Weekly Wrap Up | June 11-15th, 2018

Posted on by afarmhousefull

New Videos:

Did you catch this week’s new videos?

In Monday’s day-in-the-life we enjoyed a lazy sleep-late (thank you Serenity oil!) kind of day, and I asked for some advise on a new rug (BTW, so many of you said you had the EXACT RUG I was looking at and LOVED it!). I also showcased our porch and what new plants are blooming on it, did a little bathroom cleaning, made a super simple meal for dinner and even snuck in a GORGEOUS sunset workout!

In Wednesday’s video I shared with you a tour of our chicken coop and how we built it for absolutely FREE!

And today’s video was a Speedy Clean/Clean with Me video I did while cleaning with my 5 year old (Ezra), 3 year old (Cora) and 1 year old (Cypress) because, come on, how else can I get this stuff done?

To make sure you never miss a video, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel!

Favorite Photo of the Week:

Just so ya’ll know we didn’t go and get all big-headed about our #diamond walk… we snapped our own “professional” photos… with an outdated #iphone… in our #backyard… with 2 #toddlers whining at our feet and a #preteen trying to photobomb Every. Single. One. And did I mention they are due tomorrow? #almostlate which means they are #ontime. Thanks for tuning in to today’s episode of #keepingitreal #keepitclassy #itdoesntgetanybetter #thisisit #sorrynotsorry #gala #celebrate #doterradiamond #walkingtheredcarpet #imeanpurplecarpet

Are we connected on Instagram? If not you can follow my family through pictures on our Instagram account. @afarmhousefull

 

Other Happenings:

MY PATTERN was released this week and I am so excited to have everyone try it out! I’ve also been crocheting up some super cute dolls for promotional campaigns for the pattern release.

I have a giveaway going for a FINISHED CUSTOM doll on my facebook page! Make sure you share the post on your feed and with your crochet groups and communities and tag your crochet loving friends. Then comment to enter the giveway, which is an $85 value! Click on the picture below to be re-directed to the giveaway post:

To purchase the pattern go here: NICCI LYNN DOLL PATTERN

Farmhouse Oils:

Monday night’s oil class focused on 4 of my favorite oils that aren’t included in the top ten oil starter kit. You can watch it by clicking the link below:

Some of my FAVORITE oils Class

I also shared a graphic over on Farmhouse Oils FB page highlighting some of the basic guidelines for using oils with babies and infants. Here’s a CLASS if you want a more in depth look at using oils with babies and children:

Need some essential oils in your life?

If you’re interested in setting up a wholesale I’d love to be the person who supports you in rocking out your family’s health and wellness journey:

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/afarmhousefull/join-and-save

choose your country and language
👩🏽‍💻Enter your personal information
🛒 Choose your starter kit
Stalk your front door for your purple box #huggingtheUPSguyisweird #dontmakeitweird

Your wholesale account offers SO much value:

✅25% discount on ALL products!
🆓 The ability to earn free products Every. Single. Month.
👩🏽‍💻A free 8-class continued education course (valued at $240) that can be accessed online so you can learn anytime from anywhere
👥Access to our online private oils club
📦A welcome packet from me that includes lots of goodies (US only)

Farmhouse Weekly Favorites:

These top hats have been a huge hit for our “Greatest Showman” loving girls: https://amzn.to/2MtgUo9

My new computer has been AMAZING for video editing and I am loving the portability of a laptop again: https://amzn.to/2lccyVV

ROSE GOLD EVERYTHING. I have been loving my new Bluetooth headset: https://amzn.to/2JFWbje

I have been using them while listening to Rachel Hollis’ new book, Girl, Wash Your Face: https://amzn.to/2Mwh9yS

Nicci Lynn Doll Crochet Pattern | Instant Download | Custom Dolls

Posted on by afarmhousefull


I am SO excited for the release of my Nicci Lynn Doll crochet pattern!


