From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends. We’re thankful to have you here and appreciate you spending time with us today.
On Wednesday, I found myself rushing our sweet rescue Piper inside the house – again.
She’s not fond of anything that moves quickly including insects. So, she’s constantly trying to “take them down” and has no problem leaping up mid-air to grab “one of the bad guys.”
I know it’s part of her breed.
Terriers are playful and fiercely loyal. But they can also be territorial and protective.
Even to a fault.
While we watch her like a hawk, she’s still quicker than we are which is scary because she’s highly allergic to insect bites.
So for the second time this week, we had to rush her inside the house to quickly give her some medicine.
As I scooped her up I said, “For the love, Piper, how many more times are you going to do this? You are stressing me out,” in a slightly frustrated voice.
She bashfully looked me square in the face as if to say, “It’s just my nature. I want to be good but I just don’t know how sometimes!”
There was something in her eyes that made me realize it was pointless to get upset because it’s her job to protect us.
A job she seems to take a lot of pride in even as a 3-year-old pup.
After I got her settled though, I realized the moment had truly turned out to be an unexpected but necessary reminder of how grace works.
Small yet monumental gifts of love, at just the right time, whether we deserve them or not.
I know things have been heavy these past few weeks and it’s hard to find hope sometimes. But as long as there is grace there will always be hope.
A Few of Our Favorite Things From Around the Web This Week…
Nobody does blue and white like Mark D Sikes, swoon!
Marie Flanigan gets me every time, wait until you see this Marble Falls project.
This house in Cedar Key looks warm and inviting!
There are so many beautiful things to love about the Woodcrest Remodel but the dog bath is too fabulous to miss.
Have you seen this gorgeous home tour by Katie Rosenfeld Design yet? There’s a brown and white transferware wall!
Speaking of brown and white transferware, have you seen this stunning spring tablescape?
What about this beautiful pink and green tablescape to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? (Rachel and Michele get me every time!)
21 Great St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas (this was such a festive round-up from Carol)
A Beginner’s Guide to Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden (such a helpful post from Kim)
How to Liven Up a Boring Sweater
10 Fruits to Lower Your Blood Sugar
8 Long Distance Friendship Ideas to Try This Season
This Is Emotional Exhaustion Showing Up in The Body
If you’re still looking for ways to help Ukraine, Chef Jose Andres World Central Kitchen is currently on the ground.
Words to Live By…
Books of the Month and Devotion to Read This Quarter…
(Amazon and Target affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate and an 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)
- January – Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff (LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I STILL use several of the techniques I learned in this book over two months later)
- February – Master of One: Find and Focus on the Work You Were Created to Do by Jordan Raynor (not what I expected at all but there were a few nuggets of widsom)
- March – Declutter Like a Mother: A Guilt-Free No Stress Way Transform Your Home and Your Life by Allie Casazza (Start with the bathroom? Such a great tip if you’re already overwhelmed by making decisions on how to cut clutter. I’m learning a lot from this book even though I can’t relate to the Mom parts!)
- Courageous Influence: Embrace the Way God Made You for Impact (one of the best ways to kick off quiet time each morning. I was so sad to finish this one but thankful there are 3 others in the series and I can’t wait to dive in!)
On the Menu this Week…
Week of March 13th – March 20th
- 03/13 Sunday: Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak with Blue Cheese Butter and a wedge salad
- 03/14 Monday: National Pi Day – Pi Day 2022 Food Deals, Discounts, and Freebies for Pies, and Pizzas
- 03/15 Tuesday: Crockpot Mexican Street Corn & Chicken Chowder
- 03/16 Wednesday: Julie Blanner’s Spring Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing
- 03/17 Thursday: St. Patrick’s Day Menu Ideas
- 03/18 Friday: 30 Minute Creamy Sesame Miso Ramen with Crispy Mushrooms
- 03/19 Saturday: Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi (we’ll be adding additional veggies)
- 03/20 Sunday: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
55 Delicious Pie Recipes for Every Season
Pastel Inspired Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon and Target This Week…
(Amazon and Target affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate and an 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)
(Each week we choose these affiliate links with you in mind and provide them for your convenience. Some of these items I’ve purchased or gifted, some of them have been recommended by fellow bloggers, friends, or family members. Sometimes I share things I have in my cart but haven’t received yet and sometimes I share things that have caught my eye, I think are pretty, and you will enjoy. Given the quality of an item can be viewed as subjective from one person to another, please be sure to read the information provided by each link so you can make an informed and educated decision.
As always, thanks so much for shopping the links that help support the blog and enable us to continue to provide free content for all to enjoy.)
