And, just like that, Thanksgiving is over and we have officially/unofficially moved into the holiday season…more specifically, Christmas season. Seems hard to believe but it must be so since I am crafting this months Share Four Somethings which only happens at month’s end. And that fact that the scale is up ten pounds in three days! Ok, maybe not quite that bad but I do feel full. Does it seem like we have been eating for multiple days in a row? Maybe just me. But I am actually looking forward to some exercise (well, almost) and getting back on track with better food choices, etc. I must be old but this (old) body of mine definitely functions best on routine and good (ie, healthy) food. Enough with all that. But I do hope everyone enjoyed their weekend, their Thanksgiving and has had a wonderful month. And let’s get started with Share Four Somethings for November….
Something loved. We definitely enjoyed (um, loved!) our chance to get away for a couple days last week. We went to the Stonewall Resort in West Virginia for Thanksgiving and had a very nice time. We were able to hike one morning, met and chatted with several folks from all the neighboring states, and, of course, enjoyed a very nice lunch on Thursday. For a variety of reasons, we have not been able to get away at all this year and, although we were not gone long, it was really nice to have the change of scenery for a few nights. That said, not only does this old body like routine, I am also finding that I really enjoy my own bed:)
Something learned. I am old and I am a homebody. Neither of these revelations are exactly new – not learning them for the first time – but I was definitely reminded of them this week. As fun as it is to get away, my husband and I both love getting home. We not only love our own bed, but our own pillows (which I suppose I could take with me but have never done), our own shower and even our own coffee maker (there was definitely an early morning beverage disaster in our hotel room with its child size version of a coffee maker!) Does that make me sound old? Seems I can remember my younger self thinking so when I used to hear people say something similar:) But I’m okay with it. I’ll be an old lady if I can sleep like a baby in my own bed, thank you very much. Speaking of my own bed, I put some new flannel sheets on the bed. So soft and super cozy. One more thing I am loving lately….especially since the nights have turned downright cold!!
Interesting side note: I suppose you know you have been married awhile when you have matchy-matchy luggage…and you don’t even realize it until you have arrived at the hotel.
Something read. I read this in a mini Thanksgiving devotional I was using early last week: One of the surest measures of our spiritual maturity is what it takes to rob us of our Spirit-bestowed joy. That truth has surfaced and resurfaced in my thoughts often this week. The writer went on to say, using Paul as an example, that maturity becomes evident when “even life-threatening circumstances do not rob us of joy but rather cause it to increase.” Wow. Might that one day be true even in my life??
Something eaten. A new Crumbl Cookies recently opened not far from our house. I have to ask….do you like these trendy cookie sensations? Until recently, I would have told you that I do not like them. However, I have had Crumbl cookies, not once but twice, in the last week alone! I still would not call them my favorite cookies (although I’ve rarely met a cookie that I did not like. A lot.) but the weekly specials just seem to lure me in:) This week’s specials include Candy Cane Brownie and Frozen Hot Chocolate. See what I mean!!
I have to say one of the breakfasts I had while in WV….well, it wins awards for both “most delicious” and “most unique.” I could not decide between 
grits (which I recently mentioned as a personal breakfast favorite) or the yogurt. So, our server said he would bring me a little of both:) (The service at this resort was incredibly friendly and great all around!) The grits were “most delicious”! They had boursin cheese in them. I have to make this at home. Soon. I could have eaten a second bowl…but I did not.
With my grits, I had a yogurt parfait. Yogurt with house made granola and fresh berries. It also included a scoop of activated charcoal. Why? I have no idea. According to the internet, activated charcoal is supposed to have anti-aging properties. I’m not believing that…but, none the less, I took the bait and ordered it. The parfait, as a whole, was actually quite tasty. But the yogurt was black. Yes, black. The color of (um…) charcoal:) I was a bit taken back when it arrived at the table….but I ate it, to be sure! What’s a little charcoal tinted teeth among friends??
