May 2020

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. my grandfather, who died serving this beautiful country Lego creations everywhere

when the sun peeks out from the clouds

getting a head start on school planning for next fall all the new-to-us books that have been arriving in the mail all week

listening to little kids play pretend

the way P likes to line his board books on the windowsill, all in a row Refrigerator Clean-Out Nights the color green, which represents life and hope to me a new chain for a broken necklace feeling more like myself after a hard week how much the kids love Mark’s homemade pizza

re-reading a favorite book and loving it just as much

my morning ritual of checking on the garden after breakfast how fast everything is growing! the feeling of soil in my hands piles and piles of folded laundry chips and guacamole a new plan for less screen time

belly laughs

This post contains affiliate links. P.S. I highly recommend Book Outlet! Use my link to receive $10 off your first order of $25 or more.
I’m so excited to share with you a new way of buying books and one that aligns more closely with my passion for small business! Have you heard of Bookshop? Here’s what they’re about: “Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores… As more and more people buy their books online, we wanted to create an easy, convenient way for you to get your books and support bookstores at the same time. If you want to find a specific local bookstore to support, find them on our map and they’ll receive the full profit off your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those that don’t use Bookshop).” You can check out all of my favorites on this page and I’ll be linking to Bookshop and Book Outlet as much as I can from here on out. I hope you’ll support them too! #33. THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS BAD WEATHER by Linda Åkeson McGurk || ★★★★☆

Nature is no cure-all, but there’s something about sinking your hands deep into the dirt, watching a leaf slowly make its way down a stream, or breathing in the aroma of wet soil after a light spring rain that makes us relaxed, calm, and less prone to feel anxious, angry, or depressed. Many scientists believe that these feelings are caused by what they call “soft fascination” with natural elements, which – unlike the directed attention needed to navigate through busy traffic or solve a complicated math problem – can help keep our minds at rest. (p.226-227)

I put this book on my 100 Little Things list (#93!) because I’ve heard such great things about it and everyone was right! What an inspiring book! I immediately inventoried our outerwear and invested in some new gear. I also appreciated the book recommendations at the end of each chapter; I’ve got more reading to do!

#34. THE KALAHARI TYPING SCHOOL FOR MEN by Alexander McCall Smith || ★★★☆☆ The fourth book in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. This series reads like one big chapter book. I enjoy coming back to “visit” Botswana every few weeks and I just love that Mma Ramotswe!

#35. THE WELL by Stephanie Landsem || ★★★★☆

I don’t read a lot of religious fiction, but Jen had such a glowing review of this book that I knew I had to give it a try. And she was right! Beautiful, beautiful story that made the Bible come alive and I got all choked up at the end too. 4.5 stars.

People read and watch and listen to true crime because it restores order from chaos. That’s the answer to give when someone asks you why you like hearing about real-life murders. It’s the comfort of watching everything be put in its place after an episode of outright, sickening bedlam. (27%)

My first true crime book for 2020. I especially liked the tips at the end that described how to volunteer your time at your local police department or as a victim’s family advocate. Definitely something I would be interested in later on in life. #37. AS BRIGHT AS HEAVEN by Susan Meissner || ★★★☆☆

Death is not our foe. There is no foe. There is only the stunningly fragile human body, a holy creation capable of loving with such astonishing strength but which is weak to the curses of a fallen world. It is a frailty of flesh and blood that causes us to succumb to forces greater than ourselves. We are like butterflies, delicate and wonderful, here on earth for only a brilliant moment and then fly away. Death is appointed merely to close the door to our suffering and open wide the gate to Paradise. (p.183)

Home isn’t a place where everything stays the same; it’s a place where you are safe and loved despite nothing staying the same. (p.225)

Back in February, my friend Shelly sent me this novel about a family during the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918. I know neither of us would have ever predicted that a similar pandemic would take over the world and we’d be in lockdown a month later! It was eerie to read the descriptions of fear, death, face masks, and vaccines…words almost exactly the same as what we’re hearing today. I really liked the first half of the book, but felt like the last third tidied things up a little too neatly to be believable. #38. KNOW MY NAME by Chanel Miller || ★★★★☆

What we needed to raise in others was this instinct. The ability to recognize, in an instant, right from wrong. The clarity of mind to face it rather than ignore it. (37%)

When I listened to her, I understood: You have to hold out to see how your life unfolds, because it is most likely beyond what you can imagine. It is not a question of if you will survive this, but what beautiful things await you when you do. (41%)

This memoir was hard to read, but I’m so glad I did. Her grieving process was palpable and raw and I often had to put the book down for awhile and read something else. Even so, it was excellent and important.

