Cafe Bustelo & a tbsp of sugar

Last Year's RP Parent's Group Halloween Party
where Kerri's family met mine

Last year, this time, I met Kerri and her two young red headed boys at our park on a city cleaning day. The leaf blower man loudly cleared debris from each nook and crevice of the play structure, while we attempted to play. Judah was only 3 mo. old and napping in my Ka'Tan wrap. This was a memorable day because we learned how to make new friends.

Kerri was tall with gorgeous long highlighted hair and I was sure she couldn't be American. Her oldest boy was 4 and walked along with David up and down a half-moon cinderblock wall as we waited on the leaf blower man. Her youngest sat snuggly in his stroller. Kerri initiated conversation with me and I discovered that she was new to RP. They had just relocated from the East Coast for her husband's job. Our conversation carried on for the next hour as her oldest patiently directed David around the big kids play structure. I so enjoyed talking to Kerri, and before we parted she invited us over to play. Our first invitation to have a play date with new friends!!

Heading over to Kerri's apt for the first time, I reassured David that our destination contained lots of new toys and his new buddy. Upon entering Kerri's beautiful home, my hopes were confirmed - amazing toys and David's friend was ready to give a tour. Kerri and I chatted about our families, her husband's job at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, and I felt like I had known this woman for years. We discussed this shared familiarity, how we were thankful to have found one another. However, I was most thankful for Kerri's example of reaching out and inviting new friendship in. I'm not sure she even realized all that meant to me. She had come at a time where I was navigating the loss of close friendships and anticipating winter.

In the Spring, Kerri and her precious family ended up moving back to the East Coast for her husband's job. We didn't get enough time playing with them before they left, due to our youngest boys, their nap schedules and runny noses. However, I think of Kerri often, and it warms my heart to think about the possibilities of relationships in our futures. Kerri's family did not claim any specific belief in faith, but God definitely used her in my life to remind me that He provides. I didn't have to reach out to find her friendship, she reached out to me.

Sometimes it's easy to forget about people who are in our lives for short seasons. And sometimes, little events bring the memories back. I remember now why I knew of Cafe Bustelo, beyond that my bud Kelly shares her daily pot with me often - It's the coffee Kerri poured me on our first play date. Still more memorable was the heaping tablespoon of sugar I was offered to sweeten it! She had asked me if I took sugar, to which I replied, 'Oh yes.' And apparently that translates into a heaping tablespoon. Cafe Bustelo is so intense that one must have a heaping tablespoon of sugar to sweeten. And thus, I'm thinking of my dear friend and praying for her two boys as I enjoy yet another cup (and tbsp of sugar).

Cafe Bustelo

Cafe Bustelo keeps popping up on my friend's counters and I'm trying it for the first time today. I picked up the Espresso ground $2.99 6 oz. package at La Unica. It's:

• Bold
• Richness is not overpowered by half/half & sugar
• Smooth and similar to TJ's dark
• Would probably be amazing iced. I'll try that later today

Morning quiet times

latte of my dreams

This morning, I woke early and enjoyed some time with the Lord over a steamy latte within the quiet of my cozy living room. And then I woke up from that dream and picked up a crying Judah baby.

I've had an interesting thought today as I did, praise Jesus, finally sit down for prayer and scripture memory review with lukewarm drip coffee. Is there something else I'm adding to the goal of morning quiet times that is not from the Lord? What upsets me more on a day that I haven't met with the Lord, lack of peace so I can feel better, or lack of time with Him?

People, I cannot even meet with the Lord without seeking to gratify my flesh. I cannot even open my bible with a pure heart that cries out to Jesus out of an untainted desire to just simply love him. It would be the same as making a coffee date with a dear friend with the ulterior motive of connecting so I can feel better about myself. And, that dear friend would know I did that.

Now, let's take a look at how good our Savior is. Here is the passage I'm committing to memory:

Psalm 90...

