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Coffee Talk 12.09.18

Greetings and salutations on this chilly December morning! I hope everyone is having a good weekend and your holiday celebrations are in full swing.

It’s really starting to feel like Christmas around here! We still have to get our live tree (we’re going out this afternoon) but we’re fully decorated otherwise, and I can’t wait to share it with you tomorrow.

On Friday night, I joined Paul at his holiday office party. I don’t have a single picture of the two of us, and I’m so bummed. It even occurred to me when we were there to ask someone to take our picture, but the time was never quite right, and then I just forgot.

Yesterday I hosted our annual Christmas Tea for the ladies in our church. Here’s the spread.

Everybody brought something, and I barely did a thing except set the table and open the front door. We visited, ate, sang Christmas carols, and then heard a few ladies give their testimonies. It was a really nice time.

This is what I wore. This is that velvet dot tie back shell and the jeweled bow flats from Loft that I shared in yesterday’s try on haul. Both are still 50% off. You can get the rest of these outfit details HERE.

I’m starting to get excited for my trip to NYC on Wednesday with my daughter for her Sweet 16. I have to admit, I was sort of dreading it there for a while. I used to buzz up and back to NYC for the day several times a year without giving it a second thought, but I’m feeling out of practice because I haven’t been in so long. The closer it gets, the more excited I am for our plans, and I know it will all come back to me once I hop in the car.

We’re planning to drive to the train station in Hamilton and hop on the commuter rail to Penn Station. From there, it’s easy to hail a cab and go wherever we want to go. It’s actually getting back home that I find more stressful. Getting on the right train in Penn Station can be a little bit daunting, but it always works out, and I’ve always been able to get a seat. I just need to psych myself up for it. It should be pretty easy on a weekday. It’s the weekends in December that can be really crowded. We did that once, and I don’t care to do it again.

Today we’re going to lunch with friends after church and then getting our tree, so it’s going to be a full day.

And that’s the latest from my neck of the woods. I feel like I should have a lot more to tell you, but nothing is coming to mind. I’ve been nose to the grindstone, cranking out posts when I’m home. This time of year is always a little bit crazy because both my work life and personal life ramp up, but I do try to take some down time. Last night we just vegged in front of the TV, and that was a much needed reprieve.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

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33 Responses

  1. It looks like y’all had plenty to eat for the tea yesterday, and it all looks so good!  How tall is your gorgeous tree?  I am not wanting to take our slim tree down after Christmas!  Sitting and looking it is just so peaceful to me.  Have a fabulous day!  The day trip on Wednesday sounds like so much fun!

    1. We sure did! Our tree is 9″ – we actually had to squish the top down some to fit the bow on top. In our old house, there was a cathedral ceiling in our living room so there was plenty of room above it.

  2. What a beautiful table for your Christmas Tea!  I placed an order this morning at Loft, including a few items from yesterday’s post.  I really appreciate your try on sessions, so many great items.  I’m also enjoying the Advent series you recommended. It’s helping me stay grounded during this hectic time of year.  Hope you have a great time in NYC!

      1. Yes, that’s it. I enjoy them. They give you some scripture passages, and then there’s a short commentary. It doesn’t take too long to read through it, but there’s a lot to marinate on and pray over if you have more time.

  3. Your table looked beautiful for the Christmas Tea. Your Christmas tree looks gorgeous. Have a fabulous time in NYC making memories with your daughter.

  4. I have had the crud for a week so feel like I have missed lots of time getting things done. But such is life. Hopefully next week I can get out. Your house is beautifully decorated. Oh, and that spread looked fabulous. Can’t wait to see your live tree.

  5. Your table looks fantastic!! That food looks so good!! What wonderful memories…. I love listening to people’s testimonies of how they came to Christ. Its always uplifting.

    Enjoy your trip to NYC. You will make wonderful memories with your daughter. Look forward to hearing about it. As my hubbie tells me, “don’t sweat the small stuff”…. The train connections will be fine and if not, you’ll have a funny story to tell. Enjoy!

