The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

No.613: Five Good Things // No.08

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1 // A NEW PLANNER FOR A NEW YEAR

I’m just a few weeks into my new 2022 planner from Passionate Penny Pincher and I really love it so far.  Just enough space for each day’s tasks and lots and lots of checklists!  I like that my daily household tasks are included on the weekly spreads to keep me on track.

2 // A WEBSITE FOR VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS

My husband and I have been in research mode as we seek to fix the root problems of a few nagging ailments.  In my search for a vitamin and supplement provider, I found iHerb.  I have made two orders so far and have found that they have a wide range of products, the prices are fair and the shipping is lightning fast.

3 // A PAIR OF INEXPENSIVE BACK-UP GLASSES

Because I wear my glasses almost daily, I wanted to make sure I had a couple of back-up pairs just in case.  I went with GlassesUSA and was really happy with my experience.  The process was easy and they had a wide range of price points.  (I went with some of the cheapest since they were just going to be back ups.)  Very pleased!

4 // A NEW PUZZLE

We always have a puzzle going during the winter and the latest addition to our collection is this Lego minifigure 1,000 piece puzzle.  A big hit.

5 // MY YOUTUBE WEATHERMAN

Have you heard of the Youtube channel called Ryan Hall, Y’all?  He is my go-to guy for anything weather related!  I have learned so much about meteorology from his videos.

No.583: Five Good Things // No.07

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1 // AN IMMUNITY BOOST FOR FALL & WINTER

I’ve been on a big immune system research kick the past few months.  We already use and love Nuun electrolyte tablets, so I was excited to try their Immunity line.  The blend includes vitamin C, elderberry extract, ginger powder, turmeric and echinacea – all good stuff!  I really like it when I’m feeling stressed or starting to get a tickle in my throat.  You can find these on their website, but they’re also available on Amazon.

2 // ANOTHER WAY TO TRACK WHAT I’M READING

A few months ago, I stumbled on a Youtube video called How I Organize My Reading!  In that video, she mentioned Notion and even offered a free template to make a reading tracker like hers.  I was intrigued and decided to give it a try.  Fast forward to today and I LOVE it.  Perfect for a numbers/statistics nerd like me.

3 // A QUICK AND EASY CHILI RECIPE

I have accumulated many different chili recipes over the years, some super simple and some more involved.  This recipe is one of my easiest and has been our go-to lately.  We use it for everything from chili dogs, poured over baked potatoes or eaten as is with big pans of cornbread.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. browned ground beef
15oz can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
15oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)
14.5oz tomato sauce
14.5oz crushed tomatoes
2 cups chicken broth
homemade chili seasoning (recipe below)

CHILI SEASONING
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder

Combine all of the ingredients in a large pot.  Heat on medium-high until the chili starts to simmer.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or longer.

4 // A NON-UNDERWIRE BRA THAT WORKS

Not to be too TMI, but I have a really hard time finding a great fitting brassiere.  I purchased two of these after reading the glowing recommendation of another blogger and wow, I’m a huge fan.  The fabric is so soft and comfortable!  This is their website, but you can also order on Amazon.  (P.S. Make sure the seller is actually Floatley – bad Chinese knockoffs are being sold under the same listing.)

5 // A NEW-TO-ME FRUGAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL

I recently found a new Youtube channel called Frugal Jo.  From her description: “My videos are based on making a great life without spending a lot, making do with what you have, frugal living hints and tips, with a bit of cast iron cooking and vintage kitchenalia thrown in.”  Right up my alley!  I’m anxious to catch up on her past videos and learn some new tricks.

No.541: Five Good Things // No.06

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1 // NEW EMERGENCY CANDLES

We’re always on the lookout for items to add to our power outage supplies and recently bought a bunch of emergency candles from Lehmans.  (Have you ever browsed that website?  I have a huge wish list!)  These taper candles are dripless, smokeless, odorless, and supposedly burn for 12 hours.  The candlemaker is Sunshine Candle Works.

2 // A “POOR MAN’S BERKEY”

This ZeroWater pitcher was recommended to me as a “poor man’s Berkey” and since the price was right, I went for it!  We’ve had it for a few months now and I’m pleased so far.  The water tastes great and since we’re on well water, the filter doesn’t have to work as hard and will (hopefully) last us a long time.

3 // A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA FOR CARE PACKAGES

How cool are these printables from Skip to My Lou?  Sometimes we need a little snail mail inspiration and this is a great solution.

4 // KEEPING COOL ON HOT DAYS

This was another purchase for possible summer power outages, but these cooling towels have also proven helpful for just ordinary hot days!  You dip the towel (which is long and narrow like a scarf) in water, wring it out and it claims to stay cool for up to three hours.  Great for keeping cool while mowing the lawn or working in the garden.

5 // MORTGAGE PAYOFF CALCULATOR

I’ve been super motivated to pay off our mortgage and love to use Dave Ramsey’s calculator for motivation.  You can easily manipulate numbers to see how an extra payment will affect the longevity of the loan.  I especially love seeing how much interest I can decrease!

