Welcome back to this month’s The Quiet Cup thankfulness series! Today, I’m thankful for my home. 

Recently, the Lord has been kind to remind me of something I so easily forget. On a Sunday sitting in church, and again during my women’s Bible study later that week, the same truths rose up from Scripture. First in 1 Thessalonians 4, then in Luke 17. The timing wasn’t lost on me, and I’m grateful for a Bible-teaching church, because His Word never returns void. The Spirit knew I needed to hear this truth twice: in the middle of a noisy, unsettled world, I am not called to control the chaos or know the future. I am called to be faithful.

There’s something so perfect about apple cider simmering away in the crockpot, a tradition I learned from my mom. She always made it simple: just a jug of local apple cider and a bag of Red Hots. That’s it. Two ingredients, and the whole house smelled like fall in about an hour.

It’s easy to focus on the undone things: what’s left on the to-do list, the dishes in the sink, the words that I should’ve said more kindly. It’s easy to forget, in the thick of child-rearing and chore-managing and meal-making and holiday-planning, that the man beside me is not just a partner in the work but a gift from the Lord Himself.

The first week of November might seem early to start thinking about Christmas in our homes, but I’m a sucker for early planning and I’m already wearing a Christmas sweater. I absolutely love the Christmas season and Christmas Day is my favorite day of the year. So in order to truly feel present and peaceful for my favorite time of the year, I’m preparing my home (and my heart, but that’s a separate post!) early. Planning ahead gives me and my family space to enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

As you may have guessed with the existence of this blog, I’m a bit of a planner. But I don’t want to box myself into a “perfectly” planned and curated Christmas - I want a truly joyous and peace-filled Christmas that I’ve prepared my heart and home for.

After a giant Costco haul last week, I’m determined to keep this week’s grocery list under $40. (I do a monthly Costco run and this month was a bit more expensive than usual. So I’m trying to tighten up my weekly grocery budget to make up the difference!) Here’s what we’re eating this week.

Keeping a home running smoothly, especially with a toddler, part-time work, and church commitments, takes a lot more than knowing what’s for dinner. And while I’m still learning, I’ve built a system that works well for me and my family, so we know what we’re eating and what we’re doing for the whole week. It’s nothing fancy, just a simple spreadsheet that gives me peace of mind and helps me stay faithful in our daily needs.

God’s provision always stretches further than I expect, and that’s never more evident in this season than looking at my pantry shelves and freezer drawers. I’m reminded that simple stewardship, like choosing meals made with simple, whole ingredients with what I have on hand, is an act of trust. As Proverbs 27:23 says, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” In our modern-day kitchens, that can look like taking stock of what’s already there and planning with intentionality.

I find such a deep comfort in seeing the week stretched out in pantry/freezer heavy meals. It reminds me that God is faithful to provide. Not just in the big moments, but in the quiet, daily ways. When I look at my pantry shelves and freezer drawers, I’m reminded again of Jesus’ words: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Welcome to Week 2 of my $5 Summer Pantry Challenge! This week (June 27–July 3), we’re stocking up on another essential pantry staple: rice. For just $5, try to pick up a 1 to 2 lbs bag of white or brown rice, a super versatile and filling base for so many meals.

$5 Summer Pantry Challenge: Week 1 — Beans, Beans, Beans!

Welcome to Week 1 of my $5 Summer Pantry Challenge! This week (June 20–26), we’re kicking things off with a humble but mighty pantry staple: dry beans or lentils. With just $5, aim to snag 1–2 bags of dry pinto beans, black beans, or lentils.

Welcome, friend! You are invited to join me in a $5 summer pantry challenge! 

For the next 13 weeks, I’m setting aside $5 a week to stock up my pantry for the fall and winter. I’ll be focusing on shelf-stable essentials, like beans, oats, canned goods, and baking staples. I’m hoping these small steps will help me prepare for the coming seasons in a way that feels peaceful and doable.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this season of homemaking, it’s that a well-stocked pantry isn’t built overnight—and that’s okay. It’s taken me time, trial, and more than one budget mishap to learn that having a pantry filled with the right staples can make all the difference when it comes to feeding my family well while living within our means.

We’re back with another weekly meal plan! Here’s what my family of three is eating this week, all for under $70.

Designed for simplicity, stewardship, and faithfulness in the small things, this plan utilizes ingredients from my local Aldi and Walmart, and pantry staples from my own kitchen. With a focus on budget-friendly meals, I’ve created a week of dinners that are both nourishing and cheap.

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit whispers not in our quiet time, but right in our mess: When you snap at your child and instantly feel that gentle tug: pray first, speak softer, apologize. When the baby cries at 2 a.m. and you want to grumble, but instead you're met with a reminder: this is holy, this is fleeting, this is love in the night.

One of the simplest and most overlooked ways to steward our homes well is by using what we already have. Before we run to the store for more groceries, there’s wisdom (and savings!) in turning first to your pantry and freezer. This practice, small as it may seem, can become a weekly rhythm of intentionality, thankfulness, and stewardship.

This week I put together our meal plan with one big goal in mind: faithfulness. Not fancy, just thoughtful, simple meals that stretch a small budget and make space for what matters most. With prices rising everywhere, I’m constantly reminded that stewardship is a daily practice, not just a financial principle. And honestly? There’s a quiet joy in working within limits. It keeps me leaning on the Lord’s provision instead of my own ideas of abundance.

If you're a busy homemaker looking to save time and money without sacrificing a tasty breakfast, these freezer-friendly breakfast sandwiches are the perfect solution. With just a few simple ingredients – English muffins, pepper jack cheese slices (or whatever cheese you prefer!), eggs, and sausage patties – you can create a delicious, grab-and-go breakfast that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly.

Meal planning more than a Pinterest-perfect calendar of meals. It’s a quiet, powerful way to walk faithfully in your calling as a homemaker, wife, and mother. To steward your time, resources, and energy by nourishing your family and glorifying God in the small, faithful act of thinking ahead.