Sensible & Simple Life

This year I decided to branch out a little in my garden and try growing broccoli. It’s something I’ve never grown before, but always wanted to. With its nutritious green heads and cool-season preferences, broccoli seemed like the perfect challenge for my little raised bed setup. Even though it’s now mid-June here in Michigan (zone 6), which is a bit late for spring planting, there’s still time to get a summer crop in the ground. Plus, I’ve already got fall planting in mind too. 🌱 Why Grow Broccoli? Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse and part of the brassica family, which also includes cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts. It’s packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. If you’ve only ever eaten store-bought broccoli, fresh from the garden is a whole different experience, it is sweeter, more tender, and full of flavor. 🛒 Supplies I Used to Grow Broccoli Broccoli seedlings (you can start from seed, but I picked up healthy starts from a local nursery) Raised garden bed...

Some books entertain, some inspire, and a few quietly change the way you approach everyday life. Atomic Habits by James Clear falls firmly into that last category. This book is not about overnight transformations or dramatic life changes. Instead, it focuses on small, consistent actions that add up to meaningful progress over time. If you enjoy practical self improvement books that feel realistic and doable, this one is well worth reading. 📚 Book Details: Title: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones Author: James Clear Genre: Self-Help, Personal Development, Productivity Setting: N/A (Non-fiction) Publication: 2018 Page Count: ~320 pages Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Best For: Anyone seeking practical self-improvement, people overwhelmed by big goals, readers who want actionable strategies for building sustainable habits, those interested in personal growth without motivational hype. ✨ What Is Atomic Habits About Atomic Habits centers o...

Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest ones. This arugula and tomato salad is crisp, light, and full of flavor. It's perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish. The combination of peppery arugula, sweet grape tomatoes, a tangy honey-sherry vinaigrette, and crunchy almonds makes this dish both elegant and easy. 🛒 Arugula and Tomato Salad Ingredients 4 oz arugula 4 oz grape tomatoes 1/2 tablespoon sherry vinegar 4 teaspoons honey 2 tablespoons sliced roasted almonds 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 🥣 How to Make Arugula and Tomato Salad (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Prep the Tomatoes Slice the grape tomatoes in half and set them aside. Step 2: Make the Dressing In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, sherry vinegar, and olive oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Step 3: Marinate the Tomatoes Add the halved tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing. Stir gently and let them marinate fo...

If you are a reader and a crafter, making your own bookmarks with the Cricut Maker 3 is a perfect way to combine both loves. Bookmarks are a fun and practical project that you can make quickly, customize easily, and gift to friends and family. I made a few recently and had so much fun creating different styles using materials I already had on hand. This is a great project for beginners and experienced Cricut users alike. Let me walk you through how I made mine. ✂️ Materials Needed for Cricut Bookmarks Cricut Maker 3 Standard grip or light grip cutting mat Cardstock, faux leather, felt, or printable vinyl Cricut Design Space Hole punch (optional) Ribbon, twine, or yarn (optional for tassel) Glue or embellishments like stickers, glitter, or laminate sheets (optional) 👉 Thinking about getting your own Cricut? The latest version is the  Cricut Maker 4   ( affilate link ).  It’s fast, powerful, and works with Smart Materials. 🧾 Making Bookmarks wi...

This spring I decided to try something new in my garden—growing lettuce! It’s mid-May here in Michigan (zone 6), and the weather has warmed just enough to make this a great time to get leafy greens into the ground. As a beginner, I’ve done some research and learned a lot already. I thought I’d share the process, tips, and some fun facts in case you’re thinking about giving lettuce a try too. 🌱 Why Grow Lettuce? Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, making it perfect for beginners like me. It grows quickly, doesn’t require much space, and you can harvest it more than once if you pick it the right way. It’s also a great way to enjoy fresh, pesticide-free salads straight from your garden. 🛒 Supplies I Used to Grow Lettuce Lettuce seeds (I chose a mixed variety pack for fun colors and textures) Raised garden bed with well-drained soil Small hand trowel Watering can Garden labels (optional but helpful) 🌤️ Timing and Location for Growing Lettuce In Mic...

If you love trying new products and saving money at the same time, Ripple Street is a great option to check out. I have been participating with Ripple Street for around 20 years. It used to be called HouseParty and even back then it was fun and useful. Ripple Street partners with well known brands to offer people like you and me a chance to try products for free. In return, you simply share your honest opinion, take a few photos, and sometimes host a small get together to enjoy the product with friends or family. Over the years I have tried everything from snacks and drinks to cleaning supplies and personal care items. 💡 How Ripple Street Works Here is a quick overview of how Ripple Street works You create a free account on the Ripple Street website Browse current product campaigns and apply to join the ones that interest you If selected, you receive a free product kit in the mail Try the product and complete simple sharing activities like posting photos or writing rev...

When the weather gets warm, I find myself reaching for recipes that are fresh, simple, and perfect for sharing. This spaghetti salad is exactly that kind of dish. It's a cold pasta salad that’s packed with flavor, colorful veggies, and just the right amount of zing from Italian dressing and Salad Supreme seasoning. It’s a potluck and picnic favorite, and it comes together with hardly any fuss. 🛒 Easy Spaghetti Salad Ingredients Spaghetti (cooked and cooled) 1 bottle of Italian dressing (use your favorite brand) Plenty of Salad Supreme seasoning 1 green pepper, chopped Green onions, sliced (use as many as you like) 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped 🥣 How to Make Spaghetti Salad (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti Prepare the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain and let it cool completely. Step 2: Marinate Overnight Add the cooked spaghetti to a large bowl. Pour the entire bottle of Italian dressing over the noodles. Sprinkle generously ...

There’s something incredibly calming about putting paint to canvas and watching color come to life. Whether you're brand new to acrylic painting or simply looking for a relaxing creative project, painting tulips is a beautiful way to slow down and create something cheerful. I’ve enjoyed painting on and off for over 20 years, though I definitely don’t paint as often as I’d like. I’m not a professional artist by any means, but I’ve always loved creating things just for the joy of it. I’ve only painted tulips a handful of times, but I keep coming back to them because they’re colorful, elegant, and surprisingly beginner-friendly. One of the things I love most about painting tulips is that they don’t need perfect symmetry to look beautiful. You don’t need expensive supplies or advanced skills either, just a few basic materials and a willingness to have fun with it. 🖌️ Basic Supplies for Acrylic Painting Here are the basic supplies you’ll need to get started. Most of these can be f...

Did you know that some public libraries now let you borrow seeds the same way you borrow books? These are called seed libraries , and they are popping up in communities across the country, including right here in Michigan (zone 6). I first discovered a seed library at a local branch a few years ago, and I was amazed at how simple and thoughtful the idea is. Instead of checking out a book, you “check out” seeds to plant at home. Later, if you are able, you can return seeds from your harvest so the cycle continues. Let me tell you more about it. 🌻 What Is a Seed Library? A seed library is a community resource that offers free seeds for vegetables, herbs, or flowers. These seeds are available to anyone. No library card required at many locations. Some libraries have them in catalog-style drawers or pretty wooden boxes with labeled packets. You take a few seed packets, plant them in your garden or containers, and (ideally) save some seeds from your harvest to return. This helps supp...