What's Up Wednesday: January 2018 Edition

I'm linking up with Sheaffer Told Me To The Larson Lingo and Mix and Match Mama for What's Up Wednesday today.

What We're Eating This Week

RECIPE HERE

Today is my last day on the Whole30 program. Bye, Felicia. Hello, Wine and Diet Coke. Seriously, it is hard, but I have learned a lot about how my body reacts to certain foods through this program. Mostly, I've learned that there really is no doubt that when I eat real food and cut out processed foods, simple carbs and sugar, I feel better. (And the whole church said, "Duh.") I've shared a few really good Whole30 recipes on the blog and I'll post a more complete review of this later, but the point is I'm eating good stuff. I've never chopped so many things in my life. And the food that God made all by His own self really is better. It takes some thought and some prep and some work, but it's just the truth. For me. One of the best things I ate this month was the Fried Cauliflower Rice from this website. 

What I'm Reminiscing About

While we've had quite a few days off of school for weather this year, we've had very little snow accumulation. Facebook keeps reminding us of past snowstorms with their "On This Day" feature, so I've been reminiscing about some epic snowstorms when between hot chocolate and light saber battles and messy dripping snow boots all over the house, we captured some of the wonder of a legit blizzard locking us out of the real world for days on end. 

What I'm Loving

This Aveda Shampure Composition Oil. My friend, Jen, has the best smelling hair of anyone I know in the entire world. In what was likely a pretty creepy text, I asked Jen what I might do to have hair that smelled like angel wings and fairy dust like hers did and she said she uses Aveda Shampure. Then, because she is the best in all the ways, she gave me the Shampure oil for my birthday which is heaven. So I'm loving it on my wrists, in my bath, and on my temples for de-stressing when my dog won't stop barking at imaginary danger out our window. It's the best.(Note: I just had visions of people who know Jen sneaking up to sniff her hair at the basketball gym or the grocery store. I wholeheartedly do not condone such behavior. Please don't. Sorry, Jen.)

What We've Been Up To

There's been a lot of winter hibernating around here. We really only seem to leave the house to buy food or watch basketball games.

What I'm Dreading

Nothing. Due to this

I'm really looking forward to a new month.

What I'm Working On

I want to turn this

Into this

lilyfieldoffurniture.com

I have a piece of furniture that was my husband's mother's which I'm thinking of having re-finished and painted. I like this idea. But let's be clear. I will not actually be working on this myself because I have zero talent in this area. I'll need some help. Luckily, I know a girl. :-)

What I'm Excited About

After 30 days without it, I will be in that drive thru at McDonald's tomorrow for one large with extra ice, please and thank you. I now know I can go many days without Diet Coke. I found that many days I didn't even miss it. I'm pretty sure I'll continue to go without for many days in a row, but tomorrow is not that day.

What I'm Watching

Steve and I are watching The Americans which is really good and also very alarming at times. I love all the 80s memories it brings up though. I also just started The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel which just won a ton of Golden Globe and SAG awards. The 1950s era clothes are to-die-for and the dialogue is witty and smart. I can tell I'll finish this show in no time. Both of these are on Amazon Prime. And guess what? If you sign up this month you can get a free 30 day trial. If I've learned anything in the month of January it's that if you really commit yourself, you can blow through quite a few episodes, if not a whole season, of a good series in 30 days. It takes some dedication and some compiling of snacks beforehand, but I believe in you, friend. You can do this. Godspeed.

What I'm Reading

I have perhaps bitten off more than I can chew by starting a whole lot of books at pretty much the same time. Here's the list.

I finished Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Really good, really sad.

I was so excited to get an advance copy of Jamie Ivey's new book, If You Only Knew:My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Being Free which came out yesterday. If you've read here for awhile you know that I do not miss Jamie's weekly podcast, The Happy Hour. This is her first book and it is such a great story of how God relentlessly pursues us even when we feel we have strayed too far from Him and how He will take our mess and make it beautiful. 

100 Days to Brave is the devotional I've started for 2018. Annie F. Downs has a podcast as well and she is a delight. This devotional has very short essays each day and one journal question. It's easy to get to in the morning even when you don't have much time.

I can't remember where I heard or read that When We Were Worthy by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen was good, but whoever recommended was right. I started it at the beginning of the week and I can't put it down.

What I'm Listening To

I thought this episode of Jen Hatmaker's For the Love podcast with Rachel Hollis was uplifting and inspirational during a month when I felt very low and uninspired. Now, I have yet another book to add to my list for 2018. Girl, Wash Your Face sounds like just the kick in the pants I need. It doesn't come out until February 6th, but you can preorder it here.

What I'm Wearing

I know you're shocked to see that I'm branching out in the clothing department. I fell off the wagon again and bought another plaid button down. Y'all. What is wrong with me? It was 40% off though. I love it. I love it with my whole heart.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

There will be some basketball and I would guess we'll watch the Super Bowl even though none of us has a dog in the fight. And since my Whole30 is done, I'm not going to go crazy, but there will be at least one diet Coke and maybe a carb here or there. 

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

I'll be speaking at the Legends Luncheon at my church on February 13th about my experiences volunteering in the pediatric cancer community over the last five years. For more information on that, go here.

What Else Is New

Tickets are on sale for the 7th Annual Kyle's Kamp Casino Night to benefit pediatric cancer research and patient care. If you're in our area, go here for tickets. My girls and I always have a great time every year.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite soup recipe?

The Chicken Tortilla Soup that our sorority house cook at The University of Texas made every week is my favorite of all time. See the recipe at the bottom of this post.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com