#39. PEACE LIKE A RIVER by Leif Enger || ★★★★★
This was a reread and I loved it just as much as the first time.

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MY READING IN NUMBERS FOR 2020 Books Read: 39
Pages Read: 11,575 Fiction: 24 // Non-Fiction: 15 Kindle Books: 18 // Paper Books: 21 20th Century in Books Challenge: 24/100 Original 2020 books “to-read” total on Goodreads: 414 // Current “to-read” total: 409

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This post contains affiliate links.

One of my big goals for 2020 is to send at least one piece of snail mail out every week. Keeping track of my progress here on the blog will help keep me accountable and I’ll also get to share with you some small stationery businesses. Maybe it will even encourage you to join in on the fun!

WEEK 18 (Apr 27-May 3)

I was finally able to use this old card from when A Beautiful Mess had a “Happy Mail” subscription program. Sadly, it looks like they have discontinued it! My baby sister was supposed to be attending her college graduation this week and sadly, that’s all been cancelled due to the lockdown. I mailed her a congratulations card from Champaign Paper to let her know that we’re still celebrating her achievement from afar. We’re so proud of her! I did not send out a single thing! It was a weirdly busy week and I was in a funk.

Sent a quick note to a friend who is struggling a bit right now. I just bought a pack of these cards from Providential Co. and I want to send them as a reminder to everyone I know!

CURRENT SNAIL MAIL TOTAL: 56 P.S. Need a little sunshine in your mailbox? Sign up here to get on the list! HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TENTH WEEK OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN Week ten: when I lost my way and fought to find it again. I just finished Know My Name by Chanel Miller and while I have thoughts on so many parts of that book, one section spoke to me in my own, completely different, time and space:

In Fearrington, North Carolina, my grandparents had lived by a pond, where geese plodded around with those curved black necks, squeaky honking. My Grandpa Miller explained that during migration, birds flew in V formation. The bird at the front, the tip of the V, had the hardest job facing the greatest amount of wind resistance. The air coming off the leader’s flapping wings lifted the birds flying behind it. Being the leader was grueling, so the birds took turns. When a bird exhausted itself, it trailed to the back, where it wouldn’t have to flap as hard, riding waves of wind that have been broken down by others. It saved its energy so that it could lead again. This was the only way to make the journey, to escape winter and make it to warmer places. I had spent two weeks pumping my wings, keeping a calm face, to protect my flock from brutal conditions. But resilience required rest. (14%)

I’m your typical ISFJ: the caregiver, the eternal behind-the-scenes cheerleader and I’ve been on overdrive since the beginning of this lockdown. I wanted to stay positive for my children, be a beacon of light among the fear and anxiety and chaos. “But resilience required rest.” I could tell something was wrong when I had not written a single letter all last week because I just didn’t have anything positive in me to say. Some internal part of me was waving the white flag, needed someone else to do the caring and cheering for a little while. So I rested. Mark and I had long conversations where I unloaded each and every tab in my brain. I prayed and cried and slept in late. By Thursday, the fog lifted and I was ready to start again. I’m glad I took a picture of those California Poppies because Lucy later ran through the beds and completely ripped one of the plants out of the ground. Deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths.

Sourdough experiment of the week: a spinach artichoke braid

Biggest highlight of the week: P finally decided to potty train! He is so stubborn that all of our previous tries were met with a hard no. But we were down to our last diaper on Monday and I declared, “Welp, we’re in this for better or worse!” and thankfully he cooperated. After almost 14 years, we are a diaper-free house. Wild. 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. pick up baseball games in the back yard cool breezes in open windows ham and tomato sandwiches on bread I made that almost all of my beans have sprouted and are growing quickly when Lucy sits and watches the birds out the window successful potty training (finally!) working on crossword puzzles with M bright orange California poppies watching our neighbor horse in his warm coat four great results on standardized testing good books that keep me up late reading another week without having to turn on the air conditioning when the kids clean the kitchen after dinner a better organized emergency closet honest conversations with my oldest boys hard days and cleansing tears “Oh Jesus, with all my heart I cling to Thee.” MAY’S FRUGAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS My Goal: Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. And if you have to spend money, do it with intention.

