Share 4 Somethings in July

 Tomorrow is the last Saturday of the month and it's time to link up with Jennifer for her Share 4 Somethings.  We had a wonderful and very busy July.  

loved-- Our weekend in Maine!  





Celebrating my birthday



Spending time on the beach (the sunburns not so much)





Hearing all about Alec's 3 night/4 day stay at college-- he had so much fun that he was actually sad to say goodbye to everyone and come home with us! 



learned-- I have the hardest time with this prompt each and every month. I learn so many things but usually little things that don't seem worthy of mentioning.  I've learned about how our bodies process glucose, I've learned how to snake a kitchen drain, I've learned more about the process of getting a CDL (commercial driver's license), and I've learned a whole lot more about these schools that Alec is interested in attending. 

read-- I read another dozen books this month (which I'll be sharing more about on the 8th) and while I enjoyed most of them my favorite was a toss up between Elin's latest and a gripping historical fiction novel about WWII.




 ate-- Much too much junk food!  I am almost embarrassed to show these photos! 

Strawberry shortcakes at Longhorn with my mom for my birthday

Seafood casserole with squash in Kennebunkport

Peanut butter ice cream in Kennebunkport

Maine Black Bear ice cream in Ogunquit 

Alec made jam tarts

Alec talked me into cheesecake for lunch one day when we went to Barnes and Noble

He also talked me into buying some Crumble cookies for us all to try/share

I did try really hard to balance all this sugar overload on those days we were home (and honestly I am looking so forward to not having any travel at all for the next month!).  

Linking up with:





Comments

  1. Holly Breton @ Pink LadyJuly 28, 2023 at 6:34 AM

    Happy Happy Birthday Month! So glad you had a wonderful trip :) What do you think of Crumbl Cookies? I think they are deadly- they are too good so I try to avoid that shop at all costs- ha! Have a great weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 28, 2023 at 8:41 AM

      Honestly? I only liked two of the cookies we tried-- then told Alec I bet they would be even better if he tried making some fresh homemade versions himself! LOL.

      Delete
  2. Penny @ Penny's PassionJuly 28, 2023 at 6:48 AM

    Happy birthday month! I hope you celebrate all month long! You had two great reads - I just finished The Paris Daughter and loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jennifer GoodwinJuly 28, 2023 at 6:58 AM

    I loved seeing your Maine pictures! I struggle with the "learned" prompt as well, but the ones you shared are great. I will say this tomorrow, but this month I read about and learned more about what to do/what not to do with people who suffer with dementia. I also think we can learn a lot from podcasts, so I feel like I'm always learning something new from there as well. Don't you feel like it's great for our brains to be continually learning? I hope you have a wonderful weekend, friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 28, 2023 at 11:37 AM

      Thank you! Maine was so much fun. I do think it is great for our brains to be continually learning and I've said that to my boys over an over-- learning never stops.

      Delete
  4. Kathrine EldridgeJuly 28, 2023 at 7:03 AM

    What a fantastic weekend and happy birthday month! I still need to try Crumbl cookies!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 28, 2023 at 11:38 AM

      Thank you! This was our first box ever and while I would never stop there again I don't think the rest of the family feels the same way.

      Delete
  5. Maria RineerJuly 28, 2023 at 7:11 AM

    As good as those Crumbl cookies look (and are), Alec's jam tarts look way better to me. Crust is one of my favorite foods ever and I'm a sucker for pretty looking pastry. Love the beach pics- you are enjoying summer and your proximity to many beautiful places.

    ReplyDelete
  6. crackercrumblifeJuly 28, 2023 at 7:18 AM

    Your Maine trip looks so fun! So does all the ice cream, and those jam tarts!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dara @ Not In JerseyJuly 28, 2023 at 8:06 AM

    Seems like a great month to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 28, 2023 at 11:39 AM

      It really was! I can't believe how fast it flew by.

