What's Up Wednesday December 2025

I doubt Shay and Sheaffer are hosting today but I don't want to skip my monthly roundup as I enjoy these posts so much and often look back on them myself. 

What We're Eating: I wore a continuous glucose monitor for 1/2 of December and ate lots of delicious meals like:

protein packed berry and yogurt bowls

vegetables and eggs 

protein packed salads with an apple


 Then Christmas hit and I ate meals like this: 



Junior's chocolate mousse cheesecake

Alec's homemade almond croissants

What I'm Reminiscing About: Christmas pasts


 

This guy turning 20! (I mean he doesn't turn 20 until next month but we had an early birthday party for him last night).


What I'm Loving: We have had some really beautiful mornings on the lake! 
 



What We've Been Up To: Evan and I went to Nichol's for a shadow day, we went on a few short hikes when the weather was nice, my husband and I squeezed in a date night and went to his company Christmas party. We celebrated Christmas with the in laws, with my brother and two of his kids, and threw a 20th birthday party for Alec.
 
 


 


We had lots of game nights and afternoons


 

 


What I'm Dreading: The cold and ice and snow; we've already had quite a bit in December but it is definitely going to get worse before it gets better. 
 
What I'm Working On: Now that the holidays are over I want to get back to omitting sugar and carbs from my diet. I felt SO much better in early December wearing that glucose monitor so I plan to wear another one for the next 2 weeks. 
 
What I'm Excited About: Honestly?! I'm pretty excited that some great shows are releasing this coming month. 
 
What I'm Watching/Reading: Watching in December: Playdate (prime), Hotel Costiera (Prime), we've watched My Name is Earl with the boys (Hulu), Good Luck Chuck (Hulu), Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (Hulu), latest season of Homestead Rescue (HBO), Freakier Friday (Hulu),  The Hating Game (Hulu), Love The Coopers (Hulu), DMV (Paramount+), Oh. What. Fun. (Amazon), A Merry Little Ex-Mas (Netflix)
 
 
What I Read in December:
 

What I'm Listening to: I just started a new audiobook and I've been listening to that while driving or crafting. 

What I'm Wearing: We had a cold December so I wore lots of layers.
 
 
















 



 

 



What I'm Doing This Weekend: Helping Alec pack up his car to head back to school. 

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month: I hate to say nothing but nothing. We have zero plans for January. 
 
What Else is New: Evan got all his college acceptances and committed to Clark which surprised no one. Clark was his top choice since we toured last fall and that never wavered. 
 

Linking up with:

 

Comments

  1. JoyceDecember 31, 2025 at 8:13 AM

    You do such a great job with the fashion selfie. I have not mastered this. Or even come close lol. We were in ice the day after Christmas and I remembered how much I dislike being out in that. A quiet January sounds nice to me. Happy new year to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HollyDecember 31, 2025 at 8:35 AM

    Congratulations to Evan! So so exciting and what a great school! The lake is just a beautiful place to live- you are blessed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 31, 2025 at 11:15 AM

      Thank you! He is very excited.. and a good bit nervous too of course. I've already started buying him a few dorm things here and there.

      Delete
  3. Maria RineerDecember 31, 2025 at 8:48 AM

    We have had a cold and snowy December, too. I would imagine our January will be much of the same. Your food all looks good. Did your doctor prescribe wearing the glucose monitoring device? I´ve been wearing layers, too. I pretty much always have two long sleeved layers on. And when I sit, I have usually two blankets over my legs! Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 31, 2025 at 11:15 AM

      Nope, I just wanted to wear on after reading a few books on how they can benefit everyone.

      Delete
  4. GinaDecember 31, 2025 at 10:52 AM

    Such great photos as usual! I am looking forward to a slow January, too, and I very much dislike snow and ice. Today it is a beautiful sunny 51 here and I plan to sit outside after lunch and soak up the rays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 31, 2025 at 11:16 AM

      Today we're hoping it will hit 30... but it probably wont since we are supposed to get a bit of snow tonight.

      Delete
  5. Kari December 31, 2025 at 11:39 AM

    Looking forward to nothing is so relatable! I agree. 💜

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM

      Doesn't that sound wonderful! I just want to hibernate during this time of the year.

      Delete
  6. Jodie's Touch of StyleDecember 31, 2025 at 12:44 PM

    Will you blog about/tell us more about the glucose monitor. I bet that is very eye opening.
    XOOX
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM

      I've thought about it but haven't quite pulled a post about it together yet... mostly because I don't think it's all it's cracked up to be. I'm definitely not finding any of Glucose Goddesses' suggestions to make much of a difference on my levels...

      Delete
  7. Tanya December 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM

    We have nothing going on in January too. Love your Griswold sweater! Happy New year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 31, 2025 at 6:33 PM

      Aw, thank you. It used to light up but over time the mechanism stopped working when the wires loosened up).

      Delete
  8. Dara @ Not In JerseyDecember 31, 2025 at 7:42 PM

    Amazing about Clark! My friend's son goes there and another girl we know goes there too. What does the glucose monitor accomplish or help you with? I'm curious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM

      In trying to keep my blood sugar low those two weeks I lost over 3 lbs! Mostly it kept me hyper aware of eating sweets and carbs and made me motivated to move a whole lot more than usual.

