The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{i want to remember} – 8/10/11

Sometimes life gets so busy that I forget to notice and appreciate the little things.  Here are some of the things I am loving this week:
 
I WANT TO REMEMBER… how D is calling everybody “big guy” after hearing his Daddy call him that for so long.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how M’s idea of “cleaning” is shoving all of his toys into one corner of the room.  He’s just so proud though when he shows me – I don’t have the heart to correct him!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how J babbles to himself as he plays.  He has lots to say!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… D and his “pow-ahs” (powers).  He takes two receiving blankets and swings them around in the air, declaring, “Watch out for me supah powahs!”  Reason #1000 why having little boys in the house is AWESOME!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how among the long list of what he wants to be when he grows up, M wants to be a “Police Department-er”.  🙂

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how incredibly great it is to hear the beginnings of brother conversations.  D is really talking and expressing himself lately and the big boys have been coming up with some great games and adventures.  The latest convo overheard while building with blocks:

D: Whatchu makin’?  I makin’ a robot.
M: I’m making a tower.
D: Cool dude!

My cup runneth over. 

{home} Living Room Inspiration

The living room is arguably our favorite room in our home.  We have lots of natural light and there is plenty of room to run and play.  But I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with it.  Too mismatched and not really fulfilling our need for organization.  And with three boys, you know we need organization and storage!!  So, last fall before the baby came, I started working on my vision for a cohesive look in the room.  We were able to get the big pieces I wanted, like a pull-out sofa for guests and a comfy armchair, but the little details were pushed aside…until now! 

So here is my inspiration for finishing up this room:

1. Inspired by Young House Love, I’m thinking of having a console table behind the sofa, DIY style.  I really love the cubbies for baskets on either side, so we can put all the boys’ toys away and out of sight when not in use. 
2. This bench is narrow enough that it doesn’t take up too much space and can serve two purposes: as a coffee table or also as more seating, if necessary.  It’s on sale at PB but I’m wondering if we can DIY it ourselves when we make #1. 
3. We hope to replace our worn carpet soon with hardwood flooring.  I think this soft, shag rug would help ground the couch and coffee table and add some neutral tones to the room.
4. I like this fabric and this fabric, so I think I am going to make pillows for the couch and armchair.
5. I once heard on a blog that her “home colors” came from a vintage map.  I think that would describe our home as well!  We are going to buy a vintage looking map here and frame it out with molding.  It will go above the couch.
6. I’d like to find two neat lamps like these (picture is from YHL) for behind the couch on the console table. 

I’m really excited to get this room exactly like I have envisioned in my head.  Now to decide which project to tackle first!  What about you?  Any redecorating going on in your home? 

{chit chat} A Monday Morning Chat

Good morning, friends!  I hope you had a fun and relaxing weekend.  Here are a few things we are up to lately:

FOOD…

  • While out running some errands, Mark stopped and got some veggies from a little roadside stand.  That poor man is out there every day in this crazy heat!  I fully recommend shopping at your local roadside market – it feels good to support the farmers and the food is just so good!
  • My husband has been doing a lot of research lately about food and nutrition and has decided to eat “primal”.  From what I gather, that means lots of fruits, veggies and meat and very little starches and carbohydrates.  There is no way that I could fully embrace eating this way (I love to bake too much!) but I’m trying to find recipes that are adaptable for all of us.  I’ve seen this cookbook and I wonder if that may help with some ideas. 

CRAFTY…

  • I am taking a small break from my quilt to work on a new project!  I bought this from the The Floss Box (for $2! What a deal!) and it’s so cute!  I hope to have it finished by the end of the week.  I’m considering making it into a pillow or framing it for my craft room.
  • I spent the majority of this weekend scrapbooking.  Back in March, I took my mom’s boxes full of 20+ years of photographs and promised her a scrapbook in return.  Needless to say, that was months ago and I’m still plugging away!  It has turned out to be a slightly bigger task than I had imagined (HAH! Understatement!) , but I am really enjoying it.     

PRE-K…

  • Our school year will begin in three short weeks!  The first book we are reading is How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World.  I have been searching the Internet for apple activities and recipes.  If you have a great craft or recipe or have seen something cute on a website, please share it with me in the comments! 
  • I want to start incorporating read alouds into our day.  We read picture books at bedtime, but I think the boys are finally old enough that we could start reading a chapter book instead.  I’m thinking of starting with Charlotte’s Web.  Do you have any recommendations? 

Have a great week!

{etsy finds} Personalized Gifts from Elm Studios!

I think it’s safe to say that I love etsy.  LOVE.  I love the variety of products.  I love how inspiring the different artists are.  I love how I can always find something for every person on my birthday/Christmas/anniversary list. 

It’s just recently, though, that I have discovered a new (and maybe the best) reason for shopping on etsy: through my purchases, I am supporting someone who is following their dreams.  I love the idea that I am helping a recent college graduate pay off his student loans.  I love that I am helping a mamma stay home with her kids.  I love supporting that girl who’s taking a leap of faith to produce things she loves.  Etsy makes the relationship between buyer and seller so personal…and for me, I think that is so cool.

So.

On that note, I present to you my latest find: Elm Studios!   


1. Love You Forever Bowl  2. Simply Love Bowl  3. Wish Bowl  4. By the Seashore Bowl  5. Personalized Flower Garden Wall Hanging  6. My Sunshine Bowl 

Elm Studios makes beautiful personalized bowls and wall hangings.  I love the simplicity of the designs – these would be great gifts for so many occasions!  Wouldn’t the Wish Bowl (#3) be so cute at a baby or bridal shower?  You could have the guests write wishes to the new baby or bride and groom, and then they could keep the bowl as a momento.  I love the Seashore Bowl (#4) for the summer.  It would be so darling on an entry table holding your keys and arranged with some other ocean-inspired decor!  And the Love You Forever (#1) bowl?  My favorite.  So so sweet.

Check out Elm Studios here.

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.

Archives

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