From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends and welcome to September!
Do you have anything fun planned for Labor Day?
Last week as I was adding events to my “celebrating board” and I got so excited over all the things we not only commemorated but genuinely celebrated this month.
And I have to say, it felt so good!
We toasted completing phase 1 of the makeovers planned for my childhood home, Loblolly, with petit fours and raspberry lemonade (I saved the pink champagne for S), and had THE BEST lunch with one of my aunts.
We celebrated my niece’s birthday, the little first day of school, my nephew’s first football game (he kicks the field goals), and 14 years at my home, Journeys End.
We welcomed new faces to the TCG community, I reconnected with my Dad on lunch breaks and sent words of encouragement to loved ones because third-grade math is no joke 😉, and sent a gift basket to help ease the stress of an upcoming knee surgery.
I attended our second annual retreat weekend for the Global Leadership Summit, took in the Bo Bartlett exhibition at our local Museum of Modern Art, and saw Barbie and Oppenheimer all of which were really thought-provoking.
We joined 2 fabulous blog hops, I signed new contracts, crossed off a big financial goal, settled into fresh routines, and embraced rhythms of renewal that feel manageable right now.
We made healthy meals, indulged in ice cream and macarons, and stayed up way too late snuggling Piper while watching Suits. I’m dying to find out if Donna and Harvey get together (their smoldering chemistry, right? I can barely stand the suspense!)
It was by no means a perfect month.
We are currently struggling with COVID for the very first time and after 5 days of negative tests and thinking it was just the flu, it’s been a tough pill to swallow. Especially, after having avoided it for 3 whole years.
Hurricane Idalia hit our hometown really, really hard.
I’ll share more on Monday but one of my aunts summed it up perfectly when she called the entire event, devastating.
I got passed over for something I really wanted because my skill set was deemed “not quite there yet.”
And I had a delay on a project I’ve been working on for months because it was considered “not ready yet.”
Don’t get me wrong, it was tough to hear those things at the time.
Truthfully, I cried over it all.
But every morning I was able to start again because I fully believe opportunities that are truly meant to be ours will manifest themselves at the right time, in the right way, and in the right season no matter what.
No is not always a closed door.
Sometimes, it’s a “not yet.”
So, as we move forward into September, I want you to treasure the little things that made the biggest impact, shake off the disappointments that hurt your heart or caused you doubt, and prepare to embrace a new month filled with fresh opportunities.
Because you never know the breakthroughs that are just around the corner, or the good things headed your way.
As always, I’ll be cheering you on.
PS: Thank you again to everyone who checked on us during the storm. It meant so much to know you were praying for us and lifting us up. We are all safe but the damage throughout our hometown and the surrounding areas is extensive. It’s going to take many months to clean everything up and to realize the full impact of Hurricane Idalia. So, keep your prayers coming. It’s such an awesome town and they definitely need them!
A Few of Our Favorite Things From Around the Web This Week…
Amanda Lindroth has such a beautiful style and I adore her bright and cheery family home in the Bahamas.
This blue and white living room is so cozy!
Old Seagroves Homes is a recent discovery and their portfolio is fabulous!
Have you seen this Lake Geneva Dream House yet?
Wait until you see this beautiful farmhouse-inspired home tour!
These small garden ideas are all so pretty.
I have always wanted to learn how to do this and Kim’s post makes it feel totally doable!
Speaking of pretty, have you seen this oyster shell garland yet?
This is such a cool idea, How to Take a Sand Heart Photo at the Beach
5 Ways to Add Meaning To Your Family Reunion
9 Popular Social Habits That Drain the Life Out of Our Relationships
This dress and these pjs look like the perfect way to transition from summer to fall.
