What's Up Wednesday: January 2024 edition

It's the last Wednesday of the month and that means it's time for What's Up Wednesday.  Does anyone else feel like January was both super long and yet somehow also went by fast? I'm not sure how that can be either but that's what it felt like... I think certain days/weeks flew by while others seemed to really drag on.   

What We're Eating: We had a delicious month and got so spoiled on our trip!  Amazingly I didn't gain a single pound either.  That felt so great! 

Caesar salad

chocolate/caramel cake

French onion soup

Ravioli

Lots of fresh fruit, some bacon, and croissants too

salad and turkey sandwich

cinnamon gelato

Burrata and butternut squash salad

pasta, chicken, and cheese sauce

Fried shrimp, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables and plantains 

A delicious and light dessert called mille feuille

Fruit and yogurt

tiramisu 

Eggs, bacon, potatoes, and roasted vegetables with cinnamon swirl bread

Shrimp and steak fajitas

Chocolate cake with ganache 

Lots of roasted vegetables 

fruit, yogurt, and granola

haddock, lobster, and vegetables. 

cauliflower flan with shrimp, and prosciutto 

Carrot cake

Veggies, cinnamon bun, and bacon

Bacon burger with fries

chicken, potatoes, and veggies

1/2 an order of chicken parm. my husband and I shared 

I made chicken fajita rice bowls for dinner one night

Pesto pasta with mushrooms and chicken 



What I'm Reminiscing About: Alec turned 18 this month; we haven't had a chance to celebrate with him yet (my husband and I were sick and then my mother in law landed back in the hospital) but I still can't help thinking about how we now have another full grown adult living in the house! 

Alec (and Ian) on their first Disney trip

Alec at Sesame Place 

Alec (with the goggles on!) meeting princesses at Disney with Ian

Alec in December... 


What I'm Loving: Our Cruise was fabulous! The ship was beautiful and we had 4 main dining rooms to pick from... great shows each night.. and some fabulous (and some not so fabulous) shore excursions. 







I spent time each day reading on our balcony


We loved the quiet calm of the (indoor) adult only pool




Our first port was Roatan Honduras:







We tendered over to Belize, City Belize and then went snorkeling off the 2nd largest reef in the world:






 
We toured ancient Mayan ruins in Cozumel, Mexico.. met a shaman... and spent our afternoon on the beach:







Our last stop was in Grand Cayman and we nearly didn't get off the boat due to rough seas.  We finally managed to get off the ship and had a fun time biking around the island. 














Our last day was an "at sea" day:






What We've Been Up To:  We started our new year out with breakfast with the whole family before my sister and nephews headed home to North Carolina.  Then my husband and I went hiking.  After our week at sea we were both sick at home for a few days and then it's been a whole lot of snow and ice and rain. Which means lots of reading, puzzle making, and TV viewing. 
















What I'm Dreading: Filling out our taxes... I hate trying to gather everything together and making sure I haven't missed anything or forgotten anything.  

What I'm Working On: I've been planning a family trip to Hawaii for this coming Christmas.  We decided to visit 2 islands-- Maui and the big island of Hawaii... and that's about as far as my planning has gotten so far.  

What I'm Excited About: I have a little blogger meet- up in the works for early spring and I'm really excited to put some actual real-life faces to the names and blog images. 

What I'm Watching/Reading: Red, White, & Royal Blue (Prime), Happiness for Beginners (Netflix), Love at First Sight (Netflix), Five Feet Apart (hulu), Queen Bees (Netflix), Sound of Freedom (Prime), Lift (Netflix), started re-watching Duck Dynasty-- pretty much ALL while I was sick... 




I did manage to finish up 8 books this month and my review of them will be up tomorrow!




What I'm Listening to: Absolute silence that only seems to happen in the winter.. it's such a foggy quiet morning on the lake. 

What I'm Wearing: Between extreme winter here and lots of sunny heat in the Caribbean I've been wearing a little bit of everything! 





























What I'm Doing This Weekend: We have zero plans but I bet I'll end up grocery shopping at some point. 

