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Hello, 2015! #CoffeeTalk

Good morning, shiny happy people!

Are you feeling shiny and happy this morning? I am, and I’m not really sure why. I love a fresh start, that’s all I can gander.

Coffee Talk 2015

I still feel sick, but I have boundless energy — like, almost manic. It’s very strange. I had to go off the Tamiflu. It was making me have hallucinations when I tried to sleep, and yesterday my head felt weirdly clogged and it was almost like I was outside of my own body. SO weird. I couldn’t get through to the doctor, but two nurse-friends told me to go off it so I did.

I got in exactly half of the doses before I quit, which I KNOW is not a good thing to do with anti-viral meds. But whatcha gonna do? I was going to be psychotic if I kept going. I once had a drastic reaction to steroids. It was like this but worse. I guess drugs and I just do not get along.

Last night was a subdued New Year’s Eve. C got ambitious and made Jalapeño Popper Dip, which we all scarfed down like we hadn’t eaten all day. And then I coached her through making Chocolate Fondue, which we used to dress up some fresh fruit and pretzels. Please pardon the messy kitchen. As I said above, allowing your kids in the kitchen requires you to let go of the OCD.

NYE Fondue

R and I were in bed by 9PM. She’s not feeling well, poor li’l punkin. The rest of them stayed up until who knows when. I heard them all cackling at some TV show well into the evening.

In other news, I’m all raring to go for 2015. Today I’ll be doing all the end-of-year blogger things like analyzing stats and planning for next year. I’ve never done much planning in advance, but I’m starting to think that way.

I’d love to know. What do YOU want to see more of around here? Lay it on me.

I know the fashion posts are the most popular, and there will be plenty of that, although it’s hard to feel very fashionable at the moment while I’m sick and have one foot in a brace. But I know this is all temporary even though it feels like I’ll never be “normal” again.

So yeah, fashion is fun, but I have no desire to be solely a fashion blog. I want to keep my content well-rounded. I’ve been chatting with Tonya and Colleen about content ideas for 2015. Feel free to chime in with anything you’d like to see from them.

Tonya creates clever crafts for kids, beautiful home decor and DIY projects, and fun holiday/seasonal entertaining ideas. I love to browse those types of posts. It’s total eye candy for me, but as you know, that is not where my talents lie. So I brought her on to help me round out that side of the blog.

Colleen makes delicious foods and drinks, and she’s particularly passionate about cooking with kids. I know I need to get better about incorporating my kids into my kitchen. It’s not them; it’s me. I have to get over my fear of messes.

What types of recipes are you looking for this year? In looking back at what’s been popular in the past, I’m hoping to post more wholesome dinnertime recipes. I am in desperate need of some new recipes in my repertoire. I feel like I’ve been in a meal planning rut, so I’m hoping to add some new meals to my blog, and thus to my meal plans!

I’ve also been debating my Real Food Recipe Roundup. I will continue to post my meal plans, but I was contemplating ditching the recipe roundup portion of the post because it’s not taking off like I’d hoped. I think maybe people are unsure of what “real food recipes” means to Alison and me. We’re not talking about sprouted and soaked and homegrown, necessarily, just recipes without boxes and mixes and such. You know, the kind of stuff I post, ordinary home cooked meals (and desserts/snacks/etc.) made from scratch. I’m happy to hear any thoughts on this. Also, is there a more helpful TIME/DAY to publish these posts??

I think we’ll continue with it as is for a while because this time of year is when many people are getting back on track with their meal plans, and hopefully it will pick up some speed. I, for one, enjoy perusing the recipes that are shared, and I hope to try out more of them this year as I’m seeking to add some new recipes to my repertoire.

I do plan to continue posting on Beauty topics, even though the Tuesday Beauty Buzz column went kaput. I’m trying to assign a day to each topic, but I’m not sure I have enough content to do a beauty post every. single. week. Or maybe that’s just the challenge I need. The Glossybox subscription REALLY helps. I find so much good stuff in there.

I would love to post on travel topics weekly, but again, I’m not sure I have enough content for that. Would y’all like to see the Things To Do With Kids column continue? I stopped getting submissions, so that sort of died out, but I’d love to revive it. There are so many more places we could cover. Feel free to email me if you have a place in mind!

I’ll definitely continue with these Coffee Talk posts, at least once a week, and probably more often than that.

Finally, let’s discuss Facebook. Actually, that’s going to be another post. There’s too much to say to add it on to this one. But Facebook is changing how much they show from our biz pages, and if you like to interact with me there, you may discover that you’re not seeing many of my posts anymore. I hope that isn’t so, that it’s a lot of hype, and they’re only really cracking down on the promotional posts, not the ones that elicit engagement. But only time will tell.

If you DO want to see my Facebook Page updates, make sure you have not only “liked” my page, but also checked off to “Follow” and also “Get Notifications.”

Get Notifications

I really do think that Facebook wants what is best for the user. That means it is up to ME as a biz page owner to make sure my posts are what YOU want to see. As always, I’m open to feedback.

