What's Up Wednesday: November 2022

I hope you all had a wonderful week last week and a very happy Thanksgiving (if you live in the United States!).  It's already the end of the month and time to wrap up what we've been doing.  I love this little link up with Sheaffer and Shay!  Can you believe that tomorrow starts the last day of the year? 

What We're Eating This Week:

Sunday-- Ribeye steaks, roasted asparagus, baked potato and salad.

Monday-- Turkey/orzo soup with challah bread



Tuesday-- BLT grinders with chips and salad (I planned on eating a large salad with shrimp and 1 slice of bacon sprinkled on top)

Wednesday-- Burgers (turkey burger for me) with French fries (butternut squash fries for me) and salad. 

Thursday-- Egg roll in a bowl with rice for the boys (and chicken tenders for the younger two)


Friday-- Homemade pizzas and salad.



Saturday-- Ham, roasted potatoes, and green beans.

What I'm Reminiscing About: Holiday and winter memories with these cuties! 





What I'm Loving: My bedroom tree! I've always wanted multiple trees in our house and this year we have 4-- 1 in my bedroom, 1 in Alec's room, 1 in the living room, and 1 in our newly finished basement.  I am loving having one in my room (which is where I spent a huge chunk of my afternoon blogging)



What We've Been Up To: It's been a pretty quiet month for us; Alec is officially a 1st degree black belt! We packed our days with hikes and my husband and I enjoyed a few date nights (one with fresh flowers!).  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and we've decorated the house for Christmas








 
What I'm Dreading:  Honestly? I am dreading trying to navigate the holidays without gaining weight.  Thanksgiving was a real struggle for me this year and I am working really hard to work off all that extra food I indulged in. 

What I'm Working On: I've been busy making all my Christmas cards and since we give money to each of the nieces and nephews I'm making money cards to put the money in.  That has kept me pretty busy this month.



What I'm Excited About: Enjoying this slow holiday season and soaking up all the fun I can. 

What I'm Watching/Reading: I've been watching a real mix of things... everything from old movies like Notting Hill, Enchanted, 10 Things I Hate About You, You Again, & City of Angels to more recent movies like Ticket to Paradise, Disenchanted, The People We Hate at the Wedding, & Where the Crawdads Sing.  I started watching From Scratch, The White Lotus (season 2 takes place in Italy), & The Santa Clauses (Disney+).  We've also started watching our favorite holiday movies like Elf, Christmas Vacation, While You Were Sleeping, etc.

I just shared all my favorite Christmas movies on Monday and will by cycling through these all month long as well as checking out some of the newest holiday movies like A Castle for Christmas (it was just okay), Christmas... again? (a cute movie for the whole family), Falling for Christmas (reminded me of a cute holiday hallmark movie). 



I read 11 books this month and will have a recap of them on the second Tuesday of the month. 




What I'm Listening to: An episode of Bones that's playing in the background as I type this up.

What I'm Wearing: All the warm layers!!















What I'm Doing This Weekend: I don't really know... wrapping gifts maybe?

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month: Christmas!  

What Else is New: Nothing much.  

Linking up with:







Comments

  1. Maria RineerNovember 30, 2022 at 5:37 AM

    Fun post to read! Congrats to your son on the 1st degree black belt- that is impressive. The soup and bread combo sounds so good right about now! (not literally now, rather for dinner). The tree in your room is so pretty! I'm sure it adds a lot of great ambiance to the room. We have multiple trees in the house but we don't have one in our room. Love your craft area. I am sure your craft projects will turn out well. I'm not crafty but I worked on some holiday photo gifts online that flexed what little creative muscles I have. It was time consuming but time well spent, nevertheless!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 30, 2022 at 4:11 PM

      I wish we had saved the soup and bread for tonight; it's been storming all afternoon and just feels like a soup night.

      Delete
  2. Holly Breton @ Pink LadyNovember 30, 2022 at 6:22 AM

    Congrats to Alec! Oh I love having a bedroom tree too- the most cozy feeling around!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andrea NineNovember 30, 2022 at 7:27 AM

    Yay Alec! Cute outfit, I especially love the sweater with the buttons going up from the side. All the Christmas lights feel so cozy and warm! Look at all that delicious food! Yay on 11 books too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 30, 2022 at 4:12 PM

      Thank you! I feel like I am just flying through books lately.

      Delete
  4. ChelleNovember 30, 2022 at 8:44 AM

    That bread looks delicious! I bet it smelled amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 30, 2022 at 4:12 PM

      It really does. I love any sort of fresh bread.

      Delete
  5. Dara @ Not In JerseyNovember 30, 2022 at 8:49 AM

    I'm really liking your outfits this month. I have such a hard time with weight gain too. My clothes aren't fitting. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 30, 2022 at 4:12 PM

      Mine are definitely getting tighter but I have been really, really good this week about only eating healthy foods so hopefully I'll be back to my pre-holiday weight soon.

