The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

October 25, 2017

No.44: What We’re Reading in October

“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” – Oscar Wilde

ASHLEY

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day
North Haven by Sarah Moriarty

MARK

Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor by Clinton Romesha

M (age 10)

Outlaws of Ravenhurst by Sister M. Imelda Wallace S.L.

D (age 9)

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

J (age 6)
“I just love all of the Piggie and Elephant books, Mama. How can I choose?”

Let’s Go For a Drive! by Mo Willems

SOPHIE (age 5)

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas

TJ (age 3)

Stop, Train, Stop! by Rev. W. Awdry

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October 23, 2017

No.43: 20 Things I Love – A Gratitude Journal vol.4

leaves of all shapes, colors and sizes scattered all over the driveway
biting into a crisp apple
a few simple decorations on the dining room table
discovering that everyone still fits in their winter coats from last year (!!)
fleece pajamas on the littlest ones
a row of colorful birthday cards lining our kitchen windowsill
treats from the local bakery, especially the “cinnamon roll” cupcake with cream cheese frosting – amazing!
running in old race shirts and Athleta capris
putting Sophie’s hair in two braids at her request
hearty stews and chili in the slow cooker
the kids wrapped up in blankets and quilts first thing in the morning
watching the trees on our property “rain” leaves on windy days
the excitement of a friend’s new baby, arriving soon
pulling out my slippers and remembering the miles I must have walked last year, pacing with a newborn
watching that same baby standing comfortably on his own and so close to walking – bittersweet!
warm cookies straight from the oven
the children running to the door when their daddy returns from work
listening to the big boys deep in conversation
my go-to sweet after the kids are in bed: a handful of peanuts and M&Ms
reading a few pages of Anne before I go to sleep

October 20, 2017

No.42: Our Farmhouse Schoolhouse in Photos (Week 09)

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What a weird week. Even after taking Monday off and checking off a ton from my to-do list, I still had this lingering feeling that I was behind on life. Our weeks have been extra full lately, especially on the weekends, and I think that may be the reason I’m so overwhelmed. I need a little downtime for my own sanity! Add on some bickering brothers and a clingy, teething baby and I’m just happy I made it to Friday. I’m hoping a little more sleep and a lot more running will help me get me back on track.

Notes and highlights:

WRITING

+ We changed things up with the two oldest boys and did three lessons from Brave Writer’s (free!) Writing Blitz. I’m really enjoying shaking things up when a subject is feeling dry and this was such a great way to get them excited about writing again. Lots of laughter as they shared what they wrote! I think we’ll finish the last few activities next week.

SCIENCE

+ M’s Medieval Science unit in his History of Science had him learned all about Leonardo da Vinci this week. In general, da Vinci is an interesting historical figure, but I think M was most fascinated with his inventive mind. He copied this quote from the book into his keeping journal this week: “And yet this gentle man invented, among many other weapons, three different models of machine guns, grenades that threw shrapnel, a very modern looking bomb, and a steam powered gun. He improved on an old idea to create an armored car with a complex motor and cannons pointing in every direction. More than a hundred years later, with the addition of a modern engine and caterpillar treads, it was called a tank and became an important weapon in the first World War.” (p22)

Current 1000 Books Project Total: 53/1000
Poetry Teatime Treat: Easy Pumpkin Bread (I used about a cup less sugar, though!)

MOTHER CULTURE & SELF-CARE

+ Health: I have an annoying tickle in my throat that just won’t go away. I took a few days to rest, but am anxious to get back to running.
+ Reading: Anne of Avonlea and The Long Loneliness
+ Fun: Hmm, I can’t think of anything special – I need to change that!

October 16, 2017

No.41: Intentions for the End of October

After eight straight weeks of school, I declared to the kids that today was a Teacher In-service Day, or more accurately, “Mama needs a little break to get her life in order”. Our days have felt SO full lately, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I know myself. If I don’t take some intentional time to slow down and catch up on laundry, bills, lesson plans, and a few much over-due projects (or even just half of that list!), I’ll start spiraling into anxiety. And ain’t nobody got time for that, hah.

INTENTIONS FOR THE END OF OCTOBER:

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Habit of the Month: Orderliness
buy stamps
buy or borrow a weed-wacker (ours broke last weekend)
pick pumpkins
start jotting down ideas for Term Two
bake a new quick bread (100LT #6)
make a list of Christmas picture books to look for
make a homemade muffin or brownie mix for J to bake independently
finish Dorothy Day’s The Long Loneliness (100LT #82)
order new foundation and blush
clean my makeup brushes (100LT #44)
learn a new card game (100LT #33)
send hair off to Pantene Beautiful Lengths
start training plan for November 10K and “complete what you came to do” (my running motto)
start four weeks of No Sugar (my habit’s gotten a little out of control and it’s time to make some changes)

PREVIOUS INTENTIONS:

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If you’re reading on your phone or in a reader, click through to see what I crossed off the list!

~~take out a few go-to fall dinner recipes to make for dinner~~
~~try one new dinner recipe~~
~~bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies~~ (using our favorite recipe)
~~wrap D’s birthday presents~~ (he got a bike and this)
~~get to the DMV to renew driver’s license~~ (I even took Sophie with me and we came out relatively unscathed!)
start jotting down ideas for an upcoming WWI history unit for M
finish Dorothy Day’s The Long Loneliness (100LT #82)
organize my closet
~~try a new tea flavor (100LT #94)~~
order new foundation and blush
bring unneeded clothes to donation (almost ready to go…I keep adding more things)
~~schedule S & TJ well-check appointments~~
learn a new card game (100LT #33)
~~buy a mailing envelope~~ and send hair off to Pantene Beautiful Lengths
clean my makeup brushes (100LT #44)