Supper time is sacred time at the farmhouse.
Almost a decade ago, Luke & I began our family dinnertime ritual. With the hustle & bustle of everyday life, we knew setting aside an hour to eat a meal together & talk about our day was time well-spent. Whether we’re eating a feast on fine china or pizza on paper plates, it’s intentional, uninterrupted time we look forward to each day.
Today I want to share a handful of tips for creating your own dinnertime traditions! I’ve teamed up with Red Diamond – my favorite source for unsweetened tea served at suppertime – to share how we carve out time in our day to reconnect around the dinner table.
1. KEEP A CLEAN SPACE: I know this sounds simple, but it’s hard to enjoy dinner at the table when bills, backpacks & clutter fill the space. I always make a point to put everything away right when I get home to eliminate having to throw it to the side just as I am serving supper. Bonus – Create a “command station” in your entryway, a closet or right by the front door to place bills, backpacks & more so you can keep the kitchen table clean & clear.
2. CREATE A BEAUTIFUL TABLE: Light candles, treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet of flowers, get out your wedding china, & use cloth napkins. This is time to slow down & enjoy each other’s company & conversation so make it count.
If it’s an extra full day & you can’t quite swing an elaborate tablescape, make paper plates special by serving camp-inspired food like hotdogs & kettle chips. Turn out all of the lights & eat by candlelight – this is sure to make extra special family memories!
3. MEAL PLAN: Create a meal plan that aligns with your weekly responsibilities & commitments. If it’s sure to be a busy day, make your family’s favorite crockpot meal. I love to serve up delicious chili on nights when I can’t quite swing an elaborate meal.
4. THE LITTLE DETAILS MATTER: Every Monday night, we always go over to my husband’s childhood home for Family Dinner. I always know my mother-in-law will have something special to drink – she never serves just water.
This little detail never goes unnoticed to me so I am working hard to bring this small but special tradition into our home. I love Red Diamond’s Unsweet Tea because it’s simple (just grab it at the store & serve) & it’s made with the real stuff (no weird additives – just tea leaves & water).
5. ELIMINATE DISCTRACTIONS: A big tip for a successful dinnertime ritual is to eliminate distraction. Remove your phones & set a rule that no one can answer a call, respond to a text, or scroll Instagram while at the table. This is sure to inspire richer conversation & thoughtful time together as a family.
6. SHARE RESPONSIBILITY: In our family, the rule is simple – If one cooks, the other cleans. It allows not just one family member to be burdened by the task of dinnertime.
I’d love to know your tips & tricks for dinnertime & if you’ve tried Red Diamond! Share your thoughts in the comments below!
love,
natalie
This post is in partnership with Red Diamond.
Friends, it’s that time again. The time to reflect on the previous year & dream up goals for the next. It is indeed one of my favorite times – I’m naturally a goal setter, a dreamer. I love regularly checking back & tracking my progress as I move forward.
And I firmly believe this mixed with a little magic, grace & luck has led us to where we are now.
One simple way I channel my dreams & visions for the new year is by picking one word. This word acts as my anchor throughout the months, consistently calling me to be intentional in my actions, choices, words & habits.
In 2013, I chose Joy. In 2014, I lived out Quality. In 2015, my one word was Pursuit. In 2016, the word Provision rang true in my life. In 2017, Peace was my anthem.
2017 was undoubtedly a hard year for so many of us. I was so thankful for the word Peace & just how transformative it was in my every day life. As I write this, tears well up just thinking of how much I grew & learned from this year.
I learned to quiet myself & listen a little more (though I have so much more work to do in this area). I softened my temper & resisted the need to argue back. I fully healed from a difficult business relationship & retreated when I felt myself growing weary.
I have so much work to do still, but I am thankful for what 2017 taught me.
And as I cast a line out into the great waters of what 2018 might be, I am drawn to the word Better.
I have established many healthy habits & tools in my life – what might it look like if I dedicated an entire year to better utilizing those tools & better establishing those habits? I’m not looking to add more to my life, I’m simply working toward bettering those systems already in place.
Below are some areas of my life in need of fine tuning:
1. My health journey – As I draw closer & closer to earning Lifetime as a Weight Watcher (which simply means achieving a livable & obtainable weight goal set by me & my doctor), I want to challenge myself to better my eating habits & pay attention to what my body needs. I hope to keep accountable by sharing my journey more openly online. Stay tuned for more on this as the year unfolds…
2. Movement – I have joined a new gym & really look forward to getting back into a sustainable fitness schedule. I plan to try out a handful of classes & look forward to finding something I actually enjoy rather than dreading those 30 minutes dedicated to activity. This area will be the hardest for me as I often tell myself I don’t have enough time or it’s not important. I’d love to read your strategy on how you make activity a daily part of your life.
3. Work – I learned SO MUCH in 2017 at Freckled Hen Farmhouse. I look forward to putting into place what I learned & making our little shop a richer, better experience for our patrons in 2018. I am excited to lead as a more confident boss & better our systems to make Freckled Hen a more sustainable business. I plan to take a business retreat with Luke to really write out & think up how we might put this all into action. Just the thought makes me giddy!
Friends, what’s your word for 2018? How has choosing one word each year impacted your life? Please do share all of your thoughts in the comments.
love,
natalie
Today I want to share a simple & inexpensive gift idea with you!
You all know just how much I love gift giving! I’ve written endless blog posts about intentional gift ideas for little money. It’s such a tangible way to share love with those who need it most without spending beyond your means.
This little gift basket is the perfect treat for a hostess & a sweet way to say “welcome!” to your new neighbors.
To make this gift bundle for free (or very little) simply:
– Find a basket you may already have around your home. Don’t forget to look in your closets! If you come up empty-handed, stop by your local thrift shop. You will always find a wide variety of woven baskets for less than a buck or two.
– Gather a bouquet of wildflowers, harvest a bouquet from your garden or purchase one at the farmers’ market & place in a mason jar. I always keep a stash of jars specifically for gifting bouquets during the summer months. Nothing brightens someone’s day like fresh flowers!
– Tuck a bottle or two of hand soap, dish soap & lotion in the basket. Especially for those just moving into their home, there’s nothing like already having a bottle of soap on hand to calm the moving crazy!
– Add a pretty ribbon & card for a personal touch!
If you haven’t yet grabbed the FREE Mrs. Meyer’s Kit, TODAY is the last day! You’ll receive a hand soap, dish soap & lotion (in the scent of your choice) + the farmhouse sink tray for FREE (a $30 value!) when you sign up with Grove Collaborative & spend just $20.
It’s the perfect excuse to treat your favorite hostess or new neighbor while grabbing the essentials for your own home!
I hope you love this sweet & simple gift idea utilizing free & inexpensive supplies you may already have to bless someone in need of a little cheer!
Let me know if you make this basket & surprise someone this week!
love,
natalie