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month: Alec presents his SCAP-- Senior Culinary Arts Project (he's making a 5 course Greek meal and we get to listen to his presentation and try all his food). 

What Else is New: My mother in law ended up back in the hospital after my husband and I got home from our trip and had surgery last week. Hopefully she's on the mend for good now!  

Linking up with:











Comments

  1. Maria RineerJanuary 31, 2024 at 5:34 AM

    Love all of your outfit pics- the warm weather ones and the cold weather ones. You have been in both temperature extremes this month! Your food pics from the cruise look really good- how cool to not gain any weight. Have a great Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Megan RussellJanuary 31, 2024 at 6:54 AM

    That polka dot dress is my favorite!! And I love the rainbow picture. How fun to have a blogger meet up!!?? And a trip to Hawaii - one day I’ll be able to travel…hopefully!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andrea NineJanuary 31, 2024 at 7:09 AM

    Oh what a great WUW! Your trip outfits were spot on spectacular. The jumpsuits, rainbow dress and polka dot are my favs. I loved this post. .

    ReplyDelete
  4. NatashaJanuary 31, 2024 at 7:12 AM

    You've had quite the month! I'm hoping to get a puzzle in this weekend. I only did one (and it was a Christmas one) in January. I do hope everyone's health improves in February. And how to fun to meet up with some bloggers!!! Can't wait to read about it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. LyssyJanuary 31, 2024 at 7:38 AM

    So glad you guys enjoyed the cruise and got to avoid some of this gross weather!! My sister just had to go to Maui for work, pretty nice place to visit in January.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 31, 2024 at 3:46 PM

      Oh I bet that was such a hardship for her.. LOL! I have always wanted to see Hawaii.

      Delete
  6. HollyJanuary 31, 2024 at 8:22 AM

    So fun to read about the trip again and see all of the beauty. BTW I am obsessed with that jumpsuit on you- you have a cardigan on with it- so so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 31, 2024 at 3:46 PM

      Aw, thank you! That was my first purchase from Clara Sunwoo this past spring and it's one of my favorites too.

      Delete
  7. Dara @ Not In JerseyJanuary 31, 2024 at 8:38 AM

    That's amazing you didn't gain weight on the cruise! Quite a difference in weather from the Caribbean to back home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 31, 2024 at 3:47 PM

      I couldn't believe it; I thought for sure I'd put on at least a few pounds with all the food we were eating.

      Delete
  8. PamelaJanuary 31, 2024 at 9:17 AM

    What a great post! I'm amazed that you didn't gain any weight with all that delicious food! Ugh, tax time. Your Hawaii trip planning sounds fun as does the blogger meet-up. We enjoyed Queen Bees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 31, 2024 at 3:48 PM

      Thank you! I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't gain any weight.

      Delete
  9. Lindsay's Sweet WorldJanuary 31, 2024 at 12:17 PM

    Ugh, I was going to ask about your MIL. I was hoping she was better once and for all. I hate to hear she had to go back to the hospital again. I hope she's truly on the mend this time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 31, 2024 at 3:49 PM

      Oh me too! The doctors seem quite confident that she should be on the mend and I'm praying that is finally the case.

      Delete
  10. Kim CarberryJanuary 31, 2024 at 2:25 PM

    I know what you mean. January has dragged but some days have really flown over!!
    The food on your trip looks so good and that's fantastic that your weight has stayed the same.
    Aww! The photos of Alec are so cute.
    Your whole trip away looks amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Christie HawkesJanuary 31, 2024 at 4:51 PM

    You certainly did have lots of fabulous looking food, Joanne, and the cruise looks wonderful. It's been a long time since my husband and I have been on a cruise, but we've been talking about booking one. Looking at your pics encourages me to do so. I hope you, your husband, and your mother-in-law are all feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 1, 2024 at 4:44 AM

      Thank you! It seems like everyone is on the mend now.

