coffee shops

here, there, and travelling, i'm on the lookout for good coffee shops. not just good coffee (although that's the first step), but an excellent overal coffee experience, the ideal coffee situation.

dark wood, roasting beans. smiling staff. fair trade & independent. ceramic mugs and crisp white paper cups. a glowing pastry case, a simple menu. comfy seats, worn-in couches. books, magazines, art. wanting to hole up there all afternoon.

yea, so i miss college town coffee shops. they're not so easy to find in a big city! starbucks and coffee beans crowd out the little guys. but with a little digging, the good ones shine through...

coffee shops that i miss:
3. lady killigrew cafe @ the book mill (montague, ma) - [bottom photo]
2. the haymarket (northampton, ma)
1. rao's coffee (amherst, ma)

local cafes that we visit:
3. cafe balcony (12431 rochester ave)
2. the spot / synergy (4455 overland ave)
1. the coffee conservatory (10117 washington blvd) - [top photo]


[photos from myflickr]

a time to bake

autumn is a season for baking. the weather is cool this week, and i want the house to feel warm and smell delicious.

a bunch of super ripe bananas in my freezer begged to be breaded. so following the joy of cookingrecipe, i stirred up a yummy batch with a handful of oatmeal and a dash of cinnamon.

joyful banana bread
whisk:
1 1/3 c flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
beat:
1 1/3 c sugar
5 1/3 tbsp butter
combine dry into wet.
then add:
2 eggs, slightly beaten
then fold in:
2 ripe bananas
+ walnuts/chocolate chips/oatmeal?

i love toasted banana bread with a cup of coffee.


[photo from myflickr]

beautiful

i had a wonderful, long walking afternoon (celebrating car-free monday!).

while i was out, i finally posted a few beautiful stickers.

i came across the you-are-beautiful website last spring. such a simple, but awesome idea. i sent away for the stickers---and then they've sat in my wallet for months.

today i finally stuck the message to the streets of LA.


[photos from myflickr]

charting time

my 2008 calendar from Pentagram is waiting patiently for january 1st.

other time keeper's to love:
- nikki mcclure
- papersource
- snow & graham
- sebastian wrong
- tokyo bay

[photo of my workspace from myflickr]

saving daylight

happy daylight savings time ~ enjoy your extra hour in bed!


[photo via myflickr]

books invite all, they constrain none

i finished reading the fountainhead this week. it's the sort of book that stole every open moment of my day.

browsing through our bookshelves, i came across a book that i've never read... i thought now was a good time to try the book.

share books with friends: shelfari and goodreads

share books with the world: bookcrossing


[photo from myflickr]

mulled cider for november

In the autumn spirit, i attempted some hot mulled cider last night.
mmmm, the smell of cinnamon & nutmeg & cloves.

lots of variations of hot cider recipes. here's one...

mulled cider
8 c apple cider
1/2 c packed brown sugar
6 inches cinnamon stick (or ground cinnamon?)
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cloves

all the sugar was a bit sweet for me... and i might try adding in a few orange slices next time to add some zest.

check out mulled wine bags @ kiosk.

unfortunately, we had 0 trick or treaters for halloween.
but we do have a big plastic pumpkin full of candy!

mrs. lyons' apple crisp

definitely my favorite apple crisp recipe.

delicious with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.


[photo of apple crisp from myflickr]

autumn in LA

So this is my very first fall outside of New England since...ever.

My annual clock expects cider, crisp air, itchy wool sweaters, and falling leaves...But here in Los Angeles, the lovely weather justcontinues. Flowers blooming, trees green, sunshine.

But my innerclock is still reigning, at least in my mind. I'm convinced that I can smell the Fall Smell. I'm craving seasonal beverages: hazelnut coffee, pumpkin beer, hot cider. The sweaters on sale at local stores seem out of place--but I'll happily embrace them! I baked apple crisp just to smell the cinnamon & spice. Now if only I could find a big pile of leaves to crunch through...


[photo from umass campus, fall '05 from myflickr]

...of the moment

drinking... ruby red chai tea from trader joe's

eating... morning croissants from La Dijonaise

reading... god bless you, mr. rosewater by vonnegut

watching... farecast.com for good thanksgiving rates

listening... to morning becomes eclectic on KCRW