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Coffee Talk 15: a chance to catch up on the little things in life—both sweet and salty! July 2019
Hiya! Happy July, friends. 🙂 This month has been particularly busy and full of all kinds of excitement. How is your July going? Are you planning any big moves, lazing gently on a beach hammock, or doing some kitchen remodeling? I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Meanwhile, grab a seat, perhaps an ice-cold glass of lemonade and join me. It’s that time of month again: time to catch up, nibble on a few cookies and just relax. Be sure to comment below and let me know what you’re up to & what you’re looking forward to. Let’s get started!
July birthdays: Happy birthday to my sister Jenny and her kiddo, Dylan! 🙂 Two of some of my favorite people in the world are turning a bit wiser and a bit younger this year (because that’s how we roll in my fam heh heh). Will you join me in saying a great, big, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jenny and Dylan? I’m sending great big hugs, 5-tier birthday cakes and all the well wishes to them this year. Here’s to many, many, many more!
We’re moving to Minneapolis!! Things are really starting to get crazy here. Erik and I are scrambling to do last minute packing, plus get our heads into gear for our trip to Minneapolis. Did I tell you? We’re doing a trip to scope out apartments, check out the local food scene (cuz why wouldn’t we) and get familiar with the whole scene there.
We’re really starting to go a little cray because, well, we’re moving 1,400 miles. That’s definitely not nearly as bad as one of our recent moves, from San Diego, California to Bangor, Maine. That move was over 3,200 miles. Can you believe? With that crazy-long move, we got rid of nearly everything, and just moved with a few suitcases.
This time, we’re trying to keep as much of our furniture as we can… or as much as we can squeeze into our U-Haul U-Boxes. Speaking of which….
Do you have any Tips for Packing? What movers would you suggest for a semi-cross country move? We were considering/dreamed about getting movers with a fancy truck and all of that, but it was friggin expensive—like, literally, we got a quote for $15,000 for a move! What in the frisbees were they thinking? Erik was like, we could just buy a car instead and drive ourselves. Lol.
Meanwhile, we’re doing the usual things we do during a move: bicker back and forth about who really needs to keep what, scheduling donation pickups, sneak-tossing away things when the other’s not looking, then putting that stuff back where it belongs when that person finds out, and negotiating with my mom on what she can have. Hehe!
What tips do you have for packing? Do you do an inventory of what to keep, what to toss? How about a pros & cons list? Do you vacuum pack anything to save space?
PODS or U-Haul Boxes? We had a long debate on which of these to book. Eventually, we settled on U-Haul because of the cost. Have you ever tried either of these things? What did you like or not like about each one?
Top Recipes
Popular Recipes This Month
- 3 ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies – Healthy Vegan No Bake Cookies without Milk!
- 5 Ingredient Blueberry Almond Paleo Vegan Granola Recipe NEW
- Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Homemade Cashew Coconut Milk Vegan Ice Cream (Paleo, Dairy-Free)
- Healthy Moist Vegan Zucchini Muffins w/ Chocolate Chips (GF, V) shown above
Latest Recipes & Favorites
- 4 Ingredient Paleo Almond Butter Ice Cream (Vegan, Keto)
- Moist Vegan Gluten Free Zucchini Bread Recipe (GF)
- Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe (Almond Flour, GF)
- Almond Joy Vegan Paleo Ice Cream Recipe (Refined Sugar-Free)
Recipe SNEAK PEEK!!! Can you guess what the NEW recipe is?
How is July treating you so far? I can’t wait to hear all about it! Wishing you a fantastic summer, full of joyful breaks and all kinds of adventure.
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
In case you wanted to catch up with a few past posts:
- 2019:
- Coffee Talk 14 – June
- Coffee Talk 13 – May
- Coffee Talk 12 – April
- Coffee Talk 11 – March
- Coffee Talk 10– February
- Coffee Talk 9– January
- 2018:
- Coffee Talk 8 – November
- Coffee Talk 7– October
- Coffee Talk 6– September
- Coffee Talk 5– August
- Coffee Talk 4– July
- Coffee Talk 3– June
- Coffee Talk 2– May
- Coffee Talk 1– April
- 2017:
I think I would have laughed at that price. I would have thought they were kidding! I think you need to make a batch of those muffins to ease the pain of moving! 🙂
LOL yep Erik and I definitely had a good laugh at that one! And yes—muffins fix everyone! .
Wow those cookies look so good!!
I have moved several times and here are my tips:
Sell everything you can because you’re right, every foot of space is so expensive!