      Delete
  12. Tanya January 31, 2024 at 8:06 PM

    I'm sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. I just worked on our taxes...definitely not fun! Your cruise looked so fun!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Memphis BridgesJanuary 31, 2024 at 11:20 PM

    Sorry to hear about your mother in law and glad y'all are feeling better now. I am glad I had eaten dinner when I looked at all the delicous food pictures, ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 1, 2024 at 4:55 AM

      I know what you mean; we ate so much delicious food this month.

      Delete
  14. MarshaJanuary 31, 2024 at 11:24 PM

    All of that amazing food, and you didn't gain a pound...that's a huge win! Those snowy photos are just gorgeous. You know, it just dawned on me that you take your photos in front of a mirror. For some reason, I thought that was a long skinny hallway! Duh! I do hope your MIL is recovering well.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 1, 2024 at 4:54 AM

      I thought that was a huge win too! And thank you for the well wishes for my MIL

      Delete
  15. Denyse Whelan.February 1, 2024 at 12:05 AM

    Goodness me what a post...the opposite seasons seen in your outfit pics and from your cruise. I am so glad you enjoyed your trip away and sorry it ended with you both getting sick...but onward to planning Hawaii...that will be fabulous! Glad your MIL is better...fingers crossed.. Denyse

    ReplyDelete
  16. sherryFebruary 1, 2024 at 2:22 AM

    oh my look at all that fab food. that chocolate cake looks so delicious! cheers sherry #WWWhimsy

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2024 at 4:08 AM

    All the food looks spectacular and I love your outfits. The cruise looks like it was so much fun, so lovely to have some time away with your husband. Sending good wishes for your Mother-in-Law's quick recovery.
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kathrine EldridgeFebruary 1, 2024 at 6:45 AM

    What an amazing cruise! I could use some sun right about now. All the food looks spectacular and yes, our kids grow up too fast. I will be an empty nester in August.

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 1, 2024 at 1:32 PM

      Thank you; I was trying to soak up all the sun that I possibly could before returning home.

      Delete
  19. LyshaFebruary 1, 2024 at 11:27 AM

    So many cute cruise outfits!

    ReplyDelete
  20. JoyceFebruary 1, 2024 at 1:07 PM

    Looks like you had a fabulous trip! I'm sorry you've been ill and hope your mother-in-law is on the mend too. Enjoy your Greek feast!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Doused in Pink | Chicago Style BlogFebruary 1, 2024 at 6:32 PM


    Time really flies! Love seeing the throwback photos of your boys! Your cruise sounded amazing! Love all of your outfits!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 2, 2024 at 6:28 AM

      It sure does! I'm enjoying all the senior year fun though.. especially since my other two were/are homeschooled and we don't really have any way to make senior year special.

      Delete
  22. JeanieFebruary 1, 2024 at 10:33 PM

    I'd say you have a lot of really great "what's upping" things! Oh my -- being sick -- not good. That salad looks so wonderful. Well, all the food does!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 2, 2024 at 6:28 AM

      Aw, thank you! All in all it was a pretty good month.

      Delete
  23. Jennifer WhiteFebruary 4, 2024 at 8:38 AM

    The SCAP sounds so cool --and neat that you get to be involved. Your trip looked so amazing - the food too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 4, 2024 at 9:51 AM

      Thanks! I am really excited to see how he does; but I know he's so nervous!

      Delete
  24. Debra | Gma’sPhotoFebruary 18, 2024 at 10:17 PM

    Hi, Joanne. I sure enjoyed looking at all of your images! I noticed when you commented on the snow, ice and rain that in one of your images you have a wood stove. The heat feels so good. And your vacation images were fun to see too. Thanks for sharing all of them!
    Take care and best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 19, 2024 at 5:36 AM

      Yes, we have a woodstove in our basement and whenever it's on I spend most of time down there! :)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Favorite TV Shows Growing Up in the 80's and early 90's

