LWD Tea Lover’s Gift Guide

December 11, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 4 Comments

If you know me at all, you likely know that tea is “my thing”. I’ve been drinking it since I was a baby and never a day goes by without at least one cup (usually several!). So it only makes sense that the first thing that came to mind when I considered doing a gift guide was tea. If you have a tea lover on your holiday gift list I think you’ll find something here to please them.

LWD Tea Lover’s Gift Guide for 2018

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

All of these items are in stock on Amazon at the time I am posting this. That means that you can have them in two days if you have Amazon Prime, something I highly recommend. It’s a lifesaver for those of us who still have shopping to do!

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

11 Piece China Tea Set

Every tea lover needs a sweet little tea set. I just love the shape of this teapot and did you notice the fleur de lis on the cream pitcher?

Tea Time magazine subscription

Give a subscription to Tea Time magazine and the recipient will have a full year of tea inspiration. Also available in Kindle version.

Wooden Tea Box

For the tea collector, this lovely wooden box provides attractive storage for tea bags.

Seasonal and Festive Tea Blends

This collection of high quality teas includes two each of the following teas: Rum Raisin Biscotti, Sweet Orange Spice, Winter Chai, Spiced Ginger Rum, Harvest Apple Spice. Perfect for a cozy winter afternoon curled up with a book.

Tea Lover’s Coloring Book

Give your tea-loving friend something to do while sipping a favorite brew.

Tea With Mussolini

Brew a steaming cup of tea and enjoy this charming drama featuring two of my personal favorites – Judy Dench and Maggie Smith.

Tea Cup and Saucer Set

This delightful set of cups and saucers is on my own personal Christmas wish list. Mugs are fine for coffee or hot chocolate but for tea, I prefer a china cup and saucer. Aren’t these lovely?

Tea and Scones

Take tea time up a notch with freshly baked scones. This collection of recipes has excellent reviews on Amazon. If you find yourself in need of a scone recipe right now, check out Dark Chocolate Cranberry Scones.

Tea Time print

Isn’t this sweet? This would be darling in a breakfast nook.

Teapot Calendar

Am I the only one who still uses paper calendars? I do have Google Calendar on my phone and put all appointments, meetings and such in it. Yet I still buy two paper calendars every year – one for my kitchen and one for my home office. If your tea lover gift recipient shares my old fashioned love of paper, she’s sure to love this calendar.

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

And finally, no LWD gift guide is complete without a book. I haven’t read this yet but don’t be surprised if it shows up as an LWD Book Club selection in 2018.

For that very special tea lover in your life, why not give them the gift of an exclusive, organic, seasonal tea every month, delivered right to their door? I love Plum Deluxe teas and highly recommend them. Click below for all the details.

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You may also enjoy these tea-related posts:

LWD Christmas Playlist

December 6, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 2 Comments

It’s time for that annual tradition – the LWD Christmas Playlist. This is such fun for me to put together and I hope you’ll enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Life With Dee!

LWD 2018 CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST

LWD CHRISTMAS 2018

TRACKLIST:

1. “Christmas Song” – Phoebe Bridgers

2. “Wonderful Christmastime” – Paul McCartney

3. “Step Into Christmas” – Elton John

4. “Christmas Tears” – Eric Clapton

5. “The Christmas Song” – Ella Fitzgerald

6. “What a Night!” – Harry Connick, Jr.

7. “Wintertime” – Norah Jones

8. “Merry Christmas, Darling” – The Carpenters

9. “Joyful Noise” – Raheem DeVaughn, Vandell Andrews

10. “Christmas Prayer”- Aaron Neville

11. “It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way” – Jim Croce

12. “Holding You This Christmas” – John Boutté

13. “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” – Diana Krall

14. “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” – Dean Martin

15. “By Christmas Eve” – John Legend

16. “Light of the World – Behold Version” – Lauren Daigle

17. “Winter Dreams (Brandon’s Song)” – Kelly Clarkson

18. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Frank Sinatra

19. “The Only Time I’m Home” – Tom Rosenthal

20. “Wonderful Christmastime” – The Shins

Sign up for Spotify – Click here

Previous LWD Christmas Playlists:

