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Discover simple home decor ideas, style tips, and seasonal inspiration through The Curated Life…your guide to living beautifully every day.
Welcome back to The Curated Life…a cozy midweek pause filled with holiday inspiration, comforting ideas, and simple ways to make the season feel meaningful. As the days grow shorter and the weeks fill with activity, I hope this space offers a little calm, a bit of beauty, and reminders to slow down and savor the moments that matter most. I’m so happy you’re here.
1.) The Thoughtful Holiday Guide
If you enjoy baking for the holidays, one of the kindest things you can do for your future self is to start early. Getting a few recipes made and tucked into the freezer now doesn’t just save time. It takes so much pressure off the days right before Christmas. When baking isn’t rushed, it becomes something to savor instead of something to cross off a list.
Begin by choosing two or three recipes you know you’ll definitely want on hand. Then glance through your Home for the Holidays Christmas Planner and map out when you’d like to prep, bake, and freeze each one. Simple cookies, quick breads, muffins, and breakfast items all freeze beautifully, and are easy to pull out when guests arrive or when the season gets busy. If you can have most of your holiday baking wrapped up by mid-December, you’ll feel totally ahead of the game. And remember…this isn’t about perfection. It’s about doing small things now that will make the season lighter, calmer, and much more enjoyable. A stocked freezer really does feel like a gift to yourself.
2.) WORDS WORTH SHARING
“Gratitude is often referred to as the emotion of creation. This is because gratitude turns us into a magnet for good things to come our way.” Found HERE.
3.) Millie Update
Millie and I are out the door five mornings a week at about 7:00 a.m. (My husband takes the weekends.) I have mixed emotions about this part of my morning routine. Some days I’d rather stay inside. Some days I’m eager to get moving. But every single day, when we return home, I’m grateful. Grateful that I’m able to do it, and grateful to have a faithful little walking partner. It may sound dramatic, but without Millie, there are days I wouldn’t have any reason to get up. She keeps me going, in the very best way. Our walks have become peaceful moments I truly treasure. Daylight slowly appears over the fields that surround our neighborhood, and when the sun peeks through, those moments are almost magical. Little by little, this has become one of my favorite parts of the day.
4.) Gather + Savor
If you’ve been with me for a long time, you may remember this layered pumpkin dessert that first appeared on the blog back in 2013. I’ve updated it several times since then, most recently last year, and it continues to be one of the simplest (and most delicious) fall desserts I make. When I first put it on Pinterest, I called it “better than pumpkin pie,” and that simple phrase helped the pins take off. The name still fits, because this recipe is incredibly easy, uses a cake mix as a shortcut, and has all the flavor of pumpkin pie with even less effort. If you need a crowd-pleasing fall dessert, one that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, this one never disappoints.
5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING
- What’s ahead: Coming on Saturday, I’ve got our living room decorated for Christmas without a tree. If you are thinking about skipping the tree this year, make sure to take a look. For A Sunday Well Spent, I’m sharing a moist and so good recipe for Orange Bread. I’m also including some wrapping ideas and custom gift tags.
- What you might have missed: Christmas front porch ideas, a darling DIY snowman wreath, and a brand new recipe for Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.
- If you like Christmas devotionals, this one by Max Lucado is one of my favorites. It includes 25 inspirational selections for Advent, and is a lovely little book.
- The OSP Christmas Market is open and freshly updated. It’s organized into eight sections so there’s no overwhelm as a result of too many choices. It’s carefully curated with your tastes and budgets in mind. I also made a shop section that includes everything I’m using for this year’s holiday decor. Take a look HERE. XO
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Looking forward to your next post cuz I’m considering not putting up a tree this year either. Your darling little Millie makes me want to get another dog. I need a living, breathing, furry reason to get out and walk! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Your post about walking with Millie was wonderful. We lost our dog of 14 years several months ago and I have gotten out of the routine of walking in the AM. You may have inspired me to get out there and walk again! Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you for sharing Max Lucado’s Christmas devotional. More and more Jesus is left out of the meaning of Christmas, and Max wouldn’t allow that in his book. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas.
Hi Ann,
I too have a dog that requires walking daily. She is a foster fail and large and I have an incredibly small courtyard only. When I adopted her I made the promise to walk her daily, and only the most inclement weather keeps us in; less than 5 degrees, severe ice. Most days it is not a problem getting out the door, but some days, especially as I age or have many commitments I dread it, but always do it anyway. And after our 4 mile walks, like you I feel GREAT! This dog keeps me in shape!
ps. my next dog if I have one will be small to medium
You are right on the morning dog walks. I get out between 6 and 6:30 and the start of the day in the morning light is a magical thing. People are really missing out! Thanks for the holiday organizer, I love it and it will be so helpful to me! God bless you.