From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch, sweet friends. We’re excited to have you here. Thanks so much for making us a part of your day!
Several weeks ago, we were at a graduation party when one of my aunts brought up a recent blog post.
“I don’t drink coffee in the morning, but I love orange juice,” she began. “Your uncle brings me juice in stemmed crystal instead of a regular glass. It tastes exactly the same either way, but it feels different,” she said with a big grin.
I immediately thought, “My uncle is a total rock star!” and “For the love, CoCo, how could you forget some people don’t drink coffee in the morning!” and “This is why I ADORE simple pleasures so much!”
While I thanked her for being such a sweet supporter of the blog and for sharing the idea so I could pass it along, I’ll be honest, I couldn’t stop thinking about the last time I had been intentional about experiencing the feeling she was talking about all the way home.
Like many of you, I can very easily get caught up in the go-go-go*do-do-do cycle that defines hustle culture despite being completely turned off by that way of life.
Lately, I find myself revisiting our calendar because I cannot remember how I spent my days or where the week went.
It’s not that I don’t have a list of fun things to do or ideas on how I to spend the day. I probably have too many!
It’s not that I’m unclear on what I want either.
I know exactly what I want, most days.
The truth is that somewhere along the way I started prioritizing the needs of others over my own and I seem to have stopped checking in with myself entirely.
After all, when you’re caught up in the go-go-go*do-do-do cycle it can be hard to find the time to slow down.
But that is precisely the time we need to slow down most.
So we can embrace white space.
And give ourselves a chance to find our sparkle again.
And to lean into the pick-me-ups and the simple pleasures that bring us joy.
One of my favorite podcasters, Tonya Leigh, frequently shares the concept of Be, Do, Have…
Behave the way you visualize your “successful self” behaving * Do those things your “future self” will thank you for * and by doing these things you’ll have the life you envision.
It sounds so simple but having that mindset helps so much!
As begin to ease our way out of June and into July, I want to encourage you to *make* time for simple pleasures.
So, pull out your best dress and enjoy a dinner date.
Dust off your bucket list and get started.
Bring out the good china and light some candles.
Relax on your front porch and dive into a good book.
Drink your orange juice from stemmed crystal.
The small things are the big things and a beautiful life filled with simple pleasures is waiting for you!
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web…
This Cape Cod Cottage will make you want to go on vacation!
I love the coastal meets traditional mix in this home tour. It feels so warm and inviting.
Speaking of which, wait until you see this magical escape on a Norwegian fjord it’s positively dreamy.
This home tour in New Orleans is a beautiful mix of traditional and modern.
If you’re planning on painting your kitchen cabinets any time soon, you’ll find this post helpful.
Gold Medal Winners from the Chelsea Flower Show
11 Easy Plants to Grow If You’re a First-Time Gardener
20 Gorgeous Pools and Pool Houses
How to Throw the Best BBQ for Father’s Day (Wait until you see the way Jen styled this amazing table!)
Where the Royals Eat and Drink Around London
300 Women Share What Fashion Over 50 Looks Like for Them (there are so many fabulous nuggets of wisdom in this post)
3 Reasons It’s Harder To Sleep As An Adult and How You Can Get Back On Track
13 Things You Should Clean More in The Summer
Words to Live By…
On My Nightstand…
(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)
I spent the afternoon savoring this book and it was good for my soul! The images are really beautiful and the ideas she shares are totally doable. If you’re ready to enjoy simple pleasures you’ll love this book!
In June we’ll be reading, Joie: A Parisians Guide To Celebrating The Good Life as part of our French Country Inspired Summer Bucket List here.
As always, you can find a complete list of the self-discovery books we’ve read here, 64 of the best books to read this summer here, and a list of our favorite podcasts here.
