The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

July 21, 2017

No.09: Blueberry Peach Cobbler

There’s something special about foods that feel season-specific. Summertime seems to be full of them: burgers and hotdogs on the grill, fresh corn on the cob, berries in every variety. One of the desserts I make every summer is Blueberry Peach Cobbler. This year has been especially awesome because the kids can all do a job: one cuts the peaches while another washes the blueberries. One melts the butter while another stirs the dry ingredients. Even TJ can “decorate” the batter with the fruit. I’m still in charge of the oven, but I have a feeling I’ll be out of even that job soon. Having big kids is so great.

P.S. I’ve been breaking my dairy-free commitment for a small serving (we’ve made this three times this week and I’ve paid for it every time) but I’m curious to see what swapping the milk for coconut milk and the butter for an Earth Balance stick would do.

INGREDIENTS_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3 large peaches, sliced (depending on your preference, you can also peel and lightly sugar them)
2/3 cup blueberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients: sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.
In a separate bowl, combine melted butter and milk.
Pour wet ingredients over dry and mix together.
Pour into a 13″x9″ lightly greased pan.
Place sliced peaches into the mix and then sprinkle with blueberries.
Bake for 50 minutes.

This cobbler is delicious straight from the oven, but I also love it cold the next morning with a cup of coffee, if it lasts that long! Hope you enjoy.

July 19, 2017

No.08: When an Adventure Comes to an End – Closing the BWF Shop

Last Saturday, we sent out this e-mail:

To our Big White Farmhouse family,
It has been five years since we first had the conversation about opening a little online gift shop in honor of our great-grandmother and her beautiful farmhouse in Maine. Five years ago, we knew nothing about e-commerce, but were driven by the idea of supporting small American artisans and providing customers with unique products from around the country. We officially opened our doors in January 2014 and have been learning every minute since!
We have loved searching out the best new products to add to your home. We have loved packaging up each order with care. We have loved hearing your stories and forming relationships. Truly, we see our business as a family endeavor and you are such an important piece.
So it is with sad but peaceful hearts that we announce that we will be closing Big White Farmhouse on September 1, 2017. To everything there is a season and right now, our attention is needed with our families and other endeavors.
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook or Instagram to see the latest updates. We will be continuing to mark down products as we try to sell off our remaining inventory. Currently you can save 15% on everything remaining in the shop with the code: CLOSING15.
We cannot thank you enough for supporting our little shop.
We are SO grateful for you.
xo, Ashley and Andrea

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I’ve been wanting to jot down a few thoughts at this pivotal point in my life, but am struggling to find the words. It’s been an emotional few days.

I’ve been feeling all the feels: sadness (the response to our announcement has been overwhelming!), panic (is this the right decision?!) and a whole lot of peace. Having Big White Farmhouse as part of my identity for five years, I’m simultaneously mourning while feeling inspired for the future. Don’t you wish you were in my brain right now?!

Starting Big White Farmhouse brought to life a passion that I never knew I had. If you had asked me in college if I would be interested in business, I probably would have laughed in your face. BOR-ING. But ironically, for five years, I have been watching and trying and reading and failing in all things business. It has been such a wild ride of self-education and I have learned so much. I’ve loved just about every minute.

And yet.

To everything there is a season. To take Big White Farmhouse to the next level requires a commitment I am unable to give at this point in my life. And that’s okay. On the panicky moments, I keep repeating something I wrote back in January: I don’t have to try to do it all at once. Right now, my focus is with my family and living my primary vocation well. That’s enough.

So on September 1st, I’m officially letting Big White Farmhouse go for awhile. Who knows what the future holds? Maybe in time we’ll re-open as a little brick and mortar store? My new town would be perfect! Maybe God has something even better in store for me. While this adventure has come to an end, the future is still bright.

July 17, 2017

No.07: Intentions for the End of July

Summer is just zipping by. The kids’ days have been full of playing outside, reading and drawing. They keep themselves pretty entertained and have only asked for a little screen time – we usually watch something after lunch when it’s boiling outside (temps have been in the 90’s!) and the baby is down for his nap. Our current favorite show is Dino Dana on Amazon. I’m deep in the throes of school planning: researching all the things, ordering books and starting lesson plans. I’m nervous about having four students, but much more confident in my abilities as a teacher. Add in a little decorating, a little baking, and some reading and it equals a pretty wonderful summer break. These lazy days have been such a balm for my soul after the crazy last few months.

INTENTIONS FOR THE END OF JULY:

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add green smoothies to my day
find a dairy-free protein powder
sign up for a 10K in October
accept compliments and give them freely!
Operation Catechism catch-up
hang master curtains and artwork
write and send “Intent to Homeschool” letter
sign up to be a Wild + Free subscriber
power wash the front porch (100LT #38)
read two chapters in my Jackson Pollock book
bake a pie
schedule an eye exam for me (100LT #73)
draw together with D
start working on a bird watching basket
July house photo
sign up for cards at our new library

PREVIOUS INTENTIONS:

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~~be better about water intake – less caffeine!~~ (averaging 5-6 glasses a day and just one cup of coffee)
~~ease back into writing by blogging Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week~~ (still getting into a routine, but it feels good to be back!)
~~bake blueberry peach cobbler with J~~ (our summer tradition – so good)
make cold brew coffee to keep in the fridge
~~buy sparklers for the 4th of July (nothing like last minute!)~~
~~read two chapters in my Jackson Pollock book~~
~~challenge M to a basketball game~~ (we’re both getting quite the workout!)
write 2 letters (just one: notes to my aunt & uncle)
finish meal plan for the month of July
sign up for cards at our new library
~~purchase three school books for next year~~ (all four math books checked off the list)
~~schedule M eye appointment~~ (new glasses needed again!)