wednesday five | The Big White Farmhouse
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Happy Wednesday!
A QUOTE
The Church is saying to us again and again, “Now is the acceptable time” (2 Cor 6:2). This Advent will never come again…We recall the classic words of the poet: “The tender grace of a day that is gone will never come back to me.” The graces of this day will never come again. The opportunities for being loving and humble and generous and self-forgetful in this day will never come again. That is a large thought, and we should fill our minds with large thoughts in this season. – Come Lord Jesus, page 65
I’m reading my favorite Advent devotional again this year. There are so many little nuggets of wisdom and I reflect on something new each time.
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“The Day Before Christmas” by Carl Larsson (found here)
How cute is that sweetie pie on the left?!
A POEM FOR THE SEASON
In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 106
by Alfred, Lord TennysonRing out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
WHAT WE DID FOR SAINT NICHOLAS DAY THIS YEAR
The kids put out their shoes last night in anticipation of a gift from Saint Nicholas and he didn’t disappoint! Along with the obligatory gold chocolate coins, they always receive something to enjoy together. (One year, they found a few Christmas movies, another year was playing card themed, etc.) 2022 will go down in history as the year Mom and Dad chose completely random things! I picked a board game called LineUp and my husband chose a Battle Jousting Challenge Set.
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A QUOTE
The first supermarket supposedly appeared on the American landscape in 1946. That is not very long ago. Until then, where was all the food? Dear folks, the food was in homes, gardens, local fields, and forests. It was near kitchens, near tables, near bedsides. It was in the pantry, the cellar, the backyard. ― Joel Salatin, Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“The House in the Forest” by Camille Pissarro (found here)
CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR READING (OR SCHOOL/HOMEWORK) TIME
A HOMEMAKER CHECK-IN, ONE YEAR LATER
How are you, my dear reader? Last time I checked in was almost one year ago and in some ways, it feels like we went from bad to worse! Everything from groceries to gas to electricity has gone up significantly where I live and it’s getting trickier to balance the budget. I’m hoping the low-buy month will help, even a tiny bit. How are you adapting? What do things costs around you right now? Our gas is $4.19/gallon. A few grocery staples in my area: a gallon of whole milk is $3.74, a loaf of bread is $3.34, and a dozen eggs are $1.88.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.
A QUOTE
I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. – Helen Keller
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
A CREATIVE PROJECT IDEA
I LOVE this idea! So creative and thrifty. Adding this one to my “Things I’d Like to Make Someday…” list.
ON MY NIGHTSTAND
HOW DO YOU USE UP HOMEGROWN SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI?
I planted a ton of squash and zucchini this year with the plan to eat it fresh, but also to preserve it for later. What are your favorite recipes at your house? Here are a few I’ve recently found and hope to try this summer:
+ Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini
+ Sweet and Sour Zucchini Pickles
+ 20 Minute Skillet Sausage and Zucchini
+ Zucchini Gratin with Yellow Squash
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Happy Wednesday!
A QUOTE
Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all. – Robert Louis Stevenson
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
- my go-to recipe for strawberry shortcake biscuits
- this recipe for mason jar whipped cream (to go with the shortcakes)
- this freezable bag that would be perfect for delivering chicken orders (or bringing to the beach or the park…)
- this video about creative ways to cut chicken feed costs
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“Mother With Her Child” by August Jernberg (found here)
VINTAGE MUSIC FOR YOUR MORNING
I love these compilations! They make great background music while working or just setting a peaceful tone in the house.
FIVE THINGS BRINGING ME JOY
- sourdough waffles for dinner after a busy day
- foxgloves blooming after a year of anticipation
- watching the ducks splash around in their new pool
- the close of another successful school year
- my oldest passing his permit test – we’ve got a new driver in the house! (this one is so bittersweet….the days are long but the years are so short)
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Happy Wednesday and a (very) belated Happy Easter! We had a wonderful, fruitful Holy Week and Easter Octave and I’m just now getting back into the swing of things. I scheduled our Spring Break for Easter week, so I was able to spend full days working outside, finishing a few projects and making progress on others. I’m exhausted, but so proud of how things are shaping up around here. More details soon.