Use moving boxes in uniform sizes to stack well (I agree with your other reader’s comment to go large- can just set your lamps, etc. down into them).
Do not use plastic boxes with lids because they break! If you have them, pack them into large cardboard boxes.
Yes, I loved the compression bags.
I wrapped furniture in blankets and then wrapped in plastic wrap. Used a ton of bubble wrap!
I wrapped valuable paintings in towels and then bubble wrap and then plastic wrap and put them in the trunk of my car (along with all other treasures)because thy have broken on previous trips.
The mover is the most difficult part! If you have someone to drive a U-Haul I would definitely go with that and hire people off craigslist to load and unload to save your backs! I hired “professional movers” and they actually stole boxes from me! I have used pods twice – the first time was a success although expensive and the second time was a nightmare! It took a week longer than promised to receive our belongings; a lot of breakage and items were soaked. You’re sharing space with other families which can also share bugs – I will never use that option again.
Good luck! Minnesota is a great place! Enjoy!
Hi Lindsay! Thank you so much for all of your amazing tips!!! We will definitely be using them to pack & move better! 🙂 I can’t believe the difference in each of your moves with PODS. Kind of confirms my decision to go with the cheaper one since there’s no guarantee either way. Thanks for your advice & sharing your experience! Xoxo
Congrats on the move!! I never moved cross-country, but for local moves, the large boxes did the trick. Wishing you all the best of luck on your new adventure!!
Thanks Lora! Thanks for your tip on large boxes & your well wishes. Hugs!!
Hi! That $15,000 is ridiculous! When my mom moved from FL to WV, it was $1,500 with United VanLines, back in 2014. I don’t envy you the move but it’ll be exciting to get to know a new city. We haven’t moved in 33 yrs so we’re purging now, getting ready for a garage sale.
As for my July – I learned how to make cold brew coffee and it’s so yummy with your treats, currently your brownie bites..
Happy Birthday to Jenny and Dylan!.
Hi Cindy!!! Right?! I think Erik and I lost consciousness for a second after seeing that number. Lol. $1,500 sounds much better! Good luck with the garage sale! There’s something really nice about getting rid of stuff, you know? Oooh, cold brew coffee sounds amazing—especially with a sweet treat! Jenny & Dylan say “thanks Cindy!!” Enjoy your July! ..
How exciting about the move. Good luck with the packing.
Thanks Danii! . It’s seriously so exciting!
Congrats on your move to Minneapolis! Should be a fun adventure for sure.
Thanks Jocelyn! We’re seriously so excited about the change! .
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a move (over 20 years) so I probably can’t give you any tips on that, however, my husband is from Minnesota, having lived in St. Paul, Maple Grove and Wynona. It’s a beautiful place in the summer — but boy those winters are intense. That said — they’ve got a great food scene and you’ll def want to check out the farmers marekts! Good luck in the move!
Wow, 20 years!! Loving all the feedback on Minnesota. 🙂 How’d your husband like Winona? Erik was telling me how beautiful he heard it was there. Thanks so much, Lisa!
Good morning, I can totally feel your pain over moving. It’s unnerving and so expensive—let alone starting over making new friends, finding new schools, markets, safe places to take the children too. Hugs I wish you the best. BTW I found a ton of great recipes to check out on this page and they all sound awesome.
Aw thank you Heidy! . I know, there’s soo much to figure out during the move—and finding the best grocery stores is always at the top of my list! . I’m so glad you found some recipes you like as well!
Good luck on your move to another city! I bet it’ll be an awesome adventure. Enjoy your summer!
Thank you Sharon! . We’re definitely very exciting for this new adventure!
I’m moving too.
U haul is the cheapest– but pods are still too expensive. We are also using a storage place (because we have to sell our house.and emptying our house)
I have no good suggestions. I’m flailing.
Personally I’m determined to throw/donate 80% -im tired of stuff.
So, I just cheer you on, wish you the best–!!
Hi MV! Oh goodness—let me tell you, I’m flailing right there with you!! Like, how’d I accumulate so much stuff in so little time? Best of luck on getting rid of stuff. I’m cheering you on as well!! You can do it!! … Sending you good vibes for a smooth & happy move. ❤️
Thank you!!
I relate about the stuff accumulating- it’s like it spontaneously replicates!
May you have enough Tea or coffee!!(may we both have enough!)
Cheers!
MV
It totally replicates!! Lol!! <— That explains everything!! Hehe. As for the coffee & tea: hear, hear! Cheers to you, MV. 🙂