      Delete
  9. Kim December 31, 2025 at 8:57 PM

    What a fun post! I love all your outfits and I'm really tired of the cold weather already, too. The snow just keeps coming. Happy New Year, Joanne! Enjoy your January nothingness! Haha!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 1, 2026 at 6:01 AM

      Aw, thank you! We had snow overnight so my son's out plowing already.

      Delete
  10. MarshaDecember 31, 2025 at 9:52 PM

    It seems like this winter is going to be a really fickle one, doesn't it? You had so many good outfits. Are you glad to have that college decision made? Have a wonderful New Year, Joanne!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 1, 2026 at 6:02 AM

      Thank you so much! It is a relief to have that college decision made for sure.

      Delete
  11. Amy ScottJanuary 1, 2026 at 7:56 AM

    I missed this post yesterday. I am all out of my routine. I have no idea what day of the week it is! I am going to try no sugar/low carb in January, too. I didn't go crazy over the holidays this year but I still want a reset.
    I am looking forward to putting away Christmas and decluttering. I have lots of books to read and I love tv in the winter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 1, 2026 at 12:05 PM

      I am all out of routine too. I find myself wishing for everyone to go back to work and school just so I can get back to my schedule.. and funnily enough I would have said I didn't really have one!

      Delete
  12. Kim CarberryJanuary 1, 2026 at 10:54 AM

    Your meals do look delicious and what fun photos of the boys. The lake really is beautiful!
    It has been so cold here over the past couple of days, it really is going to get worse before it gets better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 1, 2026 at 12:06 PM

      Aw, thank you! We definitely ate very well this month.

      Delete
  13. Tamar SBJanuary 1, 2026 at 6:34 PM

    Sounds like a great December! Happy 2026!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 1, 2026 at 7:43 PM

      Thank you, it was. Happy 2026 to you as well!

      Delete
  14. The Happy WhiskJanuary 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM

    What a wonderful look back on the year. Really good. And those chocolate cracker things, if I could reach through the screen! Wishing you a wonderful and creative New Year. Cheers, Ivy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 2, 2026 at 6:44 AM

      Aw, thank you so much! My family loves those saltine toffee crackers so much that one batch rarely lasts even 24 hours. They are quite addicting.

      Delete
  15. nicole orriensJanuary 2, 2026 at 4:53 AM

    I really like your dark green dress!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 2, 2026 at 6:42 AM

      Aw, thank you! I didn't actually love it on me as much as I thought I would... but it was super comfortable!

      Delete
  16. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2026 at 8:20 AM

    Such a good idea to wear the glucose monitor- diet is always a struggle around the holidays. I'm so mad at myself-I gained 4 pounds. Cute outfits, lovely photos and beautiful memories ..The weather is even cold (40's) in South Florida. Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2026 at 8:20 AM

      forgot to sign in.. it's Judee Gluten Free A-Blog

      Delete
    2. Joanne January 2, 2026 at 10:09 AM

      Aw, thank you so much! As of this morning I have just 1 lb to lose so I'm pleasantly surprised that I did rather well!

      Delete
  17. EricaStaJanuary 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM

    I wish you all the best in 2026, a happy and healthy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 2, 2026 at 10:11 AM

      Aw, thank you so much! I wish the same for you.

      Delete
  18. Julie's Creative LifestyleJanuary 2, 2026 at 1:20 PM

    It looks like December was a good month for you. I always love your recipes and you always wear such nice outfits each day. I wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 2, 2026 at 2:37 PM

      It certainly was. Thank you so much for you well wishes.

      Delete
  19. JenniferJanuary 2, 2026 at 1:52 PM

    December looks pretty, filled with family and yummy!! Here's to a great start to 2026 as well!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. mireilleJanuary 2, 2026 at 2:20 PM

    Which glucose monitor are you using? I need to get back to reducing my carbs and sugar too, I do feel a big difference when I do (coming back from Jodie was a great 2 months and then I steadily wasn't as good with cutting back). Love the snow pictures, you know how we southerners wish for it but then we don't know how to drive in it, lol!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 2, 2026 at 2:42 PM

      I'm using the Lingo monitor since I found a good Black Friday deal on their one month subscription... which you can really break into 2 separate 2 week segments since each monitor only lasts for 2 weeks and pairs individually with the app. It is a slippery slope once you start eating sugar and carbs again-- they taste so darn good! But I do find once I eliminate them for a few days the cravings subside and I feel so much better.

      Delete
  21. snobe casamangJanuary 3, 2026 at 2:41 PM

    Wow wonderful photos, wish you happy New year 🎁 ❤🎉🎉🎈🎈🍀🍀

    ReplyDelete
  22. CatJanuary 3, 2026 at 4:22 PM

    The lake pictures are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kathrine EldridgeJanuary 6, 2026 at 7:33 AM

    Love these winter photos of the beautiful lake. These cozy looks are fantastic. I'm hoping to cut out sugar too for the foreseeable future.

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lindsay's Sweet WorldJanuary 8, 2026 at 9:57 AM

    What a great month y'all had! It was so fun and festive! And I always love throwback baby pictures of the boys. So sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  25. LyshaJanuary 9, 2026 at 11:09 AM

    Always impressed with your outfit selfies. I think if I did that it would be very repetitive. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 9, 2026 at 1:39 PM

      Aw, thank you! Taking photos make me more aware of what I'm wearing so I'm not always reaching for the exact same outfits week after week.

      Delete

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