Happy Friday + Links 10/6/17

Happy Friday! We had a couple of really lovely days this week, working as a family on the Porch House, preparing to finish the hardwood floors.  I often get asked how we renovate old houses with our kids, and while there is no magical formula, I do know that it takes patience, persistence, and a high tolerance for chaos.  Oftentimes, it's just when I'm ready to throw in the towel and head home that the boys surprise me by sweeping the floors or digging through the planter boxes for worms or making up a game of their own...together...happily...without prompting and without bickering.  That right there, is parenting gold.  Of course, I do have some tips for renovating with kids, but I'll save that for the post I've been meaning to write for a good 2 years now ;)

The Grit and Polish - Porch Boys and Mama on Island .3

Speaking of family, that little guy in the red is turning 2 next week!  I can't help but feel all the mama feels about my kids aging, but on the other hand, I'm kinda surprised Brooks isn't 2 already.  He certainly has the will of a 2-year-old and can throw a fit with the best of them, plus having another baby has a way of making an older baby feel all grown up.  Everyone says that Brooks looks like me, which is neither here nor there, but it warms my heart all the same.  We'll be celebrating this sweet kid this weekend with cake (of course!) plus cars and a couple new tools for his tool box.

Links

Well it's Friday again, meaning I've combed the internet for lots of great links.  Grab a cup of coffee and jump in!

Birthdays.  They call for this bedtime story.

Did you catch my introduction this week to the One Room Challenge?!  I'm super excited to join in again and also to see how all the participant's spaces turn out!

A greenhouse renovation.  It's a dream of mine to have a greenhouse on our property so this was extra fun for me!

My go-to cute work boots (well, technically booties) are marked down!  And by work, I mean renovating, farmers-market shopping, errand running, and pretty much everything else this busy mama does;)

modern_farmhouse_dining_5340_web_1

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Melissa's dining room reveal went live this week and - no surprise here - it's lovely!  Related: vintage chalkboards and I are in a lifelong relationship.

I recently picked up one of these for the Farmhouse.  Winter is coming and I'm making the best of it by stocking up on anything that will encourage cozying up, reading books, and/or sipping on hot drinks.

This wedding!

My friend Ashley has such a beautiful home and it was featured on Design Sponge! Check it out here.

With all the bad in the world this week, I wanted to end this Friday post with a favorite quote from Mother Teresa: "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family."  That's just what I'll be doing this weekend, and I wish you the same!

xoxo

-Cathy