LWD Book Club ~ December 2018

December 1, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 6 Comments

It’s December and you know what that means…time for the LWD Book Club selections. I’ve decided to go with a Christmas theme for all three books. And I’ve chosen quick, light reads. I don’t know about you but I don’t currently have the mental bandwidth for anything deep or time consuming right now.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

LWD December Book Club Selections

The Little Christmas Teashop of Second Chances by Donna Ashcroft

“Snow is beginning to fall around the cosy Castle Teashop, with its toasty log fire, scrumptious mince pies and delicious hot chocolates. Romance is in the air and Lily King is hoping some winter magic will help to make her dreams come true…”

The Christmas Café at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke

“Interior designer Tilly Campbell loves being carefree and single. But her latest job is redecorating the cosy local café for a Christmas party, and when her friends confess their plans for the big night – including a proposal, a declaration of love and a pregnancy announcement – Tilly starts to wonder if she might be missing out…”

Amish Christmas Story by Grace Given

“A gentle couple, an Amish community and… an unruly son. Clement Litwiller has no desire to follow in his father’s footsteps and is not about to waste his life in boring community living. But what he doesn’t realize is that his choices and actions have terrible consequences for the ones he claims to love. Edrei and Chloe Litwiller find themselves shunned and have to find refuge in a lonely cabin on top of a hill, far away from the life they used to live. But then it’s Christmas time. Will the true spirit of Christmas bring solace to this wounded family, and can miracles really happen at this most wonderful time of the year? A tale of snow, suspense and faith that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”

Why can’t we read anymore? Or, can books save us from what digital does to our brains?

7 Ways to Find More Time to Read

My thoughts on book buying: I’m a huge proponent of public libraries and that’s where I encourage you to look first for LWD Book Club selections. Next up would be local bookstores (used or new). However, as someone who lives in a small town with limited resources, I understand that buying online from Amazon is often the most convenient, or sometimes only choice. I include Amazon links in my book club posts for your convenience if that is your book buying choice and I appreciate the small portion of the sales which I receive as an affiliate.

What’s better than curling up with a good book and a delicious cup of tea? And when the tea is named “Reading Nook“? Perfection.

Plum Deluxe “Reading Nook” tea blend

PREVIOUS LWD BOOK CLUB CHOICES:

Holiday Bucket List ~ How to Create Yours

November 29, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 2 Comments

The holidays are in full swing and for those of us who consider ourselves the “memory makers” in our families, it is a busy time indeed. December can fly by in a whirlwind of activity but if we aren’t intentional it’s all too easy to allow the urgent to overtake the important. That’s why I like to create a Holiday Bucket List. I make sure I’ve included the things most important to my family AND myself then get out my calendar and start scheduling.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

Holiday Bucket List

Everyone’s Holiday Bucket List will look different and it’s fun to see what others include. Here’s mine for this year:

1. Watch classic holiday movies.

We’ve already watched Miracle on 34th Street on the Friday after Thanksgiving. And for the past 25 years or so we’ve always watched It’s a Wonderful Life the night we put up the Christmas tree. We also like to watch A Christmas Story while eating takeout Chinese food. Each year I try to add a DVD or two to our Christmas movie collection. This year I’m buying Holiday Affair which I’ve never seen. What are your favorites?

2. Set up a hot cocoa station.

Earl Grey is my usual hot drink of choice but it just wouldn’t be the holidays without the occasional mug of sweet and creamy hot cocoa. I like to set out hot cocoa mixes, miniature marshmallows and candy canes so they are handy when I want to make hot cocoa to enjoy with a Christmas movie. There are lots of YouTube videos demonstrating how to set up a hot cocoa station.

3. Take a drive to see Christmas lights.

Each year we take our Great Pyrenees, Shiloh, to Sonic for dinner and then for a drive through our local park to see the Christmas light display. I don’t know what he thinks about the lights but he sure does enjoy tater tots and bites of our cheeseburgers.

4. Attend live production of The Nutcracker.

We are going to see The Nutcracker at our local university this Saturday night.

5. Go to the movies.

There are always some good movies out during the holiday season. Some years we go to the city with our adult children to see a movie at a really nice movie theater, complete with reclining heated seats and food and alcohol service. I definitely want to see Mary Poppins Returns.

6. Read at least one book set at Christmas time.

The LWD December Book Club selections will be posted tomorrow (December 1st) and all three books will be Christmas themed.

