What Mrs. Peasant Learned In 2025

Gustave Courbet. Poor Woman of the Village 1866

If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, 

spring would lose its loveliness.

-SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX

Mr. Peasant and I both agree 2025 has been one of the worst years we ever had. We were happy to say goodbye to 2025. Praise the Lord, even in bad years no time is ever wasted. In no particular order, here are a few things I learned in 2025. 

1. FOLGERS IS HORRIBLE COFFEE 

We all want to save money on coffee, but don't waste your money. I am not a coffee snob, but I had to throw the Folgers can out. We can no longer afford Cafe Bustelo.  The hipsters have gotten a hold of the Bustelo, and the price has gotten too high. To save money, we have been drinking Maxwell House and Food Lion brand coffee. I think our new favorite is Chock Full of Nuts when it is on sale. 

Maxwell house coffee newspaper ad 1921

2. NO MORE CANNED TOMATOES

The quality of food at the grocery store keeps plummeting. I have finally had enough of wasting money on canned tomatoes that taste like tin! I am now using a jar of pizza sauce as my vegetable soup base. 

3. NO MORE MICROFIBER 

Microfiber smells bad. Even after washing, the microfiber quickly sours and retains a funky smell. I have replaced our microfiber cleaning rags with 100% cotton wash cloths. I also threw away a stinky microfiber bathmat. Now, I place a cotton towel on top of our polyester bath mat with a rubber bottom. The cotton towel is easy to hang up to dry and wash. The bottom mat keeps us from slipping. 

4.  LINE YOUR AIR FRYER WITH PARCHMENT

I cut a circle of parchment paper the size of my air fryer pan.  I place it in the bottom of my air fryer pan, and it saves me time cleaning. The liner collects any drips and you throw it away when it gets bad.  Amazon sells liners already cut to size.

5. ELDERBERRY AND HAND SANITIZER COMBO

We are very grateful to have not gotten sick this flu season. We take a table spoon of elderberry syrup everyday. We also have been careful not to touch our faces. We carry around travel instant hand sanitizers and use them often. We have limited our trips out to what is truly necessary. We have also decided to refrain from receiving the Blessed Sacrament. We make a spiritual communion at Mass and will return to sacramental communion once the flu season is over.

6. HOMEMADE OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

In our opinion, a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie is our favorite cookie in the whole world. We prefer it over a fancy chocolate chip cookie. I know. I know. Please hear us out. We certainly love ALL cookies. But the oatmeal raisin cookie is overlooked nowadays. We want to give it the praise it deserves. Here is the recipe we use. We substitute with flax egg and Country Crock Plant Based olive oil margarine to make it vegan. (Earth Balance browned too much in this recipe. We prefer the Country Crock.) And if you are feeling extra lazy, make them into bars!

Quaker Oats ad, New York Amsterdam News 1977

7. MURDER, SHE WROTE  IS A TREASURE

Jessica Fletcher is my old lady female style icon. I love her clothes, her home in Maine, and her grit. This cozy eighties murder mystery TV show has been my nightly companion.  I recommend it as a perfect way to escape for an hour or two. You can watch all twelve seasons for free on Tubi.

8. CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE NOT DEAD

I am happy to report that Christmas cards are not dead. Although the price of stamps are up, people have not abandoned this thoughtful practice. We received more cards this year than any other year. It fills my heart with so much joy. I love this simple and inexpensive way to say I'm thinking of you. I love the handwriting and the love inside. I also love displaying them throughout the house. 

Child with Christmas Card, Alden Finney Brooks between 1840- 1932

9. LIFE IS SHORT

We have lost many loved ones this year. I have been thinking about time and how fast it goes. I want to slow it down as much as I can. I feel the shine of this world slowly fading. I want to walk closer with the Lord. And I've been thinking more and more about Heaven. Soon enough, our day will come, and we will be called home.

10. MY FIRST ADVENT

This year, I was denied my typical Christmas pleasures. Mr. Peasant didn't have an appetite for food and wasn't able to watch any Christmas movies. These two silly things were what I thought Christmas was about. Christmas was belittled to feelings of nostalgia, foods, and comfort.  Another blow was my Magnificat magazine got lost in the mail. I was so glad I saved a December and Lent magazine just in case. I listened to Sensus Fidelium every night. I learned about every feast day and every passage from this season. I learned that Advent is a penitential season like Lent. I thought about our Lord's humility in coming to save us as a little baby. I decided that this season was about me and God. I started thinking about what gifts I could give to the Lord. I thought of the poverty of the Holy Family in the stable. I was being prepared spiritually. I am grateful for my accidental Advent.

