blog party

VIRTUAL COFFEE DATE | NOVEMBER

- Tobia 8 Comments

I am so glad we can meet again this month. It is such a wonderful way to have a sneak peak in everyones life and meet new people. And I am really grateful Lecy is hosting month after month.

If we had coffee…
I’d tell you about my endeavor to blog daily in November. It’s been something I have been doing for a couple of years now – thanks San. It’s always a bit of a stretchy but it gets my creative juices flowing. How often do you blog on a regular basis and did you ever blog daily?
And then right with my next breath I would have to admit defeat already on Day 9. Unfortunately I have gotten myself a tennis elbow and now I need to reduce my computer and phone scrolling time to max. 2 hours a day. With work picking up, Christmas presents to be found and all I am scrambling. So the NaBloPo had to fall to the wayside. Unfortunately.

If we had coffee…
I’d wanted to know if you remember November 9, 1989. Here in Germany we celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the fall of the wall. Lot’s of people are coming forward to talk about their experience and how that day had been branded in their minds. I have told my story five years ago when the 25 anniversary was celebrated. To this day my body gets a bit queasy and shaky. I am so grateful for everyone back then risking life and livelyhood to demand change.

If we had coffee…
I’d tell you that my sister and I will again volunteer for Christmas in a shoebox. We’ll be packing boxes to be sent to children in need and who would otherwise not be able to get a present for the holidays. I look forward and can see this becoming a tradition. I wrote about last years experience. Also I will pack one or two boxes myself. Not quite sure but I need to get it done soon. Do you do any volunteer work? Is it a regular thing?

If we had coffee…
I’d wonder if you had any good books to recommend that are Christmas themed. I want to make the most of the holidays. Last year I read my favorite “Christmas Carol” by Dickens but I am sure there are similar ones that I don’t know about. My dad used to read us Christmas stories on Christmas Eve after all presents were unpacked and we were in a food coma. I kinda miss that and picked up the habit to find my own stories and read one Christmas themed one every year.

So much for now. My arm hurts quite bit now and I need to rest with an icepack. Let’s meet up next months and I will be more talkative then – hopefully.

See you

Tobia

VIRTUAL COFFEE DATE | OCTOBER

- Tobia 8 Comments

Fall is most definitely here. I can not only tell by cooler temperatures but also in my increase of consumed hot beverages. Double cup of coffee in the mornings followed by many cups of tea. So it’s the perfect time to meet up for coffee and have a chat.

If you and I were sipping coffee I’d…
tell you all about my recent trip to Venice. It was my birthday present for Mr. ♡ birthday and I am so glad this city has been on his travel list. It is gorgeous and I immediately fell in love. Every corner is so photogenic and I had a hard time not making this into a photo trip. I think I need to come back with more time and plans. Are you interested in me sharing a separate post?

If you and I were sipping coffee I’d…
wonder what you think of this thought my dad recently shared with me.
He believes that within the next 50 years books will be one of the great investments and take over gold and silver. Books are currently not on demand and e-books are the go to. So in a couple of years when resources are even tighter than today books are no longer a production priority and will become more expensive. This did make me think as I am currently in the habit to sell and donate all books and only keep very special ones. But I fear he might be close to the truth. What do you think?

If you and I were sipping coffee I’d…
ask if you are also cultivating the habit of keeping seasonal bucket lists. And then I would share my fall bucket list with you. I like having those three months lists. Often times I have so many plans but kinda loose track. With those lists I keep myself accountable.

If you and I were sipping coffee I’d…
share that I have recently landed a new freelance project which will be lasting until end of February. I am really excited for that opportunity and look forward starting on October 17th. It will be a great learning experience and perfect for the portfolio I am building. I’d also share that it seems like that now that I am busy again with work a lot more projects are finding the way to me which I now have to decline. Why is it always like that?

If you and I were sipping coffee I’d…
admit that it’s been almost a year last time I went to a hairdresser. But I finally managed yesterday. I always have a hard time telling them what I want because all the looks and hair colors I’d want seem never to work out because my hair is just weird. I would prefer if they had some suggestions and not be scared. I usually tell them I am flexible and open for trying stuff but most likely they will end up suggesting some blond shade and a layered cut. I wonder if they don’t believe in my offer to go crazy or if nothing else look good with my face. What are your hairdresser stories and routines? I’d really love to hear more.

