The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

No.381: #StandWithSmall: A Gardening Wishlist

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There are so many people hurting financially right now and small artisan businesses are no exception.  Today I wanted to join Etsy and their #StandWithSmall campaign and share with you a handful of beautiful items that get me so excited for spring and my new garden.  Be sure to also check out Etsy’s Editors’ Picks Page for more cool things!

PLANTS

Lately I’ve been daydreaming about the day that I can go meander through our local garden center, smelling the flowers and reading all of the little care tags.  In the meantime, I’m excited to find some new plant varieties on Etsy!  Most are clippings and will take a bit more growing time, but that’s half the fun.  
  • This Pilea Plant from HorticultLLC has the prettiest, most delicate pink foliage.  I think it would be beautiful in Sophia’s room.
  • I have a Christmas Cactus that was propagated from my great-grandmother’s (my most treasured plant!) but I’m thinking about adding another variety to the family.  This Easter Cactus from s3succulents is gorgeous!  I love the orange blooms.
  • Have someone in your life who could use a little pick-me-up?  Send them this darling Sweetheart Hoya from The Little Jungle!  I may need one for myself.
  • I plan to grab a few of these Maidenhair Ferns from JLPfarmsTN when they come back from vacation.  I think they’ll work great in containers on my back deck.  

BEES AND BIRDHOUSES

GARDEN SUPPLIES

PAPERGOODS

No.380: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Life // COVID-19 Lockdown Week 4

Changing things up with a collection of little daily stories from Holy Week.  During the most somber time in our Church calendar, I asked the Lord to help me reorient myself to Him and show me examples of hope.  He was gracious to grant me this desire.  God is faithful.

 The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man; it takes up the hopes that inspire men’s activities and purifies them so as to order them to the Kingdom of heaven; it keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude.  Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity.  (CCC #1818)


MONDAY, APRIL 6

We were deep into a puzzle at the dining room table when one of the kids glanced up and said, “Huh…a bird’s up in the nest.”  This is third spring that we’ve observed new life in this nest we lovingly call our BirdBNB.  The mamas come, adding a little moss here and another twig there, and then settle into the job of keeping their babies warm and safe.  When our latest tenant flew away, I took a quick peek and there they were: five perfect little eggs.  In just a few short weeks, there will be five little baby faces poking out.
Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are not you more important than they?” – Matthew 6:26


 TUESDAY, APRIL 7
The kids were so excited to see the pink supermoon, supposedly the biggest and brightest moon of this year.  At bedtime, we craned our necks to get a peek, but the clouds were many and dark.  I knew it would already be a stretch to see it clearly at only 8:00 and I was disappointed along with them.  We were just about to go inside when – there it was! – a faint outline in the sky.  The moon was visible for only seconds before another cloud covered it up, but that little glimpse was such a gift.
Praise the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever…The moon and stars to rule the night, for his mercy endures forever. – Psalm 136:1,9

(first picture is from the outside and the second shows the reflection on the wall inside)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

Since we can’t go to church, we’re bringing a little part of our church home to us.  Two of the kids and I created a “stained glass window” on our door using painter’s tape and washable paint.  It turned out so beautiful!  I especially marveled at the way the morning light reflected the lines onto the wall inside.
Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.  Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples, Upon you the Lord will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen.
– Isaiah 60:1-2


THURSDAY, APRIL 9
I was listening to TJ tell me a long story about some Lego creation and I couldn’t help thinking about how far he has come.  Two years ago, his speech was so limited and we translated his needs with a lot of finger pointing.  Back then, we prayed and hoped that we could help him find his voice, but it felt like a very big mountain to climb.  Through patience and his hard work, my boy is now jabbering away.  We get to hear his sense of humor and listen to what is deep in his heart.  I smile from ear to ear when I hear him say words with that final consonant sound, a feat I wasn’t sure we’d ever reach!
…Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14



FRIDAY, APRIL 10 – GOOD FRIDAY

In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace. – Luke 1:78-79

SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Today has been a flurry of preparations for tomorrow, although it will look very different from the norm.  No carefully chosen toys and chocolates in their baskets.  No new dresses and pressed collared shirts.  No filling the pews tightly with parishioners and friends.  No dinner with loved ones.  Our day tomorrow will be simple, but it will be good.  Our children will still hunt for eggs in the craziest of places.  They will find baskets full of junk food and a book.  (I have a feeling this will still be a big hit.)  We will still pray and worship a living God.  We will still gather around the table for a good meal.  I am excited for tomorrow.
“Do not fear!  Stand your ground and see the victory the Lord will win for you today…The Lord will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” – Exodus 14:13-14



SUNDAY, APRIL 12 – EASTER!
Alleluia!  He is Risen!  We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, He’s alive! He’s alive!

