Best of 2025: Recipes, Crafts, and Inspiration from GPTH
As 2025 comes to a close, we are looking back with gratitude on another year of sharing, creating, and connecting. From favorite recipes and creative projects to encouraging devotionals and printables, Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart continues to celebrate faith, home, and family life through every season.
This post gathers the highlights that you, my readers, loved most during the year. Each one represents a small piece of the heart behind this blog, faith, creativity, and a love for the moments that make life meaningful.
Most-Visited Recipes of 2025
Iced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Grandma’s Iced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are a top favorite this year. Readers love how simple and dependable this old-fashioned recipe is. – see the recipe
Stuffed Peppers
This classic stuffed-pepper recipe combines soft, oven-baked bell peppers with a hearty filling of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce. Everything simmers together into a warm, comforting dish that’s easy to make and always feels like a complete meal on its own.
Sloppy Joes
With just a few pantry ingredients and one pan, these Sloppy Joes come together into a saucy, flavorful mixture that’s perfect for spooning onto fresh rolls. It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that delivers great taste with minimal prep – see how to make them.
Favorite Crafts and DIY Projects
Crochet Snowflake
Soft, delicate, and surprisingly simple, these crochet snowflakes come together quickly and make lovely ornaments, gift embellishments, or decorative accents. A peaceful little project that turns a bit of yarn into something beautiful — see how to make them.
Cute Knitted Cowl
Readers love this knitted cowl tutorial. It walks you through creating a soft, flattering piece that doubles as a hood when needed. The pattern is easy to follow, and the result is a handmade touch you’ll be proud to wear. – full pattern here
Folded Paper German Stars
A stellar favorite of readers year after year, this classic craft continues to inspire with its simplicity and beauty. It is truly a handmade favorite for both new and longtime readers with an easy step-by-step video for success. – see the full tutorial.
Patchwork Christmas Stocking
Turn bits of fabric into festive magic with this easy-to-follow patchwork Christmas stocking pattern. With beginner-friendly, clear step-by-step instructions, you’ll have a beautifully handmade stocking ready for stockings or gifts in no time. – get the tutorial
Encouragement and Faith Highlights
A Walk Through Psalm 23
Take a thoughtful walk through Psalm 23 with this post, which combines verse-by-verse insight, personal reflection, and a free printable journal to help you sit quietly with “The Lord is my Shepherd” in a fresh, meaningful way. – see how to begin.
Still Growing: Embracing the Days Ahead
A 30-day devotional eBook invites women to live with grace and purpose after 50. If you’re seeking a peaceful, purposeful way to grow in faith and life, this devotional is a beautiful companion filled with Scripture, journaling prompts, and reflection. – see post here.
Hard-Fought Hallelujah
An encouraging reminder that joy often grows in the hard places. This heartfelt reflection resonated deeply with readers this year. The post looks at the powerful collaboration between Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll. It explores themes of struggle, hope, and the kind of praise that rises from hard seasons. It is a gentle invitation to listen, reflect, and remember that even difficult hallelujahs matter. – See the article.
Reader-Loved Printables
14-Day, 1,400 Calorie Meal Plan for Woman Over 50
For the season of mid-life and beyond, here’s a 1,400-calorie daily rhythm that emphasizes balance, ease, and realistic nourishment. It is complete with printable resources to help you personalize meals, stay on track, and thrive in your body – see the guide.
Easter Story Gift Tags
Celebrate the true meaning of Easter with charming, colorful printable Christian gift tags and an extended printable set for more creative use. Perfect for gift baskets, Sunday School, or family activities – get the printable.
Lunchbox Notes
Kids and parents alike love these cute lunch box notes. They are fun and uplifting notes and were a go-to download this year. Sweet, simple, and perfect for slipping into backpacks, lunch bags, and folders. – See the printable.
Personal Favorites from My Kitchen and Home
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse
Inspired by the beloved story Boy Mole Fox & Horse, this reflection explores themes of connection, courage and quiet wisdom that speak to the heart. If you’re seeking encouragement and a deeper look at life’s gentle truths, I think you will love this – read the post.
50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration
A joyful milestone filled with family, memories, and gratitude. This golden-anniversary gathering was a beautiful reminder of how love deepens with time, made even more special by all of the sweet comments from our GPTH family.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we step into our 17th year, 2026 holds lots of exciting plans! New recipes and printables, fresh devotionals, and more ways to celebrate home and faith. Whether through a cozy dish from the kitchen or a note of encouragement from the heart, Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart continues to bring beauty and inspiration to everyday life.
Thank you for being part of the journey. Some of you have been here with us for many of those years. Your kind words, visits, and shares bring so much joy and purpose to every post created here.
May the new year ahead be filled with peace, creativity, and countless reasons to be grateful.
Each issue of our Newsletter is timely and helpful and jam-packed with food, crafts, occasional DIY, gardening and faith resources. Relevant and seasonal posts to inspire and guide you with current trends. Available only to those who request it, so please accept our invitation to stay connected and join the Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart community. Just click the subscribe button below.
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