+ We’re following the square foot “method” for our garden, but wanted to save a little money by skipping the cross-hatch pieces that make the squares. Instead, I constructed a temporary version out of strips of cardboard. I use it when I plant and then keep it in the garage until the next time.

+ My front door rug was moving everywhere and bunching up, which was driving me crazy. I cut up an old unused rug pad to fit underneath and now it stays in place! I can’t believe it took me this long to make a two-minute fix.

+ I planted wildflowers from seed kits that never sold from the old Big White Farmhouse shop. I found them tucked away this winter and couldn’t wait to put them to good use in the front flower beds. I didn’t know what to expect since they were over three years old, but the germination rate still seems to be good! I have little sprouts everywhere.

+ We’re getting a 15% credit on our auto insurance policy due to being stuck at home during the outbreak.

+ As of this writing, we’re still going strong without having to turn on our A/C! I’m grateful for this weirdly cool spring.

+ Our sourdough starter has saved us quite a bit of money since we can make our yeast stretch further.

+ We had a bit of an ant invasion near our side door. I made a homemade ant killer, which was equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and that helped kill the ones in the house. For outside, I made a concoction of equal parts powdered sugar and baking soda in a small, shallow container and it worked within hours.

+ Mark has been chopping down dead/dying trees around our property and cutting them into firewood pieces. + We’ve become even more cognizant about our food consumption, especially as prices seem to be slowly rising. Regular “Refrigerator Cleanout Nights” have helped us have very little waste.

Your turn! What did you do to save a little money this month?
P.S. I pin frugal ideas to this Pinterest board if you need some inspiration too!

_________________________________ Previous Frugal Accomplishments: Today, the Lord said to me, “My daughter, I am told there is much simplicity in you, so why do you not tell Me about everything that concerns you, even the smallest details? Tell Me about everything, and know that this will give Me great joy.” I answered, “But You know about everything, Lord.” And Jesus replied to me, “Yes, I do know; but you should not excuse yourself with the fact that I know, but with childlike simplicity talk to Me about everything, for My ears and heart are inclined towards you, and your words are dear to Me.” – Saint Faustina’s Diary, page 358

INTENTIONS FOR THE END OF MAY

order and hang a hammock (100LT #18)
plant lemongrass for the back porch (I’m still waiting for my order)
plant tomatoes and peppers (praying they also arrive!)
finish clearing away the fallen trees and branches in the yard (this is the task that never ends! we just keep adding more work for ourselves)
finish painting the fence
powerwash the siding (100LT #6)
read another ARC due for Netgalley
read 25+ pages in The Last Art of Reading Nature’s Signs
read the library books I have and then take a break from borrowing new ones (and get back to the ones on the nightstand!)
have the big boys break ground around the garden perimeter for flower beds
collect eggshells for a natural fertilizer
work on revamping our emergency closet to fit a new space
finish up my DIY chalkboard and “season” the paint

If you’re reading in a reader, be sure to click over to see what I checked off the list!

~~complete standardized testing and mail~~ (we are all SO happy to be done!)
~~celebrate the beginning of summer with something special~~ (we had ice cream sundaes)
clean up schoolroom for summer (almost done)
~~start making loose curriculum plans for the fall~~
~~spend 15+ hours outside~~ (current total is 21.5 hours! I’m tracking my own time, but the kids come out with me almost every time)
~~start brainstorming ideas for #write30days 2020 in June~~
finish clearing away the fallen trees and branches in the yard
powerwash the siding (100LT #6)
~~finish garden fence construction~~ and paint
~~keep planting!~~
~~make two purchases from small businesses~~ (I ordered rainboots for two of the kids from Lone Cone and a few scrapbook things during the Ali Edwards sale)
read another ARC due for Netgalley
~~read at least 50% of Saint Faustina’s Diary~~
~~order a filter replacement for the fridge~~
~~check out the current outdoor gear situation and purchase anything needed~~ (I bought rainboots from the shop above and raincoats for Sophie and me on Poshmark)
~~plant ferns by the front door (100LT #32)~~
plant lemongrass for the back porch (100LT #33)
~~see if I can get a piece of wood cut for a DIY chalkboard~~
~~buy chalkboard paint~~