No.478: Five Good Things // No.05


1 // INVISIBLE PEOPLE

I recently discovered a Youtube channel where a man interviews different people facing homelessness. Their stories are heartbreaking and fascinating and my heart quickly broke in pieces for them. After watching a few episodes, I was inspired to search for solutions in my own town and found a short-term family shelter that I never knew existed! I quickly made a small donation (Remember my 20/20 goal from last year? Little donations still matter!) and will continue to check in for volunteer opportunities.

2 // PANTRY ORGANIZATION

With so many people in and out of the pantry around here, it quickly becomes quite messy…and it drives me crazy! I recently took everything out and reorganized the shelves, which was a great start.  I also bought a set of cereal containers (affiliate link) to help.  They hold an entire box of cereal, so I never have to worry about extra bits.  Next on the organization plan is to get a metal rack for canned goods.

3 // THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE

While I have not personally had a miscarriage, there are many, many women in my life who have. I often think of those babies as my special little saints in heaven and ask them to pray for us and watch over their mamas.  A Mom’s Peace is an apostolate in my area focused on miscarried and stillborn babies and when I recently checked out their website for information on donations, I discovered their Garden of Remembrance.  So beautiful. 

4 // A HOMEMAKER IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION “GLORIES” IN HER WORK

I loved this essay from a homemaker in 1932 that was reprinted here.  I especially loved this part: “Please do not gather from this that I am a low-brow drudge who knows nothing else. I play McDowell and Tschaikowsky because I love them, and I enjoy Sinclair Lewis and Edna Ferber and Thackeray and Wells. Washing just happens to be one of my sidelines.”

5 // USBORNE EMBROIDERY KITS

For Christmas, we gifted our daughter a bunch of crafty things, including a beginner’s embroidery kit from Usborne.  It was a big hit!  You may already have an Usborne consultant, but the two I know are Rosie and Sarah.

No.458: Five Good Things // No.04

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1 // SMILE’S PRID HOMEOPATHIC DRAWING SALVE
I’ve been meaning to share this homeopathic salve for months.  We use it most often for bug bite relief but it also supposedly works on blisters, splinters and ingrown hairs.  And a little goes a long way!  A good one to keep in your medicine cabinet.   

2 // A WAY TO USE UP A BOX OF CHEERIOS
We had a box of plain Cheerios in the back of the pantry that was nearing its expiration date.  Since no one was very keen to eat them, I searched for a way to use them up.   Enter No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars!  It’s a super easy recipe and needs only three ingredients, although we drizzled the top with melted milk chocolate because we’re sugarholics.  A yummy treat.   

3 // THIS PRAYER WHEN LIFE FEELS DARK AND SCARY

I found this prayer recently and will keep it on hand for the times I feel overwhelmed and worried.

4 // A CREATIVE WHO RECREATES AMERICAN GIRL DRESSES
By the wonder of the Internet, I stumbled on a really cool series on the blog, Stars + Field: The Kirsten Project!    The research and attention to detail on her finished pieces are just incredible.  I’m selfishly hoping that she moves on to Samantha (the American Girl doll I had as a kid) next.   


5 // A BOOK FOR BEGINNER READERS
I’ve mentioned this little book on the blog before, but since we recently pulled it off the shelf again, I thought I’d share it again.  We’ve used ABC See, Hear, Do: Learn to Read 55 Words for speech practice (for my son with a speech delay) and for learning letter sounds and it’s a big hit for both.  Highly recommend.  

No.450: Five Good Things // No.03

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1 // A NEW PUZZLE
One good thing that has come from 2020 is our new love for family puzzles!  We took a break through the summer, but I bought this United States of America puzzle from Mudpuppy to get us back into the habit.  It is 1,000 pieces, very colorful and has lots of fun details.  More importantly, the pieces are sturdy and uniquely cut…nothing is more frustrating than buying a cheap puzzle where every single piece is the same shape.  You can find it on Amazon, sometimes your local bookstore (even through Bookshop!) or there’s even a few on eBay too.

2 // A REUSABLE OPTION FOR LEFTOVER BITS AND PIECES
My older kids cook a lot of their own breakfasts and lunches (omelettes, stir frys, etc.) and we always seem to have sandwich baggies full of half-used onions or peppers in the fridge.  I wanted a less wasteful option, so I found Stashers!  They are reusable, silicone bags that are dishwasher safe and come in tons of sizes and colors.  I bought mine from Freckled Hen Farmhouse, but you can find them on Amazon too.

