From the Front Porch
Happy Saturday from the front porch, sweet friends!
I know this series usually goes out on Friday but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to support some of my favorite ladies in the Transitioning to Fall blog hop yesterday
So, I’m excited to catch up and spend some time with you today.
An Update From Our Time Away…
If you had a chance to read last week’s From the Front Porch, you know we were unexpectedly called away to check on a loved one.
I was super nervous about how our sweet rescue Piper would make the 8-hour journey and behave in a home she’d never been in with people she’d never met.
I’m pleased to report she far exceeded our expectations!
I think the minute we opened the door she knew it was a special and somewhat tender situation (dogs are so smart like that) and adjusted her behavior accordingly. She wasn’t perfect by any means but she was a good listener and took corrections really well.
Piper is extremely active so I was really scared she might knock our loved one and his walker over or even cause a major fall. She hung in there though and I could not be more proud of her!
For those of you who have dealt with long-term care issues with loved ones who don’t think they need care much less choose not to receive it, you already know our situation is a really tough one.
I definitely appreciate all your kind words, thoughts, and prayers while we were away. They meant so much!
Catching Up This Week…
This week has been crazy busy trying to get back on track yet filled with mostly good things.
I was a judge for a basket contest my sweet friend Lisa of Recreated Designs hosted, attended a productivity webinar, spent my afternoons in Tanya Dalton’s The Courageous Choice Experience (it’s been fabulous, I’ll share my takeaways below), met with my accountability partner, spent the mornings catching up with my middle sister, organized a good portion of our big linen closet, wrote August’s Encouragement of the Month post, caught up on the laundry and housekeeping tasks, kicked off the weekend with a fun dinner and a PSL (they’re back😍), popped into Joanns to pick up a few Fall goodies and played nurse to my bestie S (she runs the website) after she had an awful allergic reaction to poison oak which somehow then triggered the shingles,
It’s been a whirlwind but we’re ending the week grateful for all the people and situations that have been placed on our path.
Domestic and World Events…
These past two weeks have been difficult, haven’t they? Several of you have reached out about this and I’m honestly still trying to process it all.
The heartbreak in Afghanistan, the floods in Nashville and Connecticut, fires in California, earthquakes in Haiti, the Gulf Coast preparing for a Cat 3 hurricane next week, the rise in Covid cases…
When it feels like hurt and heartache are all around us, it can be hard to see the light in anything. Especially, when it seems like everything is falling apart at the same time.
Truthfully, it would be really easy to get in a funk and stay there because it’s all overwhelming.
But you guys, we have to fight through the funk. Our communities, neighbors, Gold Star, and military families need us.
While you might not be able to change the political landscape of nations, you can still do your part. One donation at a time, one service project at a time, one phone call at a time, one meal at a time, one encouraging word at a time, one random act of kindness at a time.
We will always be better together.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
There are so many pretty blue and white layers in this Lowcountry home tour.
If you’re still hanging onto Summer and celebrating all things pastel, you’ll love this home tour.
A coastal farmhouse tour with lots of wicker and other layers of texture in California.
This home is filled with really beautiful windows, cabinetry, and molding!
French decorating rules that are totally doable.
This is such a fun way to dress up drinks for your next celebration.
This outdoor patio area is really pretty.
Wait until you see this greenhouse transformation.
How to Make a Box Cake Mix Taste Homemade
Speaking of cake, how beautiful is this one!
Experts Weigh In On How to Practice Self-Love By Taking Care of Yourself First (a great read if you’re a people pleaser)
18 Way to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
These posts, One Piece, Four Ways are always inspiring!
Words to Live By…
Listening to This Week…
As I mentioned above, I attended The Courageous Choice Experience hosted by Tanya Dalton all week.
Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect because I didn’t know most of the speakers. In fact, I almost didn’t even sign up for this event because it was from 1p-5p every day this week and I really didn’t have that much time to invest.
But I made a promise to myself no matter how busy things got, I would still make the time to invest in personal development and blog education so I made the courageous choice to attend anyway.
I’m so thankful I did because the entire series was life-giving! It was so-so-good!
I told S nearly every day it was more inspiring than any blog conference I had ever attended just seeing how these 7 and 8 figure women business leaders poured into each session.
My biggest takeaways have been…
- “Be courageous enough to blaze your own trail. If you follow what everyone else has done, you’re already behind the curve” – Kelly Roach
- “Name your naysayer!” – Jill Stanton (meaning give your inner critic the name of someone you’d NEVER take advice from. That way, when you hear that mean girl voice, you’ll immediately be able to dismiss it)
- “We can’t shine our light on others, if our batteries constantly need to be recharged.” – Tanya Dalton
- “The most powerful question you can ask yourself is, ‘What am I tolerating?'” Emily Aarons
Things that hit too close to home and made me think LONG after the sessions had ended…
- “Don’t set yourself on fire trying to keep others warm.” – Dr. Sunny Smith quoting author Penny Reid
- “Impatience kicks in long before consistency does.” – Mary Marantz
- “Their opinion doesn’t make it true.” – Jill Stanton
August Book of the Month…
**(Amazon 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)
Several of you want to go back through Living the Simply Luxurious Life by Shannon Ables so you can kick off the Fall season intentionally putting your favorite things from the book into practice which I’m totally on board with.
