From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the Front Porch! We really appreciate you making us a part of your day.
How has your week been?
September was such a blur we’ve been really intentional about how we spend our October and it’s made a HUGE difference.
In addition to our rescue Piper getting a clean bill of health from her ER visit last week, putting the final touches on our Halloween party menu and costumes, knocking a few more items off our Christmas shopping list, and making sure my Mom is all set to decorate my childhood home for the holidays, we had a lot to celebrate this week…
As some of you know my sweet aunt who is like a mother to me has been battling a very aggressive form of breast cancer.
This week she got to ring the bell signifying the end of her chemo treatments and it was so much fun to celebrate her with lots of extra calls, well wishes, and videos.
She starts radiation treatments next month and while she has a ways to go, it still felt like a big milestone. I can’t wait until she gets the all-clear so we can actually hug her!
Thank you again for your continued words of encouragement, support, and prayers. They’ve really meant a lot.
We met two of our nephews at an outdoor kids event and one of them caught the first fish of the day! He’s always calling to tell me about his latest science experiment, so honestly, I was kind of worried he would be bored.
Well, I’m excited to say I was totally wrong.
Not only did they both love all the outdoor activities, but they also keep asking when I can meet them at “camp” again.
The oldest one even told his mom not to buy a Thanksgiving turkey at the store this year because he had her covered. I’m not sure an airgun is going to cut it but I love his gumption 😂
Thank you for all your hard work, Patty!
Last night, we held our final livestream with the book launch team for Miss Mustard Seed’s new book, Feels Like Home!
I’ve never been on a book launch team before so the fact I got to be a part of two in the same month was so much fun. I’ve learned a ton and met some really nice people too.
Thank you to everyone who bought her book using our affiliate links. You guys constantly blow me away with your generosity!
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
This beautiful cozy cabin tour will make you fall in love with Autumn all over again.
The creative portfolio of Katie Hodges Design.
If you love French Country style, you’ll love so many things on the Pinterest board I found this week.
33 Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas
A spooky chic take on decorating for Halloween.
Here’s another festive idea if you like to keep things neutral.
This porch was super cute too! I feel like white jack o lanterns were the “it” thing this year because I’ve seen them everywhere.
This Fall tablescape is positively magical.
Speaking of which, so is this candlelit greenhouse.
There are lots of fantastic ideas in this post, 9 Fall Plants That Are Perfect for Container Gardens.
The Best Crowd-Sourced Productivity Tips
How much fun would this luxury train ride be?
Trench Coat Outfit Inspiration (that’s totally doable)
As a huge fan of Nancy Meyers, this funny video made my day!
Words to Live By…
Q&A Friday…
What is the one thing you do to stay organized each week?
Such a great question! I give myself non-negotiable white space on Sunday afternoons to plan out the week. It’s definitely one of those things that’s really easy to let slip by especially if you’re caught up in the day.
But I’ve found over the years, setting that time aside is always worth the effort.
Have you decided on a gift theme for Christmas this year? I followed along last year when you and your sisters did the whole “As Seen on TV” thing.
Aww, thanks for following along!
Our theme this year is “The Gift That Keeps On Giving” which is based on a gift my baby sister gave my brother-in-law last year. Since this is a family-friendly blog I won’t describe the puzzle, I’ll just say we’re STILL talking about my brother-in-law’s reaction once he put all the pieces together and realized what it was.
In addition to “As Seen On TV,” we’ve also done “Handmade Gifts from the Heart,” “I Saw This and Thought of You,” “Eco-Friendly,” “Vintage Vibes Only,” “The Soundtrack of Your Life (mixed CDs), “In The Cards” (a gift card exchange), “For Your Book Club” (a book exchange), gifts of service, all the girls did a beauty box subscription one year and several years we’ve given gifts to someone in need as opposed to giving gifts to each other.
7 of the 12 people in our pod also celebrate a birthday from November to February – so we’re gifting a lot during the season and having a theme definitely helps!
