If your family is like mine, we are all in the same boat of needing to cut back on expenses. Between rising grocery costs, fluctuating gas prices (how can it go up 20 cents a gallon over night?!), and impending winter heating costs right around the corner, we are definitely pinching every single penny.

And while I’m certainly a homebody at heart, sometimes it can feel really hard thinking about another whole weekend at home, with only the weekly grocery trip as an escape.

If you’re feeling that way too, just know you’re not alone. Your feelings are valid, and this too shall pass! At least, I hope!!

So in the meantime, I’m trying to find ways to romanticize the little things at home. The things that are normal, ordinary & will come up every weekend.

First things first: Coffee ☕️

Several years ago, on a major sale at Walmart, we got an espresso maker. It was such an exciting purchase, but truly we rarely use it because I’m always waiting for a “special occasion”.

Well, my new definition of a special occasion is Saturday morning.

A successful grocery trip where I stayed on budget.

A warm sunny day that calls us outside at 7 am.

A rainy Sunday that just needs a snuggle and a movie.

So I’ve gotten myself back to making a latte just when I want to. ❤️

Breakfast of Champions

Baking has always been a mystery to me. I am just not patient enough to slowly and exactly follow a recipe.

However, as my boys have continued growing, I’ve realized that one of my favorite things to do is see their eyes light up when something I make actually tastes good. And when my husband is excited for my cooking it’s an added bonus.

So I’ve been trying to bake more and more!

Last weekend was a total disaster (it happens!) but today I made something truly delicious: apple turnovers!!!

My boss had given me a huge bag of apples, so this was just a perfect opportunity to try something new. Full disclosure, I did NOT make the puff pastry!! I bought frozen a few weeks ago. Although it is on my list of things to learn since a box with two sheets is $4.59 at my store!

The boys were so excited to try this sticky, sugary mess. (Don’t worry, they also had toast and eggs to balance it all out!!)

A Comfy Outfit

The weirdest thing that happened to me when I became a mom was that I love to wear dresses. This was definitely not my style before, but now I am absolutely obsessed.

I have two long, flowy dresses with pockets that I wear on repeat during the weekend. They are so comfortable, cozy and just make me feel instantly relaxed. One of them I got at the Goodwill and the other at a little boutique in Shelburne Falls, MA.

Another weekend staple is my “Cool Moms Club shirts from MadebylaneCo on Etsy! Her stuff is absolutely adorable, highest quality & lasts forever. I’ve had my cute shirts over two years, wear them constantly, and they have zero signs of wear & tare. Definitely check out her shop if you want something that is high quality and will last!!

A Show for Momma

As much as I’d love to have a little TV in my kitchen somewhere, I don’t have the space. But my phone works just great!!

I recently bought myself (for $25) all 12 seasons of my favorite show: Murder, She Wrote. It was on discount with Amazon and I just had to go for it.

When I’m in my kitchen making breakfast or prepping our lunches, I’ve been setting up my phone against the coffee pot and enjoying an episode. Sometimes it takes 4-5 sessions to get through a forty minute episode, but one way or the other I’ve heard Mrs. Jessica Fletcher use her powers of deduction and keen observation to solve a crime no one else could work out!

It’s such a small thing, but I absolutely cherish that time.

Friday Night Movie Night

My three year old is officially loving a good movie and cuddle in bed. Every Friday, after a very simple and delicious pasta dinner, we climb in my bed and watch a movie while my husband puts our two year old to bed.

Recently we added a new tradition that just makes it feel like the 90’s nostalgia: microwave popcorn!! Ollie is obsessed with having his little bowl on his lap, and eating till he gets to the “beans” (kernels 😆).

We’ve been trying to find new favorites to watch, but a few favorites that have surfaced from my childhood are:

• Fern Gully (I truly believe that the human race didn’t deserve the beautiful human that Robin Williams was 🥹)
• Totoro
• Land Before Time
• Hercules

I’m absolutely dying to try a few others, like Bedknobs & Broomsticks and We’re Back, but I think there’s a bit more growing up that needs to happen first!

Canning & Preserving Food

A bit of a seasonal one since our garden is in full bloom, but I am obsessed right now with canning! For a long time before I had kids we used to can a lot of stuff. However, since we moved to this house I haven’t been able to do so because we have an electric stove that can’t support my stovetop canner. So I finally got an electric one and I cannot even explain how exciting it’s been! It works amazing and I’ve been able to fill our pantry with amazing homemade items ready for winter.

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As we settle into fall and then winter here in Maine, I am excited to see how I can continue to romanticize this little life we are living. It hasn’t been easy tracking all our spending so closely, I won’t lie about it! But I’m proud of us for being responsible and focusing on staying home to find the magic right here where we create it.

I hope you can find ways to romanticize your life too 💙