A QUOTE
One thing I know for sure: we are meant to enjoy each day we spend on Earth, which happens quite naturally when you nurture a garden. – Barbara Pleasant
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
- this recipe for sourdough chocolate chip cookies
- this post on raising friendly ducks
- these adorable feast day candles
- this list of camping food that requires no refrigeration (I stumbled on this and want to save it for this summer)
- this video from The Minimal Mom
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“Fisherman’s Friend” by George Hillyard Swinstead (found here)
ON MY NIGHTSTAND
FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY
+ puttering around the garden + listening to the kids laugh at some joke only they understand + warm sunshine on my face + a room freshly tidied
+ summer vacation on the horizon (just a few more weeks to go!)
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Happy Wednesday!
A QUOTE
…there are between 3,500 and 15,000 insect species worldwide that can be considered pests, in terms of human endeavors. These species eat our food, destroy our homes, bite our children, and transmit diseases. In fact, over the centuries insects have killed more people than died in wars! Most people have a negative attitude about all insects, just as they do toward “germs” and bacteria. But for every pest species, there are between 400 and 1,700 species of insects that are beneficial to humans. Without these beneficial insects, food webs and ecosystems would collapse. Homans depend on insects. If you like fruits, vegetables, or flowers, then you can thank a bee, beetle, or butterfly. – Dirt to Soil, page 54
I had the hardest time deciding on a single quote from this book; it is bursting with information and is inspiring me and my farm so much. I will definitely be moving forward in a direction that encourages everything from bees to earthworms to thrive in our gardens and pastures.
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
- this tip about freezing bulk beans – genius!
- this recently published book about Communist Romania in 1989
- this post on how to create a greenhouse from reclaimed windows – a dream for someday…
- this post about purple dead nettles – we have these plants all over our property!
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“Springtime” by James George Bingley (found here)
BACKGROUND MUSIC, PERFECT FOR SPRING
FIVE SEED COMPANIES I’M USING ON THE HOMESTEAD THIS YEAR
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A QUOTE
There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me. ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
A COOL VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH
{Farm Girl Feeding Chickens, 1936. Found here}
AN INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO
I don’t know the first thing about sewing your own clothing, but this video was incredible and so inspiring. Definitely something I would like to dabble in someday.
AN UPDATE ON MY 2022 GOALS
+ Get serious about nutrition. // Welp, I fell off the wagon in a big way. When I strained my neck and was in so much pain, I definitely ate my feelings in chocolate and cookies. Not my proudest moment, but I’m ready to get back on the horse.
+ Read more nonfiction. // I’m more than halfway through Communism and the Conscience of the West and I just started Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture and We Have Been Harmonized: Life in China’s Surveillance State.
+ Make something beautiful with my own hands. // A bit of a stretch, but I made blueberry butter with my own hands! I’m also back to working on my cross-stitch pillow project for the kids and am slowly hand-quilting a quilt top I started years ago.
+ Expand the homestead. // We’re still primarily in the planning stage, but looking forward to really kicking things off in March.
+ Aggressively work toward the goal of paying off our mortgage early. // Reselling has been super slow this month, but I’m grateful for any sale that comes through. I’ve also been brainstorming little ways I can use this blog to further my goals without making it materialistic and salesy (two things I personally dislike). We’ll see.
+ Improve my self-protection skills. // Nothing yet.
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Happy Wednesday!
A QUOTE
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“Devotion” by François-Louis Lanfant de Metz (found here)
AN UPDATE ON MY 2022 GOALS
+ Get serious about nutrition. // I’m generally back to intermittent fasting (not strictly 10-6, but close), have survived three weeks without sugar and I’m feeling good! I’ve been buying all the things to start making my own kombucha and have even ordered probiotics to further heal my gut.
