The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

No.398: 2020 Gratitude // 20

A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
That’s a lot to be grateful for.

laughter
that my wildflowers and veggie seedlings survived the handful of frosty nights
that we’ve been able to accomplish so many projects around the house during this lockdown
how white paint makes the fence really pop
new apple trees and blueberry bushes
a really inspiring homily
an exciting new opportunity for M
games of Scrabble Jr.
rainboots lined up all in a row
when I take the time to clean the kitchen top to bottom
a new mama bird checking out the nest
that I was finally able to snag a spot for Walmart Grocery pickup
having a loose curriculum plan for next school year
“Mum! Mum, Mum, Mum! Mum!”
that there are so many interesting books to read (if only I had more time!)
my husband
that Lucy is my little shadow and follows me around the house
new pots for more plants
finding new uses for old things
collapsing into bed after a full day

No.396: 2020 Gratitude // 19

A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
That’s a lot to be grateful for.
trash bag kites
this unusually cool spring
the first tiny vegetable shoots coming up!
watching the garden fence come to life
spending lots of time outside
aloe vera for sunburned shoulders
that we were able to successfully remove a tick on D before it caused any problems
a reorganized pantry and freezer
when Mark brings me hot coffee in bed, so I can drink it in peace before starting my day
that we survived another year of standardized testing!
sourdough experiments – this week, it was a strawberry gingersnap twist
reading on the back porch
a freshly mowed lawn
listening to the kids laugh while watching a movie
how well S and J have played together, especially outside
all the mothers in my life who inspire me to be better
when Lucy naps at my feet
birds everywhere
watching the neighbor’s horse run through the pasture
the start of summer break and a break from formal teaching

No.392: 2020 Gratitude // 18

A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
That’s a lot to be grateful for.

warm sunshine on pale limbs
planting the first vegetables in the garden
a not consistent, but semi-improved Internet connection
texts from my cousin and my aunt
the beautiful novena to St. Joseph that I’ve been praying this week
listening to P’s vocabulary explode
trying a new cheddar sourdough loaf
being inspired by There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather
going on a nature walk with my daughter
my husband
lists upon lists that keep all my jumbled thoughts/ideas on paper and out of my brain
drinking hot coffee in silence before any of the kids wake up
the smell of rain
how the kids got right to work after new art supplies arrived in the mail
a clean (and empty!) kitchen sink
the satisfaction that comes with tidying up
watching the sunrise through my bedroom window
goldfinches and sparrows and cardinals and phoebes
a successful last week of schoolwork
hitting publish on my 1,120th blog post

No.388: 2020 Gratitude // 17

A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
That’s a lot to be grateful for.

five brand new baby birds in the nest
every kind reader who goes through my affiliate links to make their purchases
the food banks that are working so hard for those in need right now
the farmers who keep us fed
holy, courageous priests
watching my oldest teach some of the little kids how to play guitar
when the kids complete their math lessons without complaint
how affectionate P has been with me this week
Lucy’s happy face
how much my string of pearls succulent is growing
my mom
taking walks outside by myself
bialys fresh from the oven
Scrabble games on the same set my grandmother used to use
a night off from cooking dinner
Saint Faustina’s diary
whispy white clouds on a background of bright blue sky
this lesson of living in the present moment
getting to use both sides of my brain with my #100dayproject
birds and flowers and green things growing everywhere

No.383: 2020 Gratitude // 16

A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
That’s a lot to be grateful for.

a new puzzle
the process of working with sourdough
embracing the weird wave of my hair au natural
 ice cream after dinner
my baby sister
finally paying off the car loan in full!
listening to Mark read picture books to the little boys in funny accents
the rustle of the wind through the trees
ten days into my new project
clipping greenery from the yard to beautify my home
big chunky sweaters pulled back out of storage for this cold streak
sitting on the back deck with Mark
grilled chicken salads
watching the boys’ stop motion animation videos
hours and hours of playing outside
finding tiny violets and buttercups in the yard
when P says “Hi Mum” every time I come in the room
getting on the treadmill again after a long break
when J excitedly shares all about the book he’s reading
slow mornings

No.379: 2020 Gratitude // 15

A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
That’s a lot to be grateful for.

