From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends. Thanks so much for making us a part of your day!
How are you?
If there’s one thing I’ve heard over and over again these past few weeks, it’s a version of this…
“How are we halfway through the year already?”
or
“Where has the time gone?”
So, when July 2 rolled around and we officially began marching towards 2023, I have to admit, it was pretty crazy to think that half of 2022 was already in the books.
I know most people don’t keep a diary nowadays and some of you might not keep a calendar either.
But I want to encourage you to keep track of how you’re spending your days. That way, at the end of the week, month, or year you’ll know exactly how you prioritized your life.
One really quick way to keep track of special moments, milestone events, or things you found encouraging is to attach a piece of brown kraft paper to your office wall or the back of a door.
If you don’t have kraft paper on hand you can also use a foam core board or a poster board. Either way, just be sure you use pens or markers that won’t bleed through your paper and tape that won’t take your paint off the door.
Once you have everything secure, start listing the highlights from the day, week, month, or year.
They can be as big as “Survived One Year of Cancer” to “Dream Trip to Paris” to “Completed Half Marathon.”
I want to also encourage you to write down things you might consider small like “Lit Candles at Dinner Every Night This Week,” “Hiked a New Trail,” “Tried a New Red Lipstick and Loved It,” “Surprised My Spouse With a Babysitter and a Spontaneous Dinner Out.”
While I’ve always held the small things dear it wasn’t until I started this exercise that I realized the significant role they play in our lives.
Truth be told, I’ve had a lot more milestone moments (shown in marker) than I thought I would and I’m incredibly grateful for each and every one of them.
But as I look across the canvas, I immediately appreciate all the small changes, the tiny tweaks, the healthy choices, setting boundaries, being intentional with our time, money, and energy so that we could be fully present, the invitation to slow down and give ourselves what we really needed even when it was hard that I know made the biggest difference.
If the first half of the year hasn’t looked like what you expected, please know you can make a change at any time.
You don’t have to wait for Monday or January 1st.
All you have to do is decide how you want to spend the rest of 2022 and get started.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, it simply needs to be your priority.
PS: A peek at our Summer Porch which I’ll share next week.
PPS: I was this close to editing out the bruise on my arm, but if you have a dog that is extremely fearful and overstimulated by loud noises you get it – 4th of July with Piper was no joke!
On a side note, she “helped” plant the container gardens on the porch 😆 What can I say, she wants to be good, I can feel it, she just can’t figure out how to be good quite yet but she’s trying.
A Few of Our Favorite Things From Around the Web This Week…
This small farmhouse-style cottage on a Swedish allotment looks like the perfect way to slow down and celebrate summer.
Everything about this stone cottage is amazing!
A master cottage that has such a South Florida vibe.
I’m pretty sure I just found my dream breakfast nook in this beautiful home tour.
James Farmer’s birthday dinner is just as amazing as you would expect it to be.
This Gingerberry Lemonade looks so good!
Every inch of this cottage container garden is fabulous!
Can you even with these stunning New Dawn Roses?
How to Make a Dried Peony Wreath
Little Things That Aren’t That Little (this is a great post if you’re looking for simple ways to bring bits of joy into each day)
How To Be Ok with Not Making Everybody Happy
Did you know J Crew Factory has a Today’s $10 Deals page?
You’ll definitely need this dress if you want to channel your inner Kate Middleton.
Have you seen this trailer for Persuasion yet?
Words to Live By…
Third Quarter Books of the Month and Devotional…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon 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)
- July: How Are You, Really? by Jenna Kutcher (I’ve highlighted SO many parts of this book. If you need a post-pandemic reset, a friendly nudge, or a no-nonsense pep talk – read this book!)
