Category: Seasonal Home Tour

SPRING HOME REFRESH

~ Rachel Jane ~ Leave a comment

Hi there, everyone, and happy Spring! The sun outside my home has been shining for over a week, the weather is getting warmer - bringing with it the thawing of a hard, icy ground, and when I open my windows to breathe in the fresh air, I can hear birds chirping and singing away.

With all of the extra time at home right now, along with being able to tangibly see a turning of the seasons, I couldn’t help but have my thoughts and heart stirring towards change. Part of that for me, always, is freshening up my home. Though I do so quite simply, and largely with what I already have, I find moving items around the home can make an impact, and feel as though you have redecorated with just a few adjustments here and there.

I always desire for The Porch Light Cottage to be a place of peace, inspiration, and encouragement. Though I want to stay positive, I would feel remiss if I were not to acknowledge that there is a lot of uncertainty and concern in our society right now amidst the current outbreak. Continue reading “SPRING HOME REFRESH” →

A HYGGE HOME

~ Rachel Jane ~ 4 Comments

During the winter months of January and February, things can sometimes feel a little dreary. The holidays are over, and where I live we still have to endure a few bitterly cold, dark, and often gloomy months. Though it’s a new year, which can be an exciting time for fresh starts and resolutions, it’s also been coined as the most “depressing” time of the year. Understanding this, I believe that practicing mindfulness in our daily lives is of the utmost importance. I have wanted to write a post on this for quite awhile, and what better time than when people are lamenting the cold weather, and noticing those holiday feelings from the previous month fading further from their minds. Continue reading “A HYGGE HOME” →

MERRY & BRIGHT CHRISTMAS HOME - PT. 1

~ Rachel Jane ~ 1 Comment

It’s that time of year once again - the season that so many of us look forward to all year long. I know I say it every year, but Christmas truly is my absolute favourite time. Strolling through Christmas markets hand in hand with your love, sipping a hot chocolate, observing all the hustle and bustle while bundled up to keep warm. Enjoying plentiful time with family and friends at holiday gatherings and family dinners. Watching from your windowsill as snow falls gently down, illuminated by the twinkling lights on houses up and down the street. Seasonal baking in the kitchen with a glass of mulled wine, and your favourite Christmas songs playing in the background. Watching Christmas movies while snuggled up under a cozy blanket. Giving gifts, thoughtfully wrapped up in pretty packaging. Sharing in meaningful family traditions that bring a lightness to your heart. This season is filled with an abundance of joy, and time to create memories you’ll cherish for years to come. Continue reading “MERRY & BRIGHT CHRISTMAS HOME - PT. 1” →

AUTUMN AT HOME

~ Rachel Jane ~ Leave a comment

The seasons are changing quickly here, and it causes a stirring in me. It’s always about this time of year where I find myself in eager anticipation of the holidays, yet I try my hand at steady patience - to have myself wait a little while longer, lest I overlook the joys possible during this particular stretch of autumn; The time where the days are still long enough, and warm enough, to enjoy an evening walk, breathing crisp air as the very last of the departed leaves flutter to nature’s floor. When the hours remain readily open, and we may savour the time given to us by filling them slowly and deliberately, prior to each moment brimming with activity and excitement by the very essence of the season. Where upon looking outside, we are greeted with a lovely burnt colour palette and the radiant glow of the sun, before the cold suppresses nature into latency and whiteness. It’s a time of looking ahead with elation, and a tangible lightness to my heart, before ultimately wishing time would just slow down and hold us longer in the holiday moments we cherish most. Ah yes, I think late autumn is truly full of all kinds of beauty. Continue reading “AUTUMN AT HOME” →

Spiced Apple Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

~ Rachel Jane ~ Leave a comment

Hi there, friends. I hope you are having a lovely week! This coming weekend is Thanksgiving for us here in Canada, and I’m so looking forward to spending time with my husband and family. Though, the weather would denote that it’s actually closer to Christmas than anything else with the insane amounts of snow we have been getting. It seems autumn didn’t want to stick around for us in the North this year.
It’s funny how much the seasons and weather can really get into my brain, as I now find myself eagerly anticipating the holidays, complete with planning my decorating for it! I won’t spend too long discussing that though, lest it frustrate anyone who would rather think that reality is still much further away than it is, haha.
Anyways, with Thanksgiving upon us, I always start thinking about all of the amazing foods we get to eat this time of year! It’s so fun, and truly a privilege, to be able to gather around a table with loved ones and to enjoy one another, as well as wonderful food that always brings memories of each holiday that passed before it. Continue reading “Spiced Apple Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)” →

SIMPLE, SMALL ENTRYWAY DECOR

~ Rachel Jane ~ 2 Comments

Hi there, all! Well, we are officially into the autumn season by a couple of days, and I am finally able to embrace it fully. I personally do so as soon as August comes to a close, however it’s now more socially acceptable, haha.
This past Sunday afternoon, my husband and I went on a lovely drive together in the countryside near our home. Here, the third weekend of September is historically the weekend where many of the leaves have changed colour, but most of them are still fluttering brightly on the trees. We are also usually gifted with a spotlessly sunny and blue sky, and this combination creates a beautiful mosaic of autumn colours over the landscape. This is something I have taken note of over the past 6 or 7 years, so we always make a point to get out at least one of the afternoons that weekend to soak in the season. Troy and I have a specific spot we visit, where a grouping of immense trees have begun showering down their leaves, creating a vast area to enjoy the crunch beneath your feet as you walk along the path. Continue reading “SIMPLE, SMALL ENTRYWAY DECOR” →

AUTUMN LIVING ROOM

~ Rachel Jane ~ 15 Comments

Oh autumn, my absolute favourite season overall. I know this strays a bit from the norm, but I am someone who really doesn’t feel sad to see summer leave, and to welcome the beginnings of the season changing to fall. I’m not one for super hot weather - good thing I live in Canada - so after a couple of weeks of scorching temperatures and sun, I feel overjoyed when we finally get that cooler weather front rolling in, like we have had this week. I asked my husband the forecast yesterday, and without skipping a beat he said, “It’s about 12 degrees (53 F) and overcast, so perfect for you outside.” He knows me so well! Seriously, give me all the gloomy skies and crisp autumn air. It’s absolutely perfect for lighting candles all over the house, listening to soft music, and cozying up in my reading chair with a cup of tea and fuzzy socks. This is why autumn is also my favourite season to transition to for decor Continue reading “AUTUMN LIVING ROOM” →