coffee talk....

So I am in love with coffee.... I was raised drinking coffee. My habit started about age two. My mother hates even the smell of the wonderful stuff so we didn't have it at home, but both sets of GP's drank it and I always had "coffee milk" at their houses. (my mom's parents live across the street from my parents and my dad's parents live a few blocks over... so I was always one place or the other)I started hanging out at coffee shops in high school. I did it in the I-want-to-be-out-of-the-house-and-social kind of way....much like how coffee is actually a fashion accessory these days. I was not one of those brooding, angsty teenagers that hid in coffee shops....I just happen to LOVE the taste of strong chickory coffee. I drink coffee everyday at work, sometimes all day....Which brings me to the fact that I have become a LOCAL coffee snob enthusiaste. I love PJ's and CC's and Morning Call and Cafe Dumonde. In high school I frequented Cafe Fresca. In college, since I went away to another city and there were no decent places for coffee, I had to make my own... the only fashionable place to have coffee was Barnes & Noble.....didn't cut it for me.

As I mentioned here, during our recent trip to the Hubbs hometown, we were desperate for an outing and we ended up at Starbuck's. It was my first official visit. I think I had been in one in NY about ten years ago, but I dont' think I ordered anything.... and if I did it didn't make an impression on me in any way....oh and come to think of it I think I had a few sips at a bookstore in Baton Rouge once....also no impression. I didn't even think we had many in town....turns out we do, I just don't look for them. In fact there is one two blocks from my house across the street from a PJ's I happen to like. I think I have been in it only to buy FIJI water when we go walking....So back to what I was saying... I told the girl at the counter that it was my first time and I had no idea what I wanted. She got excited and said welcome and proceeded to explain in full barista lingo all the joys Starbuck's has to offer.....I just stared at her. She said we could have samples of the best seller.....I forgot what it was called, but I've seen it on other blogs....I didn't like it and went with a Caramel Latte. Hmmm. It was OK... I also got a cookie...(even though I am not supposed to eat sugar) and Matt ordered something weird with all the lingo and ease of expertise as if he goes to Starbuck's all the time... We had a great time on our mini-date, no offense to Starbuck's but it just isn't home....not a fan....My coffee and the taste of Matt's that I had may as well have been desert. Which, if that's your goal go for it. I however like coffee to taste like coffee....with only a hint of flavor...It was an experience.... and I would probably go again if I don't have one of my local favorites handy....

Here are some of my coffee cups. I have tons! They include a full set of 12 in my china pattern, my everyday Fiesta colors, a set in a 2nd set of china, randoms that we have collected over the years, and all of the travel mugs we get. We used to have almost 3 cabinets worth and have since seriously pared down.... bye bye free travel mugs from law school....

two new ceramic mugs that I found at my beloved TJMAXX (left) and a few of my fav travel mugs (right)

here are 1)my red& white everyday Fiesta, 2) the hubb's fav randoms, 3) 1 of 6 of my grandmother's that i grew up with & were given to me and 4)  some of my fav randoms. i love random Fiestaware. Sorry no pics of either chins pattern....packed away for move.... 

here are just a few of the the places I visit around town....

the two above are stops near my house...

on my way to the dance studio....

when in Esplanade mall...

when over at Lakeside mall....or late night....

this is the one i visit near work....

Do you just love coffee too? Do you have a favorite mug?.... am I the only one completely wired on caffeine?

Our trip to Texarkana...

The hubbs and I were not able to go back to his hometown to visit with his family for Christmas until this past weekend. We both took off of work on Friday so we decided to get on the road Thurs after work. On our way out of town P sang and clapped along with the radio. We stopped at Waffle House in Gonzales for supper. It was P's first time (probably like my fourth)and he loved the waffle! Surprisingly, P stayed awake for another two hours or so singing and clapping to the music. He finally fell asleep around 10:30pm. We got into town around 2:00am! P played with a Christmas gift or two and then we all crashed around 3:00.

On Friday, we went out to see the snow (still on the ground 5 days later) at a neighbors house. It was P's first snow experience which was EXTREMELY short, as he sat down in it and got soaked and we had lunch plans.

We met Matt's dad for lunch and then stopped over at the PopPop Shoppe to visit there. P got to play with Owen and see some family friends. After that we went to Old Navy for some returns and then drove around looking for "Frosty". I loved seeing all the cute snowmen in everyone's yards.

huge snowman!!! rakes for arms, trashcan for hat and canned goods for buttons!

That evening we did "Christmas" with Matt's parents and one set of GP's. Then the Hubbs and I went on a mini-date.... to .... Starbuck's. It was my first official trip to the popular joint.... There is NOTHING to do past like 8:00pm in his hometown....so I chose a place I avoid like the plague. (more on that later)We had a good time being just us.....

