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Coffee Talk 12-15-19 ☕️

Happy Sunday, friends! This Coffee Talk is coming to you later than usual, but I hated to skip another week, so I figured it’s better late than never.

This time of year can get really hectic, so I’m trying to give myself some grace and prioritize the things that are truly most important. This morning, instead of writing my Coffee Talk, I finished up the family photobook I was working on for my in-laws and got that ordered.

I started doing these a few years ago for their Christmas present, and it’s become an annual tradition. The nice thing is, I don’t have to flounder for a gift idea every year! And they really seem to enjoy them. They keep them on an end table in their living room, and the kids and grandkids all enjoy looking through them when we visit.

They have 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren, and we all contribute pictures. I try to make sure everyone is equally represented, which is a bit of a challenge, but it usually works out.

Now that I have that task checked off my list, I need to work on our own. I figured, while I’m on a roll, I may as well do ours. I usually do a photobook each year, but I never did 2018 and now we’re almost at the end of 2019!!! My goal is to at least finish 2018 today, and if I can get a head start on 2019, even better.

In other news, my son got home from college late last night, and it was so nice having all five of us together in church this morning. Even though he comes home a lot on the weekends, it feels different knowing he’s here for a whole month or so. It’s like he’s really back home and not just visiting.

We’ve had a pretty slow weekend, otherwise. Last night, we had a low-key get-together with friends, and that was fun.

R had a little get-together of her own on Friday night with a few of her good friends, and C has been baking up a storm — always a nice treat!

At times like this, I just want to bask in the glory of the ordinary. I know things can change in the blink of an eye, and life is never smooth sailing for long. In fact, Paul and R were in a little fender bender this afternoon — no surer way to remind you that every moment is a gift. (They’re fine, the car is fine, thank goodness…)

I hope you’re enjoying your weekend and soaking up all the family time and holiday fun there is to offer.

I’m off to work on a photobook and maybe wrap a few presents…

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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18 Responses

  1. Didn’t receive your Coffee Talk in my inbox this morning, so just went to your jolynnedev.wpenginepowered.com site!  What a job you’ve got making that photo book representing all the families, such a great idea!  I had planned to wrap gifts this afternoon after church & dinner; however, after our wonderful carb laden lunch,😋. I feel a nap coming on & maybe a Hallmark movie!  Enjoy your Sunday!  

    1. Thank you, it was definitely startling for Becca. First accident she’s experienced, and Paul had her call 911 – which I guess is good experience. Now she knows what to do. He had a headache, but seems okay this morning. They were rear-ended.

  2. You are so right about things getting hectic. Sometimes I wish we could have a slower pace. Postpone some things til January. Seems we just had Thanksgiving.

    1. I used Snapfish or Shutterfly (can’t remember which) for my inlaws. I’ve used both over the years. I use Mimeo for mine, b/c I do them in Apple Photos. I’ve been doing Apple photobooks for our family for many years — ever since I went digital. I love the quality, and I like that they all match.

  3. Jo-Lynne,

    Glad your kids are okay. I like your photo book idea for grandparents! I have put photo albums together for years, but am so behind on it now. I have wondered if it would be easier to make an annual book like what you have done. My goal is to get them caught up in 2020. Sounds like a good winter project for this Michigan girl! I really enjoy your blog posts. Keep up the good work!

    1. Yes, I try to do one a year. It’s manageable… if I actually set aside the time to do it. I worked alllll day yesterday and finished 2018 and 2019! I want to look over 2018 with fresh eyes and order it. I will add to 2019 after Christmas, and then order that. YAY!

  4. Photo books are a lot of work, but so much fun to have aren’t they?  We took our adult daughter and son, and her boyfriend and his girlfriend to Disneyland last month,  and my daughter and I made a photo book from all our combined photos.  I made one for each couple and they really loved it.  Great memories!   So glad that Paul and Becca are ok.  That is scary,

  5. Just getting around to reading this! That time of year…..I was so glad to hear that you finished 2 photo books in 1 day. I used to paper scrapbook, but gave that up after kid #2 twelve years ago. I’ve decided to start doing them digitally, starting with the most recent year, and working my way back. I figure it will be less frustrating at first if I can remember things that happened recently! Why oh why are photos so difficult to manage?!. I need to block out time like you did. I just keep repeating the mantra…”Momma, don’t let your babies grow up to jpegs!” You’ve inspired me!

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