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The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

August 5, 2013

{chit chat} Monday Almanac (vol.3)


From the Kitchen
Our diet has changed pretty dramatically around here!  My husband eats almost 100% Paleo now and I would say I eat about 80/20.  The changes have been amazing: steady weight loss, better sleep, and more energy.  This week, I plan on experimenting with a few recipes in Practical Paleo, including Blueberry Muffins using coconut flour.  

Fitness
I am doing a mix of running and the Pop Pilates for Beginners Calendar.  I am also participating in the #55milesinaugust challenge over on Instagram.  I work best when I have a goal in sight!  Also coming up: a 4 miler in September and a 10K if I can find one nearby.


Reading
My two current reads: The School of Essential Ingredients and Runner’s World Complete Book of Women’s Running.

Penpal Circles
Sixty (Update: over 70!) amazing women from 35 states and three countries are participating in the Penpal Circles and I couldn’t be more excited!  Welcome packets are being created and I hope to get them out to you by week’s end.  In the meantime, pick out your favorite stationary and get ready to write some snail mail 🙂


On the Blog
After months and months of writer’s block (blogger’s block?), I’m back and have lots to share.  An update on my journey to health is long overdue as well as a post on Whole30 and what works for us.  (I’ve gotten lots of questions on Instagram that I need to answer!)  I have a new series in the works about making our house feel more like home.  And of course, lots of everyday ramblings about living with intention.  Good things to come 🙂


How are you, friends?  What’s new with you?

July 31, 2013

{friendship} A few more notes about Penpal Circles


Oh my goodness!  Thank you so much for your overwhelming response to the Penpal Circles!  I am working busily behind the scenes grouping up ladies and starting the welcome packets.  


A few more notes:
+ The project is open worldwide, as long as you can write your letter in English!  
+ I am including myself in a few of the circles because I want in on the fun! 🙂
+ Sign-ups will be actively open until Sunday evening on August 4, 2013.  After that point, anyone interested can e-mail me directly and I will try to pair them with a group.


Thanks again for all of your support.  Spread the word!  


{Image via}

July 30, 2013

{friendship} Announcing the next phase of the Penpal Project: Penpal Circles!


I am so excited to share with you the next phase of the Penpal Project: Penpal Circles!  The purpose of a Penpal Circle is to create long-term relationships with a group of women through the written word.  My hope is that this project will be an opportunity to grow community, to bring us together and learn from one another.  And getting letters in the mail is pretty exciting too! 🙂

This is how it works:
+ Participants will be put into groups of four in a circle.  
+ All participants will receive a welcome packet from me, explaining the process and the names/addresses of your circle members.  Expect a few goodies inside as well! 🙂
+ Your welcome packet will explain who to write to first.  For the first round, pairs will be made so everyone receives mail.  Afterwards, you are free to write to whomever you wish as often as you like!  A good rule of thumb is that you send out one letter whenever you receive one.  But if you’d like to write to the entire circle, feel free!
+ Large gifts in every letter are not necessary.  The purpose of the Penpal Circle is to create community through the written word.  Your words are enough!  If you’d like to send a little something along with your letter, that is entirely up to you, but not a requirement! 

A few other things to note:
+ If you signed up for the first phase of the Penpal Project and would like to participate in the Penpal Circle, please sign up again!
+ While this was created with Mammas in mind, you do not have to be a Mamma to participate.  We have so much to learn from women from all walks of life!
+ Your confidentiality is incredibly important to me.  I will keep your information safe.  That said, by signing up, you are also agreeing to keeping your circle members information safe as well.  
+ Please spread the word!  I would be forever grateful if you would share the project with your friends and blog readers 🙂

I’d love to have you join me!  Please sign-up below!
**SIGNUPS ARE NOW CLOSED**

July 29, 2013

{family} Our 2013 Family Vacation + Two Tips that Worked for Us

Our summer vacation this year was magical.  Maine is always a magical place for me, but this year was something else.  My four children experienced so much of what I remember as a child: days spent swimming in the lake, BBQs at our little camp, playing on the front porch of the farmhouse, exploring the sites.  It was surreal and amazing.  I will remember this summer forever.   


Highlights of time in Maine:
+ Sunsets on the water that leave you breathless
+ Watching my boys go from timid swimmers to confident ones
+ Watching J love on my aunt and uncle’s cat, Little Miss (he LOVES animals!)
+ Foggy mornings on the lake
+ Teaching the big boys how to play the card game, War
+ Iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts when the heat reached into the 90’s (!!)
+ Seeing all of the renovations done at the real big white farmhouse
+ After dinner fishin’
+ Watching S devour her first blueberry pancake
+ Kayak rides at sunset
+ Running my very first 6.1 miles and living to tell the tale!
+ Mickey Mouse pancakes in the morning (a BIG favorite with the boys)
+ Getting tan (and sometimes burnt)
+ Running 2 miles in my leg of the family triathlon in record time (7:30/mi!)
+ Picnic lunches and flying kites at Portland Headlight
+ Morning hike with some of the fam
+ Seeing “the big boot” at LL Bean
+ Lobster night
+ Seeing the relationships grow between my children and my grandmothers, aunt, uncle, and cousins


————————————————-

Two Traveling Tips that Worked for Us
Our road trip to Maine took about ten hours.  That could be a recipe for disaster with four children!  I thought I would share two things that made our vacation run a little smoother…maybe it can help you with your next adventure! 

No. 1: Individual Backpacks.  We were so blessed to receive these personalized backpacks from Personal Creations awhile back.  I can’t believe it has taken me this long to share about them!  They are the small size, which make them perfect for road trips.  I spent two or three weeks before the trip finding surprises to tuck inside: coloring books and crayons, little readers, and action figures all were huge hits.  The front pocket held snacks in resealable baggies.  Huge money saver and we avoided both fast food and unnecessary pit stops! 🙂

No. 2: Individual Toy Tubs.  Since we were going to be gone for 2+ weeks, I knew we would need to pack some toys for the boys to play with.  I decided to use these plastic tubs (with their names written in scrapbook letters!) and then they had free reign to choose what they’d like to bring.  Any item could come as long as it fit in the bin!

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