7. Watch cheesy Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel.

Last year I watched A Christmas Prince and loved every moment of its corny predictability. I’m looking forward to watching the sequel as well as several other Netflix and Hallmark Christmas movies.

8. Light Advent candles each Sunday before Christmas.

The first thing I decorate each year is our entry table. This is where I put our nativity set and Advent candles. I enjoy taking a few quiet moments each Sunday in December to light the candles and reflect.

9. Create a Christmas playlist.

I’ll be sharing the LWD 2018 Christmas playlist soon! In the meantime, here is the link to the 2017 version.

10. Bake holiday goodies to share.

I just received a case of organic canned pumpkin from Amazon and will be baking several loaves of pumpkin bread to share.

11. Sip mulled wine by the fire pit.

I’m going to be watching the weather forecast for clear nights that aren’t terribly cold. I’ll then make some mulled wine (if you have a favorite recipe, please share in the comments) and we’ll take it and some blankets out to the fire pit.

12. Select charities to support.

When creating my holiday bucket list I like to think of others, as well. A musician friend of ours collects money and provides gifts for over 1400 nursing home residents and veterans. He also performs for them. There are many worthy causes and this is one that we are supporting this year.

13. Schedule a mid-week getaway during December.

David still has several vacation days left so we are going to sneak away for a couple of days. I’m going to try to have all our gifts bought and wrapped, cards mailed and house completely decorated first. Then we will enjoy a couple of quiet, relaxing days at our favorite hotel.

14. Host a holiday party.

I haven’t decided what sort of party it will be but this is definitely on my list.

15. Attend Christmas Eve service.

We do this every year and it’s truly a highlight for me. Singing “Silent Night” by candlelight in our beautiful church is one of my favorite things each year. We then come home, grill hot dogs and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. Because apparently we are silly/quirky people.

So, what is on YOUR holiday bucket list? I’d love to hear about your favorite holiday traditions so let’s chat in the comments.

If you’d like more Christmas activity ideas and a free holiday bucket list printable, click here.

Thanksgiving Sliders

November 3, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 7 Comments

Anyone else ready for Thanksgiving dinner? It’s one of my favorite meals of the year. Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dressing, sweet potatoes and yes, green bean casserole (my recipe is different, though). My mouth is watering just thinking about it! These Thanksgiving Sliders are a delicious way to use up those inevitable leftovers.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

Thanksgiving Sliders

If you’re anything like me, you enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers almost as much as the original meal. There really isn’t anything much better than a turkey sandwich on good quality white bread with mayonnaise and cranberry sauce, right?

But if you have lots of leftovers and are getting tired of yet another cold sandwich, I’ve got the answer – Thanksgiving Sliders.

I used Hawaiian rolls:

…but any sort will do. Slice the tops from the rolls and spread the insides with a thin layer of mayonnaise being sure to spread evenly to the very edges. You could also use aioli if you prefer. Layer on the turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing/dressing and cheese. Replace the tops of the rolls and brush with seasoned melted butter.

Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and the tops are lightly browned.

I served them with spicy sweet potato fries and grapes.

5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

1 pkg. Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls
turkey (leftovers or deli slices)
whole berry cranberry sauce - enough to cover
leftover dressing/stuffing
provolone cheese slices, enough to cover
3-4 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp ground sage
1 tsp thyme
4 tbsp mayonnaise or aioli

Instructions

Slice tops from rolls and place on lightly greased baking sheet.
Spread insides of rolls (tops and bottoms) lightly with mayonnaise.
Layer with turkey, cranberry sauce, dressing/stuffing and provolone cheese.
Replace tops of rolls and brush with melted butter seasoned with garlic salt, sage and thyme.
Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and tops are lightly browned - about 15 minutes.

These would definitely be best made with leftover turkey (try cooking a turkey breast in an Instant Pot or a slow cooker for the juiciest!), homemade cranberry sauce and homemade dressing. But they are still delicious when made with deli turkey, canned cranberry sauce and Stove Top Stuffing. In fact, if you look closely at the pictures you’ll notice that these were made from that latter selection of ingredients. I wanted to get this written up and shared with you well before Thanksgiving and cooking a full Thanksgiving meal just wasn’t in the cards for me this past week.

