Sensible & Simple Life

If you had told me a few years ago that I would look forward to checking on my tomato plants every morning, I probably would have laughed. But now, after two seasons of growing tomatoes at home, I understand why gardeners get so excited about those bright little fruits turning red (or yellow) on the vine. I’m still learning, but I’ve come a long way since my first container plant. In this post, I’m sharing what I’ve learned so far growing tomatoes in Michigan (zone 6), what varieties I’ve tried, and a few beginner-friendly tips that helped me get better along the way. 🍋 What I Grew I buy my tomato plants as starters from local greenhouses , since I’m not quite ready for seed-starting yet. Here’s what I’ve grown: Last year: I grew a single Lemon Boy tomato plant. It produced sweet, yellow tomatoes that looked beautiful and tasted even better than I expected. This year: I expanded to two plants, one Lady tomato and one Big Boy . The Lady tomato is a smaller, compact plant...

If you love reading novels set around books and bookstores, The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin might just be your next favorite. I recently read this cozy and emotional story and found myself completely pulled in by the characters, the setting, and the gentle love letter it offers to the power of books. 📖 What the Book Is About Set in the years following World War II, The Booklover’s Library tells the story of a woman rebuilding her life through books. She takes a job running a mobile library in the English countryside, bringing books to people in rural areas who otherwise might not have access. The story is gentle and hopeful. Along the way, she forms connections with the people she serves and slowly begins to heal from the losses she experienced during the war. The book highlights the quiet strength of community, the joy of learning, and the comfort that books can bring. 💕 Why This Story Stole My Heart This book had a little of everything I love. A strong female...

There’s something comforting about a recipe that’s both simple and unforgettable. This maple-glazed salmon is one of those meals in my home. It only takes a few pantry staples and about 30 minutes from start to finish. The result? A tender, flavorful piece of salmon with the perfect balance of sweetness and salt. If you’re trying to eat more fish but want something that doesn’t taste too “fishy,” this recipe might just win you over. 🐟 What You’ll Need This recipe serves 4 people. Feel free to double it for more guests or leftovers. Ingredients: 1 lb of salmon fillet (skin on or off, your choice) 1 clove of fresh garlic, minced ¼ cup pure maple syrup (real maple syrup makes a big difference) 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce ¼ teaspoon garlic salt A pinch of ground black pepper 👩‍🍳 How to Make It Make the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed. Marinate the sa...

Some nights, the idea of meal planning makes me want to hide in the pantry.  But then a few years ago, I started using meal kit delivery services  and they’ve completely changed how I approach cooking. These services deliver fresh ingredients and recipes right to your door , taking the guesswork out of what’s for dinner. For a busy week, they’ve been a lifesaver. I currently get four meals a week , usually by splitting between two different services . I enjoy having two boxes show up at different times. It gives me variety without overloading my fridge or schedule. If you’ve been wondering which box meal service is right for you, I’ve personally tried several of the most popular ones and I’m sharing my honest thoughts below. 🛒 Why I Love Meal Kits No last-minute store runs. Everything you need is included in the box. No more discovering your grocery store is out of garlic or green onions. Better cooking skills. I’ve learned so much from following the step-by-step ...

Last year, I bought a Cricut Maker 3 , and it has been one of the most fun and creative tools I’ve used in a long time. I am still a beginner, but I’ve already made several projects that I’m proud of. If you’ve been thinking about getting a Cricut or if you recently bought one and feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. There is a lot to learn, but it is worth it. 🎄 What I’ve Made So Far Since getting my machine, I’ve completed several small projects. Here are some of the things I’ve made with my Cricut Maker 3: Vinyl Projects I made custom Christmas ornaments with vinyl names and designs. I also labeled my spice jars and pantry containers using adhesive vinyl. Paper Crafts I’ve created personalized greeting cards for birthdays and holidays. These were simple but beautiful, and I loved seeing how much joy they brought to my friends and family. I've also made gift tags. I am still experimenting and trying new materials. Every time I sit down with my machine, I learn some...

When I started gardening two years ago, I knew next to nothing, except that I loved the idea of stepping outside to snip a few fresh herbs while making dinner. Now, in my second year, I’ve started to get a feel for what works, what doesn’t, and what herbs are worth the space in my small Michigan (zone 6) garden. This post is all about herbs, specifically the ones I’ve grown myself and how I’m learning to make the most of them, one season at a time. 🌱 What I Planted This Year This season, my herb garden included: Peppermint English thyme Chives Basil Parsley Cilantro I picked up starter plants from local greenhouses because, to be honest, seeds still feel a bit intimidating. (Maybe someday!) I grow my herbs in a raised garden bed I bought a couple of years ago, and I still love it. 👉 Here’s the one I use from Amazon if you're looking for something simple and sturdy (Amazon affiliate). 🌿 What I Grew Last Year Last year, I started smaller with just: Pepperm...

When you're building a Sensible & Simple Life , finding FDIC‑insured high‑yield savings accounts (HYSAs) is a smart way to grow your cash. These accounts offer safety, flexibility, and attractive interest rates. 🐖 Spotlight: SmartyPig – Save with Purpose APY : ~3.83%–3.90% (3.90% on balances over $50,000) Minimum : $0 to open, $50,000 for top rate FDIC‑insured via Sallie Mae Bank Bonus : Goal‑tracking "piggy bank" visuals, perfect for dedicated savings projects 📊 High‑Yield Savings Comparison Table (July 2025) Bank / Account APY Min. Balance FDIC-Insured Highlights SmartyPig 3.83%–3.90% ≥ $50,000 for top tier Yes Goal-oriented; visual saving “buckets” Axos ONE® Savings Up to 4.66% $1,500 + direct deposits Yes Promo APY with simple monthly requirements EverBank Performance Savings ...

One of the simplest and most refreshing dishes to come out of my kitchen this summer has been Mizeria , a traditional Polish cucumber salad. It’s cool, creamy, and lightly tangy. It is just perfect for hot afternoons or as a side for grilled meats or hearty casseroles. This recipe is very close to the one my mom used to make, and it always brings back warm memories with every bite. 🧂 What You’ll Need Here are the basic ingredients to make this light and delicious cucumber salad: About 1 pound of small cucumbers (I like the kind with thin skin), peeled and sliced very thin Salt (just a sprinkle to help draw out the water) A generous handful of fresh dill, finely chopped 2 to 3 tablespoons of sour cream A little squeeze of lemon juice (around 1 teaspoon) A pinch of white sugar (adjust to your taste) Freshly ground black pepper 🥗 Instructions Start by prepping the cucumbers. Place the thinly sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle lightly with salt. L...

  Welcome to Sensible & Simple Life Hello and welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Sensible & Simple Life was born from a desire to live well without going broke, burning out, or buying into the idea that “more is better.” If you’re like me, you’re trying to strike a balance: save money without sacrificing quality, find peace in the chaos, and build a life that feels fulfilling and grounded. Here, you’ll find a little bit of everything that makes a life both sensible and simple : 💰 Smart spending & saving tips that actually work for real budgets 🛍️ Product picks that are worth the money (and which ones aren’t) 🌱 Gardening ideas for beginners or backyard growers 📚 Book chats for women who love to read but don’t always have time 🎨 Craft projects & DIYs that are relaxing, doable, and satisfying 💡 Passive income ideas that don’t require tech genius or a ton of cash I’m not here to sell you a fantasy. I’m just a woman trying to make the...