The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{around here} Week of 11.3.14

Oh Daylight Savings Time.  You mess us up every time.  I’ve spent the week chugging cups of coffee to compensate for my early risers and I’ve been ready for bed by 8pm!  Hopefully, we’ll get back on track this weekend.

 On Monday, I was nursing the baby and looked around at all.the.stuff.  With Christmas right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to do a sweep and declutter before all of the new stuff enters the house.  I managed to label a few boxes (similar to this) and make a to-do list (you know me!) and I hope to really get started tomorrow.  

Favorite homeschooling activities this week:


 I got the green light from my OB last week, so I am full speed ahead on exercise.  This week was a mix of Couch25K runs and the last section of my postpartum exercise DVD:

————————————–
M: Couch25K Wk 2 Day 1
T: Postnatal Rescue DVD (Progression 3), 2 sets of arms, 30 second plank
W: off
Th: Postnatal Rescue DVD (Progression 3)
F: Couch25K Wk2 Day 2
Sat: Couch25K Wk 2 Day 3
Sun: off
—————————————–

Holding an old cell phone: “I’m gonna call my girlfriend, okay?  Hi mama!  I was wondering if you’d like to go on a date with me to the grocery shop.  You have to put on some good clothes, though, okay?” -J, almost 4

On the blog:


 I’m still reading Let’s All Be Brave but hope to finish up this weekend.  This quote stuck with me: “The longer I live, the more I think I’m figuring out that courage often looks like sacrifice and service.  In the places where you find the most comfort, you have to have a little extra something to give there.  Home is where we rest.  Home is where we find peace, so to give from there, to sacrifice in that place, is to sacrifice deeply, I think.  It’s brave.”  


Have a wonderful weekend.

{BWF} Behind the Scenes: A Reflection on the Past 10 Months


 It will be ten months next week that we launched Big White Farmhouse, our online home decor and gift shop.  As I type this, I really can’t believe how fast the year has gone!  With 2015 just weeks away, I’ve been reflecting on life as new business owners and looking back on all we’ve accomplished.  Take a peek into my journal:  

+ We are proud to be a debt-free company.  Andrea (my cousin and co-owner) and I have each invested money into our store and we are determined to use our money wisely.  The decision against borrowing money has caused slower growth for us, but it’s been good growth.  Each purchase from customers gets us closer to new products and an expanded line.  
+ My favorite part of owning a business is packaging up orders.  A close second would be wholesale purchasing; I love searching for the best new products!
+ My weakest part of owning a business: marketing.  For example, I rarely post news about our shop on my Instagram feed, but each time I do, without fail, I always lose a few followers.  For a long time, I really struggled with that.  In 2015, I hope to brainstorm creative ways to market our sales/new products, but I’m not longer going to feel guilty for promoting a company that I’m so proud of! + Facebook is complicated for businesses.  We have over 300 “fans” and yet our posts only reach a handful of them!  Frustrating, for sure.  
+ We were surprised to realize that it’s really hard to sell candles online!  Trying to describe scents is tricky and I’m still trying to figure it out.
+ The Vintage Finds section of the store has been a big hit, but I struggle to find the time to check thrift shops and antique stores on a regular basis.  This is one area I hope to improve on in 2015.
+ Big White Farmhouse stands on the belief of quality vs. quantity and because of this, I’ve really changed how I look at my own purchases.  I find myself venturing away from buying as much as I can for the lowest price and instead embracing the idea of saving my pennies to purchase that one special piece.  My love for Target still stands, but I think there can be a balance.
+ I can’t wait to see where Year Two takes us!


{brave} November’s Goals



November!  How are we here already?  This year has absolutely flown.  Thank goodness for these monthly goals to keep me on track and get things done!  Here’s the plan for this month:


1. Read two books.
2. Complete a “ten on ten” photo challenge.  I discovered this project here.  Have you heard of it?  Here’s the gist: On the tenth of the month, you take a photograph an hour for ten consecutive hours.  I think it will be interesting to document our daily routine and see beauty in the ordinary parts of our day.
3. Take 10,000+ steps a day and exercise at least four times a week.
4. Continue with Couch25K.  Since I have to do the majority of my running on the treadmill, I found this plan that adapted the program for me.  So helpful!  
5. Invite a family over for a playdate.
6. Bake an apple pie.
7. Declutter a small area of the house everyday.  
8. Announce the new Holiday Collection on the Big White Farmhouse shop.
9. Get started on Christmas shopping!


Got some goals to accomplish in November?  Write them down and make a plan, then let me know!  I’d love to cheer your on!

{brave} A Review of October’s Goals


With a newborn in the house, I needed a handful of goals to keep me on track, while being “easy” enough not to feel overwhelming.  These did the job.

 1. Finish one book. 
Done. I finished Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys and recommend it.  Now I’m on to Let’s All Be Brave: Living Life with Everything You Have.  

2. Go apple picking and/or the pumpkin patch.
We made it to the pumpkin patch and it was hilarious to watch the kids find their favorite pumpkin.  The big boys each wanted the heaviest one they could find, while J was perfectly content with his “little one”.  We tried to convince him to pick something a little bigger, but nope.  Sophie and TJ got little pumpkins too.

3. Get a haircut.
Didn’t happen this month, but I will definitely get there in November.  My split ends are out of control.

4. Walk at least one mile four times a week.  Try for 10,000+ steps everyday.
Done. Out of all the goals this month, I’m the most proud of this one.  I’m only five weeks postpartum, but it felt good to get moving everyday and feel like I was doing something to get this baby weight off.  Now I’m ready to implement the plan!

 5. Catch up on all thank you notes.
I’m still way behind on these.  I managed to send out a couple, but haven’t put a dent in my list.  Making this a priority to knock it out!

6. Get purchase orders in for Big White Farmhouse Christmas product.
Done!  We made our first order for the Holiday Collection and have already launched the Gather Dish Towel, which is perfect for Thanksgiving.  Hopefully we can order a few more things soon.

 All in all, a successful month and a great way to ease into everyday life after TJ’s birth.  I’m looking forward to more good things in November!  What did you accomplish this month?  I’d love to hear your stories, big or small.






P.S. There are just about two weeks left to participate in the BWF Pajama Drive!  Right now, we are only at a quarter of our goal.  Would you consider helping us clothe some kids in need in my community?  Find all of the details in the original post and then send me an e-mail for the address.  I’d appreciate your help!

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