      Delete
  8. SuzanneJuly 28, 2023 at 9:29 AM

    Ice cream in Kennebunkport, doesn't get better than that! Except, well, maybe those jam tarts. Looks like a full and fun July.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kim CarberryJuly 28, 2023 at 12:29 PM

    It does sound like you had a wonderful month. Your trip to Maine sounded lovely and it sounds like Alec had a great time at college. All that food looks so good, I am sure with all of the hiking you do you have already worked it off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 28, 2023 at 1:51 PM

      Just barely but yes, thankfully even with all the sweet treats my weight doesn't seem to be going up!

      Delete
  10. Tamar SBJuly 28, 2023 at 6:03 PM

    Happy birthday!! That ice cream all looks so good.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jodie's Touch of StyleJuly 28, 2023 at 8:18 PM

    It's always hard to curb the sweets especially on vacation. And then I really start to crave them more after that. I swear it's such a terrible cycle. Did you read the Glucose Revolution?? I think her trick of trying to eat veggies first so I don't have sweets on an empty stomach have helped tremendously.
    But it is so hard.
    XOOX
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 29, 2023 at 6:48 AM

      Yes! I find that cutting out the sugar after vacation is so hard but I find that cold turkey works best and just grit through the cravings.

      Delete
  12. MandyJuly 28, 2023 at 9:09 PM

    We haven't tried Crumbl cookies yet, it's on our summer bucket list! They look soo good, I've heard some people love them, and some people aren't fans. I'm curious to try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 29, 2023 at 6:49 AM

      I think I definitely feel somewhere in the middle.

      Delete
  13. Lydia C. LeeJuly 29, 2023 at 1:07 AM

    The strawberry shortcake and homemade tarts look good. Happy birthday!! #WeekendCoffeeShare

    ReplyDelete
  14. Maria JanssonJuly 29, 2023 at 1:56 AM

    Happy belated birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Amy from www.coffeeandcocktailsatthecasa.comJuly 29, 2023 at 7:23 AM

    I am embarrassed to show my food photos sometimes, too, but I show the decadent things more than the basic healthy things.
    So glad Alec loved his college stay!
    You had a very full and very summery month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 29, 2023 at 10:35 AM

      Yeah, I tend to show more the sweets than the everyday foods too; it was just one month filled with sweets! Alec had a really great time and I almost feel bad that he has another whole year to wait.

      Delete
  16. Lindsay's Sweet WorldJuly 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM

    So many yummy treats this month! I love it! And happy happy birthday to you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. JayneJuly 29, 2023 at 12:20 PM

    Happy belated birthday Joanne! I hope you had a lovely day.
    Glad you guys had a great weekend away in Maine. It's nice to have some chill out time.
    Don't get me started on the junk food! I've had far too much these past few weeks.
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. StacyJuly 29, 2023 at 12:28 PM

    Hi friend! I have seen our posts show up on my reading list but I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and blog but I have seen you've been very very busy this summer! I'm excited that you had so many fun experiences to share! I've always wanted to go visit Maine, it looks beautiful, but it is a haul from here. Also, when is your birthday? I'm a July baby too (25th!) Crumbl cookies is amazing! We have one at the Outer Banks that is to die for! Thanks for sharing, this linkup is so fun! Nice to catch up with you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 30, 2023 at 1:53 PM

      Yes, we have been very, very busy this summer and I am loving it! I figure it's one of the last ones we'll have with all of our boys at home.

      Delete
  19. Memphis BridgesJuly 29, 2023 at 1:58 PM

    The birthday trip and food looks fun! It is always good to spend time at home and get back into routine.

    ReplyDelete
  20. NatalieJuly 29, 2023 at 7:20 PM

    Happy belated birthday. Sounds like you had a fun-filled July. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

    ReplyDelete
  21. MarshaJuly 29, 2023 at 10:26 PM

    A Crumbl cookies store just opened here. I happened to be going to Kroger (which is beside it) and saw all of these people standing in line to get cookies. There were probably a couple dozen people waiting! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 30, 2023 at 1:50 PM

      We saw really long lines at Crumbl when they first opened too but the day Alec and I went we were the only people in the store. I would never wait in line outside a store for some cookies. I can't imagine any cookie being THAT good! LOL.