If you and I were sipping coffee I’d…
seek your advice in how to improve my writing skills. I have this urge to get better and enhance the way I write. I’ve read a couple books about storytelling and writing but for some reason it didn’t really do much. Most of the tips I have heard before it’s more like how could I implement when writing and how would I know if it gotten any better?

Now that we have chatting and sipped our coffee I’d suggest we get another cup to go and walk around the park a bit. The light is always so magical this time of year when it dances in the foliage of the colorful trees. And while we stroll I would listen to all the things happening lately in your life. When we part ways we still have lots to talk about so we agree to meet next month.

Tobia

This is a monthly get-together hosted by Lecy. Go read others chats.

VIRTUAL COFFEE DATE | August

- Tobia 4 Comments

If you and I had coffee…
I would like to show you a wonderful little spot I am came across in the countryside when visiting at my family’s home. It’s an revived little corner shop where I used to go shopping with my grandma and the added a little coffee shop area. They serve homemade cakes and cookies and coffee in fancy china. It’s really cute. All the older village ladies stop by for a chat. It feels a bit like being a Gilmore Girl. I would get a coffee and one piece of cake – maybe two if we stay long.

If you and I had coffee…
I would like to know what you think of temporary tattoos. I recently came across those while doing content in my day job and I feel the urge to use them as accessories. I know it’s very childish but would it be weird sporting a pastel ice cream cone on your wrist? Or some cute looking alpacas? I mean I already bought a pack. But now I wonder what people would think.

If you and I had coffee…
I’d tell you about how I spent a couple days in the workshop with my dad and crossing off #61 of my 101-in-1000-days-list. I learnt a few things while working together. On the other hand I realized how different our approaches to a project are. I am much more organized and think it through while dad just starts. Both approaches have their advantages – I don’t have to run and get every tool just when I need it and he doesn’t overthink and just tries if it works out.

If you and I had coffee…
I need to tell you about the book series I discovered by Australian writer Helen Scheuerer. It’s the Oremere Chronicles and I’ve read all three books in one week. It’s been a while since something sucked me in so completely.I didn’t even open the door when the postman rang. (Meet me on Goodreads and read the reviews)
Have you read this fantasy epos?

If you and I had coffee…
I’d tell you about my ambition to learn Spanish. I started to use the duolingo app and working my way through the levels. I try to talk a bit of Spanish to Mr. ♡ and it is hilarious. But I am proud of myself for how far I’ve come already and maybe I will be able to say a few sentences to his grandparents next time I visit. The app is really good to learn a new language in my opinion. Did you try to learn a new language after leaving school?

If you and I had coffee…
I want to hear about your favorite summer moment. While I type this is raining outside and fall is sneaking up on us. I like the cooler temperatures and enjoy the sound of raindrops hitting the leaves in the trees. But I haven’t finished my summer bucket list yet. But it seems summer is coming to an end.

This is a fun little get-together organized by Lecy and I am always happy to join in our coffee dates.
Happy Sunday to you

Tobia

VIRTUAL COFFEE DATE | July

- Tobia 6 Comments

Already mid July but finally I made it to our monthly coffee date. I am glad I did and due to my over all feeling I would ask if you would like to join me on my balcony for a cup. I could serve you a coffee or a blend of tea. I’ve a fast collection. If it’s hot I probably have some homemade iced tea in the fridge.

coffee date balcony craftaliciousme seeking creative life

If we’d had coffee…
I’d say I felt a bit off lately. Maybe one reason why I had to postpone our meeting a bit. It’s just not my time of year. Summer always feels depressive – too hot, too loud, too much going on. I know it’s not a popular opinion but I can’t help the feeling. I’ve been holed up in my apartment for 5 days. Tell me, what is your least favorite season?

If we’d had coffee…
I’d wonder if you believe everyone had a vocation in life. I had a talk with a friend of mine and she mentioned that she doesn’t feel that what I do for a living is done with a lot of passion. And that this might be the reason why motivation feels so hard for me. That I spent so much energy motivation myself doing the tasks instead of doing them. So she suggested I should spent more time in finding my vocation. I have spent time in trying to figure it to. I didn’t find it. So I am wondering. Does everyone have this one passion in life? The one thing to share with the world? I really am not sure about it but I know specially our generation is raised to believe it.

