What's Up Wednesday in January 2025 (With a Bit of December 2024 too)

It's the last Wednesday of the month and that means it's time for What's Up Wednesday. Since I missed December's What's Up Wednesday I plan to combine both months into this one post... so it might be a tad long! Sorry but not really sorry. 

What We're Eating:

Sunday: Shrimp carbonara (the kind with no diary or cheese but made with tempered eggs) with salad.

Monday: BLT sandwiches with chips and salad (I'll end up eating just the salad).

Tuesday: Pumpkin mac and cheese with broccoli


Wednesday: Burgers and hot dogs with tater tots and salad (I'll have a garden burger and some butternut squash fries).

Thursday: Crock pot lasagna soup with garlic bread


Friday: Pork chops with Hasselback potatoes, and green beans. 

Saturday: Pineapple teriyaki chicken (we'll cook them up in the air fryer since if it is too cold to grill) with rice, corn and salad.



What I'm Reminiscing About: This guy turned 19 this month! 




What I'm Loving: We have had some lovely sunrises and sunsets and I'm noticing the days are getting longer! Oh I am loving that extra daylight. 



still light at dinner time!


What We've Been Up To: I felt like the first two weeks in December were just one long waiting period-- waiting for the boys to finish up their semesters' work, waiting for our trip, waiting for nice weather to get out and hike. Then we spent nearly 2 full weeks in Hawaii!


Alec's cake decorating final 


we went on a couple of winter hikes


Hawaii was beautiful with beaches, hikes, sunsets, whales, plants, waterfalls and more! We saw palm trees and volcanoes and  I spent most of my blogging recapping our day to day activities and photos. 















Once home with celebrated Christmas with my mother in law then got caught up on physicals, dentist appointments and hair appointments before it was time for Alec to head back to college. We celebrated Ian's college graduation, went on a few hikes, and then had a small party for Alec's 19th birthday.








We ended the long MLK Jr. weekend with an immersive Van Gogh experience.. and a snowstorm.








What I'm Dreading: Nothing right now. 

What I'm Working On: I spent most of January in the house working on cards, scrapbook pages, reading, and puzzles. 








What I'm Excited About: I'm planning some trips and activities to look forward to this year. 

What I'm Watching/Reading: I started re-watching Who's the Boss (Hulu), Landman (Paramount +), Man on the Inside (Netflix), So Help Me Todd (Paramount +), White Collar (Netflix), Summer Camp (Hulu), No Good Deed (Netflix), The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (on the plane), Gone Girl (Hulu), Army Wives (Hulu), The Pitt (Max)--- I might have to do a separate post on things we've been watching lately because I feel like we've stumbled upon some pretty good ones!


Between the two months I've read over 20 books and I'll be sharing a full recap complete with reviews next Thursday. 


What I'm Listening to: I just started a new audiobook called Camino Island that seems pretty good. 



What I'm Wearing: ALL the warm clothes and layers and lots and lots of scarves but I am really missing those shorts and flip flops I got to wear in Hawaii!
































What I'm Doing This Weekend: We don't have any plans.

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month: Evan and I have his last college visit before we start filling out college applications this summer/fall. 

What Else is New: Nothing much; winter tends to be a slower time of year for us. 

Linking up with:








Comments

  1. Maria RineerJanuary 29, 2025 at 6:48 AM

    Alec's cake is beautiful- my mom decorated cakes and she made those beautiful roses as well. Your celebrations look nice. I hope the month ends nicely for you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2025 at 11:23 AM

      Aw, thank you! Weirdly he doesn't enjoy decorating cakes and doesn't think he's that good at it either. But, I think we're always most critical of ourselves.

      Delete
  2. Gail Is This Mutton?January 29, 2025 at 7:25 AM

    What a busy month. Beautiful pics. Love Alec's cake. We went to Hawaii, the Big Island, a few years ago and unfortunately didn't see hardly any of the island. The hubs did the Hawaii marathon and wanted to relax the rest of the time. Your pics show me what we missed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2025 at 11:24 AM

      Thank you! We definitely tried to pack a lot into our trip.

      Delete
  3. Dara @ Not In JerseyJanuary 29, 2025 at 8:33 AM

    Sounds like a great month plus!

