From the Front Porch

Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends and thanks so much for making us a part of your day!

Late last week, my sweet rescue Piper was all out of sorts.

She’d gotten into trouble earlier in the day for misbehaving and tearing up the blinds.

30 minutes later, she ate something very unfortunate while out in the yard and her sensitive stomach was not having it.

There was a lot to clean up and my patience was wearing thin.

After the latest incident, I fully expected Piper to lie down and ride out the rest of the day.

Instead, she followed me around from room to room as I hastily crossed things off my task list.  

Truth be told, there were piles EVERYWHERE.

We were set to be out of town the following day and I was up against deadlines, running out of light and out of time.

While I wasn’t panicked, I could feel the stress starting to mount as every minute I stopped to address her needs I got further and further behind.

So, when my bestie S who helps me run the website walked out of her office and said, “I think she needs you to hold her,” I’ll admit I was a little caught off guard.

Piper is fiercely independent and, while loving, I wouldn’t exactly call her a snuggler.

Moments later, I slid onto the couch all but waving the white flag and to my complete surprise Piper immediately crawled into my arms.

Truly, I felt awful for missing her countless cues.

And as I rubbed her aching belly and scratched the sweet spot on the top of her head, I could literally feel her relax and finally make space to rest.

S was right, she simply needed to be held after a tough day.

It is not easy to walk in love and grace.

But if you think about it, those gifts and the gift of acceptance are something we could all desperately use right now.

Make no mistake the teachable moments will come.

After all, the road to healing is littered with them.

Yet the opportunity to truly invest in someone, even if that someone is yourself, does not come around often.

So as we inch towards Valentine’s Day I want you to think about the person in your life who most needs to see you embody love and grace.

The person who needs to be drawn in close and held after a tough day.

The one who needs to not only hear your words of love but see them being put into action.

As always, I’ll be cheering you on.

A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web…

This French Minimalist home tour is every bit as dreamy as you’d imagine.

This home feels warm and inviting.

Speaking of warm and inviting, there are so many details to love and admire in this home tour.

Loved this interview and home tour – don’t miss the reading nook – it’s dreamy!

Magnolia Lane: A Taste of Tradition (this home tour is gorgeous)

If you’ve ever wanted to live in a French chateau, you’ll love this home tour

We need to do this in the kitchen of my childhood home.

The blue and white color palette in this home is really beautiful.

This definitely resonated. I’m so excited Emily is blogging again. I love her!

Speaking of resonated, this hit me like a ton of bricks this week.

I love the classic outfits this stylist puts together. They’re so chic and ladylike.

This Valentine’s Day tablescape is so pretty!

I can’t wait to watch Your Place or Mine and make this fabulous treat this weekend.

These would also be amazing!

These Valentine’s Day printables are super cute and perfect if you need a last-minute idea.

In the mood for spring? Rachel has a fantastic round up of ideas.

Have ten minutes? Jen made a centerpiece that will easily take you from winter to spring.

February Garden Tips (thank you Kim for keeping us on track each month!)

13 Essential French Phrases

50 Decluttering Tips That Will Help You Get Organized For Good

99 Inexpensive Self-Care Ideas

Have you seen this TV show yet?

How cute is this bag?

Words to Live By…

On My Nightstand…

Marie Kondo’s Kurashi at Home: How to Organize Your Space and Live Your Ideal Life (this book has me totally reevaluating what I deem as “valuable”)

You can find a complete list of the self-discovery books we’ve read here.

February Menu Ideas…

February Menu Ideas

February Menu Ideas-The Crowned Goat

Early Spring-Inspired Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon 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)

Quilt * Pendant Light * Dry Erase Board * Laundry Basket

Glider * Sham * Doormat * Tulips

Storage Box * Basket * Print * Pet Hair Remover Sponge

Mirror * Waffle Blanket * Marble Bowls * Folding Bistro Chairs

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 Upcycle a Thrift Store Tray with Decoupage

How to Upcycle a Thrift Store Tray with Decoupage-The Crowned Goat

DIY Dinner Decision Jar

DIY Dinner Decision Jar-The Crowned Goat

The Valentine’s Day That Changed Everything

(one of your favorite Encouragement of the Month posts)

Quick and Easy Conversation Heart Vase

How to Make a Conversation Heart Vase for Valentine's Day-The Crowned Goat

How to Make a Simple Valentine’s Day Gift Container

How to Create a Simple Valentines Gift Container-The Crowned Goat

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas from Amazon and Target (112 ideas to explore)

The Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift Guide-The Crowned Goat

February Bucket List…

  • Celebrate February Birthdays
  • Mail Valentine’s Day Cards
  • Celebrate Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day
  • Watch the Super Bowl
  • Continue AM Green Juice and Water Before Coffee
  • Wake Up at The Same Time Each Morning
  • Walk or Bike 30-45 Mins Each Day
  • Continue Quarter Challenge
  • Stretch or Yoga Before Bed
  • Get an Eye Exam
  • Reclaim Afternoon Teatime
  • Plan Spring Home Décor and Porch Projects
  • Refresh Undergarments
  • Read the Book of the Month
  • Keep Sundays Sacred

February Words of the Month: Connect & Encourage

You can find our complete list of Word of the Month Ideas and Activities here.

