What's Up Wednesday: December 2021

It's the last Wednesday of the month which means it's time for What's Up Wednesday with Sheaffer & Shay.  I'm not even sure if they're hosting it this month due to the holidays but I like to have this little summary of our months to look back on so I decided to write it up anyway. 
What We're Eating This Week:

Lots and lots of chicken, fish, and veggies to make up for all the holiday eating! We will be having a graduation for Ian this Friday night and he's requested lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and cake so it won't be all healthy eating.  I published our last monthly menu of the year today so you can check that out here. 


What I'm Reminiscing About: The early years of Ian's schooling and how fast the time flew by landing us at high school graduation.

First day of Pre-K

First field trip (to the apple orchard)

First school concert-- he's the one in the orange vest


First day of Kindergarten


What I'm Loving: Alec and I have been busy baking up a storm this past month.  I LOVE having extra hands in the kitchen and it's even better when he takes over completely!


Frosting cookies

Christmas crack

snowflake cinnamon bread he made up Christmas morning

banana bread

eggnog snickerdoodle cookies

white chocolate peppermint bark

Chocolate peppermint trifle cake



What We've Been Up To:  Lots and lots of hiking! We've been hiking about an hour most days. We celebrated Christmas with quite a few parties-- a cookie party with our friends, Christmas Eve at my mother's, a few brunches and parties with the in-laws.





















What I'm Dreading:  Alec starts driver's ed. next week which means our nights are going to be pretty busy for the next few months. I dread busy nights but I especially dread them in the cold, snowy, winter months. 

What I'm Working On: I am trying like crazy to finish up my first diamond painting project; I definitely think I should have picked a smaller project to start with but I am enjoying the process. 



We're also cleaning and organizing the house like we do every year after Christmas.  

What I'm Excited About: We have glued the entire basement countertop together and while it still needs a lot of sanding and varnishing it is pretty close to being finished. We also got an email letting us know our furniture is in production and I am so excited about seeing the whole basement finished! 

What I'm Watching/Reading: Aside from all the holiday favorites I've also been watching Billions (Prime) and LOVING it, as well as Emily in Paris season 2.




I read 10 books this month; most of them holiday themed (here!)  Now that Christmas has passed I have a few non-holiday books going as well that I'll add to January's round up of books. 



What I'm Listening to: I've take to listening to book on CD in the car and am currently listening to The Language of Flowers. It is fabulous!



What I'm Wearing: Sweaters and wraps!  Most days I am wearing layers and in the winter that almost always means a sweater.  
















What I'm Doing This Weekend: Celebrating New Year's and hopefully hosting a graduation party. 

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month: Alec turns 16 and he's starting driver's ed! 

What Else is New:  We have had such beautiful skies and view this month!











Linking up with:









Comments

  1. Tamar SBDecember 29, 2021 at 7:37 AM

    Look at little Ian!! Alec's creations look so good! Glad you've had a lovely holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TheInspiredEater.comDecember 29, 2021 at 9:07 AM

    Wonderful post! I like several sweaters. Are you linking to them?

    Wendy TheInspiredEater.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 29, 2021 at 3:14 PM

      I don't usually; only because I often forget where I've gotten them from-- but I can try!

      Delete
  3. MarieDecember 29, 2021 at 9:12 AM

    Loved the pic of making the gingerbread houses. Great idea to put the decorations in a muffin tin.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NatashaDecember 29, 2021 at 12:17 PM

    Oh, those sky pictures are gorgeous! And wow! Ian is graduating -- that's a HUGE milestone. And I LOVED The Language of Flowers. It was such a heartbreaking, but beautiful, book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 29, 2021 at 3:15 PM

      Yes! I can't believe I almost forgot to mark that milestone in any way!!

      Delete
  5. Dara @ Not In JerseyDecember 30, 2021 at 8:56 AM

    I always love your food and nature shots! I keep seeing ads for the heart sweater you're wearing, it's so cute. I'm so excited to watch Emily In Paris season 2!

    ReplyDelete
  6. TorontoSAMDecember 30, 2021 at 9:46 AM

    Those sky shots!! Good luck with driver's ed, fun times! I have some Christmas crack in our fridge right now, reminds me to go over and get some :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 30, 2021 at 2:07 PM

      Thanks! I'm excited for him to drive but dreading the actual schlepping to class each night.

      Delete
  7. Lindsay's Sweet WorldDecember 30, 2021 at 10:07 AM

    That diamond painting is awesome!! I helped Olivia with something similar last year, but hers was on a much smaller scale. I can't imagine how much time this big one is taking you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 30, 2021 at 2:08 PM

      Thanks! My husband keeps joking that I might finish the painting by next Christmas!

      Delete

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