From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch, sweet friends! Thanks so much for being here and for making us a part of your day.
It’s crazy to think there are only 9 days until Christmas!
How are you feeling?
I feel like I should be wearing a t-shirt that says, “I survived the wildest week of the entire year!” 🤣
On the same weekend every December, we drive to the farm to have Christmas with my extended family. Then we drive down to watch my niece dance in her winter recital. The day after the dance recital we drive back down to celebrate my sister’s birthday. Then we celebrate my late grandmother’s birthday midweek with dinner and ice cream, then ride around looking at all the Christmas light displays.
Tomorrow we’re going to pick up one of the littles for a special one-on-one Christmas date.
It’s nearly 7 days of non-stop holiday engagements and an extra 15 hours of driving.
I am totally exhausted in a “my heart is full…my abs hurt from laughing…I can’t eat another cookie…what city are we supposed to be in today” kind of way!
I’m hoping to carve out some time to totally chill on Sunday and relax a bit.
Long naps, cozy sweats, a fire in the fireplace, asking Alexa to play “Christmas Jazz or Holiday Favorites,” takeout, old Christmas movies, cups of cocoa with gobs of marshmallows, and generous bowls of popcorn sound like the perfect way to recharge and recoup some holiday cheer.
Whatever you have planned I hope your weekend is filled with your heart’s desire.
A Few Of Our Favorite Things From Around the Web…
Inspired by Charm always puts together the most magical holiday decorations. I loved his “same but different” take on decorating this year. Especially, his Nature Inspired Christmas Tree With Handmade Decorations. It’s really pretty!
I would never have thought to pair rich browns with rusty red for Christmas but this Christmas Home Snapshot is so amazing it completely changed my mind.
This dry bar turned reading nook is still one of my all-time favorite makeovers.
This post, Christmas in Quebec: The Next Best Thing to Europe from Town and Country Living was filled with so many beautiful images.
The Best Christmas Markets In the UK
If you love red, plaid, or equestrian touches in your home you’ll love this home tour. It’s such a classic!
Speaking of classics, have you seen my sweet friend Michelle’s porch yet? It’s fabulous
I pinned so many things from this beautiful blue and white dining room Including the tablescape, entry, and tree!
My friend Rachel shared a tour of her beautiful greenhouse all dressed up for the holidays.
Jen shared the cutest hot cocoa bar complete with printable tags you can use all winter!
Tanya shared a super creative paper gingerbread garland that I’ve got on my list to try.
The Paper-Free Gift Wrapping Technique You Need to Try This Year
How to Reduce Waste and Stree This Holiday Season
An Introvert’s Tips for Loving the Holiday Season
The Best Way to Remove Every Type of Holiday Stains From Red Wine to Gravy
Christmas Cocktails to Try This Season and What to Drink to Soothe a Sore Throat (And Boost Immunity) All Winter Long
Content Warning: The loss of a child
Finally, I really appreciated this post and all the comments on grief. Some of you may know my Mom lost both of her parents about 36 hours apart several years ago. Navigating grief during special occasions and the holiday season has been a lot harder than most people ever talk about. This post helped me realize it doesn’t matter how long someone has been gone it’s still important to include them any time you’re making memories. For the longest time, we were scared to talk about our grandparents in front of my Mom because we didn’t want to upset her. But now we understand it brings her comfort to know they were lavishly loved and have not been forgotten.
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 (Loved this book and reference it often for tablescape inspiration)
- November: How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K White (this book has relatable tips and helped me reframe my mindset around clutter) OR How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis (I haven’t read this one but several of you said it helped you set realistic expectations for the season of life you’re in right now which warmed my heart to hear)
- December: The Power of One More by Ed Mylett (I haven’t had a second to touch this one yet! I probably won’t finish it this month but I’m hoping to start it this weekend)
- Devotion: Courageous Kindness by (in)courage (Such a great way to start or end the day)
On the Menu this Week…
- 12/17 Saturday: Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Loaded Baked Potato Casserole and Roasted Veggies
- 12/18 Sunday: Christmas Fettuccine or Three Cheese Turkey Manicotti
- 12/19 Monday: Soy Ginger Salmon with Asian Roasted Carrots and Broccoli
- 12/20 Tuesday: Enchiladas with Southwest Salad
- 12/21 Wednesday: Rosemary Chicken Bacon and Avocado Salad
- 12/22 Thursday: Winter Minestrone with Garlic Bruschetta
- 12/23 Friday: Christmas Charcuterie Board
- 12/24 Saturday: 75 Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas from Fancy to No-Fuss
- 12/25 Sunday: Christmas Menu Ideas and Recipes (including apps and desserts)
- 60 Creative Christmas Ideas That Will Steal The Show
- 15 Make Ahead Christmas Breakfast Ideas
Sweet Treats to Try This Week…
The 56 Best Christmas Desserts of All Time
Neutral 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)
Mockneck Sweater * Necklace Set * Towel Warmer * Sneaker Balls
Brow Pencil * Sweater * Sneaker * Mini Portable Charger
Planner * Ice Roller * Cardigan * Headbands
Cable Organizers * Multivitamin * Lip Plumper * Tunic Sweater