Words to Live By…
Menu Ideas…
Blue and Neutral Inspired Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week…
(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)
Tennis Dress * Dot Pillow Cover * Gold Shell Earrings (cannot get over the price of these) * Mirror
Plates * Cardigan (just ordered for game days) * Throw * Sunnies
Watch * Clamshell (would also be pretty filled with ornaments for the holidays) * Striped Pullover * Block Print Pillow Cover
Doll Carrier * Makeup Bag * Ice Bucket (would also be pretty as a flower container) * Navy Dress (great for days you want to feel pulled together quickly)
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Home Decor Books Coming Out This Fall
French Country Inspired Fall Home Tour
French Country-Inspired Fall Porch Tour
The Easiest Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake
September Bucket List…
- Celebrate September Birthdays and Special Occasion Events
- Celebrate Labor Day with Shrimp Rolls
- Fly the Flag for Patriot’s Day
- Catch a New Art Exhibit
- Grab a PSL at Starbucks
- Create a Fall Bucket List
- Decorate the House for Fall
- Decorate the Porch for Fall
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
September Words of the Month: Refresh & Renew
Activities to Enjoy:
- Simply Your Current Routines
- Refresh Your Bedroom or Your Favorite Room in the House
- Renew an Old Friendship, Habit, or Hobby You Once Loved
- Read an Empowering Book
- Put a Puzzle Together or Host a Family Game Night
- Listen to Classical Music
- Get a Facial or Deep Stone Massage
September Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
- 09/03 Create a Fall Bucket List
- 09/10 Transition Seasonal Items into Closets (coats, sweaters, ski gear, sports equipment)
- 09/17 Order or Purchase a New Planner or Calendar
- 09/24 Review Family Holiday Calendar & Set Family Doctor Appointments
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 09/01 Buy Birthday and Special Occasion Gifts and Cards
- 09/01 National Food Bank Day
- 09/04 Labor Day (US)
- 09/06 National Read a Book Day
- 09/08 Stand Up to Cancer Day
- 09/10 National Grandparents Day
- 09/11 Patriot Day
- 09/12 National Day of Encouragement
- 09/15 Rosh Hashanah
- 09/16 Oktoberfest
- 09/21 National Chai Day
- 09/22 Native American Day
- 09/22 American Business Women’s Day
- 09/22 National Ice Cream Cone Day
- 09/23 First Day of Fall
- 09/23 National Pot Pie Day
- 09/25 National Daughters Day
- 09/26 National Pancake Day
- 09/26 Love Note Day
- 09/29 National Coffee and National Starbucks 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
I am so glad you are safe from the hurricane but so very sorry it hot your hometown so badly. These extreme weather events are just crazy..I’m sending my thoughts to everyone affected by it.
Both of my nephews and in-laws are getting over covid right now, too. Hope you feel better soon, CoCo!!
Blessings to you.
Hi CoCo! You’ve had quite a month! Sorry to hear you’ve had to deal with COVID-19! Then, a hurricane on top of that! Life is such an emotional roller coaster filled with ups and downs! Thank you for sharing your joys and sorrows with us! Here’s hoping September brings good things for us all! Blessings, Donna
CoCo,
I hope your September is Fabulous! Have a blessed Labor Day Weekend.
Hi, CoCo, and happy September sweet friend. I am so sorry to hear that you have COVID and after avoiding it for so many years. I’m praying for a speedy recovery. And I know your latest disappointments will be something you look back on and see that it was a path to even better things.
Your posts are always so inspiring. Thank you for sharing my hydrangea post. I so appreciate it.
Oh Coco. Firstly I hope you get better real soon, COVID is no joke. Secondly, keep your head up my friend. I personally admire your skillset and you should be proud of the community you’ve created. That just means there are better opportunities out there for you and coming your way <3
I’m so sorry you’ve had such a rough time this month. Good for you for starting again every morning, even after the disappointments and the grief.
And good for you for celebrating the good.
Praying right now for you and your hometown, too~
LeAnne
I am so sorry you are dealing with COVID! I have been praying for you and your family in regards to the hurricane, but I will add in COVID. I am glad you get to snuggle with Piper – so adorably cute!
Thanks for being real and sharing the struggles and the victories of life. You have a really good outlook on things. Have an amazing September!
You are such an inspiration and I so admire you. Hugs and blessings to you.
I am looking forward to seeing Oppenheimer, I love a good thought-provoking movie. My husband loved it. I am glad to hear no one was injured in your family with the hurricane. I am sure it is devasting to see the destruction. I used to work with a lineman who moved down your way, and I kept wondering how he was weathering the storm, being out there trying to keep the power on, and restoring it where it was down. We get so used to our everyday lives, that we forget sometimes power is kind of a privilege.
Hi CoCo – First, I hope you and your family are able to recovery both physically and emotionally this Labor Day weekend. It sounds as if you have all been through quite a lot lately. You and your family are in my thoughts and pryaers as you recover from Idalia, COVID and the “not yets” you encountered recently. We are all cheering for you.