From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends. We greatly appreciate you making us a part of your day and we’re so happy you’re here!
Any time I hear myself say something more than three times in as many days, a lightbulb goes off in my head that reminds me to take a deeper look at whatever the problem, issue, concern, or opportunity might be.
I was actually on the phone with my Mom when I heard myself lament what a complete blur the past few weeks had been and I knew instantly I had reached my self-imposed limit.
“I think you’re struggling in this area because you keep having to stop and start, stop and start, stop and start,” she said. “And when that happens, you’re not able to get your bearings for long enough to make a difference or feel like you’re making progress,” she continued.
“You’re right. It is hard to get your bearings when you feel like you’re on the start-and-stop hamster wheel. I guess I just need to find a way to get back on track.” I finally said.
Later that day, I was taking what my Mom said to heart.
I looked over my calendar for the past few weeks.
But other than the hurricane and trying to recover from a different-than-expected trip to the cabin, both events which caused over a 2-week halt in momentum there wasn’t anything that really stood out.
Until I looked at my daily journals.
When I read through my journals, I realized I had stopped doing the most basic things that help set our days, weeks, and months up for success.
At the time, it seemed more efficient to immediately start tackling my to-do list instead of making sure my priorities had been squared away first.
And as you can imagine, instead of preventing fires, I spent my time running around putting out fires that had all too easily cropped up.
Through that small yet impactful discovery, I recognized it’s not always about getting back on track.
It’s about getting back to basics and being brave enough to ask yourself the hard questions…
- “Is this routine, habit, or goal really working for me right now in this season?”
- “Is what I’m currently doing serving me, my business, or my family well?”
What can be even tougher than answering those questions though is taking action on your honest answer.
Because the truth is, we all know we can’t continue doing the same things day after day, month after month, and year and year expecting different results.
While there are no perfect days, we’re all given 365 imperfect opportunities to show up and make each day count.
So, take the time to figure out what you need most.
Then be brave enough to answer with action.
Cheering you on as you take the next brave step!
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web This Week…
How pretty is this English Cottage inspired home?
There are so many beautiful details in this classic home.
Black cabinets make this kitchen feel so warm and cozy.
Love the beautiful wreath Rachel made this week!
I can’t remember if I shared this last week or not but I love every one of the projects in this blog hop!
Have you seen this beautiful fall home tour yet? It’s positively dreamy.
My friend Cindy comes up with some amazing nature-inspired projects and I can’t wait to make these!
Love the wooden pumpkins my friend Kim made too!
Just pinned this festive porch, this unique wreath idea, and this awesome drink idea!
This new collection at Dillard’s feels traditional yet modern all at the same time.
Love all the jewel tones in this new collection at Boden too!
Is this the mantra that could divorce-proof your marriage? (I would argue that it could work with most relationships, to be honest)
An ultra-private place to stay in New York if you need a getaway.
Speaking of hotels, have you seen this collection yet?
15 Places to Apply Minimalist Principles
Words to Live By…
Fourth 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)
- October: Celebrating Home by James T Farmer, III (Currently obsessed with all the different color and texture combinations in this book)
- November: How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K White OR How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis
- December: The Power of One More by Ed Mylett
- Devotion: Courageous Kindness by (in)courage
On the Menu this Week…
- 10/15 Saturday: Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions
- 10/16 Sunday: One Pan Cheese Spaghetti Pie
- 10/17 Monday: Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar Grilled Salmon with grilled veggies
- 10/18 Tuesday: Hatch Chile Enchilada Bake
- 10/19 Wednesday: Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad
- 10/20 Thursday: Bacon Cheddar Corn Chowder
- 10/21 Friday: Black Bean Burgers
- 10/22 Saturday: Gluten Free Spinach Mushroom Breakfast Skillet with Eggs
- 10/23 Sunday: One Skillet Chicken with Fiesta Cream Sauce
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
Fall Travel and Organization Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week…
(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)
Dress * Soap Dispenser * Weighted Eye Mask * Luggage
Tote * Sweater * Kindle Page Turner * Refillable Bottles
Crease Release * Fulton Umbrella * Jacket * Labels
Storage Baskets * Travel Hair Dryer * Packing Cubes * Nightgown
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Halloween Finds on Amazon and Target
Simple Pumpkin Flower Arrangement Ideas (6 festive arrangements using 1 carvable pumpkin!)
Last Minute Halloween Tablescape Tips and Tricks
How to Repurpose an Old Fall Wreath
October Bucket List…
*You can find the rest of our Fall Monthly Bucket List Ideas here
- Celebrate Oktoberfest
- Decorate the House for Halloween
- Bake a Loaf of Pumpkin Bread
- Attend an Outdoor Fall Antique Event
- Buy a New Sweater
- Enjoy a New Decorating Book
- Navigate the Pumpkin Patch or the Corn Maze
- Paint or Carve Pumpkins
- Host a Halloween Dinner, a Spooky Soiree, or Indoor Candy Scavenger Hunt
- Keep Sundays Sacred
October Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Fall Planning and Seasonal Activities
- 10/01 Organize Pet Cabinet and Supplies
- 10/08 Organize Garage, Attic, or Basement
- 10/15 Finalize Holiday Travel Plans
- 10/22 Finalize Seasonal and Holiday Decor Ideas and Plans
- 10/29 Create Winter and Holiday Bucket List
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts
- 10/15 National Mammography Day
- 10/16 National Sweetest Day
- 10/20 Chicken and Waffles Day
- 10/22 National Make a Dog’s Day
- 10/23 National Make a Difference Day
- 10/26 National Pumpkin Day
- 10/29 National Cat Day
- 10/31 Halloween
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
You always inspire me with these posts.