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NINTH WEEK OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN Week nine and our first full week of summer break. House projects are in full swing around here and the week flew by. I’m grateful for these busy days because it doesn’t allow much time for anxiety and worry – I just do the next thing on the list and let God take care of the rest. My mental health during this quarantine has been complicated: most days are really good, but then I’ll be hit with a day where I just feel completely lost and overwhelmed. Do I do this? Should I buy that? What is safe? What is not? Who do I believe? What facts are true? What will life look like this fall? Will things get worse before they get better? It’s exhausting to be in my head on those days. One lesson I’m finally learning on a tangible level is true abandonment/docility to the will of God. I’ve heard it in homilies and read it in spiritual books, but did I really understand what it meant? We don’t know what will happen in the fall – shoot, we don’t know what will happen tomorrow! – and it’s time for a little trial by fire. I’m learning this lesson, for better or worse! For someone who likes to control things with a tight grip, someone who likes her calendars and lists and five year plans, that feels a lot like giving up. But the yoke does feel a little lighter when you let Someone else hold the weight. Garden news: we’re all taking turns painting the fence white. What a difference a little paint can make! We planted four apple trees: two are “Pixie Crunch” and are supposed to be even sweeter than a Honeycrisp and the other variety is a citrus-type called “Sundance” that has hints of lemon and pineapple. Yum. I also planted two types of blueberry bushes, Perpetua and Spartan. The Spartans looked a little rough from transport, but I’m hoping a little TLC will perk them back up. Even though we won’t see fruit from either the apples or blueberries this year, it seems like a big investment into our property and I’m so excited. Finally putting down roots, both physically and figuratively. I plan to keep these big boys busy so we’ll soon start Garden Phase 2: making flower beds all along the outside perimeter. M started helping out at a local farm working once a week. How do I have a child old enough to go to work?! The days are long, but the years are so, so short. It looks like Mass in our area will be resuming next week, albeit with lots of new guidelines. I’m already overwhelmed with the logistics of the whole thing. We’re strongly encouraged to wear face masks, so I ordered some for myself and all of my children from this shop (affiliate link). Mark already had one since he’s been the only one going into town. 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. 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 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!) that Lucy is my little shadow and follows me around the house finding new uses for old things collapsing into bed after a full day HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EIGHTH WEEK OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN Week eight…I can hardly believe it. I’ve been really lax with my dairy consumption since being on lockdown and my body finally revolted: a horribly itchy eczema-like rash on my hands and wrists returned. Back to dairy-free options for me.

Standardized testing for the year is officially done and with only a few tears, mostly from me! So, so happy to have that task checked off the list, although it solidifies what I already believe: these tests simply cannot adequately show all that kids know AND some kids just aren’t great test takers. Afterward, we celebrated with ice cream sundaes. In other school news, even though we’re now on summer break, I’m already researching and finalizing plans for next fall and making a plan to purchase everything we need. I read from one homeschool curriculum company that they were worried about distribution issues due to COVID-19 and were encouraging everyone to order earlier than later. Will it really get that bad? Who knows, but it will give me peace of mind to just get everything now.

A new first for wild animal sightings: we had a fox just meandering about in the front yard!
My very first little sprouts have come up in the garden. Going out after breakfast and checking on them has become my new favorite activity. On Friday night, we scrambled to protect them from a very unusual freeze warning – I made little cloches from jam jars and it seemed to work! We have a few chilly mornings coming in the next few days, but hopefully we’ll be back to typical “Virginia in May” weather soon. Mark and the boys worked hard on the garden fence and finished construction on Saturday afternoon – the best Mother’s Day gift ever! Sourdough experiment of the week: Strawberry Gingersnap Twist 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. 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 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 watching the neighbor’s horse run through the pasture the start of summer break and a break from formal teaching This post contains affiliate links.