Menu Ideas…
Summer 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)
Pant Set * Waste Basket * Belt * Pillow Cover
Sun Hat * Bathing Suit * Bedding Set * Tote
Beach Towel * Necklace * Skirt * Rug
Sunnies * Earrings * Canopy Chair * Navy Dress
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Vintage Cutting Board and Breadboard Blog Hop
Pure White and French Linen Painted Buffet
Before and After: Changes in the Entry at Loblolly
June Bucket List…
- Celebrate Dad’s Birthday, Flag Day, and Father’s Day
- Kickoff French Country Summer Bucket List
- Create and Decorate at Loblolly
- Begin 30 Day Rest Challenge
- Try a New Craft Project
- Learn to Make a Signature Mocktail
- Surprise Someone with an Unexpected Gift
- Take a Walking Photography Tour
- Continue Quarter 2 Challenge
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
June Word of the Month: Experiment & Explore
Activities to Enjoy:
- Try a New Recipe or Restaurant
- Experiment With Fresh Makeup/Hair/Outfit Ideas
- Ask Someone New to Lunch
- Play Tourist in a Nearby Town
- Enjoy a Concert or Play
- Cross Something Off Your Bucket List
- Visit a Farm or Botanical Garden
You can find our complete list of Word of the Month Ideas here.
52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Paper Clutter, Photos, and Email
- 06/04 – Bills/Mail/Paper Clutter
- 06/11 – Digital Computer Files/Passwords/Photographs
- 06/18 – Your Email Inbox
- 06/25 – Organize Your Purse, Wallet & Update Your Phone Contacts
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 06/18 – Father’s Day
- 06/19 – Juneteenth
- 06/21 – First Day of Summer
- 06/23 – National Pink Day
- 06/30 – Social Media 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!
Many blessings,
CoCo
CoCo,
Thanks for all your words of wisdom and insights. Love all you share.
Thanks so much, Rachel, I really appreciate it! I’m looking forward to putting my paintbrushes down and catching up with all your posts. Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
I love the orange juice in the stemmed glasses! You are right, your uncle is a rockstar! That may be just the thing to “get the sparkle” back! 😊
Thank you so much, Susan. He’s such a great guy and my aunt is such a great lady. Truly, it’s a huge blessing they found each other because they bring such a richness to our family. Hope you have the best weekend – break out the good stuff – Big hugs, CoCo
I made a comment and it did not appear?
We have high spam filters so it’s possible it got sent to our spam or trash folders and inadvertantly removed, Elle. I appreciate you checking back in though and for leaving a comment. That’s so kind of you! Hope your weekend is filled with all good things, CoCo
Happy weekend, friend! Such amazing insights today. I appreciate you!
And I appreciate you, Rachel, you’ve always been such a sweet support of this blog and it means the world to me. Hope your week is filled with all good things, CoCo
On Saturday’s the mister always makes breakfast for me (Mimosa and all) or we go out. It’s nice to know that’s coming. Something to look forward too when you’ve had a busy week. Where does the time go exactly? I have to look back at my calendar to figure that out as well. So obviously I say – oh yeah quite often. I’m off to see what I should be wearing at my age. Hope it’s comfy and casual and NOT old lady clothes. LOL!
That is so sweet, Cindy! What a special way to kick off the weekend. I never realized how critical it was to have something to look forward to on the weekends until I started working from home. It really does change everything! I will definitely be sharing a trick for not having to look back at your calendar and on organizing your calendar in a fresh way in the coming weeks because I am desperate to get off this go*do/feast*famine cycle. It’s just no way to live! Can’t wait to see what you think of the style post. I thought it was such a good one. Sending you lots of hugs and cheers to the weekend, CoCo
I love that your uncles starts your aunts day off with orange juice from stemmed crystal. Truly romantic.
Thank you for these words of wisdom. Rich and I both work from home and it’s so easy to work around the clock and not realize what you’re doing! We really do need to make time for simple pleasures and figure out a way to slow down! Going to check out your links now! Blessings, Donna
Hi CoCo- I always love your front porch posts. Yes, I am guilty of falling into the “go go go go” culture we have all sort of inadvertently created. So, its nice to have a reminder to drink orange juice from a crystal glass. Also it’s a nice reminder that its ok to sit on the sofa at 8 pm, light a candle and read a book. It is so funny that you shared the best of the Chelsea Flower show! Ironically my Dad and his wife attended the even this year and they loved it. There are so many innovative and eco-friendly approaches to gardening. Thanks for taking the time to put these posts together.