The Sweet Life On A Budget

  Thankful List 2025 On  Thanksgiving Day, I post a list of 20-25 things I’m thankful for.  I picked 20-25 random things, so please don’t judge. These are not in order of importance.  That would make this job way too hard.  I just type them as they pop into my head. I’m thankful: My Spiritual Journey  My family My home Having a Positive Mindset Embracing Problem Solving  Living Intentional  My Health Journey Everyone in my household is employed Being able to support my charities of choice Supportive Friends and Colleagues  The beauty that surrounds me daily Having stable transportation Access to Information  My Public Library My tutees  The skills I have developed over the years Having food in my home Free community events Youtube Free streaming services Wood Fireplace Our grove of trees Proximity to stores and services Leftovers Home Gym

  Thanksgiving Side Dishes Thanksgiving side dishes range in price from very little to a lot of money. I keep each dish simple, and a short ingredient list is essential to keeping my show-stopping meal within the budget. In addition, I shop in season and carefully select my produce and fruit to ensure the best flavor and color. As a bonus, these fruits and vegetables are usually the cheapest choice. Finally, I limit my waste of perishables by using vegetables in several dishes instead of just one.     Green Salad A fresh green salad is on the Thanksgiving table yearly because it is light, delicious, and everyone-friendly.   We make a green salad with all of the fresh and pickled vegetables found in our refrigerator.  In addition, we make our dressing from the oil, vinegar, and spices we have already purchased.   The result is that we only add lettuce to our grocery budget for the Thanksgiving meal.   Broccoli and Carrots A simple and sat...

  Last year's word was balance, which fit the year 2023 very well.   First, our family had an intensive schedule between working, school/training, sports, and church.   It was difficult to accept not being able to complete everything on my to-do list.     However, it forced me to give myself grace.         This year I am claiming my phrase of the year is “The Sweet Life” (la dolce vita). La Dolce Vita, The Sweet Life, is a phrase I grew up with because of my extended Italian family.   Living the sweet life does not mean having excessive money or things but it is living your best life.  This means focusing on family, friends, faith, and enjoying the simple things of life.    Last year felt like we were juggling all of our obligations to make it through the week, but we didn’t focus on living.     While thinking about what I wanted from this year, I decided that having a joyous life was v...

  Gratitude List 2023 Thankful List 2023 On  Thanksgiving Day, I post a list of 20 things I’m thankful for.  I picked 20 random things, so please don’t judge. These are not in order of importance.  That would make this job way too hard.  I just type ’em as they pop into my head. I’m thankful: My God who watches over me My family who always supportive and helpful. Having both family members employed Having a job that allows me to touch the future Belonging to a church that is creative and positively touches the Earth and community. Obtaining a community garden plot this year A warm home that keeps us safe. Our health  My blog readers which make the work worth the effort A plentiful garden harvest The knowledge to preserve our harvest for the next year.  A group of kind colleagues  The change of seasons Our rose bushes A fireplace Having a small grove of wooded land The birds that visit our home regularly The fun art and music culture of our new are...

  Lenten Meal Ideas Lent is a religious season which occurs 40 days before Easter and is a time of reflection on your life.   It is a time of fasting and abstinence as a representation of Christ’s 40 day time in the desert.      Everyone celebrates this season a little differently, but to me it is a time to take stock of your life and determine how you can live a little bit better in the next year.   The fasting and abstinence represents not only Christ’s fasting but reminds me of the struggles of others in our world and what it feels like to be hungry or want for things that I can not have.    Each year I take something different from my experience and humbles me a little bit more.     Each year I make traditional and non-traditional dishes from around the world in an effort to experience different cultures and how they embrace this season. Come along with me for my journey through the food that I make for my family....

  Lenten Meal Ideas Lent is a religious season which occurs 40 days before Easter and is a time of reflection on your life.   It is a time of fasting and abstinence as a representation of Christ’s 40 day time in the desert.      Everyone celebrates this season a little differently, but to me it is a time to take stock of your life and determine how you can live a little bit better in the next year.   The fasting and abstinence represents not only Christ’s fasting but reminds me of the struggles of others in our world and what it feels like to be hungry or want for things that I can not have.    Each year I take something different from my experience and humbles me a little bit more.     Each year I make traditional and non-traditional dishes from around the world in an effort to experience different cultures and how they embrace this season. Come along with me for my journey through the food that I make for my family....

  14 Days of Valentine’s  Each year I try to do something nice for each member of my family for the 2 weeks leading up to Valentine's Day.  With the inflation, health issues and the age of my son, it has become harder to surprise him and my husband with treats.    My goal this year is to spend less than $15.00 for the entire 2 weeks for both of them.        I try to pick up special candies when they go on sale for 60%-70% off after Christmas, but this year I didn’t find any.    So this year, I am going with mom jokes and simple touches each day.   This may look like: making a special meal, unusual lunch items, baking a treat for the week or just writing a note.    For my son, I will pick up special energy bars and make a batch of energy balls for him to get each day.   As a competitive swimmer, he will enjoy this treat.  My husband is a little harder to surprise.   SInce he can no lo...