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The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

January 9, 2015

{around here} 01/52: Week of 1.5.15



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:

loving the snow that fell on Tuesday.  There’s something so magical about waking up to a blanket of snow, don’t you think?  The big kids played in the yard for over an hour, then came in to warm blankets and cocoa.  TJ and Mamma stayed inside and watched from the window.      

watching Blue Blood on Netflix at night with Mark.  We love a good cop drama and I can’t get enough of the strong, multi-generational family dynamic too.  Important to note: Before we turn on the TV, we each have to read a chapter in our books.  January’s learning challenge is still going strong!

laughing about Sophie’s first makeup experiment.  I figured she was playing happily in her room upstairs.  When she came down, I thought something looked off about her, but couldn’t place it.  I kept asking myself, “Is she getting sick?  Why doesn’t she have any color in her lips?”  Upon further inspection, I realized that she had covered herself with my concealer stick!  After we cleaned her up, we had a fun lesson on Chapstick and she’s been carrying around her own ever since.    

surviving TJ’s apparent sleep regression.  I’ve been so spoiled with his long stretches at night!  He’s currently waking up 3-4 times a night now.  Bring on the coffee.

thankful that I didn’t do any real damage to myself while running on the treadmill.  I’m not sure exactly, but I must have twisted in such a way that I got a shooting pain in my thigh/groin.  I was terrified that I had maybe pulled the muscle, but after icing and a few days of rest, I think I’m good to go.  Lesson: no distractions on the treadmill!

listening to lots of podcasts and Ted talks while folding the laundry and loading the dishwasher, two chores that never, ever seem to end.

reading Joy to the World: How Christ’s Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does).  I wanted to read it during Christmas, but better late than never.

preparing for Big White Farmhouse‘s first birthday next week.  We are going to have two exciting giveaways on Facebook and Instagram, so I’ve been busy with the behind-the-scenes work.  

homeschool notes:

  • We eased back into schoolwork on Monday with a Ninja Turtle craft.  The big boys stayed true to character, but J decided his turtle would look best in tie-dye colors.  
  • I changed up D’s math program during the break and he started his new book this week.  He is flying through the lessons and is even asking to “do a little more school” close to bedtime.  
  • After about a month of frustration, math is really clicking with M again.  We started doing speed drills and he loves trying to beat his best time.   
  • In science, the boys are learning about senses.  We had a blind taste test and let’s just say, some participants were more adventurous than others!

P.S. I’m trying out a new commenting system, which will hopefully make it easier for us to communicate! 
 Let me know if you have any trouble.

January 8, 2015

{a year of challenges} My Top Five Favorite Podcasts

This month is all about learning at the Big White Farmhouse.  One way I’ve been getting that information in, while keeping up with the daily chores and to-do lists, is through podcasts.  Today I’m linking up with Jenna to share my top five favorites:

Brilliant Business Moms // If you are a small business owner or blogger, this podcast is for you.  Every episode is full of information and tips.  I try to listen while folding laundry, but without fail, I always have to stop to crazily jot down all the great advice.  I’m still making my way through the archives, but this one and this one have been particularly helpful.

Elise Gets Crafty // This podcast is a mix of exploring creativity and solid small business advice.  My favorite episode about creativity is this one (so far) and this more business-minded one was very thought-provoking.

Fountains of Carrots // This podcast is still in its infancy, but Christy and Haley are delivering great things!  Hands down, my favorite episode has been this one; so much of my feelings about my faith, family size and marriage are said more eloquently than I ever could say myself.  


Dave Ramsey // I guess this is technically a radio show, but I love listening to these during my treadmill runs.  We, like many, are trying to quickly pay most of our debt this year and Dave Ramsey never fails to keep me motivated.  

Serial // I know, I know.  Everyone under the sun loves this podcast.  But if you like a good detective story or you’re a fan of 20/20, this podcast is for you.  I was hooked from the beginning, am satisfied with the ending, and can’t wait for season 2!   

Do you have any favorite podcasts I should check out?  

January 7, 2015

{cookie project} No.001: Alphabet Sugar Cookies

The Cookie Project is a year-long experiment to combine my love for baking and trying new things.  

I don’t want to brag, but I can make a pretty awesome chocolate chip cookie.  The recipe has become second nature to me; I can whip up a batch before my oven is even finished preheating.  Unfortunately for the rest of the family, chocolate chip is the only cookie I make.  And while delicious (and my favorite!), I knew it was time to expand my horizons when the boys peeked at my Pinterest boards and asked, “Can we try some of those sometime?”.    

The Cookie Project was born.

For the first installment, I knew I wanted to choose a sugar cookie recipe.  D is always asking for “a cookie without chocolate in it” and I wanted to surprise him.  So Sophie and I put our hair up and got to work!


We used alphabet cookie cutters (similar to these) and the kids were insanely excited to find their names on the cooling racks.  I plan to use this recipe again soon and combine it with D’s kindergarten reading.  I think he’ll love “writing” words in cookie.

THE RECIPE
The recipe I used is from Katrina at In Katrina’s Kitchen.  I followed her directions exactly, only omitting the almond extract because I was out.  Still good.  You can find her recipe here.  Be warned, though.  Her website is full of amazing things!

January 6, 2015

{a year of challenges} January is for Learning

Welcome to the first installment of A Year of Challenges!  

I am so excited to share this project with you.  I often get asked how I “do it all” and while that is SO far from the truth, I am able to accomplish a lot because of the practice of setting attainable goals.  I want to help you get things done this year too!  My hope is that you’ll come along with me every month and make a few goals of your own.   

So here is how A Year of Challenges will work:
Each month will be set around a different theme: home, food, hospitality, photography and more!  At the beginning of the month, I’ll announce the theme and post my personal goals.  Some months, my goals may be quite lofty, while others could be really simple.  I’ll also include lots of ideas for you, so you can join in too.  Around the 15th, I’ll post my reflections at the halfway point and check in on you.  And finally, at the end of the month, I’ll look back at what I’ve accomplished and the lessons I’ve learned.  

So January.

For me, January is the month where we’re coming off the high of holidays and festivities.  Life settles down and we spend a lot of time cozy inside.  If we’re being honest, I also tend to get a little lazy.  At night, I spend way too much time browsing the titles on Netflix instead of doing something productive.  With that in mind, I chose learning as the theme for January as a way to combat the sluggishness.  

My challenge:

  • Read 3 books, each a different genre
  • Listen to 5 podcasts
  • Watch 10 Ted talks
  • Find 3 new blogs that teach me something
How I plan to accomplish it:
  • I will choose to read a few chapters before turning on the TV at night.
  • I will listen to podcasts or Ted talks while I’m doing chores: folding laundry, loading the dishwasher, etc.
  • I will try to start a “Quiet Reading Time” with the bigger kids in the afternoon.

Join me?
Set a goal for January, simple or ambitious.  Here are ten ideas to get you started:

+ Read the headlines of the news everyday.
+ Choose to read 10 pages before turning on the TV, computer or phone.
+ Read a few books of different genres.
+ Listen to a book on tape or a podcast while you’re in the car, cleaning or working out.
+ Watch 5 documentaries.
+ Reread a classic novel from high school.
+ Find a blog you’ve never read and go through the archives.
+ Take a class on Skillshare.
+ Ask a professional the questions you may have.
+ Read a manual to something you own, like your digital camera.

Are you in?
Comment below with the learning goal of your choice.  I want to cheer you on!  

A Year of Challenges: January is for Learning

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