Share 4 Somethings for October 2023

Tomorrow is the last Saturday of the month & time for the Share 4 Somethings link up with Jennifer.  I really enjoy this cute little wrap up of the month even if it might overlap a bit with my What's Up Wednesday posts.  I hope you all don't mind too much!   

As always we're looking at what we Loved, Learned, Read, and Ate this month. 

Loved: We have been on so many wonderful hikes this month!  The weather has been perfect most days.






I also loved the time we spent in North Carolina with my sisters and aunt (I recapped the whole trip on Monday and Tuesday)

Learned: I've learned to cook dinner for the whole family without the use of my oven; it's been surprisingly easy but I do miss baking.  I am so hopeful that our oven will be fixed soon and still trying to drag my feet about buying a new one like my husband is now insisting that we do (for those that don't know it's been a month since our oven broke and while they promised us a part within a week or two they are now saying they have no idea when that part will come in!). 

Read: I managed to read 13 books this month and would be so hard pressed to pick a favorite!  I have been having such a wonderful year of reading. 


Ate: I didn't do the greatest job taking photos of my food this month.. I'm not sure why but it slipped my mind an awful lot (I haven't been tracking very well on my Weight Watcher's app either-- but I am down a few pounds so I'm not sweating it).  






Linking up with: Spread the Kindness, 






Comments

  1. Maria RineerOctober 27, 2023 at 5:31 AM

    Love the hike pictures! So pretty. I was only out of an oven for several days (though it was on Christmas Eve that I realized our replacement oven was not working properly which made for a stressful hosting situation!) and it was very inconvenient. I really like the looks of my new oven- I´d start looking into models in case that part proves elusive!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 27, 2023 at 2:35 PM

      Thank you! I honestly don't much care about my oven.. as long as it's the same color of the rest of the appliances I'm good.

      Delete
  2. Kathrine EldridgeOctober 27, 2023 at 5:33 AM

    Your meals always look so delicious! Those hikes you take are fabulous too.

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  3. HollyOctober 27, 2023 at 7:01 AM

    Ok you are a "reading ninja" too! You and Natasha tie for first place :) I am so inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  4. debs14October 27, 2023 at 7:34 AM

    I hadn't realised I was hungry until I saw your food photos! You've done so well to be without an oven for a prolonged time, you're going to be so happy once you have a fully functioning oven again.
    The colours in your hiking photos are beautiful, autumn really is a pretty time of year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. mireilleOctober 27, 2023 at 8:40 AM

    I need to do much better with my snacking habits: my bad habits this weekend are not helping my moods.
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 27, 2023 at 2:37 PM

      I'm sure my weight loss has mostly been helped along by my cold; it has zapped my appetite and I can't taste or smell much of anything so I don't want to eat all the delicious treats we have around.

      Delete
  6. LyshaOctober 27, 2023 at 9:20 AM

    Congrats on being down a few pounds! That's always so motivating. I'm working on upping my workout game bc I have been gaining a little bit and I'm not sure why.

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  7. Heather{Our Life In a Click}October 27, 2023 at 9:28 AM

    You read a lot of books!! The food looks tasty and is making me hungry. You have a beautiful place to hike and enjoy nature. I'm loving the warmer weather while we still have it!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne October 27, 2023 at 2:38 PM

      Aw, thanks! We have had a few warm days lately too despite the trees clearly telling us it's fall.

      Delete
  8. PamelaOctober 27, 2023 at 11:16 AM

    We can never get enough of your beautiful scenic photos! Have a great weekend.

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  9. Tanya October 27, 2023 at 12:39 PM

    You have been reading so many good books lately!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 27, 2023 at 2:38 PM

      I feel like I have had one of the best years ever for reading!

      Delete
  10. JeanneOctober 27, 2023 at 1:04 PM

    Beautiful fall photos. I think your fall pictures are better than food pictures. Especially if you are losing weight.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Julie's Creative LifestyleOctober 27, 2023 at 1:52 PM

    The fall foliage is so beautiful in your neck of the woods. You have read so many books and the food looks so good. I hope you have a nice weekend Joanne.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kim CarberryOctober 27, 2023 at 4:09 PM

    The weather does look perfect for hiking! Those blues skies, I miss those.
    Well done you for learning to cook dinner without an oven. I don't think I would manage without ours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 8:04 AM

      We'll start to have fewer and fewer of those as fall turns to winter we usually have more cloudy and gray days.

