If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that I am so happy to be home. Our Christmas travels were wonderful, but also a little exhausting. So much travel…so many flights…so many miles on the rental car. There’s no place like home.
If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that we tasted through our wedding menu the other night while meeting with our caterer in Austin. You guys…I went in with really high expectations and feeling a little nervous it wouldn’t measure up and Adam would then, in turn, kill me because the food has definitely been the most expensive part so far. However {!!!} IT BLEW US AWAY. Like…totally. Everything was so wonderful and delicious. I’m not going to reveal the whole menu just yet, but I will tell you we picked a comfort food theme. And, oh, it’s comforting. Delicious drinkies, too!
If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you just how blessed I feel to have the amazing friends that I do in my life. We spent last week with our best friends in Texas {Stephen is Adam’s best man and his wife, Morgan, is my bridesmaid — they were here for the engagement!} and wow…was that time ever a blessing to me. The thing we miss most about living so far away is definitely community, and last week we just got to soak it in to the max involving really good conversations, dance parties, dinner parties and lots of barbecue. Morgan and Stephen took time on our last night to pray over Adam and I as we prepare for this next chapter in our lives, and I walked away feeling totally renewed and ready to conquer our premarital counseling!
If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that I officially have my dress and veil!!!!!! Well…not officially, I guess. My mom is keeping everything in Georgia, probably so I don’t feel tempted to prance around the house in it.
If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that I’m hosting a dinner tonight and making this. You just can’t beat it. You can’t. Especially when there is naan bread involved. Post holiday diet, say whaaaaaaat.
If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that I recently discovered that I {gasp} started to like bourbon! Specifically when it’s mixed with maraschino cherries, oranges and simple syrup.
If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that I’m currently reading along with the new She Reads Truth plan. It’s all about new beginnings and fresh starts. We’d love for you to join us if it’s on your heart! The plan just started a couple days ago so you definitely have time to catch up. I’m a day behind myself!
If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that I truly feel lucky to be able to do what I do every day. It’s not what I would call a “normal” life or a “normal” job, but wow…do I ever love it.
Chris
January 5, 2013 at 4:26 amLove this! And where did those shoes come from?!
Chris
January 5, 2013 at 4:27 amAnd my name is Jennifer- why am I being posted as Chris?
jenna
January 5, 2013 at 6:15 amI am not sure but we are aware of the problem and working on resolving it – I apologize!!
jenna
January 5, 2013 at 6:16 amTarget!
M.e.
January 5, 2013 at 4:52 amYour hair looks beautiful! Did you do that updo yourself?
jenna
January 5, 2013 at 6:16 amNo, Morgan did that! We were trying potential wedding hair styles since she will also doing my hair on the big day 🙂
Ashley L
January 5, 2013 at 9:23 amIts beautiful!
Becky Henderson
January 5, 2013 at 5:01 amYou guys are just adorable!
Mariah
January 5, 2013 at 5:21 amLove, Bourbon, and Jesus. What more could a girl ask for in the new year?! So excited for your wedding plans coming together, enjoy it!
Heather @ Girlyeverafter
January 5, 2013 at 5:32 amWedding planning is so much fun! I kept my dress and veil at my mom’s too, it was way too tempting to just wear around the house!
Em (Wine and Butter)
January 5, 2013 at 5:33 amI love that you guys are having pre-marital counselling. Its something I really wanted us to do but sadly it somehow fell a bit by the wayside. My best friend says her friends parents (who are the happiest older married couple in the world) describe it as the secret to their success as a couple… which totally makes sense to me. Gorgeous photo too! xo
Jenny
January 5, 2013 at 6:03 amI’m getting married on the 12th of THIS MONTH!! (eeeeeee so excited!!!) When I bought my dress I came home and immediately had my fiance help me get my dress on to show him. Not very traditional I guess. Oh well, I think we’ll still be okay. 😉 I have somehow resisted the urge to try it on every single day. Mostly because I’m afraid I will somehow break the zipper or something.
Kim
January 5, 2013 at 9:33 amCongrats on your big day, Jenny!!! I just got married last summer, and I still love thinking about how special that day was. Here’s to a beautiful and blessed day for you and your hubby-t0-be. 🙂
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
January 5, 2013 at 6:04 amlove this and I need your shoes!!
