From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch, sweet friends, we’re so happy you’re here. Thank you for making us a part of your day!
Several weeks ago, a Nor’easter, one of my all-time favorite weather events, blew through our area.
I was so excited I ran outside to see if it was cold enough for a sweater before asking my bestie S who helps me run the website if she had time to grab a quick bowl of soup at a bakery-cafe chain in our area.
Thankful for the short line, we took our place behind a man who could have easily been a track coach.
Tall and lanky with a head full of beautiful curly black hair, he had a swagger that exuded a zen-like quiet confidence.
Behind the register was a young man in his early twenties who barely made eye contact with customers or coworkers. My guess is that he was new to the position and seemed like he had recently been job-coached.
Given it was just before the dinner rush, we figured we would be in and out fairly quickly.
Until the man in front of us started ordering.
8 times he tried to place an order.
And 8 times he was told they were out of a particular bread, soup, salad, or some other ingredient.
8.
Most people would have walked away.
Several people would have lost their temper (on the way out we actually saw 2 grown businessmen lose their tempers)
But this gentleman with quiet confidence did none of that.
He simply sat patiently working with the young employee until he was able to place an order.
By this time, the line was to the door.
An overwhelmed manager asked the young employee to refill the drink machines while he took over the register.
The manager wiped the sweat off his brow and smiled the kind of smile that gave his true feelings away.
“Thanks for your patience, ladies, what can I get you?” he asked.
“Was that customer a rock star or what?” I said grinning. “I can’t even imagine being that chill, ever. I’ll have whatever he’s having.”
As we slipped into a booth, the man with a quiet swagger slipped out the front door.
Truthfully, he probably had no idea what kind of impact he made on the people in line that day but I think about him often.
He didn’t wait for more followers, a bigger platform, a better position, more money, more friends, or subscribers to make a difference.
He simply used that moment to show grace to a struggling new employee and in the process taught the people in line more about the power of influence than social media ever could.
Make no mistake what we say, what we do, and how we act and interact have the power to influence those around us every single day.
But it’s up to us to decide how we’ll leave our mark.
In a world where we can bring anything to the table, let’s be bold enough to bring our own brand of magic, one of grace, patience, joy, kindness, and a heart of gratitude.
The world needs it now more than ever.
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web…
There are lots of simple yet elegant touches in this Chicago home tour.
The Renovated Acre is so pretty.
This kitchen and laundry room are amazing.
How to Host a Fall Harvest Dinner Party
This post from Kim of Cottage in the Mitten, How to Make a Mum Pumpkin Planter is such a pretty way to enjoy mums well into the Thanksgiving holiday.
My friend Kristin just made an epic tic-tac-toe board the whole family can enjoy.
Loved this beautiful fall wreath from my friend Cindy of Reinvented Delaware.
Losing it over these dog loafers!
And while we’re at it, let’s talk about this uber-creative photoshoot (my inspiration for our holiday home tour)
I’m so on the fence about this new trend… What do you think?
This new collection was shot in Paris and it’s just as dreamy as you’d imagine.
Speaking of dreamy, have you seen this new collection yet? Everything is really beautiful! The bow heels – the pink dress – the gray coat – I can’t even talk about it!
This tree is said to be one of the most popular and best-selling trees in the US and it has a budget-friendly price tag too!
We just ordered this tree. It’s also on sale right now and you can use the code FALL2022 for up to 40% off plus free shipping for a limited time.
How Much to Tip Hotel Housekeepers (such a great reminder for the upcoming holiday travel season)
5 Things to Declutter Before the Holidays
The 10 Most Important Things to Simplify in Your Life
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 (this book would make such a great gift idea!)
- 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…
- 10/22 Saturday: Gluten Free Spinach Mushroom Breakfast Skillet with Eggs
- 10/23 Sunday: One Skillet Chicken with Fiesta Cream Sauce with black beans
- 10/24 Monday: Sheet Pan Greek Shrimp Dinner
- 10/25 Tuesday: Slow Cooker Taco Spice Chili
- 10/26 Wednesday: Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad
- 10/27 Thursday: Kelly’s Thai Soup Recipe
- 10/28 Friday: Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Flatbread
- 10/29 Saturday: Sausage and Apple Stuff Acorn Squash
- 10/30 Sunday: Crescent Roll Lasagna
- 10/31 Monday: 35 Halloween Dinner Ideas
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Black Cat Pumpkin Cupcakes (these are almost too cool to eat) and Frightfully Fun Halloween Desserts
Pink, Red, and Rust 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)
Dress * Drawer Organizers * Earrings * Rust Wreath
Polish * Crewneck Sweater * Blackout Curtains * Travel Jewelry Box
Detangling Brush * Facial Wipes * Short Sleeve Sweater * Ginger Juice
Striped PJs * Hops Stem * Chin Slimming Strap * Sweater
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 Decorate a Store-Bought Cake for Halloween
(Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who left a sweet comment on this post! I wasn’t sure if I should even share it because the photos weren’t the best but you were so supportive and I can’t thank you enough!)
Easy DIY Halloween Decorations
How to Personalize Pumpkins with Paint
How to Make a Glow in the Dark Candy Bucket
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…
- 10/22 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 have the best and such heartwarming stories.
This is a great reminder to us to be patient and kind
Such sweet and thoughtful words, Cindy, I really appreciate it. Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
CoCo,
I love all the Halloween decorating ideas! So many clever ideas this week.
Thanks so much, Rachel, I really appreciate it. Big hugs for a happy week, CoCo
What a wonderful story of grace and being kind! How important it is for us to be an example for other. Sometimes easier said than done! Thank you so much for sharing my pumpkin planter! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
You are so welcome, Kim! Your planters are really beautiful and I’m excited to see what you have in store for the holidays too. You are always so creative! Hope your week has been a happy one, CoCo
What a wonderfully touching story—thank you for sharing it. I think often of all the wonderful people who were patient with me at the beginning of each of my jobs. I try to be just as patient when I come upon someone in hospitality, especially those in training or trying to get through their first day. It is so important to be patient and kind, especially to those taking care of us, serving us, or providing a service for us.
To be honest, I don’t like the idea of a butter board. It’s messy and perhaps unsanitary. I feel like this trend, along with a lot of other silly ones that I’ve noticed lately, won’t be around long. Have a wonderful October 31st!
I know a lot of people in the service industry were hit hard by the pandemic so it was really refreshing to see this man take the time to work with the employee. As you say, it was a sweet reminder to be patient and kind to the people who are taking care of us. I’m totally with you on the breadboard – they’re really pretty to look at – but I’ll probably keep serving ours from butter dishes 😉 Hugs and hope you’ve had a great week so far, CoCo