11. CHRISTMAS BEGINS ON THE 25TH

Without the treats and the music, it didn't "feel" like Christmas. Then, on Christmas Eve, we went to Mass at 5pm. It was the family Mass.  We packed into the church like sardines. Our church was covered in incense and screaming babies. The children's choir sang Hark the Harold Angels Sing like the Charlie Brown special.  And it hit me during the Mass that it finally felt like Christmas. I learned that Christmas starts the 25th of December and continues until the Epiphany on January 11th.  Those are the twelve days of Christmas. And if you sent your cards late or still have your tree up like me, you are fine. There is no rush. You can keep celebrating Christmas until the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord on February 2nd. I intend to keep on learning about Advent. I also intend to really get the most out of Lent this year.

I hope you have a peaceful and happy 2026. Lord willing, we will continue to grow and learn even through our failures. We are praying to remain content and small. Thank you for stopping by. God bless you in the new year. 

Decluttering Tip: Find Out Who You Really Are

 

I can put on a hat, or put on a coat,

Or wear a pair of glasses or sail in a boat.

I can change all my names

And find a place to hide.

I can do almost anything, but

I'm still myself inside.

I can go far away, or dream anything,

Or wear a scary costume or act like a king.

I can change all my names

And find a place to hide.

I can do almost anything, but

I'm still myself,

I'm still myself,

I'm still myself inside.

MR. ROGERS, I'm Still Myself Inside

I have run the gambit of perfumes in my life. I think it started with Love's Baby, Primo body spray, Malibu Musk, and then Sunflowers. Do you remember how strong Sunflowers was? I've also had the fancy department store stuff in my 20's. I went to Bath and Body Works with my very patient sister. I needed a new lotion and spent over an hour sniffing 70 different bottles for the right one. The one I liked the best was fresh linen. Now that I know myself, I realize my favorite scents are Suave strawberry shampoo (smells like Strawberry Shortcake dolls), a plain Dove bar soap, apple cinnamon Renuzit cones and Bounce outdoor fresh dryer sheets. Who I am is not Ja'Dior but actually dryer sheets. Knowing yourself can save you so much time and money. 

We are influenced to think we need to try something new. We have to update and reinvent ourselves. I think if you are over the age of 30 you know the scents you like. You've probably liked them always. You know you. And if you truly don't know your favorites, here are some clues that will help you find out who you really are.

What you really wear is always in the laundry basket, and is worn out with holes. This is the outfit, style, color, and fit that you really like. 

What you really eat are the items that you never throw out, never get freezer burn, or left to rot. A frozen bag of green beans or peas, grapes, tomatoes, wheat bread, or almond milk don't last very long in our house. That isn't the most exciting spread, but this is who we are. What you really eat are the things you are constantly running out of. These are things you always grab every time you are at the store. 

Once you get to know yourself, it helps you stop wasting time. 

1. WHAT YOU LIKE VS. WHAT YOU LIKE DOING

I like to eat complicated dishes, but I don't want to cook complicated meals at home.

I like to see elaborately decorated Christmas homes but I don't want to mess with the production of decorating my home like that. 

When I do something, I want that something to be easy. I know that about myself. If it is not easy, I won't be doing it very often. Garfield is definitely my spirit animal. 

2. ARE YOU MORE MARTHA STEWART OR GARFIELD?

I think generally speaking there are two types of people: Garfield and Martha Stewart. Martha Stewart types live for the details. They have a high drive to create the perfect thing. We all love these people and partaking in their splendor. I think our online world overly highlights the spectacular Martha Stewart types and vilifies the simple folk as lazy bores. Since I am a Garfield, I can't speak much on the Martha Stewart types mindset. This post is mostly for Garfields.

Ask yourself some questions. Do you like upper level things or basic things? Do many finishing touches feel extra special  or overwhelming to you? Do you enjoy the details enough to put in the added effort? Is a complicated way worth it?  Or, do you look for a simpler way?

