Cozy Homemaker Journal – July Reflections
Finding Beauty in Ordinary Summer Days
Welcome friends!
In this July Cozy Homemaker Journal, I’ll be sharing bits of our ordinary, but beautiful, days.
This month reminded me life doesn’t always unfold according to planāand that’s okay.
The garden struggled through heat, and a fierce hailstorm left many of my flowers and vegetables looking worse for wear. There were busy days with my sweet grandson, afternoons spent escaping the heat indoors, and plenty of moments where I simply decided that sitting in front of a fan with a glass of iced tea was the wisest use of my energy.
Yet, tucked between those ordinary days were so many little blessings…A quiet morning in the garden. A thrift store treasure. A creative afternoon in Shedna Mae. Fresh recipes filling the kitchen. Grandchildren laughing. The simple joy of creating a home that feels welcoming without spending a fortune.
As I look back over July, I’m reminded once again that a cozy life isn’t built in dramatic moments. It’s built one ordinary day at a time.
š” Around Birdsong Cottage
July was definitely a month of working with the weather instead of fighting it.
The hottest afternoons became computer time, while the cooler mornings were spent outside watering flowers, checking on the garden, and dreaming about future projects.
One of my favorite creative projects this month was continuing to add little touches to Shedna Mae. I even set up my camera and filmed part of a painting projectāsomething that felt completely outside my comfort zone just a few months ago. I’m beginning to enjoy capturing little glimpses of the creative process, and I hope to share more of those moments in the future.
I also found myself thinking ahead to autumn. Not rushing summer away, but quietly planning cozy recipes, printable projects, and simple ways to welcome a new season.
šø In the Garden
My garden certainly taught me a lesson this month.
After weeks of tending flowers and vegetables, a sudden hailstorm left tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and many flowers looking as though they’d been through a prizefight. For a little while, I honestly wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.
Thankfully, nature is wonderfully resilient. Some plants are already beginning to recover, while others reminded me that gardening has always required equal parts hope and patience.
I’ve also been dreaming about my fall garden. Lettuce, beets, and cooler weather are beginning to sound pretty wonderful.
šļø Thrifting & Treasure Hunting
We’ve gone to some great yard sales. I’ve found some cute things to make over that I plan to add into the garden. My daughter and I went to one yard sale that had two rooms filled with boxes of books! She is creating a collection of vintage children’s books, and got a pile of them for $2.00. She smiled the whole morning.
šØ Creative Corner
One thought has stayed with me all month: A cozy home doesn’t have to be expensive.
Some of my favorite decorations cost only a few dollarsāor even less. One of my favorite fall decorations is a 50-cent yard sale painting that simply makes me happy every time I hang it on the wall.
I’ve also been thinking about budgeting in a different way lately. Instead of asking, “What can I afford to buy?” I’ve found myself asking, “What can I create?”
Sometimes the answer is baking bread. Sometimes it’s painting an old frame. Sometimes it’s planting flowers. Sometimes it’s simply making another cup of tea and enjoying the home we’ve already been given. Those little choices seem to make a home feel richer than any shopping trip ever could.
š½ļø From Granny’s Kitchen
The kitchen stayed busy, even when the weather outside didn’t encourage much baking.
This month brought plenty of recipe writing, testing, and photographing. Sometimes I think the hardest part isn’t making the foodāit’s remembering to stop and photograph each step before everyone wants to eat!
I have several new recipes coming up that will be perfect for the end of summer, for those days when you want something simple and cool.
š» Around the Blog
Published in July
š«June Cozy Homemaker Journal
Anniversary celebration, she shed progress, and daily life.
šæWhat My Word of the Year Has Taught Me So Far
A little mid-year check-in on slowing down, moving forward, and embracing progress over perfection.
š»Gardening Within Your Means
How to create a beautiful garden that fits your life.
š”When Your Homemaking Routine Looks Different Than It Used To
Thoughts on adjusting to new seasons of life while finding joy in everyday homemaking.
We reached 12,000 followers on our Facebook page in July (and celebrated with a Dairy Queen blizzard!) I love connecting with other people who enjoy simple homemaking on a budget. You can join us here.
New post formats
I’ve updated the format for recipe posts, The Cozy Homemaker Journal, and DIY project posts. I hope the new format is easier and more enjoyable to read. ā¤ļø
Granny Says: Some of the best things I’ve learned started with the words, ‘I have no idea how to do this.’ It’s easy to believe new skills belong to younger people, but I don’t think that’s true at all. Curiosity doesn’t have an age limit. Give yourself permission to learn slowly, laugh at your mistakes, and enjoy the process.
š» Looking Ahead
Projects are happening…slowly. Another she shed makeover update is in the works.
Recipes coming soon on the blog: Brown Sugar Butter Carrots, and Southwest Chicken and Brown Rice Salad. (And Pumpkin Bread, so we’re ready for fall!)
Garden bounty? Hopefully I can share at least a small harvest report from our little garden. I have four little tomatoes growing since the hail storm, and my zucchini plant is huge!
ā Pour Yourself Another Cup of Tea…
Continue your cozy journey with a few more cozy reads…
š” 5 Ways to Use Fall Leaves In Your Garden
š All the Recipes!
Until next month, may your home be cozy, your heart be full, and your teacup never be empty for long. ā
