CTL Weekly 11.08

Recently we replaced an old wooden staircase off our kitchen with a deck that wraps around to meet our patio in the back. It was a project that was a long time coming and while we were at it we did something else I’ve been wanting to do for a long time: replace our 90’s basic builder-grade back door with one that had a little more style.

With deck builders here who were also available to put in a new door, I quickly did some Googling, sent some options to Tom, and we decided on this 6-lite door from Home Depot. It was installed last week, and friends, I cannot express what a difference it’s made. It’s changed the whole feel of this corner of the house.

If there’s a little change you’ve been meaning to make to your house, here’s your cue to go ahead and do it. 🙂

Here’s what else I saved to share with you this week:

Note: Creating This Life posts sometimes contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

A manor house in the English countryside. The whole house is beautiful but I’m really taken with that family room: the sectional, Roman shades, painted built-ins, woven trunk, and collection of prints. And yay for showing the TV. That’s real life.

15 things you should always buy at thrift stores according to designers.

For my Kansas City friends, and those who are fans of Mary Carol Garrity, here’s a bit about what she’s been up to and some of her KC favorites.

The best Kristin Hannah books ranked. I don’t love the ranking thing, but I did find the look at all 25 of her books interesting. From the article: “Hannah’s ever-evolving approach means that whether you’re a fan of historical fiction like The Nightingale or you’re more of a romance book buff (a.k.a. the genre Hannah cut her teeth on), you’re bound to find a favorite among her genre-crossing list of work.” I’m currently reading The Women.

Barnes & Noble reveals the 13 finalists for its Book of the Year.

Previously on the blog: my Thanksgiving favorites.

15 cool things to check out in the Midwest this month.

I’m curious about these 7UP biscuits. Has anyone ever made them?

How the owners of The Dewberry in Charleston celebrate Thanksgiving. (I promise my Charleston trip report is coming!)

How to get in the holiday spirit in 8 different U.S. cities.

It’s always fun for me to see which of the favorites I share are also popular with you guys. The pictures are clickable if you’d like to check them out. (FYI, I can see the items that people are buying, but not who is doing the buying in case you were curious about that.)