I do plan to freeze leftovers after Thanksgiving specifically for this recipe, though!

LWD Book Club ~ November 2018

November 1, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 4 Comments

I’m no fan of our currently cool and rainy weather – I actually had to wear socks and boots yesterday! – but I have to admit that there is great pleasure in curling up with a good book and a steaming hot cup of tea on a rainy evening. I’ve been trying to get to bed earlier and knowing I have a good book to read has helped give me an incentive to slip beneath the covers at a semi-reasonable hour.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

LWD NOVEMBER BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS

Rejected Writers’ Book Club

I’m giving NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) another whirl this year and when I saw this in my large collection of unread Kindle books it seemed like a good choice this month.

Librarian Janet Johnson is puzzled when she is invited—and practically dragged—to her first meeting of the Rejected Writers’ Book Club. This quirky group of women would much rather celebrate one another’s rejected manuscripts over cups of tea and slices of lemon cake than actually publish a book. But good friends are exactly what Janet needs after moving to the small town of Southlea Bay, Washington. Just as the ladies are about to raise a teacup to their five hundredth rejection letter, they receive bad news that could destroy one member’s reputation—and disband the group forever. To save the club, Janet joins her fellow writers on a wild road trip to San Francisco in search of the local publisher who holds the key to a long-buried secret. As they race to the finish line, they’ll face their fears—landslides, haunted houses, handsome strangers, ungrateful children—and have the time of their lives.

A Gift From the Sea

I bought a nice used copy of this classic in hardback at a used book store many years ago but have never read it. My aunt has a copy in one of the guest rooms at her beach house in California and I put my copy on the bedside table in our guest room. I’ve been craving the sea recently and I was reminded of this book.

Drawing inspiration from the the shells on the shore, Lindbergh’s musings on the shape of a woman’s life will bring new understanding to readers, male and family, at any stage of life. A mother of five and professional writer, she casts an unsentimental eye at the trappings of modern life that threaten to overwhelm us — the timesaving gadgets that complicate our lives, the overcommitments that take us from our families — and by recording her own thoughts in a brief escape from her everyday demands, she guides her readers to find a space for contemplation and creativity in their own lives. With great wisdom and insight she describes the shifting shapes of relationships and marriage, presenting a vision of a life lived in enduring and evolving partnership. A groundbreaking work when it was first published, this book has retained its freshness as it has been rediscovered by generations of readers and is no less current today.

The Heartbreak Cafe

I don’t generally read much contemporary romance but this is the first in a 9 book series set in an Irish village. It’s the setting that intrigues me so I’m hopeful this will be good.

When a baby is found on the steps of the Heartbreak Café in the tourist village of Lakeview, everyone rallies round to help figure out the mystery. Hollywood actress Ruth is home in Lakeview for the summer. But has an ill-advised fling with a handsome co-star resulted in a seriously unplanned consequence? Jess feels increasingly left out as the only non-mum amongst her friends. Terrified she might lose them altogether, she embarks on a cunning plan. Or is it? Nina has come to Lakeview to live with her estranged father, Patrick after a bad break-up. But will she ever dare tell him about the secret she is concealing? One thing’s for sure: someone knows more than they’re telling. And in this town, the truth won’t stay hidden forever…

I’m really trying to make more time in my day to read and I just listened to a podcast on that very topic. The Productive Woman is one of my favorite podcasts and Laura McClellan addresses this in a recent episode:
Making Time to Read

What’s better than curling up with a good book and a delicious cup of tea? And when the tea is named “Reading Nook“? Perfection.

Plum Deluxe “Reading Nook” tea blend

PREVIOUS LWD BOOK CLUB CHOICES:

Smoked Gouda Potato Soup

October 24, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 12 Comments

There is nothing quite so satisfying as a rich and creamy potato soup on a chilly evening. And if that soup includes lots of delicious smoked gouda cheese? All the better!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

I used Yukon Gold potatoes but any variety will do.

Almost all soups taste better if you start by cooking the onions and veggies in butter and/or oil before adding the liquid. There’s a bit of caramelization that gives a depth of flavor which is missing when vegetables are simply boiled. I also like to season at this point and then add more later. Here’s why this is important:

Why You Should Season Every Step of Cooking

I served this with a dollop of sour cream and freshly ground black pepper. You could also add a bit of grated cheese, crumbled bacon and chives for a “loaded” version.

