Apple picking, pumpkin carving, swimming meets, and Girl Scout meetings. What a month October has been. This past month was full of best times, smiles, and fun with friends. Here is our life lately October 2024 and what we have been up to.
Books I’ve Read
Because all of these books are in the same series, I’m going to review them together. Obviously I keep reading them because I enjoy the characters and the series. Joe is such a hard-headed, likable rule follower. And I love the character path Nate, Joe’s friend, has taken through the books. I think the only criticism I have is that I wish the author could have used a synonym for ‘bad guys’ a few times in the books. It’s sounds so juvenile for such intense, suspenseful books. 4/5
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Cold Wind by C.J. Box
- Joe Pickett faces a disturbing murder investigation involving his mother-in-law, Missy, whom he greatly dislikes. Missy is arrested, but Joe suspects deeper motives, grappling with divided loyalties and dangerous interests as he searches for the truth behind the crime.
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Force of Nature by C.J. Box
- Nate Romanowski confronts his shadowy past when a former comrade, now a powerful government figure, targets him and his friends, forcing them into a dangerous game of survival outside the law. As the entire Pickett family becomes a target, the stakes rise for Nate and his friend Joe Pickett, whose lives hang in the balance.
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Breaking Point by C.J. Box
- Joe Pickett finds himself embroiled in a tense hunt for a fugitive accused of murdering two EPA employees. He uncovers a web of conspiracy and local turmoil that tests his loyalties and ethics.
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Stone Cold by C.J. Box
- Joe Pickett investigates a mysterious ranch in the remote Black Hills of Wyoming. He uncovers dark secrets involving a stone-cold killer and a past he wishes he could forget.
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Endangered by C.J. Box
- Joe Pickett faces a desperate situation when his ward, April, goes missing after running off with a rodeo champion. Things take a dark turn when April is found severely injured and unable to speak, leading Joe on a dangerous quest for the truth amid threats from a notorious family.
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Off the Grid by C.J. Box
- Nate Romanowski is drawn back into danger while trying to recuperate from his past, as he confronts a suspected terror cell in Wyoming’s Red Desert, intertwining with Joe’s own harrowing investigation of a lethal bear that has killed a local hunter.
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The Disappeared by C.J. Box
- Joe Pickett investigates the mysterious disappearance of a prominent British businesswoman from a high-end guest ranch, while also addressing a sensitive issue for falconers that unexpectedly intertwines with his case, revealing deeper complexities and threats than he anticipated.
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Wolf Pack by C.J. Box
- Joe Pickett faces a deadly threat as he investigates a drone linked to wildlife killings, only to uncover a violent pack of assassins connected to the Sinaloa cartel, all while being pressured by the FBI and DOJ to back off.
Recipes I’ve Made
- Apple Sage Turkey Chili– We all enjoyed the cinnamon, apple, and sweet potato in this. It is good once a season, but I still prefer my smoky chili more.
- Pumpkin Dump Cake– So easy and so good! I couldn’t find spice cake so I added some different spices to yellow cake. Next time I hope I can find a spice cake mix to use.
- Harvest Chicken Casserole– This was another tasty fall recipe and it’s so pretty with all of the different colors from the ingredients.
- Oatmeal Creme Pie Cake– This delicious dessert took some extra time to make, but it is absolutely delicious. My family hovers around while I cut it each night.
- Chicken Picatta– I served it over some high protein pasta and green veggies. Bless my sweet family, they absolutely loved it! I’m glad I doubled the recipe for some leftovers!
- Butternut Squash Tortellini Soup– I loved this! I cooked the squash first and had it ready for the soup so prep went a lot faster the night of.
- Nutter Butter Bars– If you like peanut butter, these are for you! The layers seem like a lot of effort, but are actually pretty easy to assemble.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Mole– I think this was just okay. The sauce was too thick and I had to had over a cup of water to it. I’ll make mole again, but try a different recipe.
Products I’ve Tried
- Ulivary pajamas and robe– These cane at the perfect time. My sleepwear was looking pretty rough lately. The Ulivary Pajamas and Robe are a dream come true! The fabric is ultra-soft and breathable, making it perfect for a cozy night’s sleep or relaxing at home. The prints are all so beautiful. The pajamas fit comfortably without being too tight, and the robe adds an extra layer of warmth without feeling heavy. I love the elegant look and feel – it’s like having a little luxury in my daily routine. Highly recommend for anyone looking for stylish and comfortable loungewear!
- Regelica Set– I’m thrilled with the Regelica Anti-Aging Skincare Set! After just two weeks, my skin feels noticeably softer and looks brighter, with fine lines around my eyes reduced. I found the serum and moisturizer to absorb beautifully, leaving my skin hydrated and smooth without any greasiness. I really enjoy using these at night and have seen a slight difference in a few sun spots I have as well. There is a nice plumping effect, especially around smile lines. I love the tube wringer they included! It’s been a fantastic addition to my skincare routine, and I’m excited to see even more results with continued use! I wish they had an eye cream.
- Bare Botanics dry brush, scrub, and Magnesium oil spray– After intense workouts and long runs, this Bare Botanics trio has become my go-to for self-care and recovery! The dry brush helps stimulate circulation and ease soreness, while the body scrub is gentle yet effective at exfoliating and leaving my skin incredibly soft. My favorite is the magnesium oil spray— it’s amazing for relieving muscle tension and helps me relax even after the toughest sessions. Together, these products feel like a mini spa treatment at home, helping me recover faster and stay motivated to tackle my next workout.
Currently
- Loving- I’m loving the way Claire’s confidence has improved with her swimming and running accomplishments. She is doing so well!
- Looking forward to- I’m looking forward to Aveline’s birthday party in 2 weeks. I can’t believe she is turning 7!
- Smelling- I’ve been smelling the candle I made with the Blonde Squad the other weekend. It was so fun to do and all of the candles we made smell amazing!
- Preparing for- This weekend I’ll be running a half marathon so I’ve been prepping for that.
- Thankful- We had a wonderful weekend and visited family friends in Wisconsin this past weekend. I’m so thankful we were able to find time to get together.
- Family Update-
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- Avie– Avie worked hard this soccer season. Although they had some rough games because not many players showed up, she played hard. She is excitedly counting down the days until her birthday.
- Claire– Claire has run 2 more 5Ks with me and crushed them! Both were best times for her and her last pace was a 9:26. Her running has been really helping her with swimming and Claire has had some amazing races with best times over the past 3 meets.
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- Me- I haven’t had any exciting best times, but I’ve been close and I’ll take it! It’s been so fun to have a buddy to get up early with me and race. There is nothing better than fall weather for running and I’m loving it. I’ve also been really busy with both Girl Scout troops.
- Matt- Matt finally recovered from that awful virus. It took a few appointments and horde of different meds, but I’m so glad he is finally sleeping better and no one else caught it to the extent he did.
October Goals Recap
- Schedule a family photo- Sort of, I’m ‘voluntelling’ my father-in-law when they visit us for November. Fingers crossed for semi-decent weather!
- Learn instagram skill– Not done. Ooof. The past few months I have had no extra time to get extra things done.
- Set up budgeting for Girl Scout troops– Done! And so far it is still up-to-date. Haha!
November Goals
- Organize Girl Scout boxes– I have 3 boxes I ‘inherited’ from previous troops and consolidate them.
- Kids clothing storage– I have boxes of clothing from Claire downstairs that Avie doesn’t fit into yet. I hope to go through them and pull
- Prep for Thanksgiving– Before hosting I normally make a few things ahead of time and freeze them.
Favorite Posts This Month
LINKING UP WITH WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY, OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS
