Farmhouse Friday 2/2/18

Happy Friday! How is your February going? As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we've been missing a few things about city life lately (you can read about that here), but there are so many great things about small town living too. So today I wanted to share a little bit about that. For those of you who are new to the Grit and Polish, Garrett and I live in the same small town where we grew up, Ellensburg WA. We moved back here in the summer of 2016 after finding our Farmhouse, quitting our jobs in Seattle, and packing up our kids and dog. We've been living a quiet (ish) life in the country ever since. And though I no longer say we're retired (self-employed is more accurate) we have a lot of time to spend with our kids, outdoors, and pursing hobbies and unique opportunities (like last year's HGTV pilot, which will air someday soon). So about that small town living... We love the sense of community here. There's a general leave-no-person-stranded-on-the-side-of-the-road mentality. And because we grew up here, we're always surrounded by people we know. Family, friends, friends' sisters, second cousins, high school classmates, old coaches, the list goes on. If you walk down our country road, every passerby - whether you know them or not - will wave or tip their hat. But perhaps the biggest change from city living, is the pace. Life is just much slower here. No one tailgates or honks when a green light is missed and a commute is 15 minutes of driving amidst hay fields and old barns.

We also love all the space we have to grow and explore. Our boys can run bare foot out the door (in the summer) and just play and they've turned into little biologists watching the deer, owls, frogs, and all manner of insects and mice on our property. Speaking of our property, I've never felt so connected to land or food before. We grow raspberries, apples, pears, cherries, mint, and vegetables (plus weeds ;) on our 3 acres, which makes up a substantial part of our summer diets. So while we miss some things about city dwelling, we really are happy to call this small, country town home.

Well it's Friday again, which means I've rounded up lots of great links. Grab a cup of coffee and dig in.

Some awesome parent humor to kick off your Friday with a smile. Thanks to my friend Sasha for sharing this!

I posted a picture of our new Fiddle Leaf Fig tree from Costco last weekend and I received so many great care tips. Not only do I appreciate all the suggestions but I'm quite heartened to hear that people can actually keep these beauties alive! #goals

via Elle Decor / design by Katie Hackworth / photo by Alyssa Rosenheck

Katie Hackworth always gets it right and her family's Seattle home is no different. Wow! See the entire home on Elle Decor and follow Ms. Hackworth on Instagram for inspiration!

Ways to add value to your home. Thank you for this, Sarah!

And speaking of money: 9 reasons your grocery bill is high and how to lower it. We've been on a strict $150/week grocery budget ever since finishing the Porch House (part of my "post renovation budget cleanse", which is a whole different topic...), and it's helped us be more mindful about what we buy and put into our bodies. We meal plan more, grocery shop less, and eat healthier. Basically our weekly grocery cart is full of fruit, vegetables, kombucha, flour, and bulk foods. And the best part is we throw away so much less food! I have a strange obsession with grocery budgets (and personal finance) so you'll probably hear more about this!

A beautiful, compact kitchen created by the enviable team of Anne Sage and Studio McGee.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

-Cathy