The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

August 16, 2011

{ramblings} How to De-Funk

Source: rebeccacooper.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

A FUNK. I think every mother gets that way sometimes. The perfect storm of sleepless nights and long days, endless chores and a list of to-dos. For me, I usually can feel it coming. When the laundry starts piling up and I speak an unkind word, I know it’s close. And then the doubts come: Am I a good mother? Am I cut out for this job?

I hope I’m not alone in this.

But I can’t stay this way for long. My boys still need me and whether I like it or not, I set the tone for our family. Unhappy mama, unhappy home. So I pull myself up by my bootstraps and keep moving. Here are a few things I do to “de-funk”:

Look for the beauty in the chaos. Even though there may be toys scattered across my living room, I look at the sweet drawing of our family that M made yesterday. I look at the single bloom sprouting in the middle of our neighbor’s yard. If I am intentional, I am guaranteed to find something happy and beautiful.
Clean. Those dishes in the sink? The crumbs on the floor from breakfast? Clean ’em up! Maybe it’s a little OCD in me, but I feel calm when my house is in order. Now that comes with realistic expectations. I have three boys and God willing, more in the future. My house will never look like a magazine. But I know my trigger points (I get stressed with cluttery countertops and dirty dishes), so I conquer those first.
Do a little something for me. I spend a lot of time doing things for other people (namely, my kids): feeding, playing, diaper changing, etc etc. But when I’m feeling down, I become intentional in finding an activity that I enjoy. Most often, these can be done at the same time as being with my kids: working on a cross-stitch, reading, baking.
Get a reality check. At the end of the day, I have so much to be thankful for. And there are so many others who have it so much harder than I do. Specifically, I’ve been keeping up with this couple and their little boy’s fight for life.

So, if you are a fellow mamma, and exhausted and overwhelmed today, please know there is someone out there thinking of you. You are not alone. And today is only one day. Tomorrow will be so much better.

August 15, 2011

{etsy finds} Reusable & Functional Design with Harriet’s Haven

Fall is coming. Fall is coming.
That has been my mantra lately. Between a teething baby, bickering big boys and the heat (oh the heat!), I’ve just been in a funk. And a funk is never good. So, I’ve tried to focus on the fact that everything is just for a season and nothing lasts forever, even though it can feel that way! With the fall comes cooler weather and a new routine (PreK!)…and I’m praying our peaceful home will resurface!

All that to say, I went onto etsy on a search for things to aid us in our arrival of fall and found a great shop: Harriet’s Haven!

1. Message Board 2. Burlap Gathering Bag 3. Four Dinner Napkins 4. Reusable Sandwich Bag 5. Reusable Sandwich Bag

I love the gathering bags (#2) and I think they are the perfect thing for boys who like to collect “stuff” outside. Simple without being too girly, which is a big requirement around here. I also really liked the reusable sandwich bags (#4 and #5), both for their intended purpose, but also for gifts. Wouldn’t they be so cute for the neighbors, with cookies or another yummy treat tucked inside? So cute!

Shop here.

August 12, 2011

(in the kitchen} Two New Favorites: Garden Veggie Sloppy Joes & Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

If you’re looking for a dinner to use up some of those vegetables from your garden, this is the recipe for you! Unfortunately, our garden this year was a total flop (note to self: don’t leave for a weekend trip without DRENCHING plants in water. We came home to fried veggies…and not the good kind!). Thank goodness for our local roadside farmer!

For a little sweet treat, I also made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. They were delightful and a hit among the entire family. Both recipes are below!

Spicy Garden Veggie Sloppy Joes

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup zucchini, chopped
1 cup yellow summer squash, chopped
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 16oz. jar salsa
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes
6-8 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns

In a skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat it brown and the onion is tender. Drain off the fat. Add zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and green pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir in salsa, basil and parsley. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Serve on rolls or buns!

(This meal is easily freezable. You can make a double batch at one time – eat half for dinner and save the other for a busy day!)

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon all-spice
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 cups canned pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chocolate chips

(NOTE: I did not have cloves, ginger or all-spice on hand, so I omitted them all from the recipe and just added a little more cinnamon, maybe a little over 2 teaspoons? It was still delicious!)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together the first nine (dry) ingredients and set aside.
3. Beat eggs in the large bowl of an electric mixer until foamy. Add pumpkin and oil and mix well. Add the flour mixture, stirring only until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Spoon evenly in greased muffin tins (or use paper liners).
5. Bake for 22-24 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

August 11, 2011

{read along} Mitten Strings for God: Secret Places

No real words this week. I just loved this chapter and the ideas it created for me. I find myself looking at my house in a whole new light now: where can I create a special, secret and magical place for my boys?