The Big White Farmhouse – Page 269 – intentional living, little by little
Do you read Young House Love? John and Sherry’s blog was one of the first blogs I ever read and I’ve been checking in frequently ever since. I gather so much inspiration from their home projects and they have given me confidence to be creative in my own home. So when I heard of the release of their first book, Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love, I quickly pinned it and put it on my Christmas list. After I briefly flipped through it on December 25, it sat on my bookcase untouched…until this week!
I read the entire book cover-to-cover and came away feeling much like I do when I read their blog – so inspired. The majority of the tips are really quite simple, and even if some weren’t necessarily my taste, my head was still spinning with ideas.
I thought I’d end this post with a picture of a project I’m working on, influenced by the book. Specifically, it’s Tip #143: Find Free Art. I went around the house, looking for a few things I could add to my gallery wall in the nursery. Here’s what I came up with:
- I’m not sure where I acquired the print of the Madonna, but it’s one of my favorites and I think it would look lovely in the nursery.
- The pressed flowers came from the bouquet the boys gave me when I came home from the hospital with our girl. I’m thinking one or two of them would be sweet in a little square frame.
- The kangaroo card was J’s first birthday party invitation. I love the vintage vibe.
- The crayon drawing was made by my sister years and years ago. She painstakingly drew each flower and circle. I love the design so much so I’m hoping to cut a piece out and add it to the wall.
Day 17…more than half-way through my self-imposed 30 day challenge. I’m losing steam, friends! I’m hoping to get a little second strength and finish strong. I know looking back I will be proud of all I accomplished. Anyway, today’s pin was laughable and another borderline Pinterest fail. But I like to keep it real around here, so here goes. With my husband’s birthday coming up this week, I wanted to make him one of his favorite treats. I was feeling extra mushy and remembering this pin: Idea and image from Their Little World
I decided to make them into hearts! Cue the awws. Well, I couldn’t for the life of me find my heart cookie cutter. So I thought to myself, “No biggie. I’ll just cut them into circles and carve my own heart.” Um…yeah. Apparently, this is a task I find easier said than done. The result was a little frightening. Thank goodness for boys! They thought they were great and loved every bite, even my husband.
I have Pinterest board entitled “Yummy Food” and I’m sure many of you do too. I pin and pin and pin all of these delicious images and then…there they sit. Out of over 300 pins, I think I’ve only actually made a handful? Time to change that. I’ve declared this first week of February to be “Virtual Cookbook Week” and I’m excited to try a bunch of new recipes.
My menu for February 4-10:
Monday: Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup from Recipe Swagger
Tuesday: Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Skinnytaste
Wednesday: Orange Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry from Quick and Easy Recipes
Thursday: Bacon Mac & Cheese from Iowa Girl Eats
Friday: homemade pizza (maybe using this crust recipe from Barefoot in the Kitchen?)
Saturday: leftovers
Sunday: Slow Cooker Pot Roast from Martha Stewart
What’s on your menu this week?
**Linking up over at In No Simple Language today!**
My cousin is one of my favorite people in the world and it was her birthday this week! I bought her a little candle from Coco & Bubbles and wanted to try out one of the wrapping ideas on my “Gift Wrapping Ideas” Pinterest board:
Inspiration pinned from One Fine Dae My version differed slightly because the candle was bulky, but I love the outcome! I will definitely use this packaging idea again!