Nail Lacquer * Bird’s Nest * Sleeveless Dress * Hydrangeas
Eggs * Flower Hunter * Spring Wreath * Brush Set (have and love)
Bowls * Heels * Basket * Nest Plates
Eyelet Dress * Side Table * Pillow * Wrinkle Removal Strips
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
The Best White Spray Paint and Wax Combinations for Home Decor Accessories
How to Easily Clean Wax Brushes Without Mineral Spirits
DIY Bird’s Nest and Aged Clay Pots
Spring at The Crowned Goat Cottage
March Bucket List…
- Celebrate Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, and Piper’s Adoption Day
- Decorate the House for Spring
- Finish the Jack and Jill Bathroom
- Replant Container Gardens on the Front Porch
- Shop for Easter Basket Gifts
- Buy New Bra and Panty Sets
- Get a Fresh Haircut
- Yoga Before Bed
- Continue Quarter Challenge
- Read the book of the month
- Keep Sundays sacred
March Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Master Bedroom and Bathroom
- 03/05 – Master Bedroom
- 03/12 – Master Bedroom Drawers
- 03/19 – Master Bedroom Closet & Accessories
- 03/26 – Master Bathroom Cabinets and Countertops
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 03/13 – Daylight Savings Time Begins,
- 03/14 – National Pi Day
- 03/17 – St. Patrick’s Day
- 03/20 – First Day of Spring
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
Hi CoCo! I was happy to see this in my inbox today! Since Feb 18, I have only gotten three emails from you. I can see on the blog you have been posting regularly, so wondering if there’s a problem with your email?? Would love to connect on one of your zoom calls, you know how much I love home organization, lol!!! Have a great day, Donna
Thank you, Donna! We’ve had to rethink the way we send our emails for now as we consider a new provider so I really appreciate you saying that, it was not a decision we took lightly at all We’re still posting Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and sometimes on Tuesdays when we can squeeze out an extra post. We would love to have you on the Zoom call. I’ll send you a confirmation email now and will send you another email on Monday morning with all the additional details. Hope you’re having a great week so far, CoCo
Wonderful post once again Coco and I so enjoyed reading it, especially about your sweet puppy, you are so lucky to have found each other. Enjoy your weekend.xx
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Janette! She’s a little wild thing but she’s definitely a keeper. She’s already brought so much joy to our lives and I know she will continue to do so even as she gets the hang of being better behaved. A lot of people have told me JRTs settle down a bit around 5-7 so we’ll see! Sending you hugs for a happy spring season, CoCo
CoCo,
I look so forward to your Friday posts as well as all you share with us. You are so sweet to share my tablescape this week. I hope you have the best weekend. Thanks for all your support.
You’re so sweet, Rachel, thank you! You constantly inspire me with your talent and I love seeing all that you’re up to. I wish all the time we lived closer so I could craft and treasure hunt right alongside you. You would have to cook for us though because my house currently smells like burnt veggie bacon 😂 Big hugs, CoCo
I would love it. Poor Piper. She’s doing her job snd may slow down a bit at 5.
Thank goodness she’s okay! She wants the bad guys out
Piper is like the best mess! She tried to dig up 2 poisonous frogs yesterday. Thankfully, I was outside with her before she had a chance to put them in her mouth but goodness gracious she has a nose like a bloodhound and is as determined as a german shepherd to rid this yard of anything she feels should not be here 😆 I never thought a dog would need a nanny but she definitely needs one 😂 I’m running behind on everything this week so I’m excited to head over to your blog now and see what you’ve been up to! Big hugs, CoCo
Another fun to read and Informative post today. Thank you. You are correct; the past few weeks have felt heavy. Ukraine is far away and besides praying (which is always helpful!) there is not a lot we can do from here in the US. One way we can help is by giving money to a charity that will have a direct impact on the people in Ukraine as well as the surrounding countries that are welcoming the refugees. There are many wonderful organizations and World Kitchen is one of those. Chef Andres and his team are making a direct impact on people’s lives. Thank you for mentioning his charity today!
It’s definitely been heartbreaking to see everything the people of Ukraine are going through right now, AJ. And at the same time, it’s also been heartwarming to see how people are stepping up to help. From donating to organizations like World Kitchen to the mothers of Poland who left strollers at the border for the Ukrainian mothers, teams that have gone in to help rescue animals to the ballet dancers that got a second chance to study it blows my mind how people are heading the call to help. We’ve also donated to causes that are directly on the ground and I’ll be adding my prayers to yours daily. Hope your spring season is off to a great start! I can’t believe we’re already in the middle of the month! Hugs, CoCo
What you said at the beginning about Piper and grace, it reminds me of Romans 6:14 – For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. Beautiful words and a great reminder!
As for the rest of the post, lovely as always. I want the transferware in Michelle’s amazing table setting and the transferware wall in that other home! I can never find any of that where I live. Total bummer.
I know you’ll get lots of takers on your Zoom call. That’s a great idea. Maybe one day I’ll get the courage to do that as well. Loved our chat! Big hugs, sincere thoughts and lots of prayer and encouraging vibes coming your way. XO
That is such a beautiful reminder, Cindy, thank you so much for sharing that scripture! I know what you mean about the transferware for every 50-75 times I go out I find a piece. I’ve looked online but it’s sometimes 3-5 times what we pay here for it so it must be a hot ticket item now. Our chat was one of the biggest reasons I decided to do a Zoom call in the first place – I had so much fun with you! There are still 2 spots left if you want to join us – we’d love to have you. Sending you tons of love and hugs, CoCo
CoCo, love all your photos…so very spring like in their pastel colors.
Such a sweet thing to say, Karen, thank you! I can be a bit of a perfectionist sometimes so I constantly have to remind myself I’m still learning. Especially, when it comes to photography. Hope your week has been a blessed one, CoCo
As always, a wonderful post, CoCo. Life is definitely stressful these days and my heart is breaking for the people of Ukraine. xo Laura
I’m right there with you, Laura, every day I wonder when they’re going to get some kind of relief. At this point, any moment of joy or sense of peace would be life-giving. Sending you hugs for a happy week, CoCo