And that cornbread on the side of the bowl? It’s from a mix. Yep, I found one SO good that I am not likely to make sweet cornbread from scratch ever again. Yes, I realize some believe cornbread should never be sweet but I think there’s a place for both. This honey cornbread is a perfect partner with this smoked gouda potato soup. In fact, my husband crumbled a piece of it into his second bowl of soup and declared it delicious.

4.5 from 2 votes

Smoked Gouda Potato Soup

Ingredients

3 pounds potatoes, cut in small chunks
1 small onion, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1-2 tsp garlic salt
1-2 tsp black pepper
pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
8 cups water
8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, grated
1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

Heat butter and oil in large, heavy pot over medium high heat.
Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
Add potatoes and season with 1 teaspoon each of garlic salt and black pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
Add 8 cups water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender - about 12 minutes, depending on size of potato chunks.
Remove from heat and blend until smooth with immersion blender.
Over low heat, stir in grated cheese until completely melted.
Taste and adjust seasonings. This is when I add a bit of cayenne pepper or Creole seasoning.
Stir in sour cream until completely blended.
Ladle into soup bowls, add desired toppings and serve.

If you have an Instant Pot, here is another version:

Autumn Turns My Heart Toward Home

October 20, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 4 Comments

I’m a summer girl through and through. However, as much as I love the warmer months, I must admit that fall and winter bring out the homemaker in me and that is who I truly am. My home takes center stage in Autumn.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

When the days get shorter and the temperature begins to drop, my nesting instincts bubble up to the surface. Furniture shines and smells of lavender beeswax. Hearty soups and stews bubble on the stove. Rooms take on a cozy glow with lit lamps, candles and twinkle lights. Housekeeping tasks ignored during busy summer months begin to take priority on my daily to-do lists.

One of my favorite things to do when it begins getting dark early is to make sure the house is softly lit and welcoming when David returns from work. I make sure the porch light is on and turn on the little lamp on our entry table. I go through the house turning on lamps and plugging in twinkle lights. I light candles and turn on a diffuser or two. I may choose a CD to play on the stereo (yes, we are old school and still play CDs). If I know he is on his way I’ll make us both cups of tea to sip as we catch up with one another. You can read more about my “Welcome Home Ritual” here.

I’ve made myself a list of cozy, home-y, autumn/winter things I want to do and thought I’d share my list with you.

10 Cozy Home Activities for Fall and Winter

1. Bake homemade bread. I used to bake bread regularly. I have a wheat grinder, plenty of wheat, and a really nice Bosch mixer which allows me to mix several loaves worth of dough at once. This is a habit I want to re-establish. Because honestly? Nothing makes a house smell better than bread baking in the oven.

2. Unless it’s chocolate chip cookies. My recipe is so good I could literally eat a dozen in one sitting. I don’t. But I could. One thing that helps me with that control thing is to freeze the dough and just bake a few at a time. If that’s not enough incentive to finally clean out my freezer to make room, I don’t know what is.

3. Which leads me to the next thing on my list – clean out and defrost my freezer. I saw a great idea on YouTube for organizing a chest freezer. You separate items into stacking recycling bins with handles. I bought a set months ago so the only excuse I have not to do it is poor time management. But I really need the extra space for those extra loaves of homemade bread and chocolate chip cookies!

4. Continue my ongoing decluttering and household organization project. I did a 30 Bags in 30 Days decluttering project back in July and got rid of a LOT of stuff. I’m ready to do this again soon. In fact, if you’d like to me to do this as a blog challenge let me know.

5. Get out a puzzle to start working on. My family thinks it’s a bit silly but I refer to autumn as “puzzle weather”.

6. Set up a hot cocoa station in the kitchen. We have a dedicated area for coffee and hot tea year round. It’s time to get out the hot cocoa supplies!

7. Get ready for crackling fires in the fireplace. I’ll remind David to order some firewood and get it stacked on the back patio. Last year I bought a very large metal basket for firewood to keep on the hearth but so far all it’s held is a collection of magazines and our Cards Against Humanity game. David coughed all last winter following a very bad chest cold so we didn’t light even one fire. If I can avoid my usual winter asthma attacks and he can stay well, we’ll have fires this winter!