- August: Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life by Shira Gill
- September: A More Beautiful Life: A Simple Five-Step Approach to Living Balanced Goals with HEART by Whitney English
- Quarter 3 Devotional: Courageous Joy: Delight in God in Every Season by (in)courage
On the Menu this Week…
Week of July 8th July 15th
- 07/08 Friday: Caprese Sandwich with potato salad and side of field greens
- 07/09 Saturday: Grilled Salmon with Peach Salsa
- 07/10 Sunday: One Pan Balsamic Steak and Veggies
- 07/11 Monday: Green Power Bowl
- 07/12 Tuesday: Doritos Chicken Casserole
- 07/13 Wednesday: Chopped Salad with Garlic Dill Ranch Dressing
- 07/14 Thursday: Cucumber Avocado Gazpacho with Shrimp
- 07/15 Friday: Old Bay Grilled Lime Tuna Steak
- 07/16 Saturday: Chicken Fried Steak with steamed veggies and cauliflower mash
- 07/17 Sunday: Mushroom Ravioli with Spinach
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Peach Ice Cream with Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookie Crumble
Neutral Summer 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 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 to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
Midi Dress * Crease Release * Lint Rake * Storage Boxes
Dessert Plates * Maxi Dress * Rug * Bar Cart
Weekender * Nail Strengthening Cream * Striped Dress * Pillow Covers
Beverage Tub * Pumice Stone * Hair Clips * Sleeveless Dress
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
10 Things That Made the Biggest Difference in Quarter 2
Cottage Inspired Summer Entry and Dining Room
Summer Cottage Inspired Porch Tour (our porch tour from 2020)
July Bucket List…
- Celebrate Independence Day
- Prepare the Porch for Summer
- Make Peach Ice Cream
- Take Piper to the Beach
- Sparklers with the Littles
- Family Picnic at the Farm
- Attend a Summer Yard Sale
- Christmas in July Activities
- Begin Summer Routines
- Begin Quarter 3 Challenge
- Plan Fall and Winter Content
- Post a Blog Video
- Read the Book of the Month
- Start Quarter 3 Devotional
- Keep Sundays Sacred
July Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Kids Rooms or Guest Rooms & Bathrooms
- 07/02 – Kids Room or Guest Room
- 07/09 – Kids Room or Guest Room Closet & Drawers
- 07/16 – Kids Room or Guest Room Bathroom & Cabinets
- 07/23 – Back to School Supplies/ Toys & Games
- 07/30 – Clean Out/Organize Your Car
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts
- 07/06 – 07/31 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (*Nordstrom members have the earliest access)
- 07/09 – National Sugar Cookie Day
- 07/11-07/13 – Target Deal Days
- 07/12 – National Simplicity Day
- 07/12 & 07/13 – Amazon Prime Days
- 07/14 – Bastille Day
- 07/17 – National Ice Cream Day
- 07/18 – Amazon Prime Day
- 07/20 – National Hot Dog Day
- 07/31 – National Mutt 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
CoCo! Thank you so much for the share this week! I absolutely love your From the Front Porch posts! Fun of such beautiful inspiration. I loved the little things that aren’t little post you shared. Have a great weekend!! XoXo
You are so welcome, Aliya! All your container gardens are just gorgeous. I love how that space has become a piece of paradise to slow down and enjoy the blessings you have been given lately. It’s such a beautiful reminder that good things take time. Sending you lots of hugs and continuing to pray for your family’s adoption journey, CoCo
Hi! I enjoyed reading all your posts this week! I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that half the year is gone! It just doesn’t seem possible! I can see Piper is keeping you on your toes! Our dogs are 15 years old and we’re having several issues with them that are causing us to lose sleep! Pets can be such a joy and difficult at the same time! Piper is lucky to have you! Hope you have a blessed week! Donna
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement, Donna! Piper has turned our world inside out and upside down that’s for sure. We’re taking it day by day but she has definitely been our toughest rescue to date. I’m pretty sure there will be a “no more terriers” rule instituted in our house after this one 😆 I’ll be keeping you guys in my prayers as you navigate the journey with senior dogs. It is not an easy one! We had 3 rescues before Piper that lived to 19, 18, and 17. They were a huge blessing in our lives right up until they passed away. But learning how to handle their needs as 2 of them navigated canine dementia took a lot of trial and error. Hang in there – they are lucky to be loved by you and your family. Wishing you an amazing second half of 2022 filled with extra special adventures and magical days! Big hugs, CoCo
okay, I have to confess – I whizzed by the rest of the post after I clicked on the movie trailer for Persuasion just so I could say – AAAAAHHHHH! My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice (both of them) and hadn’t heard this was coming out. Super excited. Wish we could go see it together. I’d make us dress up, gloves and all and drink tea with our pinkies up while we watch.
