A Quiet Simple Life with Sallie Borrink

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Cozy & Simple Living

The Explosion of Unnecessary Commonplace Luxuries

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This was originally published in October 2008 but I'm bumping it up for today. There is an interesting discussion in the comments. It's fascinating to look at this article and the linked article eleven years later. I've been doing some extensive reading and research in anticipation of going on a writing spree for my retirement website. I actually think the bottom half of the middle class is much worse off eleven years later.I know that I run the risk of scaring some of you off if I write too often about the economic situation in the world. … [Read more...] about The Explosion of Unnecessary Commonplace Luxuries

A Year After Deleting Facebook, I Continue the Social Media Purge

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I passed my one year anniversary of leaving Facebook a few weeks ago after having thought about it for quite some time. I proved to myself that I don't need it. I've had a few moments when I've wondered if I should go back, especially after I had been off it for so long. I do miss interacting with some online friends and extended family that I never interact with now. I sometimes wonder if I've done the right thing for my website and work.One thing that surprised me is how often I did not use David's account to look things up. Before I … [Read more...] about A Year After Deleting Facebook, I Continue the Social Media Purge

The Month of April – Total Blur

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I would describe our life the past five weeks as a total blur. April is always David's busiest month of the year professionally for a couple of reasons, but this April (starting in mid-March, actually) was a complete and total blur. So here are some random highlights from the past five weeks. First Comes the Water Five weeks ago I looked at the calendar and breathed a bit of a sigh of relief. We had gotten past a whole bunch of things and we had a week of "normal" life ahead of us. I was looking forward to being home, homeschooling, and … [Read more...] about The Month of April – Total Blur

2019 Reader Survey Results

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I've done a few reader surveys over the years, but I realized that I've never shared the results. As I was watching the survey answers accumulate over the weekend and on Monday, I thought at least some of you would be interested in the outcome. Some of the results were genuinely interesting.So if you've ever wondered about the other women who read, subscribe, and comment, here is a snapshot of the main takeaways. How old are you? In my 40s was most popular followed by in my 50s, 30s, and 60s. I like seeing a good mix of ages so this made … [Read more...] about 2019 Reader Survey Results

My Themes and Goals This Year: Health and Home

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As I was thinking about this year, one theme kept coming back to me - my health. I have to finally make my health a top priority in our home. For the past many years I've either had to or chose to prioritize other things over self care - Caroline's needs, pressing business needs, house needs, financial needs, etc. The last thing on the list was usually tackling my health issues.That's not to say I never took care of myself. I did. But this is a significant area of my life where I have repeatedly kicked the can down the road and I can't do … [Read more...] about My Themes and Goals This Year: Health and Home

Enjoying the Blessings in My Life

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I haven't blogged much lately and partly that is because I've simply been focused on enjoying my life and practicing what I preach here about living a life of peace, understanding, joy, and beauty. I've been spending more time with David and Caroline. I've been doing organizing projects around the house.Lots of little things that make me happy. A New Desk for Me! Last week I bought a new desk and it was delivered on Monday. I AM IN HEAVEN.It's a larger L-shaped desk and I have so much surface area it's absolutely amazing. I can push … [Read more...] about Enjoying the Blessings in My Life

A Cozy Moment Jar Printables

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A Cozy Moment Jar Printables is one of my favorite parts of the free Creating Your Cozy Life Planner. Why? Because it brings it all together. If creating a cozy life is about bringing greater peace, understanding, joy, and beauty to your life and the life of those you love, then keeping a cozy moment jar is where you can remember and celebrate it all.A Cozy Moment is anything that happens in your life or home that is about peace, understanding, joy, or beauty. You simply jot the date and a few words on the note and drop it into a jar (or … [Read more...] about A Cozy Moment Jar Printables

Free Printable Library Book Lists

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These Free Printable Library Book Lists make it easier to keep track of the library books you check out. Each page includes lots of lines so even the most book-a-holic families will find them useful. Experience greater peace of mind (and pay fewer late library book fines!) by keeping track of the books you check out.These printable library books lists are pretty enough to hang up on a bulletin board or on the wall of your homeschool room. There are multiple colors and designs so everyone can find one they like. These printable library book … [Read more...] about Free Printable Library Book Lists

Free Printable Reading Logs

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Are you a reader? Lover of books? If you are a reader or have a reader in the home, you don't wan to miss these pretty Free Printable Reading Logs.Keep track of the books you or your child read with these lovely free forms. The reading logs are pretty enough to hang on a bulletin board, refrigerator, or in your homeschool room. Free Printable Reading Logs The reading logs are in several different designs. Each one includes a space for the date, title, and minutes. To see a larger preview, click any of the three samples below. April … [Read more...] about Free Printable Reading Logs

Baby Milestones and Notes Free Printable

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I created the Baby Milestones and Notes Free Printable to help moms remember the little daily things that happen with their new baby. One of the best pieces of advice I received before I became a mother was to get a calendar and hang it next to the changing table. Each day I was supposed to write down something that had happened. I did that and it is a wonderful keepsake.Even if you don't have the means to purchase a special baby calendar, you can do the same thing with these printables. When you are too tired or busy to keep up on a baby … [Read more...] about Baby Milestones and Notes Free Printable

Free Printable Address Pages

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These Free Printable Address Pages will make it easy to keep track of all your important contacts. They are part of the free Creating a Cozy Life Planner that helps you create a life of greater peace, understanding, joy, and beauty for you and your loved ones. Free Printable Address Pages The printable address pages come in three lovely designs. You can click on any of the samples below to see a larger preview of the actual printable form. February ThemeMay ThemeSeptember ThemeDownload the Free Printable Address Pages It is easy to … [Read more...] about Free Printable Address Pages

Free Babysitter Information Sheet Printable

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The Free Babysitter Information Sheet Printable is a handy and pretty form you can use each time you leave your child with a babysitter. It can be used in conjunction with two other free printables I have: Free Child Emergency Permission Printable and Free Emergency Information Printable.The Babysitter Information Sheet contains spots for all the important information you will want your babysitter to have while you are gone.You can easily print a new one each time you go out or fill it out, laminate it, and reuse it each time. Babysitter … [Read more...] about Free Babysitter Information Sheet Printable

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