The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

August 13, 2012

{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? 🙂

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.

August 9, 2012

{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?

1. Vintage Binoculars: $18

2. Braided Rope Bracelet: $16.50

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

4. 12×24″ Whale Linen Blend Pillow: $22

5. Set of Four Small Monkey’s Fist Knots: $15

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.

August 8, 2012

{link list} 8.8.12 Edition

Source: someecards.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

1. Excellent post: Living in my Ideal World. My favorite quote: “Our food choices do not define who we are. They certainly do not define our motherhood.” As a mamma who has definitely fallen off the healthy food wagon lately, I really needed to read this one.

2. And another good one: Cracked Goggles. A good reminder if you’re in the middle of a trial and wonder what in the world God’s plan is.

3. Have you checked out Land of Nod lately? Our Little Miss isn’t even here yet, but I think I’ve already picked out her twin bed! Since that is still quite a ways down the line, I’ve got my eye on some wall art decor for the nursery instead: an alphabet print and maybe spelling out her name?

4. I’m still struggling with being a consistent meal-planner, but this free printable from Angela at Anything but Perfect may help me get motivated. So cute!

5. Have you ever made Browned Butter Crinkles? I haven’t, but they look delicious!

6. Let’s talk jeans. I’m still in the horrible stretchy pant stage of pregnancy and will be for the next two months (at least!), but I found this article incredibly interesting. Gap and Old Navy are gateways to Mom Jeans? Who knew?!

7. I think I need this print to hang up in our new house…LOVE the simple typography! Also love this one (maybe for the nursery?) and this one too.

8. A simple idea for you DIY-ers: Painted Cork Board Messaging Hoops. Cute for a craft room!

9. You must check out Camille’s new accessory shop. Her necklaces are so lovely and understated…must have pieces for your jewelry box!

August 6, 2012

{etsy finds} Vintage Back to School

Today is our first day of Kindergarten! The school supplies have been purchased, the lesson plans have been written out and the books are anxious to be read! As a real first-timer as far as homeschooling goes, I’ve got lots of butterflies. I’m praying (a lot!) that I can provide my children a year full of learning and fun.

To celebrate this momentous day in our family, I found all kinds of great school-related finds on etsy. I’m still on a big vintage kick lately…check these out: