The old journal

Posted on August 18, 2026August 19, 2026 Posted in Life ReflectionsTagged Daily blog, Daily Life, journal, journaling, Life Reflections, Simple Living, Slow Living, ThriftingLeave a comment

In late spring, the kids and I went to our favorite art thrift store to buy new art and craft supplies. I came across an old journal, and despite the tattered cover, the book was in great condition.

At the time, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to use it for, but I decided to go ahead and purchase it. I knew later on it would come to me.

I wish I would have remembered to snap a few photos of what the old journal looked like before I repurposed it. As you can see in the photo below, I have repurposed the cover with honeybee fabric (because I love bees).

On the first page of journal, the previous owner had written her full name and a brief identification memo. I covered the page with an old Care Bears book page and a poem about peace by Ruthmarie Brooks Silver.

I thought the poem was very fitting since I struggle with anxiety. Each time I open my journal it will remind me this book is my safe space to share my feelings and thoughts.

For the first page, I used a page from an old Care Bears book and added a poem about peace, along with Numbers 6:26.

As for the rest of the journal, there is one short quote the woman scribbled on a page: “You on you.” What does that mean?

All of the other pages are empty and look brand new. As I flipped through the pages, I wondered why the woman never wrote in her journal. It had clearly been forgotten based on the worn cover.

I decorated the inside cover of the old journal with more honeybee fabric and card stock, and then, I added a photograph of myself.

Maybe she packed it away and when cleaning out her closet or basement, she came across her old journal and decided to donate it to the local art thrift store.

Whatever the reason, I am grateful for her donation. The woman’s old journal will be put to good use as I will write my “big feelings” in it.

That’s what I’m calling the journal–Big Feelings. It has become my peaceful book where I can write, create, and make room for all of my “big feelings.”

💜 XO

It’s all coming together 🌻

Posted on July 26, 2026 Posted in Simple LivingTagged Daily blog, Daily Life, Simple Living, Slow Living, Thrift store, Thrifting, Thrifty findsLeave a comment

Here’s how I’m using the thrifted folding tables I bought yesterday.

I’m trying to create a bistro café vibe for the front porch. I still need to buy the folding chairs for the tables, but for now, I will use the captain folding chairs.

Now I can enjoy reading a good book while sipping tea on the front porch. ☺️🫖📚 Sometimes I like to put on a jazz or classical music playlist.

I love porch sitting. My favorite time for porch sitting is in the early mornings. I find it very peaceful and relaxing as I simply sit, sip, and watch the neighborhood come alive.

It’s my time—whether for a short moment or an hour—to slow down. 🐌

When I was a little girl, I remember visiting my grandparents in Florida. My grandma and grandpa would always sit on their front porch to talk with friends and the neighbors and wave at drivers passing by their house.

Other times they would just simply sit and enjoy the quiet, not needing to say a word to fill the silence.

I also thrifted this wicker basket $3 and the “all you need is love” book decor. 🥰

My grandparents passed away in 2006 in their mid 90s, just two weeks apart from each other. They were married for over 70 years. ❤️

I often think of grandma and grandpa when I sit on my front porch. I think they would have loved sitting with me, Travis, and the kids on our cozy little porch. ☺️

Do you enjoy porch sitting?

💜 XO

Groceries and thrift store shopping day

Posted on July 25, 2026July 26, 2026 Posted in Simple LivingTagged Bargain shopping, Christmas, Daily blog, Daily Life, Family, Simple Living, Thrift store, Thrifting, Thrifty finds, vintageLeave a comment

The kids went to hangout with their big sis this afternoon, so Travis and I got some shopping done.

It was a nice break to get in and out of the stores without having to wait on children lingering in the aisles asking if we can buy them this and that or searching for one or two kids who suddenly disappeared to browse the store on their own. Lol 😆 (Yes, sometimes that happens.)

Mj (24) and the kids heading out to her apartment. 🥰

We shared a complimentary pink lemonade at the grocery store. 🥰

Photo of me outside of the grocery market. 😊

I get it. Going to the store as a child must feel wondrous because everything is so big and there’s so much to see and do.

But as a grownup with a long to-do list, sometimes we just want to get in and out of the store as quickly as we can! 😄

After we got the groceries, we stopped by two different thrift stores. I wanted to see if I could find some inexpensive flower pots for my new houseplants.

I didn’t have much luck finding flower pots at the first thrift store, but I did happen to stumble upon a vintage-style Sacred Heart of Mary print.

At the second thrift store, I found a bunch of hanging baskets flower pots for 49 cents! 😲

These pots will come in handy for my new plants, plus my overgrown pothos and snake plants that need to be split and repotted. 🪴

Another great thrifty find—these two repurposed folding tables for about $5 each!

I’m going to use the tables for my front porch so I can sit outside, enjoy a cup of my tea, and read a good book. 😊🫖📚

I was excited to finally find folding tables for my porch. I’ve been wanting a bistro-style table set for sometime, but the cost of a table and chair set are pretty pricey at $100+.

Finding these two folding tables with the cottagecore-style art prints for $10 made me so happy! Now all I need to get are two folding chairs to go with the tables.