Share 4 Somethings.. April 2023
It's nearly the end of the month and that means it's almost time for Share 4 Somethings with Jennifer. As always we're looking at what we loved, read, learned, and ate this month.
Loved: I loved that we had two day of fun during Alec's April vacation. Evan, Alec, and I went out to lunch and to the zoo one day (where Evan and Alec took ALL the photos with my camera while Evan taught Alec a bit about how to use it). Then Evan, Alec, and I went hiking and got ice cream another day.
We also celebrated Ian's 19th birthday with pizza, a chocolate/peanut butter cake, and ice cream.
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| Alec made his cake using this recipe-- wow, it was amazing! |
Read: I read another dozen fabulous book this month-- I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite but The Dutch House, American Dirt, and The Mother In Law were top of my list for sure.
Learned: Each track season I learn a little bit more and this year I've learned a bit more about the javelin and discus scoring systems (the two events in which Alec competes) as well as how some of the other events work.
Ate: I shared a lot of the meals I ate this month in my What's Up Wednesday post and I didn't really want to just share all of that again but I thought I'd share one of my favorite easy meals I made this month. I made chicken fajitas for the family and turned it into a little stir-fry for myself with cauliflower rice. It was quick, easy and oh so delicious. I honestly can't remember the last time I made fajitas and I remembered why I used to like them so much.
It was just a few packages of chicken breast tenderloins (that I cut into bite sized pieces) and then in a separate pan I sauteed up red and green peppers, onions, and mushrooms then divided the seasoning packet between the two pans. That way my boys would still eat them with chicken and add lettuce/tomato/ salsa to their tortillas and those of us that like onions and peppers could still have them as well. I did put a tiny sprinkle of cheese on top too-- which made this entire plate a 2 point meal on WW
Linking up with: Spread the Kindness,
I loved the Dutch House as well. l like all of Patchett's books but that may be my favorite. I know nothing about the field events of T&F but understand that you would want to know about them since your son competes in them. I spent almost five hours last night at a track meet, staring at either the track or my Kindle ;) . I will check out that cake recipe. The cake looks SO GOOD!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever read any of Patchett's other books but I am definitely going to look up some others.
DeleteYes, I too liked the Dutch House. You read a lot of books Joanne. That cake looks so good and happy birthday to Ian. Have a happy Friday and weekend Joanne.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI also loved The Dutch House. What a yummy looking cake!
ReplyDeleteIt was delicious; definitely an overload of sweetness but oh so good.
DeleteIt sounds like a great day out at the zoo and the photos are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Ian had a wonderful birthday, that cake looks so good.
My family are a massive fan of fajitas. They would have them at least once a week given the chance. I always make a bit extra and my fella takes the leftovers to work with some rice.
It was a wonderful day at the zoo and I'm pretty sure Ian had a great birthday. My boys would happily eat tacos each week but fajitas not so much.
DeleteWhat a fun day at the zoo. I’m going to the zoo in a few weeks and I’m really looking forward to it as it’s been years since I have been. Ian’s cake looks amazing !
ReplyDeleteRuth@playworkeatrepeat
We hadn't been to the zoo in a few years either and it was neat to see what things had changed.
DeleteLooks like a fun time at the zoo!
ReplyDeleteIt was!
DeleteSo fun to get to the Zoo!
ReplyDeleteIt really was! We hadn't been in several years.
DeleteI love your zoo pics Joanne. I haven't been to the zoo in ages. Also, that cake looks delicious. Impressive. I am reading American Dirt right now. Such a good, but intense/heavy book.
ReplyDeleteIt really is isn't it?
DeleteI bet it's like a whole new language learning about the javelin and how it's scored.
ReplyDeleteXOOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yep! And my son, who is usually quite competitive (and who helps keep score!), rarely had any idea how he did.
DeleteThank you for your weekend coffee share. That birthday cake looks impressive. I also enjoyed The Mother-in-Law novel.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Alec did a great job with that cake.
DeleteHappy birthday to your son! That cake looks amazing and I'm sure was delicious! I have to visit a zoo soon. It's been so long and I LOVE animals! Hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteThe photo of the red panda (sun bear?) is fabulous. Such an enchanting creature. #WBOYC
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! That red panda is our FAVORITE at the zoo. Sadly, there used to be two of them and the zoo only had this one remaining.
