The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{around here} Week 41/52: Week of 10.12.15

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:


writing on the blog everyday and starting to feel the fatigue.  I’m at the halfway point, though, so I’m hoping to push through and finish strong!  And exciting news: I was the random winner of a weekly giveaway for Write 31 Days!  


taking the kids to see Mark’s office on Columbus Day.  Then we took him out to lunch, which is a huge deal because we rarely go anywhere that requires us to sit down and wait for food.  The kids were excited to see where Daddy goes all day and probably more excited to eat at “real” restaurant!


reading Second Street Station.


starting from scratch on a fall wardrobe.  I purged about three-quarters of my closet and am slowly purchasing the pieces I need.  It’s been fun to discover my own style again.  I got another successful Stitch Fix box this week and added a few more things, including a sweater and leggings.  Now I’m just waiting for the cool weather to stay so I can wear them!


celebrating D’s birthday.  For his special meal, he asked for Burger King (third year in a row!) and an ice cream cake.  He’s easy to please.


accepting help (humbly!) as my friend offered to vacuum out my car when we came for a playdate.  As we pulled up her drive, she was just finishing hers and jumped at the chance to clean mine.  I tried to decline, but she insisted.  Honestly, it’s a task that has been on my to-do list for weeks now and I haven’t had a spare moment.  Her love language is definitely serving others and I am so grateful to have received that gift – a clean car!  

facing my dental fears as I went to get my fillings done twice this week.  I wish I could tell my younger self, “Self!  Don’t drink all of that soda and destroy your enamel!  Self!  When they say it’s important to floss, they really mean it!”  Live and learn.

creating a Facebook page for this blog.  I’m SO behind the times, but better late than never, right?

{contentment} Step Four: Unplug

Ironically, I’m a little late writing this post today because I’ve been unplugged.  Life has been busy this week; our schedule has been packed with school and dentist appointments and playdates and soccer.  With so much on the docket, I haven’t been able to be online much.  And surprisingly, it actually feels good.


Technology can be such a tricky thing.  


On one hand, I consider it a lifesaver.  I started my blog in 2011, when I was a young, lonely mother searching for friendships from like-minded women.  Through the years, the relationships I have created because of this space have been a God-send.  I also run a business online, a side job that gives me so much joy.  Big White Farmhouse was a passion I didn’t know I had and I am enjoying learning and growing in that brand new arena.


On the other hand, though, technology – and social media in general – can give the “illusion” of community without real effort into community.  It can expose the not-so-pretty parts of ourselves: jealousy, envy, comparison.  It can be addicting and without true intention, fruitless.  


I’m ready for a change.  


Here’s my pep talk to myself, as I navigate the balance with technology: 

+ It’s time to be intentional with my time on technology.  
+ Get on and get off.  There’s no need for mindless scrolling or falling into every Google rabbit hole.  The Internet will be there tomorrow.
+ Don’t look at life through an “Instagram-worthy” lens.  Life is messy and hard, but it’s still good, even if it can’t be perfectly photographed.
+ It’s time to be brave and meet new people (maybe even a blog reader!), look them in the eyes and give them your full attention.  

{house to home} William Morris Project (vol.9): A Fall Mantel

My mom is the best at holiday decorations.  As a kid, there was something so comforting about coming home from school to find the house decorated for the latest holiday or season.  I don’t really know why, but the wreath on the door or the scented candle burning in the kitchen just made it feel like home.   


So you would think, after a childhood like that, I would naturally do the same for my own little family, right?


Um, nope.


I keep mentioning that I’m an underbuyer (overkill, sorry!) and seasonal decorations have always taken a back burner.  I don’t like a lot of tchotchkes and there always seem to be more practical things to buy.  With the exception of Christmas, I tend not to decorate much at all.  


But then I think of my childhood and my mom.  While I couldn’t tell you exactly what she decorated with each year, I certainly could tell you how I felt: the feeling of being home and her love for our family just emanated from it all.  I want that for my children too.


So I started small this year, making choices that I thought could add a little cheer to our home.  When we go to the pumpkin patch this weekend, I think I’ll add one up on the mantel too.  It’s only a burlap banner and a few fake sprigs of leaves, but it’s a beginning.      

{via}

P.S. Have you checked out the Feels Like Fall giveaway yet?  I can help you with your fall decorating too!  The giveaway ends on Friday at 12AM, so be sure to get your entries in soon.

{recording life} 30 Favorite Things



My 31st birthday was Sunday and I am now quite comfortably in my thirties…how did that happen?!  Like I did a few years ago, I’d like to share 30 of my favorite things from the past year to celebrate!  Some are silly and some are serious, but they’ve all made my 30th year memorable. 