Gretchen
January 5, 2013 at 6:06 amThat is the most beautiful pic of you that I think I’ve ever seen. You seem incredibly happy and over the moon in love!
Lisa
January 5, 2013 at 6:14 amIf we were having coffee this morning I would tell you how much I love this blog and how I have so enjoyed your growth on here! If we were having coffee this morning I would tell you how excited I am for this New Year and how there are going to be some exciting challenges for me! I cant wait!
Anne Bogel
January 5, 2013 at 6:17 amBourbon with simple syrup, and oranges, and maraschino cherries?? You’re turning into my dad! (I live in Bourbon country, and that’s a Kentucky classic–but usually for an older generation. Grin.)
Wishing you all the best for 2013!
Bev @ Bev Cooks
January 5, 2013 at 6:21 amOooo I wish we were face to face for this coffee date. Your HAIR, omg. I want to crawl up in it and never leave. Teach me thy (Morgan’s) ways.
xoxox.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
January 5, 2013 at 6:34 amAww I love how full of gratitude you are today Jenna! I’m so excited to hear more about your wedding menu, and the dress too of course! Loved the comment you made about having great friends. I too have been feeling exceptionally grateful for my friends lately and plan to spend a lot more time with them this year. Have a great weekend!
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite
January 5, 2013 at 6:50 amIm excited to see your wedding menu! I’m sure it won’t disappoint 😉
jan
January 5, 2013 at 6:55 amIf we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you how excited I am for you that all of your wedding plans are coming together so nicely! I can’t wait to hear about your menu.
Nancy in Naples
January 5, 2013 at 6:57 amWhat a wonderful post today, Jenna! I’ve been away from your blog for much too long and really enjoyed the virtual coffee this morning 🙂 So happy for you, Adam and your family with all of the wonderful news and planning for your wedding. Happy 2013!
Sarah
January 5, 2013 at 6:59 amYou don’t need to conquer premarital. I give it to couples and they always want to be perfect. But this is the time to really figure things out with honesty:). Blessings, Jenna!
Rachel Cooks
January 5, 2013 at 7:02 amummmm….that photo! I love everything about it! Congrats on all the fun things happening now. Especially the bourbon. 🙂
Emily
January 5, 2013 at 7:04 amSo wonderful! That is a gorgeous picture. Premarital counseling was such a blast for my husband and I- we totally loved it! Another thing that was spot on is the book For Women Only: What You Need To Know About the Inner Lives of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn. I got the audiobook off of iTunes and my husband listened in while I was going through it and was like, “I tell you ALL of this stuff! This is so true!” There’s also one for guys to read… and I would highly suggest it! 🙂
Pam
January 5, 2013 at 7:11 amLovely picture of you two!
I love this coffee date conversation, thanks for sharing. Congrats on getting your dress and veil!! I’m sure you will be stunning on your wedding day!
Yeah for delicious reception food.
Is the bourbon drink an old fashioned? My husband had one the other day and loved it. He also like his bourbon over ice :).
Malkire
January 5, 2013 at 7:21 amWow what an incredibly fast wedding planner you are! Congratulations on all of this. 2013 is starting out in a tremendous way for you.
Maryz
January 5, 2013 at 7:27 amI love your virtual coffee date posts…I’m drinking my coffee now and enjoying your post! Your hair looks so cute! Where did you get the dress?
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa}
January 5, 2013 at 7:28 amI would say that potential wedding hairstyle is a winner! Congrats on getting your dress and veil.
Nakia
January 5, 2013 at 7:43 amYour hairstyle looks great! You and Adam sure knocked out a lot on your trip. I can’t wait to find out what the wedding menu is going to be. I love the idea of a comfort theme.
Molly @ RDexposed
January 5, 2013 at 7:49 amThe first picture looks like it’s part of your engagement photo session!
Mary
January 5, 2013 at 7:52 amJenna, I love that photo! So beautiful! And that dress… cute and simple, I love it!
Okay, enough exclamation points for now, but really, keep on doing what you’re doing–your blog is the best one out there right now and manages to hit on everything I everything I love (cooking, books, yoga… It’s all so great!).
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
January 5, 2013 at 7:53 amSuch a great idea!!
