The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{chit chat} A Call for Book Recommendations

First of all, yesterday we experienced our first EARTHQUAKE!  The epicenter was only miles from our home, so it was quite intense.  Thankfully, we are all okay and nothing was broken.  But wow!  What a crazy day!
Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
Anyway.  So I need your help.  I am stuck in a book rut, which stinks because earlier this year, I was on a reading roll!  I was devouring book after book, stealing minutes here and there throughout the day to read a few pages.  “Hold on boys, Mamma’s gotta finish her chapter!”

I read The Forgotten Garden, Honeymoon with my Brother, The Middle Place, and The Help, all of which I recommend.  But then…I just couldn’t get into another book.  Nothing kept my attention.  So I gave up.  And I haven’t picked up a book in over a month!          

But last weekend, I was visiting my parents and brought back Heaven is for Real.  So far, it’s an easy read and I’m stealing those little moments throughout the day to grab a few pages again.  So I need your help!  Help me stay on a reading roll!  What are some of your favorite books?  What have you read recently that you loved?  Please, please, please leave me some ideas in the comments!  

{read along} Mitten Strings for God: Stories

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry
“My children wanted stories…real stories, stories they could taste and feel and see, stories that would challenge their imaginations, scare them silly, make them laugh, and yet resassure them of the rightness and order of all creation.” – page 69

I’m not a very good story teller.  I can’t seem to think on the fly, my plots are lame, and the witty punch lines are often lost of my preschool crowd.  But the crazy thing is, my boys still love it.

My latest (and most popular) “series” started after telling some great childhood stories of the tricks and good natured teasing between my siblings.  The boys couldn’t get enough.  So the “I’ll get you next time!” series was born.  Here’s the gist of one:

Once upon a time, there were two brothers.  The older brother wanted to play a game with the little brother, so he went to look for him.  He searched high and low, but couldn’t find him anywhere!  “Brother!  Brother!” he called, but there was no answer.  Tired from all his walking, he sat on his bed to rest.  Just then, his little brother JUMPED out of the closet and yelled, “SURPRISE!”  He scared his big brother silly!  The big brother wagged his finger and said….”I’ll get you next time!”

Super simple, but the boys love them.  And ask for more.  And more and more and more (you know how little ones are). 

In the end, the best part of story time is that I can actually see the bonds between my boys strengthening.  In the stories, they may tease each other and get in crazy predicaments, but they are a team.  Best friends.  Buddies who love and would do anything for each other. 

All because of a story told by their silly ol’ Mamma. 

{family favorites} Dinosaurs

One of my favorite “kid spaces” in my home right now is located on the bookcase in our living room.  It has lovingly been dubbed “The Art Gallery” and it showcases the boys’ best crafts and paintings.  But after a spring and summer full of fun, the shelf was pretty full.  I’ve had the task of clearing it out on my to-do list for weeks now, but I’ve majorly been procrastinating.  I love to look at that little space and all the memories that go along with the crafts. 

So as a way to record those little memories before they get packed away or hit the trash, I want to share one unit we did this spring: dinosaurs! 

Just part of our dinosaur unit!

I don’t know what makes dinosaurs so appealing, but M and D are fascinated by them.  It was fun to play off of their interests.  I think we learned a lot that week, me included! 

In case you’ve got a little guy at home in love with dinosaurs too, these are some of our favorite books:

I wish I had taken more pictures of that week!  We did so many fun activities: made a dinosaur from the letter “D”, created fossils from coffee grounds, colored a mini book, had a puppet show, made a T-Rex from a toilet paper roll, ate dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets for dinner and more!

Thanks for taking that little trip down memory lane with me.  I’m excited to create new memories in our learning adventures with my little guys.  So stay tuned, we start next week!

{home} Living Room Update: Reupholstered Chairs

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that this project has been over a year in the making!  Last spring, I found two chairs in an antique store and fell in love with the curve of the backs.  So I brought my sweet husband to see them and asked if they could be my Mother’s Day gift.  Thankfully he obliged, although he doesn’t quite understand why I get so excited about sheets and chairs instead of roses and chocolates! 

Soon after I got them home, I spraypainted them black.  And then they sat.  And sat.  And sat. 

It took a conversation with my husband (“Frankly, I don’t even notice the oriental design on the chairs anymore”) for me to get my bum in gear and choose a fabric.  I made my inspiration board.  I was ready to purchase.  So imagine my minor panic attack when the etsy seller had already sold out!  

I decided to go with the big guys and to my surprise, the fabric was even on sale!  

I’m in love.  I love the color.  I love the slightly modern design that is still quite complimentary to the rest of my home.  I love a finished project.  I love it, I love it, I love it! (That’s a nod to Molly Shannon for all you non-SNL addicts!)  

———————-
Here is a breakdown of what’s left on my to-do list for the living room:

Rip up old carpet and replace with hardwood flooring
Recover chairs with chevron fabric
Make pillows from chevron fabric
Make pillows with floral patterned fabric
Buy mirror for above the fireplace
Purchase map for above the couch and frame with molding
Make console for behind the couch
Decide on new coffee table solution
Find neutral rug
Find two lamps for the console table

Whew…so much more to accomplish!  I better get to work! 
Have a great weekend! 

Amazon Disclosure Policy

The Big White Farmhouse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Less Materialism, More Intentional Living

Archives

Copyright © 2025 The Big White Farmhouse · Theme by 17th Avenue