Our September book of the month will be a faith-filled morning devotional titled New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.
On the Menu this Week…
Week of August 29 – September 4
08/29 Sunday – Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
08/30 Monday – Summer Noodle Stir fry
08/31 Tuesday – One Skillet Chicken with Fiesta Cream Sauce with Cucumber, Tomato, Avocado Side Salad
09/01 Wednesday – Late Summer Kale Salad
09/02 Thursday – Blushing New England Fish Chowder
09/03 Friday – All American Hamburger
09/04 Saturday – Red, White, and Blue Summer Salad
09/05 Sunday – Labor Day Charcuterie
09/06 Monday – Labor Day (US) 25 Labor Day Recipes for a Mouthwatering Cookout Meal
Sweet Treat to Try this Week…
S’mores Cookies and 64 Gorgeous Labor Day Desserts
A Few Fun Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon and Target This Week…
(Amazon and Target 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)
** Indicates additional colors or options available when this post was originally published
**Gingham Shirt * Urn Lamp * **Bow Sandals * **Bead Bracelets
**Jewelry Box * **Lounge Set * Storage Boxes * Drawer Organizer
**Crossbody Bag * Salt and Pepper Cellar * **Elbow Sleeve Dress * Throw Pillow
**Jeans * Scissors * Earrings * Crewneck Sweater
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
How to Easily Change the Color of Existing Grout
Early Fall Craft and Decorating Ideas and Summer to Fall Transition Blog Hop
Budget-Friendly Fall Wreath Ideas
August Bucket List
- Host Back to School Event for the Littles
- Pick up Fresh Office Supplies
- Find Easy Breakfast Recipes
- Celebrate Living at Journeys End 12 years
- Design 2022 Planner and Blog Notebook
- Finish Guest Bathroom Makeover (find art)
- Organize the Refrigerator and Desk Drawers
- Begin Planning Mom’s Milestone Birthday Party
- Grill Outside One More Time
- Find Rocking Chairs for the Front Porch
- Check Hurricane Kits
- Try New IG Strategy
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
August Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Car, Garden, & Garage
- 08/07 – Medicine Cabinet & First Aid Supplies/Emergency Contact List
- 08/14 – Garage, Attic or Basement
- 08/21 – Garden Supplies/Potting Shed
- 08/28 – Seasonal Decorative Items-Fall
As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, 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
I love to read each and every post you write, always interesting and such thought behind them. Your a rare soul and such kindness shows through.
Thankyou for sharing.
Janette UK.xx
Such kind and thoughtful words, Janette, thank you so much. I really appreciate it! No matter what is going on in the world it’s always nice to put these posts together to shine a light and find a bright spot. It still amazes me we have access to all this creativity right from our phones. Hope your weekend is filled with all good things. Thank you for spending time with us today, CoCo
Hi Coco just jumping over to thank you for the shout out on my cake!
Your newsletter is a great idea, love all the details included in it.
I really hope everything went well with your loved ones issues. These things are so hard to go through and I will most def be praying for all involved.
blessings
rr
You are so welcome, Rachelle. I loved your cake so much! It’s almost too pretty to eat 😉 Thank you for all your sweet words on our current situation – it’s definitely not an easy one. Especially, when you’re at this stage and far away. Sending you lots of hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
Sweet Piper is a good girl. So happy everything went smoothly.
Happy you enjoyed your conference.
Thank you bunches, Cindy, it’s been a crazy busy week but a fun one! Piper is such a wild thing I was worried she might try to jump on people and tables and all sorts of crazy stuff like she does at home but she did really well. Hope your weekend has been filled with all good things. Hugs, CoCo
That little Piper is so precious! She could be a TV dog on some show. I’m glad things went okay. I always love your vignettes and I pin many of them. Always like to see what you’re up to!
Brenda
So thoughtful of you to say, Brenda, thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Our sweet Piper definitely keeps us on our toes but in the best possible way. We’re lucky to have the chance to love her – even when she turns down all our kisses 😂 Hope your weekend is a special one, CoCo
Sounds like your life is very busy right now. Your little Piper is precious. xo Laura
Thank you so much, Laura, I really appreciate it! Hope your weekend is been a fabulous one, CoCo
CoCo,
Love reading your posts as they are just chalk full of info and great stories!! That Piper is so darn cute and glad to hear she was a good girl!! Love all the quotes that you took away from the conference…I will definitely be keeping them in mind!! Thanks so much for sharing all of this with us and thanks do much for stopping by and for your kind words,!!
Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thank you bunches, Debbie! I was so excited when Piper was well behaved. It’s hard when you visit a loved one that’s not used to having a dog in the house. Especially, one as hyper as she is. I think she wants to behave but at 2 years old she still needs a lot of correcting in a sweet jack russell terrier kind of way 🙂 It’s always fun to put these posts together so I’m glad you like them. I love reading about everything you’re up to as well. Hugs for a happy week, CoCo
I am so glad your sweet Piper was able to make the long trip with you without too many issues. Traveling with a pet can be really hard… but it is also so much fun to have them along for the adventure!
I was totally shocked by how well she did, Heidi! So much so on one occasion, I was actually thinking, “Who is this dog and where is my Hyper Piper?” 😂 We travel a lot though so I’m thankful she did well. It definitely gives me hope she’ll be able to hang in there like a champ on the next trip too. Hugs, CoCo