From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the Front Porch, sweet friends.
If you’re one of the thousands of people whose Christmas or holiday vacation did not go as planned, you’re in good company.
We left for the cabin scrambling to get a COVID test after learning we had been exposed and came home to the thunderous clap of almost an entire box of vintage dishes breaking as we opened the hatch to unload the car in the dark.
Thankfully, it wasn’t all crazy though.
In between those two events, we celebrated negative COVID tests multiple times, spent quiet afternoons listening to the rain fall on the cabin’s metal roof and the rush of the river washing over the jagged rocks, bundled up for a winter storm, chose a word of the year, wrote down goals and dreams in our planners, gave a lot of grace, gathered for meals, celebrated Christmas, had tender moments with my sisters, drove through a bridge covered in lights, slowed down to enjoy a family of 9 deer grazing near the cabin, had breakfast with one of Santa’s elves, shopped our favorite stores, bought a gift for next year, hiked with Piper, and shared multiple “sparkle moments” that encouraged us along the way.
It was not easy at times and definitely not what I had envisioned at all.
But those life moments and near joy-stealing interruptions forced us to be intentional with our time, and for that reason alone, the struggle was worth it. We will definitely be carrying these lessons into next year!
If you’re feeling behind, stressed, or even bummed about how your holiday season went, take a few moments to honor those feelings and grieve what might have been.
Then take a deep breath.
It’s not too late to make New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day one you’ll never forget.
It’s not too late to create the year you’ve envisioned, to step into your purpose, to live out your dreams, or to say yes to the life you’ve imagined.
You have plenty of time.
You just have to get started.
Are you ready to make your own kind of magic?
I was hoping you would say that – me too.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
A gorgeous portfolio from Tori Rubinson Interiors.
This Heirloom Home Tour is the stuff dreams are made of!
Every year we try to make our vacation plans in January so we’ll have something fun to look forward to all year. This looks like such a relaxing getaway if Nantucket is on your list.
This B&B (and IG account) will make you want to book a stay in Tuscany ASAP!
Style Lessons From 35 Parisian Apartments
I love the way this photographer captures beautiful interiors.
A floral designer’s Chelsea home decorated for Christmas (the garland on the staircase and the wreath alone are swoon-worthy)
Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Walk a Mile Every Day
10 Fantasies to Let Go of Before the New Year
20 of the Best Retinol Creams and Serums for Every Skin Type
These Will Be The Top Decor Trends of 2022, According to Design Pros
Words to Live By…
Book of the Month…
(Amazon 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)
Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff
Devotion of the Quarter…
(Amazon 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)
**Just a heads up this book/series might be less expensive at DaySpring if you have a coupon
Courageous Influence: Embrace the Way God Made You for Impact
Q&A Friday…
Everyone starts talking about goals and resolutions this time of year and it stresses me out. I struggle to make them because I don’t know where to start. Any ideas?
It’s not uncommon to struggle setting goals so give yourself lots of grace!
The best place to start is to think about what you DON’T want because it will help decide what you DO want.
For example, if you’re tired of a messy house (what you don’t want) you’ll need an easy-to-follow cleaning plan (what you do want).
If you feel tired, busy, and rushed all the time (what you don’t want), you need to sit down and prioritize what’s really important to you (what you do want).
It might seem counterproductive but knowing what you don’t want is a really helpful way to uncover those things you hold most dear.
That way, you’ll be more motivated and willing to put in the hard work and the extra effort it takes to create lasting change.
On the Menu this Week…
Week of January 1st – January 9th
- 12/31 Friday: 50 New Year’s Eve Dinner Ideas to Deliciously Welcome a New Decade
- 01/01 Saturday: A Traditional Southern New Year’s Day Menu (we always have macaroni and cheese for the “gold” which for some reason didn’t make the list)
- 01/02 Sunday: The Best Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup
- 01/03 Monday: Rainbow Buddha Bowl with Cashew Tahini Sauce
- 01/04 Tuesday: Slow Cooker Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole with Everyday Mexican Salad
- 01/05 Wednesday: New Year’s Detox Salad
- 01/06 Thursday: Spicy Fish Stew
- 01/07 Friday: Winter Grain Bowl with Balsamic Dressing
- 01/08 Saturday: Baked Chicken with Unstuffed Mushroom Casserole and green beans
- 01/09 Sunday: Homemade Lasagna with an Italian side salad and crusty loaf
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Luscious Lemon Cream Tart (Low Carb, Keto)
Healthy Start Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week…
(Amazon 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)
Body Love Journal * 5 Minute Journal * Large Dry Erase Board * Task List Planner
Smart Scale * Leggings * Resistance Bands * Water Bottle
Mattress Cover * Sleep Earbuds * Sleep Mask * Sleeping Pillows
Collagen Peptides * Meal Prep Containers * Vitamin C Serum * Affirmation Cards
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
The Most Popular Posts of 2021
(Thank you guys SO MUCH for supporting our Encouragement of the Month posts. I was BLOWN AWAY to see 2 of them make the list this year!)
