The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{friendship} Supporting Mammas in the Kitchen with a Swap and a GIVEAWAY!

Back in February, I felt really convicted to reach out to Mammas with support and a little fun.  The purpose of the first Mamma Support Swap was to use the Internet to support mothers in all walks of life, connect us on a deeper level, and to celebrate this crazy vocation we’ve been called to.  Being a teeny little blog, I was so nervous that this idea of mine would crash and burn.  But I was blown away by the interest and the support!  And I knew this had to be something that happened more than once.

Enter the second Mamma Support Swap! 

This time around, the swap has a cooking theme.  We all know that the kitchen is the heart of our homes and as Mammas, we hold a great responsibility to feed our families. But boy, can that be an intimidating challenge!  Picky eaters, tight budgets and just overall exhaustion can all affect our meal planning.  I think we can all appreciate a little help!   



So this is the plan.  The Mamma Support Swap encompasses a few things:   

  1. Support: This time around, this part is up to you.  If you’d like, include a handwritten note to your partner, telling her about yourself and your family.  Feel free to add some advice about meal planning, budgets, or tips for picky eaters.  Words of encouragement are also great and always appreciated.  Words are powerful…you can do so much good.  
  2. Recipes:  Include at least two favorite recipes to share.  You can use recipe cards you already own, or there are tons of free printables out there (check a few out here, here and here).
  3. Swap:  A little something special purchased to help her in the kitchen or just make it pretty!  Let’s keep it in the $10-15 dollar range.  Ideas: your favorite cookbook, recipe cards, coffee mug, etc.  Anything kitchen/cooking related is fair game.  Be sure to check your partner’s blog if you need ideas!  

Like I said in February, my prayer is that through this swap, we can encourage each other on this wild adventure we call motherhood.  Hopefully we’ll even make a new friend!  So are you in?  Know a few friends who could use some support and need an inspiration boost in the kitchen?  I hope so!  Please comment below with your name, blog address (if you have one – it’s not mandatory to have one to enter) and e-mail address. (You can also e-mail me at mrsb04jc at gmail dot com if that’s easier too!)

Sign-ups will be open from August 20 to August 24.
I hope to have everyone e-mailed with their partner by Monday, August 27.
You will then be responsible for getting in touch with your partner for her address.
Please have your packages in the mail no later than Friday, September 7. Then be on the lookout for a special package just for you! 🙂


And a big bonus: for everyone who signs up for the swap, you will be entered into a giveaway of kitchen goodies from me!  Included in the prize package:

A striped kitchen towel
OXO Wooden spoon
Recipe Cards from Greencard Designs
White Privet House for Target plate
and possibly a favorite sweet treat too! 🙂



One more thing before I close this monster of a post…please, please, please spread the word!  I know there have to be so many mammas out there who could use some love, support and inspiration.  So please talk about it on your blog, Facebook, twitter or even pin the picture above!  I’d be forever grateful!  

{link list} 8.15.12 Edition

1. A fact many of you already know: adoption is expensive!  Although I don’t have any first-hand experience, I can only imagine the stress.  So when I hear about families raising funds through different avenues, I really, really want to help.  My latest find is Carina at A Punk, a Pumpkin and a Peanut and her beautiful necklaces.  $25 each and the proceeds go directly to bringing their little girl home!    


2. I was in the kitchen packing and noticed a sad truth: I have SO many recipes that I’ve ripped from magazines or printed from the Internet, just sitting there in big unorganized piles.  I’m thinking a total recipe overhaul is needed once I’m settled into our new home.  Love this idea for a Recipe Smash Book…easy to make and it will create a little more order to the chaos!


3. A great idea for independent creativity (aka when Mammas need a break!): Squiggle Drawings.


4. The blue and off-white ikat pattern on this accent chair from Overstock is just beautiful.  Not sure I have a place to use it, but I really wish I did!  