No.379: 2020 Gratitude // 15

A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
That’s a lot to be grateful for.

God’s faithfulness
snuggling with my dog
an afternoon pot of coffee
five little eggs in the nest on our porch fan
nurses who are still showing up to work, even without proper supplies
the cleaning ladies who keep hospitals, churches and offices sanitized and safe
the smell of freshly mowed grass
tiny purple flowers near the driveway
listening to the different bird calls and starting to recognize each type
going on a Rosary walk alone around the property
deep sleep after nights of insomnia
big belly laughs
library books on my Kindle
playing catch in the front yard
finding a new drawing Youtube channel that inspires my two oldest boys
starting a new creative project myself
warm sunshine on bare arms
evening rainstorms that wash away the pollen (at least for a little while)
the examples of the saints
“See Mother?  I make all things new.”

No.378: The Wednesday Five #09

Happy Wednesday!  Looking back at March with my five today:

A QUOTE

Faith is what gets you started.  Hope is what keeps you going.  Love is what brings you to the end. – Mother Angelica

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

+ We all finally caught the Influenza A that has been going around all winter.  It wiped us out for a solid two weeks.
+ The coronavirus turned the world upside down.
+ We got a good start on garden construction: beds made, plot prepared, gravel walkway laid and some of the soil filled.

A FEW FAVORITE RECIPES

  • My go-to.  I start this bread in the machine and finish in loaf pans.
  • I made pumpkin scones because we had a can in the pantry and they were a big hit.  Perfect for breakfast.
  • My oldest made these mini meatloaves and potatoes for dinner one night.  One of our favorites and good for people who don’t really care for traditional meatloaf.
  • Sourdough bread is back!  I went back to my favorite book (affiliate link) on the subject and while I’m still working out a few hydration issues, it’s fun to return to this kind of baking again.  Also: I’ve been using the discarded starter to make waffles, so there’s no waste.

2020 GOALS UPDATE

  • ✔ I want to spend time with God everyday.  I’m a broken record at this point, but still working through the Bible (as of March 31, I was on day 265/365).  I am also about halfway through the 54-Day Novena, which has been such a fruitful and calming part of my days.
    • ✔ I want to keep on, keepin’ on with our debt freedom journey.  Most of our extra money went toward our new garden, but we were able to put a tiny bit extra toward the car and the student loan.  Every little bit helps.
    • ✔ I want to be a better steward of my home.  I’m still using The Confident Mom’s Household Planner and being sick really showed me how much it works.  It’s taken me the rest of the month to get caught up and back into a groove.  
    • ✔ I want to hand write 52 pieces of mail.  I sent out 10 pieces.  (Here is the post.)  Current total = 34
    • ✔ I want to write 150 blog posts.  Like everyone else, the global pandemic had me distracted and anxious and spending waaaay too much time on my phone.  I only posted 13 times and hope to increase that number in April.  Current total = 47
    • ✔ I want to read 52 books.  A strong month for reading!  Thank you, insomnia.  I read 10 books. (Here is the post.)  Current total = 24
    • ✘ I want to take the first steps for postpartum doula certification.  Still nothing.  
    • ✔ I want to create a family culture of generosity.  
      • March’s $20 Donation // We donated to our community food bank.
      • March’s 20 Minutes of Time and Talent // .This is really tricky while being quarantined!  Mark hosted his men’s group virtually and the kids have worked so hard as we create our garden.  As for me, does snail mail count?

      Q1 REVIEW

      Looking back at the numbers (which, Nerd Alert, is one of my favorite things ever), I’m really pleased with my progress so far:

      65% complete for snail mail sent
      31% complete for blog posts published
      46% complete for books read

      With the world as it is right now, I’m wondering if I should shelve the postpartum doula certification for now and focus on other things.  Looking forward to keeping the momentum for all the other goals in Q2, because goodness, do I need the distraction!

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