The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{i want to remember} – 7/25/11

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 much the big boys love our little blow-up pool on the back deck.  They have been spending hours out there!  I love to watch them play and imagine together; my favorite so far is policemen with water guns. 

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how all of a sudden, J is everywhere!  He is discovering every inch of our living room and even pulling himself up to standing.  Time is flying with that boy.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… the awesome Craigslist deal I scored!  For months, I have been looking all over for an affordable mirror for above our fireplace.  No such luck…until last week!  I found it on Craigslist and even managed to talk her down $15. 

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how utterly delicious icecream sundaes from McDonald’s taste after a day with record high temps (with the heat index, it was 115 degrees!). 

I WANT TO REMEMBER… dance parties after dinner, big wet smooches, and giggling brothers…we are so blessed.

{kids crafts} Marshmallow Structures

M is such an interesting little guy.  The older he gets, the more we learn about how he sees the world.  He is very detail oriented and is particular about things.  He has just recently become interested in Legos and we will find him in his room, surrounded by those teeny pieces, making rocket ships and laser blasters.

So I just knew he’d love this easy, open-ended craft using mini marshmallows and toothpicks.  Mark showed him the idea and he was off!  In hindsight, I think next time, we’ll either snap the toothpicks in half when using the mini’s or just use regular sized marshmallows.  Our structures were quite fragile!  But we had lots of fun! 

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P.S. I’d like to add that while M was in his building element, his brother couldn’t take the temptation and just started chowing down.  That boy…

{in the kitchen} Soft & Chewy Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies

As I mentioned in a previous post, the recipes in my “to try” pile have gotten out of control, so I have been going through them in an attempt to weed through and organize!  Recipe #3 was cut from a magazine and since it calls for a boxed cake mix, it has been in my pile for ages.  I rarely buy boxed mixes, but I found an awesome sale at the store last week and knew it was the perfect time to try this recipe!   

Soft & Chewy Chocolate – Peanut Butter Cookies

1 package devil’s food cake mix
4 oz (1/2 of an 8oz. package) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place all ingredients in a large bowl.  Beat with a mixer on low speed for 2 minutes.  Beat on medium speed for 2 more minutes.
2. Shape into 1-inch balls.  Place on baking sheets.  Flatten each ball in a criss-cross pattern with a fork dipped in sugar.
3. Bake 6-8 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are set.  Cook 2 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to wire racks.

They are small and bite-sized and the boys loved them.  Mark liked that they were chewy and not too sweet.  So another winner!  After three successful sweet recipes, I think I need to find something savory for my next experiment!  My waistline will thank me!  Stay tuned!

{read along} Mitten Strings for God: Simplicity

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry
I really needed to read this chapter this week.  All of my thoughts these days seem to be turned toward the fall, and the task of preparing for homeschooling and birthday celebrations can sometimes feel quite daunting.

But I totally agree with what Dawn from By Sun and Candlelight wrote about this chapter: “Every holiday has potential to be a wonderful experience for our children, and our children are only young for a short time. We mothers are always aware of that ticking clock ~ there are only so many years to go caroling or egg-rolling or trick-or-treating. And yet, I don’t want their holidays to be stretched thin with frantic energy and meaningess activity. I want those memories to be rich and sweet, and I want the meanings of the day(s) to be clear.”

I think her thoughts fit perfectly with both school at home and the upcoming celebrations!  So, with that in mind, here are a few ways my little family will embrace simplicity in the next few months:

1. Our boys’ birthdays all happen in a six-week time period.  They will only be receiving a couple of gifts from us…and that’s okay.  I am challenging myself to find the most perfect gift for that particular child and leave it at that. 
2. Our birthday parties are going to be fun, but not cost an arm and a leg.  I want to include the boys in the party planning and have it be a fun experience for the whole family.  No stress!
3. My mantra with Pre-K this year will be: Just Enough.  Just Enough.  I often fall into the trap of thinking I need to do every great idea I come across. I mean, there is just so much to see in books, magazines and the Internet!  But I know that M doesn’t work that way.  So I’m embracing simplicity in schooling: lots of reading, maybe a craft or two, and plenty of unstructured playtime.  And that is just enough.

What are your thoughts on simplicity?

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