattern too. Only on two small oval plates but I love them. Last thing because I could chat with you all day but I know you have other fans to get too… I may have spit a little on my computer from laughing at the next book – Eat that frog! LOLOLOLOL. Should be a good one! I need to read it because I’m a huge procrastinator! But, diligence and hard work may pay off in the long run, but procrastination, pays off right now! That’s my motto! 😉 Hope you enjoy your weekend.
I just told S your “procrastination motto” and she said, “Right on! I love that girl! That’s what I’m talking about!” ha ha I am one of those people that can seriously talk myself into anything and out of everything so I need this book something fierce. So glad you love these Friday posts too. They’re always fun to put together because I get to deep dive into all the goody. Loved your Fall hashtag post so much. It was super helpful and the homes and accounts you featured were all really beautiful. Sending you hugs for a happy week, CoCo PS: I’ll put a little C on my collection of Royal Mail pieces just for you. That way we’ll know right who to send them to 🙂
Great post and tge shed is taking shape. Can’t wait for cooler temperatures and I’m finishing fall crafts and getting a plan for decorating.
Enjoy your weekend!
Cindy
Thank you, Cindy! It finally feels like the shed is coming together which is exciting. I wound up taking the weekend off because it rained so much but honestly it was good to just unwind and snuggle up. Hope your weekend was a blessed one too. I can’t wait to see how your Fall planning and decorating comes together. I know it’s going to be fabulous! Hugs, CoCo
Coco
You seem to be all set for the entire year. What a full length planner and the activities spanning for the next year as well. It shows how organisedly organised you are. I’m bookmarking couple of reads from your list to help me revive my passion for reading. My bathroom is ready now and next comes my driveway. Hope 2020 ends smoothly and we don’t have to live this year ever again. Take care and enjoy your season 4 and those lovely recipes. Hugs.
As always, I am drooling over your menu, CoCo! That summer noodle stir fry in particular looks absolutely delicious. And I love your printable – it’s very topical, especially with everything that’s going on these days. I think we’re all turning to faith a little now. All the best with your multi-tasking, it’s not the easiest thing to do but I am sure the results will be worth it. Hope you have been well!
Thank you bunches, Katerina! It’s always fun to try new recipes. I’m a picky eater and unfortunately also come from a family of picky eaters so we’ve been challenging each other to try new things. Can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up too! Sending you hugs and thank yous for all your sweet and thoughtful words, CoCo