The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

October 26, 2011

{chit chat} Middle of the Week Thoughts

Happy Wednesday! My brain is all over the place today, so I thought I would share a few things:

SCHOOLING. We are reading Madeline this week and learning a little about France. It’s been a bit of a challenge coming up with some “boy activities” – most of the adorable things I’ve seen online have been pretty girl-inspired. I’ve decided to devote all of next week to a beginner’s look at the human body (the link to Madeline and the human body: remember how she had to have her appendix taken out?). I found some really fun crafts and activities too, so it should be a blast.

BAKING. Like I mentioned on my 27 Goals List, I’m trying to get in shape and lose a little more of the lingering baby weight. So why in the world did I make this delicious Pumpkin Crumb Cake (half-eaten slice pictured above)? It’s so easy and good for both dessert and breakfast (not that I know that for certain…ahem). The recipe is from barefoot in the kitchen and can be found here.

CLEANING. I have been on a simplifying mission this week. Goodwill, get ready! With the boys’ birthdays and Christmas coming up, I want to make sure we only have what we absolutely love in our home. All the extras are going.

PONDERING. This quote I found on Pinterest:

Source: None via Terry on Pinterest

Just because I chose to mother first, doesn’t mean my life is over once they are grown. Or I missed out on what could have been. It just means a new season has begun! Julia Child didn’t start cooking until she was in her 40s, right? There’s hope for me too.

What are you up to this week?

October 24, 2011

{learning} An Autumn Scavenger Hunt

For the past two weeks, we took a break from Five in a Row and did a Fall Unit. It has been much more open-ended and unstructured, which has been fun. When I was planning the school year this summer, I hoped it would serve as a time where we could enjoy the changing seasons, while giving me a little break in the process. (Hurray for no homeschool burnout!)

One of the activities we did was a scavenger hunt in our back yard. The boys used their gathering bags (also talked about here) and searched the woods for everything on our list. I will be the first to admit that I am not exactly a “woodsy” kinda girl, but I do try to get the kids out there. ‘Cause what boy doesn’t love to explore?

In case you’re interested in having an Autumn Scavenger Hunt with your little ones, here was our list:

One red leaf
The smallest leaf you can find
Rough bark
Smooth bark
Two different grasses
A flower
Something beautiful
An acorn
A rock

P.S. This is my 100th post!

October 21, 2011

{christmas} For the World Traveler

Happy Friday! I’m back again with another gift guide! This one is for that special someone on your list who loves to travel!

Chevron Pillowcases, Leather Handbag, Chalkboard Map, Moleskine Journal, Traveler Print

Ideas:

Tie a box of colored chalk to the chalkboard map and include a note with instructions to color in the states they have visited. (I believe the same shop makes world maps as well)
Find a special pen to add to the journal. Then on the first page, write your wishes for the recipient or a neat quote about traveling/dreams/adventure, etc.
For the recipient who travels and frequently must stay in a hotel: tie up a pair of your favorite pillowcases with twine. Add a note explaining that they can slip this on a hotel pillow…for a touch of home while they’re far away. (Note: it’s probably a good idea to use pillowcases with designs or colors. White pillowcases may get confused with hotel linens!)

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October 20, 2011

{in the kitchen} Baked Ravioli…so easy a tired Mamma can do it…

Yesterday was yucky and rainy. We called off school, declared it “Pajama Day” and just lounged around and played all day. It was relaxing and uneventful…just what I needed and bonus: the boys thought I was the coolest Mamma ever!

Anyway, I wanted to share what we had for dinner: a super easy, but definitely hits the spot, recipe and perfect for a rainy day. Add a salad and a loaf of crusty bread (I had neither, but it sounds yummy, doesn’t it?) and you’re good to go. I think this would be a great freezer recipe or even to send over to a new mamma. The possibilities are endless!

Baked Ravioli
1 bag of frozen ravioli
1 26oz. jar of marinara sauce (I used Amato’s Pasta Sauce…yum! Thanks Aunt Rie!)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesean cheese

Heat oven to 400. Spray the bottom and side of a 9×13″ pan with cooking spray. Spread 3/4 up of the pasta sauce in first. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce. Top with half of the remaining sauce, then half of the mozzarella. Repeat layers, starting with the ravioli. Sprinkle with Parmesean cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes or until bubbly. Enjoy!