The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Actually, I Have Done That

After so many posts about things I haven’t done, I figured it was high time we chatted about things I have done.

Named a calf. (Cherry — after the infamous Canadian hockey commentator, Don Cherry.)

Had…

The Art of the Thrift: Why Almost Everything We Wear Is Second-Hand

Our family wears almost exclusively thrifted clothes…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I get a fair number of questions about what we do (and don’t) buy second-hand, and how it all works in…

My Kids Don’t Read (Except They Totally Do?)

A quick post today with two simple questions:

Do audiobooks count as reading?

What about re-reading the same book over and over?

Is it a straightforward yes? A hard no? Or somewhere in between?

I find myself…

Network or Know-How?

If you had to bet your future success — financial, relational, or otherwise — on just one thing, would you choose Who you know or What you know?

Sure, real life blends both. Relationships open…

Life
Jun, 23, 2025
22 Comments

Happy Things Friday: 20 June

This week’s post is extra long (even by my verbose standards). A lot is happening! For the first time ever, I’m starting with a little TL;DR for those who would prefer the headlines: Belle…

How, When, and Why I’ve Been Reading So Many Books in 2025

This year I’ve been doing a monthly blog series with reviews and ratings of all the books I’ve read.

(January. February. March. April. May.)

People seem curious about how I find the time to read so…

Ask Me (Almost) Anything, Habits, Reading
Jun, 19, 2025
55 Comments

Gratitude in Practice: Kathleen — the Minimal(ish) Mom

It’s a beautiful day in bloggy land, a beautiful day for a guest post…

(Yes, I did just sing that out loud to the tune of the Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood theme song in my head.)

It…

Gratitude, Guest Post, Minimalism, Thrifting, Travel
Jun, 18, 2025
28 Comments

Actually, I Have Done That

The Art of the Thrift: Why Almost Everything We Wear Is Second-Hand

My Kids Don’t Read (Except They Totally Do?)

Network or Know-How?

Happy Things Friday: 20 June

How, When, and Why I’ve Been Reading So Many Books in 2025

Gratitude in Practice: Kathleen — the Minimal(ish) Mom

Hi! I'm Elisabeth...

Search

Travel

GUESTS

BOOKS

Recent posts

Happy Things Friday: 6 March

On My Shelf: Books Read February 2026

Fresh FIGs: Gratitude Collective Week #4 + 2026 Wrap-up