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The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

July 24, 2012

{wishlist} Vintage Finds for the Nursery from Beatrice in Blue

I love antiques.  LOVE.  From a design perspective, I love the look of aging and the wear.  But what I think I love most is imagining the story behind each piece.  Was this bowl a wedding present for a young bride, eager to begin life with her beloved?  Was this framed piece of art purchased to go in a living room or maybe the bedroom?  How long did it take  to sew this quilt completely by hand?     

I really would like to include more pieces like this in our baby girl’s nursery.  Decorating has come to a stand-still with all of the moving preparations lately, but I’m still dreaming and scheming behind the scenes! 🙂

I recently came across the etsy shop, Beatrice in Blue, and fell in love with a bunch of her items!  Check out a few of my favorites:
I. I am totally in love with this little teddy bear serving set!  Can’t you imagine some sweet baby eating her first meals with it?  While it’s not recommended for my Little Miss to use, I can picture it on display on a shelf in her nursery.

2. This pink and white chenille bedspread reminds me of my Gram’s house.  I love the subtle detailing and the distinctly feminine touch.  $56 for a full-sized bedspread with so much history?  What a deal.

3. Look at that little girl saying her prayers!  I can picture her in a vignette (similar to the way it’s styled above) on a tall dresser/bookcase or even on the wall as part of a big collage.

4.  This wooden divider box is so versatile and I can think of a million ways to use it!  For the nursery, I would use it next to the changing table to hold diaper rash creme, lotion and baby powder.    

July 20, 2012

{learning} Our Homeschooling Plans: Kindergarten 2012-2013

The beginning of our first “official” homeschooling year is just about to begin!  This may be a boring post for some of you, but I always enjoy taking a peek at other families’ school plans…maybe you do too?  Homeschooling is the best choice for our son this year, but we plan on taking each year as it comes.  I look forward to seeing us both grow and learn as we embark on this adventure together!   

Religion
On Monday and Friday, we will read a story from an Illustrated Children’s Bible (similar to this).  Then I plan on using these free Draw & Journal Printable sheets to have M narrate and draw what we read.  The plan is that by the end of the year, he will have his own illustrated Bible storybook!  On Tuesday and Wednesday, we’ll be working from Who Am I? Religion Series with lots of discussion and crafts.  Thursday will be an easy day with a read-aloud from Once Upon a Time Saints while the boys listen and work on a coloring page.   


Phonics

I was really hesitant to shell out the cash, but with such amazing reviews, I knew I had to take the chance.  We are really excited to start reading using the Sing, Spell, Read and Write: Level 1 curriculum.  

Math
I am using the free lesson plan site, Lesson Pathways, as a guideline for this year’s math program.  I love how this blogger incorporates the BUILD system and I plan on doing something similar.  We’ll be using a lot of living math elements: games, math literature, and hands-on manipulatives.  I know he’s going to love it!

Literature 
After such a wonderful PreK year using Five in a Row, we are going to continue with something similar, only with my own spin.  I have chosen a year’s worth of books with an “Around the USA” theme.  Some books come from the FIAR curriculum, some do not.  Each week, we’ll study a new state and while we won’t get to all 50, I’m hoping to give him a pretty good introduction to the wonderful country we live in.  This is also where we will incorporate geography, art projects and science experiments too.  

Art

Lastly, my boys love art, so I knew a “formal” art curriculum was something I may want to look into.  When I found the Home Art Studio Kindergarten program, I knew it was perfect!  The boys are chomping at the bit to dig into all of the new art supplies!

July 19, 2012

{food for thought} When You Face Trials

Unrelated photo…just two water-gun wielding fools on a hot day 🙂

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
—James 1:2-4

July 18, 2012

{link list} 7.18.12 Edition

1. I loved and appreciated the brutal honesty of Jenny’s Project Health post from last week.  As I quickly approach the heaviest weight I’ve ever been (albeit while pregnant, but still a little scary!), I want to make less excuses and more plans for my health once this little one is born.  I’m sure I’ll share more here on the blog when that time comes…I’ll need the accountability!  

2. I love this colorful map of the United States and it’s a free printable to boot!  I think it would look darling blown up in a kids’ room or possibly a playroom?  Keeping this idea stored away for our new house!


3. This recipe for homemade teething biscuits is such a great way to use up all of the baby cereal that we never seem to finish when my babies start solid foods!  I think they would make a darling 1st birthday favor too (for a bunch of little attendees)…wouldn’t they be so sweet cut in a themed cookie cutter and packaged in something like these bags?     


4. An amazing story: Pregnant Woman Nurses Abandoned Infant to Save Her Life.


5. Need a good idea to encourage your children to help around the house?  Taping a square to the floor will definitely be a challenge to get my boys to sweep!  Chores = fun!


6. Did you see this boys’ room over on Young House Love?  So many good ideas there…it makes me so excited to be able to design a brand new room for my kids!


7. A new take on an old classic: Ham and Cheese Crepes.


8. I almost laughed out loud as I read this post from the Nester.  Every time I wash our master bedroom sheets, I notice the bare box spring and think: “Man! I need to do something about that!” …to which I promptly forget about it!  Nester’s solution to purchase a simple sheet set (use the fitted sheet for the box spring and the flat for pillows, etc) is GENIUS.  


9. (A BONUS this week!) Inspired by Grace’s closet clean-out, I decided to take a good look at my own wardrobe and weed out a few unworn things.  My selling site of choice is usually ebay, but this time I’m trying out a new one called Threadflip.  Anyone have any experience with it or positive/negative reviews?  You can find my “closet” here.      

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The 10 Year Reading Plan for the Great Books of the Western World

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