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?