The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

January 27, 2021

No.481: Where I Buy Books

My last task on this year’s 100 Little Things list is “Use Amazon as little as possible.” This wasn’t necessarily a “holier than thou” statement about big business, but more of a shorthand way to remind me to look toward other retail places first. Today I wanted to share six places I look for books before heading to the “Big A” – let me know your favorite little spots too!

1 // Better World Books

When I’m in the market for books, Better World Books is the first place I turn. Their used book selection is incredible and the prices are generally pretty great. I can often get hardcovers for less than $4! They have sales frequently and also have a rewards program for even more savings. Standard shipping is always free. In the off chance that my order got lost in the mail, they’ve quickly refunded my money. I’m a big, big fan of BWB.

Use my link to get $5 off your order of $30 or more!

2 // Ebay

If I can’t find the book I’m looking for at BWB or the price isn’t great, I head over to Ebay. This is a little hit or miss, but it never hurts to look! Since larger retailers often use ebay too, I especially like to search out the books that look like a regular person is selling them. (Typically, a retailer will just use a stock photo, where a “regular person” takes their own photo.) It means a lot when someone buys my used books and I like to share the love that way too.

3 // Book Outlet

Book Outlet is an awesome source of lower-cost new books. These are returns or overstock from publishers, discounted only because they usually have a small dot or marking on the edge. They also have sticker books, puzzles and other bookstore-type things for the kids. I love browsing their selection and it updates frequently. Shipping is free on orders over $35.

Use my link for a $10 coupon to use on your first purchase of $25 or more!

4 // Bookshop

A new for me option for book buying is through Bookshop. I became an affiliate last year and was excited to see some of my blogging friends do the same. When the price is right, I like to shop through their links A win/win situation: money is sent to small, independent bookshops and bloggers can get a little kickback too.

Check out some of my favorite books in a variety of topics in my shop!

5 // Directly From the Publishers

Another source I just started using was to shop directly through the publisher. Often, I’ll hear about a kind-of obscure book that isn’t readily available. And when I can find it, it costs a fortune! An example of this is a book I found on Pinterest that I thought would be perfect for my homemaking course called Home Economics. Checking across websites, I could only find it around $30, which is pretty steep for such a little book. On a whim, I checked directly on the publisher’s website and found it at a more reasonable price. I also like to do this with Catholic publishing companies – they sometimes have really great sales and they ship fast.

6 // Usborne

When I’m in the market for books for the kids or school, I often check out Usborne. Their books are colorful, educational and fun. Some of the beginner chapter books have been really helpful in getting my elementary kids sucked into independent reading. And bonus: you can financially help a consultant, who is often a mom.

Two of my favorite consultants are Rosie and Sarah!

** Honorable mentions are thrift stores and my local independent bookstore, although in-person shopping has been greatly reduced these days! **

January 25, 2021

No.480: Homemaker Diaries // January 2021

One of my goals for 2021 is to really embrace the homemaker spirit and focus on my vocation at home. Home should be much more than just where we collapse at the end of the day and I want to work intentionally to create a warm, welcoming place for my family and anyone who visits us. And you know me…I head straight to the books for guidance and inspiration! I’m sure I’ll be adding throughout the year, but here’s my “syllabus” so far (affiliate links ahead):

+ Theology of Home: Finding the Eternal in the Everyday by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering & Megan Schrieber
+ Theology of Home II: The Spiritual Art of Homemaking
+ Home Economics: Vintage Advice and Practical Science for the 21st-Century Household
+ The Life Giving Home and The Life Giving Home Experience by Sally Clarkson
+ Mrs. Dunwoody’s Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping by Miriam Lukken
+ Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family

My focus for January was pretty typical for the beginning of a new year: to return to consistent rhythms and routines. I dove into my books and love all of them so far! Some highlights:

Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family

For the first time, we did a home blessing on the feast of the Epiphany. From the book: “…the father took the blessed chalk and wrote over every room that led from the house into the open: AD 19 C M B 55. This stands for “Anno Domini 1955 – Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar” and means that the three Holy Kings, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, in this year of Our Lord, 1955 (or whatever the year may be), are protecting this house against all evil spirits.” (p.67) I’ve also heard that “C M D” could also stand for the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “Christ bless this house.”

Mrs. Dunwoody’s Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping

I especially liked the following tips from Mrs. Dunwoody’s Notes for Planning a Superior Day. Lots of wisdom here!

