The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

No.189: A 100 Little Things Check-In

This post contains affiliate links.

Time for a 100 Little Things two month update!  The current total is 7.5/100, which is pitiful, but big things happen little by little, right?  Here’s what I’ve accomplished so far:

 #4. BAKE THREE NEW KIND OF COOKIES. (2/3 COMPLETE)

  • In mid-August, we made Oatmeal Toffee Cookies.  I slightly tweaked the recipe with a tad less brown sugar and a bit more flour, used my big ice cream scoop and baked for 13 minutes until just golden brown.  
  • At the end of August, we tried Toasted S’More Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I modified it a bit and just made my go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe instead.  The kids added the s’mores toppings at the end of the baking time and it was perfect.  Definitely sweet, but so good.



#17. CREATE A PHOTOBOOK WITH THE INSTAGRAM PHOTOS FROM OUR 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.
Last school year, I took a photo every day, showing what the kids made or learned, and posted it on Instagram.  IG is a great place to keep them all together, but what good is it if they only stay on the app?  I used the Instagram Photo Book from Blurb, easily uploaded my photos, and made a little 7×7″ book in no time.  Simple but filled with memories.

#44. BUY A NEW PAIR OF JEANS.
I’ve been in desperate need of a new pair of jeans but always procrastinated because…what if I suddenly lost a lot of weight?!  HAHAHA.  Since that’s a ridiculous reason (and apparently not happening anytime soon), I found and bought a pair of Kut from the Kloth skinny jeans on Poshmark in my current size for less than $20.

#48. MEASURE FOR NEW (NON NURSING) BRAS.
This took more time than I planned.  It was a little hit or miss – I used three different infographics online and got three different sizes!  Thankfully, I finally found the right fit, but I think I may go for an in-person measurement next time.

#55. HANG A GALLERY WALL OF KIDS ART IN THE BASEMENT STAIRWELL.
We’ve had these Ikea frames stacked in our coat closet since we moved in last June!  I finally dusted them off, replaced a few art pieces with more recent ones and hung them up.  It took less than an hour.  Such a satisfying project and bonus, it was free!

#57. FIND A LAMP FOR THE HALLWAY CONSOLE TABLE.
After browsing for months, I found the perfect little white ceramic lamp for the hallway – and it was on sale too!

 #68. BUY NEW DRYER BALLS.
My previous set of dryer balls somehow didn’t make the move last summer.  I’ve had this task on my to-do list since we moved in and am so happy to have finally made it happen!  I ordered these dryer balls and have been pleased so far.

 #89. BRING SOPHIE FOR HER K IMMUNIZATIONS.
Since we’re homeschooling, I had been dragging my feet to get this accomplished.  She was terrified, but so brave!

No.188: Intentions for the End of October

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by 
paying attention to what we already have.” 
-unknown
I’m entering my 34th year at a limp.  I’m still in the thick of a post-weaning funk/depression, although it ebbs and flows.  It’s hard to talk about and I cannot wait for the clouds to lift for me.  I constantly remind myself that this is temporary, that my hormones will eventually stabilize, and that’s a small motivator to keep going.  Good thing I’m a fighter, haha.  I’d appreciate your prayers.    

INTENTIONS FOR THE END OF OCTOBER

  • finish painting the headboards and add the topcoat
  • decide on a rug for the front hallway
  • send out Halloween packages
  • finish reading Estrogeneration
  • get the generator serviced (100LT #77)
  • call to have someone look at the dishwasher
  • increase Poshmark inventory to 85+
  • take out and work on my quilt using Memere’s fabric (100LT #13)
  • buy lightbulbs for the dining room chandelier
  • look into supplements (maybe magnesium?)
  • give myself lots of patience and grace as I continue to fight through this hormonal mess

