From the Front Porch

Happy Friday from The Crowned Goat Cottage, you guys! I hope your week has been a good one. 

We’ve been hunkering down as Eta passes through so I’m keeping it short and sweet today. 

I just told my Mom I’ll be SO thankful when hurricane season is officially over and I know those of you on the Gulf Coast that have been hit especially hard will be grateful to have it behind you as well.

My plan for the weekend is to totally veg out, bake cookies, watch holiday movies, wrap presents, and finish decorating the house for Christmas so we can start to enjoy the season a little more.   

Before I go though, I just wanted to thank you all again for your support in finishing The Crowned Goat Cottage.

Your kind words and encouragement really helped to rally us through some hard times. I’ll always be grateful for your generosity and love!

It definitely feels like Christmas came a little early this year ?

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

The Next Best Thing (a peek at a Christmas home tour in the South)

If you’re looking for blue and white Christmas ideas, you’ll love these. 

This blue and white tablescape totally stopped me in my tracks.

A blue and white pattern that is so classy it can be used all year.

Speaking of pattern, wait until you see this bathroom makeover. 

Tons of European inspiration in this portfolio.

I love the mix of texture and pops of blue in this beautiful home tour.

This new to me designer has lots of lovely spaces to explore as well.

For those of you that prefer dark furniture over white, you’ll love this traditional home tour.

How beautiful are these winter lodges?

If you’re looking for a gift that can be personalized, this shop has some really pretty pieces. Love these beautiful studs too!

I have no place to wear them but if I did, these are super elegant.

6 Ways to Style a Turtleneck (that are totally doable) 

10 Podcasts to Help You Sleep 

A 30 Day Photo Challenge to Become An Even Better Photographer 

50 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas You Can Easily DIY 

Quote of the Week and Free Printable…

Watching this Week…

I’ve never really known anything different than being in a military family because my Dad is a 6^th generation soldier and served our entire lives.  

It’s so easy to get caught up in the politics of the day I think sometimes we forget the heart behind those that serve, which is why this video, Buzz Williams, Virginia Tech Basketball Team Honor Military Veterans had me all kinds of teary this week.

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)

I’m really behind on our November book of the month, Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist but I’m planning to carve out a bit of time to catch up this weekend. 

If you’re reading along, how do you like it so far?

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 TOO…

• December – Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person
• January – The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything

IF YOU’VE MISSED ANY OF OUR OTHER BOOKS, YOU CAN FIND THEM HERE:

• October – Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round 
• September – Eat That Frog: 21 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time 
• August – Love Does 
• July – The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People 
• June – Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts 
• We also added,  Be The Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation 
• May –The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming
• April – Rhythms of Renewal: Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose 
• March – The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions 
• February – The Compound Effect 
• January – You Are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You 

On the Menu this Week…

Week of November 15 – November 22

• 11/14 Saturday – Spinach Artichoke Chicken Skillet 
• 11/15 Sunday – WW Pepperoni Pizza Casserole with a side salad
• 11/16 Monday – 20 Minute Garlic and Herb Baked Cod with a side of steamed veggies
• 11/17 Tuesday – Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potato with Mexican salad
• 11/18 Wednesday – Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken 
• 11/19 Thursday – Chipotle Tomato Soup with Smoked Cheddar Pull-Apart Bread
• 11/20 Friday – Oven Baked Garlic Butter Shrimp Boil 
• 11/21 Saturday – Spinach, Tomato, and Goat Cheese Quiche 
• 11/22 Sunday – Spicy Baked Pasta with Cheddar and Broccoli Rabe 

 Planning Ahead: Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

• A Gluten and Dairy Free Thanksgiving Menu 
• 34 Thanksgiving Appetizers Your Guests Will Devour 
• 60 Thanksgiving Recipes That Are As Easy As Pie 
• 50 Traditional Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas 
• Cranberry Brie Bombs 

Sweet Treat to Try This Week…

Nutella Brownies 

A Few Things We Spotted Online at Amazon and 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)

Small Ginger Jar * Magnolia Pick * Necklace * Ornament Set 

Deer * Plaid Pillow Covers * Ginger Jar Ornaments * Candle 

Tree * Vest * Navy Ribbon * Book  

Tea Towel Set * Wrapping Paper * Boots * Green Velvet Ribbon 

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

5 Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Tablescape & A Season of Thanks Blog Hop

DIY Hot Drinks Stencil 

Creating a Simple Holiday Spray 

The Crowned Goat Cottage Reveal

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 …

• 11/07 – Christmas Card Contact List 
• 11/14 –Thanksgiving Menu/Grocery Shopping 
• 11/21 – Christmas Paper & Gift Wrap Supplies 
• 11/28 – Christmas Shopping/Naughty or Nice List

Dates to Remember…

• 11/14 Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop with County Road 407
• 11/26 Thanksgiving (US)
• 11/27 Black Friday (US)
• 11/28 Shop Small Saturday (US)
• 11/29 Advent Begins
• 11/30 Cyber Monday(US)

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