must.. have.. coffee..

I let this blog go for quite a while, yet it still keeps haunting me. I love coffee, and I love to talk about it. Can I make a living at it? Probably not, but I *can* keep talking about it. So here I go.

I love that I live in the coffee-drinking capital of the nation, and have access to so many different coffee shops and roasters. At most, we are only a block away from a fresh brewed cup of coffee, or latte, at any given time. Great for us addicts.. "coffee connoisseur" just sounds so much better.

I don't claim to know everything about coffee. Not even close, but I am an eager student. I prefer to have my coffee black. Love it to be dark, strong.. robust, but not bitter. My latest favorite find is Tony's Coffees & Teas "Cafe Carmelita." It is so rich and smooth.. full, but mellow. Perfect cup for getting through a cold winter day. I'd probably even drink it on a hot summer day.

So what direction is this blog going? I have no idea, other than the subject will be coffee. Let's all raise our mugs together!

where've you been? anything new?

My heart is heavy. I have not been posting as I should be for the last month or so.. With the new school year upon us and the wedding season almost over (at least in my circle of friends/relatives), I will have more time for research (my code word for "indulgence") and reviews.

I've missed hearing from you all, so if there is a coffee (or coffee subject) that has not been spoken of that you feel is especially note-worthy, let me know!

So on a more exciting note, to kick off the new fall season, I'd like to start a "Coffee Mug of the Month" photo contest. What's the reward? I'll post the pic of your favorite mug here on my blog. You wanted something more? Attach your "mug" to an email telling me what brew you're pouring into your favorite coffee mug and why you like it (both the coffee and the mug) - I'll let the rest of the viewers know!

send it!

kudos to caribou coffee!

Okay, so I know they are not located in the Pacific Northwest, but I had to give a real quick 'shout out' to Caribou Coffee. While en route to Michigan, we had a fairly long layover in Minneapolis, and I was really craving some coffee. Our morning had started especially early, and we were experiencing some anxiety traveling with an infant and a toddler. I passed a Starbucks, and was tempted.. but then I saw that Caribou Coffee was EVERYWHERE! Knowing that they were a Minnesota based company (we like their granola bars), I figured what could be better than to try than the local coffee? It was fabulous.. the coffee, the service - you guys were so friendly, everything. I had the caramel high rise, and I was very pleasantly surprised that the coffee had enough punch to hold up under such rich caramel.

On our way home from Michigan, we had a rediculously long layover in Minneapolis again, so of course I thought I would try out the coffee, again, and just see if I was lucky the first time. No siree.. it was just as fabulous the second time (this time an almond macchiato) - good coffee, very friendly service. You guys are great at Caribou, and I thought you deserved to know!