God’s faithfulness
snuggling with my dog
an afternoon pot of coffee
five little eggs in the nest on our porch fan
nurses who are still showing up to work, even without proper supplies
the cleaning ladies who keep hospitals, churches and offices sanitized and safe
the smell of freshly mowed grass
tiny purple flowers near the driveway
listening to the different bird calls and starting to recognize each type
going on a Rosary walk alone around the property
deep sleep after nights of insomnia
big belly laughs
library books on my Kindle
playing catch in the front yard
finding a new drawing Youtube channel that inspires my two oldest boys
starting a new creative project myself
warm sunshine on bare arms
evening rainstorms that wash away the pollen (at least for a little while)
the examples of the saints
“See Mother?  I make all things new.”

No.378: The Wednesday Five #09

Happy Wednesday!  Looking back at March with my five today:

A QUOTE

Faith is what gets you started.  Hope is what keeps you going.  Love is what brings you to the end. – Mother Angelica

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

+ We all finally caught the Influenza A that has been going around all winter.  It wiped us out for a solid two weeks.
+ The coronavirus turned the world upside down.
+ We got a good start on garden construction: beds made, plot prepared, gravel walkway laid and some of the soil filled.

A FEW FAVORITE RECIPES

  • My go-to.  I start this bread in the machine and finish in loaf pans.
  • I made pumpkin scones because we had a can in the pantry and they were a big hit.  Perfect for breakfast.
  • My oldest made these mini meatloaves and potatoes for dinner one night.  One of our favorites and good for people who don’t really care for traditional meatloaf.
  • Sourdough bread is back!  I went back to my favorite book (affiliate link) on the subject and while I’m still working out a few hydration issues, it’s fun to return to this kind of baking again.  Also: I’ve been using the discarded starter to make waffles, so there’s no waste.

2020 GOALS UPDATE

  • ✔ I want to spend time with God everyday.  I’m a broken record at this point, but still working through the Bible (as of March 31, I was on day 265/365).  I am also about halfway through the 54-Day Novena, which has been such a fruitful and calming part of my days.
    • ✔ I want to keep on, keepin’ on with our debt freedom journey.  Most of our extra money went toward our new garden, but we were able to put a tiny bit extra toward the car and the student loan.  Every little bit helps.
    • ✔ I want to be a better steward of my home.  I’m still using The Confident Mom’s Household Planner and being sick really showed me how much it works.  It’s taken me the rest of the month to get caught up and back into a groove.  
    • ✔ I want to hand write 52 pieces of mail.  I sent out 10 pieces.  (Here is the post.)  Current total = 34
    • ✔ I want to write 150 blog posts.  Like everyone else, the global pandemic had me distracted and anxious and spending waaaay too much time on my phone.  I only posted 13 times and hope to increase that number in April.  Current total = 47
    • ✔ I want to read 52 books.  A strong month for reading!  Thank you, insomnia.  I read 10 books. (Here is the post.)  Current total = 24
    • ✘ I want to take the first steps for postpartum doula certification.  Still nothing.  
    • ✔ I want to create a family culture of generosity.  
      • March’s $20 Donation // We donated to our community food bank.
      • March’s 20 Minutes of Time and Talent // .This is really tricky while being quarantined!  Mark hosted his men’s group virtually and the kids have worked so hard as we create our garden.  As for me, does snail mail count?

      Q1 REVIEW

      Looking back at the numbers (which, Nerd Alert, is one of my favorite things ever), I’m really pleased with my progress so far:

      65% complete for snail mail sent
      31% complete for blog posts published
      46% complete for books read

      With the world as it is right now, I’m wondering if I should shelve the postpartum doula certification for now and focus on other things.  Looking forward to keeping the momentum for all the other goals in Q2, because goodness, do I need the distraction!