To purchase the INSTANT download PDF pattern for the doll and ALL of her accessories  (shoes, cardigan, 2 skirts, halter, options for strapless/short sleeve/long sleeve tops, pants and shorts) click the button below:

 

 

This pattern contains photos, video tutorials, and easy to follow crochet instructions that give stitch counts with each round/row. The beauty of this pattern  is that the variations are ENDLESS!

Customize your doll’s:

  • Skin color
  • Eye color and shape
  • Hair color, texture and length
  • Lip color
  • Clothing choices
  • and MUCH more!

 

When I ran a crochet-to-order shop, I ALWAYS had a waiting list for these custom Nicci Lynn Dolls, and I charged $85 each! These are a truly one of a kind creation. This pattern allows you to use it for personal use OR sell the finished product in your etsy shop, craft booth or online! It’s a great way to make some side money as a crafter.

If you don’t crochet send this page to your favorite crocheter as a hint for Christmas! 😉

 

 

 

Weekly Wrap Up

Posted on by afarmhousefull

New Videos

Did you get a chance to catch this week’s videos?

In Monday’s DITL we had a cray-cray day of organizing the chaos of too many places to go and to many things to do – dropping kids off, picking them up, donating a car load of stuff, grocery shopping, taking some items to my MIL’s garage sale, folding a million baskets of laundry and trying to work around Mike’s weather depended schedule. But, alas, we got it all done and fell into bed feeling accomplished and grateful.

In Wednesday’s video I shared my May favorites! Here are just a few of them if you want to check them out:

In Friday’s video I walked you through I set up my War Binder (aka prayer binder) and how I used it to keep my prayer life organized. I have ALREADY had such amazing responses to this video and it literally makes my heart swell. To GOD be the glory! It is so fun how we can each inspire each other to be the best version of ourselves we can be! I love our little FarmhouseFull community we have here.

 

To make sure you never miss a video, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel!

Favorite Photo of the Week

I’ve also been working my way through a photo challenge over on Instagram. It’s been a fun way to connect with other mommas on that platform.

{#routine} I am ever thankful for this #mundane #morning with my crew. #itisagift everyday that I get to be their mom, to help them grow and learn, to wash their clothes and their feet, to guide their step as well as their hearts. Those simple mundane, routine moments are what a lifetime of blessings is built on. I am reminded of how fast those moments slip through my fingers as I look at my curly headed 1 year old while my oldest sits in his first #driversed class today 😱.

Are we connected on Instagram? If not you can follow my family through pictures on our Instagram account. @afarmhousefull

Other happenings:

BIG stuff is happening here in my WAHM life! I am gearing up to release my Nicci Lynn Doll Pattern! This is the pattern I created for my Nicci Lynn Handmade crochet business and these dolls were a top seller. I ALWAYS had a wait list for them! Now you can crochet them too and even sell them in your etsy shop (I charged $85 for them and they sold out immediately each time!). It is such a fun way to capture your little girl’s look and personality in handmade doll that they will treasure forever! Check back MONDAY for the pattern! I am hoping to have it live by then!

I also shared my EASY daily skincare routine over on Farmhouse Oils FB page.You all KNOW that it has to be easy and fruitful for me to keep at it and this skin care routine is LEGIT!

   

Join my Facebook group for more awesome natural living tips, tricks, oil education and giveaways!

Need some essential oils in your life?

If you’re interested in setting up a wholesale I’d love to be the person who supports you in rocking out your family’s health and wellness journey:

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/afarmhousefull/join-and-save

🇺🇸choose your country and language
👩🏽‍💻Enter your personal information
🛒 Choose your starter kit
📦 Stalk your front door for your purple box #huggingtheUPSguyisweird #dontmakeitweird

Your wholesale account offers SO much value:

✅25% discount on ALL products!
🆓 The ability to earn free products Every. Single. Month.
👩🏽‍💻A free 8-class continued education course (valued at $240) that can be accessed online so you can learn anytime from anywhere
👥Access to our online private oils club
📦A welcome packet from me that includes lots of goodies (US only)

Farmhouse Family Weekly Favorites:

Amazon Store Coming Soon!

