The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

January 27, 2016

{five favorites} Vol.10: January’s #5Faves Prize Pack

Welcome to the Five Favorites linkup!

A reminder about a new twist I’m adding to the linkup this year: At the end of each month, I’ll be giving away a prize pack to one #5Faves participant! Here’s how it works: every time you link up a blog post, it counts as one entry. So if you link up a post every week, you’d get four entries. I’ll keep track throughout the month and then randomly pick a winner on February 1.

Since today is the last Five Favorites linkup of the month, I’m sharing the five items in January’s Prize Pack! A few notes: I wanted to start the Prize Pack incentive as a way to thank you for visiting here and linking up your posts. It’s my small way of showing you that your words are being heard! I read every single entry and try to comment on or share a few (I wish I could do this for every one – not enough hours in the day!)

The giveaway items I’ve chosen are a mix of some of my favorite things: etsy finds, vintage pieces and little bits picked up from various stores. All have been purchased by me and nothing has been sponsored. Here’s what I have for one lucky winner in January:

1 // Thick Knit Slouchy Beanie in Taupe

2 // To-Do Notepad from Print Stitch & Paste

3 // Organic Wild Berry Tea

4 // Snowy Scene Stoneware Mug from ChattCatVintage

5 // Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Soap in Cranberry

————————————-

I’d love to hear above five of your favorite things too! Need some ideas? Here are a few to get you started:
+ What are your five favorite winter essentials?
+ Lent is just around the corner. What are five of your go-to meatless meals?
+ What are five pieces of advice you would tell a new bride or mom?

An InLinkz Link-up

January 26, 2016

{book report} My Latest Reads // January

As my part of my Learn goals for 2016, I’m reading a variety of styles and genres of books in the attempt to discover new ideas and expand my horizons. My goal is to read at least 25 this year, of which I’m keeping track on Goodreads. Are you over there? Let’s connect!

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi
Military history is not typically a genre I would ever choose on my own. Mark received this book for Christmas, devoured it in a matter of days and recommended that I read it too. 13 Hours is the story of what happened in the Benghazi raids that killed the Ambassador and three other men in 2012. It isn’t politically motivated (which I appreciate), but written from the perspective of the security team who fought that night. Well written, intense and gripping. I couldn’t put it down.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Big Magic was our January choice for the Inspired Reader’s Book Club. While parts of it are definitely a bit “woo woo” for me, I did come away inspired and looking at creativity in a different way. The thing I loved most about the book was the idea that creativity, in whatever way that shows up in your life, doesn’t have to be life-changing or extreme. It doesn’t even have to be good. Creativity can just be that small thing that makes you feel alive, tucked into the busyness of your life. Since finishing the last pages, I’ve unearthed a few half-finished craft projects, made plans to begin a few more, and started brainstorming a way to give creativity a more permanent spot in my day.

The Temperament God Gave You
This book has been on my “100 Little Things” list, so when my friend recommended and even let me borrow her copy, I was so excited! Such a good book about personalities and how different people view themselves and life in general. I struggled to figure out my temperament, but I think I’m leaning toward a combination of melancholic and phlegmatic. My favorite parts were the discussions about relationships between different temperaments, namely with your spouse and with your children. So eye-opening! It’s definitely the type of book you can go back and review again and again. I need to order myself a copy soon.

————————————————–

My Reading in Numbers

Books Read this Month: 3

Total Books Read this Year: 3

Books Read for the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2016 Challenge: 2

A book you’ve been meaning to read and A book chosen for me by my spouse

What books did you read this month?

January 22, 2016

{around here} Week 3/52: Week of 1.18.16

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.

Around here, I have been:

parenting solo as Mark was away on business. Only two nights this time!

preparing for the snow. The predictions keep getting higher and higher. At last check, we may be getting more than two FEET! As usual, we are so unprepared – the big boys don’t have boots and M doesn’t even have a waterproof coat! But our pantry is full, so there’s that!

watching TED talks in order to cross that task off my 100 Little Things list. I love learning from such a variety of thinkers and topics. My favorite: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness

eating popcorn for National Popcorn Day and watching Mulan.

thinking about this quote from Big Magic: “I’ve watched far too many brilliant and gifted female creators say, ‘I am 99.8 percent qualified for this task, but until I master that last smidgen of ability, I will hold myself back, just to be on the safe side.'”

dying over TJ’s new love for music. He carries around the speaker and dances, which is just about the cutest thing ever. He also loves his hats, which takes it up a notch too.

laughing at Sophie as she watches Super Why: “I got it right, Mama! Look, I’m learning!”

homeschool notes:

+ We tried to make Star Wars snowflakes. Definitely tricky for little hands and we didn’t have an Exacto knife, but the storm trooper was simple enough to make fairly recognizable.
+ To reinforce multiplication tables (he’s still struggling with the 4s, 7s, and 8s), M practiced with online games, a hit! The website also has games for addition and subtraction, so D and J got in the fun too.

January 20, 2016

{five favorites} Vol.09: Five (kind-of crazy) Ways I’m Trying to Get in 10,000 Steps

Welcome to the Five Favorites linkup!

Like almost everyone, I’ve been trying to get back to healthy habits this month. And like most everyone, I’ve been struggling. It’s cold outside and all I want to do is stay on the couch with copious amounts of coffee and books! I’ve decided that for long-term success, I need to start with the basics: less sugar, more water and movement. I’ve been working back up to 10,000 steps a day and since we don’t leave the house much, I’ve been coming up with some crazy ways to get it in. Here are five things that are working for me right now:

1 // Dance Parties. The kids always want to be in the kitchen with me. On a typical evening, you’ll find at least two chairs pulled up the counter, with curious little people asking questions and touching ingredients. To avoid all the “help”, I’ve started playing music while I make dinner and encouraging them to show me their moves instead. It gets everyone moving (me included!) and also lets me cook in peace!

2 // Be Inefficient. As someone who prides herself in efficiency, this one took a little practice. Instead of carrying huge armfuls of clothes to put away, I take one small pile at a time. As I unload the dishwasher, I put dishes away one by one instead of grouping like items. It’s seems ridiculous, but it doesn’t take that much more time.

3 // Pace & Pray. I’ve been trying to devote more time to prayer, but my brain always seems to be going nonstop and I’m easily distracted. Pacing seems to be beneficial in two ways: I’m getting more steps and the movement seems to help me concentrate. Who knew?

4 // 5 Minute Power Pickup. About three times a day, I rally the kids and we set the timer for a 5 Minute Power Pickup. We run around the house, picking up toys and putting things back in place. It’s a great way to get your heart pumping and have a semi-picked up house in the process.

5 // Use the Stairs. I’m guilty of asking the kids or Mark to get me an item, just so I don’t have to go up or down the stairs. Lately, I’ve been sucking it up for the sake of the steps. Just got into bed, but need a glass of water? Down I go. Need more diapers for TJ? Up the stairs I run.

—————————————-