From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch friends!
I’m keeping it short and sweet today as I’m spending a few days with my family at Bliss Barracks. I’m hoping to photograph their tree and other holiday decorations, as well as, my bedroom while I’m there.
My Mom and I also have plans to shop at a few estate sales and outdoor events because I need to find more blush ornaments with a vintage vibe for the tree.
I’m hoping to find a gingerbread house for the kitchen so our holiday home will finally be decorated. If we find anything fun, I’ll be sure to share it all next week!
A big thank you to my bestie S for holding down the TCG fort while I’m gone and for taking care of my wild lady, Piper.
While this week and next promise to be an incredibly busy time as we inch closer to Thanksgiving and the holidays, I’m hoping we can all find ways to pause for just a minute here and there to enjoy the everyday magic that surrounds us.
I’ll be thinking of you as you prepare to welcome guests into your home, travel to see loved ones, and officially begin to soak up the season.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
8 Items That Will Make Your Thanksgiving Memorable
14 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Ideas
If you’re still looking for Thanksgiving tablescape inspiration, you might want to try this pretty fruit and flowers idea.
I love these magnolia-inspired ideas too! They’re such a beautiful way to transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
I recently sent this holiday home tour to my Mom because I knew she would love it. It’s filled with reds and plaids and gorgeous equestrian touches!
Ken Fulk Creates a Montana Guesthouse That’s The Ultimate Winter Getaway (think ski-lodge dreamy-those bunk beds, right? So elegant – I can’t get over them!)
This Downton Abbey-inspired Christmas tour never gets old!
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree Like a Professional in 12 Steps
7 Inexpensive Christmas Décor Ideas
If you need an energy boost, check out these vitamins.
35 Gratitude Affirmations to Help You Get Through the Holidays
The Simplest Ways to Find Calm In the Middle of Life’s Constant Chaos
What To Wear: Outfits for Thanksgiving
These seasonal storage ideas blew my mind!
Words to Live By…
Q & A Friday…
I’m hosting Thanksgiving for the first time and I’m already overwhelmed by the amount of things I have to accomplish before everyone gets here. How do you stay organized when there is so much to do?
Hosting Thanksgiving for the first time is such a big deal. I’m definitely proud of you for taking on this challenge!
First, I set my personal expectations. It’s not always easy to roll with it but I know in advance there will be lots of things I can’t control.
Next, I take out a piece of paper to do a brain dump and write down all the things I can think of that need to be done or picked up.
After that, I highlight those tasks only I can do in pink, then I highlight tasks that can be delegated in green. If there are tasks on the list that could go either way or be prepped in advance I highlight those in yellow.
Once the lists are finished, I get a game plan together and start working on my priorities a little bit each day.
The most important thing you can do is to keep yourself organized, get good sleep, eat nourishing foods, meditate if you need to and wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.
Most of the time people won’t remember what you’re house looked like or how your turkey and sides tasted. They’ll remember how you made them feel.
So, take a deep breath, relax and greet them at the front door as your best self.
Cheering you on – you’ve got this!