DeleteYou had a lot going on. It's fun to meet another Marsha, BTW. I love the photo of the little guy at the zoo. What an adorable face. Happy birthday to your talented son. That cake looked so yummy. I bet you hated to cut into it - for about a second. :) Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely gave me a moments hesitation but it was well worth destroying it to finally get to eat it.
DeleteThe Dutch House, YES! I couldn't agree with you more, Joanne. Maybe it's time for me to pick that favorite up once again ...
ReplyDeleteOOh... maybe!
DeleteGosh, I haven't been to a zoo in years. We had an amazing one when we lived in NE Indiana...the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. All other zoos truly pale in comparison to it. I really liked American Dirt...it was riveting. Alec's birthday cake looks delicious! Thanks for sharing all of these photos, Joanne!
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
You're welcome!!
DeleteLots of good things here Joanne, that cake is amazing! I've read a few of the books you mentioned and always enjoy seeing what others have been up to for WBOYC. Thanks for joining us.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting each month.
DeleteGreat pictures and gorgeous cake! That meal looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI love the zoo. That's a delicious looking cake & fajitas. I would like to have gone to some of the Grand's track meets but the meets are right after school. By the time I got there, they said their event would be over. I have got to go to several of their baseball games. Karen #Weekendcoffeeshare
ReplyDeleteMy son's track meets start around 4 and run 'til 6 or so; it helps that I don't work outside the home but even my husband has been able to make a few of them!
DeleteAh a red panda! Love fajitas too, we ate them at a restaurant last month where they put dish on fire.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought of ordering or eating fajitas in forever! I used to get them at restaurants all the time.
DeleteThe zoo is always fun. Love these photos. That cakes looks yummy. The Dutch House has been on my to-read list. I need to actually pick up a copy soon. Why have I never made fajitas at home? Thanks for the inspiration, Joanne. I need to try it.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteHi Joanne, thanks for sharing your month with us here at #WBOYC. The cake looks impressive and I am always interested to see what others are reading. I've had a month where a few of the books I've chosen have been really hard work! Enjoy your May and I look forward to you joining us next month. x
ReplyDeleteA dozen books in a month? Wow, I'm so impressed! Loved the zoo pictures. The red panda (I think?) looks so peaceful. Another Wow for your husband's cake!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I read anywhere from 10-12 books a month most months.
DeleteHi Joanne - I always enjoy seeing what you and your family are getting up to. Loved the zoo pictures - I can't remember the last time we went to the zoo - it's just not something we've thought of doing for many, many years (since the kids were young) - I think because it's quite expensive and you need the kids to make it more exciting.
ReplyDeleteYes, it really is not the same visiting the zoo without young kids and seeing how excited they get.
DeleteHappy birthday to Ian! That cake looks delish. The red panda (?) is sooo cute! I love a zoo trip. We went the kids on their 3rd grade zoo trip, and that memory just popped up. No javelin in middle school track -- they do turbo jav. The real thing would be dangerous. lol
ReplyDeleteThe red panda is our favorite! They're just so darn cute. We used to have a family membership to the zoo most years so we went several times a year when the boys were little.
DeleteI had a pretty good reading month as well. Your chicken dinner looks super yummy.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a great day at the zoo. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful, warm day too! We haven't had too many of those yet this year.
DeleteA trip to the zoo is always fun. That cake look delicious. I too loved the Mother in Law.. it was not at all what I was expecting.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I didn't expect the Mother In Law to go that way either!
DeleteThat trip to the zoo and all the interactions with your sons sounds wonderful! Perfect way to enjoy spring vacation days. Visiting from SFS today.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteYou read so many books! I need to add a few of those to my list!
ReplyDeleteIt's always easy for me to read a lot when I'm finding good books I like.
DeleteWhat a fun post! That cake looks so good.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Alec made us another fabulous cake.
DeleteI want to take my grandkids to the zoo this year. I think they'd both have so much fun. That chocolate peanut butter cake sounds amazing. I'll have to look into a few of those books. Always looking for something good to add to my list. What a great update. Oh, and I love fajitas.
ReplyDeleteI always have a great time at the zoo; and I have to say it was such an easy afternoon with teenagers!! We haven't been back to the zoo since they were all much younger and I had to tote around all sorts of snacks and drinks and things.
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