If we’d had coffee…
I’d wonder if you find my blog name fitting. Lately I’ve wondered if I should change it. I feel like I want to share more thoughts and ramblings and less creative and DIY stuff. Also no one can spell it. I kinda like it but it is very me focused (with the me in the end) something I never liked. I’d like to hear your thoughts.

If we’d had coffee…
I’d tell you I am planning on getting a helmet to ride my bicycle. Obviously it’s not for fashion purposes but recently there have been more bike related accidents reported here in Berlin. Maybe I am just conscious. Anyhow it’s never a bad idea to invest in your health. So if you have any good ones to recommend I am all ears.

If we’d had coffee…
I could finally tell you that I finished my 101 in 1001 days bucket list. It took me only 6 weeks to compile. I never knew it is so hard to come up with so many intentional goals. So I was wondering if I am too strict on what makes the list or just aimless? And I also wonder if you would join in the fun.

If we’d had coffee…
I’d wonder how your summer is going? Do you enjoy it? Did you travel somewhere or plan on doing so? Did you write yourself a bucket list to cross off?

As we are heading towards noon the sun is coming around the neighbor’s house and soon the balcony will be scorching hot. So we say good bye and plan on meeting up in August. You head out and I plan on hopping over to Lecy to spend a few more minutes visiting.

Happy day to you

Tobia

VIRTUAL COFFEE DATE | VOL IV

- Tobia 10 Comments

Oh hello…

it’s time for our virtual coffee date again. I’ve been looking forward to meeting up with you my friends to check in how things are going and what is new with you.

I would…
grab the largest coffee available. Lately I’ve been sleeping restlessly and waking up too early. So it’s been 4-6 coffees a day. Probably not the healthiest choice but it does taste good. And I do drink them with oat milk. Does that count towards health awareness?

I would…
Want to tell you about last weeks vacation in Copenhagen. Such a beautiful place. We’ve been spending four days there in an apartment directly overlooking the water. It could have been anywhere to make me happy. But it was nice to explore the city on two days too. The weather was not too nice and two days it rained but I finally got some reading in. Also I was able to watch the cruise ships and ferries on their way into the harbour. Such a spectacle. As for exploring the city while walking lots we also rented e-scooters to move around the city. It was a fun way to explore. Lots of old castles, buildings, beautiful parks and waterfronts. Of course on our last day a) the sun came out and b) I saw areas I would have liked to explore a bit more thoroughly. Guess we have to be back. Have you been to Copenhagen?

I would…
want to know what your blogging workflow is. I recently wrote a post about how I blog and ever since wondered how others been doing it. Everyone of us probably does something, feeling totally normal not worth mentioning and then for someone else it’s totally mind-blowing and a game changer.

I would…
to tell you that I scored a great kindle unlimited deal and can read 3 months for free. I’ve been saving up books on a separate list for when I sign up. I usually do that when I know I go on vacation or have lots of time on my hand to read. So I am looking forward to read a few books that have been on my TBR a long time for the next months. I also hope this will end my reading slug. If you want to follow along come be friends on Goodreads.

I would…
ask your opinion on something too. As you might know I’ve been freelancing for my third year now. While the first two have been (financially) very successful this year is very tough. I am far from reaching my goal I set (already almost half). So I wonder if I should get worried or what to do. It’s not that I can’t pay my bills, Ive got money saved but when is the point to start worrying. Being new to this it’s kinda hard to tell. Any freelancing friends reading along?

I would…
on a more happy note tell you that I itch doing more crafts and sewing projects lately. I met with a friend and we made some colorful new jewelry for summer and spring. I will need to take some photos to show. Also I’ve been planning quite a few sewing projects. I finished a shirt with fabric I inherited from my grandma. Only took me 10 years to start cutting into it. But now I have 3 more projects lined up. I am trying to reduce my fabric stash. I have bought so many with projects in mind and never got around to doing them.

Before we leave I would…
want to know what you would like to tell me about. What was the happiest moment since we last sat together?

Then I would gather my things, finish the last drop of coffee and we head of into the day. Later I would stop at Lecy to have a look around who else met up for coffee. Hope to see you around next months my friends.

Happy May to you

Tobia