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Coffee Talk 01.20.2019

Happy Sunday, friends! I hope you’re having a good weekend. We stayed in last night, watched the Sixers, enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, and just hung out here at home one last night before my son goes back to college today.

I did the whole shebang with garlic bread and Caesar salad (a family favorite) and a homemade chocolate cake, which unfortunately did not want to come out of the pans.

I’ve made this cake probably 100 times over the past 20 years, and I have never had trouble getting it to turn out. I don’t know what happened, but fortunately, it was just the 5 of us and no one cared. I frosted it anyway, and it still tasted good.

We take our son back to college this afternoon, and I have mixed emotions. On the one hand, it is time. He didn’t have a job while he was home for the past 5 weeks, so he had way too much time to sleep and play Fortnight. He did go out with friends a few times a week, and I’ve loved being able to see him so much, but he really needs to get back to school where he has something constructive to do. But at the same time, I’ll miss him. I was just getting used to having him around again, and I think I’m actually going to miss tripping over his giant sneakers and hearing him talking and laughing with his friends over his PS4 at 2AM, haha!

So the big snow event hitting the east coast just missed us. We were getting some beautiful fluffy flakes early last evening, and it was covering nicely and looked so pretty. Then the temperatures rose and it turned to rain, and it’s been raining ever since. I looked outside when I woke up this morning, and almost all the snow is melted.

The worst of it is, we’re going into a deep freeze this afternoon, and that could get very dangerous. Plus, it’s going to be miserably cold. I’m all for cold weather in January if it snows, but if it’s going to be an icy mess, no thank you. Just warm up and be spring already. It’s just a big, fat bummer, is what it is. Oh, well. You can’t control the weather, so there’s no use moaning and groaning about it.

The bigger issue we’re going to have is getting my son back down to college safely this afternoon. We plan to leave right after church so we can move him back into his dorm and hopefully get back home before the roads get dangerous.

So that’s the plan!

In other news, I’m pretty pleased with myself for running 3 out of the past 4 days. I logged 30 minutes on Wednesday, 20 minutes on Thursday, and I did a full 3 miles yesterday.

I’d like to get back out there this morning if I can because I definitely won’t be able to run outside for the next few days — the temperatures are supposed to be in single digits. I didn’t join the gym yet, but I may do that tomorrow. I’m waiting until I need it, but it’s definitely my backup plan.

Of course, because I took a break, my knee is acting up and feeling tight, but I know it will get better if I keep up my momentum. My trainer is always telling me that injuries happen when you are inconsistent, and I can definitely feel my body saying, What the heck!?!

I was feeling so good a few weeks ago when I was running consistently 3 or 4 days a week. My aches and pains were gone, and I’m anxious to get back to that place.

I skipped my strength training appointments this week because we couldn’t our schedules to jive, so I’m also looking forward to getting back to that this week as well. At least it shouldn’t be too terribly painful since I’ve been running. If I had let myself skip out on that too, I definitely would be in a world of hurt when I get back to lifting this week.

And if you’ll let me switch years, one more time… Following up on the spring fashion discussion, I was just about to reach out to the photographer Lindsey recommended in Tampa and start looking into plane fares and hotels in the area when I got in invitation to a conference in Scottsdale in February!

I am beside myself excited because a) I love Scottsdale; it is my happy place. I’ve been there several times, and it’s just so different from anything on the east coast. I absolutely love visiting there. I don’t think I’d want to live there because I love seasons, but I can’t imagine a better place to spend a few days in February! and b) this is the perfect opportunity to shoot spring looks in a warmer climate right before I start my spring fashions series.

I don’t know of a fashion photographer in Scottsdale, so I have to figure out that piece. And of course I’ll have to lug a ton of outfits and accessories so I can get a bunch of looks shot while I’m there, which is a hassle, but I would have to check a bag anyway, so it might as well be a big one!

More importantly, this is a good opportunity for me to network and hopefully get a much-needed refresh for my work. I used to attend conferences regularly, but I haven’t been to one in a few years, and I’ve missed that. There’s something to be said for being with people who really get what you do — especially when what you do is rather unconventional.

This virtual space can be all-consuming, and I spend most of my days by myself at a computer, so to be able to actually talk and interact with other people in the same space is always a treat. All that to say, I’m really looking forward to that!

But before that event gets here, I have a trip to Maine planned for next weekend. I know, I’m going to be quite the jet setter over the next few months! I’m just hoping the weather will cooperate, because you KNOW we will finally get the big snow I’ve been hankering for the one weekend I have travel plans. So I’m crossing my fingers that all works out.

