The Creative Business Diaries with Eryn Whalen

Christmas comes at the same time every year! So why are we constantly shocked, ill prepared and making last minute trips to the grocery store?

Our life is hectic enough around here in the Whalen Household so I'm spending extra time in prepping for Christmas this year. 

In today's episode we'll talk about taking some time and mapping out what Christmas day and the week or so beforehand look like. Is family coming into town, are there any extra sales where I could pick up needed grocery items now, are there any local events that I want scheduled in the calendar? Ask yourself these questions and others depending on your traditions and what you want Christmas to look like! 

Links References:

Last Weeks Episode

My IG

My Website

Rainbow Resource Guide 

Join me in this episode where I'll discuss cleaning out your pantry and organizing in a way that brings you joy and inspires you.

Often times pantries are dark, dull and full of expired foods. No more! I'm encouraging you to recreate your pantry into a space that you enjoy. Food is beautiful and meant to fill the bellies of those you love, lets treat how we handle it the same!

We'll also cover the importance of watching what foods you use the most of and planning a couple months in advance. It's always good to know where your food comes from and even more so that it'll be there in the case of emergency! 

Links to Items Referenced: 

Pantry and Kitchen Holiday Organization Blog Post 

Mountain Rose Herbs 

Harvesting and Drying Herbs Blog Post 

My Amazon Store

My IG

My Website 

Join me in this weeks episode where I'll discuss how to make do when you can't quite do what you want... yet!

Everything takes time and money but that doesn't mean you have to hate the in-between. I'm a strong believer in making the situation bearable until you have the means necessary to take a project into a full renovation! 

A little bit of paint, scrubbing and sometimes a cheap fix for the now is all worth the peace of mind it brings in the moment!

Links Discussed: 

Last Weeks Episode: Handmade, Homemade and Handpicked Goods

My IG

My Website

Liz Marie IG

Liz Marie Book: Cozy White Cottage

Giani Carrara White Marble Epoxy Countertop 

https://lollyjane.com/chalk-paint-countertops/

Today we're welcoming Kristen from the Curated Farm to talk all things Homestead, Sourdough and Community!

Having lived in multiple different states over the years Kristen is no fool to plugging in, getting involved and learning from those around you. Longing for community and a piece of land to call her families own, Kristen set off to learn how to be self sufficient and come together with those around her to check all the boxes.

The pandemic taught us a lot of things but if anything the biggest take should be that the grocery store aisles can run empty, but then what happens?! How do you support family?

Join us today to cover multiple topics ranging from, doing it scared, getting out of your own way, plugging into a community and why its so important to have longterm goals! 

Links:

Curated Farm IG

Curated Farm Website

Eryn Whalen IG

Eryn Whalen Website

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Where you feel like you don't belong or you shouldn't be in a position to take on a certain opportunity or responsibility because X, Y or Z?  

Suddenly the whole world feels like its falling down and your faults become much more apparent than your gifts and strengths! I'm here to tell you today that I have those feelings too and it's okay.

But it's not okay to let it go so far as to hold you back from the gifts that God has given you or for the work that he has prepared for you. You are here for a reason and although our "to do" lists often feel never ending and every day it seems we can't get enough done, its most important in those moments to stop and look around at the small things. 

Taking a breath and hugging your child in this moment is more important than sending the email, listening to your husbands worries and concerns is more important than rushing off to that get together, taking in the beautiful moments of the day is more important than rushing off to the next task.

Spoiler Alert! Homeschooling isn't as difficult as the pandemic made it.

Discover the freedom of homeschooling, why we specifically decided to homeschool, what our day to day looks like, curriculum we study and how to cover multiple subjects in one.

There are so many resources out there these days that homeschooling can be as structured or free-flowing as you'd like. Personally I feel its a tremendous gift to walk alongside my children during their education journey and selfishly I love to have them home with me! 

Mentioned:

Harvest season is among us! This is the time of year where endless amounts of tomatoes are brought inside to be canned or turned into homemade spaghetti sauce. Peppers, onions and herbs are pulled for salsa and whats not being used immediately must somehow be preserved!

Have you thought to preserve your herbs? I feel herbs are so often only used during the summer months and then let to flower and wither away. However, herbs offer an abundance of flavor and health benefits! Today I'll be covering my specific process on how to dry, store and preserve your herbs.

Mentions:

Instagram:

ErynWhalenOnline.com

Mortar & Pestle: 

Mountain Rose Herb: 

Thinking of starting your own Airbnb? Here's what we've learned so far!

The first big thing is getting in touch with your local county administrators, they will be the basis of legalizing the whole process and making sure the process is done to code. 

Next you'll need to decide if you're using a building on your property or adding a brand new one. Does the area need to be cleared? How do we get running water there? Electricity? The list goes on...

This is just the beginning steps friends! Keep an eye out for a secondary podcast in the months to come! 

Links:

Instagram: Eryn_Whalen_Online

Website: Erynwhalenonline.com

Book: Short Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth 

Join me in this episode where I'll cover some of the questions you've asked me on Instagram regarding what differences we've noticed from Washington to Tennessee!

From topics such as wildlife, am I scared to let me kids play alone outside to what sets Tennessee apart and what I miss about Washington. 

Be sure to follow along on Instagram to keep up on what our day to day looks like and some of the projects we are tackling. Until next week friends!

Join me in this episode as I give you a quick recap of what our lives have looked like the past three weeks and as I complete our, "Moving Across The Country" series. 

If you're just joining I highly encourage you to go back and listen to how our journey began and why we decided to move from Washington to Tennessee.

As Travis, my husband, and I have bought and sold a couple times we thought we knew what we were up against when it came to purchasing a home. However, from what we have since learned, purchasing an almost 100 year old home while still living across the country makes for more difficult times.

One of the biggest surprises that we encountered was how our appraiser, who is supposed to calculate the value of the home, had enough pull to halt our loan process and make us pay out of pocket for a structural engineer to ensure the safety of our house to be. 

Not only did we now have to pay more than was we had originally expected but all of a sudden our current bank said that we were to high of a risk and we had to look elsewhere for funding. Add a slurry of other unknown complications and the world began to feel like it was toppling down on us. 

There is so much to the story that truly you'll just have to listen!

This process was far from easy friends. And somedays I feel as if I'm drowning in my to do list but I also have faith that we are here for a reason and our journey is just beginning. If you have ever felt this way take a moment and just look at the good around you.

Every night our family takes a turn around the yard and I am in awe of what we have built just in our short five months of being here. The beauty of the area is how I imagined it and our children are happy, healthy and learning just as much as we are in this beautiful experience. 

Fear is a powerful thing but so is courage and I can honestly say that I am so proud of myself and my husband for being courageous and walking into the unknown. Somedays are scary and overwhelming but the small moments that you catch in between the chaos makes it all worth it. 

What are you afraid to do my friend? Maybe now is the time to say no more to fear and take the leap of faith. Leave a comment below and I'd be happy to pray for you and your journey! 

Links to Items Discussed:

Cat carriers:

• https://www.amazon.com/shop/eryn_whalen_online/list/1XIMX0RNQ4U4Y

• https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/go-pet-club-folding-soft-green-dog-crate

Walkie Talkies: 

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013QIFCLE/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_NQKYK18M4G4GETQAD1M7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ml2&tag=erynwhalenoni-20

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eryn_whalen_online/?hl=en

Website: https://www.erynwhalenonline.com/

Catch you next week!