5 posts tagged “coffee”

So the other day I mentioned that I went to this incredible little coffee place in Spring Hill called Utopia Coffee and the latte I had was so amazing. Really, it was better than Starbucks. As I was thinking about it later, actually kind of dreaming about it, I realized something else. I didn't ask for it "non-fat" which I ALWAYS do and have done for several years now. It's occurred to me that besides using superior coffee the fattiness of the regular milk most likely added to the deliciousness of the brew. So since I drink lattes not even once a week now that I'm pregnant, I'm no longer going to deprive myself of the tasty goodness of whole milk lattes. I just though you all should know about this important revelation in my life. You may now continue on with whatever it is that you are doing.

What's your morning beverage of choice?  Coffee, tea, juice?  Homemade or store-bought?

I drink a cup of coffee pretty much every morning. I enjoy Starbucks Cafe Verona or the orginal Dunkin' Donuts coffee. I'm actually looking for something different because although I love coffee but sometimes it messes with me (heartburn) for whatever reason so I'm thinking more about trying some soy chai or something. Tamzen had a great beverage that she recommends that I will definitely be trying soon.

I think I enjoy coffee so much because it's the ritual of making it, sitting down and enjoying even just 5 minutes to myself while I sip away. Then again my husband enjoys his tea-making ritual so to each his own!

Jim did a great run down of our weekend with our friends from L.A. but he lacked our camera so here are the pics...

Me, James and Val

James was pretty taken with Val. He held her hand most of the time we were in the car. He's such a little flirt!

Garry, Shawn and Val at Moe's

Garry's our Canadian friend who lives in Kenya with his family. He was in town while Shawn and Val were here from LA so we all met up at Moe's and then went to Starbucks afterwards.

James and Uncle Shawn

Shawn is Jim's best friend who used to live here in Nashville but moved to LA about 8 years ago. Almost 3 years ago he married Val and now we're all friends. This was their first time meeting James.

Catan and Cappas with Kyle and Kristy, Shawn and Val...this was our late night chat session (almost 2am!) that was sooo much fun! This game is so fun and the cappa Kyle made me rivaled that served at Starbucks! Yum!

I'm at Saxby's, a local coffee shop in Spring Hill studying and I told myself that I could get online once I finished a chapter in my developmental pscyhology book....

Spring Hill is a growing city...one of the fastest growing in Tennessee I would bet. Since I've moved here almost 3 years ago we've had lots of changes. New houses, grocery stores, shopping, restaurants etc. It's great. I think they are doing a good job of keeping the "small town" feel but also getting us the things we want close by.

So most of you who know me know that I love Starbucks. Their coffee is great (albeit expensive) and I love the atmosphere. But I was a little disappointed when Starbucks came to Spring Hill.

They opened a couple weeks ago and even though Spring Hill's main strip is plenty long, they decide to build their new store literally a stones throw from Saxby's, the local coffee shop that has been here for the last couple years. I mean, come on. There is definitely room in this town for two coffee places. Why build right here?

Saxby's isn't a "mom and pop" place. They are fairly popular in the south as they claim locations in Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas etc. Their coffee is good. It's not as strong at Starbucks, but some people don't like strong coffee. They have a nice warm fireplace with comfy chairs and a really friendly atmosphere. In fact, most refreshing is the lack of "coffee snobs" here. People can order what they want and not be required to know "Starbucks-speak" in order to get their drink.

A huge draw for them and what will likely keep them in business is that they offer free Wi-Fi. I'm particularly grateful for this since they're one of the only places in Spring Hill who do this and it keeps me from driving to Franklin or Nashville if I want to get out of the house with my computer.

So all this to say, I have still not been to the Spring Hill Starbucks and I don't plan to. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to boycott Starbucks in general. If I'm in Franklin or Nashville and want a latte, I'll be there. But I just feel like I want to support the little guy in Spring Hill and keep the "big, bad corporate" coffee chain from running them out of town. I showed up this morning about 8:30am and Saxby's was hopping - looked even busier than Starbucks (you can literally see the Starbucks from Saxby's window)

And now on to the next chapter in my textbook....

To all those coffee lovers out there....please sympathize with my pain.

One night last week I went to bed with a burning, painful, gnawing in my stomach. It was awful and kept me up all night. After much coaxing from my husband, I let him take me to the walk-in clinic here in Spring Hill.

It turns out that it could be an ulcer!?! So they told me to take some meds, stay away from chocolate, caffeine and spicy foods.

I didn’t drink any coffee for a week (gasp!) and I was faithful to take the meds and eat bland foods, drink lots of water etc. Then I tried some coffee and after about 4 ounces the burning returned!

AHHH!!!! I’m afraid I might have to give up coffee!! I know it’s a rather scary thought…the stuff that nightmares are made up of! I'm trying to imagine my world without coffee....it's looking pretty dull. It's not just the coffee itself. It's the environment that you drink it in - such as Saturday morning in your bathrobe, or Friday afternoon at Starbucks. It's the friends that you "meet for coffee" because it's cheaper and quicker than going out for dinner. Drinking coffee for me is not just about the rich aroma and caffeine buzz; it's about relationships and experience. And I'm sorry but I just don't think it will be the same if I substitute a cup of tea for the coffee. I have tried some tea this week, mostly out of desperation in the morning as my lack-of-caffeine headache roars in my ears. Tea doesn't even come close to the yummy deliciousness of that first cup of morning java. Sigh...I could almost shed a tear right now. But I will not lose hope. I believe that medicine and some changes to my diet could indeed heal what could possibly be an ulcer and I will again be able to partake of the wonderful drink.

In the meantime, I stare longingly at the Starbucks that I drive by and think of happier times.

I'm sure my husband is thinking about all the money we'll save since I won't be spending $4 a cup. It figures...he's a die hard tea drinker. What so great about tea anyways? Hmm...maybe the subject of my next post....