    PREVIOUS INTENTIONS

    If you’re reading on your phone or in a reader, be sure to click over to see what I checked off the list!
    • run (no training plan, just for fun) three times a week (I took two weeks off to see if it would help some health issues, but I’m looking forward to starting again soon)
    • paint the little boys’ headboards (started, but need to do the touch-ups and topcoat)
    • go on a birthday date (thank you Mom for babysitting!!)
    • buy gifts for D’s birthday
    • send two letters in the mail (just sent one)
    • try a new soup for “soup night” (I made tortellini soup with italian sausage and spinach)
    • decide on outfits for our family photos (I’m going with a red, cream and navy blue vibe this time)
    • figure out the front porch staining situation 
    • call to have someone look at the dishwasher
    • buy new sneakers for M (we found a deal at Rack Room Shoes)
    • increase Poshmark inventory to 75+
    • finish reading Estrogeneration
    • read 100 pages in Don Quixote

    What about you?  What do you hope to accomplish in the next two weeks?

    No.187: 34 Things I Love // A Birthday Gratitude Journal

    the way the sun shines in my bedroom in the morning 
    sending surprises in the mail
    quiet car rides
    S’s ridiculous “riddles” that crack everyone up
    glow-in-the-dark stars on the little boys’ bedroom ceiling
    a husband who cherishes me
    pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
    the way P waves and says “bye Daddy” every morning
    drinking from my new coffee mug
    baby steps closer to financial freedom
    finally hanging frames on the walls
    the look of pride in J’s eyes as he reads something easily
    making Memere’s crepes
    back-to-back sales on Poshmark
    letting myself have a good cry (it’s always cleansing)
    D’s amazing grilled cheese sandwiches
    “I Love Lucy” reruns
    the way M cares so deeply for his siblings
    little touches of autumn decor throughout the house
    crossing a few things off my (never-ending) to-do list
    TJ’s joy
    new boots, just in time for cold weather
    honeycrisp apple butter on toast
    cool breezes through open windows
    timing dinner perfectly to Mark’s arrival (rare!)
    rocking on the front porch
    gorgeous red and orange sunsets through the trees
    the way a deer’s coat changes color in the fall
    ending the day with a good book
    butterflies
    stacks of freshly folded jeans, in all the sizes
    giving old furniture new life with a coat of paint
    God’s faithfulness
    another year to learn, grow and love my people

    No.186: Five Reasons to Send a Letter in October

    This post contains affiliate links.

    If you’ve read here for any length of time, you know that I am a passionate supporter of keeping snail mail alive!  This is a monthly series that I hope will inspire you to start putting thoughts on paper.  There’s nothing like finding a handwritten note among the piles of bills and junk mail.   

    _________________________________________

    PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH
    Sadly, we all seem to know someone who has lost a child through miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, a stillbirth, or SIDS.  October is a month dedicated to them, so it’s an appropriate time to jot a few words, letting them know you’re thinking of them and that you are remembering their sweet baby in heaven.

     OCTOBER 7 // YOU MATTER TO ME DAY
    You Matter To Me Day was created in 2010 by Linda Jew. A friend and his son passed away and she realized that she had never told them, “You matter to me.”  As she started telling people she knew that they mattered, she decided to start a day centered around the phrase. Write a letter to those people in your life who could use the reminder.  Only four words, but man, are they powerful.

    OCTOBER 12 // UN SPANISH LANGUAGE DAY
    Established in 2010 by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), this day was created “to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six of its official working languages throughout the organization”. (source)  Brush up on your high school Spanish and write a card to a Spanish-speaking friend.  Better yet, send one to a non Spanish-speaking friend and have them work on the translation.  An educational challenge!

     OCTOBER 29 // NATIONAL CAT DAY
    National Cat Day was originally founded as a way to bring awareness to the number of homeless cats in the United States.  Today is a great time to thank your local animal shelter and cuddle those orphaned kitties.  Maybe you can bring along a card and a few donations.  Don’t forget about the obsessed cat ladies in your life too!

    OCTOBER 31 // HALLOWEEN
    We may be too old for trick-or-treating, but how fun would it be to surprise a friend with a card and a bag of her favorite sweets?

    _________________________________________


    A few fun snail mail related links:

    mail for sticker lovers.

    Amazon Disclosure Policy

    The Big White Farmhouse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Less Materialism, More Intentional Living

    Archives

    Copyright © 2025 The Big White Farmhouse · Theme by 17th Avenue