      Delete
  13. Deb's WorldOctober 27, 2023 at 4:27 PM

    Thanks for joining us for WBOYC Joanne, your loss of an oven and how you've managed is inspiring!! Hope things get sorted soon but you've managed well. Lovely autumnal shots too! All the best for November.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 8:05 AM

      Aw, thank you! I finally broke down and went to buy a new one yesterday; one month is long enough. LOL

      Delete
  14. Lindsay's Sweet WorldOctober 27, 2023 at 4:46 PM

    Your weather looks like it has been absolutely fabulous! I always love how much time y'all spend outdoors!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 8:05 AM

      It has been wonderful-- supposed to start getting real cold this week though. I've even heard we might have ice/snow in the mix one night!

      Delete
  15. ratnamurtiOctober 27, 2023 at 5:11 PM

    The countryside is so beautiful. North Carolina looks really special.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jo TraceyOctober 27, 2023 at 7:03 PM

    As always love your outdoor pics. I had to pause from commenting on this as I rushed off to Amazon - how had I never heard of From Notting Hill to Love Actually? My 2 favourite movies! Thanks for linking up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 8:06 AM

      You're welcome! It was the cutest story with so many romcom references.

      Delete
  17. Andrea NineOctober 27, 2023 at 7:09 PM

    How I love where you live, lol and what you eat. Great chefs in your house.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasOctober 27, 2023 at 9:49 PM

    Joanne,
    Good for you losing a few pounds!! Beautiful pictures!! I can not believe you read that many books...I just can't seem to find the time to sit down and read...I have to work on that.... Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 8:07 AM

      Thank you! It has been so nice to see those few pounds go (and not come back yet either!).

      Delete
  19. Jennifer JonesOctober 27, 2023 at 10:00 PM

    Your outdoor photos are beautiful. The only book I've read from those that you have read is the Handmaid's Tail. I loved it. I have None of This is True on my list to read soon.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousOctober 28, 2023 at 4:56 AM

    Your hike pictures look amazing! Your food pics look very delicious too 😊
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wildflower AdventuresOctober 28, 2023 at 5:34 AM

    I always enjoy your hiking pictures, you have such good trails to walk in your area. I've been on a salad eating kick. I could eat salad any time of day for any meal. The toppings are so versatile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 8:08 AM

      We do have lots of beautiful hiking trails around. I tend to eat a lot of salad too and agree that it's so easy to change up the taste by swapping out toppings.

      Delete
  22. Amy from www.coffeeandcocktailsatthecasa.comOctober 28, 2023 at 7:00 AM

    Great photos! I went without an oven for 3 months last winter. I have a substantial air fryer that I even baked cornbread and cake in during that time. I didn't want to buy a new oven, but it's amazing! It shows me that my old oven had not been baking evenly for some time. The food is so much better coming out of my new oven! Good luck with your decision!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 8:08 AM

      Thank you! We broke down and bought a double oven yesterday; I'm getting pretty excited about using it.

      Delete
  23. Amy JohnsonOctober 28, 2023 at 8:35 AM

    That food looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  24. CathyOctober 28, 2023 at 11:53 AM

    Such beautiful pictures in the woods. Happy Weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jodie's Touch of StyleOctober 28, 2023 at 12:36 PM

    It's so inspiring to see all of the hikes you do. You live in an incredible place.
    XOOX
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
  26. NatalieOctober 28, 2023 at 4:21 PM

    Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Beautiful photos of your hikes!

    ReplyDelete
  27. retirementreflectionsOctober 28, 2023 at 5:03 PM

    Hi, Joanne - It looks like you have had a fabulous month of hiking, eating and reading (amongst other things). The 'From Noting Hill with Love Actually' book title immediately caught my attention. I did a quick search for its blurb and found this. "She was just a girl, standing in front of a boy... wishing he looked more like Hugh Grant." I definitely need to read that! <3

    ReplyDelete
  28. MELODY JACOBOctober 28, 2023 at 5:07 PM

    Beautiful photos of nature

    Wishing you a wonderful weekend

    ReplyDelete
  29. tchistorygalOctober 28, 2023 at 6:31 PM

    Your hikes and food both look gorgeous. Both reflect a healthy lifestyle, Joanne. Well done! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenOctober 28, 2023 at 8:06 PM

    Your outdoor hiking photos are so beautiful! You sure read a lot of books this month, Joanne. All your food looks great and good for you in being down several pounds! Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  31. JudeeOctober 28, 2023 at 11:15 PM

    Your photos of the outdoor fall scenery is breathtaking and all of your meals look really delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Nancy 's Fashion StyleOctober 29, 2023 at 4:17 AM

    We don't hike, but we cycle. Love to cycle in this season, the trees just smell like autumn and the colours are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 8:12 AM

      They sure are! Though so many of ours are already on the ground and I don't enjoy seeing the brown leaves and bare branches nearly as much.

