Friday, November 20, 2020

On the Porch * Red Berries Edition

Brrr.  Good chilly weekend to you!

Not surprisingly, the porch has become mighty cold this week ... and so I've rather reluctantly tidied it up and put it to bed for the winter.  The floors have been swept and the furniture cozied up with old threadbare flannel sheets.  And yes, old bottles and other odds and ends remain behind, patiently biding their time 'til I can figure out where they should land next in our rather small house.



In keeping with my quirky decorating philosophy, red berried wreaths have been hanging on the doors of our home all year.  This week, I treated myself to an exquisite frosted berry swag from TJ Maxx and it's already been draped along the mantle.

Layer ... The Key to Transitioning Your Seasonal Home shares the whats and whys of my homekeeping philosophy that's ended up lending peace and sanity to our four walls.  In this era of confusion, unknowns, and 'lots of moving parts,' how lovely to invite your home into a gentle rhythm that subtly morphs from one season to the next.

Because drastic changes in our home-sweet-homes are the last thing we need right about now.

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If you're looking for a stunning Christmas gift {or are a Sarah Young fan}, be sure to look at Jesus Calling For Christmas.  I feel like a kid in a candy store with this book in hand, a warm quilt, a mug of tea.

Filled with soothing, personal, Christ-centered devotional readings, favorite Scripture, and stunning wintertime photography {more berries!}, this is a gorgeous book.  This Christmas, one that's even more stressful than most, I encourage you to think about selecting what I call 'a signature gift' to wrap up for your people.  

This could be it.  

Make it easy on yourself and buy the hardcover edition by the crate right here and your shopping will be done.  There is also a Kindle edition.  And yes, as an Amazon associate, I may reap a small financial profit when you purchase using the links above.

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And speaking of links, here's a few goodies to savor as you curl up in your favorite chair ...

11 Reminders From Your Mom If You're Having a Bad Day

Kate Arends

'I'm sure you've heard the phrase "self-parenting" before, and while the concept makes sense at first blush, learning to parent yourself is often a lifelong journey.'


A Few Helpful Thoughts about Hard Seasons

Lois Flowers

'Some seasons arrive sooner than expected, others stay long enough to completely wear out their welcome, Either way, their duration is largely out of our control.'


Holiday Gift Guide

Propel Women

'This guide isn’t just an online catalog filled with things for you to purchase — we have prayerfully curated each gift set to equip and empower the individual callings of your family members, friends, and coworkers.'


Why Our Family Room Looks Like a Hotel Lobby

The Nester

'We ended up with three black sofas in our tiny family room and although it’s unorthodox, weird and breaking a few rules, we don’t hate it.'


The Psalms Dare Us to Bring Our Whole Selves Before God

Tish Harrison Warren

'Emotions can be destructive forces if they jump the banks—if they overwhelm all else, determine the whole course of our lives, dictate our responses to others, or become centered as the only true or real thing about our experience of life.'


2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers

Christianity Today

'There’s something for everyone, and that too is part of the beauty of reading.  All of us are transported to new landscapes and conversations that influence how we live and care for one another.'


Light a Candle

Linda Stoll

'As we focus more on His sustaining presence in our lives, 'the things of earth' begin to take their rightful place.  We become less self-absorbed, overwhelmed, rattled, and disappointed.'

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If you live on Cape Cod, please join me as I facilitate The Women's Pandemic Holiday Support Group, a cozy yet socially distanced gathering around the warmth of the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church narthex fireplace.   

We'll be meeting for three Thursdays, beginning December 3rd.  The church is located on Rt. 6A in Brewster.  Registration is required and is limited to ten women.   We've got only 4 seats left!  Check out the details on the pandemic support page.  See you there?

I'd love it.

