The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Meet My Favourite Guy: A Q&A with John (Part One)

When I floated the idea of doing a guest “interview” with John, he was agreeable, if a bit skeptical. He wasn’t convinced anyone would have questions for him.

I knew better. And, you had so…

Guest Post, Marriage, Parenting, Personality Insights
Sep, 17, 2025
51 Comments

Birchie in Nova Scotia Part 1: Muddy Days + Movie Nights

One of the great joys of blogging is experiencing how online friendships transition seamlessly into real life.

Another joy is realizing someone is willing to get up at 4 am, deal with airport security and…

Blogging, Friendship, Life, Nova Scotia, Travel
Sep, 16, 2025
47 Comments

Ten Frugal Things Last Week

Belle needed a calculator for school, so we headed off to Staples to get her a scientific calculator. We bought something fairly inexpensive ($20), but our next stop was a thrift store. Guess what…

Happy Things Friday: 12 September

Well, first things first.

Birchie arrives today. I repeat: Birchie touches down in Nova Scotia later today! Woot, woot!

The weather looks perfect and I cannot wait to get out and explore. (And also just hang…

Life
Sep, 12, 2025
46 Comments

Farewell, Crockpot. Hello…Instant Pot?

After many years of loyal service (it was a wedding shower gift from one of my uncles), my big crockpot has finally given up the ghost. It developed a giant hairline crack which means…

Secondhand Living: Thrifted Finds Around Our House

Folks seem to be interested in my recent uptick in frugal posts, so here’s one more devoted to thrifting.

I’ve written about how we thrift for clothes…

And art…

But now it’s time to tackle everything else….

Never Have I Ever…Part 12

Some of you must be wondering how long I can keep this series going. I have no idea! But one thing is very clear to me at this point — there are A LOT…

Meet My Favourite Guy: A Q&A with John (Part One)

Birchie in Nova Scotia Part 1: Muddy Days + Movie Nights

Ten Frugal Things Last Week

Happy Things Friday: 12 September

Farewell, Crockpot. Hello…Instant Pot?

Secondhand Living: Thrifted Finds Around Our House

Never Have I Ever…Part 12

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Happy Things Friday: 24 April

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