      Delete
  33. JayneOctober 29, 2023 at 9:54 AM

    Well done for managing without your oven. I bet that is quite frustrating!
    What lovely hiking pics, it is so pretty where you live.
    Also well done for reading so many books this month! I like the look of all of them. We must have similar taste in genres! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 29, 2023 at 2:42 PM

      Thank you! It has been so frustrating. Yesterday I took out a pie pan, sprayed it with cooking spray and thankfully remembered I didn't have an oven before I started cracking the eggs to make the quiche I had planned.

      Delete
  34. SakurankoOctober 29, 2023 at 11:02 AM

    Oh very good dishes darling

    ReplyDelete
  35. EllibelleOctober 29, 2023 at 1:03 PM

    Love those hiking pictures and the food looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousOctober 29, 2023 at 3:59 PM

    Love the hiking pics - looks so nice! And all the food looks delish. As for your books - how did you like Class Mom? Worth it or no? Hope you have a good week!
    -Morgan @mommyaboveall.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 30, 2023 at 11:45 AM

      Thank you so much! I LOVED the Class Mom series (and honestly did not think I would at all since I'm a homeschooling mom and have zero clue about actually being a class mom).

      Delete
  37. Tamar SBOctober 29, 2023 at 6:16 PM

    Your natural scenery is so gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Women Living Well After 50October 29, 2023 at 6:40 PM

    HI Joanne, well done you cooking without an oven! I enjoyed reading about the books you read during the month and the photos of your hiking trails are stunning. Magic countryside. Thanks so much for sharing with us at #WBOYC? I wonder what November will bring? Enjoy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 30, 2023 at 11:46 AM

      Thank you! It's been a bit of a struggle but we're making it work.

      Delete
  39. Doused in Pink | Chicago Style BlogOctober 29, 2023 at 8:23 PM

    You find the prettiest places to hike! I'm so impressed with the number of books you read. I'm adding a few of them to my library list!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

    ReplyDelete
  40. MarshaOctober 29, 2023 at 11:33 PM

    I love to see the photos of your hikes! Mine are so boring...just asphalt and brick houses...very few trees. I haven't read any of the books you did this month. That's kind of unusual. Good luck with the oven. It's such a pain when something breaks whatever it is.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
  41. Lisa notes...October 30, 2023 at 10:22 AM

    I love all your outdoor photos. We don't hike often enough. A month without your oven and you're still cooking dinner? You're amazing! :) Truly. That's great. I am so dependent on my appliances. Loved seeing these favorites!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Janet AlcornOctober 30, 2023 at 10:51 AM

    That's quite a lot of reading! And as always, your outdoor pics look amazing. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Dara @ Not In JerseyOctober 30, 2023 at 1:28 PM

    Great reads and hikes!

    ReplyDelete
  44. LeanneOctober 30, 2023 at 9:03 PM

    Hi Jo - I hope the oven gets fixed soon. Ours broke towards the end of covid and it took ages to get the replacement part. It meant our griller didn't work either - lots of alternative cooking happened at our house too. Your meals looked delicious, so you're managing well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne October 31, 2023 at 6:25 AM

      We finally gave up on the part and ordered a whole new oven; which will be delivered and installed on Thursday!

      Delete
  45. KirstinNovember 1, 2023 at 9:00 AM

    Oh goodness...so sorry about your oven. We had a week or more when we didn't have an oven and I'm thankful for our instantpot and crock pot. Your octover books sound interesting. I haven't read any of them, so I might need to screen shot this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 1, 2023 at 12:29 PM

      Some days I hardly even notice we don't have an oven but there are times when I completely forget and am about to put something in it when I remember.

      Delete
  46. JenniferNovember 1, 2023 at 10:45 AM

    I am not sure I could make that many dinners without my oven. I'm impressed! Then again, maybe that is why you have lost a few pounds - lol! Just kidding. As always, your hiking photos inspire me to get outside! Love them - thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 1, 2023 at 12:29 PM

      Aw, thank you! It just might be; I certainly cook any tempting treats this way.

      Delete

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