      Delete
  22. Kym July 29, 2023 at 11:52 PM

    Looks like it was a great month with so much good stuff happening for you! Those desserts all look so delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 30, 2023 at 1:54 PM

      They sure were! Now I'm back to trying to omit sweets entirely from my diet... until the next party or event or vacation. LOL

      Delete
  23. tchistorygalJuly 30, 2023 at 10:14 AM

    Happy birthday, Joanne. I erased my comment when I saw Marsha's name above mine. Then I read her comment and realized it was not me. LOL. All your treats look delicious and way overload. Back to the trail! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 30, 2023 at 1:55 PM

      LOL! That is so funny! I'm glad you took the time to type it back in though. We actually just went hiking again this morning.

      Delete
  24. MelissaJuly 30, 2023 at 10:46 AM

    What a wonderful month you enjoyed! I go through waves of having a sweet tooth, too but have become limited by my gluten intolerance which helps temper me when I'm out and about ;-) Your trip to Maine looks lovely! We had friends recently move there so have been talking about visiting them sometime soonish! You've re-inspired me! Hope your weekend is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 30, 2023 at 1:55 PM

      Thank you! I hope you do get to Maine; it is such a lovely state.

      Delete
  25. NY Foodie FamilyJuly 30, 2023 at 11:25 AM

    Happy Belated Birthday! You had some delicious eats! We love Crumbl Cookies. And summer is all about ice cream! I had to return the new Hilderbrand book before I had a chance to read it, so will have to take it out again.

    ReplyDelete
  26. CindyJuly 30, 2023 at 2:52 PM

    Our posts are very similar, LOL! Happy birthday to you! I shared about the pool, not the beach, but it was also my birthday month and I think I rival you for the amount of junk food consumed! I hope you have a fabulous week. https://encounterswiththedavisfamily.blogspot.com/2023/07/share-four-somethings-july-2023.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 31, 2023 at 7:05 AM

      Thank you! I'll definitely swing by and check it out.

      Delete
  27. PaulaShort July 30, 2023 at 6:28 PM

    Happy Belated Birthday Joanne. I enjoyed hearing about your weekend in Maine. I can virtually taste the junk food you had and I'm weighing in on thanks it was oh so yummy!.
    Visiting from Share 4 Somethings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 31, 2023 at 7:09 AM

      Thank you! They were oh so yummy and I'm happy that it hasn't been SUPER hard to cut back and start eating healthier once again.

      Delete
  28. LeanneJuly 30, 2023 at 8:00 PM

    Hi Jo - I hope you had a great birthday and your holiday away looks like it was a fun and relaxing one. There was a lot of yummy looking food, and I can see why you'll be enjoying getting back into your normal routine in August just for a rest!

    ReplyDelete
  29. KirstinJuly 31, 2023 at 11:17 AM

    looks like a great trip...that seafood casserole looks amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Joanne July 31, 2023 at 1:59 PM

    This one has been opened for quite some time too and I had never gone there before.

    ReplyDelete
  31. JenniferJuly 31, 2023 at 2:27 PM

    Looks like July was a delicious month!! Your meal in Maine looks especially yummy:) And chocolate for your birthday - yeah!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne July 31, 2023 at 5:11 PM

      Oh it definitely was delicious! My oldest son sure knows my favorites-- he bought me those chocolates and told me to hide them from everyone else too.

      Delete
  32. Hena TayebJuly 31, 2023 at 4:45 PM

    Happy Birthday. Ice cream is just milk, makes the bones strong.. consider it medicine. Ice cream just doesn't count. But those Crumbl cookies are a whole different ball game. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  33. JeanJuly 31, 2023 at 9:16 PM

    Looks like you had a wonderful birthday month. I think you get to eat as many goodies as you want in your birthday month ;) And look at that dark chocolate, that's definitely healthy stuff--my favorite kind of chocolate (the dark stuff and not because it's healthy). All the food looked delicious and it looks like you had a great trip as well.

    ReplyDelete
  34. JulieAugust 5, 2023 at 3:06 AM

    Happy birthday!! Maine looks lovely! I've never been to that part of the U.S. I've had Crumbl cookies -- way too sweet. But that Maine Black Bear ice cream looked so good!

    ReplyDelete

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