Happy Wednesday!

A QUOTE ON GRATITUDE

I have learned over a period of time to be almost unconsciously grateful–as a child is–for a sunny day, blue water, flowers in a vase, a tree turning red. I have learned to be glad at dawn and when the sky is dark. Only children and a few spiritually evolved people are born to feel gratitude as naturally as they breathe, without even thinking. Most of us come to it step by painful step, to discover that gratitude is a form of acceptance.
― Faith Baldwin, Many Windows, Seasons of the Heart

BOOKS ON MY NIGHTSTAND

We’re just a few days away from the beginning of our summer break! Here are a few ideas that we will be doing to keep some structure to our days – maybe they’ll inspire you too!

A nightly read aloud. I’m thinking about starting the Magic Treehouse series with my 7 and 5 year olds and then doing a corresponding activity (very low key and mostly led by them) sometime during the week.
A weekly science experiment. This does not have be complicated. Shining pennies with lemon juice has kept my younger kids enthralled for almost an hour.
For my older boys, we have a summer tradition that if you read five books, you earn a sugary cereal that you don’t have to share. (I copied this genius idea from Theresa and it’s been a huge hit.) We set the threshold at five because my boys fly through books, but you may want to lower that for extra motivation.
Cooking is a great task for my older kids, although my littles help a lot too. Not only a life skill, but paying attention to detail, measurement, knowing the difference between baking soda and baking powder…all good things. At the beginning, I usually go over the recipe, make sure to distinguish between teaspoon and tablespoon, and then off they go.
At the dinner table, we sometimes play the “Guess what I learned today?” game. This implies that you sought out new information in some way. So, my preschooler may rattle off some facts from a Wild Kratts episode, my teenager may share about what distortion pedals do for his guitar, or maybe I learned the definition of a word from a book I’m reading. The results are always fun, random and interesting.
Outside as much as possible! I’ve printed out our 100 Hours Outside chart and we’re going to see how quickly we can fill it in.

I think the description of this Morning Dew candle from Lustre + Bloom sounds intriguing: “Dewy petals, jasmine, rain drops + wild grass create beautiful top + mid fragrance notes.” Wish I could smell it through the screen!
I definitely have said the saying on this t-shirt about a million times since the lockdown began.
Is recipe organization on your to-do list? This 3-ring recipe binder is gorgeous and is pretty enough to keep on the counter. I think it would make a thoughtful bridal shower gift too.
Elyse Breanne Design has a little bit of everything in her shop, but make sure to check out her greeting cards. $3.50 and free shipping is a great price point!

2020 GOALS UPDATE

✔ I want to spend time with God everyday. I’m still working through the Bible (as of April 30, I was on day 275/365). I’m reading through Saint Faustina’s Diary, which has led to much reflection and prayer. I also finished the 54-day novena and am so proud of myself that I didn’t miss a single day! The rosary is once again an important, non-negotiable part of my day.

✔ I want to keep on, keepin’ on with our debt freedom journey. We used most of the stimulus check to pay the remaining balance on our car loan! So, so happy not to have a car payment for awhile.

✘ I want to be a better steward of my home. We’re all coping in different ways during this quarantine and something has to give. For whatever reason, staying on top of chores has been my breaking point. I’m probably accomplishing about 50% of the tasks listed on The Confident Mom’s Household Planner. Our house isn’t filthy, but it isn’t as sparkling as it has been in the months prior. Oh well…hoping May will be better for me in this department.

✔ I want to hand write 52 pieces of mail. I sent out 11 pieces. (Here is the post.) Current total = 45

✔ I want to write 150 blog posts. A pretty strong month! I posted 18 times. Current total = 65

✔ I want to read 52 books. I read 8 books. (Here is the post.) Current total = 32

✘ I want to take the first steps for postpartum doula certification. This has been put on hold for the time being.

✔ I want to create a family culture of generosity.

April’s $20 Donation // We donated money to a local farmer (and a friend of Mark’s) who will then donate that amount in fresh produce and meat to the food pantry. A win/win!
April’s 20 Minutes of Time and Talent // Mark led his men’s group virtually through Easter, the kids have worked tirelessly on the garden, and I sent lots of mail