The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{giving} Birthday Boxes for the Food Pantry

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Making birthday boxes for the food pantry is one of the 100 Little Things tasks that I’ve really been excited to accomplish.  My kids have been a bit…self-centered lately and they needed a good dose of service to simmer that behavior down.  After a few weeks of slowly collecting the items, we spent Saturday morning talking about helping others and assembling the boxes.  I never know if it will “click” but this one definitely did – they could not imagine other kids not having a little birthday celebration!

We filled our boxes with cake mix, frosting (with sprinkles!), candles, and a Happy Birthday banner.  We also included a few inexpensive treats for the birthday boy or girl: Silly Putty, crayons and fruit snacks.  Other good ideas would be stickers, bubbles, art supplies or sidewalk chalk.  An easy project with a big impact.  They can’t wait to drop them off!

{giving} The 3rd Annual BWF Pajama Drive & I Need Your Help!

Three years ago, I held the first ever Big White Farmhouse Pajama Drive for children in need.  October is considered to be the beginning of “Danger Season”, when temperatures begin to drop around the country and many children don’t have pajamas to keep them warm on chilly nights.  I mean, can you even imagine?  We are big fans of warm, cozy pajamas around here and it breaks my heart to think that some little ones just don’t have that luxury.


So in my small way, I set out to help.  


Friends, family and even a few blog readers all came together to send pajama donations from across the country.  I worked along with The Pajama Program, which got me in touch with a wonderful local organization called Northern Virginia Family Services. That first year, we donated 14 pairs of pajamas.  For our second drive in 2014, we collected almost 30!  It makes my heart swell to think that we helped a handful of little ones stay warm during the winter.


So here we are again.  October is here and the weather is getting a bit colder everyday.  After taking an unintentional year off (2015 was a blur!), we’re continuing the tradition: it’s time for the third annual Big White Farmhouse Pajama Drive and I’d love your help!  


This year, I’ve made it even easier to participate.  I created an Amazon wishlist and have been adding to it all month with a variety of pajama brands, sizes and price points.  There’s something for everybody!  Purchasing through that link will have the pajamas sent directly to me, which means a big impact with very little work.  The perfect solution for us busy mamas.


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Here are the details:
+ The pajama drive will be open for the next four weeks, until Monday, November 7, 2016.
+ All pajamas need to be new and should be the complete set (top and bottoms) or a nightgown.
+ The age range we’re collecting for is newborn up to 5T.
+ To make donating even easier, choose a pair or two from our Amazon wishlist and they’ll be sent directly to me.
+ If you prefer to shop on your own instead of the above Amazon link, donations can also be mailed. Shoot me an e-mail (mrsb04jc at gmail dot com) with “Pajama Drive” in the subject line and I can send you the address.  
+ Involve your entire family.  This is an easy opportunity to include your children in service!  


I hope you’ll help me spread some happiness to children in need in my community!  If you feel inclined, I’d love it if you would spread the word.  Share on your blog, your Facebook page, even with your family and friends.  Together, we can work to do great things!


Once again, here’s the Amazon wishlist link: SHOP HERE!



“Never worry about numbers.  
Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”
– Mother (now Saint!) Teresa

{12 months of kindness} February & March: Gifts for the Food Bank & a Classroom

Time for a double dose of 12 Months of Kindness!  


In February, we decided to help a teacher through Donor’s Choose.  With so many worthy recipients, how could we ever pick just one?  As you know, my great-grandmother (the inspiration behind this blog) was a passionate school teacher and had a love for learning that spanned her entire life.  I like to think that she passed that love for reading on to me as well.  So when I read this description, I knew it was the perfect choice for our donation:   

We are a high poverty area and many of my students live in very challenging circumstances, with little or no access to educational materials at home. They develop an appreciation very quickly of their school library and all that it offers them, including excellent children’s literature. They soon love to read because of this easy access to a wide variety of wonderful books! But sadly, some of our most loved stories are now worn, torn, and taped. They must be discarded because they are falling apart. Please help us replace them AND add newly released Caldecott winners to our collection! Our students deserve to read and enjoy these books in the sparkling way that their gifted authors and illustrators intended.

