Reflecting on 2025 and Planning for 2026

 As the calendar flips from 2025 to 2026, don’t just turn the page. Welcome a new chapter in your life with intention.  Over the next couple of days and weeks, make some space to reflect so you can be clear about what you envision for 2026.  

A thoughtful reflection on the past year sets the stage for intentional planning, momentum, and growth in the year ahead.  We’ve identified a 3-step process to help propel you into the new year. They are exercises mostly rooted in gratitude. We find that gratitude helps keep our mind focused on positivity and really helps to shape our perspective.  Using that reflection, you can more easily see what’s working and what’s not…. So, you can make 2026 your best year yet. 

 

Step 1: Reflection

During this time, reflect on:  

 

·       Wins 

·       Key lessons learned

·       Energy highs and drains

·       People who mattered

·       Skills you advanced

·       What you’re grateful for

 

Start with the wins

Make a list of 5-10 meaningful “wins in 2025.”  Consider categories of your life such as  personal, professional, health, relationships, learning, finances, hobbies, what are you proud of? Why did these things matter and how did they impact you? How did those wins impact others? 

 

Lessons learned

Without focusing too heavily on the negative, consider some of the year’s pitfalls. What lessons did you learn from them? Were there people or pursuits that taught you things you need to remember? They can also be positive lessons, too.  Do not underestimate the importance of small lessons as they often reveal broader themes.  For example, we missed out on registering for a summer camp and the lesson was to plan much earlier. Getting organized in advance was a priority for 2025 after that 2024 mistake! 

 

Energy audit 

What activities during 2025 energized you and which activities and pursuits drained you? Make a thoughtful list.  For us, travel baseball was exhausting not only for us parents and siblings, but also our player. When we carefully examined the time commitment for getting to practice and missing weekends as a family, we realized what a drain it was on everyone. We eliminated it in 2025 and never looked back! 

 

People who mattered

For some people completing this exercise, this may be the easiest part! Harder might be to prioritize and think about your circle as a hierarchy. Lots of people may matter to you but who matters MOST?  When time is a limited resource, how will you prioritize the people in your life? 

 

Skills you advanced 

Did you take an online class, earn a certificate, or perfect a recipe? Perhaps you took up gardening or painting.  Maybe you advanced your knowledge and use of AI.  How did you grow this year and what new skills did you pick up, or advance? (Also, it’s worth noting that you should not stress if you cannot recall anything you advanced skill-wise. This is not designed to make you feel inadequate or like you SHOULD be developing new skills all the time…. This may not apply this year and that’s perfectly okay.) 

 

What you’re grateful for

In this section, you might find that you are repeating themes, people, or events from your brainstorm above but that is to be expected. Take a few minutes to jot down a few things that you are grateful for.  From simple things to bigger, more elaborate things – you likely have a lot to be grateful for! 

 

 

Step 2:  Planning for 2026

 

With all this reflection and much gratitude for where you have come from, you can start seeing patterns.  Now spend some time thinking about what you want for the year ahead. Where will you take it?  We surmise you will start to identify themes or broad categories with your goals. 

 

For example, you might identify that you saw progress in your habits of getting outside and walking daily for 30 minutes – what a win!  You’d like to continue that but add a social element like walking with a friend once a week, or even going to the gym to lift weights and build lean muscle mass. The theme overall is physical health.  Improving your physical health in 2026 would be an excellent theme to focus on. 

 

Take the time to come up with 3 core themes to focus on in 2026.  Take stock of all the different areas of your life – from your career, family, personal life, finances, health and more. 

 

 

Step 3: Tactical Planning 

 

When you have identified your themes for 2026, experts agree that goals without tactics can be difficult to achieve, so you will need to get specific. Try to break down HOW you are going to get to your goals and achieve your themes in 2026 into small pieces. This is done bit by bit, day by day.  

 

We’ve fallen for these daily planners by Kelly Hughes Designs to help organize our day – one task at a time. One pad contains 50 sheets, and you can organize your appointments and schedule on the left, while adding your “top 3” for the day and to-dos on the right.  Here is a great place to add your daily goals that add up to your larger theme. 

Wishing you enjoyment as you take time to reflect on 2025 and plan out your 2026.  We know with a little bit of time and intention, you are certain to have a strong year ahead. 

Recipes and Serving Pieces for the Holidays

People seem to be preparing for the holidays this year by gift shopping and decorating earlier than ever. If the number of decorated homes on our street is any indication, it seems our community is craving and needing this holiday season. Maybe the early prep is reflection of our collective mental state and our desire to feel comforted, cozy, and… happy. Maybe commercialism has taken over.  Regardless – the holidays are clearly here (in fact, they’ve been here for weeks.)  