When I went to Maine last fall to visit my grandfather, he ended up in the hospital the whole time I was there, and he wasn’t very coherent. I didn’t talk about it at the time because we didn’t know how it was going to turn out, but he rallied, and he’s back at home now and more like himself. I mean, he is 102, so he has good days and bad days, but I’m praying I get to see him on a good day.

My mom will be there too, so we’ll get to spend time together as well, and I’m looking forward to that.

So yeah, that’s the latest on my end! I hope you all are staying safe and warm, whatever the weather holds for you this weekend. Have a great Sunday!

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36 Responses

  1. Good morning! I empathize with you about the college / vacation situation. It’s a hard time for mothers! I have two sons in college now, one is graduating in May and the other is a junior. It’s a pleasure and a pain to have them here at home!! I just want to say, GET UP OUT OF BED!!! but I don’t… I want peace here;) it’s a big challenge for a mother’s heart. I still hate to see them leave the house when they head back to school, but in my head I know it’s best. Ugh!

  2. I have to admit that I was very relieved that Philly and south Jersey did not get the expected snow. We’re visiting my stepson and granddaughters this weekend, and flew into Philly from Chicago. I took Thursday and Friday off but I have to be back to school on Monday . I always worry about my students with 

    1. Hit Send by mistake! Anyway I always worry about my kids with a sub, not to mention my dogs with the new dog sitter. So as much as we had a wonderful time seeing our family, I’m glad that we don’t have any delays or cancelations going home. 😊😊 But I totally understand wanting that nice dusting of snow. And I’ve only visited Scottsdale once but loved it! What a great time to be able to get away!

  3. I can totally sympathize with the college kid thing! When my three older kids were in university the living space turned into an internet cafe< with devices and cords everywhere! I loved having them around though so it was nothing I fussed about too much…. outwardly… inwardly it drove me crazy lol. Now that they all have jobs and lives that take them on wild adventures {my oldest son and his wife are teaching in Saudi Arabia right now} I miss all the commotion caused by everyone descending on the house for holidays.
    Scottsdale sounds so fun and I am excited about seeing outfit pics from this location!
    Praying for a safe trip for you all today. Have a super Sunday!

    1. Haha! I love the chaos too. I actually wish he’d have his friends over here more. But it’s nice when they do come, and having him here is good for my mama’s heart. I know there will come a day when the house is quiet, and I will miss it so much.

  4. I’m sorry your snow didn’t materialize.  I feel you on the ice thing.  We seem to never just get nice fluffy snow here.  It’s usually always accompanied by ice and then it’s dangerous.  I complain about the rain, but it’s better than ice!  How fun that you are going to Scottsdale next month!  I grew up in Arizona and I miss it.  Especially this time of year!  It sounds like a great trip for you.  And we reap the benefits of the outfit photos you’ll take!   I’m praying for a safe trip taking your son back to college.

  5. Regarding your cake “fail” – it’s not really a fail because didn’t you know that’s the real reason for frosting?  Lol.  

    I’m sure you will miss your son but I’m with you that’s too long for kids to be idle.  Ha. Even though I’m sure they would all disagree.  I pray safe travels there and back.   

    Scottsdale in February?  Perfect!  ❤️ 

    Have a blessed day!  

  6. Safe travels getting your son back to college and yourselves back home.

    Sounds like lot of fun plans over the next month! One of my favorite cozy mystery series is set in Scottsdale at a cupcake bakery. 

    I want one big snowstorm that falls on a weekend. The “big” storm they were predicting for us this weekend turned into a slushy mess with a couple inches of snow and rain.

      1. Kathy, it’s the Cupcake Bakery series by Jenn McKinlay. She also has a library series that is great too, based in CT in a fictional town set next door to my city.

        1. Thank you Kristi. Sounds good. I was born in CT. Live in Oregon now. Moved out west when I was 3 so don’t remember CT. Hope to visit someday. 

  7. Scottsdale in Feb sounds terrific! The scenery is so pretty. Love Sedona if you have time for a quick day trip.

    Some good football on today!! Safe travels on the icy roads driving your son back to college.

  8. I thought I had totally lost it when I saw your earlier post.  I started to message you, but changed my mind.  I pray that y’all do get back home today before the roads start being dangerous.  Oh, how did your daughters first driving lesson go?  We were blessed to not have severe weather last night, like in AL.  We did get 3” of rain, and today we are having wind gusts around 40mph.  It’s 41, but feels like 33, so being outside is not wise.  I’m so glad you were able to run more this past week!  Going to AZ next month sounds awesome.  Enjoy the rest of your day.  I’m reading Sort and Succeed.