MARTHA STEWART TYPES:

The Dinner Party, 1911. Jules-Alexandre Grün

Do you like all the small details of something? Do you like elaborate decorations, meals, and gifts? Do you like elegant spaces and many options? Do you like to go big on projects or ideas? Do you enjoy making things just right? Do you like to stand out with your fashion style, house decor, or projects? Do you have a sophisticated palate? Do you like to change things up every year? Do you grow tired of things quickly? Do things bug you if it's not what you envision? Are you constantly thinking of a new idea, place, restaurant, activity, or product to try? 

If you answered YES to these questions you are a Martha Stewart type.

GARFIELD TYPES: 

Evening Spell (After Dinner), 1900. Elin Danielson-Gambogi

Jon strip 28 April 1977

While the Martha Stewart type may find ways to elevate a recipe, an outfit, or a room with lovely details and finishing touches, my Garfield mind is always thinking about how I can make something easier and simpler. Garfield is definitely my spirit animal. I like things simple and easy. I find something I like and stay happy with it. I think of myself as easily content not lazy. I have no desire to chase the next thing. I like rituals and nostalgia. I'm 80% ritual and 20 % novelty. I could eat lasagna everyday and not get tired of it. I know some people who won't eat leftovers the next day.  I get overwhelmed easily with elaborate stuff. I love a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I think Ben and Jerry's ice cream has too many things in it. If you are a Garfield type like me, you can easily declutter....   

1. ITEMS THAT ASK TOO MUCH OF ME

-Recipes with crazy ingredients, multiple steps, crazy appliances, complicated preparations. Recipes that if they don't turn out I would have wasted a lot of time, effort, money. Recipes that have to be done just right.

-Books that are over 300 pages long, that I need a dictionary to read, that are way too scholarly for me, or stories with a lot of characters to remember.

-Albums with only a few good songs so you have to skip songs.

-TV Shows that will leave you in suspense for 7 years. I only watch shows that are stand alone episodes like Murder, She Wrote.

-Anything that involves complicated payment systems, logins and passwords.  

-Too many decisions, or options. Researching an Amazon purchase can drain me. Why are there 200 can openers?

-Things that are very delicate, precious, irreplaceable or fragile. I got rid of all our glassware. I was dropping them or knocking them over and spending hours picking up shards of glass and worrying about stepping on glass. I ended up buying plastic diner tumblers. The problem is solved, and I never have to worry about it again.

-High maintenance plants, systems, and clothing. High maintenance furniture or objects that are hard to clean or dust. High maintenance rituals and meals. Skin care routines. Exercise programs, budgeting or calendars.

-Are you forgetful? Maybe houseplants and clutch purses aren't for you. I only wear cross body style bags for fear of sitting it down and forgetting it. 

-Are you clumsy? Maybe the delicate plates and high heels aren't really you. It's okay. I got rid of all our glasses and now use only plastic cups.

2. CLOTHES. WHERE ARE YOU REALLY GOING?

Do you have too many fancy clothes?  How many times a year would you dress fancy? Do you have clothes you love but would feel too uncomfortable to actually wear out? Are you the same person or size you were when you bought the items 15 years ago? Do you want to be noticed or does it make you feel uncomfortable now? Do you want to iron and go to the dry cleaners? Is it age appropriate?

3. HAVE YOU CHANGED? DO YOU HAVE LESS ENERGY OR TIME? WHAT SEASON OF LIFE ARE YOU IN NOW?

Think about the meals that you and your family like that are easy to make. Think about the meals you make that are a real pain in the butt. Does anyone really like them? Can you scale it back to the most essential parts?

Our first Thanksgiving married, Mr. Peasant and I made a blended feast of all of the foods we were used to having. It was quite a spread! Over the years, we have scaled it back to the core foods that are non-negotiable and wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it foods. This is a fake turkey cutlet, canned cranberry sauce, stuffing with mushrooms, and green beans. (Lovely bonus, but not crucial. Mashed potatoes and gravy, pecan pie bites or yams. This is our Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter meal uniform. It is super easy to make and inexpensive. We love it. 

Things I am currently figuring out ways to make it easier....

How to make changing ceiling light bulbs easier. Easy light fixtures to replace the bulbs without a ladder and a prayer. Easy to prep and freeze vegetables to grow. Easy to maintain landscaping. Easy bread recipe. 

4. THINGS YOU ARE AFRAID TO USE  

Are you scared to use it, eat it, wear it, make it, or try it? This could be a pressure cooker, a power tool, a recipe, or a racy outfit. I decluttered my Chinese herbalism books with weird recipes. Would I really trust ordering herbs online in packaging in a different language? Other things you may be afraid to use including weird spices, toxic cleaners, a medicine, beauty products, old tupperware, bug poisons, or that expired can of food you are afraid to actually eat.

