10 Easy Tips to Simplify Your Life Today {Part 1}

10 Easy Tips to Simplify Your Life Today {Part 1} Feature Image

I know, I know, most of you are so busy right now, what with a new school year underway and all. The last thing you are thinking about is simplification of your life. Slowing down? That’s what summer was for.

But I have to disagree. If you are seeking a simpler way of living, a more relaxing way of life, then that is something you want year-round. And there is no better time to start that lifestyle shift than the present.

But, I get it. A major lifestyle shift is big. Profound even. And it won’t happen in a day, but starting with something small…that can happen today.

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How to Freeze Fresh Peaches (without sugar)

How to Freeze Fresh Peaches (without Sugar) Feature Image

Not so long ago, here on Country Wife Chronicles, I shared with you my journey to becoming a bit more self-sufficient. And one of the tips I shared with you was to “Learn to preserve.”

Today’s post is a prime example of doing just that. Preserving the yummy, juicy, summery goodness of fresh peaches to enjoy all year long.

And even better, preserving these gorgeous, plump, uber-ripe peaches without any added sugar. Simply natural fresh frozen peaches can’t be beat…

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Wife on Fire Challenge {Week 4}: It’s the Grand Finale!

Wife on Fire Challenge Week 4 Feature Image

Wow, I mean, is it just me, or did the past four weeks just fly by? I can’t believe we are here at Week 4 of the Wife on Fire Challenge.

How have you been doing? Are you surprised by the reality of an intentional marriage? Would you claim to be a Wife on Fire by now?

Regardless of whether or not you’ve breezed through the past four weeks or if you’ve struggled to get each week’s task accomplished, you made it. You have reached the final week of the Wife on Fire Challenge. Which, I think, is cause for celebration!

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Wife on Fire Challenge {Week 3}: Halfway There!

Wife on Fire Challenge Week 3 Feature Image

Woot! Woot! If you started with the Wife on Fire Challenge two weeks ago, you have officially made it to the halfway point!

If you are just reading this post and you’re new to Country Wife Chronicles or you have just missed a few weeks of updates, please check out the first two posts of this series here:

In Week 1, I took some time to explain this idea that I hatched about bonding together to be better wives and encouraging one another in the process. It’s all about choosing intentional marriage and making the effort.

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Becoming a Bit More Self-Sufficient {Part 2}

Becoming a Bit More Self-Sufficient {Part 2} Feature Image

Have you ever thought about what era you would have enjoyed living in had you not been born when you were?

Am I alone in this pondering?

Gosh, I hope not. That would just be weird.

Well, I’ve always pictured myself in the days of the pioneer. Maybe it was the joys of playing The Oregon Trail in my childhood, but I could always picture myself as a prairie wife. You know, a real Sarah, Plain & Tall in a Little House on the Prairie setting.

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Planning Ahead Series {Part 3}: My Monthly Master Grocery List

Planning Ahead Series Part 3 Feature Image

I’ve always been a planner and list maker. It’s a problem really. I pretty much have an addiction to the satisfactory feeling of crossing things off a list. I’m working on it, I promise.

Add in the fact that I’m the Country Wife here at Country Wife Chronicles and my work-at-home lifestyle and rural living pretty much requires organization and planning ahead.  

The past two weeks here at CWC have been all about Planning Ahead.

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Planning Ahead Series {Part 2}: Meal Planning Basics

Planning Ahead Series Part 2 Feature Image

I can’t seem to remember what our meals were like prior to learning how to meal plan. I’m sure it was a black hole of Hamburger Helpers, mac and cheese, and hot dogs.

I do, however, vividly remember my first experience with meal planning.

We had recently left our professional careers for something new, and in so doing had to drastically revise our financial spending and budget. We lived 20 miles away from town and it no longer made financial sense to run into town on a whim. Every trip and gas expense was accounted for and needed to be worth their while.

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Strengthening Your Marriage: 5 Ways to Reconnect

Strengthening Your Marriage: 5 Ways to Reconnect Feature Image

The next few weeks here at Country Wife Chronicles are all about marriage. I decided to write a whole series on “Strengthening Your Marriage.”

Not because I’m an expert or anything. Not because I know all there is to know about marriage. Not because Wildland Man and I have endured the deepest of depths in a lifelong marriage.

No, I’m not an expert. Or a counselor. I certainly don’t know it all, because I’m constantly trying to figure it out. Over and over again. Day after day. It is an intentional effort on my part to make this marriage not only work, but be great.

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Chronicles of a Provincial Wife

Chronicles of a Provincial Wife Feature Image

I almost named this blog Chronicles of a Provincial Wife. It’s true. I just kinda liked the sound of provincial wife over country wife. Not to mention the nod to my very favorite Disney princess, Belle, who sang of her provincial life in the movie Beauty and the Beast.

Google defines provincial as “of or concerning a province of a country or empire” and lists several synonyms for the word, including: small-town, rural, country, rustic, backwoods. I feel like provincial is a more sophisticated way to say country. Though I’m not sure why I’m intrigued by a title that sounds more sophisticated, I’m about as plain-Jane as you can get. I mean, I am the Country Wife, folks. Let’s be real.
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Choosing Stillness: 10 Tips for Slowing Down

Choosing Stillness Feature Image at Country Wife Chronicles

Stillness is absolutely a choice.  I know, that can be hard to hear.  But it’s true. Stillness is a choice that can seem obstinate and far away, even unattainable and it is definitely easier said than done, like for real.  But still a choice nonetheless.  I can say this, because I’ve been on the crazy train of hectic schedules and full calendars and I’ve made the choice to get off and be still.  I did it, and you can too.

Perhaps, stillness is appealing to you…foreign and new, enticing you to try to figure it out.  There was a time when I was absolutely overcome by my overloaded commitments and my soul sincerely yearned for stillness.  Maybe you’ve been there.  Maybe you are there.  Trust me, coming from the other side, stillness is achievable and oh, so worth the effort.

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