The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

December 9, 2015

{five favorites} Vol.05: What’s Going in Our Stockings this Year

Christmas shopping update: I’m about 75% finished. How ’bout you? I know there are about a million gift guides going around the Internet these days, but I’m adding one more to the mix. Here are five things that are going in my kids’ stockings this year:

Mod Stix // Going in D’s stocking are these awesome Medieval Mod Stix. They are reusable decals that fit right on his Lego bricks and figures and I know he’s going to love them! I’m also thinking that they will be a fun addition to our history lessons.

Little People Aladdin and Jasmine // This summer, Mark introduced Sophia to Aladdin, his favorite Disney movie as a kid, and she loved it. We’re tucking the Little People version into her stocking and I know she’s going to add them right to her playhouse (and maybe Noah’s ark too, hah!).

Ninja Mad Libs // M is at a really fun age to shop for. I found these Ninja Mad Libs to put in his stocking and I know he’s going to have fun asking his brothers for noun/verb/adjective ideas and then reading their hilarious stories aloud. Bonus: this could also be considered sneaky grammar practice!

Mini Soccer Ball // TJ’s stocking is pretty bare (perks of being one and having lots of big siblings) but we did add a soft soccer ball. He’s always trying to be like the big kids and he’ll be adorable kicking this one around the house.

Lego Mixels Monster // J is very much into imaginative play and seems to always have his guys fighting some sort of “monster”. Even though this is from a Cartoon Network show (which we’ve never seen), I think he’ll enjoy building and then setting him up for battle.

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I’d love to hear about five of your favorite things too! Need some ideas? Here are a few to get you started:

+ What are five things on your wishlist this year?

+ Tell us about five blog posts you’ve read lately that have really impacted you.

+ Name five of your all-time favorite books.

An InLinkz Link-up

December 7, 2015

{100 beautiful things} No.008: A Pom Pom Wreath

I’ve wanted a wreath for my front door for months. There are SO many gorgeous ones out there, but they also come with a price tag. Since fall is birthday extravaganza around here, I knew I had to stretch my creative muscles a bit and make my own.

After seeing this tutorial, I knew that it was the perfect project to try. I pretty much copied Amy’s wreath exactly, from using the same color yarn (which is a great price right now on Amazon!) to investing in the pom pom maker. I did find her photographed instructions a bit confusing, but this video on YouTube was helpful.

After the tiny learning curve in creating the pom poms, this project became the perfect mindless activity when I watched television at night or listened to podcasts during naptime. I made a few pom poms whenever I had a bit of free time, but I’d imagine you could knock it out in a few hours if you had that uninterrupted stretch of time.

After finishing, I hung it on my door with a thick red and white striped ribbon. My photos don’t do the wreath justice – I’m in love with the contrast on my black door and the textured look!

Now to find another pom pom project…

100 Beautiful Things Archives

No.001: Princess & the Pea Cross-Stitch | No.002 & 003: Instagram Yearbooks | No.004: Arm Knit Scarf | No.005, 006, & 007: Superhero Cross-Stitch Pillows

December 4, 2015

{around here} Week 48/52: Week of 11.30.15

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week. At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:

working hard packaging and shipping Big White Farmhouse orders. Our Black Friday sale was pretty successful and I’m so excited to have our products under so many Christmas trees. I’m also working on one more promo before wrapping up for the year.

celebrating J’s birthday with pizza and cookie cake. He is our caboose of fall birthdays and has been so patient waiting for his special day!

keeping warm and cozy inside as it was cold and rainy most of the week. The sun finally came out again on Thursday, just in time for a playdate with friends.

loving our simple Advent activities. We’re reading through our literary advent calendar again this year and watching the videos on Holy Heroes’ Advent Adventure. So simple and stress-free.

watching Christmas movies with the kids – one of my new favorite traditions. We are hoping to revisit all of our favorites and add in a few new ones too.

laughing at our voices as we talked through the Chipmunk Voice app. Oh.My.Gosh. I laughed so hard, I cried.

reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Come Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Art of Waiting…both are so good so far.

December 2, 2015

{five favorites} Vol.04: Five New Blogs to Read & Follow

One thing I love about blogging is the diversity. Need a few new dinner recipes? There’s a blog for that. Want to learn how to embroider? There’s a blog for that. Lately I’ve been branching out of my usual blogging “genres” and finding some great new content. Here are five new blogs I discovered this fall:

1. Wildflowers and Marbles // I found Jennifer’s blog as I was researching the idea of the Morning Basket. She is one of those homeschooling mamas who is so inspiring and I have implemented a lot of her advice into our mornings already. Definitely need to dig through her archives soon.
Current favorite posts: The Morning Basket and November Feast Table-Rebuilding Culture

2. Dawn Nicole Designs // I stumbled upon Dawn’s blog while on a search for a hand-lettering course. She has one for free (in a Facebook group!) and I’m excited to jump in soon.
Current favorite posts: 30 Day Challenge: December Prompts and How to Do Brush Lettering

3. The Nectar Collective // Melyssa’s blog is seriously a treasure-trove if you are involved in small business or blogging. She shares a lot of helpful tips and while many don’t necessarily apply to my business or the way I blog, I always come away with some new ideas.
Current favorite posts: How to Build Community on Your Blog and How to Spread Positivity Through Social Media

4. Little Girl Designs // I found Jennie through the rabbit hole of Pinterest and her blog is full simple craft projects. I love her passion for personal retreats and I’m anxious to get her workbook in 2016.
Current favorite posts: How to Give Generously When You Don’t Have a Dime and A Creative Idea for Snail Mail

5. House Seven // I love the modern farmhouse style and am always looking for new ideas. Anissa’s home design blog is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve been pinning so many of her rooms to my “forever home” Pinterest board.
Current favorite posts: Blogger Stylin Home Tour Christmas 2015 and Buffalo Check and Ikea