Share 4 Somethings in November

This Saturday is the last Saturday of the month & time for the Share 4 Somethings link up with Jennifer.   Since I won't be blogging on Thursday or Friday or Saturday, I thought I'd tackle my post today. 

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

Loved: So many things... let's see.. Alec got his first official college acceptance in the mail, Ian and my husband had a wonderful day of fishing and stocked our freezer full of pollock, Evan and I have gone on many hikes, I've had lots of lazy days around the house to read, we got the boys' bathroom and hallway repaired and repainted (post coming soon), and this weekend the WHOLE family pitched in to clean the entire house!  Help with house cleaning is always loved. 


Ian with their fishing buddy posing for my husband





Learned: At the last minute, my husband and I began planning a cruise to the western Caribbean for January and I have learned a lot about the ship we're taking, the stop we'll be making, and the types of excursions we want to try. 



Read: I read another dozen or so books this month-- I am going to have the hardest time ever pulling together a list of favorite books for the year.  I feel like each month I am reading so many great books. 


Ate: I lost my appetite somewhere in mid- late October and while it is slowly coming back I still find that I am not all that hungry and weirdly my favorite fruits and veggies are not holding much appeal.  I mean, I'm still eating them but long gone are my large bowls of salad and my fruit/yogurt breakfast parfaits. 

I've been eating chocolate rice cakes with peanut butter and apples... 



After eating a few pumpkin bagels with cinnamon cream cheese I decided to make some of my Weight Watcher 2- ingredient bagels and have been enjoying them either with a side of fruit or some eggs and veggies. 







Linking up with:









Comments

  1. Handmade in IsraelNovember 20, 2023 at 5:50 AM

    Such beautiful views on your walks! I love seeing all the autumnal colours. Well done to your son on his first official college acceptance. #MMBC

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  2. NatashaNovember 20, 2023 at 5:57 AM

    Way to go on Alec's first college acceptance!!! And to the CIA no less!!! And I can't wait to hear about your cruise -- what a great trip!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 2:17 PM

      I am so excited that I find myself wishing the holidays were already over so I can start packing! LOL.

      Delete
  3. Maria RineerNovember 20, 2023 at 6:39 AM

    What great things to love this month! Many congrats to Alec and to the fishermen in your family- that haul is so impressive! The cruise sounds exactly like what you were hoping for- to get away to the Caribbean.

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  4. HollyNovember 20, 2023 at 7:50 AM

    Congratulations to Alec on his acceptance to CIA- so very exciting for you all!

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  5. AnonymousNovember 20, 2023 at 7:58 AM

    Congratulations to Alec on his college acceptance! The cruise in January sounds like it will be a fun getaway.
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dara @ Not In JerseyNovember 20, 2023 at 8:20 AM

    That's so cool Alec got into CIA! Congrats.

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  7. TorontoSAMNovember 20, 2023 at 8:46 AM

    Wow! Great news on the CIA acceptance. I like the look of that cinnamon cream cheese, I'll have to try it!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 2:19 PM

      We just added some cinnamon and sugar to regular cream cheese; it was delicious.

      Delete
  8. EllibelleNovember 20, 2023 at 9:10 AM

    Always love seeing the beautiful scenery from your walks, they look especially stunning in the fall! And how fun that you are planning a cruise, I have never been before but have been thinking about an Alaska cruise for many years!! I'm sorry to hear you lost your appetite especially for your favorite things, hope you'll get it back soon. Still got some delicious food here.

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 2:19 PM

      Thank you! We haven't been on a cruise since our honeymoon but I have always wanted to go again.

      Delete
  9. Carol @Comfort Spring StationNovember 20, 2023 at 9:13 AM

    Wow! I am amazed at the size of the fish you caught. I'm so surprised. You must have a nice freezer to handle that. #MMBC

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 2:20 PM

      They filet them right on the ship and then the haul was divided between the 3 guys but, yes, thankfully we do have a very large chest freezer in the basement.

      Delete
  10. Soma @ InkTorrents.comNovember 20, 2023 at 11:11 AM

    Many congratulations to Alec!! I love seeing your photos from your hikes. Autumn ones are particularly beautiful. I am glad to hear that your appetite is coming back, the food looks delicious!

    -Soma

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  11. Kari November 20, 2023 at 11:22 AM

    I discovered flavored cream cheese this fall. It is so good!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 2:21 PM

      It really is! (though we made the cinnamon ones ourselves since we can't find that in any of our stores)

      Delete
  12. Nancy Andres at Colors 4 HealthNovember 20, 2023 at 11:36 AM

    Fun post you shared of 4 somethings in Nov. Saw it at SSPS #288. Looks like there's much to see and many more good lifestyle posts I want to read. My shares this week are #65 through 69. Enjoy and be well. Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health

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  13. AnonymousNovember 20, 2023 at 12:01 PM

    Congrats on the CIA acceptance...what an accomplishment. So sorry to hear about the loss of appetite. That's no fun before the holidays!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 2:21 PM

      Thanks! I actually don't miss it at all so I'm okay if I never find it again. :)

      Delete
  14. Hena TayebNovember 20, 2023 at 12:56 PM

    Congratulations on Alec's first acceptance. Those all look like great books. I have read the Silent Patient and am waiting to read the Katherine Center book.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Kim CarberryNovember 20, 2023 at 1:31 PM

    Congratulations to Alec with the acceptance letter and well done to everyone helping clean the house.
    Oh wow! The cruise already sounds amazing, I would love a trip to the Caribbean.