3 // THIS INSTAGRAM POST FROM ROSIE

I’ve all but abandoned my public Instagram account, but hopped on recently to check on a notification.  The first post I saw before closing out was Rosie’s above…and can I just say, AMEN?  In my almost 14 years of motherhood, I learned pretty quickly that if I wanted a houseful of children AND my sanity…well, a perfectly curated, always tidy home was out of the question for awhile.  It’s a special kind of “death to self”, a forced (but necessary) lesson in letting go of control and perfection.  Messes still drive me completely crazy, but I’m hoping they’re sanctifying me a little bit too.   
4 // A NEW WAY OF KEEPING TRACK OF ALL THE THINGS
I’m typically a planner girl, but this summer, I kept track of my to-do list with an old notepad that I used to sell back in the BWF days.  I recently used the last page so I quickly purchased another weekly notepad (but in a new design!) from 1canoe2.  They also sell this mint version, which is beautiful too.

5 // A NEW TO ME YOUTUBE CHANNEL
I somehow stumbled onto a Youtube channel called Megan Fox Unlocked, who is a young Mennonite wife and mother.  Her video about Assumptions was so interesting to me and I learned a lot about her life and Mennonite beliefs.  It made me wonder – what must people assume about ME?  I’m not sure I’m brave enough to ask, ha!


No.425: Five Good Things // No.02

1 // MOLASSES CRINKLES

A few months ago, I was organizing my cookbooks when I came across a little book toward the back of the shelf.  It was given to me years ago by my grandmother (who has now passed away) and was a collection of recipes from members of her church.  I finally took the time to browse through the booklet and what a treasure trove!  So many simple tried-and-true recipes were inside.  I decided to start with a cookie recipe and it’s been a big hit with my kids.  I’ve made it many times since.  Thank you, Martha R, whoever/wherever you are!  Here’s the recipe:
¾ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
¼ cup molasses
2¼ cup flour
2 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1½ tsp. cinnamon
1½ tsp. ginger
Cream butter, brown sugar and egg.  Add molasses.  Mix together dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture.  Roll into balls and dip in sugar.  Sprinkle with water.  Cook at 350° for 14 minutes.
2 // THE BOX TRICK

Did you see this going around the Internet toward the beginning of lockdown?  My kids always seem to rip the cardboard flaps and this has been so helpful to keep food inside their packages.  
3 // SELF RELIANCE MAGAZINE

With all of my gardening and homesteading searches, I think the Internet is starting to predict my interests.  This magazine was an ad, but I’m so glad I clicked through!  Self-Reliance Magazine is chock full of helpful advice, with everything from how to start raising chickens to how to preserve your bean crops to chainsaw care.  It definitely won’t win any awards for beauty (the photos inside are just so-so) but a wonderful resource of information.  I purchased these three back issues and have already referred back to them many times.



4 // THIS QUOTE


While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this entire book (see my thoughts in this post), this quote made me pause:

In his book Requiem for a Species, Clive Hamilton discusses how attitudes have shifted over the past century.  Hamilton writes about how we used to be a production society, focused on producing goods to meet needs in the marketplace, igniting the investor’s confidence.  But over time we have become a consumer society, focused on the process of acquiring things, igniting the consumer’s confidence.  This causes us all to focus less on what we produce and more on what we own, drawing more of our identity from the latter. – The Year Without a Purchase, p.58

I found it really thought-provoking and it’s made me realize how much I actually crave being a “producer” but often end up consuming, just because it’s easier.  I still need to ponder this in terms of concrete goals, but I’d really like to retrain my brain in this area.

5 // NEW SOAP FROM BORDEN ACRES


New soap!  I think it would be fun to actually buy soap from each artisan on my list, so I randomly chose to start with Borden Acres (affiliate links) in California.  I bought three scents that seemed summery to me: Sweet Tea, Honeysuckle + Citrus, and Grapefruit + Orange.  They smell wonderful and lather beautifully.  I’d recommend them all!

No.382: Five Good Things // No.01

1 // COBBLE HILL FARM SOAP
You know me and soap…I just ordered two new bars from a shop called Cobble Hill Farm.  I got the Saratoga Spa and Blackberry & Sage and they both smell awesome.  I can’t wait to use them!


2 // PHENOLOGY WHEELS
I made my first phenology wheel last month and loved the process.  Such a nice way to stop during a busy day and observe the outdoors.  I didn’t continue into April, but I wish I had.  I hope to start again in May.  This is the printable I glued into my journal.  The #phenologywheel hashtag on Instagram has so much inspiration too.


3 // MY GO-TO SANDWICH BREAD RECIPE
I’m sure I’ve shared it before, but this is my favorite homemade bread recipe.  I start the process in the bread machine and then transfer to a bread pan for the second rise.  Bake for 40 minutes at 375°.


4 // NEST WATCH
With five new eggs in our porch fan nest, I logged into Nest Watch (a part of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) again to record our data.  That website is a treasure trove of information about bird species, nesting attempts and birdhouses.  If we have enough wood scraps, I want my boys to build a nesting box from one of their free plans.


5 // MAKING HEADBANDS WITH BUTTONS FOR NURSES
Have you seen all of those heartbreaking photos of nurses showing their bruises from the PPE?  I recently heard about headbands with buttons on the sides that help take some of the pressure off of their faces and if I can get the tension on my sewing machine corrected, I’d like to try to make some.  This tutorial seems easy enough.

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