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Sweet Shop-Themed Christmas Tree & Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop
Sweet Shop-Themed Holiday Home Tour (this year’s holiday home tour)
Soft and Romantic Farmhouse Porch Tour
White Christmas Inspired Patio
Chocolate-Covered Snowflake Sandwich Cookies
Our Best Holiday Gift Guide (in case you need last-minute gift ideas)
December Bucket List…
- Observe Advent
- Celebrate December Birthdays and Anniversaries
- Donate to the Sweater Drive
- Hang a Stocking for Piper
- Attend Dance and Piano Recitals and Cheer on The Littles
- Sip Cocoa at The Lights Festival
- Christmas Lunch with Extended Family at The Farm
- Make Christmas Fettuccine and Watch The Holiday
- Celebrate Christmas with The Pod at Bliss Barracks
- Leave Cookies and Milk for Santa and Veggies for the Reindeer
- Enjoy Holiday Vacation
- Set Goals, Dreams, and Intentions for 2023
- Create a Vision Board for 2023
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve and Midnight Gift Exchange
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
December Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Holiday Planning & Preparing for the New Year
- 12/03 – Mail Christmas Packages
- 12/10 – Finalize Christmas Menu & Grocery List
- 12/17 – Purchase New Planner & Set Goals for the New Year
- 12/26 – Organize Holiday Storage Items
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 12/17 Last Shipping Deadline for Christmas Ground Delivery
- 12/17 National Wreaths Across America Day
- 12/18 Fourth Week of Advent: Joy
- 12/18 Hannukah Begins
- 12/24 Christmas Eve
- 12/25 Christmas Day
- 12/26 Boxing Day
- 12/26 Hannukah Ends
- 12/26 Kwanzaa Begins
- 12/31 New Year’s Eve
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
My goodness you have been busy, all those celebrations in a week, phew I would be exhausted, but happy too.
Enjoyed your brilliant post again Coco, was so surprised to see the UK markets especially Manchester as I was born there and the markets are wonderful.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year 2023.xxx
That’s so cool, Janette! We actually have lots of readers in the UK so it was fun to share the markets. They all sound like a bucket list dream especially if you’re traveling there for the holidays. Hope you and your family have had a fabulous week. I can’t believe how fast the holidays are going by! Hugs, CoCo
I love the little pink car with the Christmas tree! I saw one this week and actually thought of you! 😊
That’s so sweet of you to say, Susan! This one was 60% off at Hobby Lobby and I fell in love immediately. It’s the little things, right? Hope your week has been extra special, CoCo
This post made me smile…so much beauty and love! How wonderful to have so many holiday activities with your family this week. I live half way across the country from my family and will not be with them this Christmas, all of the little activities and adventures are what I will be missing. The drives to see the lights with my mom, time visiting friends, lunch with my dad. What could be better than a holiday surrounded by the love of family?
Your decorations are beautiful, I am not sure how I missed them before!
Off to check out your links, IBC is always amazing and Allisons polohouse is a dream.
Merry Christmas!
Aww thanks, Elizabeth! It’s a lot of balls to keep in the air but since it’s the same week every year we have plenty of time to plan ahead and recover 😉 I’m so sorry you’ll be missing your family this Christmas. I know it’s not an easy thing to go through at all. IBC is always fabulous and Allison’s house is a total classic! Hope you have a chance to make lots of extra special memories this Christmas, CoCo
My goodness, CoCo. You have been busy. I’m exhausted just reading about it! But it sounds like a lot of wonderful fun and family time. I finally have my shopping done, but still haven’t wrapped a single gift. Every year I say I’m going to get ahead, and yet every year here I am. Ha! But somehow it always gets done.
Thank you for sharing my hot cocoa bar and printable tags. Wishing you a wonderful (and hopefully relaxing) week leading up to the holidays.
Merry Christmas!
It was totally bananas and so much fun all at the same time, Jen! So excited you have your shopping done and I hope you’re able to knock out gift wrapping soon too. I would totally pour myself some bubbly, grab some takeout, put on The Holiday, place a sign on the door that says, “Sants’s Workshop: Do Not Enter and knock it out all at the same time 😉 Hang in there, I know you can do it! Wishing you an easy week as we embrace the holiday hustle, CoCo
First of all CoCo you are the most encouraging person I always feel refreshed and happy after visiting you on the porch 🙂 thank you so much for including my paper gingerbread house garland!! I think I will be wearing the same tshirt soon lol and I sure hope Sunday is a restful one as well 🙂 Hugs- Tanya
That is so kind of you to say, Tanya, thank you. I really appreciate it. I’m still obsessed with your garland. It is one of the cutest projects I’ve seen all season! OMG the holiday hustle is no joke 🤣 Wishing you a week filled with silver linings, good surprises, restful dreams, short lines, convenient takeout, good hair, and all the holiday magic your heart can hold. Big hugs, CoCo
CoCo,
Wow, your week sounds amazing. You have such wonderful family traditions, and love your shares. Thanks for sharing my Greenhouse tour. You are the best.
You are so welcome, Rachel! That fabulous greenhouse gets me every time and I look forward to seeing all the amazing projects that come of that space. Big hugs, CoCo