Word of the Month Activities and Ideas-The Crowned Goat

February Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…

Focus of the Month: Kitchen

You can find the entire 52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge Plan here.

  • 02/05 Declutter/Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
  • 02/12 Declutter/Organize Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers
  • 02/19 Declutter Kitchen Counters/Coffee Bar Area
  • 02/26 Simplify/Refresh Breakfast Nook

TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…

  • 02/11 National Latte Day
  • 02/12 Super Bowl Sunday
  • 02/13 Galentine’s Day
  • 02/14 Valentine’s Day
  • 02/14 Random Acts of Kindness Week
  • 02/17 National Random Acts of Kindness Day
  • 02/20 Love Your Pet Day
  • 02/20 President’s Day (US)
  • 02/21 Fat Tuesday
  • 02/22 Ash Wednesday

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

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14 Comments

  1. I love these posts, and I would love to meet sweet Piper! Thanks for sharing the wisdom lesson – it’s a good one!

    1. Aww I really appreciate you saying that, Susan, thank you so much. Piper has certainly given us a run for our money 😂 but we adore her to pieces. Even on the days, she struggles. Sending you lots of hugs for a happy Valentines weekend, CoCo

  2. Remember pups are babies that never grow up.

    Sweet Piper was scared because she didn’t understand what was happening.

    You share your heart and soul. I love it!

    Reeses has been having tummy issues and he wants his momma

    1. “Pups are babies that never grow up” – that is great advice, Cindy! The minute she sees ANY animal outside from a squirrel to a lizzard she totally goes BANANAS. We don’t have a single blind in our home that hasn’t felt her wrath and she is so quick it literally happens in a matter of seconds. Gah-rescues are tough-but I know she’s worth investing in. Hope everything went well with your treatment yesterday. I’ve been thinking of you. Hugs, CoCo

  3. Very thoughtful post, I don’t think you missed a thing from hugging a pet who was distressed to ‘refreshening undergarments’….which for the life of me, I can’t think of anything more than ditching them in the trash…LOL.
    Hugs and Happy Valentine’s Day! Love your colorful selections!!! Grins, Sandi

    1. Always great to have you looking out for me and pointing things out like this, Sandi. It never occured to me “refresh” could be taken any other way than to “replenish or replace.” Hope your Valentine’s weekend is filled with more love than your heart can hold, CoCo

  4. CoCo, your post is timely. This week, I am feeling as you described above. Too much going on, over committing myself and not having energy when other unexpected things pop up…After I dash out to work out, I am coming back to your post and reading it word for word. There is SO much good stuff here and I want to give it a proper review. Thanks for sharing such wise words. Sorry about your blinds…

    1. Thank you, Mary! She’s such a cutie pie but goodness Piper has been THE hardest rescue we’ve ever welcomed into our home. I know she’ll get there but she needs lots of TLC and patience. We love her to pieces though so she’s definitely a keeper. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed by all the things I write down everything that I need to get done on paper and it helps me get a game plan together. It especially helps me see the things I NEED to do immediately vs the things I FEEL LIKE I need to do immediately. Hope it helps you too and you got a great work out in. Self care is so important! Hugs, CoCo

  5. CoCo,
    I get so much inspiration from all your posts. I’ve had blinds that looked like those when we had our sweet Yorkie. She would jump in the couch to watch for us out the window and would break the blinds trying to out out. We had to pull the up when we left to give her an unobstructed view. Lol.
    Thank you for sharing my spring projects. I appreciate you so much.

    1. Gah-this blinds thing is so tough because they’re getting super expensive. We are now having to replace the blinds on EVERY window of the house. I can’t even talk about it. She is a cutie but gosh is she giving us a run for our money! I wish it was just to see us go outside that would be fairy reasonable. This is every bird, turtle, squirrel, bunny, stray cat, lizzard, insect..if it comes in front of the window she acts like we’re being invaded 😂 Pray for us, we need it with this one. She’s a wild thing 🐶 Big hugs and see you on the hop tomorrow, CoCo

  6. Amazing words as always CoCo but I FOR SURE needed this today. It’s been a rough week for SO many people this week,,,what is going on?! GRACE upon grace….thank you, sweet friend! Happy weekend!

    1. I am so thankful this post resonated with you, Rachel. I’ve actually been really surprised by how tough this week has been for so many. I’ll definitely be lifting you up and sending you hugs. Hang in there. You’re stronger than you can even imagine, CoCo

  7. I needed your message today; thank you!

    1. You are so welcome, sweet friend. Sending you tons of hugs and hoping you feel love and peace when you need it most, CoCo

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