From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch, sweet friends, thanks so much for spending time with us today.
This week was a heavy one, wasn’t it?
Monday night I was at dinner with loved ones discussing the events of the day.
It’s unbelievable but not at all surprising we found ourselves talking about yet another heartbreaking and tragic mass shooting in the US.
“I don’t understand why we can’t all just do the right thing anymore,” I said innocently.
“Because we no longer seem to agree on what the “right thing” is,” I heard from down the table.
I could literally feel righteous anger well up inside of me.
How could we not agree on the basic right to safely attend schools and universities, houses of worship, our workplaces, hospitals, movie theaters, malls, night clubs, concerts, grocery stores, sporting events, Walmart, Waffle House, and parades in our local communities without fear of violence?
As we drove home that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about how my sisters and I used to ask my Mom all sorts of questions when we were little.
- “What was it like to grow up during the Civil Rights Movement?”
- “What kind of rights did women have?”
- “Why did it take so long for women to be able to vote?”
- “Did you ever protest anything?”
- “Did you ever burn your bra?”
- “What is a hippie?”
- “Have you ever been to a black church?”
- “Why do we have to wear a seat belt now?”
- “What is a drunk driver?”
- “Why do we have to sit in a restaurant where people smoke if we don’t smoke?”
- “What is a tobacco lobby?”
- “Can you get us a blue bin so we can start recycling?”
While my Mom answered as best she could given our ages, I can honestly say she never dismissed our questions despite being frequently peppered with them.
I hope I’m the same way when the littles in our pod ask me questions too.
As I crawled into bed Monday night, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of legacy we are actively leaving behind for generations of kids caught up in a post-Columbine world.
I’ll freely admit, it feels downright sobering at times.
But make no mistake, we all play an important part.
We play a part with our vote, our time, our resources, our allyship, with our actions, and by allowing these senseless acts of violence to become normalized.
There’s nothing normal about it.
While I don’t have all the answers, I’m determined not to give up no matter how long it takes or how discouraging it becomes.
Our kids deserve better, our teachers and faculty members deserve better, our first responders rushing into danger to save lives deserve better – we as a nation deserve better.
A few resources you might find helpful…
- How To Help Those Affected by the Covenant School Shooting in Nashville (via The Tennessean)
- 6 Ways to Help After the School Shooting In Nashville, Including Not Giving Up (via A Cup of Jo) (This post includes a helpful script if you want to call your members of Congress but are unsure of what to say)
- School Shooting Resources (via The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
- Resources for Coping with Shootings (via The American Psychological Association)
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web…
There are so many things to love about this home tour, Derby House.
This farmhouse tour is so beautiful.
My friend Anna introduced me to this photographer and I’m inspired!
How pretty is this breakfast nook?
The beautiful portfolio of Sara Johnson Interiors.
If we didn’t have textured walls, I’d scoop this wallpaper up in a heartbeat!
I can’t get over this stunning tablescape.
This planting calendar by zip code is helpful.
An idea that’s heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time.
10 European Cities to Visit on a Budget
Losing it in the best possible way over, this dress.
I can’t wait to make time to learn this!
I love the way Magnolia is decorated for Spring. It’s so pretty!
These garden tours are amazing. Just a heads up this video is about 15 minutes long.
Words to Live By…
On My Nightstand…
(Amazon 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)
Truth be told, I finished our March Book of the Month, Believe IT: How to Go From Underestimated to Unstoppable by Jamie Kern Lima pretty early. It was so good I just couldn’t put it down!
When I went looking for April’s Book of the Month, I knew I wanted to find something just as motivating. Well wouldn’t you know, I serendipitously found out Jamie Kern Lima wrote the forward to Living Fully: Dare To Step Into Your Most Vibrant Life by Mallory Ervin and I knew immediately I had to give it a try.
Turns out, it was just as fantastic as Jamie’s book and I finished it nearly as quickly!
This book has more of a tough love slant to it, but I think sometimes we all need that. Especially, when we feel stuck or when our mistakes feel like they are too big to overcome.
You can find a complete list of the self-discovery books we’ve read here.
Menu Ideas…
Spring-Inspired Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon & 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)
Striped Dress * Book * Rug * Earrings
Sandals * Dress * Plates * Travel Bag
Duvet Set * Napkin Rings * Wrap Dress * Bunny
Bee Necklace * Pillow * Obelisk * Shorts
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
19 Quick and Easy Spring Decorating Ideas
The Easiest Way to Make Moss Placemats
Farmhouse Easter Basket Ideas (144 Items to Explore and Enjoy)
April Bucket List…
- Celebrate April Birthdays
- Order S’s Birthday Cake and Presents
- Celebrate Easter
- Make Easter Basket for Piper
- Spend Time at Loblolly Manor
- Meet S for Dinner to Celebrate the End of Tax Season
- Take a Photography Class
- Continue Quarter Challenge in Q2
- Establish a Consistent Exercise Plan
- Continue Morning Pages
- Read the Book of the Month
- Begin Q2 Devotion
- Keep Sundays Sacred
April Word of the Month: Organize
Activities to Enjoy:
- Declutter
- Go On a Digital Detox
- Create a Capsule Wardrobe
- Donate One Box a Week to a Local Charity or Community Food Bank
- Safely Toss Expired Beauty/Wellness Products/Stained or Tattered Clothes
- Get a Wall Calendar or Magnetic Meal Planner for Your Refrigerator
- Find Ways to Automate Weekly/Monthly Tasks
- Hire a Personal Chef or Food Delivery Service
- Sign Up for a Newsletter That Motivates You
You can find our complete list of Word of the Month Ideas here.
April Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
April Focus of the Month: Linen Closets, Laundry Room, Entry, Dining Room
- 04/02 – Declutter/Organize Linen Closets
- 04/09 – Declutter/Organize Laundry Room & Simplify Laundry Day Routines
- 04/16 – Declutter/Organize Entry or Mudroom
- 04/30 – Simplify/Refresh Dining Room, Declutter/Organize Dining Room Hutch & Buffet
*You can find the entire 52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge post here.
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 04/01 – Buy Birthday and Special Occasion Gifts and Cards
- 04/02 – Palm Sunday
- 04/04 – Kitchen Decorating and Design Blog Hop
- 04/07 – Good Friday
- 04/09 – Easter Sunday
- 04/10 – National Siblings Day
- 04/11 – National Pet Day
- 04/18 – Tax Day (US)
- 04/22 – Earth 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
CoCo
I appreciate all you share here. So much important info and inspiration. Have a blessed weekend.
Thank you so much, Rachel, I really appreciate it. Blessings on your weekend too. I can’t believe it’s almost Easter! Hugs, CoCo
Happy Friday my friend! Yes, we need to talk, and we all need to learn how to listen too!
I’m right there with you sweet friend. Sending you hugs for a peace filled weekend, CoCo
Thank you for your words today, sweet friend.
You are so welcome, Rachel. Thank you for always being such a sweet support. It means the world! Big hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
Hi CoCo! This has been a sad week. Not only the school shooting but the loss of life in the helicopter crash in Kentucky. However, we are thankful no one on the ground was hurt, as the crash happened just 300 yards away from Rich’s sister’s house! So we’re saying lots of prayers for the people of KY and TN!
I hope you have a blessed week! Hugs, Donna
I just read about the crash in KY this morning, Donna, and it was heartbreaking! I’m thankful your sister-in-law is ok and I’ll definitely be adding my prayers to yours. It has been such a sad week. Hugs, CoCo
Sadly, I’m with you on the why’s of people. I am always reminding myself that the Bible says things are going to get worse and telling myself we live in a fallen world. Thankfully everything goes through His fingers first even when we don’t understand it.
On a happier note. Love that Easter tablescape too and yes to the wallpaper! I’d plaster that all over my bathroom if I didn’t share with the Mister.
Hope your weekend is wonderful. Go out and sprinkle some of that light and love of Jesus. Just your smile is an uplifter. XO
That is such great wisdom, Cindy, I’ll definitely be keeping it close. We could totally rock that wallpaper. Sending you lots of hugs and adding my prayers to yours, CoCo PS: Currently singing “This Little Light of Mine” now too 🙌
Thank you for your post… you so well expressed exactly how I’m feeling. 💔
(PS. I love all your decor ideas 🌺)
You are so welcome, Linda. It’s definitely been a hard week but I know if we stand together we can make a difference. Big hugs, CoCo
First – thank you for openly acknowledging what is going on in our society. I think in blog-land we sometimes forget to acknowledge the reality of the world we are “creating in”. Almost everyone in my family works in public service. My MIL was a teacher for 20 years. My SIL is a librarian. My soon to be husband a retired police officer after 23 years. My sister works at a University in California. I also work for a government agency. We all chose these professions because we wanted to make a difference. To do what is “right”.
Further – every spring for the last 5 years – my S.O. and I have been going to Franklin TN. This year, I expect our trip will be more somber.
What I like best about your blog – is that you while you inspire us with some many ideas and thoughts (and excellent recipes) – you never shy away from acknowledging the elephant in the room.
I appreciate that very much.
P.s. I am so glad you love Jane’s photography. She is also a lovely human being. Thank you for sharing her site with your readers.