      Delete
  6. JoyceNovember 30, 2022 at 8:59 AM

    I am trying to be intentional with what I eat right now too. So many parties and events, all with rich foods. I'm trying to plan ahead as best I can and sometimes I'll eat something before I go so I'm not starving. I have no discipline when you set any kind of cheese and crackers in front of me lol. I enjoy reading people's menus, inspires me to cook some different dishes. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 30, 2022 at 4:13 PM

      I used to have zero will power with chips, cheese, or crackers but now I really have to watch myself around desserts and sweets. They are definitely my downfall.

      Delete
  7. Memphis BridgesNovember 30, 2022 at 9:15 AM

    That bread looks fabulous! I can also relate to trying to not gain weight during this holiday season. In the back of my mind, I know Valentine's and Easter candy will be bombarding the stores soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 30, 2022 at 4:14 PM

      So true! It feels like there is always a holiday or event with lots of sugary and junky foods just lurking around the corner.

      Delete
  8. Tamar SBNovember 30, 2022 at 9:40 AM

    That bread looks fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jo TraceyNovember 30, 2022 at 3:17 PM

    Multiple trees! I'm in awe (and more than a tad jelly...or should I say inspired?). Great images, love your crafting desk & your commitment to making your own cards... which reminds me, I need to get our family newsletter written & in the mail!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 30, 2022 at 4:15 PM

      I am so glad we finally put up more than one tree and I was surprised that I didn't feel like it was 4 times the work either. We set them all up early in the day and then that afternoon/evening went around with our boxes of ornaments decorating them one by one.

      Delete
  10. MarshaNovember 30, 2022 at 4:06 PM

    Congratulations to your son for his black belt! And, that challah bread looks delicious! I am really struggling with my weight right now so I totally feel you! I loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo...such a good book. We have just finished Dead to Me (the final season) and are watching Derry Girls. I need to finish my Christmas shopping before I can even think about wrapping it!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 30, 2022 at 4:16 PM

      Thank you! He has worked so hard. I tend to wrap as I buy (and keep suuuper detailed lists of what I bought for who and how much I've spent).

      Delete
  11. KellyNovember 30, 2022 at 4:36 PM

    Some of your favorite Christmas movies are mine too! I just had While You Were Sleeping playing in the background today while I was working. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 1, 2022 at 4:47 AM

      I watched that one over the weekend; it's so cute!

      Delete
  12. Jodie's Touch of StyleNovember 30, 2022 at 7:27 PM

    I love that you put up a tree in your room too. I'm not even sure we will put up a tree this year. Isn't that terrible??
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 1, 2022 at 4:50 AM

      Aw, thank you! My husband thought I was nuts but I think he's enjoying it too.

      Delete
  13. LeanneNovember 30, 2022 at 11:55 PM

    Hi Joanne - I can't believe you have FOUR Christmas trees - I've noticed a lot of Americans do this. Fortunately in Australia we stick with one - and that's definitely my limit. Mine has gotten smaller and less full-on over the last couple of years and I'm enjoying it being less of a challenge to decorate and then undecorate afterwards. Still, having a tree in your bedroom must be lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 1, 2022 at 4:50 AM

      I'm hoping to just wrap three of the trees and not even undecorate them when the holidays are done. We have the room to store them upright and I've heard that works really well.

      Delete
  14. Denyse Whelan.December 1, 2022 at 3:29 AM

    I loved all of this...and remember, eat "some" of what you love and never feel deprived..that's my old philosophy. Loved seeing your creating space...and how much love has gone into your home. The pics of you are looking great..so take care of how you feel about yourself...these are tricky times, holidays.. xx Thanks so much for joining in this week’s WWandPics link up where I got to celebrate being 73. Still getting used to the new number…Here we are, it’s December and there are 3 more weeks to link up till I take a short break. I always enjoy seeing your blog pop up on the website. Take care, Denyse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 1, 2022 at 4:52 AM

      Thank you! It's so much harder when we host holidays and have so many leftovers around because as much as I don't want to eat it all I really can not stand food waste either. Luckily, after just a few days of tracking and getting back to my "normal" eating I've already shed 2 of the 3 lbs. I gained.

      Delete
  15. AnonymousDecember 1, 2022 at 8:35 AM

    Congratulations to Alec on his first degree black belt. What an amazing achievement! All your weeks meals look so delicious and that bread looks so good. I was imagining the yummy smell as I was reading.
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

    ReplyDelete
  16. WyethaDecember 1, 2022 at 6:04 PM

    Your weekly meals are delicious...um can I get a plate....(LOL)

    ReplyDelete
  17. JessDecember 3, 2022 at 8:06 PM

    That challah bread looks phenomenal! I wish I had a Christmas tree in my room. My parents and I are always amused by how the houses in Hallmark movies are fully decked out, even in the bedrooms. We would like to replicate that, haha! Also, your card came this week! It's so cute--thank you! :) I'm hoping to get my cards out tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete

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