November Daybook and catching up

For Today {November 10, 2025}

27ish years ago I flew to Mississippi to go to the Marine Corps Ball with my new husband! Just look at those babies!

1998 Marine Corps Ball

Looking out my window  First snow of the season! Just a dusting but more on the way...

I am thinking about my goals for 2025... let's be honest- its not been going well lately but I am working on resetting today.  After all 2025 is not over yet! So what can I do today to move closer to the Amy I want to be?  How can I be more consistent in the remaining weeks?

• drink water- I started having little headaches a lot and I am attributing it to be dehydrated a lot of the time.
• move my body more and be intention about doing so- I am resolving today to do this 30 day beginner workout plan from Nourish Move Love - I've grown increasing tired of how my body feels and how my clothes fit. I want to feel healthy and strong. 
• check the boxes in my planner
  
  
  

I am thankful for this study every year! This year it hit especially well.... but maybe I think that every year.

One of my favorite things our ladies bible study this season has been a delight. Tonight was the last one and I feel simultaneously sad and relieved. I always went feeling a little anxious but always came home overflowing with joy and a full and happy heart. Our church in general is a great little community. My best friends are there. My people and I am so thankful for it.

I am wearing had to break out the winter coat today!

I am reading The Second Story Bookshop (cousin book club).  I am also on the hunt for our next church book club selection for next week- I'm looking for a holiday rom-com I think...

I am hoping the snow doesn't get too bad tomorrow.

I am learning the difference the bagel button makes on your toaster. I never really used it- I don't know why and had pretty much forgotten it existed. Yesterday as I was getting Sunday dinner on the table- I jokingly commented on the burnt toast crumbs in the butter.  Reason being- Rhett's toast at breakfast was brunt to a crisp because I had cranked the toaster all the way to darkest setting because my bagels weren't getting toasty enough.  Ryan was like, "Mom, why don't you just use the bagel button?" He proceeded to point it out to me on our toaster.  Well let me tell you- I used it this morning and my bagel was perfectly toasted! Who knew? 😆😆😆😆

In my kitchen

Sourdough Lemon Blueberry Focaccia I made for church yesterday. Twas a delight!

The dough was busting out of the bowl when I got up in the morning.

Post Script

Our church service yesterday- the message on not grumbling was a reminder I very much needed.

Shared Quote

A moment from my day-  a few pics from Saturday 

I finished this book, Through Each Tomorrow, with my lunch- so good! It made me want to go back and read the series again from the beginning. I've got to get the next one on preorder (comes out in the spring sometime).

Sweet Chancer

Kids Club Donut Class

Bruno observing.

Closing Notes:

I hope November is treating you well. I hope you are safe and warm and cozy today. My thoughts are already turning to 2026 and New Year things but also trying to stay present in 2025 and accomplish what I can today to the best of my ability. 

Sourdough Love

Betty and I had a rough few weeks and I am not sure what happened.  We seem to be back on good terms now. I was able to successfully bake a some bread on Saturday. The act of making bread again brought me much joy. 

Yesterday I made English muffins and they are a delight! I mixed up the dough Tuesday after dinner and shaped and cooked them Wednesday morning. I think these are the best ones I have made yet. (I threw out two failed batches in the past few weeks so this victory was extra sweet). Soft and Fluffy and Tasty.

They take breakfast sandwiches to the next level.

I mostly followed this recipe from Little Spoon Farm. The main difference being I did not cut out the muffins- I divided the dough into 8 equal (ish) sections, rolled each into a ball and then flattened in a pile of cornmeal and coated both sides.  Covered with dish towel and let rest for a bout an hour.  I cooked them on my preheated griddle for 3 minutes on each side and then finished in the oven for about 12-15 minutes at 350.  The shaping and finishing in the oven I got from this recipe at Amy Bakes Bread.

The boys and I are sturggling with the shorter mornings. 

Impatiently waiting for the sun to rise so we can go for our walk.

Back to reading my Bible first, cozy with my blanket and hot coffee.

*Bruno waiting/watching impatiently.

Hello again...

Hello friends. I haven't felt much like sharing lately.

But Saturday we had a little sister coffee date.  We didn't take any pictures- I stole a couple off the internet. And while the coffee was good and we had a good chat, it wasn't my favorite.

We went to Salt City Coffee in the city near my sister's library. We both got the Lucky Charms latte and were a little disappointed it was simply poured from the tap with nothing to make it fancy. No whip cream, no luck charms cereal = sadness.

The coffee shop itself was crowded with college students so we wandered out through the thrift shop (promising to come back) to the common area upstairs to find a quiet table at which to sit and chat (ie complain about life). The weather that week had been particularly icky- cold, gloomy, rainy and it added to our angst.

We headed to the thrift store, I didn't find much that caught my eye but Laura came away with some treasures. Including a cute brand new with tags pink skirt. Score! 

After I got home I mixed up a loaf of sourdough, which I baked in the morning. And baked a Sourdough Carrot Cake Loaf to take to church for coffee time in the morning.

My friend said I should take a picture with my sourdough like men take pictures with the fish they catch. So I had Ryan snap a picture before I sliced it up for lunch.

We had to stop by my sister's house in the afternoon and Rhett engaged with the nephews in some sword play.

Two great reads from April so far.

The boys are very happy it is now light enough to resume our early morning walks.

They thank me by barely leaving me any room in bed.

Hannah spent some time with Mikayla and all her fur babies the other day.

While I finally made a recipe I had been wanting to for quite some time.  Chicken Parmesan Meatballs. From What's Gaby Cooking. They were delish! It's kinda hard to see in the picture but they are stuffed with mozzarella cheese.

I guess that's all for now. Looking forward to celebrating the resurrection with my Church Family on Sunday. 💙

More running, reading and Apple Cinnamon Sourdough + 1st day of school!

I ended up with 17+ miles in August, looking to double that in September...

So far I have two runs under my belt this month. Monday, I took Bruno to the park and we ran around the lakes. He was elated. 

I was home alone most of Labor day and spent the rest of the day reading and baking apple cinnamon sourdough bread.

I finished this book- it was so good! I don't know when the next one comes out but I am dying to read it!

The sourdough came out amazing- this morning Hannah said to me it just might be my best sourdough bake ever and "tastes like fall". The house smelled so good while it was baking. I used this recipe from Amy Bakes Bread- Apple Cinnamon Sourdough.  If you are into baking sourdough- I highly recommend giving this one a try.

Yesterday was the first day of school and somehow our last little is now a Senior! Oh my heart.

I hit the canal for two more miles afterwork yesterday and picked up my library holds. The run was slower than I hoped, but ran pretty steady and took one walk break half way.

Today is the Mister's birthday, looking forward to celebrating him afterwork and all the kids being home for his birthday dinner. 💙

Happy September Friends!