8. Finally learn to crochet! This has been on my to-learn list for several years now. I have all the supplies. I just need to do it.

9. Paint. Not walls or woodwork, although some areas of the house could use it. No, I mean actually use that easel and oil painting supplies I asked for and received for Christmas last year. I got so far as prepping a canvas and that’s it. I did some painting many years ago and really want to get back to it.

10. Create a new daily, weekly and monthly cleaning schedule. And actually use it. It will include some FlyLady elements but be tailored to our lifestyle and my preferences. Let me know if you’d like to see it when I’m done.

I’m sure I’ll think of more but that’s a good start for now. What about you? Does a change of seasons bring out your inner homemaker?

Curating a Beautiful Life

October 12, 2018 By Deanna Piercy 4 Comments

You’ve probably noticed that this blog’s tagline is “creating a beautiful life”. I love the idea of intentionally creating the sort of life I desire. But just exactly how do we do that? Let’s consider what a museum curator does and how that might apply to our own lives.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

I went to the dictionary for the definition of “curate” when used as a verb. According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

*to be in charge of selecting and caring for objects to be shown in a museum or to form part of a collection of art, an exhibition, etc.:

She curated a recent exhibition of Indian artwork.

*to be in charge of selecting films, performers, events, etc. to be included in a festival:

a Messiaen festival curated by pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard

*to select things such as documents, music, products, or internet content to be included as part of a list or collection, or on a website:

a curated library of short movies available online

Curators have traditionally been those who work in museums but the definition has broadened. I like to think of us all as curators of our own lives. We consciously select the various elements that create the sort of life we want to live. At least, that’s what we should do.

Our lives consist of many facets, all of which we make choices about.

Yes, I want to include that.

No, that doesn’t fit my lifestyle.

Here are some life categories and how we might curate what they include.

Home

Decluttering is a hugely popular topic these days. Whether you follow the rather extreme Kon Marie method or something less structured, I think we’d all agree that eliminating excess and unwanted items from our homes makes for a more pleasant home life. However, it’s all too easy to get caught up in what we should eliminate rather than what to include.

When you consider your living space, think about the items that contribute to the way you want to live in your home. Do you like to read? Then you’ll want a comfortable chair with good lighting. Do you have hobbies you enjoy? Then you’ll need space for those, including storage. A tea aficionado like myself? A good tea kettle, mugs or cups and saucers, and a selection of teas should have dedicated space in your kitchen.

I like to start with what I want in my home and then begin eliminating the things that don’t fit – either the space or the vision.

Wardrobe

Is your closet full yet you have trouble finding something to wear much of the time? Then it’s time to rethink your clothing. Ideally, everything in your closet and dresser drawers should fit, be in good condition and make you feel good about yourself when you wear it.

Many people are dramatically scaling back on the number of items of clothing they own. There are a number of resources on the “capsule wardrobe”:

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe

The Capsule Wardrobe: How to Reduce Your Closet to 37 Pieces

How to start a capsule wardrobe: a guide for beginners

Relationships

This is admittedly a tough one. We all have “difficult” people in our lives. Sometimes we can (and should) completely remove those people from our lives. Truly toxic people, especially those who are abusive, don’t deserve a place in a carefully curated life.

But what about those who are often negative, make us feel inadequate or always have drama following on their heels like a parade? If they are casual acquaintances, you may be able to avoid them but if they are family? Much harder! Only you can decide where to draw the line for your own well-being.

How to Deal with Difficult Family Members

I’d also encourage you to actively seek out relationships which enrich your life. If you have enough loving and affirming relationships, those few irritating people in your life won’t matter as much.

Social Media

This is a hot topic. Everywhere I turn, I encounter another article or podcast about digital detoxes. I personally know a number of people who have deleted their social media accounts entirely and are happier for it. It’s certainly worth considering if social media is making you miserable. On the other hand, social media can promote positive connections with others. Like anything else, it’s largely a matter of choices and balance.

A limited social media detox is a good idea for many of us. For the past few years I’ve given up my personal Facebook profile for Lent. I administer several pages and groups so I can’t leave Facebook entirely but for those several weeks of Lent each year, I don’t read anything on the newsfeed and don’t post on my page. I also try to do shorter periods of social media detox once in awhile.

