The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{food for thought} Make Time for Reading

“Parents unconsciously teach their children what is valuable by the way they spend their own time.  If television is more important to the parents than books, the children will likely choose the same…”

“A busy schedule is the enemy of reading.  Agreeing in principle with all the benefits of books, you may at this point simply sigh and say, “I wish we had more time for reading.”  But the fact remains that we arrange time for what we think is truly important…”

“The plea I am making is simply this–make time for books! Don’t let your children live in spiritual poverty when abundance is available!”

  —from Honey for a Child’s Heart, pages 24-25

{kids crafts} Valentine’s Day Craft Roundup

Valentine’s Day is just a week away!  With a house full of boys, this holiday has minimal appeal, but here are a few ideas I just may be able to get them to do!

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Have you signed up yet for the first Mamma Support Swap?  Find all the details here!  Sign-ups will be open all week.

{friendship} 1st Ever Mamma Support Swap!

Source: etsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest

This post is for all of you Mammas out there.  Maybe you are pregnant with your first baby and you are filled with both excitement and anxiety for what’s to come.  Maybe you are a new mama or maybe you are a mama to many!  Maybe you feel unsure in your role as a mother.  Maybe you feel isolated from the “outside”.  Maybe your life feels so crazy, and while you’d love another child, the thought just terrifies you.  Maybe you feel all alone.


Motherhood is a hard and largely misunderstood vocation.  So my thinking cap went on.  How can I use my blog to provide encouragement to another mom?  How can I help another mom know she is not alone?  How can I show another mom her worth?  The wheels started turning.  After I participated in the Blogger Exchange Party, the wheels started really turning!
Enter the first ever Mamma Support Swap! 

This is the plan.  The Mamma Support Swap encompasses two things:   

  1. Support: A handwritten note to your partner, telling her about yourself and your family.  You can add some advice, words of encouragement or just let her know you’re praying for her.  Your letter can be any length, but challenge yourself!  Words are powerful…you can do so much good.  This letter is the most important part!
  2. Swap:  A little something special purchased just for her.  You can learn more about her on her blog if you need ideas.  Let’s keep it in the $10-15 dollar range.  Not mandatory, but if you want to include a little present for her kid(s), please feel free to do so!

My prayer is that through this swap, we can encourage each other on this wild adventure we call motherhood.  Maybe we’ll even make a new friend!  You know the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child”?  Well, I think it takes a village to support a mamma!

So are you in?  Know a few friends who could use some support?  I hope so!  Please e-mail me at mrsb04jc (at) gmail (dot) com with the following information:

Your Name
Your blog address
Age(s) of your children
Sign-ups will be open from February 6 to February 10.
I hope to have everyone e-mailed with their partner by Monday, February 12.
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, February 24. Then be on the lookout for a special package just for you! 🙂

One more thing…please, please, please spread the word!  I am just a little fish in the big blog ocean, but I know there have to be so many mammas out there who could use some love.  Talk about it on your blog, Facebook, even twitter! 

P.S. I’m working on making a button for you to grab too! Check back soon!

{in the kitchen} Blueberry Banana Bread

Talk about impulse.  While I probably should have been attacking that never-ending laundry pile, I instead made a dash to the kitchen to make Blueberry Banana Bread.  Word to the wise: don’t casually peruse cookbooks unless you’re ready to bake. Right.This.Instant!  I have no control when it comes to delicious quick breads.  The recipe comes from this book, which was actually an anniversary gift to my husband.  Enjoy.

Blueberry Banana Bread
from Ruhlman’s Twenty

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Salt
3 large eggs
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (I omitted this because I didn’t have any lemons at home)
1 cup blueberries, tossed with 1 Tablespoon flour

Preheat the oven to 350.  Butter a loaf pan. 
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt.  In a large bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, sugar, melted butter, bananas, vanilla, and lemon zest and mix well.  Add the flour mixture and whisk just to combine.  Stir in the blueberries.
Pour batter into pan.  Bake until a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean, about 1 hour.  Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

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Oh, and Mammas: need some encouragement this winter or know someone who does?  Be sure to check back Monday for an exciting announcement! 

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