Friday Favorites: Things I Am Loving This Season
When listing today's favorites some of them are literally about this fabulous fall season we are loving and some are a more general love for this season of life that our family is in. With 3 teenage boys life has been rather fun! I love having different interactions with them all and at 15, 16, & 18 they are each at different stages of independence we're all enjoying too.
1. Nearly every day Evan asks me to go hiking-- I love this! Even on days I might not be feeling like getting fresh air and exercise I find I just can not say no and it really is the perfect time to take advantage of the weather. All our favorite hiking places look so pretty this time of year too.
2. Watching TV-- For whatever reason, it feels like books aren't holding my interest much lately and for the past few weeks I've been turning to TV to help me relax and escape. I love curling up on my recliner with a blanket and binge watching shows. I've recently been watching Abbott Elementary, The Rookie, Bones, and the latest season of Nailed It.
3. Alec's parking spot-- while I LOVED driving Alec to and from school each day these past couple of years it has been so nice to have 2 whole extra hours in my day. While I still worry about him when he's out driving it's been a huge milestone for the both of us for him to get to park at school and be on his own. Free from having to pick him up I'm also not rushing through Evan's school day or our hikes since I know Alec is all set. Ideally I had hoped that extra time would help me get more done each done but I'm not sure that's the case...
4. Our homeschooling routine-- I think Evan and I have fallen into a great homeschooling routine and this is the first year of homeschooling where I feel like we are working through each and every subject fairly evenly (I almost always forgot about at least one subject!). We try to tackle 4 - 5 subjects each day and I rotate them out so we're covering everything. Plus with only 1 student at home our day goes by so quickly!
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| Photography class -- "out in the field!" |
5. One on one time-- Hiking with Evan, baking with Alec, school work with Ian... somehow I manage to spend a bit of one on one time with each of them every single week (some I even get one on one time with each day!) and I love it. Life is much less chaotic feeling now than when they were younger.
6. The colors and views!-- Fall is my favorite season and I feel so lucky to live in an area where colors are exploding all around us. Even right outside my bedroom window!
Linking up with: On the Edge,
So nice to have that one on one time! I know it is bittersweet not to drive and it is worrisome until you know they safely arrive. Your hikes look amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt really is; but I love how independent the boys are getting too. Our hikes have been spectacular this fall.
DeleteThose are great things to love! That foliage is magnificent. It's so hard when kids learn to drive- it's nice, but it's also sad and the end of an era.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteSuch special time with your boys! Love it :)
ReplyDeleteThat is my favorite and I am soaking up every moment knowing it won't last forever.
DeleteThose are nice ages- plenty of potential difficulty as the teen years are certainly not easy... But the independence, driving, and being able to enjoy doing grown up things together like hiking are all great. It is wonderful that you have specific things you do with each of them. Love your views! Our area is getting really pretty looking outside with the leaves changing colors.
ReplyDeleteI am finding the teen years rather easy (so far!) but my boys aren't really typical teens since we homeschooled them and they just don't have that desire to do the things the friends are just because their friends are doing it. They are independent thinkers through and through.
DeleteI have 2 boys, ages 9 and 12. It is so much fun to do outdoor activities and we loving cooking together. Great coffee post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThose are such fun ages!
DeleteIt's so beautiful where you live this time of year. I always enjoy looking at your photos of the lake and trees. How nice to spend one on one time with your boys. Have a happy Friday and weekend Joanne.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteI have a baking mat from Tupperware too!! :) Everyone is talking about Abbott Elementary, I'd better check it out!
ReplyDeleteIt is really rather funny and adorable. Even my 16 year old started watching it.
DeleteThose are some awesome favorites! My oldest is going to take his driving test today, praying that he will pass it. I am loving hikes and the pretty scenery too.
ReplyDeletewww.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Best wishes to your son!!
DeleteLove that fall color! How beautiful for your hiking outings. We had our first snowfall today (which is already melting off, thankfully) so we have a weird blend of fall color flocked with snow.
ReplyDeleteOh boy; that is much too early for snow! LOL. But I say that as a person that doesn't ever like the snow (even though we do get our fair share).
DeleteI'm a sucker for autumn color photos and these are absolutely wonderful. Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love this time of year because of all the autumn color.
DeleteThat view from your bedroom window is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteYou really are lucky to have such gorgeous colors and the view of the lake right outside your house. I loved these favorites!
ReplyDeleteWe sure are!
DeleteI love how you get out hiking almost daily and with your son. Talk about precious.
ReplyDeleteThe Ageless style group had a discussion on IG. Wondering if you're in for next week, and you get to pick the theme for November!!
OXOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you!
DeleteLove that fall foliage! And how nice that you get two extra hours to yourself each day! That is a HUGE chunk of time!
ReplyDeleteIt really is! I honestly didn't know what to do with it at first (as I mostly spent both those hours looking at the clock calculating where he'd be at that time!). LOL.
DeleteIt's so nice that you have a baker in your home, and a driver too! Busy times but the best times. I also love fall the best--we're having a beauiful one!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to have another set of hands with all the baking projects.
DeleteWhat lovely things to have as your favourites. It's so good that Evan asks to go hiking. My eldest starts her driving lessons on Tuesday and she can't wait to have a little more independence when she gets a car. x
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope the driving lessons go well.
DeleteMe too!