We’re finding with all the advanced planning we’ve done that, dare we say it -- we have extra time.  This rare feeling is allowing us space to enjoy a slower pace, but also we want to carry out traditions with excellence.  As the kids grow older, it feels like time is running out.  And since all too often we are rushed and just checking things off the list, these holidays feel like an opportunity (or maybe a necessity) to get things authentically right.  Not for the Facebook or Instagram post, but for the core memories we’re making.  

 

With the extra time and intent on doing things right, we’re planning holiday meals with more intention. (Also, not ordering pies and cakes…. This year, we’re making them!)  We are digging up family recipes that in years past felt too daunting to tackle. We’re dreaming up what the Christmas table will look like with refreshed creativity. Maybe the early birds have had it right all along. 

 

Below you’ll find our grandmother’s recipes for tomato pie, plus a few ideas for serving pieces and an inspired Christmas table-scape.  At More Than Paper, we hope you experience being in the moment and thoroughly enjoy this season. 

 

Tomato Pie Recipe

Yields: 8 servings Total time: about 1 hour 15 minutes (plus optional cooling)

 

Ingredients

For the crust (if making from scratch)

·       1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

·       1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

·       1/4 cup ice-cold water

·       1/2 teaspoon salt

·       Optional: 1 tablespoon (or 1 teaspoon) sugar if you like a slight sweetness

No shame short cut: use a prepared 9-inch pie crust.

 

For the filling

·       4–5 medium tomatoes (about 2 pounds), sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds

·       1 teaspoon salt (to draw moisture)

·       1/2 teaspoon black pepper

·       1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional); you can use a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack

·       1/2 cup mayonnaise or light sour cream (for a creamy layer; you can use Greek yogurt for a lighter version)

·       2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 tablespoon dried, but fresh is best)

·       1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or green onions (optional)

·       1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Gruyère (optional, for topping)

·       1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme

·       1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

·       2–3 tablespoons breadcrumbs (optional, for a crunchier bottom layer)

 

Instructions

1.     Prep the tomatoes: Slice tomatoes into 1/4-inch rounds. Lay slices on a layer of paper towels to drain for 10–15 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with salt and let rest to draw moisture, then blot dry.

2.     Prep the crust (if making from scratch):

3.     In a bowl, blend flour and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

4.     Drizzle in ice-cold water a tablespoon at a time, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.

5.     Gather into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

6.     Roll out on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Transfer, trim, and crimp edges. Chill for 15 minutes.

7.     Bake crust blind: line with parchment, fill with pie weights or dried beans, bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes. Remove weights and parchment, bake another 5–7 minutes until just starting to set. Let cool slightly.

 

Prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix mayonnaise (or sour cream) with basil, chives, garlic powder (if using), oregano, and pepper. Stir in half of the grated Parmesan if using. If you’re using a cheese layer, combine cheddar with a little Parmesan in another small bowl.

 

Assemble:

·       Spread a thin layer of the creamy mixture on the bottom of the baked crust.

·       Layer tomato slices in concentric circles or overlapping layers, slightly overlapping as needed. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper between layers to taste.

·       Dollop some of the remaining creamy mixture over the tomatoes and gently spread to cover (you don’t need to cover completely; it’s okay if some tomato peeks through).

·       If you want a cheese layer, sprinkle the cheddar mixture over the tomatoes.

·       Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for crunch (optional), then finish with a light dusting of Parmesan or Gruyère.

·       Top with a few small dollops of the remaining creamy mixture if desired.

Bake:

·       Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–35 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly and the crust edges are nicely browned. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil.

Rest and serve:

·       Let the pie rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling set.

·       Slice pieces and place on a serving tray, if you are doing buffet style 

·       Garnish with extra fresh basil, if you like, and serve warm. 

 

 

 

Serving Pieces We Love 

 

 

We love this newer design of a personalized Christmas platter by Kelly Hughes Designs. These platters are made from Thermosaf® resin and are shatterproof, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, oven safe for warming up to 300°.  They are also BPA free, melamine free, and 100% Made in the USA. You choose the typestyle and ink color for your personalized text!  

You can also serve up your tomato pie or whatever you are cooking up in the kitchen with this personalized glass cutting board. The tempered glass not only looks great but it is heat resistant, so it may be used as a counter saver, preparing and serving food! 

 

 

Note that it also comes in a paddle shape! At $26.00, we think it’s priced exceptionally well, too. 

 

 

For the Table 

 

Our style is classic and cozy and filled with warm, white lighting. We also love a good Christmas (Tarleton) plaid! This décor find on Pinterest/Etsy (Photo credit found here: ) is part of our inspiration for decorating this season.  

 

These plates by Boatman Geller found at More Than Paper would certainly work with the décor and theme (though probably used for breakfast!)   

 

Once again, we hope that this season you truly ENJOY! Happy cooking and spending time with your family.