Well, thanks for sticking with me to the end. You can find the entire Share Four Somethings link-up here. But let me know what you have been loving this month. Have you tried anything new? Every considered charcoal in your breakfast? Can’t knock it until you have tried it:) Here’s to a wonderful week ahead. I hope you will stop back by on Thursday. I guess I am off to send the pilgrims back to their bins. Sigh. Happy Monday!!
I enjoyed your Share 4 post. I’ve never heard of eating charcoal or black yogurt…interesting. Love your matching luggage. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Have a blessed day.
It was a good trip. Thanks, Cathy!
Fun post, Jennifer! The getaway sounds really nice. Regarding Crumbl, I was somewhat biased against it before I tried it. It seemed a bit kitschy , annoyingly popular on social media, etc. and then I tried it. I was impressed with how good all of the cookies were and how big and soft- I am now officially a fan! I, too, am ready for healthier food choices. Way too many days of over indulging. Unfortunately, I STILL have calorie laden leftovers. Have a great Monday!
Ah…one more benefit of going away. No excessive leftover temptations:)
Hello, my friend. Well, more we have in common! I love being home, in my own bed, with my own shower! I like going away, but there is nothing like being home! Have a cozy Monday!
Our own shower is great, isn’t it??:) Happy Monday to you as well, BillieJo!
I totally get desiring being in my own bed with my own pillow. Sleep is important! I’ve not eaten a Crumbl cookie, mainly because I’ve not been anywhere there has been one. I seldom meet a cookie that I don’t like! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in WV…it’s where I am located, but in a different part of the state from where the Stonewall Resort is located.
So glad you stopped by, Dianna! West Virginia is certainly full of natural beauty – so different from my neck of the woods:)
What a wonderful few days away! If those things make you old, then I’m old, too! I really like to visit places, but I also really like to be at home in my own bed with my own things. I’ve discovered that traveling for just a small amount of time is what I prefer, like when I went to Denver. I was gone four nights, and I was still ready to be back at home when the trip was over. Thanks for linking up with us this month, friend!
So glad you stopped by, Jennifer….and glad you keep the link-up going!:)
I cannot imagine black yogurt, I think that the look of it would put me off trying it.
My husband needs a comfortable bed and the ‘right’ pillow for a good nights sleep, but it makes you even more appreciative of your own home comforts once you get back I guess!
The black yogurt was..um, unique, to be sure!!
Your purple luggage makes me smile! You’ll never have to worry about someone grabbing the wrong bags at the airport. So pretty!
My Larry and I are homebodies, as well. We’d rather eat popcorn and watch a movie from our own sofa than trapse into town, spend a gazillion dollars on theater entertainment…not that there IS much, these days.
Have a sweet and peaceful week!
hugs
Donna
I’m so glad you explained what was in that yogurt! I have taken charcoal capsules over the years. They are good to have on hand for food poisoning or an “iffy” stomach. The charcoal absorbs the toxins. They really work! However, I don’t think I would be able to eat the black yogurt.
Crumbl cookies are amazing! It’s hard to resist, for sure. And I am definitely a homebody now. I don’t want to travel anymore. It’s just too much time on the road with big trucks and bad drivers.
Love the matching luggage! 🙂
Sounds like you had a wonderful and relaxing time away! I struggle with resting if I don’t get away and I find that physically leaving home helps me find perspective on situations I’m facing. But I do look forward to being home in my own bed when we come back.
This was a wonderful read and one I enjoyed very much, along with those great photos. Thank you Jennifer and a very happy December to you!
Sounds like you had a good month! I do like Crumbl Cookies, but I don’t go too often. I think a trip there needs to happen soon. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Funny enough I had matching luggage BEFORE we got married and now have various scattered pieces we’ve picked up here and there as our old luggage broke. We have only tried Crumbl cookies once and while I didn’t think I’d like them at all, I actually liked them quite a bit and was relieved that our closest place is well over 30 minutes away. That could be dangerous otherwise. I love to travel but I am always so happy to come home to my own bed and my own house. My husband and I keep talking of getting an RV so we can have the best of both worlds– travelling with our own stuff and “home” but I’m thinking that won’t happen until AFTER we pay for boys’ college educations.