Make a plan for your day. She recommends making a general schedule, with an emphasis on 2-3 major things to accomplish.
Concentrate. This tip focused on the concept of uninterrupted time, whether that be five minutes or an hour. You can accomplish quite a bit if you focus on one thing at a time vs. trying to multi-task all the things. I think putting away the phone (as it can have the temptation to be a huge distraction) could also be added here.
Learn to rest and catch your breath. “…do not underestimate, or feel guilty about your need for a rest. It is not a poor use of your time to rest; on the contrary, being refreshed increases your productivity.” I have found that my 20 minute afternoon break for coffee and reading rejuvenates me enough to power through the rest of the day.
Don’t procrastinate. She recommends doing the most unpleasant chore first.
Sift and sort. This tip was about sorting your tasks into priorities – what is the most important and what can wait for later? I’m using the Confident Mom’s Household Planner to sort the household chores for me. One less decision to make each day!
Strive for excellence, not perfection. Loved this line: “Perhaps this is one of the most important things I can teach you, my precious children, for the women in my family seem not to realize that there is a great difference in striving for excellence and striving for perfection. The first is attainable, gratifying, and healthy. The second is impossible, frustrating, and neurotic (not to mention obnoxious). It is also a terrible waste of time.”
Never lose sight of the “big picture.” Another great quote: “..if you can try to maintain a perspective, and remember that people (especially children) are always more important than things, you will do well in life. After all, today is all we ever have to work with. Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow. Take it minute by minute, wisely, and you will succeed. As you’ve often heard me say, ‘Trust in God and do the next thing.'”

The Lifegiving Home

A quote that really hit me in the gut: “If my awareness of space is concentrated on a screen, my home will reflect the absence of my attention, my creativity, and ultimately, my love. How can I pray without ceasing and bring that prayer into every aspect of making home if I cannot focus on anything for more than five seconds at a time?” (p.38)

For January, Clarkson gave a handful of tips for planning for fun. One that really inspired me was the idea to create “cozy play spaces.” I deep cleaned my linen closet, cleared out the items on the floor and piled in some blankets and Sophie’s pillow lounger. It was a big hit! We eventually added some twinkly lights and she has spent so much time reading and drawing, enjoying a little peace from little brothers. (Although those brothers have enjoyed the hiding spot too, ha!)

Linking up with Rosie’s “Just Because”!

January 21, 2021

No.479: Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Rosie is starting a new “Just Because” linkup and I love the idea. I’ve always been a cheerleader for “old fashioned” blogging, even when it seemed like everyone left for social media. So happy to see that it’s making a comeback! Anyway, I was brainstorming a post idea to include in the linkup and what’s more “old fashioned blogging” than sharing what I made for dinner last night? This recipe is one of our winter favorites and perfect for my family of eight. I like to make a crusty loaf of bread to serve on the side.

Print Recipe

Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Prep Time15

Cook Time8 20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

2 pounds stew beef trimmed and cut into 1" cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
2 medium-sized onions chopped into large pieces
2 ribs celery chopped
4 carrots peeled and chopped
20 mini red potatoes cut in half
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1½ tsp Italian seasoning
3 cups beef broth divided
2 bay leaves
1 cup frozen peas
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ cups flour

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Lightly brown the meat in batches, then transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
Dump the tomatoes, including the juice, into the slow cooker. Add the onions, celery, carrots and potatoes. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the vegetables and then add the beef and any accumulated drippings. Add the bay leaves. Pour 2½ cups of the beef broth over the top and give the mixture a stir. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
20 minutes before serving, add the peas (no need to defrost), salt and pepper to the stew.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and remaining ½ cup of beef broth, making a smooth paste. Stir into the stew and cook until thickened, about 15-20 minutes. Remove bay leaves before serving.

January 20, 2021

No.478: Five Good Things // No.05

1 // INVISIBLE PEOPLE

I recently discovered a Youtube channel where a man interviews different people facing homelessness. Their stories are heartbreaking and fascinating and my heart quickly broke in pieces for them. After watching a few episodes, I was inspired to search for solutions in my own town and found a short-term family shelter that I never knew existed! I quickly made a small donation (Remember my 20/20 goal from last year? Little donations still matter!) and will continue to check in for volunteer opportunities.

2 // PANTRY ORGANIZATION

With so many people in and out of the pantry around here, it quickly becomes quite messy…and it drives me crazy! I recently took everything out and reorganized the shelves, which was a great start. I also bought a set of cereal containers (affiliate link) to help. They hold an entire box of cereal, so I never have to worry about extra bits. Next on the organization plan is to get a metal rack for canned goods.

3 // THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE

While I have not personally had a miscarriage, there are many, many women in my life who have. I often think of those babies as my special little saints in heaven and ask them to pray for us and watch over their mamas. A Mom’s Peace is an apostolate in my area focused on miscarried and stillborn babies and when I recently checked out their website for information on donations, I discovered their Garden of Remembrance. So beautiful.

4 // A HOMEMAKER IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION “GLORIES” IN HER WORK

I loved this essay from a homemaker in 1932 that was reprinted here. I especially loved this part: “Please do not gather from this that I am a low-brow drudge who knows nothing else. I play McDowell and Tschaikowsky because I love them, and I enjoy Sinclair Lewis and Edna Ferber and Thackeray and Wells. Washing just happens to be one of my sidelines.”

5 // USBORNE EMBROIDERY KITS

For Christmas, we gifted our daughter a bunch of crafty things, including a beginner’s embroidery kit from Usborne. It was a big hit! You may already have an Usborne consultant, but the two I know are Rosie and Sarah.

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