Sensible & Simple Life

Fall is here and that means it's officially chili season. As the air gets crisp and the leaves start to change, there’s nothing better than a hearty bowl of chili to warm you up from the inside out. This Pumpkin Turkey Chili is one of my favorite autumn comfort meals. It has all the cozy flavors of a classic chili but with a seasonal twist: pumpkin! I made this recipe last year and it was such a hit that I’m bringing it back again this October. It's the perfect meal for a cool evening, and I love how the pumpkin adds a smooth texture and a little extra nutrition. Plus, this is a great way to use up that extra can of pumpkin puree you might have leftover from baking. 🍲 What Makes This Chili Special? What sets this chili apart is the use of pumpkin puree. You don’t really taste the pumpkin itself, but it adds a rich and creamy texture that balances out the spices beautifully. Pumpkin is also packed with vitamins A and C, so it’s a comforting meal that’s also good for you. U...

One of the best things about gardening is being able to enjoy the flavors long after summer is over. Last year I started drying some of my homegrown herbs using my air fryer and it worked better than I expected. I used this method with chives and thyme and I loved how easy it was. This year I plan to add basil to the mix. If you grow herbs in your backyard or on your patio, this is a simple way to preserve them and enjoy homegrown flavor all winter long. It does not take fancy equipment or much time and it is surprisingly satisfying to see your dried herbs neatly stored and ready for cooking. 🍃 Why Use an Air Fryer for Drying Herbs Air fryers are not just for crispy potatoes. Most models have a low heat setting that works really well for drying herbs. It is quick, efficient, and does not heat up your whole kitchen like an oven might. Plus, it helps preserve more of the flavor and color compared to letting herbs air dry for days. 👉  My Ninja Airfryer with Dehydrate Setting on Am...

One of the most satisfying things I’ve done in my home is labeling my pantry jars and spice containers. It sounds simple, but making matching vinyl labels with my Cricut has helped me stay organized and makes everything look neat and pretty. If you enjoy small projects that are both functional and fun, this is a great one to try. You don’t need to be a crafting expert. If you have a Cricut machine and a little time, you can make custom labels that fit your space and your style perfectly. 🧂 What You’ll Need Here is a simple list of the supplies I use when making vinyl labels for my jars: A Cricut cutting machine (any model works but I use the Cricut Maker 3) Vinyl sheets (I usually use black or white permanent vinyl) Transfer tape Weeding tool Scraper tool or an old credit card Clean glass jars (I like to buy mine on Amazon and will link to my favorite ones below) Rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner to prep the surface 👉  Small jars great for spice jars on Am...

I decided to try something new in my little backyard garden: growing carrots from seed. I don’t usually plant many things from seed, but I couldn’t find any carrot starter plants at the local greenhouses. I had read online that carrots could be grown in buckets, so I gave it a shot. Spoiler: It actually worked! I harvested my carrots at the end of July and wanted to share what I learned. 🌱 Starting from Seed I used cloth grow buckets I ordered online (link below). These containers were the perfect size and allowed for good drainage, which is important when growing carrots. I filled them with loose, well-draining soil and gently planted the seeds according to the packet instructions. Why Buckets? Growing in containers helps control soil quality and spacing. It also saves space, which is great if you have a small garden like I do. Bonus: no weeding around rows of carrots! 👉 Grow Bags on Amazon (affiliate link) 🥕 What It Was Like Growing Carrots I watered the containers regu...

If you’re anything like me, you want to save money without giving up quality, spending hours clipping coupons, or jumping through complicated steps. Over the past couple of years, I’ve found a few simple tools that help me do just that with just a few taps on my phone. Today I’m sharing two of my favorite money-saving apps. These apps reward you for something you already do: shopping. All you have to do is take a picture of your receipt. Let me tell you about Fetch and Ibotta , the two apps I actually use every week. 📲 1. Fetch: The Easiest Way to Earn Points on Groceries Fetch Rewards is one of the easiest apps I’ve ever used. You don’t need to scan product barcodes or track down special offers. You simply take a photo of your receipt, and the app does the rest. Why I love Fetch: It requires no preparation. I don’t have to plan anything before I shop. I just take a picture of my receipt when I get home. It rewards me for brands I already buy. I often earn bonus points...

Some dinners are so simple and satisfying, you’ll find yourself making them again and again. This Dijon Onion Chicken is one of those meals in my house. It’s quick to prepare, full of savory crunch, and feels just a little fancy even though it uses ingredients you may already have on hand. I originally discovered this recipe through a meal kit, but now I recreate it myself anytime I want something flavorful without a lot of fuss. If you're looking for a new go-to chicken dinner, this one is absolutely worth trying. 🛒 What You'll Need This recipe serves about 4 people, but you can easily scale it up or down. Ingredients: 4 boneless chicken cutlets (about 5 oz each) 3 tablespoons honey Dijon dressing ⅓ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese ½ cup crispy fried onions (like the kind used for green bean casserole) Salt and black pepper to taste 🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1: Preheat your oven Set your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil or pa...

Folding an origami crane is a calming and beautiful craft that carries rich history and symbolism. Whether you're looking to unwind, add handmade decor to your space, or teach a classic project to others, this is a great way to explore the art of paper folding. I tried my first origami crane on a quiet afternoon and was surprised at how peaceful the process felt. With just a square of paper and a bit of focus, you can create something graceful and meaningful. ✂️ Supplies You’ll Need One square sheet of origami paper (6x6 inches is a great size to start with)  A flat surface to fold on Patience and a gentle touch Optional: Bone folder or ruler for crisp folds Tweezers to help with final details 📐 Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Start with the colored side of your paper facing up. Fold it diagonally in half both ways and crease well. Then unfold. You’ll have an “X” shape crease. 2. Flip the paper over and fold it in half vertically and horizontally. Unfold ...

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...