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The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

April 12, 2021

No.509: Last Week at the Farmhouse // Spring Break

We had such a wonderful Spring Break week, the perfect mix of hard work and relaxation.

Our biggest project of the week involved moving the broilers out to pasture.  They seem really happy to be out in the sunshine and fresh air and I am super happy to have them out of my garage!

I added these mosquito wipes in my latest Grove order and hope they’ll help when we sit outside at night this summer.  I’ll report back.

A new set of eggs in the nest on our porch fan!

I’m reading The Color of Bee Larkham’s Murder (affiliate link) and it is such an original concept.  The main character is autistic and has synthesia, which is when sounds evoke sensations of color.  I’m not sure what I think of the book as a whole (I’m only about halfway), but it’s so interesting to see life through his eyes.

No photographic evidence, but I also…
+ cancelled our Amazon Prime subscription!  We weighed the pros and cons ad nauseum, but are really content with our final decision.  It doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll never shop there, but will definitely take away the tantalizing two-day temptations and prompt me to shop small first.  And if we find we miss it, we can always sign back up.
+ made a batch of cinnamon sugar apple chips in my new dehydrator.  Six hours to make and devoured in minutes!  I also made a pitcher of iced peach tea.
+ took a rosary walk and remembered how much I loved it.  Why did I ever stop?
+ watched another lecture from a free course I’m taking on the Constitution.  Very, very interesting and thought-provoking.

April 8, 2021

No.508: A Year of Vintage Recipes // Hot Cross Buns

For this month’s recipe, I wanted to try my hand at Hot Cross Buns, which are traditionally made on Good Friday.  (This post shares some of the history behind it as well as a way easier version that I’ll be keeping in mind for busier seasons.)  After I made the dough, the little kids helped me with the last half of the process and they turned out so perfectly imperfect.  The kids declared that they were delicious and gobbled them right up!

Print Recipe

Hot Cross Buns

Servings: 18 buns

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup milk
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 pkgs active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm water 110 to 115°
  • 3 eggs
  • 4 cup sifted flour about
  • ¾ cup currants
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tsp cold water
  • White Frosting

Instructions

  • Scald the milk, then add sugar, salt and butter; cool to lukewarm.
  • Sprinkle yeast on the warm water; stir to dissolve.
  • Add eggs, yeast and 1 cup flour to the milk mixture; beat with electric mixer at medium speed about 2 minutes, occasionally scraping the bowl. Stir in currants and enough remaining flour, a little at a time, to make a soft dough that is easy to handle. Beat well. Place in lightly greased bowl; turn dough over to grease the top. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1½ hours. Punch down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Roll or pat to ½" thickness. Cut in rounds with a 2½" biscuit cutter; shape cutouts in buns. Place about 1½" apart on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • With a very sharp knife, cut a shallow cross on the top of each bun. Brush tops with unbeaten egg white mixed with cold water.
  • Bake at 375° for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks about 5 minutes. Then, with top of knife or teaspoon, fill in crosses on buns with the White Frosting. Best served warm.

Notes

White Frosting Recipe
Combine 1 cup sifted confectioners sugar, ½ tsp vanilla and 2 Tbsp. hot water.  Mix until smooth.

April 7, 2021

No.507: The Wednesday Five #17

A QUOTE

There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us. There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear that Christ has not already borne for us, and does not now bear with us. And on the far side of every cross we find the newness of life in the Holy Spirit, that new life which will reach its fulfillment in the resurrection. This is our faith. This is our witness before the world. – St. John Paul II

A RECIPE

We plan to make these Easter egg cookie cups later this week.  Looks festive and easy!

WHAT’S IN MY TAB BAR RIGHT NOW
  • lots and lots of DIY kombucha articles // the bottles at the grocery store are just too expensive for our budget, so maybe I can do this myself at home?
  • this first-aid kit checklist // creating one is my April project
  • this new book (affiliate link) sounds really interesting
  • the daily “VEDA” videos from Old World Home
  • this year-long challenge to eat only the produce they grow on their property // inspiring!
A RECOMMENDATION

If you love beautiful editions of classic books, the Bluestocking Bookshelf is the website for you!  You’ll find curated lists, along with the corresponding ISBNs, for so many collections.  I want to read them all!

A MOMENT OF HAPPINESS

Two big moments so far this week: my daffodils finally bloomed and the “dudes” (the broilers) went out on pasture!

April 6, 2021

No.506: Mother Culture // April 2021


Oof, did I really miss another two months of Mother Culture?  I seem to be unable to consistently invest in myself in this way!  Thankfully, I’m no quitter and I’m going to try again in April.  My five assignments for the month:

ASSIGNMENT #1: Complete a month-long nature phenology wheel.

ASSIGNMENT #2: Write a creative snail mail letter to a penpal.

ASSIGNMENT #3: Get back to regular Latin lessons on Duolingo.

ASSIGNMENT #4: Discover a new musical artist and listen to some songs.

ASSIGNMENT #5: Read a book written before 1950.

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The 10 Year Reading Plan for the Great Books of the Western World

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