There’s something especially comforting about letting soup simmer all day in the crockpot. The house fills with that slow-cooked, savory aroma, and dinner practically makes itself. This Crockpot Chicken Lemon Carrot Orzo Soup is cozy, nourishing, and brightened with fresh lemon at the very end.

It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug—with a little sunshine stirred in.

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Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6–7 cups chicken broth
• ¾ cup orzo pasta
• Juice of 1 lemon (plus zest if desired)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for added richness)

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Step 1: Add Everything (Except Orzo & Lemon)

Place the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, oregano, and olive oil into the crockpot.

Cook on:

• Low for 6–7 hours
  or
• High for 3–4 hours

The vegetables will soften and the chicken will become tender enough to shred easily.

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Step 2: Shred the Chicken

About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Return it to the crockpot.

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Step 3: Add the Orzo

Stir in the orzo and continue cooking on High for about 20–30 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Keep an eye on it—small pasta cooks quickly.

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Step 4: Brighten with Lemon

Turn off the heat and stir in fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Adding the lemon at the end keeps the flavor fresh

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Why This Crockpot Version Works

Slow cooking allows the carrots and chicken to develop a deep, savory flavor while staying tender. The lemon keeps it from feeling heavy, and the orzo makes it satisfying enough for a full meal.

It’s easy enough for a busy weekday but comforting enough for a slow Sunday dinner.

There’s something special about lifting the lid at the end of the day and finding dinner ready—warm, bright, and nourishing.

Our Princess was off on an adventure this week to Costa Rica! We really miss her.

When Christmas ends, winter is still very much here. The lights are packed away, the tree comes down, and suddenly the house can feel a little… bare. But winter doesn’t need to be rushed out the door. In fact, this quiet stretch after the holidays is the perfect time to lean into a softer, slower kind of cozy—one that feels timeless and comforting.

Think of winter decor as Christmas’s gentler cousin. Less sparkle, more soul.

Keep What Feels Warm

Before clearing everything away, pause and notice what still brings comfort. Soft white lights, knit throws, wood tones, candles, and well-loved textiles don’t belong to one holiday—they belong to the season. A simple string of warm lights tucked into a crock or draped along a shelf can glow beautifully through January and February.

Vintage pieces shine here: an old brass candlestick, a crock filled with pinecones, a wool blanket that looks better because it’s been used and loved.

Nature, Just a Little Bit Wild

Winter decor doesn’t have to be fussy. Bare branches in a stoneware pitcher, dried oranges in a wooden bowl, or evergreen clippings gathered from the yard bring the outside in without feeling “Christmasy.” These elements feel honest and old-fashioned, like something that’s always been done.

Muted colors—cream, soft gray, faded green, warm brown—create a calm backdrop that suits winter’s quieter mood.

Layered Comfort

Vintage winter style is all about layers. Linen curtains, chunky knits, quilted throws, and pillows that invite you to sit and stay awhile. Nothing should feel precious. This is the season for reading by the window, slow mornings, and early evenings spent by lamplight.

Tabletops can be simple: a linen runner, a ceramic bowl, maybe a candle that smells like cedar or vanilla. Cozy doesn’t need much.

Let Winter Be Its Own Season

After the rush of December, winter asks us to slow down. Decorating after Christmas isn’t about filling the space—it’s about softening it. It’s about creating a home that feels warm against the cold, familiar against the gray.

So let the cozy linger. Let the vintage pieces tell their quiet stories. Winter will pass soon enough—but for now, there’s comfort to be found in its calm.

Metamorphosis

There’s something extra comforting about a warm bowl of soup that’s been slowly simmering all day. This slow cooker sausage, potato, and kale soup is rich, hearty, and perfect for chilly evenings or busy days when you want dinner to practically cook itself. With savory pork sausage, tender potatoes, and a splash of cream to bring it all together, this recipe is simple, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Whether you’re feeding family or stocking the fridge with leftovers, this soup delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

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Why You’ll Love This Soup

• Easy slow cooker recipe – minimal prep, maximum comfort
• Hearty and filling – thanks to potatoes and sausage
• Balanced flavors – creamy, savory, and just a touch of heat
• Great for leftovers – tastes even better the next day

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Slow Cooker Sausage, Potato & Kale Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk pork sausage
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 4 large russet potatoes, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 (32 ounce) container chicken broth
• 2 cups water, or as needed
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 bunch kale, stems removed and discarded, leaves torn into bite-size pieces

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Instructions

1. Brown the sausage
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the sausage until browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Sauté the aromatics
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onion becomes tender and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease.
3. Assemble in the slow cooker
   Place the chopped potatoes into the slow cooker. Add the cooked sausage and onion mixture. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
4. Add the liquid
   Pour in the chicken broth and enough water (up to 2 cups) to completely cover the potatoes. Stir gently, then cover with the lid.
5. Slow cook
   Cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours or High for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
6. Finish with cream and kale
   Pour in the heavy whipping cream and stir in the kale. Cover and cook on High for about 30 minutes, until the kale is tender and the flavors are fully incorporated.

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Tips & Variations

• For extra richness, mash a few potatoes directly in the slow cooker before adding the cream.
• Like more heat? Add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast for a complete meal.

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This slow cooker sausage, potato, and kale soup is comfort food at its finest—simple ingredients, big flavor, and the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out. Enjoy every cozy spoonful!

Metamorphosis

It’s starting to look a little like Christmas in my house — not in a grand, over-the-top way, but in the quiet, comforting hints that sneak in before you realize the season has truly arrived.