Loving that south Florida vibe in that house too. Makes the hot weather seem cooler for some reason. Hope you have a great weekend! Big hugs
That would be so much fun, Cindy. I’d meet you there in a heartbeat! I hope the movie is as good as it looks. It fascinates me we’re still talking about all the books and making adaptations of them into movies. It’s like each generation puts their own spin on Jane Austen and I love it! Preach it lady – we definitely need a cooler vibe in Florida today. Even with the daily afternoon showers it still feels like 107 even though the temp is only 92 degrees! Sending you tons of love and hugs as I know the weathr in Texas is no joke, CoCo
CoCo,
I just love the positive way you always talk about Piper! Even when she’s having a hard time you always say how sweet she is. She’s in good hands. Vee
Aww thank you, Vee! I SO needed that encouragement this week. Part of her OCD and anxiety issues are related to being overstimulated by loud noises and light. So, the 4th of July was a tough one for her and now we have late afternoon/evening thundershowers. It hasn’t really given either of us too much of a break from the loud noises but we’re making it. I just keep telling her to hold on because winter is coming 😆 and she hasn’t bitten me this week so that’s a bonus as well 🙌 Sending you lots of hugs and thank you for your sweet words, CoCo
I always love Fridays! Your post is such a joy to read. I too have been thinking of where the time has gone this year. It’s hard to believe we are more than half over. Love all your ideas and weekly quote. Thank you for the continued inspiration you give me my friend.
So happy to hear you like these Friday posts, Kim, they’re definitely a fan favorite. It is WILD to think we’re already halfway through the year and July as well. In the past, it would have freaked me out thinking of all the things I felt like I needed to get done before the year was over. Now though, I appreciate how those same freakouts also taught me there’s joy in the journey and that we all have the power to create a home and life we love with intention. Hope it inspires you too! Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
Another amazing From The Front Porch!! Beautiful words as always, CoCo! Hope you’ve had a great weekend!
Thank you bunches, Rachel! My baby sister was the inspiration for these posts and I’m shocked and thankful at how popular they’ve been. It’s crazy to think we can access creativity from all over the world. I’ve spent most of the week down a rabbit hole and trying to get all my social media posts planned – having to learn Reels is no joke 😆 Big hugs, CoCo
Coco,
This is a very inspiring post….What a great idea….So many times we look back on days, weeks, months and think that we have not done much with our life and this is a great reminder….Thanks so much for sharing!!!
And thanks so much for stopping by!! I truly appreciate you taking the time to visit and that you left such a sweet comment!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Speak to my heart, Debbie! So many times I’ve put my head on the pillow at night and wondered where the day went even though I was running around all day. Taking just a few minutes each day to write down the good things that happened or to celebrate the little wins was a huge game-changer for us and I’m happy it will help you too. Heading over now to see what you’ve been up to. Big hugs, CoCo
I love the idea of using kraft paper to mark down special moments or memories or milestones. I like that the milestones are in marker. I need to start doing this right now. Have a lovely week and thank you for sharing such fabulous inspiration and ideas!
Thank you so much, Kim! It’s really neat when you can see all the little moments add up no matter if they’re milestone moments or if you’re making a concerted effort to make each day more intentional. Even with a busy schedule I truly believe you can find time to enjoy simple pleasures each day. Hope you’ve had a great week, CoCo
What a cute fur baby photo. I love them after a bath. They look so little. Can’t wait to see your porch.
Thank you so much, Rachel! I could not get over how dirty Piper was because I literally ran into the house super quick to get a drink and came back and she looked like Pigpen 😂 She was a mess! Our summer porch tour was so much fun to create. It’s one of my favorite places to start and end the day. Speaking of which, hope you are enjoying all the sunrises and sunsets at the beach. Big hugs, CoCo
Hi CoCo-
I love the idea of have kraft paper on the wall so you can keep yourself inspired by the little things. Every night I try to light a nice candle on the coffee table. I refer to this as “wind down time”. One thing I would like to start doing more of – is using cloth napkins during our meals. Its a little thing. Right? But it completely changes the feel of a meal.
I hope Piper has recovered from the 4th of July! That was a darling photo of her.
Thank you for inspiring us and reminding us what’s important.
It’s so special you light a candle each night as a way to wind down, Anna! I know it makes such a huge difference too. I love how easily fragrance can make the entire room smell fresh and uplift your mood after a long day too. We bought my Mom a special candle while we were in Savannah celebrating her birthday and she tells us all the time she thinks about that trip every time she lights the candle. Using cloth napkins definitely changes the feel of a meal. It’s such a small step that makes a huge difference. Thanks so much for your sweet comment about Piper. She’s a sweet mess and we love her to pieces – bites and all. Hugs, CoCo