ReplyDeleteOh, I absolutely love when the leaves start to change colors. Your pictures by the lake are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I'm always so sad when they all start to fall though.
DeleteSo wonderful to have the one on one time. Great that you are hiking almost everyday and enjoying those gorgeous fall colours.
ReplyDelete-Soma
I figure we should soak it up as much as we can before the real cold of winter sets in.
DeleteThank you for your weekend coffee share. Beautiful hiking pictures and how wonderful to have time with your sons. Fall colours are at their best where I live, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGosh you have some beautiful hiking spots near you! It sounds like your days are full and productive!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThat bedroom view would keep me in bed for a long time every day! Enjoy this time with your boys...but, I'm letting you know you'll still have lots of quality time with them after they leave. It will just be a different kind of time. I don't see my boys (who are fully grown men) every day, but I talk with or FaceTime with them every day! Like I said...it's just different.
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
True! We do see my mother & mother in law quite often
DeleteI remember enjoying my children at the ages of yours. I also remember the heart palpitations at the thought of them driving alone. The autumn colours are beautiful. My favourite time of year. Visiting from #weekendcoffeeshare
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yes! I have to distract myself when they're out on the road.
DeleteThat’s so great that you can have one on one time with your boys and that they enjoy spending time with you. They sound like lovely young guys.
ReplyDeleteRuth@playworkeatrepeat
Thank you!
DeleteFall is my favorite season as well! And your views and hikes are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteWe homeschool too - although my son is in 2nd grade and I am still finding my way through. Lol. I forgot all about science last week! We usually have so much nature and science in our lives anyway though that I didn't sweat it but I don't want to leave it out. :) It sounds like your days are wonderful!
Oh yes, we had had entire school semesters go by where we'd forget entirely about one subject or curriculum book! I figure it's all about balance in the long term and nature study and being in nature go a long way towards developing those science skills.
DeleteHow sweet that your son wants to go hiking with you everyday. I love hiking in fall.
ReplyDeleteI love it too.
DeleteOne on one time with your kids is the best! I love how the fall leaves look in your view of the lake! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It seems like everything looks beautiful right now so full of color.
DeleteWonderful photos of the autumn foliage!!! And I love how you describe the enjoyment of life with your three teenage sons. Too often you just hear the negative aspects of parenting teens.
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE parenting teens. I think these have been some of my favorite ages and stages.
DeleteLovely autumn views, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteSuch a great lists of things to love....those fall views, homeschooling, time with the kids and relaxing with tv all sounds great to me too.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteJoanne,
ReplyDeleteSounds like life is good in your part of the world...I am loving this Season too and now that I am getting out walking, I love seeing all the beautiful fall colored leaves on the trees...Thanks so much for stopping by!!!
Hope you are having a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you!
DeleteBeautiful photos. It looks like your son enjoys some of your hobbies. How fun for you both. :)
ReplyDeleteMore like he's reluctantly trying photography because he hates all other forms of arts and crafts and I've convinced him he needs to try something creative even if it's just to put on his transcript! LOL But, that said he's taking some pretty good photos and seems to be enjoying the process.
DeleteHi Joanne - I love that you get to spend time with your boys - it's investing in what's really important and building into relationships that will last a lifetime. On a different note, I'm a "The Rookie" fan - I've had a soft spot for Nathan Fillion since watching him in Firefly many years ago, then Castle, and not The Rookie.
ReplyDeleteI never watched Firely but loved Castle. I am definitely a Nathan Fillion fan.
DeleteSO many things to love! The fact that you all can hike so much (and the views are beautiful!) is something I've jealous of. Driving...what a huge rite of passage. I'm it's an uneasy feeling but helpful for you to have that time back. I can only imagine! I watch Abbott and Rookie too! Two of my favorite shows :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is an uneasy feeling but I just keep reminding myself both my boys are good and responsible drivers..
DeleteJoanne, it sounds like you've got that whole family, one-on-one time, balance thing down! And your photographs are amazing. Autumn is my favorite season anywhere, but it looks especially wonderful where you are!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteIt sure is.
ReplyDeleteSo many people have mentioned Abbott Elementary to me this week alone, I have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
That's how I ended up watching it! I heard so many people talking about it, I decided to give it a shot.
DeleteVery interesting post! Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBen | Infinitely Posh.
Thank you!
DeleteThe view outside your window is stunning, as are your hiking spots! Fall colors are only slowly trickling in around here.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteAw, thanks! It is my favorite season because of all that beautiful foliage.
ReplyDeleteAbbott Elementary is such a fun show! I can relate to the driving. My daughter is currently learning to drive. I know how much time we'll get back since my husband and I drive her all over the place. However, it makes me so nervous! I love all the fall foliage pics. It's such a beautiful time of year!
ReplyDeleteIt does get a bit easier each time they drive and arrive home safely.. I am so focused on Alec that I don't even think of his older brother being on the road anymore! LOL.
DeleteYou have such a good list of favorites! Wish I was hiking more often especially this time of the year! The colors are beautiful around here too!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteOh wow! I am so flattered!!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, love your favorites! I really enjoyed your photos, stunning. What a great trip to Maine. And congratulations to your son on driving. Your cards are so pretty you do lovely work.
ReplyDeleteThanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month. Feel free to link up any older posts that may need some love and attention too Sweet friend
Thank you so much!
Delete