Sat morning, we got up and went to Ashdown to check in on my great-grandmother's house and my aunt's house. The first was in extreme disrepair and completely broke my heart. My most precious memories are the times spent in that house with those family members. SIGH.... The second house is a house built in 1912?, I think, that was in my family, then left my family and my aunt bought it about 10-12 years ago to renovate. It is on the historic register....Then we went to the Hubb's grandmother's house. She is going to sell her house which was built by Matt's great-grandfather. We went through some old papers and family photos and asked her to tell old family stories. Priceless... Sat. night, we ate at Ole Feed House. Matt loves this place....it's ok I guess. Next we drove by his other gandmother's family property, also for sale, to see his great-great grandfather's place and dairy.It was dark and I couldn't see much.... We went to hang out with the Hubb's BFF. They have been friends since 2nd grade. He and his wife are expecting their new baby any day now!!! They live in "East Jesus" as my mom would say....I think it's called Redwater and I have never been there....I thought we were going to die getting there. It took for flippin' ever and was dark and FOGGYand I couldn't see ANYTHING! I've seen less scary horror movies. I like hearing my neighbors sneeze or talk on the phone ... when we are both inside our homes. I like the orange glow of the street lights that lets me see everything.... I like the wonderful comforting noise of the city.... AND the Hubbs went off the road slightly, towards a ditch while trying to text for the address because we-couldn't-even-see-the-mailboxes-let-alone-the-numbers on them.... I about passed out by the time we got there.....AHHH! On the way "back to town" I read a sign that said "Texarkana 14 miles"or something..... yeah right.... where I come from if you drive 14 miles you better see houses and businesses and streets and THINGS all next to each.... close and safe so someone can hear you if you SCREAM! Out there..... NO ONE would hear you.......


Sunday we did "Christmas" with the rest of the Hubbs family and had a big family meal/visit before getting on the road....We got home at midnight and my head finally hit the pillow around 1:30 am.



what a trip....

Hello 2011... welcome to this life....

Well, I have meant to post every single day so far this year to properly ring in the New Year. I didn't. Soooo...

HELLO 2011!

Here's a little recap of the year so far.... the first 13 days of it.




12/31/10 -- We go to a New Year's eve party every year at a friend's house and try to help "blow up the world" (as the guys say) with as many fireworks as possible. Paxton and I were both pretty sick so we bailed at the last minute. Instead we went out to eat together just the three of us and then stopped by my parent's house to do some sparklers that P had gotten in his Christmas stocking. He loved the fireworks that the nighbors were shooting. I thought he'd be scared but every time he heard one he looked up in the air and said"BOOOOM!" We went home around 10:00 and P went to bed. Matt and I settled on the couch to watch the ball drop.... HA. I think I fell asleep instantly. The next thing I know the Hubbs is kissing me saying Happy New Year! WHAT?! How long ago? What time is it? He said "12:06".... you're kidding me right? He couldn't have woken me up 6 minutes earlier??? MEN! Happy New Year, my love.   I toddered off to bed....



here we are... all sick on New Year's eve....



1/1/11 -- We had New Year's dinner at my aunt's house. My whole family was in attendance. We had the tradional pork roast, black-eyed peas and cabbage. I've been eating that stuff every year my whole life and I don't think I've gotten any luckier or richer....

table decorated with old cloth calenders as a table cloth and for the napkins

We took rides in my dad's new dune buggy....guess he'll be in the parades this year....That night Matt and I went shopping for a bit and I got a new pair of UGGS and some super cute heels on sale and a new watch from Brookstone.... that I love!(It's DEUCE brand sportswatch - "The original glow") 

my watch...yeah I'm freckle-dy

Then we dropped the BOOG off with the GP's and headed to a movie. AHHHH! - a real date.....not enough of those these days. We saw Black Swan.... to die for by the way. I loved every second.... more on that later.

                                    

1/2/11-- I picked up some sweet friends Megan & Brent from the airport and had brunch with them. They were in town for the Sugar Bowl.We visited most of the afternoon. Then P and I crashed!!!

1/3/11--Matt's parents came in town for the Sugar Bowl festivites....

1/4/11--Matt and I went to Cooter Brown's for the BIG GAME.....SIGH. I remain strong.... WPS.

matt and me at Cooter Brown's for sugar bowl....

1/5/11--Spent the entire day with P at various doctor appointments.... he passed his hearing test!

1/6-1/10 = the daily grind....

1/11 - My kiddo got caught in the tunnel kissing a little girl at school for the first time... a true WEAVER.....so I've heard.

So, I had the great idea that I would actually stick to a resolution this year. I can't decide on one....I do have some things I want to do this year.....

1. loose weight/get my PCOS in order?
2. vacation with the Hubbs...
3. new iPhone
4. clean out all the JUNK I own
5. catch up on some movies and books
6. re-connect with old friends

What are your goals for the year?