Strega Nona, Corduroy, Go Dog Go, The Very Hungry Caterpillar…these are all classic books that my children have read and love.  It breaks my heart that other children may not have the same opportunity.  We donated to Ms. Daugherty’s cause and I hope you do too!  The last time I checked, she still needs $520 to reach her goal.

This month, we decided to support our food bank.  Do you follow Aimee on Instagram?  Months ago, she posted a photo of a handful of canned goods with this description: 

Y’all.  I am seeking to build better habits in a few areas.  I have a new goal to buy 10 canned goods and a 5lb bag of rice every week at Aldi and then drop it off at our local food bank…I don’t want to simply live with good intentions but with real patterns of generosity and community care.  I desire for my children to build habits of service and care and that modeling begins right here with me.

So powerful, right?  I recently remembered that photo and we are hoping to start something similar with our own family.  Even on a tight budget, it’s still possible to add a few things to our cart and help others in the process. 

{12 months of kindness} January: A Gift for the Mailman


 Inspired by my friend Tab, I am committing to 12 Months of Kindness again in 2015.  Hopefully, I’ll be better about posting each month!  

 For January, we decided to tell our mailman how much we appreciate him.  He works SO hard!  Between picking up Big White Farmhouse orders and dropping off Amazon purchases, our mailman gets out of his warm truck a lot for us.  Can you imagine such a job, especially in the winter?  

 Brr.

 So the kids and I got to work creating a warm care package, which included:

This gift was easy and didn’t cost much to put together.  We found the gloves for $4 and the hand and foot warmers were in the Dollar Spot at Target.  Add in a little cash so he can grab a coffee and you’re done!    

What act of kindness will you do this month?  I’ve created a Pinterest board to help with ideas and inspiration.  Will you join me?  Tell me your Pinterest name in the comments and I can add you as a contributor.  Let’s spread joy this year together.

{giving} The 2nd Annual BWF Pajama Drive & I Need Your Help!



Last October, I held the first ever Big White Farmhouse Pajama Drive for children in need.  October is considered to be the beginning of “Danger Season”, when temperatures begin to drop around the country and many children don’t have pajamas to keep them warm on chilly nights.  My kids get so excited about new, cozy pajamas and it breaks my heart to think that some little ones just don’t have that luxury.


So in my small way, I set out to help.  


Friends, family and even a few blog readers all came together to send pajama donations from across the country.  In just two weeks’ time, we were able to collect 14 pairs of pajamas!  The donations were given to a wonderful local organization called Northern Virginia Family Services and it makes my heart swell to think that we helped 14 little ones keep warm during last year’s crazy winter.


So here we are again.  October is here and the weather is getting a bit colder everyday.  


It’s time for the second annual Big White Farmhouse Pajama Drive and I’d love your help!  


My big 30th birthday is coming up this weekend and I would love to collect 30 pajama donations for NVFS, doubling the amount from last year!  Will you help me?  


Here are the details:
+ The pajama drive will be open for the next month, until Friday, November 7, 2014.
+ All pajamas need to be new and should be the complete set (top and bottoms) or a nightgown.
+ The age range we’re collecting for is newborn up to 5T.
+ Please send your donations to me. Shoot me an e-mail (mrsb04jc at gmail dot com) with “Pajama Drive” in the subject line and I can send you the address.  
+ Don’t have time to shop?  Purchase a few PJs online and have them shipped directly to me!
+ Involve your entire family.  This is an easy opportunity to include your children in service!  


I hope you’ll help me spread some happiness to children in need in my community!  If you feel inclined, I’d love it if you would spread the word.  Together, we can work to do great things!  I look forward to hearing from you!



“Little things are indeed little, 
but to be faithful in little things is a great thing.”
– Mother Teresa



{giving} I’m Holding a Pajama Drive and I Need Your Help!

I recently listened to a podcast with Emily Freeman where she said that one way to find “the art you were made to live” is to pay attention to the things that make you cry.  I was listening to the podcast as I ran on the treadmill and right there on mile two, I got a lump in my throat.  I know exactly what speaks right to my heart: children.  

 It’s been chilly and rainy here in Virginia this week and I hate the idea that there are little kids in my community who are cold.  I hate the idea that some kids don’t even know what pajamas are, that they stay in the same clothing for days.  I hate the idea that they don’t go to bed with a bedtime story and a kiss goodnight.  