* Description contains affiliate links. This is not a sponsored video. All opinions are genuinely my own. The information provided is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental health condition. Please consult your healthcare provider. I share personal uses.*

How to Bake Perfect Biscuits | Bake Biscuits with Me | Mom & Daughter Baking

Posted on by afarmhousefull

While these tips will for work for any cut biscuit recipe, if you’d like to the exact recipe we are using in the video it is available in my e-cookbook, Baking the Basics!

A Farmhouse Full’s Baking the Basics features:

  • recipes already scaled small and large batches (great for small families, large families or cooking for groups)
  • tips and tricks to make each recipe user friendly
  • ingredients that are easy to find (most are probably already in your pantry!) and don’t break the bank
  • a full color photograph of each and every recipe
  • 12 time tested recipes that have been made over and over again here at The Farmhouse.
  • easy to follow instructions
  • staple recipes that will actually ALL be used on a regular basis
  • includes and the BONUS recipe doubling guide for FREE – This guide makes it easy to scale any of your existing recipes with ease because all the math is already done for you!


 

Dietary Changes

Posted on by afarmhousefull

So many of you have been asking me about our food journey!

I shared a handful of weeks ago that our family was adopting a more plant-based diet. After watching a few documentaries, Forks over Knives, What the Health, and In Defense of Food and also researching the different ways to eat more holistically, we decided to change things up. Even before this we have been slowly transitioning our family to a more holistic, natural way of living (essential oils, cloth diapers, organic gardening, raising our own chickens for eggs and meat). It’s slow and ever-changing balance of keeping things manageable, yet also leaning on our convictions to make welcome changes for all of us.

To back up a bit, there was nothing uncommon or horribly wrong with our diet before this. We ate a variety of meat, dairy, vegetables and fruit with a few more processed items for ease/convenience #momlife. Although looking back,  we consumed a LOT more dairy than I realized.

Knowing that it would be easy to slip back if we inched into this new lifestyle, we plunged in and removed most meat and a lot of the dairy from our everyday lives. Although, when fellowshipping with other families, I had always stated that we would always put our relationships over our food choices. Now, if your family has a legitimate food allergy or intolerance, this would be a different story, but for use it was our choice. SO, if we had dinner with family or friends we would happily eat what was served and not even mention our new way of eating.

As time went on there were things we loved (almond milk over regular milk) and things we hated (veggie burgers DID NOT even compare to the real deal…). There were also things that our kids were not even close to fond of and others that they surprisingly loved. We sort of knew this would be the reality of it going into to this. Kuddos for those willing to go all out, but for us, doing so would be more stressful than it was worth. Also, I feel that food choice has become a bit of an idol for some. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing to fuel your body well, when we decide to put our faith in out dietary habits (something that WE do) it ignores the sovereignty of God. He is bigger than our food choices.

So, what stuck and what got thrown out?

About 6 weeks of eating very differently left us with these “loose” guidelines

  • Cheese is sticking around – although in smaller quantities (NOTHING vegan tastes like cheese, even if it looks like it! If I wanted to keep from having a mutiny the cheese had to stay)
  • Processed meats, other than special occasions (others cooking, eating out and very occasional favorite meals of my children) were all gone. I did make another exception of lunch meat for my children who attend a nut-free co-op.
  • Milk as a beverage is gone – almond milk has replaced it. I actually bought cow’s milk last week so that I could do one of those “occasional kids’ favorite meals – biscuits and gravy) and NO ONE (sans one kid) would even drink it. They called it cow puss, thanks to learning that there is actually puss in cow’s milk… #gross.
  • We have added a meal or two that have optional of meat in them. For instance when we make tacos I purchase ground beef but also make quinoa “taco meat” for a few of us who like it better (recipe to come). I also make veggie wraps and my children have the option of cooked chicken or roasted chickpeas that have been seasoned the same.
  • Also, we are doing our best to use grassfed, organic and naturally raised meat when possible.

All in all these changes have our family: eating less meat, consuming less dairy products, eating more fresh produce (both fruit and vegetables), eating even less processed foods, and in general simplifying our diet.