No matter where you find yourself, may your Thanksgiving be blessed with tranquility ~

Linda

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Think open house + small group + your BFF + book club + your therapist + TGIF all coming together to join forces on the weekend!  That's On the Porch. You never know who or what's going to show up.  This is the place for all my fabulous blogging friends to link up your finest post of the past week ... I want to offer every opportunity to get the word out about your amazing-ness.   

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>>  Tip-toeing Through the Liminal Space

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connecting with Jeanne & Lisa

50 comments:

  1. Calculating the Thursday commute to the Cape...
    Someday time and space will not be a factor.

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    1. And someday, when all this madness is gone, I'd love to host a special day for all our New England blogging friends.

      Wouldn't that be cool?!

      Meanwhile, your Make Gratitude the Music of Your Life booklet is wonderful. Thanks for packing all that goodness into a needed meditation for this season. I know it'll become an annual devotional for me.

      READERS - Michele's newsletter is always a must read - https://michelemorin.net/newsletter/

      I encourage you to subscribe!

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  2. So glad to visit you on the porch today, Linda. We put our porch furniture away this week. It's always a little sad to do that. I read Lois's post and enjoyed it very much. I am going to check out the Reminders From Your Mom. My mom used to give me good reminders! Happy Friday!!!

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    1. It's a lovely article! I never cease to be amazed at how often I hear myself speaking my mother's words.

      Happy Friday and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Perhaps a race is on your schedule? You go, girl!

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    2. Yes...2 races in January. for now. They may be canceled due to Covid.

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    3. Let's hope that they don't get cancelled!

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  3. Such pretty displays! And thank you for those links, Linda! I haven't been able to visit and read blogs as much as I'd like to lately, and appreciate you putting these links together!

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    1. I miss your writing, your photography, your grace-filled articles, friend. I hope you are well as we navigate this perplexing season ...

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  4. No matter if it's really cold,
    but winter has so much to give,
    and I'm crazy, so I'm told,
    for the porch is where I live
    all throughout those cold short days,
    inhaling frigid air,
    because, well, I have to say
    my main workbench is there,
    too big to fit inside the house,
    and vital to my daily tasks,
    so I guess I will not grouse
    when some nosy neighbour asks,
    "Hey, dude, aren't you really freezin'?"
    "No," I'll say, "this is MY season!"

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yep, my husband would resonate with you, Andrew. Where the workbench is, that's where I'll find him.

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  5. That book you featured here, Linda, sounds like the perfect Christmas gift for my daughter. Thanks for the recommendation!
    Blessings!

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    1. Oh good! Let me know how she likes it!

      Meanwhile, may your Thanksgiving lend you some surprise joys ...

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  6. What a fun post and inspiring too. I love the white pumpkins and have a friend who put them on her table and the family write what they are grateful for on it.

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  7. Your porch is so lovely I'd be tempted to find an electric blanket and cup of hot pleasure and brave the cold!

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    1. Yesterday it was beautiful out there! The weather is most unpredictable in this neck of the woods ... I've learned to roll with it and appreciate God's thermometer!

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  8. So many things to be thankful for ... yet we forget to say thanx ... to God ... to family ... and to friends.

    Thanx Linda. God bless.

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    1. Good point, Victor. We tend to go to God with a request list as long as our arm. May our gratitude list as we meet with Him be even longer!

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  9. Linda,
    Your simple red berry wreath and mantle swag remind me of what I want in these holidays - simplicity. I won't miss the calendar of events vying for my attention, but I am thinking about how I can make the holidays nice for those who've spent months in isolation and loneliness. Any ideas...I'm looking for some feasible inspiration.
    May you have a peace-filled Thanksgiving,
    Bev xx

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    1. Bev, what a thoughtful idea. Welcoming and embracing simplicity not only for our own joy, but using that extra energy in investing in others who find themselves really suffering.

      You've got me thinking this morning ... maybe this is the year to rejuvenate our Christmas card list ... and see this as an outreach ministry rather than something we should do.

      Delivering a little treat - something yummy or pretty or fun - to someone who needs to know that they are loved and valued.