I hope you’re all enjoying your New Year’s Day, whether you’re using it as one last day to rest and relax or you’re getting stuff done or hanging out with friends. Make the most of it! Cuz 2015 is HERE, and come Monday, it’s nose to the grindstone!

Join The Conversation

30 Responses

  1. I am in a “freezer lockdown” from hubby…can’t buy any more deals on meat and freeze until we clear out and eat what we have….Chicken breast, chicken legs with thighs, racks of ribs…shrimp…any kind of a “freezer challenge” post…like new basics or soups or just recipes you love with frozen meat? Is that a weird request…lol

  2. I would love to see a travel with kids to Williamsburg post if you can find a contributor! Otherwise, I love the balance of topics your blog offers. It’s what makes it the most “real” to me, because as I mom, I don’t just care about one thing, I’ve always got my hand in about five pies!

  3. Happy New Year! Glad you’re feeling better and glad you stopped the Tamiflu before you went crazy! That stuff scares me. I stocked up on the homeopathic remedy, ocillococcinum. Last year that worked wonders for us. That and belladona for fevers usually helps to get rid of things pretty quickly. Homeopathic remedies perplex me. I don’t understand how they work but I know they do!

    I love the fashion posts so I’m glad they are staying put. Really, I just think it’s nice to have a fashion reference to whom most of us can relate–Mom who runs kids around, goes to church and out on dates, and travels. You and a few others like you really helped to get me out of the “Wear yoga pants all day and out to run errands.” rut. I feel so much more put together and energetic if I just get dressed in real clothes. Anyone can go to pinterest for fashion ideas….it’s putting them on real people that helps.

    I feel like I have the same problem with dressing as I do with my house…accessorizing. I can pick an outfit and furniture but I have trouble putting scarves, necklaces/ pillows and other decor. I have to see ideas for both of those and just copy. I like home decor idea posts for that reason as well I’m not a DIY-er so those don’t appeal to me as much as the eye candy of, “Here are some great entryway ideas…”

    As far as food, I’ve been teetering on the edge of going Paleo for a while. I did the 21-day sugar detox when you did it and it was wonderful, but I immediately bloated right back up and gained most of the weight that I had lost after it was over. I really know that I will look and feel better if I do some version of Paleo and low sugar. I know you’ve mentioned going Primal (I like the idea of real dairy and wine 🙂 ) so I’d love to see more Primal/Paleo food ideas. I am actually developing a collection of cookbooks and Paleo blogs so let me know if you want some ideas!

    That’s kind of a long answer and not really saying very much. If I think of more post ideas, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, thanks so much for all that you do!! Praying for health, success and strength of feet for you this year!!

    1. See, I thought I had ocillococcinum in the house. My doc sold it to me once, b/c they don’t recommend the flu shot, and like me to have holistic remedies on hand in case I need them. But I couldn’t find it anywhere. So annoying. I didn’t know I should be wary of Tamiflu, but I do now!!!

      Good night, you and I are twins separated at birth. I am the SAME WAY with home decor and fashion. I will pass that along to Tonya, that is helpful.

      And the food….. good lord in heaven, if I didn’t like wine so much. Not in that I drink too much. I just enjoy food and wine TOGETHER so I always eat too much when I have wine with it. And it makes snacks so much more enjoyable. I’m not tempted to snack when I’m not having wine with them. I don’t enjoy them with water. And snacking is what kills me. So I, too, gradually gained 7 of the 10 lbs that I lost back. I know part of it is due to inactivity, though. If I could just run…….. but I have to get over that. The travel was tough. All in all, I’m glad I didn’t teeter up over that ONE NUMBER that I detest more than any other number, which is what caused me to do that sugar detox to begin with. With this flu, I’ve lost almost 5 lbs so… there’s that! HA! I am HOPING to keep it off. Sometimes I do manage that for a time after I’m sick. I needed a jumpstart, and I really REALLY want to do the primal thing. I’m right there with ya. But I have the hardest time shifting my meal planning habits. I need a personal chef. Don’t we all . . . ha!

  4. I seriously know I am one of your most annoying posters because I always add in unsolicited medical thoughts but…..I am surprised you were even on Tamiflu! It can have major psych side effects and in otherwise healthy people with no asthma, diabetes, cancer, etc. it doesn’t do much other than shorten your flu symptoms by like..one day. For most of my patients, I avoid using it just for those reasons and especially in my patients who choose not to vaccinate. Those are usually patients who feel strongly they want to let their own body work against an illness, so prescribing an antiviral with them once they get sick just makes so sense. We had a family friend whose son had a major psychotic break on Tamiflu! Very scary.

    Anyway…..on a totally different topic. I just bought a spiralizer. Have you heard of those? I used it yesterday to make sweet potato string french fries and then apple cinnamon chips and they are so good. Apparently you can also make zuchini noodles too!

