The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Recent Frugal Wins (Including Free Cheesecake and Discount Sneakers)

A quick(ish) post for your Wednesday with some recent frugal wins.

Free Anniversary Cheesecake

The restaurant where we go to celebrate our wedding anniversary each year always asks (when we’re making a reservation) if we’re celebrating…

Frugality
Aug, 05, 2026
24 Comments

On My Shelf: Books Read July 2026

For years—ever since starting university—my reading stats have absolutely tanked over the summer months.

Because I was doing so much intensive reading during the academic year, I wasn’t thrilled at the thought of reading…

Reading
Aug, 04, 2026
26 Comments

Never Have I Ever… Part 19.

I’m almost at the 20th edition of this little blog series, which means I’m within arm’s reach of listing 200 things I’ve never done!

Maybe when I get to Part 20, I’ll post all 200…

Happy Things Friday: 31 July

And just like that, we’ve reached the end of July. While the kids still have over a month before they head back to school, it feels like we’re beginning to amble down the runway…

How We Planned for 110 Days in Europe: Our Itinerary + Travel Planning Tips

At the end of our 110 days in Europe, I put out a call for reader questions. Because there were so many—and a fair amount of repetition—I’m going to answer them thematically spread across…

Travel, Ask Me (Almost) Anything, Euro Adventure, Planning
Jul, 30, 2026
16 Comments

Best Things to Do in Vienna: Hidden Gems, Family-Friendly Attractions + Easy Day Trips

We spent a full month living in Vienna as a family, and that gave us time to visit a lot of famous landmarks, check out different museums, use the public transit system (repeatedly!!), eat…

Life
Jul, 29, 2026
4 Comments

Our First 24 Hours at the Lake

Indy and I are settling in for a few days visiting my parents at their lakeside home. It’s a fairly short trip. We left after church on Sunday and arrived in time for a…

Recent Frugal Wins (Including Free Cheesecake and Discount Sneakers)

On My Shelf: Books Read July 2026

Never Have I Ever… Part 19.

Happy Things Friday: 31 July

How We Planned for 110 Days in Europe: Our Itinerary + Travel Planning Tips

Best Things to Do in Vienna: Hidden Gems, Family-Friendly Attractions + Easy Day Trips

Our First 24 Hours at the Lake

Hi! I'm Elisabeth...

Search

Travel

GUESTS

BOOKS

Recent posts

Happy Things Friday: 14 August

Packing for Long-Term Travel: What Worked for 110 Days in Europe

Do You Have to Stop at the End of a Chapter? + 3 More Questions for Readers