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 2:22 PM

      Thanks! As we plan our shore excursions and things I find I am getting more and more excited.

      Delete
  16. JeanieNovember 20, 2023 at 3:58 PM

    The CIA? Bravo! I'm impressed. And I love your healthy looking snack!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 8:04 PM

      Thank you! He picked the top 2 culinary/ baking & pastry arts school in the United States and applied to them both.

      Delete
  17. Jodie's Touch of StyleNovember 20, 2023 at 6:32 PM

    I think that's the caribbean cruise we went on. Do tell more!! And how exciting for your son, Congrats,
    XOXO
    Jodie

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 20, 2023 at 8:08 PM

      We love this new line of Celebrity ships; the rest of the ships seemed much too large to me with 5-6,000 people on board. I'm much happier with 2-3,000.

      Delete
  18. MarshaNovember 20, 2023 at 7:58 PM

    Congratulations to Alec! What an exciting time for all of you! I can't wait to see your bathroom remodel. A Caribbean cruise in January will be fabulous. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
  19. Veronica LeeNovember 21, 2023 at 5:29 AM

    Congrats to Alec ! 🥂
    I always enjoy seeing the gorgeous views during your walks, Joanne.
    Glad to hear that your appetite is coming back.
    The food looks delish 😋

    Hugs and blessings

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  20. LeanneNovember 21, 2023 at 6:49 AM

    Congrats to Alec on his first college acceptance - it would have been a wonderful letter to open. Enjoy planning your cruise - and I've never seen chocolate rice cakes before - maybe they'll arrive in Australia in the years to come...

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  21. LyssyNovember 21, 2023 at 9:02 AM

    Congrats to Alec, that's such incredible news!!

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  22. Rebecca JoNovember 21, 2023 at 11:43 AM

    Culinary Institute??? OH WOW... that is just so exciting!!!!!

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  23. PaulaShort November 22, 2023 at 9:33 AM

    Wow Joanne what a great month. Congratulations to your son being accepted to culinary school. Woot Woot! What an abundance of fish. I'm always amazed at how many books you read each month. I've been in a reading funk for quite some time and reminisce how I used to read that many books, I used to be an avid reader (insert sad face here). I've got to tell you that those chocolate rice cakes and peanut butter sound yummy.
    Visiting you today from SSPS 288 #52&53.

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    Replies
    1. Joanne November 22, 2023 at 10:36 AM

      Thank you! He has since been accepted by another culinary school so he's quite excited. I find that I am reading more and more and ignoring the house more and more.. LOL

      Delete
  24. Dee | GrammysGrid.comNovember 23, 2023 at 6:18 AM

    Congrats to your son! Looks like a lot of fish, I love fish and hubby loves fishing! He will be in a tournament tomorrow. You sure read a lot, way more than me. The bagels look good, have you posted the recipe? What's the spread on them? Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedLinkParty 139. Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne November 24, 2023 at 8:23 PM

      Thank you! I took a bit of cinnamon/sugar seasoning and added it to some whipped cream cheese.

      Delete
  25. Melynda@Scratch Made Food!November 24, 2023 at 8:04 AM

    Lots of good stuff happening at your house! Thanks for sharing with SSPS!

    ReplyDelete
  26. CathyNovember 25, 2023 at 5:40 PM

    I enjoyed reading your post. I hope you will enjoy your cruise...I did a couple many years ago and from what I can tell they are much nicer now. Congrats to Alec!

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  27. Lydia C. LeeNovember 25, 2023 at 7:18 PM

    Congratulations on the Culinary school acceptance - that's very exciting (not a big fan of fish so less enthused about that!) . You're nature shots are stunning. And I love planning an upcoming trip! #ShareFourSomethings

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  28. Tamar SBNovember 26, 2023 at 7:38 PM

    Way to go Alec!!! A good friend of our family is a professor there!!

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  29. Jennifer WiseNovember 27, 2023 at 8:35 AM

    Beautiful pictures! Those are indeed things to be celebrated. I'm glad your appetite is coming back--that probably makes a big difference. Thanks for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #16 linkup. Come share another post or two at #17 which opens December 4. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lindsay's Sweet WorldNovember 28, 2023 at 11:30 AM

    Congratulations to Alec! That is such great news!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Julie's Creative LifestyleDecember 13, 2023 at 1:23 PM

    Yes Joanne, congrats to Alec and how exciting. All of that food looks so good.

    ReplyDelete

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