Sensible & Simple Life

As the chill of winter lingers and the garden rests, now is the perfect time to start dreaming and planning for spring. One of the best ways to get a jumpstart on your garden is by starting seeds indoors. Not only is it a rewarding project during the colder months, but it also gives you a head start with stronger, healthier plants once the soil is ready for planting. Whether you're a first-time gardener or have been growing vegetables for years, indoor seed starting is a practical and enjoyable way to stay connected to your garden year-round. 🏡 Why Start Seeds Indoors? Starting seeds indoors allows you to extend your growing season. In Michigan, where the frost lingers into May, starting seeds inside means you can get a head start with plants that need a longer growing season like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Here are a few more benefits: You’ll save money by growing from seed instead of buying starter plants. You’ll have more variety to choose from since seed catalogs offer...

I recently revisited Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, a book I first picked up during a quiet winter weekend. If you’ve ever wanted to be more creative but felt stuck, self-conscious, or unsure where to start, this book is a beautiful and encouraging guide. Gilbert writes with warmth, humor, and honesty as she explores what it means to live a creative life, not necessarily as a professional artist, but simply as someone who makes space for curiosity, inspiration, and joy. 📚 Book Details: Title: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Author: Elizabeth Gilbert Genre: Self-Help, Creativity, Personal Development Setting: N/A (Non-fiction) Publication: 2015 Page Count: ~290 pages Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Best For: Anyone feeling creatively stuck, people who think they're "not creative," readers battling perfectionism, anyone wanting to embrace curiosity and joy in their creative pursuits 🌟 What Is Big Magic About? At its heart, Big Magic is a love letter to creativ...

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of homemade potato soup on a chilly day. It’s one of those classic comfort foods that warms both your belly and your heart. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and no fuss. This is the kind of recipe that brings back memories of family kitchens and hand-me-down aprons. This is a recipe I love for its minimalism. It is a family recipe. Just potatoes, onion, milk, and a little butter and seasoning. That’s it. You might be surprised how something so basic can taste so good. 🧂 Homemade Potato Soup Ingredients Potatoes (Yukon Gold, russet, or whatever you have on hand) Onion Butter Salt and pepper Water Milk 🍽️ How to Make Homemade Potato Soup In a pot over medium heat, melt a small amount of butter Add chopped onion and cook until translucent Slice raw potatoes and layer them on top of the onions Add just enough water to cover the potatoes Season with salt and pepper Boil until the potatoes are tender Do not dra...

Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the simplest. One of my favorite little paper crafts is the origami heart. It is sweet, easy, and perfect for tucking into a lunchbox, slipping into a card, or giving to someone just because. If you are new to origami, this is a gentle and rewarding place to start. All you need is one square sheet of paper and a few minutes. ✂️ Supplies Needed to Make an Origami Heart One square piece of paper (you can use origami paper, or cut any paper into a square) Flat surface to fold on Optional: bone folder or ruler edge for crisp folds 🧾 How to Make an Origami Heart Step-by-Step Instructions Start with the colored side of the paper facing down Fold the square in half vertically and crease. Unfold. Then fold it in half horizontally and crease. Unfold. Create a triangle base Fold the top edge down to meet the center horizontal crease. Then fold the bottom edge up to meet the same crease. Form the heart shape Flip the paper over....

If you live in Michigan (zone 6) and enjoy gardening, you know how important it is to choose plants and practices that work with our unique climate and soil. From snowy winters to humid summers, gardening here comes with its own set of challenges and joys. Whether you are new to gardening or a seasoned grower, a good book can be a helpful companion throughout the seasons. Here are five excellent gardening books that are especially helpful for those of us planting and growing in Michigan. 🌼 1. Gardening Month by Month in Michigan by Melinda Myers This book is perfect for anyone who likes to plan ahead. It offers monthly tasks, tips, and suggestions that are specific to Michigan’s zones. You will find practical checklists, planting advice, and timely reminders that help you stay on track all year long. Melinda Myers is a well-known horticulturist, and her guidance is easy to follow and encouraging. 👉  Purchase the book on Amazon   (affiliate link) 🌱 2. Michigan Gardene...

I’ve been mystery shopping for over ten years now. While some people use it as a side hustle or extra income, I see it a little differently. For me, mystery shopping is more like getting a coupon for something I already wanted to do: like eating out, buying a coffee, or even browsing a store I enjoy. So instead of clipping a paper coupon or scrolling through discount codes, I do a little bit of easy work and enjoy the reward.

If you are looking for a simple and satisfying soup that comes together quickly, this easy Wonton Soup is a perfect choice. It is a warm and comforting meal that feels a little fancy but takes very little time to make. I often whip this up on chilly evenings or when I want something cozy without a lot of fuss. This recipe uses Bibigo Mini Chicken and Vegetable Wontons, which I always keep in the freezer. Combined with flavorful broth, garlic, ginger, and green onions, it makes a delicious soup that tastes homemade. 🥢 Easy Wonton Soup Ingredients 1 bag Bibigo Mini Chicken and Vegetable Wontons (24 oz) 1 box Swanson Natural Goodness Chicken Broth (32 oz) 1 can Swanson Chicken Broth (14.5 oz) 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon sesame oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 slices fresh ginger or a sprinkle of ground ginger 4 green onions, sliced 🍜 How to Make Easy Wonton Soup (Step-by-Step) In a large pot, pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil Add s...

If you’re like me, you don’t always think twice about socks. But every now and then, you find something that truly makes a difference in your everyday comfort. That’s exactly how I felt after trying Bombas socks for the first time. I had heard about them when searching online for comfortable quality socks but I never expected to care so much about something as simple as socks. Now that I’ve worn them for a while, I wanted to share my honest thoughts and why I actually think they’re worth the attention. 👣 First Impressions When my Bombas socks arrived, I could tell right away they were different from the usual big-box store pairs. The fabric felt soft but strong, and the design was clearly well thought out. They’re not too tight and not too loose. They hug your feet in a gentle way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve worn them. ✅ What I Love About Bombas Here’s what stood out to me after wearing them daily for errands, walks, and around the house: Super comfortable : The s...

Making your own soap can be a relaxing and creative hobby. If you are just starting out and do not feel ready to work with lye, that is completely okay. There is a simple solution—melt and pour soap bases. These ready-made soap bases allow you to make custom soaps without handling lye at all. This method is ideal for beginners, craft days, or gifts. You can experiment with colors, scents, and shapes to create something fun and useful. 🪴 Supplies You Will Need A melt and pour soap base (glycerin, goat milk, shea butter, and aloe vera are popular choices) Soap mold (silicone molds are easiest to use and come in lots of shapes) A microwave-safe or double boiler bowl for melting Fragrance oils or essential oils Soap-safe colorants like mica powder or natural herbs Optional add-ins like dried flowers, oats, honey, or coffee grounds Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle (helps reduce bubbles on the surface) Here is a Deluxe Soap Making Kit from Amazon that has what y...