5. THINGS THAT CREATE MORE WORK

Some items can create more work for you. Think about what items are frustrating and eliminate them. Here are some examples of things I've gotten rid of:

-I switched from deodorant sticks to roll on deodorant. I no longer have to scrub out the white gunk from the armpits of my shirts. 

-I try to always buy dark colored hand towels so less white lint on my dark clothes. I like to wash everything together in one load.

-I threw out my polyester microfiber bath mat that always stunk after getting wet once. Now, I only use a folded cotton towel on top of my rubber bottom bath mat. I can throw it in the wash easily and hang it up to dry after each shower. It never smells.

-I stopped using a liquid bug killer with a pump sprayer for around the house. I used to have to wear a face mask, goggles, long sleeves, and gloves. I sweat my butt off in the summer. Now, I  only use bug granules I shake around the perimeter of the house.  So easy!

I hope these questions will help you weed out the clutter in your life. Having less stuff to manage can help lower our stress. Even removing just one thing a day will quickly add up. We have a staging area where we place potential items to declutter.  That way we can really think about it. This isn't a race. You can do it intentionally, slowly, and thoughtfully. Thank you for reading. God bless you in the new year.

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

If you can't be pine on the top of a hill

Be a shrub in the valley but be

The best little shrub by the side of a rill

If you can't be a woods be a tree

If you can't be a highway then just be a trail

If you can't be the sun be a star

It isn't by size that you win or you fail

Be the best of whatever you are

Be the best of whatever you are

MR. ROGERS 

Mr. Peasant On White Trash Gardening

The Gardener. Johannes Hubertus Cuypers, 1858

The plants love these beds just as much as beds with borders. Why make cedar raised beds or square foot garden beds with pressure treated lumber when you can just dig mounded beds like these? It’s so easy – and I find these easy raised beds are better when it comes to weeding as well. There’s no wood for the weeds to work themselves in around.

If you’re looking to try something new in your spring gardening and haven’t built this style of mounded bed before, I encourage you to give it a try. This is about the easiest garden you can make and it’s free. I don’t see the need to spend money on borders anymore. I just make neat mound gardens and plant them up. The vegetables make them beautiful.

DAVID THE GOOD

Once upon a time, I gave my brother a visit. On this visit, I took a look at his microwave safe dishes. They were actually the plastic bowls from store bought microwave meals like Lean Cuisine. He would take the bowls and wash them out and reuse them. I was impressed with the ingenuity and frugality of this "white trash option."

I also use white trash options in my life. Mrs. Peasant uses my empty peanut butter jars as containers for other things like instant mashed potatoes and grits. With the lasagna garden method, we use cardboard from Amazon boxes and brown paper grocery bags from town as the weed suppressant layer. The Peasants are all about deriving treasure from trash.

David the Good has a similar mindset on these things. For instance, he eschews raised beds for gardening and prefers borderless grocery row gardens. This method is much cheaper than buying raised beds from Vego. Wanting to save some money, I put down two lasagna garden beds straight on the ground. The results for us were lackluster. Weeds and grass quickly took over these ground beds. We got a couple of watermelons, but the whole thing looked horrible and chaotic. It was an educational experiment, but I have resolved to stick with those raised beds from Vego even if they cost a fortune.

Mrs. Peasant needed some trellis options for her tomatoes and cucumbers. The white trash option for trellising was to take sticks and make teepees with the ends lashed together. These worked fine until the winds kicked up and blew the homemade structures to pieces. I had to go out every time after a storm and reconstruct those teepees. It was aggravating.

They have a saying on CB radio. "Stop crying and start buying." This is what they say to each other when their rigs are giving less than the desired results. Similarly, we were crying until we started buying tomato cages. I don't play with the sticks anymore. Those cages have done awesome for us, and we have resolved to always buy them and use them. They are expensive because they are worth it.

I appreciate David the Good's tips and whatnot, but I need my gardening to be easy. I don't have a surplus of time and energy. I consider the money spent on proper tools and structures to be good investments. We believe in the motto of "buy once, cry once." White trash gardening is a cheap way to go, but you still end up paying for it in frustration, aggravation, and wasted energy.

Thank you for reading!

Briton Riviere - The Old Gardener, 1863