One thing I’ve also been doing recently is evaluating who I follow and what I consume online. I’ve unfollowed a lot of Facebook pages and Instagram accounts. I’ve deleted many blogs and news sources from my Feedly account. I don’t spend as much time on Twitter but I plan to begin going through the people I follow there, too.

After you’ve eliminated what no longer serves you, consider searching out some positive people or pages to follow. Curation isn’t just elimination; it’s adding what feeds your soul.

Experiences

Think about the experiences which have enriched your life. Not just the big things but those small moments, too.

I love to play the piano, have afternoon tea, listen to vinyl records on our stereo, go to the movies, curl up with a good book, and stargaze in our backyard. These are all small pleasures that require little more than time and planning.

Consider the things that bring you pleasure and intentionally make time for them.

We are responsible for the life we live. We can thoughtlessly trudge through each day or we can live intentionally. I suggest the latter.

The Living Well Planner ~ A Review

October 4, 2018 By Deanna Piercy Leave a Comment

I’m always trying to refine my productivity tools, forever looking for something that will magically give me a couple more hours in my day. Yeah, we all know that’s the impossible dream. However, a good planner can make the most of the hours we do have.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

I’ve been using the Happy Planner the past few years and I’ve enjoyed it. It’s flexible, colorful and inexpensive. I wasn’t even intentionally looking for something else.

But when I saw the Living Well Planner and its focus on goals, I decided to give it a try. I pre-ordered it…along with LOTS of other people. So many, in fact, that there was a delay in shipping. I did receive a couple of emails keeping me updated about shipping and I received it a couple of weeks ago. I’m really glad I ordered early because it’s now backordered until November 30, 2018. But that’s still plenty early enough to have it in hand by the beginning of the new year.

Here are some of the things I love about the Living Well Planner

The pretty floral cover. My home office accent color is aqua so this coordinates perfectly. It’s also available in a striped version.
The spiral binding. While the Happy Planner disc system allows for more flexibility, a spiral binding is a bit sturdier over the long term.
A focus on goals and project planning throughout the planner.
The days are divided hourly which I think will help me structure my time better.
Sections for meal planning, budget, expenses, gratitude and notes.

And perhaps best of all…the purchase of the Living Well Planner gives you free access to “Crushing It Central”, a planner resource site. It includes information on setting up your planner, creating goals and a plan for the year, project planning, budgeting, time management techniques, meal planning, free printables, AND membership in a private Facebook group for Living Well Planner users.

The planner is undated so you can begin using it at any time. I’ve decided to wait until January 1st and continue to use my Happy Planner for the rest of 2018. But in the meantime I’ll be taking advantage of the resources on the “Crushing It Central” site, as well as the Facebook group.

If this sounds like something you’d like, you can see the options and place your order here. Right now you can get free shipping and free stickers with your planner. As I mentioned above, it’s backordered until November 30th.

If you need one right away, there is a limited edition, blue stripe version available for a few more hours and it’s only $39.

Do you use a planner? If so, which one? Or are you looking for a new one? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

LWD Tea Lover’s Gift Guide for 2018

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LWD 2018 CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST

LWD CHRISTMAS 2018

TRACKLIST:

LWD December Book Club Selections

The Little Christmas Teashop of Second Chances by Donna Ashcroft

The Christmas Café at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke

Amish Christmas Story by Grace Given

Holiday Bucket List

1. Watch classic holiday movies.

2. Set up a hot cocoa station.

3. Take a drive to see Christmas lights.

4. Attend live production of The Nutcracker.

5. Go to the movies.

6. Read at least one book set at Christmas time.

7. Watch cheesy Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel.

8. Light Advent candles each Sunday before Christmas.

9. Create a Christmas playlist.

10. Bake holiday goodies to share.

11. Sip mulled wine by the fire pit.

12. Select charities to support.

13. Schedule a mid-week getaway during December.

14. Host a holiday party.

15. Attend Christmas Eve service.

Thanksgiving Sliders

Ingredients

Instructions

LWD NOVEMBER BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS

Smoked Gouda Potato Soup

Ingredients

Instructions

10 Cozy Home Activities for Fall and Winter

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