+ Read more nonfiction. // I’m in the middle of two right now: Communism and the Conscience of the West and Let Them Eat Dirt. Both are fascinating and I’m learning so much.
+ Make something beautiful with my own hands. // I have lots of ideas, but nothing completed yet.
+ Expand the homestead. // Planning is in full swing! Lots of ordering and prep work has already begun.
+ Aggressively work toward the goal of paying off our mortgage early. // I’m easing back into a decluttering/reselling routine (like I did back in the fall) and having decent success. Best two sales so far: as I was putting away my Christmas decorations, I found two Hallmark ornaments that we’ve never hung up. I decided on a whim to list them on ebay and they sold within three days for more than their retail price – in January!
+ Improve my self-protection skills. // I found my DVDs but haven’t started them yet.
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF MUSIC
A HOMEMAKER CHECK-IN
How are you tackling these crazy inflationary days? We got a notice last week from our electric company that our rates will be increasing in the next bill. This is the third one this month – our Internet provider and trash service are going up too! In order to stave off anxiety, I keep telling myself that simplicity is the name of the game this year: hearty homemade meals, reducing our excess costs, reselling our unneeded items, and piling on those warm sweaters. I’m determined to get through this time smiling!
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Happy Wednesday!
A QUOTE
Beauty assures us that goodness is still real in the world, more real than harm or scarcity or evil. Beauty reassures us of abundance, especially that God is absolutely abundant in goodness and in life. Beauty reassures us there is plenty of life to be had. I believe beauty reassures us that the end of this Story is wonderful. – Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad, p.33
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“Book Characters Coming To Life As Boy Reads” by Walter Beach Humphrey (found here)
NON-JUNK CHRISTMAS IDEAS
I’ve been making big progress on the kids’ birthday and Christmas gifts! (Little side note: I found a lot of awesome things for the younger kids on Fat Brain Toys. They have reasonable shipping charges and fast shipping. Highly recommend!) A few of my finds:
A THOUGHT-PROVOKING READ
I recently read a blog post from The Frugal Girl called “Soap is cheap.” From the post: “That put Grandma…on my brain, and I was reminded of something she once told me: ‘No matter how little money you have, you can at least keep your things clean. Soap is cheap!’” I loved the advice and her readers’ comments at the end were so interesting as well. We have lots to learn from our ancestors!
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Happy Wednesday!
A QUOTE
In this modern world where activity is stressed almost to the point of mania, quietness as a childhood need is too often overlooked. Yet a child’s need for quietness is the same today as it has always been–it may even be greater–for quietness is an essential part of all awareness. In quiet times and sleepy times a child can dwell in thoughts of his own, and in songs and stories of his own.
― Margaret Wise Brown
A BACK TO (HOME)SCHOOL WISHLIST
I was recently browsing through etsy and found so many neat items that could be fun for school! A few things that caught my eye:
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“The Reading Lesson” by John Absolon (found here)
A RECOMMENDATION
A HOMEMAKER CHECK-IN
How are you, readers? Check in and share what you’ve been up to during these uncertain financial times. Here are a few things from me: + I’m making taking care of myself a priority again: eating well vs. just grazing on whatever’s easy, focusing on movement of any kind, taking note of the things that cause me stress/anxiety and actively making a plan. I figure this can only have positive consequences and will ultimately save me money on medicines and doctor visits. + I’m getting a head start on Christmas presents. I don’t usually start this early, but it was something on my stress/anxiety list (see above) so I’m doing something about it.
+ Need some inspiration for budget-friendly meals? Check out Budget Bytes. I can’t think of a recipe I’ve made from there that I haven’t liked.
+ A DIY I really need to try: How To Make My Ultimate Stain Remover Spray.