Books of the Month…
(Amazon and Target affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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)
- October: On Purpose by Tanya Dalton and Feels Like Home by Marian Parsons
- November: Cozy White Cottage Seasons: 100 Ways to Be Cozy All Year Long by Liz Marie Galvan
- December: Dream Big by Bob Goff
On the Menu this Week…
Week of October 24th – October 31st
- 10/24 Sunday: Baked Ziti with Sausage
- 10/25 Monday: Turkey Biscuit Skillet
- 10/26 Tuesday: Spicy Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
- 10/27 Wednesday: Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad
- 10/28 Thursday: Vegan Pumpkin Soup
- 10/29 Friday: Halloween Charcuterie Board and watch Practical Magic
- 10/30 Saturday: Hot Dog Mummies and Chili
- 10/31 Sunday: 35 Halloween Dinner Ideas
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Black Cat Pumpkin Cupcakes (these are almost too cool to eat) and Frightfully Fun Halloween 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. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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)
**Striped Sweater * **Headbands * **Mules * **Earrings
Clips * **Sweater * **Ticking Striped Bedding * **Crossbody Quilted Bag
**Ember Mug * **Candle Accessories Kit * **Skirt * Pillow
**Candles * **Blanket Scarf * **Flask * **Dress
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Glow in the Dark Halloween Bucket
How to Repurpose an Old Fall Wreath
Outdoor Movie Night and Fall Popcorn Recipe
October Bucket List…
- Celebrate My Aunt’s Last Chemo Treatment
- Decorate the House for Halloween
- Carve a Pumpkin
- Bake a Loaf of Pumpkin Bread
- Try a New Seasonal Soup
- Buy a Costume for Piper
- Attend Halloween Party with the Pod
- Watch a Movie Outside
- Help Launch On Purpose and Feels Like Home
- Buy a Cable Knit Sweater
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
October Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Fall Planning & Seasonal Activities
- 10/02 Pet Cabinet and Supplies
- 10/09 Garage, Attic or Basement
- 10/16 Holiday Travel Plans
- 10/23 Seasonal and Holiday Decorative Items
- 10/30 Winter or Holiday Bucket List
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 10/22 National Make a Dog’s Day
- 10/23 National Make a Difference Day
- 10/26 National Pumpkin Day
- 10/29 National Cat Day
- 10/31 Halloween
- 11/07 Daylight Savings Time Ends
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
So happy to hear the good news about your sweet aunt. Sending more thoughts and prayers that she gets through the radiation quickly and can finally receive all those hugs you’ve been saving up for her! I absolutely LOVE the idea of having themed gifts for Christmas. I might just have to steal that idea from you. It sounds like such fun! Can’t wait to dig into all the wonderful inspiration you’ve gathered this week! Thank you, as always for putting it together. Have a blessed weekend.
You’ve been such a sweet support during this experience, Christine, we can’t thank you enough for all your prayers. Having a theme each year has been such a game-changer for us because it really helps to narrow things down. Especially, when we’re having to buy birthday gifts for 7 of the 12 of us at the same time. We’re definitely for anything that makes the holidays easier because they can get overwhelming quickly. Hope you find lots of inspiration and have a special week ahead, CoCo
Love your gift themes. That’s such a cute idea. And that cozy cabin is so dreamy! Love me some Chris Stapleton so the video was fun. Always glad to hear some of what y’all do with your family and so happy to hear your Aunt got to ring the bell. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Cindy! The gift themes make it so much easier to plan early for the holidays. Especially, when you have a big family and lots of people to buy for. OMG – Chris Stapleton – I seriously can’t – his voice just sends me over the edge in the best possible way 😍 Thanks so much for all your sweet prayers for my aunt. They mean so much! Sending you lots of hugs and continued prayers for Will, CoCo
Love reading your Friday posts. Thank you for sharing the wonderful news about you Aunt. Such good; pray that she continues to heal
Such sweet and thoughtful words, AJ, thank you so much for all your encouragement, support, and prayers. We really appreciate it! Hope your week is a special one, CoCo