5. Did you catch this recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes that are actually good for you?


6. This screenprinting technique using gelatin looks so cool!  I’m still deciding if it’s a “Mamma craft” or if I want to share the experience with my kids.  ðŸ™‚


7. This story is just amazing (I bet his guardian angel was working overtime!): Missing Man with Amnesia Walks, Hitchhikes Over 1,000 Miles Home.  

8. EXCITING NEWS!  I am working out the final details for the second Mamma Support Swap, which will take a kitchen/cooking theme this time.  And a new addition to the fun: for everyone who signs up, you will be entered into a drawing for a bunch of kitchen goodies!  Can’t wait to share more…be sure to come back for the full post on Monday!  (You can see the first Mamma Support Swap post here.)

{chit chat} Monday Almanac




From the Kitchen

I finally took a look at my long-neglected 27 Goals list last week.  Um, yeah…a lot of that is just not going to happen before my birthday in October!  “Get in shape” = hard to do while pregnant and “Attend a homeschooling conference”?  I missed that opportunity two months ago!  Oh well…there’s always next year, right?  One goal I did manage to accomplish was making cake pops with the boys, albeit from a box.  Final verdict: a lot of work for my kids to devour so quickly!  I’m just making cupcakes next time 🙂
Around the House
Lots and lots of exciting changes are happening around this house!  I will share the details soon (we have seen God’s hand so clearly!), but short story is that we’ve decided to rent out our current home and are buying a new home near my husband’s new job.  The timeline has been significantly shortened from our original plans, so we are a flurry of moving boxes and house projects lately.  I can’t wait until this craziness dies down a little!  
Homeschooling 
Kindergarten is actually going quite well.  M needed a few days to get back into “school mode” and re-learn focusing for longer periods of time, but I think we’re getting there. He’s also a boy and 5 years old, so I’m going to incorporate wiggle breaks and physical activity throughout the school day.  
On the Blog

Posting on the blog may be a bit sporadic during the next few weeks, but it hasn’t been forgotten!  I’ve been brainstorming and dreaming of new things for this little space of mine.  I’m also considering getting a blog makeover…does anyone have any favorite designers?  I’m ready for a new look.

Fitness

HAH…fitness, what’s that??  My lofty plans for exercising with my prenatal workout video have gone out the window.  Should I admit that packing, deep cleaning and going up and down stairs 100x/day is enough of a workout for me at this point?  ðŸ™‚

Plans and Schemes

Hoping to make the time to visit a few of our favorite places before we move: the Children’s Museum, local ice cream, and our favorite park are on the list.   

Reading
I’m pretty excited that I’ve almost finished my 2012 Reading Challenge with months to spare!  I recently finished Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum.  It was a page turner and I found it quite unsettling, but I assume every book about the Holocaust should be that way.  Warning for those intrigued: there is quite a bit of graphic description as far as the abuse/rape she suffered, so if you have no stomach for that, I’d skip this book.  

{gift guide} Late Summer Nautical

All of a sudden, I’m realizing that summer is almost over!  How did the season go by so quickly??  Fortunately for us, we still have the rest of August to slow down and enjoy to the fullest!  In honor of late summer, I’ve compiled a nautical-inspired gift guide…maybe you have a friend who could use a little surprise on her doorstep?

3. Red Anchor Stationary (set of 6 cards and envelopes): $7.50

A few ideas:
  • For your vintage-loving or thrifty friend: The vintage binoculars would be fun to display atop a bunch of navy/blue books.  Maybe you have a favorite book to share or you could even hit up Goodwill and pick up a few (peel back those dust jackets and see what you can find!).  
  • Send a long-distance friend or relative the gorgeous stationary with a new pen and stamps.  Great idea to start a pen-pal relationship!
  • The bracelet would make a great gift for a tween/teen in your life.  Maybe a back-to-school present?  
  • For that decorating-obsessed friend: The whale pillow is unique and the small knots would make an awesome bowl or glass vase filler.  

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