What’s Up Wednesday: October 2025

What's Up Wednesday

It’s What’s up Wednesday with Sheaffer & Shay! I’m sharing a little about what’s been going on around here this month.

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What I’m Eating this Week

Beef Tips Over Egg Noodles
Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Gravy Over Noodles

It’s been a cold and rainy week here so we are eating all the comfort food. Here’s what’s on our menu this week.

Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Soup. This is one of my favorite soups. It’s easy to make and is a hit with the whole family.

Smothered Pork Chops with Gravy. My husband’s favorite ( I still need to post the full recipe). We do these in the crockpot with a can of cream of chicken, one can cream of mushroom, onion soup mix, and brown gravy mix. Cook on low for 6 hours and serve over mashed potatoes.

Beef tips over egg noodles. These are another family favorite. The men/boys in my family love it over mashed potatoes, but I love it over egg noodles with a little fresh parmesan cheese.

What I’m Loving

One of my favorite places to shop for holiday gifts is Uncommon Goods. They have such a unique selection and every gift I buy from them is a hit with the family! This year, I’ve been planning in advance, and it feels good to already have some things crossed off of the list. I know I can find something unique for everyone. The site is organized by category and recipient so it’s easy to narrow things down to get ideas for each person. Check them out here.

What I’m Excited About

Our schedule for the next few weeks leading up to Thanksgiving is almost entirely open. Sports are finished for the season and school events have calmed down. I love using this time of the year to do a quick reset before the holiday season gets crazy. I pick a couple of rooms to go through each week and get rid of all of the things that we no longer use. This process helps me feel like my house is organized and a little tidier for the holidays. We donate or sell the items which feels great because we are either helping someone else get what they need or making a little extra cash to spend on gifts. The other great thing is that it helps me see what we need and gives me ideas for what to tell family members when they inevitably ask what we need/want for Christmas. It’s especially helpful for my boys because they are getting to that age where they don’t really ask for much. Being able to tell family members that they are in need of new sweatshirts, sports equipment, or even a few extra pairs of their favorite socks gives them ideas and helps us because they are getting things that they actually need/use.

What I’m Reading/Listening To

I listened to a total of 13 books this month. Instead of reviewing all of them here, I’ve narrowed it down to my top three.

Awake By Jen Hatmaker (5/5). I love Jen and have been following her for a long time, so I was excited to see that her latest book was a memoir. Jen shares her journey navigating her divorce and her love story with the people who supported her. I found it so refreshing and moving. If you’re a fan of hers, I highly recommend the audio book. It’s narrated by Jen and she adds in some extra commentary that adds a little something special.

Rebel Blue Ranch Series By Lyla Sage (4.5/5). Small town romances are one of my favorite ways to escape and this series did not dissapoint. These books are set on a ranch in Wyoming and has a little of everything I love in a easy chick lit read. Cowboys, friendships, strong family ties, and a little spice. I loved all of these books and found them a great way to relax and lose myself in a book.

The Keeper of Lost Things By Ruth Hogan (5/5). This story follows a man who has spent years collecting things people have lost with the hope of someday returning them to their rightful owners. When he passes away, he leaves that mission to his assistant. Their story and the lives of those who lost those objects are woven in the most beautiful way. I thought it was charming, a little quirky, and full of little nuggets of love and joy.

What Amazon Purchase Did I Love This Month

These food storage containers! I saw them on Instagram and just had to get them. I love that they have thought of every detail and added extra accessories (sifter for powdered sugar, leveler for the flour, terra cotta disk for the brown sugar) that are going to make the upcoming baking seasing so much easier. I grabbed a set for me and another to gift to a family member who just bought a new house!

No products found.

What I’m Looking Forward to Next Month

Spending lots of quality time with family and friends! We are looking to plan a holiday party for our friends and are currently in search of a fun theme. If you have any ideas, please share them in the comments.

I hope everyone has a great week!

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