The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{read along} Mitten Strings for God: Rhythm


“…it is a challenge for us to incorporate rhythm into our daily lives.  To do so, we must commit ourselves to order and routine; to a slower, more deliberate pace; to intention rather than to happenstance.  In other words, we must develop a sense of ritual.” — page 139

With everything moving so quickly in our lives lately, I can definitely see the ramifications in the actions of my children.  For the past few weeks, there has been a lot of brotherly bickering, lots of begging for “One more TV show, Mamma, pleeease?!”….and this Mamma is tired.  My kids need a routine.  They thrive, both in behavior and attitude, when there is a plan to our day and they know what is coming next.  The first day of our school year is on Monday and I just know this will be a positive change in my home.  Finally, some rhythm!

{link list} 8.1.12 Edition

Hello friends!  Popping in to share my latest discoveries via the www.  I knew I couldn’t stay away for too long! 🙂

1. This post, A Miracle Inside the Aurora Shooting: One Victim’s Story, is just amazing. It’s definitely worth the read.

2. Last week, I purchased this printable from katygirl Designs for the new nursery.  Isn’t it sweet?  One of my favorite verses and bonus point! All proceeds go to Hope 4 Sudan.

3. Another really interesting article: 1940s Housewife showed how to tame high grocery prices.  A thought provoking quote from her now-grown daughter: “I am distressed by the things now, living to get things as opposed to living to enjoy life…”

4. New breakfast recipes to add to the to-try list: Gluten-Free Baked Oatmeal Casserole and Peanut Butter Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies.  

5. How cute is this little packaging idea using cupcake wrappers?

6. I love the texture and the colors of this original painting from Angela Cox.  Abstract and just so cool!

7. A new book I cannot wait to read: The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared.

8. Food for thought provided by Mother Teresa: “You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with our people. Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing. Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.  Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little child, you receive me.” 

{recording life} Currently…



time : 7:00 AM
watching : morning cartoons with the boys 
reading : almost finished with Just Start and then I plan on starting Those Who Save Us
feeling : Gosh, where do I begin?  Crazy busy…overwhelmed…like life is simultaneously flying and dragging?  I’ll be able to share more details soon, but please know any prayers would be so appreciated!    
creating : to-do list after to-do list.  Between moving, starting our school year and preparing for a new baby’s arrival, my list never seems to grow any smaller.  And OCD confession: am I the only one who will re-write a to-do list after a bunch of items have been crossed off?  I like my list nice and neat…ha!  
thinking : about the beginning of our school year.  I’ve finally set the “official” first day to the first week in August.  Now to take the boys on a special school supplies trip to Target 🙂  
hoping : that my one-hour glucose test (that I took for the second time this pregnancy) will come back in a normal range, so I’m spared from taking the three-hour test again!  This has been a source of major stress for me.   
needing : free labor to come and work on our landscaping.  My Operation:Curb Appeal has been slow going with 100 degree temps and a huge pregnant belly.  I’ve still got lots of weeding and “prettifying” (why yes, that is a made up word!) to do, but not a lot of motivation to do it.   
wondering : how I’m going to “do it all”.  In my head, I know that something’s got to give and unfortunately that may be this blog for a little while.  I plan on popping in as frequently as I can, though, so keep checking back!  (If you’re interested, sign up to get posts in your e-mail or add me to your blog Reader!) I am so thankful for all of you readers and the friendships this blog has created for me.  You are the best!  

{link list} 7.25.12 Edition

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

1. Confession: I am a very hesitant mantel decorator.  (Oh what a first world problem.)  I’m always second guessing myself and getting frustrated to the point where I give up and just leave it alone!  Mantel decorating is a skill I want to conquer though, so I’m taking notes with this post: A Year of Mantels.

2. New dinner recipes to try: Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps and Easy Garlic Chicken.  Oh and this guacamole…I love guac this pregnancy!  And for dessert?  Paleo-friendly German Apple Pancakes!

3. My kids love a good joke, but I usually quickly run out of ones that they (1) understand or (2) think are funny.  This post on 30 Kid-Tested (and Kid-Approved!) Jokes is on my must-print list.  M and D aren’t going to recognize this hilarious Mamma!

4. I love the look of these burlap placemats framed in simple IKEA frames.  So cute and perfect for the kitchen!  That Emily A. Clark is so clever!  

5. With all of the focus on preparing for Kindergarten, I’ll admit that I really haven’t put much thought into preschool for the D-man.  Oops!  So when Julie at Creekside Learning wrote Homeschool Goals for my New Preschooler, I actually cheered, ha!  So many good ideas there and I love how she’s broken them into goals…I’m definitely going to be printing out the list.

6. You must read the story behind the bakery, Mama Mead’s….so interesting, right?  I’m really curious to try some of her sweets – can gluten-free really be so delicious?  My top picks: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sea Salted Dulche de Leche Brownies, and Mama Os.    

7. Did you catch this cool Placemat Clutch DIY on Camille’s blog?  LOVE the idea and can you imagine the different possibilities??

8. I can’t believe a whole year has passed since I mailed in my Box Tops to Joplin!  I’ve kept an envelope in the kitchen and add as I come across them.  It’s a painless, easy way to really give back.  I plan on sending out my latest batch this week…if interested, you can find more information on their Facebook page.    

Amazon Disclosure Policy

The Big White Farmhouse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Archives

Copyright © 2025 The Big White Farmhouse · Theme by 17th Avenue