From the Front Porch
Happy Good Friday from the front porch, sweet friends. We’re excited to have you here and appreciate you making us a part of your day today.
Are you ready for Easter?
Several weeks ago I was sitting just outside my accountant’s office waiting to be called back.
Most of the doors of the offices were open and while the staff did their best to keep things discreet, you could literally hear conversations happening up and down the hallway.
I could sense things were winding down when I heard my accountant say, “Ok, you’re all set and ready to file. Your total today is $675.”
“Wait, what?” I heard the lady say.
“Your taxes have been completed and we’re ready to file them electronically for you. The fee for compiling all your information, preparing your tax documents, and filing them is $675.”
Truthfully, the lady seemed stunned as she sat there contemplating the decision at hand.
Pay the money, file now, and get it over with… shop for a lower price at another accounting firm… or take the documents home and regroup.
“So, if I pay the $675 today, you’ll file my taxes?” she asked.
“Yes ma’am. Everything is ready to go. We can file your taxes today but it’s up to you how you want to handle it.”
And again she hesitated.
The entire exchange made me think about how easy it is to second guess and doubt ourselves even when we know something needs to be done and even when we have all the information we need to make an informed decision sitting right in front of us.
Learning to tune in to our instincts and tune out self-sabotage and doubt is not always easy.
But it’s a skill I think we can all learn.
As we embrace the start of Q2, I encourage you to learn from the lessons and missteps you may have experienced in Q1, give yourself abundant amounts of grace, and do the next right thing.
You don’t have to have it all figured out, you just have to be courageous enough to take the next step.
As always, I’ll be cheering you on.
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web…
Sarah Tucker’s Colonial was recently featured in Southern Living and it has such a beautiful old Florida feel.
The amazing portfolio of Establish Design.
I love all the layers of texture in this Newport home.
This home tour could be a case study in simple elegance.
There are so many fabulous details to love in this kitchen tour.
How beautiful are these vintage bunny pots?
This Garden Cottage is so pretty!
How to Organize Your Garden Shed
10 Ideas to Steal from English Cottage Gardens
Just pinned these DIY cabinet curtains. They have such a sweet French farmhouse feel!
How to Get Motivated to Clean When Everything Is a Mess
Jennifer Aniston Struggles with Sleep, Here’s How She’s Coping
The Most Beautiful Towns in America
Rick Steves Just Told Us His Top Travel Mistakes To Avoid – And His Best Piece of Travel Advice
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)
When I went looking for April’s Book of the Month, Living Fully: Dare To Step Into Your Most Vibrant Life by Mallory Ervin I knew I needed to find something that was just as motivating as our book of the month for March.
But when I came across Mallory’s book, I almost dismissed it because I didn’t think I would be able to relate to someone who’s been Miss Kentucky, competed in Miss America and The Amazing Race.
As it turns out though, her triumphs and her struggles were completely relatable. I loved this book!
You can find a complete list of the self-discovery books we’ve read here.
Menu Ideas…
Home Décor and 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)
Blue and White Ruffle Dress * Necklace * Block Print Pillow * Rocking Chairs
Block Print Quilt * Short Set * Clutch * Ice Roller
Vase * Light * Striped Dress * Sandals
Rug * Striped Pillow * Tablecloth * Dress
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Last Minute Easter Tablescape Ideas
How to Make an Easy Easter Basket Centerpiece
How to Decorate a Store Bought Cake for Easter
Kitchen Organization and Decorating Blog Hop
Quick and Easy Breakfast Grazing Board
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 Exercise Plan
- Begin 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.
52 Weeks To a 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…
- 04/07 – Good Friday
- 04/09 – Easter Sunday
- 04/16 – TCG Spring Break Begins
- 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
So true! I love these weekly lessons. They are always so relatable and challenging!
You are amazing. I love reading your posts. Happy Easter, my friend.
CoCo
Happy Good Friday.
I hope you’re have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for sharing my painted rug today. You are so kind to always lift me up. Have the best Easter.
Happy Easter, sweet friend!!
Hi CoCo! It does not seem possible the first quarter of the year can be over already! The days are flying by! Here’s wishing you the best Spring ever! Can’t wait to see what interesting posts you’ve linked for us this week! Oh and Happy Easter to you and your family!
Happy Good Friday, CoCo. Wishing you a blessed Easter weekend ahead. As always, I was so inspired by your wonderful features this week. I now have a travel bucket list after reading the article on the most beautiful towns in America. I used to go on an annual girl’s trip to Cannon Beach in Oregon, and it is gorgeous. We visit Friday Harbor on the boat mostly every year and just love the San Juan Islands.
Happy Easter! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend. Love your Easter cake and grazing board!
Thanks for cheering us on CoCo. I feel for the poor lady who is debating paying the tax accountant. The world has changed – and – there is that whole “you need to spend money before you get money” thing. When my tax accountant retires – I will crying for a week straight.
Thanks for sharing so many great sources of inspiration. I am BEYOND HAPPY gardening season is here!!! Hooray for flowers!
Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY “S”!! (I know it’s sometime in April . . .)
Hi CoCo,
I hope you had a blessed and beautiful Easter.
You are always cheering us on but know I’m cheering you on too