 These things make me cry.  And I don’t know about you, but as a Mamma, I can’t just sit and watch.  I want to do something.  I want to do my part to help the little ones in my community feel warm and safe this winter.  And I want your help!  

 For the next two weeks, from today until October 31, I will be holding an online pajama drive.  All of the donations collected will go to our local chapter of the Pajama Program, an amazing organization that I invite you to check out.  

 Here are the details:
+ All pajamas need to be new and should be the complete set (top and bottoms).
+ The age range we’re primarily collecting for is infant up to 5T.
+ You can send your donations to me.  Please send me an e-mail with “Pajama Drive” in the subject line and I can send you the address.  
+ Involve your entire family.  This is an easy opportunity to include your children in service!

I hope you’ll help me spread some happiness to some children in need!  

{giving} Putting Poverty to Bed with Two Little Fish

When it comes to decorating my home, I’m always drawn to things that have a story.  Sophie’s nursery is full of these things: the framed cross-stitch that her godmother made, a quilt lovingly stitched by her great-grandmother…they all have a story that I cannot wait to tell her someday.  So when I stumbled across Two Little Fish, I knew we needed to have a piece of that story too.  

Founded by Nicole Roswarski, Two Little Fish creates one-of-a-kind bedding sets using a combination of domestic fabric and fabric made in Ghana, Africa.  Nicole’s mission is beautiful and inspiring.  She gives 100% of the profit away!  The African fabric is purchased directly from the artisans and then the proceeds from the bedding sets go toward a mattress for an AIDS orphan in South Africa.  Your purchase will help to do great things in the world!       

Even if you aren’t in the market for new bedding, check out her new line of crib blankets!  The colors and designs are vibrant, fun and modern.  Sophie received the purple ivy and I just adore it.  The blanket is lightweight, yet cozy with its flannel backing.  I love that the size is substantial enough for smaller babies, but could still be a lovey as Sophie grows.
      

Be sure to check out the Two Little Fish shop for the current selection of custom bedding options.  Christmas is right around the corner!  You can also find them on Instagram (@twolittlefishinc).  If you’re quick, you may be able to catch the end of the instaSALE and snag a crib blanket for 30% off!  

**I was given a discount on the blanket in exchange for a post, but all opinions are mine**

{12 Months of Kindness} February: Food Bank Donations

For February’s Kindness, we purchased food for the local food pantry.  (More info about the 12 Months of Kindness can be found in this post.)  Our church has a big collection bin, so we’ll be dropping our donation off on Sunday.  

Going into this, I was very conflicted.  My little family has been making drastic changes in the way we eat.  Very little processed food, lots of fruits and veggies, etc etc.  So when I thought about our possible donations, I didn’t want to buy…well, crap. I feel like everyone should eat the most nutritious food available, even in financial difficulty.  So that was my thought process when we went to the grocery store. 


The pictures above show what we accumulated to donate throughout the entire month.  Each week, we allocated a certain amount for donations, sometimes just $5.  I tried to find things that had nutritional value and would be filling.  Sometimes we found a sale, which was awesome!  


Last weekend, we let the boys pick out a few items to donate.  We’ve talked to them about how fortunate we are that our daddy has a great job, but some families are going through a rough time and they need help with their groceries.  They totally get it.  They also know that we are going to drop them off at the church and then Father (not sure if that’s true, but we’ll just let them think that!) will bring it to the food pantry to give to the families.    


For memory keeping’s sake, I want to add that the boys specifically picked out the mac and cheese and the pasta, two items they love.   

One last note: the most expensive item we purchased was the Sunbutter.  However, after reading this post, I knew it was something we needed to do.  


I guess the point of this post is to show that everybody can give back!  Buy a can of beans for you and a can to donate.  Buy three, get one free?  Put the free one in the donation pile.  Little actions really add up.

