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

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.

Weekends can be strange little storms, can’t they? The pace of the week doesn’t slow, it shifts. The laundry pile grows. The schedule fills. The house, somehow, still needs cleaning. The nap and sleep schedules are more easily interrupted. And if we’re not careful, we can roll right into Monday with tired hands, a weary heart, and on top of it all, some mom-guilt because you forgot to wash your husband’s work pants.