With our undulating work schedules, we had the ability add a new activity for our daughter two half-days a week: The Child's Element, a completely outdoor "forest school" for 3-6 year old children. The classes are held in one of Salt Lake City's local canyons, a reasonable drive from …
Why a $700 Coffee Machine Is Still Aligned With Frugality and Minimalism
After 11 years of almost daily service, she finally bit the dust. I was in mourning. We bought her during my busy intern year, and at the time, the purchase seemed extravagant. Fully automatic espresso machines can go for thousands, and after sampling the mahogany colored nectar from many of the …
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Enjoying Simple Pleasures… Again
It's berry season, and I 'm reminded of a post I wrote back in the fall of 2014. I was struggling to feel "myself" and remember gratitude as I dealt with infertility. It is a favorite piece of mine that didn't get a lot of reads, so I'm resharing it today. The idea of noticing simple pleasures for …
Are You Reaching Your Goals for 2018?
This year, I decided to make a list a la Gretchen Rubin of 18 things I want to do in 2018. I discussed the idea earlier in an earlier post here. I thought it seemed like a nice way to make some intentions for the year without a lofty list of resolutions. Instead, the list simply serves as a kind of …
Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend?
Dear Daughter, It’s coming up on 25 years since I first went on a date with your dad, and it's been 21 years since he gave me a diamond engagement ring. I still have it, but I don’t wear it all the time, now that my knuckles swell past its size. And that’s the thing: it’s just a symbol, something …
My Money Makeover
Like the "before and after" pictures in a glossy magazine, the way I view money has recently undergone a makeover. Growing up, my family spent money on experiences such as eating out, music concerts, and vacations, but we also loved shopping for stuff. It was an expression of love, success, and …