      Thanks for nudging me toward this, friend. Bless you!

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  10. Thank you for your continued warm welcome every time I come and sit here for awhile. I love the simplicity of red berries. That one pop of color brightens up the drab and dreary beautifully. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!

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    1. Thanks, Mary!

      READERS - It's not too late to grab hold of Mary's beautiful Advent book ...
      https://marygeisen.com/waiting-well-in-any-season-and-book-release-day/

      If we ever needed to focus on Advent, it would be this year, for sure. Come quickly, Lord Jesus ...

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  11. Love the red berries hanging on the turquoise door. And the mantel. So festive. I used to see fake red berry swags in the store and wondered if they grew in real life. Moved 2000 miles away and found that they do.

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    1. 2000 miles!

      That made me smile, Theresa.

      May you have a sweet Thanksgiving ...

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  12. I love your decorating style :). I have two rails on the walls in our long, wide hallway that hold about 8-10 large photos each. I change out my photos occasionally, but that's about the extent of my decorating ;).

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    1. I love how your long, wide hallway has become a very personalized art gallery, Anita!

      Cool ...

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  13. Making smooth transitions from season to season - yes! I like that! Beautiful house - and thanks for the book recommendations for stockings! Praying much blessing to you this Thanksgiving Season! ~ Maryleigh

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    1. Enjoy the books, Maryleigh! And have a wonderful Thanksgiving ...

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  14. Gorgeous wreath,love it at the turquoise door!

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  15. Hi Linda,

    I'm visiting from Sandi's party. I'm admiring your door's fabulous colour!

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  16. I love your red berries, Linda. As well as praying the Psalms and the thought of the Nester having three black couches in her living room. :-) And thank you for including my post in your month-end wrap up ... seeing it there last week was encouragement at just the right time. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend.

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    1. Don't you just love when encouragement comes when we need it most? God knows just who to send onto our paths at the right time. I'm so grateful.

      Yep, as a long time Nester fan, I really enjoyed her 3 black couches saga. And you know that your post hit home with me.

      I'm sure you'll be making lovely memories tomorrow, friend ...

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  17. I wish I lived a bit closer to the Cape. I would certainly be joining you. I’ve never heard the term self parenting before but I have often thought that along with all the books about 2 year olds or teenagers it would be nice if they continued on up into our twenties, or thirties...or fifties....

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    1. Interesting about the books that speak to us in each decade. They're out there, I've read some of them. It would be neat if someone could pull together a list, wouldn't it?

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  18. I wanted to to let you know that I received your book in the mail the other day. Last week was a rather tough work week and it was such a treat to come home and find it waiting in my mail box. Thank you so much.

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    1. Oh don't you just love opening your mail box and finding a little something just for you?!

      Enjoy, friend ...

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  19. Enjoy your gathering! What a blessing that would be!!

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer. I can't think of one person who isn't yearning for some kind of affirming support or meaningful conversation these days ...

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  20. Your turquoise door with the red berry wreath makes quite a statement, Linda. It's gorgeous! I'm very partial to turquoise, aqua, robin egg blue etc. You have suggested some very good reading. Thank you for sharing at my party and have yourself a Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. You're talking my colors, girl! It was fun to drop by and meet a whole bunch of new bloggers ... I'll be back!

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  21. Linda, I love your colors. Bluegreens and read are my favorite. And thanks for the reading tips.

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  22. I love red berries, and your wreath on the turquoise door and the swag on your mantle look beautiful! Thanks for sharing links to check out, my friend. I hope your Thanksgiving is/was a wonderful one!

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    1. Thanks, Jeanne! I hope you and your guys had a great day together ...

      ;-)

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  23. Linda, I see no reason not to use the berry wreaths all year round! I love the idea of a home having "a gentle rhythm that subtly morphs from one season to the next."

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    1. Just reading those words'gentle rhythm' makes me smile.

      Welcome, Jean!

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