Image
Do you remember the TGIF lineups on Friday nights? I can remember planning sleepovers and time with friends around TV Show lineups of our favorite shows... or else trying to set the VCR to record our favorite shows if we weren't going to be home. And through the years I had SO MANY favorites! Growing pains aired in 1985 which put me around age 8 and it stayed on the air until I was 15 or so; I'm pretty sure most people in my age group watched mostly for Kirk Cameron and all his antics.  I still have a soft spot for family sit-coms!  The Facts of Life aired when I was just 2  and stayed on the air until I was 11 so I'm sure the episodes I remember so fondly were either some of the later ones and then reruns shown later on when I was old enough to watch from the beginning. I think everyone would have loved an Edna Garret in their lives.   Benson another sitcom that began airing when I was just 2 and was done by the time I was 9 (another one I must have watched mai...
Read more

Things That Make Me Laugh

Image
I loved the challenge of this week's list for our 26 lists link up.  I don't know about you but I really need to laugh more lately.  It's such a great stress reliever. 1.  Books-- I love a good funny book that makes me laugh out loud.  I haven't read one in a while but if you have any recommendations I'm all ears.  The last book I can remember making me laugh was the Un-Honeymooners. 2  The boys being silly. 3.  Watching shows like America's Funniest Videos or Family Feud. 4. My husband.  Most people don't realize it but he's actually pretty funny and often makes me laugh. 5.  Whenever my sisters/ family get together and we get to reminiscing (particularly if my Aunt Elaine is around) we end up laughing so hard at all the old family stories that we are all in tears by the end of the night.  It's fabulous. 6. Movies like Mom's Night Out, Christmas Vacation, and Grown Ups make me laugh out loud. 7.  When my ...
Read more

Making Gift Card and Money Holders Using Scrapbooking and Cardmaking Supples

Image
I don't tend to keep a lot of crafting supplies on hand so when I saw this month's de-stash challenge I wasn't sure what I was going to make.  I finally realized that with so many of my Christmas gifts being cash and gift cards this year that I needed to make up some fun paper crafting/ creative ways to gift them.   I still want my nieces and nephews to have something to open so I pulled out my papers and stamps and made up some cute little money/gift card holders. They were much easier to make than I thought.  The first one I worked on was to hold some oversized Nintendo gift cards.  I made a standard sized card and folded down one corner of the card front.  Then I ran my double sided tape along the bottom an 1/2 way up the side creating a cute little pocket.  Finally I added some cute embellishments and ribbons.   Voila! A simple and easy gift card holder for those larger sized gift cards.  The bulk of the tweens and teens on my list j...
Read more

Making a Sugar Cookie "Gingerbread" House

Image
 Alec really wanted to try making his own gingerbread house this year without using a premade kit.  We talked about how we never really eat the house since they don't taste very good.  Years ago we gave up on the frosting that comes in the kit and began making our own so we thought perhaps we should try making our our house too. Only problem is that no one in the house likes gingerbread.  We talked about trying to make the house using a sugar cookie recipe.  Alec was so excited at that idea since he just LOVES sugar cookies.   He found a recipe online for a simple sugar cookie recipe and mixed up the dough.  He rolled it out an cut it to the size of our cookie sheets-- we had read that it's easiest to cut the house pieces out after the dough has been baked and is still warm and soft because then you don't have to worry about any of the pieces losing their shape while baking. I had picked out a simple cookie cutter set on Amazon and as soon as the ...
Read more

Dollar Store Candy Cane Wreath

Image
Today I am linking up with some fellow bloggers for a Dollar Store craft challenge.  I don't often participate in these challenges since I try to stay away from our local Dollar Stores; I find they can be quite dangerous for me!  I knew this was the perfect time to find some inexpensive holiday decorations though and I just LOVE how my wreath turned out!  I hope you stop by and see what the other hosts are sharing. Meet this month's co-hosts! Across the Blvd | Purple Hues & Me This Autoimmune Life | Our Unschooling Journey Domestic Deadline | Sew Crafty Crochet Stone Cottage Adventures | Sum of Their Stories | Two Chicks & a Mom I bought the candy cane wreath base and a few rolls of mesh (not knowing how many I'd need I bought waaay to many; I only ended up using one white roll and one red roll. Using some chenille stems I already had on hand I attached the mesh to the wreath base trying to alternate the whit...
Read more