From the Front Porch

Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends. We appreciate you making us a part of your day today!

Late last week, I found myself watching an episode of All Creatures Great and Small. I was set to meet the littles at the zoo the following morning and desperately needed something to help take my mind off the anxiety of driving.

In the episode, a young veterinarian was trying to help a grieving widow figure out how to save the family farm. Truthfully, they were in dire straits because the cows were sick and dying faster than they could successfully treat them.

The widow was adamant she was going to save the farm though, not only because it was their home and only source of income, but because it was also her children’s birthright and late husband’s legacy.

In one particularly dramatic scene, the vet conveyed, “There is no courage without fear,” and it immediately stuck with me.

So much so, that I repeated it to myself all the way to the zoo the following day.

Despite it being crazy hot, we saw, petted, and fed all our favorite animals, got misted in the 4D theater, drank slushies that turned our tongues blue, rode the train and the carousel, and searched for lucky pennies.

On our way back to the cars my niece gave me a sidearm hug.

“Thanks for being brave and meeting us today, CoCo. I had fun with you,” she said.

“You’re the brave one for hugging me, I’m a sweaty sticky mess!” I teased back.

She giggled and for a brief second, almost let it go.

But she was still holding on to my waist when she decided it was too important to ignore.

“I heard you tell Mimi you were still nervous to drive a car,” she said, “I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated that you did something scary for us because today has been so much fun.”

Fighting back tears, I squeezed her tight and said, “You’re welcome, you’re worth it.”

On the way home, I thought about how much courage it takes to truly show up each day.

For me, it looks like getting behind the wheel of a car. For my niece, it was speaking love into a tender situation.

It might look like navigating a new job, finally taking a dream vacation after years of saving, celebrating the fact you made it through a scary doctor’s appointment, that your little has successfully been potty trained or waiting for an answer on a situation you’ve been praying about for months instead of taking the easiest route and rushing through.

Courage for you might look like trying something new, getting back on track with goals you’ve let fall by the wayside this summer or protecting your best self with healthy boundaries.

While I’ve yet to experience the thrill of courage, without first, the anguish of fear, I truly believe courage can be practiced in big and small ways.

So, as you walk boldly down the school supply aisle and prepare your heart and home for all the good things coming your way in August, I want to encourage you to think about ways you can show up and speak up – even when it feels scary.

Cheering you on as you take the next steps!

A Few of Our Favorite Things From Around the Web This Week…

How pretty is this French-inspired Christmas in July tour?

The blush and gold tree from my dreams! Those little donut ornaments are about to put me over the edge in the best possible way 🙌

If you love the elegant simplicity of a Scandinavian Christmas with lots of white, you’ll love this post.

These DIY Paper Trees would be great to make now and squirrel away for the holidays.

This homemade Advent calendar is really beautiful.

I have no idea how Monika Hibbs always comes up with so many creative ideas but I’ve loved every holiday home tour she’s shared.

This Christmas home tour mixes blue and green plaid with pops of copper and it’s so warm and cozy.

Did you have a chance to see the new Downton Abbey movie? It was a good one! Speaking of which, this Downton Abbey-inspired Christmas Home Tour is fabulous!

I love these decorating ideas with magnolias. They’re such a beautiful way to transition from the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season.

I sent this home tour filled with reds, plaids, and equestrian touches to my Mom last year and she loved it.

17 Ways to Make Last Year’s Christmas Decor Look New

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree Like a Professional in 12 Steps

Words to Live By…

Third Quarter Books of the Month and Devotional…

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• July: How Are You, Really? by Jenna Kutcher  (I devoured this book – it has inspired me to ask more questions of myself and those around me. It’s a really good one if you haven’t read it yet)
• August: Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life by Shira Gill  (One of my biggest goals for August is to implement systems that work to make our lives easier. I’m super excited to dive into this book)
• September: A More Beautiful Life: A Simple Five-Step Approach to Living Balanced Goals with HEART by Whitney English  
• Q3 Devotional: Courageous Joy: Delight in God in Every Season by (in)courage  (I got a late start with this one but look forward to reading it each day!)

On the Menu this Week…

Week of July 30^th – August 7^th

• 07/31 Sunday: Insta Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs with an Italian side salad and crusty loaf
• 08/01 Monday: Firecracker Salmon with Peach Avocado Salsa
• 08/02 Tuesday: Baked Spicy Chicken Tacos
• 08/03 Wednesday: Mediterranean Orzo
• 08/04 Thursday: Coconut Ginger Chickpea Soup
• 08/05 Friday: Cheddar Bacon Ranch Burgers
• 08/06 Saturday: Spinach Lasagna Rollups
• 08/07 Sunday: Company Pot Roast with creamed cauliflower and steamed green beans

*You can find our menu for the month of August, here!

Sweet Treat to Try This Week…

Classic Texas Sheet Cake

French County Christmas 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)

Mercury Glass Garland * Café Au Lait Bowl * Rug * White Ruffled Duvet

Shams * Flocked Tree * Baguette Ornament * Mirror

Ribbon * French Bulldog Ornament * Loveseat * Doormat

French Perle Dish Set * Ornament * Bubble Bath * Laundry Basket  

If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…

Quick and Easy Ice Cream Cone Ornaments

Favorite Things Christmas in July

Simple Ways to Prepare Now for the Holidays

25 DIY Gift Ideas to Make Before Christmas

Vintage Inspired Monogrammed Gift Tags

August Bucket List…

• Celebrate August Birthdays and Grandparent Anniversaries
• Back to School Event for the Littles
• Pick up Fresh Office Supplies
• Find Easy Breakfast Recipes
• Celebrate Living at Journeys End 13 years
• Attend Global Leadership Summit Retreat at Bliss Barracks
• Design 2023 Planner and Blog Notebook
• Organize the Refrigerator, Desk Drawers, and Kitchen Drawers
• Check Hurricane Kits
• Confirm Fall Travel Plans
• Continue Quarter Challenge
• Try New IG Strategy 
• Read the Book of the Month
• Keep Sundays Sacred

August Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…

Focus of the Month: Car, Garden, & Garage

• 08/06 – Medicine Cabinet & First Aid Supplies/Emergency Contact List
• 08/13 – Garage, Attic, or Basement
• 08/20 – Garden Supplies/Potting Shed
• 08/27 – Seasonal Decorative Items-Fall

TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts

• 07/31 – National Mutt Day
• 08/01 – Buy August Birthday and Special Occasion Gifts
• 08/01 – Planners Day
• 08/02 – National Night Out
• 08/04 – National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
• 08/07 – National Sisters Day
• 08/07 – National Friendship Day
• 08/09 – National Book Lovers Day
• 08/10 – National Spoil Your Dog Day
• 08/12 – National Middle Child Day
• 08/13 – International Lefthanders Day
• 08/15 – Check the Chip Day
• 08/17 – National Thrift Store Day
• 08/19 – World Humanitarian Day
• 08/24 – National Waffle Day
• 08/25 – National Burger Day
• 08/25 – National Banana Split Day
• 08/26 – Women’s Equality Day
• 08/26 – National Dog Day
• 08/27 – Just Because Day  
• 08/28 – Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
• 08/30 – National Beach Day
• 08/31 – Eat Outside 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