From the Front Porch: Spring Garden Edition
Happy Thursday from the front porch sweet friends and welcome to the Spring Garden Edition.
There have been signs of spring budding around us for a while now, but this week, it feels like the blooms just exploded all at once.
It’s so beautiful!
In between wrapping up quarter one and finalizing plans for quarter two, preparing for upcoming blog hops, and tying up loose ends, I’ve been trying to spend as much time as I can outside.
I’ve also been looking back at what worked well these past 90 days and what needs to be tweaked a bit.
It’s one of the most valuable tasks I make time for at the end of every month and quarter.
This week has definitely been one of transitions as we work to reestablish a new daily cadence.
If you missed our announcement on Tuesday, we’ve decided to change our weekly email schedule from Wednesdays and Fridays to Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We’re also changing the time of those emails to better accommodate all the blog hops we’re a part of.
Wednesdays and Fridays seemed to work really well for you (and us too) until I started school.
There’s always a chance we’ll go back to that schedule once I’ve completed my continuing education and certification courses.
For now, though, rearranging our schedule so I can have designated time to focus on school (and other exciting things) will help everything run more smoothly.
After all, there’s something truly magical about this time of year and I don’t want to miss a single second of the blessings of Spring, the fresh sense of hope and rhythm of renewal it offers being overwhelmed or stressed out.
And I don’t want that for you either.
If you’re commemorating the end of Lent season, Holy Week, or celebrating Easter on Sunday, I wish you a heart full of perfect peace and restoration.
I’ve had this bluesy song about remdemption from Crowder on repeat this week. It’s one of my all-time favorites.
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web This Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- Can you imagine living in this 17th Century London Home Designed by Rose Uniacke? It looks like such a peaceful place.
- This beautiful home tour, A Slow and Soulful Renovation: Heather Shaw’s Victorian Home in Toronto immediately made me want to declutter.
- I love that there is plenty of room to grow in this backyard garden area featured via Southern Living.
Seasonal Inspiration:
- My mom sent me this post, How to Decorate a Sophisticated Easter Table via Veranda and the pastels are so pretty.
- If a neutrals are more your jam, Rachel has a black and white Easter tablescape you’ll adore.
- Jen from Midwest Life and Style has a fabulous post on How to Fold Easter Bunny Ear Napkins.
- Still looking for menu ideas? Susan has you covered with Easter Menu Ideas for the Whole Family.
- Finally, if you need a last minute dessert idea, consider these bunny tail cupcakes from Julie Blanner or these bunny ears ice cream cones via Jacquelyn Clark. They would both make a fun and festive sweet treat!
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- This podcast, The Power of No, from The School of Self Image was so, so, so good!
- 6 Tips for Cleaning Like the French via My French Farmhouse Magazine
- These 20 Random Acts of Kindness to Try Today via The Everygirl are totally doable.
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- Fashion Tips for the Ultimate French Girl Style (bookmarked this post via My Chic Obsession for Spring so I can take it shopping with me)
- How to Fix 5 Common Decorating Mistakes via Ballard Designs
- 11 Scenic Road Trips to Take This Spring (via Travel and Leisure)
Simple Pleasures and Little Luxuries:
- Have you seen this French Girl Style Section at Tuckernuck?
- Has anyone tried this body suit? It’s such a classic, I’m curious now.