    ReplyDelete
  4. HollyJanuary 29, 2025 at 8:36 AM

    Such an exciting time for your family! Such a trip of a lifetime- loved the pictures even more today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM

      It really was the trip of a lifetime! I'm having fun sifting through the photos and remembering all that beauty and color and sunshine.

      Delete
  5. ChelleJanuary 29, 2025 at 8:39 AM

    That cake is gorgeous! Alec did an amazing job :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Julie's Creative LifestyleJanuary 29, 2025 at 9:29 AM

    Wow Joanne, I loved looking at the Hawaii photos. I love your winter scenes and glad the temps are a little warmer. You have such a nice and huge sweater collection that I love. I hope you stay warm and enjoy the rest of the week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2025 at 11:26 AM

      I do have a really huge sweater collection; I love sweaters and wear them daily all through winter so I like to have a lot to pick from.

      Delete
  7. KellyJanuary 29, 2025 at 9:55 AM

    Gone Girl is one of my faves! If you haven't read the book, I think it's even better than the movie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2025 at 11:27 AM

      I started watching the movie thinking I HAD read the book but the further the movie went the more I realized I had zero idea what was happening (and therefor did not read the book!). LOL

      Delete
  8. MissyJanuary 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM

    What a packed month! I love that the days seem longer there, too. I can finally notice and feel the 10ish minutes that we're getting per day, and I love it so much!

    www.lovinglifemoore.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2025 at 11:27 AM

      Yes, I am noticing the difference and while I know that won't mean it'll magically warm up at least we're heading in the right direction!

      Delete
  9. Kari January 29, 2025 at 10:40 AM

    So many things to comment on...the lake by your house is so pretty no matter the season. It looks like there are snomobile tracks on it? The thawed picture is so hauntingly beautiful. And I think I mentioned it here before, but Alec's cake is so gorgeous. He is so talented.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM

      Yes, it has been cold enough that we've been seeing quite a few snowmobiles on the lake this month. I loved the lighting in that photo! It felt very moody. I think he's quite talented too; even if he doesn't always realize it.

      Delete
  10. annies homeJanuary 29, 2025 at 12:19 PM

    beautiful pictures I simply love looking at them not such a fan being out in them. I also agree with the double layers of clothing and you look great. Thanks for sharing I will be posting again as well. You can find me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jodie's Touch of StyleJanuary 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM

    Alec's cake is truly amazing. That boy has talent beyond talent.
    I loved your Hawaii photos and the sunrises and sets are beautiful.
    XOOX
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 30, 2025 at 5:31 AM

      Aw, thank you so much! Though he's much happier this semester working with breads & yeast.

      Delete
  12. JeanieJanuary 29, 2025 at 5:14 PM

    You've been seriously busy! Good food, cute clothes, wonderful photos. And that cake rocks! You've definitely had what looks to be a wonderful month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 30, 2025 at 5:32 AM

      Thank you! We really did have a great month despite the cold weather.

      Delete
  13. Deb's WorldJanuary 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM

    I'km so glad you enjoyed your two weeks in Hawaii, it looks amazing! The snowy scenes are sucha. contrast to our sweltering hot summer days, so beautiful to see them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 30, 2025 at 5:33 AM

      Oh we have definitely had plenty of cold and snow! At least our below freezing temps are over (for now); I don't mind the cold as long as it's not ridiculously cold.

      Delete
  14. Min - Write of the MiddleJanuary 29, 2025 at 6:54 PM

    Hi Joanne, oh my gosh so much to take in in this post! Firstly, as an Australian and Queenslander (where it's very tropical and hot) I am so taken with the snow pictures and is that ice on the lake that your verandah looks over? It looks amazing!! I went to the Van Gogh immersive experience here in Brisbane - isn't it fabulous? Happy 19th Birthday to your son! You've had a very full and adventurous time over the last couple of months. Hopefully more fun and adventures to come! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 30, 2025 at 5:34 AM

      Yes, that is an icy lake we look over; in fact the ice has been so thick this year that we've had lots of snowmobiles out on it.

      Delete
  15. NancyJanuary 30, 2025 at 1:54 AM

    What a fabulous cakes! And those views from your home are amazing. Love the black and white knit dress!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 30, 2025 at 5:35 AM

      Thank you! That is one of my favorite dresses too.

      Delete
  16. Kathrine EldridgeJanuary 30, 2025 at 6:56 AM

    What a fabulous month! I enjoyed all you shared about your trip to Hawaii. That cake is beautiful!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete

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