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)
- November: Cozy White Cottage Seasons: 100 Ways to Be Cozy All Year Long by Liz Marie Galvan **This book launches on November 23 so be sure to pick up your pre-order freebies here before they’re gone!**
- December: Dream Big by Bob Goff
On the Menu this Week…
Week of November 21 – November 28
- 11/21 Sunday: Spicy Baked Pasta with Cheddar and Broccoli Rabe
- 11/22 Monday: Fall Panzanella Salad
- 11/23 Tuesday: Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken Chile
- 11/24 Wednesday: Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board (these are so creative)
- 11/25 Thursday: Thanksgiving Day (US)
- A Gluten and Dairy Free Thanksgiving Menu
- 34 Thanksgiving Appetizers Your Guests Will Devour
- 60 Thanksgiving Recipes That Are as Easy as Pie
- 11/26 Friday: The Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
- 11/27 Saturday: Shrimp Farro and Red Pepper Soup
- 11/28 Sunday: Roasted Flank Steak with veggies
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
50 Traditional Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
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)
**Pillow Covers * Ginger Jar Ornaments * Candle * **Navy Sweater
Small Ginger Jar * Magnolia Pick * Doormat * Plaid Gift Wrap
**Tree * Wall Art * Plate * Sherpa Vest
Red Sweater * Wreath * Candle Holders * Boots
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 Create a Meaningful Advent Calendar
How to Create a Gift Wrap Station From a Dresser
Vintage Inspired Gift Tags Ideas
25 Simple Christmas DIY Gift Ideas
2021 TCG Holiday Gift Guide (160 ideas on 10 inspiration boards)
November Bucket List…
- Support Indigenous People and Organizations
- Celebrate Thanksgiving
- Make a Blessings Leaf Garland
- Fly the Flag and Take Dad to Lunch for Veteran’s Day
- Go to an Outdoor Antique Event
- Decorate the House for the Holidays
- Craft Christmas Ornaments
- Bake a Pecan Pie with Pecans from the Pecan Grove
- Sip on Hot Apple Cider
- Try a New Seasonal Inspired Side Dish
- Finalize Holiday Plans
- Attend Family Chili Night and Lighting of the Star at the Farm
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
November Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Holiday Planning & Prep
- 11/06 Christmas Card Contact List
- 11/13 Thanksgiving Menu/Grocery Shopping
- 11/20 Christmas Paper & Gift Wrap Supplies
- 11/27 Christmas Shopping/Naughty or Nice List
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 11/19 Equal Opportunity Day
- 11/25 Thanksgiving Day (US)
- 11/26 Black Friday
- 11/27 Shop Small Saturday
- 11/28 First Day of Advent, Hanukkah Begins
- 11/29 Cyber Monday
- 11/30 Giving Tuesday
- 11/30 Christmas Inspiration Blog Hop
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
The first few lines of your blog today made me cry. My mom died when I was 20 years old. We had just started becoming “friends.” I was driving (something my mom never did) and so I took her only a few times, once to drive past my aunt’s new house. I remember us both saying how beautiful it was because it was brick. The ride didn’t last long because she wasn’t feeling well. The cancer eventually got to her and there I was, 20 years old without a clue. Anyway, what I really wanted to tell you (and I am sure you already know this), please appreciate every single second, every laugh, every tear, with your mom. I hope you have a wonderful time shopping and laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Much love to you both and a most blessed and gracious Thanksgiving.
Thank you so much for this comment, Lisa, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I am so sorry for your loss and for the time you missed together too. I know the holiday season is not always an easy one so I’ll be thinking of you and keeping your words close. We all need gentle reminders to make every moment of every single day count and your comment couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Sending you lots of hugs for a peace-filled Thanksgiving. May you feel your Mom’s ever-present love right when you need it most, CoCo
Looking forward to all the inspiration you’ve found this week! I hope you enjoy your visit with your family this weekend! Hugs!
Thanks so much, Christine! We had a great time and it was definitely fun to see them before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season really sets in. I know you’re busy preparing for overnight guests too. Hope you guys have the best time visiting! Hugs, CoCo
Enjoy your weekend! I’m off to read all of the articles now open on my computer.
I know that feeling very well, Paula 🙌 Sending you and your family lots of hugs for a joy-filled Thanksgiving celebration, CoCo
I’m so inspired by your From the Front Porch Post, CoCo! You are so organized. I seriously need some improvement in that department! Hope you have fun on your trip and searching for the items you are looking for with your mom. 😊 Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!
So glad you like these Friday posts, Cindy! They’re always fun to put together. Staying organized is something I work at all the time too. Once you get a system in place you love, it’s definitely a game changer. Hope your holiday week is filled with all good things, CoCo
It sounds like you have had an incredibly busy November. Take time to relax and enjoy Thanksgiving, you deserve it.
Thank you, Karen! I try not to leave all the celebrations until the end of the year because of the holidays but with all our birthdays and anniversaries happening at the same time it’s hard to do 😉 I’m definitely looking forward to time snuggled up by the fire watching movies with big bowls of popcorn and plenty of cocoa. Hope you are too! Hugs for a happy holiday season, CoCo