The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

September 12, 2022

No.691: Last Week at the Farmhouse // A No Good, Very Bad Week

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I feel you, Alexander. Last week was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration…

Still. Lots of hard things happened all at once. Isn’t that always the way? We had more farm catastrophes. I started a new skincare routine (per my monthly goals) and my skin completely broke out in response. My husband had a health issue flare up, causing him excruciating pain. I miscounted my cross-stitch and had to rip out a whole section of stitches. My clothes dryer started making weird noises. And on and on and on. Some weeks are like that, right?

Thankfully, there were still some bright moments sprinkled throughout the days. Here are a few:

We’ve been watching the progress on this spider web. Pretty incredible.

What a surprise and honor. I cried.

My oldest son helped a local farmer with morning chores while he was out of town for Labor Day. I followed along one morning and loved seeing another system. Definitely took some notes and pictures!

A line from the Litany of the Holy Ghost that I’ve been pondering: Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.

First book club meeting of the new year! I don’t know these women well, but they are all so kind and generous. Looking forward to reading and learning with them.

We had the most beautiful Mass in the new spot on Sunday. My heart was filled to bursting. How quickly I forget how He can turn a little into a lot! It also seems the Gospel was just the one I needed to hear at the end of this hard week, especially this part: O ye of little faith! Be not solicitous therefore saying: What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? for after all these things do the heathen seek. For your Father knows that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and His justice; and all these things shall be added unto you. After that pertinent reminder, I’m back on track and ready to face whatever comes. Deo gratias.

September 8, 2022

No.690: Poetry Tea Time // Week 01

We’re trying Poetry Tea Time again this year with my four youngest students, but with a twist. The older two will be in charge of the sweet treat each week! They love to cook and this is a fun way to expand on those skills. During this time, we will also read a few poems and challenge ourselves to recite some from memory. I’m also incorporating an informal Art Study and will have the month’s work on display. My goal is to provide an environment for us to experience the arts in a relaxed, non-intimidating way.

Here are the highlights from Week One:

THE SWEET TREAT

For the first week, this kids picked Lunch Lady Brownies from Life in the Lofthouse. I think they may have overmixed the batter because it had a cake-like consistency vs. a gooey one. Still very rich and delicious. A little bite goes a long way!

THE POEM

I thought this light-hearted poem would make the kids smile and it didn’t disappoint! They could easily imagine the crazy chicken antics.

Last Night I Dreamed of Chickens
by Jack Prelutsky

Last night I dreamed of chickens,
there were chickens everywhere,
they were standing on my stomach,
they were nesting in my hair,
they were pecking at my pillow,
they were hopping on my head,
they were ruffling up their feathers
as they raced about my bed.

They were on the chairs and tables,
they were on the chandeliers,
they were roosting in the corners,
they were clucking in my ears,
there were chickens, chickens, chickens
for as far as I could see…
when I woke today, I noticed
there were eggs on top of me.

THE ART

We are studying Fra Angelico this year and began with the piece, The Annunciation.

September 6, 2022

No.689: What’s In My Workbasket // September 2022

I’ve always loved peeking in on Ginny’s Yarn Along linkup series and seeing what beautiful items are being created. Since knitting isn’t one of my skill sets (yet! maybe someday?), I thought I would start a more generalized series on my blog highlighting what handicraft I’m working on each month. I’m thinking this could be anything from quilting and cross-stitch to DIY home décor and mending. Anything that I’m working on in the little pockets of free time throughout my day.

So here goes! Here’s what’s in my workbasket right now:

I started a new cross-stitch project. I want to do a gallery grouping of framed sampler-style projects, but need a substantial piece for the middle. I found this pattern for free and adjusted the colors to match ones I already own. So far, so good.

I also pulled out the grandmother’s flower garden quilt again. I started the quilting by hand months ago, but it quickly became unbearable to have a thick blanket on my lap in 90+ degree heat. I’d really like to finish in time to actually use it this winter, so I need to get moving!

Last one: I found this little piece among my fabrics. I must have made it at least a decade ago? No idea what I had planned to do with it, so I’m brainstorming now: a doll quilt? a pillow? a zipper pouch?

September 2, 2022

No.688: August in Review & Goals for September 2022

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

a generous friend who helped us with pig processing logistics
baking with my daughter
the return of the dining room puzzle (and how it brings us together)
an easy start to school
new opportunities for my husband

FIVE LESSONS I LEARNED

The hits keep coming. // We were blindsided with bad news, but continue to trust that God will produce good fruit through this trial. We pray the lament of Psalm 42 and imitate the psalmist’s hope: “I will praise Thee upon the harp, O God, my God: why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope thou in God, for I will yet praise Him: Who is the salvation of my countenance and my God.“
God can turn a little into a lot. // I read that sentence on a blog and it really resonated because it’s true!
Scammers are everywhere! // I fell down the rabbit hole of a Youtube channel called Catfished that chronicled the stories of people who were tricked by “romance scammers.” These slimy guys are everywhere, from Facebook to dating sites to Words with Friends.
I need to strengthen my “reading aloud muscle.” // I almost lost my voice by the end of the first week!
You can’t pour from an empty cup. // A lesson I need to learn over and over again.

FIVE GOALS FOR AUGUST REVIEWED

Try to blog every weekday. I ended up writing 17 (out of the planned 23) posts. I started off so strong, but couldn’t keep up during processing and the first week of school. Oh well, 74% isn’t terrible! I’ll try again next year.
✔ ~~Complete a “low buy” month.~~ I consider this a semi-success. We were very intentional about every penny, but didn’t see the huge savings I had envisioned. Maybe I was unrealistically optimistic?
✔ ~~Get some animals off the property.~~ We successfully got Fiona to the butcher and processed the broilers ourselves the following week. We welcome the breathing room after such a busy season!
✔ ~~Finish as many homestead projects as possible.~~ My list isn’t completely checked off, but I got a big chunk of it accomplished: I finally finished moving the pile of compost to the food forest, amended garden soil, and tidied up/organized unneeded items from the animals and garden. We are also almost finished with one of the permanent winter pig paddocks.
✔ ~~Start school!~~ Yes! We’ve had a really easy transition.