As a stay-at-home mom, I know that there are things I’m giving up. Rather than heading off to work in my smart business casual attire, I wear the same jeans and yoga pants day after day. Meeting coworkers or friends for lunch? Nope – I’m making PBJ with my girls. And yes, I have been known to buy my kids new clothes and shoes while overlooking something that I need myself.

I know that if I were to go back to work, we could afford much more. With two incomes, we could have a bigger house, nicer cars, and take more vacations. But you know what? It’s not worth it to us. My job may not be glamorous, but I’m doing what I have always wanted to do: devote my days to raising our kids and enjoying their childhood. Like many choices we make in life, this is a decision we made that we felt was right for our family, and though it comes with a price, it is well worth it.

The Simple Dollar had a fantastic post today that I wanted to share. Regardless of the choices we make in life, it’s important to set our priorities and make sure we are living for what makes us fulfilled, rather than just trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Our Towels Don’t Match Our Bathroom Curtains [The Simple Dollar]

Related posts:

1. Preschool – Cost Versus Benefit
2. Do You Save Money by Shopping Around?
3. Cutting Back on “Essentials”

As I write, the snow is falling outside while my family visits in the living room. My husband is home from work and playing his guitar, while my kids are discussing which movie to watch. Snow days are wonderful – filled with togetherness, hot chocolate, and playing in the snow.

Speaking of snow, my friend Susan passed these two recipes along to me, and I thought I’d share them with you. The first is from Paula Deen, and the second is one of her family recipes. So if it’s snowing where you are right now where you are, be sure and go outside and scoop some of it up!

Two Snow Ice Cream Recipes

Paula Deen’s recipe:
Ingredients
• 8 cups snow, or shaved ice
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Place snow or shaved ice into a large bowl. Pour condensed milk over and add vanilla. Mix to combine. Serve immediately in bowls.

SNOW ICE CREAM:
1 GALLON CLEAN SNOW
1 CUP WHITE SUGAR
1 TABLESPOON VANILLA EXTRACT
2 CUPS MILK (do not use skim milk)

When it starts to snow, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect the flakes. When full, stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. Serve at once.

Enjoy!

-Grace

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1. Vegetarian Pasta in a Light Cream Sauce
2. Delicious Pumpkin Cake
3. Baked Potato Soup