    Have a blessed Sunday. 😀

  6. Your table looks so pretty! I love entertaining like that with good food and people I love. Happy Sunday and Merry Christmas!

  7. I want to say thank you for styling white jeans for winter! I wore them last night with a red sweater and leopard flats to our annual Yankee Swap. It isn’t often I feel “comfortable” in my outfit, but last night I did, and I have you and your styling to thank. Your home looks beautiful for the holidays!

  8. Your tree looks beautiful . It looks and sounds like your ladies luncheon was a hit… and the outfit you wore was one of my favs from your try on session . We had friends in last night and had a great time. Today after church it was the start of the Christmas baking. Our upside down gingerbread men that become Rudolph lol. My daughter likes to do the decorating and I’m just fine with that.  A few more baking days this week then I believe that’s it… all while enjoying the many Christmas movies . Definitely the most wonderful time of the year!! What fun things do you have planned for NYC? One of my favorite places to visit:)

  9. We have about a foot of snow here in SW Virginia this morning. I enjoy seeing pics of your holiday decorations and outfits 🙂 Would love to hear about your trip to NYC with your daughter. My 18 yr old has been asking me to take her but I’m a little intimidated.

    1. I noticed you all got snow! So weird for you all to have it and it to miss us. It is intimidating if you haven’t done it with someone else a few times. I used to go in with friends for blogging events and then I would do it on my own after a while. I got really comfortable with it and kind of enjoyed the chaos, but now I’m old and tired and I really just like the suburbs best. 🙂 I think it will be fun, though, once we get on the road and I get psyched up for it.

  10. All that food for the tea looks delicious!!

    My family just got home from NYC a few hours ago. We flew up to celebrate our daughters’ 18th and 16th birthdays. We were there about 2 1/2 days and were able to do some of the iconic Christmas events like ice skating at Rockefeller Center, seeing the Rockettes Christmas show, and we even braved the Macy’s on 34th Street briefly. The crowds yesterday were CRAZY!! Hope you and your daughter have a wonderful trip!!

    1. That sounds like a blast! The year we went, my mom and I took the girls and stayed for a night or two. It was the weekend of SantaCon as well as a few rallies or protests that were going on at the time, and the crowds were insane. It was downright scary a few times. I’m hoping by going mid-week, it will be better. I know I went up at Christmastime for blogging events in years past and it wasn’t terrible, and those were probably weekdays.

  11. NY how fun! My daughter has requested to go to NY for her 16th as well. We have about a year to plan but I’d love to hear more about your trip such as where to stay, eat, what you will do/visit etc. 

    1. Definitely! We did a Christmas trip a few years ago. I wrote this post for younger kids, but much still applies: https://jolynneshane.com/10-tips-for-visiting-new-york-city-with-kids-at-christmastime.html

      And this is where we stayed, and I would definitely stay there again: https://jolynneshane.com/where-to-stay-in-nyc-grand-hyatt-new-york.html

      Funny, I just re-read both posts, and it brought it all back. I think I might change my plans to take NJ transit and do Amtrack. LOL!

      1. Thanks so much and super helpful! The rates at the Hyatt aren’t bad in February. I’m very pleasantly surprised. Would be great if you update these posts after your upcoming trip since your daughters are older now. Have a great time!

        1. Definitely! Or maybe a new one for teens. Hoping it goes more smoothly this time. 🙂 It will help that we aren’t staying overnight. Part of the hassle with the NJ Transit was that we had suitcases.

  12. 1st let me say I love your new picture! Looking good! 🙂 Also, I love that you put your ribbons on your tree from the top so they hang down! I do it that way too and feel like no-one else does! So, Yay! 🙂 Have a great time in NYC with your daughter. My husband and I were there in August for our 20th wedding anniversary and had a blast.

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