    1. I really wish I’d had more info. I would never take Tamiflu again, or give it to one of my kids. I shouldn’t have gone to an urgent care, I guess. My primary doc is holistic and probably would have advised me better. The doc I saw gave it to me b/c I’m asthmatic, but I wasn’t (and haven’t) had any asthma symptoms. All I knew was, I had friends saying they’d had this nasty thing for 8-10 days, and I had no idea what I was in for. My symptoms weren’t actually THAT bad, but I didn’t know how bad they would get. It did seem to clear me up – which makes me wonder – did I even HAVE the flu? I really wish he’d tested me. All in all, I’m disappointed in the Urgent Care clinic and won’t go back unless it’s absolutely necessary. Live and learn, I guess. I’m just glad I learned on ME and not on one of my kids. And while I know we don’t always see eye to eye, I appreciate your insights. 🙂

  5. Also….I love your travel/kids columns and fashion and beauty. Totally keeps me from schlumping out all the time.

  6. This may be too close to fashion, but more posts highlighting jewelry (I love stella and dot). How to do a stacked wrist, layering, etc. Maybe not enough to do weekly, but just a thought ….

    1. Thanks! Definitely fun to keep in mind. I did a video on stacking the wrist once, but I admit, I struggle with this a bit. I tend to buy stuff that goes together and wear it over and over. Not really a frugal way to accessorize… but fun! 🙂

  7. I just love all your “real-life” coffee-talk posts! I want to read about YOU, my friend 🙂
    Plus all things recipes and food is always fun (obviously!) Haha!

    I’m sad about all this Facebook stuff. I love my fan page and wish it wasn’t so complicated to keep my fans informed :/

    1. My experience has been, the more you engage on your page, and the more natural and engaging your updates are, the more they are seen. I think Facebook just wants users to get a community feel, not like they are being sold to and promoted to all the time. So even when I share my posts, I try to make them as newsy and personal as I can. Those posts inevitably do better. It’s interesting.

  8. Happy New Year! Wishing you and your family health and happiness. I feel like you’re a personal friend since I get your posts by email and FB. I, too, feel energized by January 1 and the fresh start. I love the ritual of opening and writing birthdays, etc. onto a shiny new calendar or three! I’m not big on resolutions, but it just seems like hope springs anew for greater things in each new year. Frankly, my 40’s have been my best decade yet!
    I don’t have much in the way of suggestions for content. I like fashion, beauty, family. Maybe some date-night ideas or marriage strengthening content. Our country needs more positive influence in that regard! We all know relationships take work, so any tips would be great to hear about.
    One of the main reasons I love your blog is the honesty with which you write. Exchanging ideas on parenting, relationships, or fashion is great to hear from my friends in the “real world”, so sharing them hear is an extension of that.
    Best wishes for peace in 2015!

    1. Those are great ideas. I’ve written a bit on relationships and parenting, but it’s been a while. I had a post in the works about talking to your kids about the birds and the bees… but I was afraid my kids would be mortified if I posted it, lol. Nowadays they check in to see what I’m saying about THEM! Oy. 🙂 Thanks for the feedback! Definitely helpful.

  9. Happy New Year, friend! I still love your blog after all these years, especially since I know you and have shared a bed with you. Ha! Anyway, I have enjoyed your Coffee Talk posts this year–it’s always fun to get a glimpse into bloggers’ real lives. Keep up the good work in 2015! You’re doing great!

  10. I love all your fashion posts! There are so many bloggers out there that share outfits for the office. Since I work from home and also am a landscaper; I appreciate and share your fashion style. i am wondering if you might share some information on starting a blog?

  11. Since you asked about your reader’s ideas for more blogs….I love stuff on organizing…..home, car, etc!!! Would love to see more on this…as well as fixing up small spaces and home re-dos on a budget, etc!!! For Family Travel: affordable “stay-cation type trips…with guest bloggers, etc! (For example-I’m heading to San Fran for the week next week with 4 kids…maybe you have a guest share highs and lows and what are must do’s etc for do-able family trips!!! Also great ideas for girls night outs or ins…..great spa getaways or do your own home spa! And I really love your beauty reviews…especially with my interest in safe products for families!!! I hope at some point you look more into beautycounter….it really is a movement that is getting some momentum. And now with color cosmetics…I don’t have to purchase from any other line!!!! 🙂 Keep blogging I just love following you!!! xo Amy

  12. I have graduations and weddings to attend in May please post comments that will help me look my best. I know several people attend the same events sop perhaps you could follow the same format as the holiday outfits. Your blog is amazing I read it daily thanks for all of the great advice Happy 2015

  13. Hi JoLynne, I really enjoy your fashion posts the most because I am a freelance writer and mom working from home, so your style is just right for me! I also like beauty posts as I feel there is a need for beauty tips over 40 and I love reading about new products.
    How about some posts on cute fitness gear or motivating your workout with fun fitness attire? That could be popular this time of year.
    As people are usually trying to save around this time, maybe some stuff on making new outfits from what you have, using accessories to perk up/change up an outfit, etc.
    One thing I really enjoy in your fashion posts is how to make trends work at our age – like skinny jeans, moto jackets, etc….I love getting advice in this area.
    I also enjoy your Coffee Talks. Keep it going!
    Personally, I enjoyed your series on the 21 day diet challenge….It’s interesting to see how real people with kids handle this type of stuff.
    I’m rambling, but just want to say thanks for a really enjoyable blog. Happy New Year!

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