Weekly Ramble 10/19/24

Whew! What the heck happened?! It’s been a month since I last penned a weekly ramble? It’s not for lack of desire, but life has been just incredibly busy.

What have I been doing?

As you know, I have a home business that has enabled us to pay off debt, save money, and keep the home fires burning these past 16 years. I didn’t set out to be a food writer or entrepreneur, but here we are.

The last couple years have been a struggle business wise. At many times I’ve wondered if what I do matters. In the end, I know I really do love creating yummy food and helping people solve problems with money or food or both, so I keep plugging along — despite the naysayers!

This last week I started a mini mastermind with a seasoned blogger and I think she may have diagnosed my malady… I’ve lost some of my mojo.

In the midst of an economic downturn and Google and AI disruptions to the blogging world, I kinda lost my compass in business. I’m so thankful for this colleague to offer wisdom and help get me back on the path. Some ideas are brewing which has me hopeful.

The past month I’ve been focused on the Good Cheap Eats Club and making sure that the products are primo. Did you check out the SMF bundle yet?

This week I got six recipes shot for this year’s Meal Plan Advent Calendar which felt good. I can guarantee that this will be a delicious December — and easy, too, with just five ingredients or less!

Anywho, I’m looking for my mojo — your prayers are appreciated.

This is my last homeschooled kid. Can you believe that?

We’ve got a little routine going now that it’s just the two of us: walk in the morning, work/school, lunch break and reading/watching something. We are currently in the middle of Screwtape Letters as well as the 1979 film The Black Stallion.

Did you know the movie is half over before the kid gets rescued?! It was a solid 30 minutes without dialogue. What a 70s flick!

As you know, my girl is into crochet. We hit up Hobby Lobby occasionally to take advantage of the yarn sales for her and for me to check out the seasonal decor. I am a sucker for decor, but thankfully have been able to say no lately.

I’m just using all the stuff I bought last fall. I underestimated how many people we’d be hosting for fancier dinners, though, so I am in need of some more of these chargers. I got them at 90% off last year. They are currently at 50%. Get them now or wait even though that means risking they’ll be gone?

Sunday Dinners continue to be a highlight of my weeks, but this weekend three kids are gone and we have lots of food prepped from my photo shoot, so it will be a little dialed down. Maybe I’ll set the table and we’ll eat leftovers?!

That could work, couldn’t it?

FishChick16 and I are both doing Community Bible Study this year. The featured book is Matthew — and I have just been loving it.

If you have a chance to do CBS, I highly recommend it — even if you’re plugged into a church. In my experience CBS continues to hold to orthodox Christianity while also respecting different denominational/theological bents. I find that it’s so refreshing to be studying the Word with women of different faith traditions.

We did CBS from 2016 to 2021. I did BSF in 2022 but it was a poor experience for me as regards the personal interaction.

One of the things I love about CBS is that you’re not allowed to talk politics, books, churches, authors, podcasts, etc. I thought BSF had the same guidelines, but if they do, they were not practiced in the class I was in.

Last year I did a study of John by myself, but I’m so glad to be back in a group setting. And the Matthew study has been fantastic. I love finding more amazing things about God!

Recommended Reading

In addition to the Bible, here are some things I recommend you check out:

💙 Feeling overwhelmed? Check out this primer on what to do next.

💙 This organizing solution was the perfect thing to help teach my kids responsibility with assignments, starting when they were in junior high.

💙 Do you have a daily routine that gets you going? This method can give you a great sense of accomplishment.

💙 I’m still incredibly jazzed over this homemade Halloween costume I pulled together for a kid who changed his mind at the last minute. When creativity kicks in, it makes it easier to be flexible.

💙 Meal planning got you down? Try these easy dinners you can make on the fly.

💙 Want to do something a little different for trick-or-treaters? These are so much fun!

💙 Looking for fun inspiration to do with the kids or grandkids? I’ve got the list for you!

💙 The college application process has changed over the years, but preparing your kids for college is still valuable. Check out what we did for our homeschoolers – two have graduated from Cal State with three more enrolled. Just one more to go!

💙 Do you feel like you’re always scrambling to get stuff done? Here are some of my best tips for time management.

💙 Interested in homemade gifts? This one is always a winner at the holidays.

Alrighty, that’s it for me. Have a great week!