A wreath leans against the door, waiting for its moment. A strand of lights glows softly in the corner, not quite bold enough to announce itself, but too warm to ignore. The bins come out, lids cracked open, and suddenly memories spill onto the floor along with the decorations. Each ornament carries a story — a handmade treasure, a gift from years ago, something chipped but impossible to part with.

There’s a familiar rhythm to it all. The gentle hum of holiday music in the background. The faint scent of pine or cinnamon drifting through the air. Even the clutter feels different this time of year — less like mess, more like anticipation.

Looking a little like Christmas doesn’t mean everything is finished or perfectly placed. It means the season is beginning to settle in. It’s the pause before the rush, the in-between moment where the house starts to feel warmer, softer, and full of promise.

For now, that’s enough. Just a little sparkle. A little glow. A little reminder that something special is on its way.

Metamorphosis

Christmas decorations carry a quiet beauty, glowing with more than just lights. As familiar boxes are opened each year, they bring with them memories—handmade ornaments, well-worn decorations, and traditions that have softened with time. Each piece tells a story of past Christmases, loved ones gathered, and moments that still linger.

There is comfort in their imperfection and familiarity. They remind us to slow down, to honor what has endured, and to feel connected to days gone by. In their gentle glow, Christmas decorations become more than décor—they become a bridge between past and present, filling the season with warmth and nostalgia.

Metamorphosis

The boxes open with a rustle,
spilling ribbons, lights, and memories.
The tree stands waiting

as we wind our way through ornaments—
each one a tiny story
hung with care.

Garland climbs the banister,
candles warm the windows,
and music hums through the rooms.

By evening, the house glows softly,
as if it, too, remembers
what this season feels like—

hope, warmth,
and a little bit of magic.

Metamorphosis

There’s something about fall that always feels like a fresh start wrapped in a cozy sweater. The air shifts — crisp and cool — and suddenly the world feels ready to slow down. The trees begin their transformation, turning sidewalks into colorful mosaics of red, orange, and gold.

Inside, I find myself doing a little transformation of my own. Out come the cozy blankets, plaid pillows, and warm-toned candles that make the house feel like autumn itself has moved in. I love bringing the outdoors in — a bowl of pinecones on the table, a vase filled with branches of fiery leaves, and a few tiny pumpkins tucked onto shelves and window sills. It doesn’t take much to make a room feel like fall, just a few thoughtful touches that invite you to linger a little longer with your coffee.

There’s something about decorating for this season that feels grounding. Maybe it’s the textures — the softness of knit throws or the flicker of candlelight against wood. Maybe it’s the way the colors echo what’s happening outside the window. Whatever it is, fall décor always reminds me that home is meant to feel warm and lived-in.

The kitchen joins the celebration too — the scent of cinnamon, roasted squash, and baked apples seems to drift through every corner. Evenings feel slower, and weekends fill up with football games, walks through crunchy leaves, and maybe a stop at the farmers’ market for one more bouquet of sunflowers.

Fall never stays for long, but it always leaves me feeling grounded and grateful — like the season itself is a gentle reminder to enjoy life’s little transitions.

What’s your favorite fall touch at home — a scent, a color, or a cozy corner you return to each year?

Metamorphosis

This summer brought a little wake-up call. At my routine check-up, my doctor told me my triglycerides were high. Nothing too scary, but enough to make me take notice. If I wanted to stay off medication, I’d need to clean things up—no added sugar and limited saturated fats.

That news hit right as I was daydreaming about pumpkin bread, apple crisp, and every other fall favorite that’s usually loaded with butter and brown sugar. It felt a little unfair… how could I enjoy the season without the flavors I love most?

But I didn’t give up. I started experimenting—tweaking recipes, swapping ingredients, and focusing more on the beautiful produce fall has to offer. Then I stumbled on this bake: warm apples, roasted squash, a touch of spice, and just a whisper of sugar and butter.

When it came out of the oven, the whole house smelled like fall. Sweet, earthy, comforting. It was one of those moments where you realize that healthy changes don’t have to mean giving up joy—they just mean finding it in new ways.

The Usual Cast of Characters

• 1 ½ pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
• 2 Gala apples cored, and diced with or without skin.
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon or add a sprinkling of any fall spice combination.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup raisins

The Steps to Glory

Preheat the oven to 400°F

In a large bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash, diced apples, cinnamon, vanilla extract, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are evenly coated.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it in an even layer.

Dot the chopped butter over the top of the mixture. Cover the dish and bake for 15 minutes.

Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Add the raisins, cranberries, and pecans, and toss to combine.

Cover the dish and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the squash is tender.

Remove from the oven, stir gently, and serve warm.

Metamorphosis

We’ve been spoiled this year with late summer warmth and endless blue skies. But yesterday, I finally had to pull out a coat for the Navy Football game — they won! Go Navy!

As much as I’ll miss summer, there’s something I love about the crisp air and the explosion of color all around the neighborhood. I’m ready to lean into cozy — sweaters, candles, and all the autumn vibes.

Enjoy a peek at my fall décor!

Metamorphosis

Whispers of Fall

Golden light through amber trees,
A hush of wind, a gentle tease.

Leaves like embers drift and spin,
Autumn’s song begins again.

Crisp air hums with orchard sweet,
Boots and laughter, crunching feet.

The world slows down, the colors call—
There’s magic in the heart of fall. 

Metamorphosis