The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{read along} Mitten Strings for God: Enchantment

 Food for thought:
“Somehow, in our hurry to steer our children toward accomplishment and independence, we seem to have forgotten what childhood is all about.  Preoccupied with managing their lives, and our own, it is so easy to lose sight of our children–their tenderness and innocence, their joyousness, their capacity for wonder, their hunger for enchantment.  A touch of magic can reawaken the childlike spirit in all of us, allowing us to revisit, for a time, the secret realm of childhood.” –page 119

{entertaining} Last-Minute Fourth of July Ideas

Happy Monday, friends!  Can you believe it is July already?  Have any fun plans for the week?  We are keeping it low-key around here, but I thought I’d make a roundup of a few fun ideas anyway.  I’ll host a fun Fourth of July party one of these years 🙂

1. I liked the layered look of this red, white and blue tablescape.  Definitely a fun idea if you were having a more formal meal.
2. Chocolate dipped pretzels would make a super cute party favor.  Put a few in a long plastic bag (they have tons of options at places like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby), tie with a ribbon and done!
3. Having a night-time gathering?  Tealights in bottles (maybe Mason jars?) make great luminaries. 
4. These Berry Sundaes are quick to prepare and nutritious too!
5. Need a decoration idea?  These star medallions are cute and will be easy to reuse year after year. 
6. Quick and easy snack idea while you’re waiting for the fireworks: red licorice wrapped in colorful paper.  

{i want to remember} – 6/29/12

Sometimes life gets so busy that I forget to notice and appreciate the little things. Here are some of the things I am loving lately:

I WANT TO REMEMBER… searching for the ever-elusive J, only to find him (sitting cross-legged, no less!) playing Legos with his brothers.  My sweet boy is growing right before my eyes.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how much fun the boys had during our first visit to the beach this year.  They all played so nicely and independently that I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself!  Perhaps this is the year I can actually read a book?!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… that old cell phones are great entertainment for little kids.  The big boys found a couple of my out-dated phones (circa 2005?) and they have played with them for hours!  I love that they call them their “Iphones”!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… the notes and drawings I find scattered around the house.  I’ve been leaving paper and crayons out in the dining room with the intention of assisting independent creativity. So far, big hit!
 
I WANT TO REMEMBER… how much I love and appreciate my husband.  While I’m wallowing in self-pity with an achy pregnant body, whiny kids and never-ending days, I want to always remember his sacrifice for our family too.  We are a team and we are on this crazy adventure together.  

{home} Getting Ready to Sell: A Mini Bathroom Update

The master bathroom in my house has much to be desired, at least compared to a lot of other homes.  We don’t have the separate tub and walk-in shower, double sinks or lots of storage space.  Instead, our bathroom is small and functional, with builder’s grade everything and little pizzazz.  Master bathroom = boring.  

Now that we are preparing to put the house on the market, I wanted to add some interest to this room.  So while it may be on the small side, a potential buyer would walk in and say “Wow!” instead.  

Step one: replace the shower rod and curtain.  I am a bad blogger and neglected to get a “before” picture, but imagine an old silver rod and a seen-better-days shower curtain from our newlywed days (almost 7 years ago).  A quick trip to Target and this is what we have now:

We purchased a curved shower curtain in oil-rubbed bronze (similar to this) and a white waffle-patterned shower curtain.  I love the change!  It’s a great start, but can you see my problem now?  The shower curtain is “true white”, which makes the builder’s grade white wall paint look…dingy.  Like not white.  So paint is definitely on the to-do list for this room, along with:

   
I also want to get new towel rods in oil-rubbed bronze and some crisp, white towels.  Hopefully these changes (while staying in a $200 or less budget) will have a big impact!  What are your tips for staging a bathroom?  What do you look for in a master bath when you are house hunting?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments!

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