Currently in January 2024

The first Currently post of 2024!  Linking up today with Jennifer to share what  we're currently loving, resolving, looking forward to, doing to stay cozy this winter, and cooking.


Loving: We had the best time with my sister and her sons while they were up here visiting; it was a real short visit but we went to zoo lights on Saturday, had a party for my mom on Sunday, and went out to breakfast together on Monday before they headed home. 








Resolving: To get out hiking more even if our weather is getting pretty chilly. We hiked for 2 hours and 5 miles on Monday and it felt great!




Looking forward to: Our cruise! I can not wait to be relaxing on a hot sunny beach in the Caribbean. 

Doing to Stay Cozy this Winter: We've been enjoying lots of fires in the fireplace and woodstove. 



Cooking: For my mother's party on Sunday we smoked a ham and some chicken and I put together a baked potato bar. We ended our night with a delicious lemon tiramisu and some cookies I baked up. 



Linking up with: Spread the Kindness, 







Comments

  1. Maria RineerJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:22 AM

    What a fun celebration for your mom- how great that your sister and her family made it up to visit as well. Great job getting out even in the cold. I have been out running and/ or walking every day since the new year (granted it´s only been two full days!!) even though it´s been cold. Once I´m outside moving, it is not so bad. Have a great Wednesday!

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  2. HollyJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:54 AM

    I love what you did for your mom- so creative! The house looks so cozy too :)

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:22 PM

      Thank you! She loved it and was so surprised when my sister turned up on her doorstep.

      Delete
  3. Amy from www.coffeeandcocktailsatthecasa.comJanuary 3, 2024 at 6:39 AM

    Is there anything better than a perfectly cooked baked potato? Great idea! Hiking in the winter is so invigorating! I need to do that more!

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  4. Jennifer GoodwinJanuary 3, 2024 at 6:53 AM

    I loved seeing pictures of your home with family and celebrations in the background! Thanks for sharing those. I am sure your hike felt great- I have a friend who reminded me of you recently. She is resolving to spend a certain amount of hours outside this year, like one hour a day and gradually increasing. It made me think of that when I read about your hike. Family time at home is the best, especially when the extended ones come!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:24 PM

      Thank you so much! We used to aim to spend at least 15 minutes a day outside all winter long.. and it often turned to more when the kids were little and ended up playing in the snow.

      Delete
  5. Megan RussellJanuary 3, 2024 at 7:25 AM

    We've also been enjoying fires in our fireplace finally! We don't get cold weather until January or February in Louisiana - and even then it's nothing compared to your cold weather.

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:25 PM

      We've been pleasantly surprised by our mild-ish weather, so far, this winter. But I still love getting a nice fire going.

      Delete
  6. LyssyJanuary 3, 2024 at 8:40 AM

    I wish I had a fireplace, how cozy! Looks like you had such a special time with your family :)

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  7. Dara @ Not In JerseyJanuary 3, 2024 at 9:04 AM

    I'm excited for you to go on your cruise! Looks like a great get together with your family too.

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:26 PM

      Thank you! I am all packed and anxiously counting down the days (while praying nothing derails us from our trip).

      Delete
  8. Kim CarberryJanuary 3, 2024 at 9:10 AM

    What a lovely weekend you had with your family. The lights look so pretty!
    I have been out walking, not so much hiking but walking all the same. It's quite warm for this time of year here but really wet. Hmmf. I can't wait to hear all about your cruise!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:27 PM

      Aw, thank you! We have had a really wet and fairly mild-ish winter so far too.

      Delete
  9. JoyceJanuary 3, 2024 at 10:24 AM

    I love a baked potato bar and rarely think about doing that. It's a balmy 23 degrees here in South Carolina this morning, so a Caribbean beach holiday sounds pretty good right about now. The cold won't last though, and we have our grands here this weekend so that will be fun too.

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:27 PM

      I had never done one before but it was a big hit. That's about what our weather was this morning; thankfully it warmed up into the 40s today.

      Delete
  10. CathyJanuary 3, 2024 at 11:02 AM

    Love the fireplace room...so beautiful! Have fun on your cruise!