- Losing it in the best possible way over these! (Call me so we can twin, Li)
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog or the Archives Recently, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Wheelbarrow Container Garden Ideas
How to Make a Lavender Scented Scrub for Gardeners
On Expectations and Letting Go…
Last Minute Easter Tablescape Ideas
How to Create a Simple Easter Basket Centerpiece
How to Decorate a Store Bought Cake for Easter
Organizing the Month Ahead…
Words to Live By…
52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Linen Closets, Laundry Room, Entry, Dining Room
- Week 14 – Declutter/Organize Linen Closets
- Week 15 – Declutter/Organize Laundry Room and Simplify Laundry Day Routines
- Week 16 – Declutter/Organize Entry and Mudroom Areas
- Week 17 – Declutter/Organize Dining Room Hutch, Buffets and Cabinets, Refresh Décor
Words of the Month…
Declutter, Organize, Simplify
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
April Dates to Remember and Bucket List Ideas to Explore:
- Celebrate April Birthdays and Special Occasions
- Send a Card for National Greeting Card Day (04/01)
- Buy a Fresh Pair of Pajamas for National Pajama Day (04/06)
- Prepare for the Solar Eclipse (04/08)
- Celebrate National Siblings Day (04/10)
- Give Your Pet Lots of Love and Kisses on National Pet Day (04/11)
- Plant a container garden or flower bed for National Gardening Day (04/14)
- Have Dinner to Commemorate the End of Tax Season (04/15)
- Reestablish Healthy Habits on Refresh Your Goals Day (04/19)
- Renew Your Commitment to a Healthy Planet on Earth Day (04/22)
- Go on a Picnic for National Picnic Day (04/23)
- Bake Zucchini Bread for National Zucchini Day on (04/25)
- Shop Your Favorite Small Business for (Small Business Week 04/28)
- Attend a Spring Home and Garden Tours
- Attend the Opening of the Famers Market
- Spring Clean
- Create Spring to Summer DIY Project List
- Plan Your Summer Vacation
- Donate Gently Used Winter Clothes and Coats
- Keep Sundays Sacred
Spring Outdoor Inspiration 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 for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
- Garden Bench – comes in additional colors
- Pillow Covers – block prints have my heart and these come in lots of other colors
- Pitcher – would be great for drinks or to use as a vase too
- Striped Dress – this feels like the perfect way to transition from spring to summer
- Topiaries – we have these at Loblolly and my Mom loves them
- Sandals – these come in so many different colors including a sparkly pair
- Cooler – this would be lots of fun to use poolside and it comes in several other colors too
- Outdoor Arch – I have a vintage green one very similar to this one I’m excited to put up
- Picnic Basket – I don’t need another picnic basket but I’m so tempted by this one, it’s super cute
- Raised Garden Bed – S has these in brown and loves them. They’re deep so be care where you place them!
- Lounge Chair – dreaming of naps on the patio after finding this
- Plates – also come in brown and white that looks very similar to transferware
- Tank Dress – I saw this on another blogger and it’s so pretty
- Mini Chainsaw – my Dad loves this so much we’re surprising him with a second one for Loblolly
- Solar Lights – our zoo has these in almost all the flower beds and they’re magical
- Rug – love that this indoor/outdoor rug is so neutral it can be used in any room
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
Its going to be a lot of fun to see what you have cooked up Coco. I’ve never used one of those blind slat brushes. The Easter table is gorgeous and I love Crowder too. Have a great weekend and Happy Easter, Sarah
Thanks so much Sarah! It’s been a lot of extra travel but we’re getting things done which is exciting. Crowder is the best, right? He’s such a great mix of rock, bluegrass, blues and Christian all wrapped into one. Let me know how you like the slat brushes. I’m always looking for fun cleaning tools. Hugs, CoCo
I need all these cleaning posts and ideas Coco things have definitely gotten away from me. Have a great weekend
You’re in good company, Bonnie, I need them too! We’ll have a lot more coming up next week as well. Hope you have a happy weekend, CoCo
Looks like you had a great week shopping Coco. It takes me forever to find just the right thing. We’re excited about Easter this weekend too. Hope you have a great one
Thanks so much Ashley! Hope you and your family have a blessed Easter weekend too. Hugs, CoCo
Hey CoCo – we hope that your Easter was fabulous and joy-filled. Can’t wait to see all of the TCG projects. We know how incredibly hard y’all have worked! Hugs, The Bees
Thanks so much for the sweet comments, ladies! I hope you both had an Easter filled with lots of love and laughter too. Hugs, CoCo
These are my favorite posts of the week! I love just about every Crowder song, including this one. Also, thanks so much for sharing my post – that was a sweet surprise this morning! Have a wonderful Easter!
So sweet of you to day, Susan, thank you. I know what you mean about Crowder, he has such a soulful voice. You are very welcome. I always appreciate your menu ideas because they include new things to try as well as old school family favorites. Wishing you an amazing Easter weekend, CoCo
Happy Easter, CoCo!! Hope it’s filled with all good things.
I really appreciate it, Rachel, thank you so much. Big hugs, CoCo
It is so important to pivot when life gives us that little tug. I’m glad you are able to make adjustments that work best for you while you are juggling multiple plates. I try to do a weekly and monthly regroup too…sometimes I am more successful than others. Ha!
Thank you for sharing a link to my bunny napkin folding tutorial. I appreciate. I hope you have a very happy Easter!
Hi CoCo – The best thing about your blog is the diversity of things you share with us. It’s so fabulous that you share songs, podcasts, books and more with us. Of course, I have my eye on that jadeite pitcher . . . hmmm
Hope you had the best Easter! Yes, it’s so easy to let the season slip away without fully embracing all that it offers.