+ Have you heard of iFixit? It’s a really cool website that focuses on repairing the items you own. Lots of how-to guides as well as a forum to ask questions and a shop full of parts and tools. I especially love their manifesto.
Happy Wednesday!
A QUOTE
…Abba Arsenius’s commitment to silence was something that he tried to live out every day, and that when he spoke to those monks, he was inviting them also to make a place in their hearts that belonged only to God. This advice applies to us as well. We need to make a place in our hearts, in our day, in our home, in our schedule, in our priorities, where God can come and dwell, a place that belongs only to God. We need a place where we can silence the movements that distract us from God and listen to his word that leads us to a deeper purity of heart. – Wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, p.84
TABS OPEN IN MY BROWSER RIGHT NOW
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“Battlefield” by Timoléon Lobrichon (found here)
A RECOMMENDATION
If your garden is doing better than mine, be sure to check out Dishing Up the Dirt. Tons and tons of recipes for using up those delicious home-grown veggies! (I need to get to my local farm stand so I can try some too.)
HOMEMAKER CHECK-IN
How are you making the budget stretch in these tricky financial times? Let’s chat and look ahead to fall:
- I’m making a big list of things we’ll need in the cooler months ahead so I can look for sales. A few things on my list: sneakers for a few of the boys, flannel sheets for my daughter’s bed, and sweater tights for me.
- We’re cutting up a few trees to add to our firewood pile. I’m curious to see how well our fireplace will heat the first floor and how low I can keep our thermostat.
- Feed prices have gone up over $2 per bag just in the five months we’ve been raising chickens. The laying hens eat considerably less than the broilers did, but I’m looking into fermenting options to stretch even more.
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Happy Wednesday!
A QUOTE
No matter what’s happening in the world, have your tea, make your list, plan your food preparation, read to your children, wash the clothes, do something creative for everyone and be a light for your home. – Lydia Sherman
I found this quote on Pinterest and it really resonated. Life seems to be changing minute by minute at this point and when I think too much about the future, I get anxious. This was the reminder I needed to slow down and focus on my vocation right in front of me. One day at a time.
TABS OPEN IN MY BROSWER RIGHT NOW
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
“Homeward with Mother” by Hugh Cameron (found here)
A RECOMMENDATION
Have you seen this home tour of Rejiv Surendra’s NYC apartment? His home is filled with handmade things and so inspiring! Our taste is different, but I immediately starting thinking of projects I could make to add unique beauty to our home. I feel a new challenge coming on…
A HOMEMAKER CHECK-IN
How are you, my dear reader? Some of us are struggling with the rising cost of food, uncertain job security, even whispers of another lockdown. Some of us are working hard toward debt freedom or business creation. The future has so many unknowns and it’s a lot for anyone, but especially for us as homemakers and caregivers in charge of the purse strings. I’m brainstorming a way for us to “talk shop” and share tips, recommendations and encouragement as we dive into these challenging economic times – maybe through these Wednesday Five posts? I hope you’ll comment and share your thoughts as well!
- What do things costs around you right now? Our gas is $2.95/gallon. A few grocery staples: a gallon of whole milk is $2.81, a loaf of bread is $2.48, and a dozen eggs are $1.28.
- I usually make one carb-heavy dinner each week and one we recently tried was this recipe for Chili Mac. I liked that it only called for one pound of ground beef and the rest of the ingredients were all shelf staples. Add a big salad and garlic bread on the side and it’s a decently cheap, well-rounded meal.
- I have been browsing ThredUp every so often for deals on fall/winter wear. Another website I sometimes browse is called Swap. It’s a little hit or miss, but there are some great deals to be found if you dig.
- A tip I just learned and can’t wait to try: You can re-crisp stale cookies, crackers, cereal or chips by placing them in a single layer and dehydrating them at 145° for 1-2 hours.
- Another new find: this website to create and print your own handwriting practice sheets. Really easy to do and could help with homeschool costs!