10 Things You Can Do Now to Prepare for the New Year
Rustic New Year’s Tablescape & Virtual Cocktail Party Blog Hop
Cozy Winter Nesting Ideas & Winter Home Tour Blog Hop
13 Ways to Feel More Organized Everyday
(My personal favorite Encouragement of the Month post in case you need a pep talk for 2022)
January Bucket List…
- Favorite Things on New Year’s Day
- Celebrate my birthday and my Mom’s Milestone Birthday
- Begin 5 Minute Journal
- Establish Skincare Routine
- Eat Greens with Every Meal
- Drink Water Before Coffee
- Create a Cozy Winter Home
- Buy a New Sleeping Pillow & Mattress Cover
- Begin (in)courage Bible Study/Devotion
- Reestablish Morning & Nightly Routines
- Transition to Afternoon Workout Routine
- Plan Valentine’s Day Activities
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
January Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Health-Wellness Routines & Home Keeping Systems
- 01/01 Morning Routine & Workout Routine
- 01/08 Nightly Routine with 15 Minute Clutter Catcher
- 01/15 Cleaning Schedule
- 01/22 Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping
- 01/29 Organize the Pantry & Spices
- 02/05 Organize the Refrigerator & Freezer
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 01/01 New Year’s Day
- 01/01 Buy January Birthday & Special Occasion Cards and Gifts
- 01/02 World Introvert Day
- 01/08 National Bubble Bath Day
- 01/14 Buy Valentines Cards, Gifts & Countdown Calendar Supplies
- 01/16 National Use Your Gift Card Day
- 01/17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- 01/23 National Pie Day
- 01/24 National Compliment Day
- 01/25 National Plan for Vacation Day
- 01/26 National Green Juice Day
- 01/27 National Chocolate Cake Day
- 01/31 National Hot Chocolate Day
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 sorry to read about the dishes always makes me mad and sad at the same time when that sort of thing happens. I hope your new year goes smoothly, wishing you and yours good health. Take care.x
Oh I want to go to Tuscany! Thanks for all these incredible links. Have a blessed new year.
Loved today’s post. Just ordered the (in)courage and daily tasks books. 2 of my goals for 2022 are to do more Bible study and to stay on top of my “projects”; both suggestions came at a perfect time for me. I look forward to your posts and make time to sit and read (usually more than once) your Friday posts. Looking forward to 2022. Happy New Year
I’m so excited you’ll be doing the (in)courage: Courageous Influence Bible Study too, AJ. There are 4 books in the series so reading one each quarter seemed like a good plan. Plus, I figured it would give us plenty of time to go at our own pace and put the things we’re learning into practice as well. I’m also excited about your goal to stay on top of your projects! It always feels so good to know you’ve been able to accomplish a goal no matter how big or small. The two things that help me most are setting aside Sunday afternoons to plan out the week ahead (you could definitely choose another day though) and breaking down big goals into tiny micro goals so they feel totally doable. I’ll be cheering you on so keep up the good work, and thanks so much for being such a sweet support of our Friday posts. They’re always fun to put together. Hugs for a happy weekend, Coco
I always look forward to reading what’s happening from “the porch”.
I wish you and yours a very happy new year!!!!!!!!!!
Take care:)
“National Use Your Gift Card Day” omgoodness that made me chuckle!!
I know, Cindy! I swear there is a “National Day” for everything. I put it on my calendar though because it was a good reminder. I’m always forgetting to use mine and then wonder why it only has a $5 balance left after a year of sitting in my wallet 😂 Big hugs for a happy week and fun shopping trips ahead, CoCo