The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

No.669: The Wednesday Five #30

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A QUOTE

The first supermarket supposedly appeared on the American landscape in 1946. That is not very long ago. Until then, where was all the food? Dear folks, the food was in homes, gardens, local fields, and forests. It was near kitchens, near tables, near bedsides. It was in the pantry, the cellar, the backyard. ― Joel Salatin, Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World

TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART

“The House in the Forest” by Camille Pissarro (found here)

CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR READING (OR SCHOOL/HOMEWORK) TIME

A HOMEMAKER CHECK-IN, ONE YEAR LATER

How are you, my dear reader?  Last time I checked in was almost one year ago and in some ways, it feels like we went from bad to worse!  Everything from groceries to gas to electricity has gone up significantly where I live and it’s getting trickier to balance the budget.  I’m hoping the low-buy month will help, even a tiny bit.  How are you adapting?  What do things costs around you right now?  Our gas is $4.19/gallon.  A few grocery staples in my area: a gallon of whole milk is $3.74, a loaf of bread is $3.34, and a dozen eggs are $1.88.

No.668: Getting Ready for a Low Buy August

Life is, well, expensive right now.  We had to pay the tree removal company to help us after the storm, which was quickly followed up by a bulk feed order for the animals.  (And they upped their minimum purchase amount too!)  We took our cars in for a state inspection and one needed a few repairs.  The other passed but with the warning that it would probably need four new tires by this fall.  Combined with the increased costs of food and gas and electricity and all the things…I’m feeling the need to tighten the reins a bit.  Instead of sobbing in frustration, I’m going to be proactive.  In August, I’m embarking on a “low-buy” month!

For me, a low-buy month is an opportunity to be intentional with money.  It’s a way to stop and determine needs vs. wants.  It’s an opportunity to take a deep breath before diving into the fall and all of the celebrations that come with it.  It’s a way to stretch my creative muscles and do what I can with what I have.

MY GOALS
  • Purchase perishables (milk, fruit, cheese, etc.) but primarily eat from the pantry, garden and freezer
  • Declutter like crazy and see if I can sell anything unneeded
  • Create a list of items needed to buy in the future (birthdays, Christmas, farm things)
  • Pay off the remaining balance on the credit card
  • Focus on creativity and frugality

MY TO DO LIST TO COMPLETE BEFORE AUGUST 1ST
  • Replace perishables and fill up the gas tank to give us a head start on the month
  • Pencil out a month’s worth of meals, focusing on what we already own
  • Start a pile to list on ebay/Poshmark

For added motivation, I made myself some worksheets.  You can find them here!

No.667: Homemaking Notes on a Monday // Vol.31

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

The weather outside is //

As I look outside my window // The weather has been so incredibly hot and my enthusiasm for outdoor projects has dropped dramatically.  On a positive note, my garden is looking great, a little jungle-like since I’ve been slacking on the weeding, but great!

As I look around the house // My excitement for a little living room update has quickly deflated: the armchair (that arrived broken) won’t be replaced, but the company is going to send someone out to repair it.  When we called to make an appointment, the earliest they could come was the end of August.  The lumbar pillows that I bought for a steal on Poshmark….well, the seller never shipped them, so I eventually cancelled the order.  Womp womp.

On this week’s to-do list //
– start fleshing out lesson plans for the first few weeks of school
– touch up laundry room walls (& hopefully start painting!)
– try making zucchini puffs
– clear out the last of the spring garden & amend soil for fall
– finally finish stitching the scrap quilt top!

Intermittent fasting update // I’ve been reasonably strict for almost one week and I’m feeling so good.  Down 1.5 pounds, which is welcome, but the internal gut feeling (difficult to explain, but I just feel satisfied and not overly full) is the best part.

Currently reading // 

On the menu this week //

Monday: southwest chicken alfredo
Tuesday: fry bread tacos
Wednesday: summer squash and bacon quiche
Thursday: Refrigerator Cleanout Night
Friday: roasted salmon

No.666: Little Bits and Bobs // 03

A new series about little thoughts and things to share.  I hope you’ll share your thoughts and latest finds with me too!  

+ Have you ever stood still and watched a bee?  Listened to its buzz as it finds just the right flower?  Observed it work diligently before moving onto the next and the next?  I’m often zipping along with my head filled with tasks and taking for granted all of the beautiful, incredible things happening around me.  I can’t imagine what I may be missing!  I’m so glad I stopped to watch the bee.

+ I stumbled on this older video interviewing Michael O’Brien on Mystical Experiences.  I found it strangely comforting.

+ If you’re looking for an opportunity to nurture gratitude in your children, check out these printable colorable thank you cards.  I especially love the calendar guide to help make this activity a regular occurrence.

+ We’re already more than halfway through our summer vacation, can you believe it?  Even so, there’s still a little time to challenge my kids to choose a book versus a screen.  These printable bookmarks look like a fun way to track their progress.  I think I may use them as a way to track time (like 15 minutes of practicing phonics/reading) for my younger kids.  Ice cream sundaes or a box of junk cereal will be the prize for a completed card!

From the Big White Farmhouse archives…
+ Three Months Without Amazon Prime // How It’s Going So Far
+ A List of July’s Frugal Accomplishments

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