Thursday, June 29, 2023

Porch #98 * 2023's Biggest Hits (& the clunker that went nowhere)

Well hey there.  Happy July 4th weekend!

Can you believe that the first half of 2023 is gone?  Over and done with.  Finished.  Kaput.  So let's take a look at the three editions of PORCH that sparked the biggest conversations so far this year.  And the essay that went nowhere.  (Even though I thought it was kind of read-worthy.)

Click on the titles to go down memory lane.

When all is said and done, blogging would be a boring place to be without your creative feedback, wise opinions, and encouraging words.  Thanks for hanging with me, friends.  Clunkers and all.  Be sure to mark your calendars for the celebration of our 100th edition of PORCH coming in two weeks, 'Lord willing and the creek don't rise.'  

Subscribe if you haven't already.  You won't want to miss the party, I promise.

Without you, there'd be no blog.  Pure and simple.  Interacting with you keeps this space going full steam ahead.  Until the Lord says otherwise.  

#1

What can I say?  You guys couldn't get enough of the lobster roll.

#2

The dining room shelves got a great big round of applause ... and you shared heaps of motivation to get me going on the kitchen.  (We finished this past week ... scroll down for a sneak peek.)

#3


No doubt about it, we're all fans of book talk, little libraries, and everything reading-related.

*

And then there's the essay I loved that turned out to have very little response.  😕  Go figure ...


No One Has a Crystal Ball
'we resort to a variety of passive aggressive tactics as we pout or dole out the silent treatment to an audience whose energy has already been drained by yet another manipulative performance ...'

*

'Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.  Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer.  I find myself praying for you with a glad heart.'
Philippians 1:3-4 (The Message)
Linda

 PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits

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*

 I happily share my work on these bloggers' websites - Paula & Jeanne & Donna & Richella & Lisa

24 comments:

  1. Linda, I remember all of these! Your shelves remain a favorite for sure. Wishing you a most wonderful July 4th weekend!

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    1. I'm guessing you'll be having the loveliest garden party filled with flowers and joy and the smiling little faces of those you love. Enjoy every minute, friend ...
      🌻

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  2. Fun to see these again. You definitely have curated a happy gathering place here!

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    1. We do enjoy nurturing our online communities, don't we, Michele ... God is good.

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  3. I've had that happen, too--posts I've poured my heart into and thought would resonate with people appear to fall flat. On the other hand, I just heard secondhand about how God used a post of mine from 2017. We just never know what He will do with what He leads us to write. And I think, more often than not, we probably won't know much of it this side of heaven.

    I love you smiley-face utensils! Looking forward to seeing the kitchen.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Barbara, thanks for reminding us that we simply prepare the soil, plant the seeds, and do the cultivation ... but it's God Himself who brings anything good and healthy into bloom.

      It takes the pressure off to do anything but follow His lead. I love that.

      Happy 4th, friend.
      🗽

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  4. Not one of your porch posts has ever disappointed me, Linda. I love all the energy and creativity you pour into each one. Don't stop!!! Blessings!

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    1. I'm taking your kind words to heart, friend ... and thanking you for being one of the most faithful participants in this little community. It means so much.
      xo
      💞

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  5. I agree with Martha. I enjoy every. issue but did love the little library one for sure.

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    1. There IS something about discovering a little library that carries the books you REALLY want to get your hands on, isn't there. I'm having such a good time hunting down the best free books I can find while I trying to cultivate the wildflower garden that surrounds it. I couldn't be happier ... and so fun to connect with neighbors, some of them for the first time.
      🥰

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  6. It's always peculiar to me to take note of what others respond to and what they don't!

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  7. Those beautifully-curated dining shelves sure grabbed my attention--not surprised that others appreciated them as well. I'm also a big fan of your backsplash!! Those shades of blue and gray are perfect for your seaside home. Can't wait to see the rest of your new kitchen!

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    1. Nancy, thanks! I'm so thankful that this project is done (except for door handles). It was definitely one step at a time. Big decisions are hard ...
      🤪

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  8. I missed that crystal ball article the first time around, but it was a good one (I went and read it now!). I do remember the other conversations. And I must say, I really like that verse the way The Message words it! visiting from Sweet Tea & Friends today

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    1. Yes, sometimes nothing says it louder and clearer than The Message, Kym ...
      📣

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  9. Linda, those posts are still fresh in my mind. My favorite stories of the little library. I took love the feedback, responses, insights and encouragement from blogging friends too.
    Thanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.

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    1. I agree, Paula, the blogging conversation was helpful. This group is an intuitive, generous bunch.
      👭👫👭

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  10. Happy 4th, Linda. I know what it feels like to get a lackluster response to a post that you really love. Disappointing, for sure. Even so, God knows who needs to see our specific words and He'll bring them around when the time is right. Or at least that's what I tell myself. I think I missed your crystal ball post the first time around too, but definitely wouldn't call it a "clunker." :-) I'm still loving those shelves and am hoping for some pics of the new kitchen soon.

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    1. I hope you had a fun 4th with your family, Lois ... these summer days sure go quick, don't they ...
      😎

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  11. I love that shelf and those colorful chairs. Time flies, yeah? Before we know it, it's alredy the -ber months again. Hope you enjoy the rest of the season.

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    1. Oh I hadn't even thought of fall!! (And sorry, the creator of the picture of the chairs is unknown to me.)
      🍂

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  12. I got hung up on the photo of that lobster roll. My family was originally from Maine but with no close family there any longer, I haven't been to the Northeast for a long time. I do miss those lobster rolls.

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    1. Maine is beautiful country. New England, too, although the rains have hit some areas really hard this week ...
      💦

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