Kate
January 5, 2013 at 7:56 amLOVE your hair in that photo!!
Ashley@cupcakesncrunches
January 5, 2013 at 7:59 amWhat a sweet post and adorable photo! I’ve been wanting to check out She Reads Truth – I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about it. 🙂
Stef
January 5, 2013 at 8:48 amI’m reading along with She Reads Truth too and I love it! It’s so refreshing and I love how it’s set up.
Kari@Loaves n Dishes
January 5, 2013 at 9:27 amEvery time you post pics with your fiance, I just can’t get over how darned cute y’all are together! Glad that you had such a lovely holiday.
Kim
January 5, 2013 at 9:35 amCONGRATS!!!! Love the picture, and your wedding sounds like it’s going to be a blast! Agreeing with the ladies above who said premarital counseling was a blessing. We really grew from ours and recommend it to everyone. Above all, wishing you so much love and joy in 2013. And sneaking you in my prayers for lots and lots of continued blessings!
Kate @ quartercenturysouthernliving.wordpress.com
January 5, 2013 at 9:43 amCongratulations on finding your dress!! Such a surreal moment 🙂
kim@hungryhealthygirl
January 5, 2013 at 9:52 amSo excited for you and all of the wonderful things in your life right now! That picture is priceless!
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
January 5, 2013 at 10:00 amYour happiness just exudes off this post! Love it and all the positivity for the new year. 🙂 I have two questions — 1. where’d you get those awesome wedges? 2. Do you not feel a sense of community in SF? I’m planning a move to Nor Cal in the next few months, and would love your take on the area.
kirsten
January 5, 2013 at 10:20 amYour hair looks amazing!
Lia @ Sojourning
January 5, 2013 at 10:35 amI love the coffee dates. I think I say that every time. It’s inspired my new blog design in fact. I’ll be explaining the inspiration coming from here of course! I’m very excited to see the dress by the way! I’m sure we all are. You do style well, so I’m sure it is gorgeous! And the menu! Have a happy weekend!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
January 5, 2013 at 10:43 amI love your coffee date posts and I adore that photo of the two of you! That’s such a keeper and the type of photo you’ll want to drag out at like your 40th wedding anniversary party just a few years down the road from now 🙂
And congrats on finding a dress. Woot!!! awesome!
Chrissy
January 5, 2013 at 11:47 amJenna if we were having coffee, I’d tell you I’d just finished White Jacket Required. I really enjoyed it, but am looking for something new to read and ask you for some suggestions. I’d tell you that last night I had drinks with my secretary who just toured Kendall-Jackson winery which I’d never heard of until I read your book. Small world as we live on the east coast of Canada. I’d tell you how I sent the link of your proposal to my now fiance…we were discussing it on Nov. 9 and after playing a song he found in the summer, he got down on his knee with a ring! I guess he’d been carrying the ring around since September and was waiting for the right moment – thanks for the prompt 🙂 I’d also tell you that the date is set, but I haven’t found a dress- YIKES!
Amanda
January 5, 2013 at 11:57 amcrazy, I’m making the same thing for dinner tonight too!
Emily @ Life on Food
January 5, 2013 at 12:38 pmThat first pictures is so cute of your too.
Monica
January 5, 2013 at 1:24 pmAw Jenna you look so happy! This is a beautiful post and what a beautiful picture, too! SO excited for you guys! Bet its so nice to be home and relax for a while 🙂 Good luck with all the wedding planning and we’ll be praying for you and Adam as you get ready for this exciting new chapter!! Also, are you still doing yoga? If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing for exercise lately? You look amazing!
polly
January 5, 2013 at 2:36 pmeeeeee!!! this whole post makes me happy.
and did you get my note that said we totally booked our plane to TX? eeee!
and i saw those shoes at Target today. 🙂 love.
and here is a sweet one for you.
keep viligant watch over your heart, because that is where life starts. Proverbs 4:23
… Jenna, that is what you did and look what happened? God is so awesome. 🙂
Kristin
January 8, 2013 at 1:10 pmFirst of all….love that! Proverbs 4:23
Second…sorry to butt in, but I just had to say that I miss your blog Polly! I “found” you through Jenna way back when and miss your sweet spirit! 🙂
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
January 5, 2013 at 3:42 pmLove that first photo of you and Adam. Can’t wait to hear about your wedding menu!