{30 days of pinspiration} Day 7: A Balloon Birthday Box

We have a sweet little friend in Texas who is turning six at the end of the month.  Since we can’t be there in person to celebrate, I’m always trying to come up with fun ways to ship her gifts.  This year, I tried this out:

 
 


Now, prepare yourselves because my version borders on a Pinterest fail…

So pathetic, but I think she’ll still have fun.  Laugh along with me, okay?  Other things to note:

  • I had one more pink balloon to add, but I photographed the above so you could see the gifts beneath. 
  • I had the hardest time finding balloons and finally settled on a pastel set from Target.  Unfortunately, there was some sort of sheen on them, so the washi tape didn’t stick well.  They also made this weird pointed shape…next time, I need to find smaller balloons!
  • I added a note and pin to the yellow chevron pocket and taped it to the side of the box.
  • I want to try this version of the same idea someday too.

{30 days of pinspiration} Day 3: 12 Months of Kindness

Today’s post is kind of a Pinspiration stretch, so bear with me while I explain.  One evening months ago, I was browsing Pinterest when I came across a pin for “25 Rules for Mothers of Sons”.  After reading pages and pages of Tabitha’s blog, Team Studer, I quickly became a follower!  She is inspirational in so many ways, but one thing I love is her commitment to 12 Months of Kindness.  In her words, “…it is a monthly reminder to say thank you to others and thank you for this life
that we are so lucky to have.”

Needless to say, I loved the idea.  Here is our list for 2013’s 12 Months of Kindness:

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JANUARY: Troops – Make a care package for the troops serving overseas.
FEBRUARY: Food Bank – Purchase groceries to donate to the local food bank.
MARCH: Veterans – Donate fly-fishing supplies to the local chapter of Project Healing Waters
APRIL:  Purchase cards from Cards that Give and send to family, friends and maybe blog readers!
MAY: Babies – Donate baby supplies to our local pregnancy center.
JUNE: Literacy – Donate our favorite books to the local library.
JULY: Seniors – Send happy mail to our grandmothers.
AUGUST: Teachers – Choose a teacher and donate supplies via Donors Choose.
SEPTEMBER: Education – Prepare school kits via Church World Services.
OCTOBER: Adoption – Donate money toward the adoption of a baby on Reece’s Rainbow.
NOVEMBER: Kids – Purchase (or maybe hold a drive!) for The Pajama Program.
DECEMBER: Our Neighbor – Adopt a family in need for Christmas.
 
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So that is my very round-about story of today’s project: a care package for Marines deployed overseas!  We chose a Marine through AnyMarine.com and after reading their request, went with the theme: WARMTH. 

For more ideas about care packages for the troops, see our post from 2011 here.

 
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Tabitha has just created a separate blog specifically for the 12 Months of Kindness Project!  Be sure to check it out here.

{giving} Donate Gently Used Baby Clothing to Loved Twice

I think I mentioned last week that one of the big projects I’ve accomplished so far this summer was going through every piece of my boys’ clothing.  Everything…from size newborn on up to what M currently wears!  I organized and sifted, tossed the really stained ones and set aside a few for Goodwill.

Around the same time, I began to brainstorm some giving ideas.  It’s been awhile since we’ve done some tangible service project in this house and I was trying to come up with an easy idea that could include my kids too.

And then, like God always works in my life, it all fell into place.  A couple of years ago, I read about Loved Twice in the newspaper.  This organization collects gently used baby clothes (up to 12 months) and basically creates kits with everything a mother will need to clothe her baby for the first year.  They then distribute the boxes through social workers to hospitals, shelters and more.  An amazing gift for a mother in need, right?  This short video sums it up so well:



Fast forward to now and the organization comes to mind again right as I am knee-deep in my children’s outgrown clothing?  I knew it was God’s prompting.  So I took a look at the clothing with new eyes, picking pieces that would keep a little guy warm in the cool months ahead.  A handful of outfits, a few shirts, a couple fleece pajamas…I chose as much as I could stuff in a Flat-Rate shipping box.

The Loved Twice website has a list of prescreened agencies that you can send clothing to, but they also have drop-off locations if you live in the San Francisco area.  Be sure to check them out!      

{giving} And the winner is…

Thank you so much for everyone who entered the Mission Coffee giveaway!  Without further ado…

Congrats to Camille from Life in Mod!  Look for an e-mail in your inbox soon!
If you’re interested in purchasing some coffee for yourself, please get in contact with Yong here.  There is a three bag minimum and depending on her stock, you can choose from either Honduran or Nicaraguan coffee! 

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