Italian Herb Crackers

If you mention there’s a charcuterie board involved, I’m going all in. They’re the perfect grazing board for vacation, holidays, or for hosting on a budget with little prep involved. Crackers are a must-have for a charcuterie setup, but costs can add up quickly and you might want to skip the expensive crackers to make…

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Sowing Seeds Ahead of Spring

If you’re anxious to start your garden before the frost has finished melting, we might have more in common than you originally thought! I’m notorious for pulling out the big basket of seeds well before it is appropriate to get them in the ground, and somehow I always manage to convince myself it’s not too…

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Margherita Pizza

Some things were meant to be on pizza. Halved cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls may be some of the more basic ingredients to include, but there is bliss in the simplicity of a recipe like this. You don’t even have to make the dough yourself and you’ll still get a great result using quality ingredients…

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Wild Violet Pink Lemonade

A fresh glass of lemonade is a summertime staple for our family and what better than to make it homemade? If you’ve already made my Wild Violet Syrup recipe then you’re in luck, and if not, it’s pretty simple and you can skip the long wait times if you’re in a pinch. Ingredients The fresh…

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Hey there!

Meet Shannon

I've been blogging as The Untamed Optimist for over 6 years now and feel incredibly blessed to be in this position. I'm here to help as your newest gal pal and can't wait to hear your feedback on advice I've already given!

Here you can follow along with my latest recipes and find motivation to find productivity in a slow-living lifesyle. Feel free to join the TUO email list to get content before anyone else and know what's to come!

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  • Oven Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

    There’s nothing better than making fall desserts with homemade pumpkin purée until you get stuck with a bowl of pumpkin guts you don’t know what to do with. After all that scooping, you might as well put those pumpkin seeds to good use and roast them for a delicious source of protein and dietary fiber!… Read the Post

    Oven Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
  • Autumn Earring Aesthetics You Need to Try Soon

    When the weather begins to turn, the wind stirs, and the leaves start to fall, it’s time to bring out the best of your autumn wardrobe. No outfit is complete without accessories, and who doesn’t love a good set of statement dangles for pizzazz? Whether you are looking for something simple or for a statement… Read the Post

    Autumn Earring Aesthetics You Need to Try Soon
  • Pumpkin Pie Has Competition This Thanksgiving!

    Even though Thanksgiving has come and gone, that doesn’t mean pumpkin treats have to go too! These pumpkin pie bars are the perfect treat to keep the whole family happy all winter long, without tons of prep work! I decided to grace the Thanksgiving dessert table with these delish bars and with so many people… Read the Post

    Pumpkin Pie Has Competition This Thanksgiving!
  • Candy Corn Cookies

    What’s better than a tray of freshly home-baked sugar cookies? A tray of fresh-baked candy corn cookies to get in the spooky mood, of course! The simple design makes this the perfect rainy day activity for kids of all ages, so get the whole family involved for a day of fun! This recipe is a… Read the Post

    Candy Corn Cookies
  • Oh-So-Flaky Mini Pumpkin Turnovers

    There’s something so comforting about sharing a fresh-baked plate of turnovers with family. This extra-crispy spinoff of a family favorite is perfect for seasonal parties and holiday gatherings. Rather than using the standard puff pastry dough, this recipe utilizes the extra flaky nature of phyllo dough. If you’re having a hard time finding pumpkin puree… Read the Post

    Oh-So-Flaky Mini Pumpkin Turnovers

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