      No.375: 2020 Gratitude // 14

      A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
      That’s a lot to be grateful for.

      daffodil flowers in full bloom!
      settling into our new routine
      piles and piles of books waiting to be read
      fresh haircuts (by me!) on two of the boys
      how hard the kids worked to lay the gravel path in the garden
      being caught up on all of the laundry
      chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, just because
      watching the sunrise
      the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
      a walk around the loop of our property as a family
      watching everything turn green
      that my finger has healed without a big scar
      how positive the kids are being, despite missing family and friends and activities
      the arrival of a new puzzle in the mail
      an afternoon nap
      a new bar of soap that smells like wildflowers
      my husband
      having to be creative in the kitchen
      this verse that I read this week: “…Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:7

      No.371: 2020 Gratitude // 13

      A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
      That’s a lot to be grateful for.

      rain
      two sales on ebay
      having my family all under one roof
      how dedicated M’s jiu jitsu instructors are to their students, even when quarantined
      working all together outside
      that Mark chopped down one of our dead trees safely
      the progress we’ve made on our garden plot
      watching the daffodils that we planted last fall grow and start to bloom
      brother piggy back rides
      our mail carriers who work so hard for us
      our UPS man, “Mr. Bear”
      our police officers who are keeping us safe
      the small businesses in our community, who are being so creative in order to stay afloat
      spontaneous library book choices that teach me something new
      the amount of Masses that are live streaming on the Internet every day
      our kitchen, which is in constant use
      my bread machine, also in constant use
      making snail mail for family with Sophia
      small pockets of time all by myself
      deep breaths in fresh air

      No.369: 2020 Gratitude // 12

      A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
      That’s a lot to be grateful for.

      slower days
      dinners all together around the table
      the ability for Mark to work from home
      our emergency closet, which is still well stocked (except for TP, but we learned our lesson!)
      watching how much the kids love Lucy
      a time to really focus on our domestic church
      an encouraging video from our former pastor
      daily recitation of the Rosary
      nature walks after breakfast
      dreaming with the kids about hammocks and treehouses
      starting schoolwork after lunch, just to change things up
      art supplies out and being used
      the calming effect of cleaning
      how far we can stretch one pork shoulder
      waking up to bird calls
      celebrating St. Joseph’s feast day with cake
      that the postal service is still up and running
      messaging with family to check in
      doctors and nurses and people who bravely still show up to work each day
      this writing from C.S. Lewis, which is perfect for these uncertain times: 

      In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. “How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.”
      In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
      This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.
      — “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays

      _________________________________
      P.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling during this crazy time, I would be honored to pray for you and send you a little sunshine in your mailbox.  You can add your information here.  

      No.365: 2020 Gratitude // 11

      A new series for 2020: if I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
      That’s a lot to be grateful for.  Affiliate links ahead!

      warm days that feel like spring
      that the mechanic was able to patch our tire after finding a nail in it
      that most of the kids are feeling better after a week of the flu
      M’s slow recovery after seemingly falling ill twice
      cough medicine that helps him sleep
      how hard Mark works for our family
      catching up on laundry and chores
      watching P swing on his belly
      little bits of green popping up around the property
      the time and effort that J and S put into their game board projects
      how much P loves Do-A-Dot markers
      lists upon lists of exciting spring projects and to-dos
      frozen pizza
      finding brand new sneakers for Sophie for less than $20
      short sleeves and bare feet
      finishing another adventure in Narnia
      loaves of banana bread
      complicated train track configurations
      reading in bed at the end of the day
      surviving Daylight Savings Week

      No.364: 2020 Gratitude // 10

      A new series for 2020!  If I record 20 things every week, I’ll have over 1,000 items by December 31.  
      That’s a lot to be grateful for.

      warm, sunny days to play outside
      passing along outgrown clothes to people who need them
      “cooking class” with Sophie
      pumpkin muffins with a hot cup of coffee
      seed packets arriving in the mail
      have the school year finish line in sight (8 weeks to go!)
      tissues and cough drops
      a few days of doing absolutely nothing (thank you Influenza A for spreading through the whole family)
      Mark’s understanding employer
      how the healthy kids took care of the sick ones
      lots of time to read and blog
      cuddling with P
      a rare afternoon of absolute silence (everyone was asleep or reading)
      hot showers
      that the feverish part of the illness passed through us quickly
      a breeze through open windows, if only for an hour
      my washer and dryer
      sunsets that look like a watercolor painting
      two sales on ebay
      that the big boys are (hopefully) on the mend enough to attend their competition and tryouts this weekend

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