I am very happy with the balance. I know that I would drive myself and my family bat-crap-crazy if I were to adhere too strongly to a restricted food regime, so this our doable diet change!

How about you?

How does your family enjoy to eat?

 

Cell Phones and Teens | Rules and Hacks for Moms

Posted on by afarmhousefull

I have been asked so many times what about our rules with cell phones for our children. I will be the first to tell you that we have in no way figured it out, and I have made many mistakes along the way. That said, I would also be happy to share what we are doing with our family to make this part of our lives a bit more manageable.

First of all, we don’t allow our kids to have phones or personal devices at a young age. We made the mistake of handing personal devices out at too young of an age and we regretted it. Now our go-to age for an iPod or phone without service is about 12-13 (although my 11-year-old does have one, yet he isn’t all that interested in it). I know there are 6-year-olds out there carrying their own cell phone (with service), and still the age just seems to be getting younger and younger for parents to be footing a cell phone bill for a child that is barely out of diapers, but for our family it just doesn’t make sense.

Our kids usually start off with an old iPhone with the service shut off. This is a great “starter” phone because in an emergency they actually could call 911 (even with no service), AND I have apple products myself and am very familiar with the way they work. Apple products are also a breeze to restrict and I can control a lot of variables to keep     my kids safe. Another awesome thing about being a universally Apple family is that we can text and even call (using Facetime and Facetime audio) without any additional apps. We do, however, have some guidelines for their use. I go into more detail in my video below.

Restrictions that are made with the iPhone:
Under the restriction tabs (that is guarded with a parent only passcode) I make these modifications:

  • Safari is restricted to only sites I approve
  • The App Store is removed so they have to come to me to add apps (which I must approve)
  • No multiplayer games where they can connect strangers
    Anywhere I have the option to restrict explicit material I choose to do so

Restrictions that are made with our Disney Circle

  • The internet for certain devices has a “bedtime” thanks to Disney’s Circle and internet is disabled during certain hours. I can also pause the entire internet, for certain people or for certain devices at anytime. #SWEET (yes, the word “sweet” is totally 90’s, but I am okay with that)
  • This device also allows us to set time limits for certain sites like Pinterest, Netflix, YouTube. We had a problem of a certain child getting sucked into an app or two so we set time limits. When she hits those limits it cuts all of her devices off from that particular site/app.

  • It also allows us to restrict any guest phone/laptop that enters our wi-fi network. So if your kids’ friends bring over a devise that is not restricted I can filter them with preset filters for PreK/Kid/Teen/Adult.
  • You can also add “off times” if you would like their devices unconnected during the school day, dinner, family night, etc.
  • I highly recommend the Circle- completely easy to use and I can change the settings from anywhere and get notifications if/when my children hit their time limits.
  • PS this post is NOT sponsored – I purchased the Circle in January of 2017 and have been overall very happy with it!

Other trust-based guidelines

  • I only allow YouTube on Laptops and they are to be used in public areas
  • No social media (with some exceptions- I talk more about that in the video below)
  • No YouTube (allowed on the laptops that can be used in public areas
  • No texting the opposite sex (unless approved)
  • I have to approve the people you want to text, skype, chat or communicate online with (just to ensure that they are only talking/interacting with children they KNOW)
  • Parents must know all passcodes/passwords
  • Device must be turned in at night until that privilege is earned by respecting rules regularly
  • The internet in our home on those devices also has a “bedtime” thanks to (mentioned above).

When my oldest was a bit older (14-15) we turned on service to his device and he was allowed to text people of the opposite sex. He did still turn his devise into us at the end of every night, but as time went along we allowed him to keep it in his room with the expectation that if he chose to break any rules the phone would be taken away. All of our kids are reminded (ALL. THE. TIME.) that cell phones/personal devices are privileges, and if they do not handle the responsibility of them well we, as parents, have the right to revoke their use.

I’d love to hear what age you allow personal devices and/or cell phones and what your rules are in the comments!