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

+ There’s been a lot of brainstorming around here this week.  I’m a little overwhelmed with the idea that Christmas is only six weeks away.  Slow down, time!  As the kids get older, their gifts get harder to come up with and are way more expensive; we’re a very simple Christmas gift kind of family and trying to keep on budget is still proving tricky.  This week, the kids helped me write down all of our December traditions that are important to them, so I’ve got that list to work with too.  I also picked up a few stocking stuffers (teenage boys love their protein bars) and ordered a few gifts for extended cousins (they are all 6-under, so super fun and easy!).  Deep breaths…one day a time.

+ I’d like to do cookie boxes for the neighbors this year and this planning post was really helpful.  Now to make another list of cookie options!

+ How sweet are these Christmas jammies?  I think I love the “Away in a Manger” design best, but “Prince of Peace” is a close second.

+ A really unique gift idea: a year’s worth of storytelling sent to you via snail mail!  The company is called The Flower Letters and there are four different adventures to choose from.  Fun.

+ One of our dinners this week was pasta with this creamy tomato sauce, adding in leftover shredded chicken at the end.  A great way to use up a can of tomato paste.

From the Big White Farmhouse archives…
+ Advent School 2019

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

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

+ I’ve been in planning mode this week!  My goal was to lay out six months worth of homestead tasks and I’m almost there.  (I used one of my kids’ 19″x24″ Bristol boards and I love the huge size.)  I’m also trying to get a feel for when we can realistically fit in some house projects; I have a long list of things I’d like to get to this year, but we’re going to have to use our time wisely!  The future is so uncertain, but it’s also bright.

+ I’m on Day 14 of my six month no sugar challenge and so far, so good.  I didn’t crash as heavily as I have in the past (which is awesome), but I still think about cookies almost daily, so not out of the woods yet!  Here was my healthy living motivational video of the week to stay the course: this TED talk “Sugar is Not a Treat” by Jody Stanislaw.

+ I printed off this 2022 Book Tracking Log from Everyday Reading and have tucked it into my planner.  My daughter loved mine so much that she asked for her own copy!  Looking forward to coloring it in as I read throughout the year.

+ Have you heard of Story Bags?  “Here’s how it works: You’ll get an email after checkout with a link to tell us what you or your loved one likes to read by filling out a quick, 2-minute survey, and our team of book ninjas (who read more than is socially acceptable) will fill a bag full of books based on your preferences!”  For $19.99 and free shipping, you can get 10 kids books or 5 for adults.  A great deal I can’t wait to try!

From the Big White Farmhouse Archives…
+ #StandWithSmall: A Wintertime Wishlist
+ Five Reasons To Send a Letter in January