Genia
January 5, 2013 at 4:01 pmJenna! You’re such an inspiration and it makes me so happy that you are doing what you love and so successful at it! I got your book for Christmas and read through it faster than I’ve read anything I think – loved it!!
Crista
January 5, 2013 at 4:03 pmcute.
rachel
January 5, 2013 at 4:18 pmJenna I also loved your book! I got it for christmas ,too, and read through it in one day! I can’t wait for a second book 🙂 Keep letting God’s love shine through you!
kayleigh
January 5, 2013 at 6:30 pmummm seriously, YOUR HAIR. i want it.
Staci
January 5, 2013 at 6:45 pmLove your hair and outfit! Great picture! SO cute!
abby
January 5, 2013 at 7:13 pmHow exciting! I’m getting married on Monday (just at the court house), but I did get a dress, veil and all that stuff. I love how your man cooks too! Mine is probably a better chef than I’ll ever be 😉
Jessica
January 5, 2013 at 7:30 pmOoo, Morgan is a genius with the hair – that’s beautiful!
meagan
January 5, 2013 at 7:55 pmJenna, I’ve been reading your blog forever and only commented a handful of times – but I wanted to tell you that I am loving this virtual coffee date feature! I feel like we’re having an actual coffee date 🙂 and I’m super happy for you and Adam, loved that they prayed over you guys – how special!! xoxo
Carley
January 5, 2013 at 10:30 pmSo much excitement in wedding details! Food/cake were def the most exciting and important part for us!!
Tiffany @dynamics of happy
January 6, 2013 at 3:01 amwho is your caterer? so curious as i am a big austinite! just need to make sure i’ve been to every good food place in austin lol
Sarah
January 6, 2013 at 7:50 amIf you ar starting to like bourbon, you will LOVE irish whiskey. It has a slightly smokey, sweet, taste, with vanilla undertones. Jameson 18-year Reserve is my FAV.
Kelly
January 6, 2013 at 11:00 amLovely Jenna. I live in Austin…who is doing the food for the wedding? Are you guys getting married in Austin then?
a farmer in the dell
January 6, 2013 at 11:03 amI recently discovered that I like bourbon too! Yikes!!!
Lina
January 6, 2013 at 12:17 pmGAW-geous hair! Wish I knew half as much as your friend for wedding styles…
Deanna - Coach Calorie
January 6, 2013 at 4:10 pmAgree 100% about this job. Checking out She Reads Truth, thank you!
Annie
January 7, 2013 at 8:46 amAh yes! I love this post, and I LOVE that you’re a GA girl, too! I’m getting married April 6th, and am so exicted!! I think it’s awesome knowing you and Adam will be married not long after… The whole thing is fabulous! Congrats on EVERYTHING to you! 2013 is gonna ROCK
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit
January 7, 2013 at 9:15 amHaha, I think occasionally prancing around in your wedding dress before the big day is a must! 😀 It sounds like you had a wonderful time with friends and family back in Texas. Yet, I agree that it’s always good to be back home. I love the gorgeous pic of you and your fiance – the hanging lights in the background are so simple yet romantic and you look beautiful. Great outfit and shoes! 🙂
Luci
January 7, 2013 at 10:59 amI started She Reads Truth after reading your posts about it. I love it! Thanks for sharing.
Laura
January 7, 2013 at 6:21 pmLOVE that picture of you two! Absolutely awesome Jenna, you rock!
Tina
January 8, 2013 at 12:49 pmI’m so excited to follow your pre-wedding/wedding journey! I’m sure that it will be breathtaking! Oh, and that dress in the first picture, looks adorable from what I can see!
Kristin
January 8, 2013 at 1:11 pmSuch excitement! And that photo….love!
Allison @ Life's a Bowl
January 9, 2013 at 8:12 amThis is such a beautiful, heart-warming post! Ever since I read your book I read your posts so much differently, as if you’re talking- haha strange but true 😛 Congrats on all of your exciting news!
Virtual Coffee Date |
January 11, 2013 at 12:20 pm[…] for today’s post I decided to borrow the ”virtual coffee date” post idea from Jenna. Basically I pretend that you and I are on a coffee date (because we all know that those are the […]