    1. She’s doing well. Paul took her out again today too, while I drove David back to college. It’s totally dry and sunny right now, but it may get icy later when the sun goes down and the temps drop. Everything has been cancelled around here, we are such wusses! Haha!

      1. That’s great on the driving.  Trust me, us southerners are much bigger wusses than y’all are. As a GA native, I can say that.  Fear is instilled in us at a very early age, when it comes to severe weather, and snow/ice.  Ice can cause so much more damage and power outages, so I pray y’all don’t have it tonight.

  9. I love Scottsdale!  I am seriously thinking of retiring there and possibly keeping an apartment on Long Island for the beach access.  It is so beautiful and so many things to do.  Plus the shopping is fabulous.  I’ve never been there in February so you’ll have to let us know.  Have a safe trip to college and back. 

  10. Enjoy your trips!  Hopefully the weather will be ok for your trip up here to the Northeast. I’m hoping this weekend’s weather isn’t the start of the real winter for us. That happened a few years ago – didn’t snow until late January and then didn’t seem to stop until April. 
    I have a son who is a freshman in college too and we postponed taking him back until tomorrow. Campus is closed today with the snow anyway so it was a good decision. I loved the line in your post “I was just getting used to having him around again, and I think I’m actually going to miss tripping over his giant sneakers and hearing him talking and laughing with his friends over his PS4 at 2AM, haha!”. EXACTLY!!!  That and his disaster of a room. I haven’t pushed him to keep it clean during break and I’m regretting that. 

    1. Yeah, I am probably too easy on him when he’s home now, and the girls are eager to point it out. It’s just kind of weird. He still lives here, and I’m still his parent, but I find myself treating him more like a guest — not wanting to ask him to help out, and I hate to push him to get out of bed or turn off the video games. I do, but not as much as I probably should. I guess we’re all still getting used to the new normal.

  11. I follow the old-fashioned trick of lining a cake pan with a round of waxed paper (greased or sprayed with PAM) before adding batter. Parchment paper works well, too.

    Otherwise, there seems to be a magic number of minutes when a cake will release from the pan without breaking up or sticking. Maybe you were outside that window. Another possibility: cake pans can become more “sticky” over time, as oil builds up on the surfaces and gets cooked on. Paper would still solve the problem.

  12. yay! Scottsdale! I hope our weather is nice and not rainy when you come – we do sometimes get weird weather in February but hopefully you will hit it right! I know a professional photographer in the area; she did my son’s senior portraits and is amazing – my email is [email protected] if you want me to forward her contact info, I am happy to do. You can view her work on Facebook also. Not sure if you are looking for a specific “fashion photographer”, but I know she is very good and reasonably priced.

  13. Oh nice.. a trip to Scottsdale sounds lovey. We’ve never been but an advertisement came on TV the other day and I said “ that’s where I need my winters” average temp 22. Hope you had safe travels with your son. And a grandfather who’s 102 how blessed he is. 

  14. Safe travels.  Just think that saying goodbye to your son each trip is prepping you for the day he will move out.  (Mine did in July 2017).  It dies get easier.  Btw, I think I saw that same flock of geese heading south yesterday.  Doesn’t that mean that spring will soon be here? 60 more days counting down.

    1. Okay, so I wasn’t sad until I read that. Haha! But I hear ya, it does have a way of preparing us, doesn’t it? The good-byes aren’t as hard as the days after… where I walk by his room and it seems so empty. But I know he’ll call in a week or two and want me to come pick him up and bring him home for the weekend. And between now and then, it’s strangely peaceful without the hum of video games. 🙂

  15. Glad you get to go to AZ! This cold weather just begs for a trip like that! Enjoy! Also, an alternative to a stuck cake is yummy little layered trifles or parfaits. Nobody needs to know!😉I hope you get to see your grandfather on a good day too. There are few things better than a hug from your grandpa. I hope all of your travels go well!

  16. So neat the Scottsdale trip works out so perfect for your Spring series. Glad you are going to do it after all.  I’ve heard Scottsdale is beautiful.  I live on the NW coast and haven’t been there.  One of my kids has and loves it too.  I’m like you, I could never live somewhere that doesn’t have each season.  I can’t believe your grandfather is 102 yrs. old.  I’m sure you and your mom will have a great time visiting together and seeing him. 🙂  Its always great to have a trip or trips planned to look forward to during these long Winter months.  I need that.  

  17. So glad you get to come out my way to Arizona! February is the best month to be here. I don’t miss the four seasons at all except that I like to wear winter clothes and my season to wear them is maybe two months! Ha! Love your blog. Thanks for all you do.

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