I miss talking with my mom
Thanks for the shout out. I so appreciate it!!
You are so welcome, Cindy! I adore the things you’ve been creating this season and I know your holiday looks are going to be amazing as well. Sending you hugs and know your Mom would have been so proud of all that you’ve accomplished, CoCo
Good morning! I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I am enjoying your blog. I am new to your site and I find myself looking forward to your new posts. I appreciate the obvious time and effort you put into each post. You always have so many good thoughts and ideas. Enjoy your day and prayers for peaceful upcoming holidays.
I appreciate your kind and encouraging words so much, Deb, thank you! It’s a pleasure to have you as part of our community and I’m grateful to have you here. The landscape of blogging and social media, in general, have changed more than I could have ever imagined these last few years. But having your support means the world and makes every ounce of effort worth it. Sending you hugs and thank yous and hoping your week is a blessed one, CoCo
I always love reading through your From the Front Porch posts each week. Love all the inspiration you always share. I absolutely love the quote from Winston Churchill, Have a lovely weekend my friend.
I really appreciate it, Kim, thank you so much! Your sweet support and kind words always mean the world to me. Big hugs for a happy week ahead, CoCo
Coco,
I have said it before but I do love these posts of yours…You seem really organized to me when I read your posts like this….Love your October Bucket list!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words!!
I hope you are enjoying your weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you so much, Deb! They’re always so much fun to put together. Being organized is the only way I can keep it together. Especially, this time of year! It’s definitely not a perfect system but it’s helpful. Hope you have the best week, CoCo
Coco, another wonderful and inspiring post. I think 2020 was a year like no other in our lives, trying to survive and keep it together while the entire world shut down. 2021 was a year we were all kind of over it and waiting for the world to get moving. A lot of things were still at a standstill, and I think many of us discovered new strengths and weaknesses in very sudden and maybe surprising ways. 2022 has been a catch-up year, but there’s so much to catch up on that I know I feel as if I’m spinning my wheels a lot of the time. I am hoping and praying that 2023 is a year of balance for all of us. I hope we can catch our breath, find more time, be more intentional in the things we do, and live in a more positive world. Here’s to hoping! Hugs and have a great weekend.
Thankyou Coco for yet another interesting post, I really enjoy reading them so much and get to ‘visit’ such pretty places too !!!
I hope your feeling well, take care.xx
I really appreciate all your sweet support for these posts, Janette. It means so much to me! Hope you and your family have a wonderful week ahead. Hugs, CoCo
Hi, Coco. I found this interesting that you have been spinning your proverbial wheels. My mother was a perfectionist. She could be creative, and fostered creativity in me from an early age. As she aged, she became paralyzed with fear of failure–fear of being non-perfect. I can remember her throwing away a pan of rice-crispy treats…because they were sticky…REALLY? Like it makes a difference?
I’ve lived my life as an artist…failure is part of the process, you learn and you go on—and I’ve fought to hard to never mind getting to plan B or C…I do get perturbed when it’s plan F or G….LOL.
I blog for fun—you seem to have things very controlled—maybe let some stuff go—and give yourself some ‘air-space’. You never know what your creative mind might accomplish without all the ‘planning’ and structure! HUGS, Sandi
Such a sweet and gentle reminder, Sandi, thank you for speaking kindness and truth. While I’ve always been a planner (I can clearly remember laying my clothes out for school at a very early age and labeling all the tools in my Dad’s workshop with masking tape at age 8 😆) I took your words to heart and got completely lost in the Van Gogh immersive exhibit a few days ago and it was AMAZING. I also realized after looking at my calendar this week – the Spooky Soiree on Friday, Oktoberfest on Saturday, blog retreat Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday plus working full time there was no room for “air space” much less to breathe and rest. As with sticky rice-crispy treats life definitely happens in the messy middle and every day I learn to let go feels like perfectly imperfect peace. Big hugs, CoCo
CoCo,
It’s hard to believe Oct is half over. Thanks fir sharing my wreath this week. You are so kind.
I know it, Rachel! It’s all going by way too fast. My Pinterest feed is FULL of Christmas and some of the Studio McGee Target items have already sold out. It’s totally bananas! Sending you lots of hugs for a happy ahead, CoCo
Hi CoCo- First THANK YOU for sharing our blog hop with DIY fall projects. That was tremendously kind and thoughtful of you.
Second – your words about running around and putting out fires have struck a cord with me. I too have looked at my list of commitments and recently made the decision to reprioritize my time. There are some things that I have decided to step away from. At least for now.
Third – I think it’s so impactful that you keep a daily journal. I truly admire your discipline and ability to follow through with writing in it consistently.
Finally – I just LOVE that wreath you made over by painting the leaves white and giving it a new ribbon. It just captured my heart.
Thank you for inspiring us with your words and projects.
You are so welcome, Anna! I feel inspired by you all the time as well and I really appreciate how you share your knowledge, talents, and skills with us. It’s really neat to be able to learn from all your adventures and projects. Truthfully, that wreath couldn’t have been easier to make. It did take a hot minute to age because of all the leaves but it was totally worth it. Hope your week is filled with all good things. Hugs, CoCo