From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch, sweet friends, we’re so grateful to spend some time with you today!
Earlier this week, my bestie S (who also helps run the TCG website) told me about a recent boat trip around the Intercoastal. On the boat were a few family members visiting from out of town all too happy to trade the mountains for the beach and several other families of tourists.
Before leaving the dock the captain gave the group safety instructions, a loose itinerary, nuggets of local folklore, and the best places to see the vast array of wildlife from wild horses to shorebirds to dolphins.
About 10 minutes into the trip, one of the littles caught sight of a dolphin and started screaming in delight. He was so excited he caused the other littles on the boat to join in screaming as well.
I asked S what the parents on the boat did when all the kids were screaming. She kind of laughed and said, “Nothing! They were mesmerized by the dolphins too!”
As a 6th generation native Floridian, I’ve seen this scene play out over and over again. It never gets old to hear someone has spotted a shark’s tooth, a piece of sea glass, or found a new shell to bring home.
Hearing S’s story made me realize there are so many places to treasure this season in our own backyards.
Sure you might not be boating around the Intercoastal with pink sunsets, dolphins, and wild horses but there are plenty of other hidden gems to be rediscovered.
Maybe for you, it’s a theater or museum you’ve always wanted to visit, a new restaurant, a bakery, or a local boutique you want to support.
Maybe there are trails you used to love to hike but haven’t visited in a while. Perhaps there’s an old bridge, a new bike path to try, or a place to kayak on your list you haven’t made time for yet.
Whatever wonder and delight look like for you right now, I encourage you to put yourself at the top of the list. Life goes by too fast so take time to soak in all the treasures surrounding you right now!
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web This Week…
This Home Tour Boasts the Dreamiest White & Wood Kitchen (and the most adorable laundry room too)
This Harbor Lane house is the perfect mix between traditional and coastal.
A luxury cabin tour you have to see to believe!
An Elegant Georgian Home in Hampshire That Exudes Character
My friend Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse finally finished her 1940s 460 sq ft beach cottage and it’s so cute! Have you seen it yet?
A Utility Room Turned Workshop
Spring Cleaning for Your Soul via the faith-based company DaySpring
8 Essential French Girl Wardrobe Staples
Did you know Joann’s sells Liberty Fabrics now?
How cool are these master closet built-ins?
8 Rules to Do Everything Better
The 10 Best Flowering Trees for Your Landscape
Words to Live By…
Second Quarter Books of the Month and Devotional…
(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 to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
- April – The Gift of Home: Beauty and Inspiration to Make Every Space a Special Place by Bre Doucette
- May – The Power to Bless – Speaking Life into Those You Love by Alan Right
- June – Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris by Jennifer L Scott
- Courageous Simplicity: Abide in the Simple Abundance of Jesus
On the Menu this Week…
Week of April 10th – April 17th
- 04/10 Sunday: Spinach Artichoke Ravioli Bake with a side salad
- 04/11 Monday: Slow-Roasted Citrus Salmon with a side of asparagus
- 04/12 Tuesday: Vegetarian Slow Roasted Portabella Mushroom Enchiladas
- 04/13 Wednesday: BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad
- 04/14 Thursday: Greens and Beans Soup
- 04/15 Friday: Saucy Tahini Noodles with Honey’d Sweet Potatoes
- 04/16 Saturday: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas (you could also try steak)
- 04/17 Easter Sunday:
- 26 of Our Best Easter Dinner Ideas
- 70 Best Easter Recipes for Planning the Perfect Sunday Feast
- 85 Easter Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Love
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Pastel Pink and Spring 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 to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
Tunic Shirt Dress * Cheese Spreaders * Wreath * Travel Pouch
Table Runner * Tie Back Dress * Running Shoe * Book
Melamine Cake Stand * Bunny Waffle Maker * Dress * Woven Egg
Candles * Bow Sandals * Throw * Easter PJs
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 Style a Small Hutch with Brown and White Transferware
Little Luxuries: French Press Coffee Tips and Tricks
18 Quick and Easy Spring Project Ideas
Spring Flowers Inspired Tablescape and Blog Hop
Farmhouse Easter Basket Ideas…(96 different basket filler ideas + 16 baskets)
April Bucket List…
- Celebrate April Birthdays
- Order S’s Birthday Cake and Presents
- Celebrate Easter at Bliss Barracks
- Make Easter Basket for Piper
- Meet S for Dinner to Celebrate the End of Tax Season
- Meet Accountability Partner for Lunch and J Crew
- Continue Quarter Challenge in Q2
- Establish Exercise Plan to Strengthen Core
- Begin the Miracle Month with Carrie Green
- Take Part in Jon Acuff’s Overcoming Overthinking Challenge
- Organize and Finish the Laundry Room Makeover
- Begin Morning Pages
- Read the Book of the Month
- Begin Q2 Devotion
- Keep Sundays Sacred
April Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Shared and Common Areas
- 04/02 – Linen Closets
- 04/09 – Laundry Room
- 04/16 – Entry or Mudroom
- 04/23 – Dining Room & Dining Room Hutch/Buffet
- 04/30 – Declutter & Organize Living Room
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 04/09 – Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop
- 04/10 – Palm Sunday, Siblings Day
- 04/11 – National Pet Day
- 04/12 – Spring and Easter Blog Hop
- 04/15 – Good Friday
- 04/17 – Easter Sunday
- 04/18 – Tax Day (US)
- 04/22 – Earth Day
As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing. If you’re a subscriber, we’ll be hopping into your inbox tomorrow for the Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop!
Until then, 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
What a wonderful post again Coco, I really do enjoy them. The homes you took us to are so beautiful, makes me want to throw everything out and start over, Thank you so much. Xx
I know exactly what you mean, Janette, I feel the same way. One minute I’m all, “I’m going to simplify and declutter!” and the next minute, I see a beautiful farmhouse or lakehouse and think, “Maybe I should add more blue in here!” 🤣 Thank you so much for all your kind words and sweet support of these posts, I really appreciate it. I hope your weekend is filled with all your favorite things, CoCo
Funny I’d be screaming with the kids.
Beautiful photos and great storytelling as always
Cindy
I know! It is really cool to see all the dolphins, wild horses and so many other kinds of birds and fish pretty much any time we want. The alligators might be another story though…🤣 Hope your week has been a blessed one, CoCo
CoCo,
We are both fortunate to live close to the coast (well we don’t live there but we can go anytime we want) and sometimes I take my blessings for granted. That was a sweet story and reminds me to enjoy all the moments! Thanks so much for sharing our beach cottage renovation! You are the best.
We really are lucky to live so close to the water, Rachel! Hearing her story of all those screaming kids definitely reminded me to slow down long and enjoy our beautiful weather, the water, the salt air – all the things! It’s really easy to get caught up in the daily grind but I’m committed now more than ever to make time for simple pleasures and little luxuries. Glad to hear you are too! Big hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
I would be just as giddy as those littles if I saw a dolphin! What fun! Can’t wait to check out all the wonderful inspiration you’ve gathered for us! Happy weekend!
I know! It’s fun to see all the different reactions people have no matter if they’ve seen their first one or their 1000th one. I swear we are so lucky God created all this for us! Big hugs and hope your week has been a special one, CoCo
I always get so much inspiration from your weekly post CoCo. Have a good week.
I really appreciate it, Kim, thank you so much! They’re always fun to put together. Big hugs, CoCo