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  11. LyshaJanuary 3, 2024 at 12:20 PM

    Can't wait to hear about your cruise!

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  12. EllibelleJanuary 3, 2024 at 12:26 PM

    What a great post with some wonderful pictures! The zoo lights looked amazing and wonderful winter hiking photos. Wish I had a cruise to look forward to. That really sounds amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. PamelaJanuary 3, 2024 at 12:31 PM

    It's great when family can come to visit. It certainly looks cozy around the fireplace. A baked potato bar is a great meal idea. Have you posted or will you be posting your lemon tiramisu recipe?

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:43 PM

      I followed another blogger's recipe: https://whiteapronblog.com/2020/06/02/lemon-tiramisu/

      Delete
  14. Jodie's Touch of StyleJanuary 3, 2024 at 12:48 PM

    I love how zoos put together this event in winter! Although I bet it was chilly where you live 😜
    Xoxo
    Jodie

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:44 PM

      It wasn't too bad; we picked a "warm" night where it was in the 40's.

      Delete
  15. Kari January 3, 2024 at 4:29 PM

    A baked potato bar is a really cute idea for a party.

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  16. Melissa January 3, 2024 at 4:38 PM

    Happy New Year! I think a baked potato bar sounds amazing! I hope this month is amazing for you and yours!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:45 PM

      Happy new year to you too! And thank you for the well wishes.

      Delete
  17. Memphis BridgesJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:22 PM

    Aw, the cruise sounds so fun! I love how y'all embrace the beautiful nature all around you. Happy New Year!

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  18. JeanieJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:43 PM

    What a lovely holiday you had and how fun to be anticipating your Caribbean holiday. It will be wonderful!

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  19. NatashaJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:54 PM

    Oh, now I want to go to Zoo lights! And I'm glad to hear you're going to be able to take your cruise!!!

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    Replies
    1. NatashaJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:55 PM

      Also, now I want to go for a long hike!

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    2. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:47 PM

      Thank you! We are feeling very optimistic and cautiously hopeful. :)

      Delete
  20. MarshaJanuary 3, 2024 at 8:13 PM

    We haven't been to the zoo for the Christmas lights in a while. I'll need to remember to do that for next year. Happy birthday to your mom! The tiramisu looks delicious!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 3, 2024 at 8:47 PM

      I had never been before and it was a lot of fun.

      Delete
  21. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2024 at 10:20 PM

    The zoo lights look so pretty. Happy birthday to your mum! She looks amazing and it's lovely to see that you all had a wonderful time celebrating her. I can't wait to hear all about your sunny Caribbean cruise!
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 4, 2024 at 6:49 AM

      Thank you! We were all remarking that she does not at all look or seem like she's 70!

      Delete
  22. MandyJoyLoves♥January 3, 2024 at 11:29 PM

    A potato bar sounds so fun, what a great idea for a party!

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  23. JenniferJanuary 4, 2024 at 2:32 PM

    Happy birthday wishes to your mom. Also, I hope your MIL is home and improving every day!!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 4, 2024 at 3:01 PM

      Thank you! My MIL just came home yesterday afternoon.

      Delete
  24. Kym January 4, 2024 at 9:57 PM

    What a wonderful family celebration with your mom! The pictures look like it was a lot of fun. I'm hoping to do some more walking/hiking this year too. Have a happy and cozy January!

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  25. Jennifer WhiteJanuary 7, 2024 at 9:31 AM

    A wood burning fireplace is extra cozy! I'm jealous of your cruise!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne January 14, 2024 at 10:44 AM

      It sure is! I love getting our fireplace going.

      Delete
  26. Tamar SBJanuary 7, 2024 at 6:01 PM

    It has been wood burning season lately!!

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  27. Lindsay's Sweet WorldJanuary 10, 2024 at 12:10 PM

    I can't wait to hear all about your cruise!

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  28. Lisa HowelerJanuary 10, 2024 at 3:00 PM

    Happy birthday to your mom and that zoo trip looks like so much fun.

    We're so glad to have our woodstove right now, even if cleaning it out and lighting it can be a pain at times.

    ReplyDelete

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