1. HEARING D READ.  This is probably the biggest blessing of my entire year.  When we embarked on his education at home last year, I was not prepared for the challenges he would face.  Although never formally diagnosed, we believe that D has signs of dyslexia and that knowledge alone was life-changing for both of us.  I read books and did lots of research and we finally found a program that clicks.  Today, he is reading (!!) and is so confident.  It chokes me up every time.    


2. MY KITCHEN TABLE CHAIRS.  We replaced our old kitchen table chairs with a metal version and I love them.  So easy to clean!


3. THE INSPIRED READERS BOOK CLUB.  Tabitha, Shelly and I are having so much fun leading this book club.  I really enjoy hearing what parts of a book speak to people.


4. BIRD WATCHING.  We became those nerdy bird people this summer.  Three different mourning dove mamas came and had babies in our hanging fern this year and it was fascinating to watch every time.  


5. GERMAN CHOCOLATE.  I could eat my weight in this stuff.  My favorites are Alpine Milk and the Milka & Lu Biscuits.


6. DATE NIGHTS WITH MARK.  We have decided that our full schedules are no excuse to ditch date night!  Once a week, we put the kids to bed and then either make a special dinner together or order takeout.  We’ve also been able to go on a few day dates, just the two of us (thanks Mom and Dad!).  


7. RUNNING.  What can I say about running?  It’s my favorite form of exercise and I’m positive it’s made me a better mother too.


8. CROSS-STITCHING.  I’ve been cross-stitching on and off for years and I just love the soothing aspect of the little uniform stitches. 


9. MY PLANNER.  I just use a cheap one from Target, but it quickly becomes one of my most prized possessions.  I write everything in there: all of my to-dos (of course), funny things the kids say, prayer intentions, goals and hopes and dreams.  It’s like a paper time capsule of my year. 


10. MY OLDEST, M.  He seems to grow older everyday.  We’re entering this brand new era where he’s not a little boy anymore, but not a tween/teenager either.  So big, but still my little guy at the same time.  I’m trying to treasure him as he is right now.


11. CHIPS AND GUACAMOLE.  I could eat this snack every.single.day.  


12. THE FARM.  We went up to visit family this summer and stayed at the farm.  It is, hands down, my favorite place on Earth.


13. THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONNECT.  This book has opened my eyes in incredible new ways.  Hard to say, but I think it was the most life-changing book I read all year.


14. T25.  When fitting in a consistent running routine proved difficult this summer, I tried out T25 and loved it!  Such a good full-body workout and only 25 minutes a day.


15. J, MY THIRD.  It’s hard to adequately describe my third born.  He is so passionate about everything in life.  I love his smile and his belly laugh.


16. SUNDAY DINNERS.  Some weeks are full spreads, some weeks are just a big bowl of pasta and a salad.  Either way, we always sit down together on Sundays to thank God for our week and prepare for the next.


17. STITCH FIX.  Many people have conflicting feelings about Stitch Fix, but I am so thankful for its assistance in helping me create my own style again. 


18. COFFEE.  Liquid sunshine.  I look forward to that first sip every morning.  


19. SOPHIA.  She’s been around awhile, but sometimes I still look at her and think about how incredibly lucky we are to have her.  She is a feisty, happy delight.  


20. BIG WHITE FARMHOUSE.  I have worked hard to grow my shop this year and we’re starting to make some strides!  As much as I love each product we sell, I am even more passionate about the heart behind it all: we love family and want to invite you right into ours, just like our Gram did. 


21. ETSY WHOLESALE.  This site has been a lifesaver for me as a buyer.  Quick, easy and straight-forward.


22. TJ.  What can I say about my baby?  We are so thankful for him.  Every single one of us is just crazy about him.  


23. LONGMIRE AND BLUE BLOODS.  Our two favorite shows on Netflix.  We love a good cop drama.


24. MY PURSE.  I desperately needed a replacement for my worn out diaper bag and this did the trick.  Found in one of my Stitch Fix boxes!


25. FRIDAY FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS.  We have popcorn and other snack foods for dinner and pick a movie on Amazon.  It’s our favorite day of the week.


26. LEMONADE ICED TEA.  I just discovered this last month.  Yum.


27. SENDING GIFTS “JUST BECAUSE”.  Gift giving is definitely my love language.  I love searching for just the right thing. 


28. CLASSICAL MUSIC AND CANDLES.  I’m trying to bring more peace to our home and these two things really help.  I’m burning one of these candles right now.


29. JET.COM.  This site has been a life-saver for me.  Groceries brought to my front door, while saving money too!


30. THE READERS OF THIS BLOG.  Because of you, I keep coming back to this space.  Thank you for reading and sharing a part of you with me.  

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