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
    we bring our years to an end like a sigh.10 The years of our life are seventy,    or even by reason of strength eighty;yet their span[c] is but toil and trouble;    they are soon gone, and we fly away.11 Who considers the power of your anger,    and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12 So teach us to number our days    that we may get a heart of wisdom.13 Return, O Lord! How long?    Have pity on your servants!14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,    and for as many years as we have seen evil.16 Let your work be shown to your servants,    and your glorious power to their children.17 Let the favor[d] of the Lord our God be upon us,    and establish the work of our hands upon us;    yes, establish the work of our hands!


The Lord knows of my need for gladness in the morning and all day. He knows, He forgives, and He POURS Himself out for me. Have pity on your servant today Jesus, satisfy my broken heart with your steadfast love. Meet me for coffee, know that I don't love you as you deserve, pay the bill and sing over me. Wretched woman that I am, you JESUS are gold.

Valentines Day brough to you by...

JESUS!! 

"We love because he first loved us"
~ 1 John 4:19

Share your coffee time with Him today. He loves you so. I wouldn't love a single soul in this world if it wasn't for the life God breathed into me, out of his great love. Thank you Lord!

Photo by Daisy Hatami

Bums

We've got lazy bums staying in bed and beach bums heading off to the lakeshore this morning. Call me (Laura) the coffee bum, going to sit down with some scripture while things are quiet.

(disclaimer: Judah was photographed in bed after I fed him and he is now safely asleep in his crib. Zipped up in his woombie like a green bean.)

Coffee Nook

I've been blessed to be a Small Group host for a good bit of time which now has me thinking... I need a coffee nook. In Taiwan, families would keep a rice cooker on near their dining room table regardless of proximity to kitchen. Rice went with meals, meals happened at the big table, thus rice cooker must accompany table. Coffee goes with company, company hangs out in family room, thus coffee maker must accompany family room.

I've been looking through Pinterest and google in the attempts to find visuals of coffee nooks, with little success. The idea that came to my mind was that of a hutch entirely devoted to coffee and tea near an outlet I could feed wires to. Here are some pictures I've found thus far... eh. Suggestions?!

"Will work for Starbucks"

I finally finished a recent blog styling for Derek & Anlee Fekkes. Anlee was kind enough to thank me for my services via a Starbucks gift card, and I carry that thing around in my purse like a magic $100. Thank you Anlee!

Thought I would spread the word that I will work for Starbucks gift cards!

Iced Coffee in January

oh people, if only this stuff came out of faucets!

The past few days have felt so uncharacteristically warm, I've strolled with David sans gloves, hat and zipped coat. Mind you, I've worn the mega winter coat because I just don't trust Chicago winters. Yesterday was a good day for a few reasons...

1. Jan 10 - high of 52!
2. With baby #2's pregnancy I've had no taste for coffee, until today and went for a Starbucks iced coffee (which is much cheaper than hot cider and hot chocolate).
3. That iced coffee was so delicious and pared with it being 'clean the house for Tuesday root group', I had one productive day.
4. David's officially down to the one nap a day routine, if he can keep his wits about him. So, I finally got a chance to catch up on some freelance work for a good solid 3 hours.
5. Finally, on top of the productive day I was BLESSED by my dear friends Emily and Sara's early arrival to Root Group. Thanks to Emily's generous dish washing, our kitchen was not a pile of dishes per the usual post-root-group night! I could go on, thank you so much ladies.

Sometimes I feel like you can search far to hear someone bragging about themselves online - look no further than our dear friend Facebook. So, let me print this disclaimer - This was NOT a normal day and productivity has been very difficult the past few months due to fatigue, nausea and laziness. I am praising the Lord for this good day, knowing that it could set the stage for good days to come. I'm really hoping to continue on as a freelancer through baby #2's entrance into the world. I love the work and we need the work to meet our monthly budget. The Lord did not have to provide this way, and I in no way deserve these good days. Glory to God for His mercy and Iced Coffees in January!

Campin' Coffee

Of coarse you've noticed by now, but coffee and it's nostalgic deliciousness is very important to me (us really... I think Tripp may agree?). Now there are other members in our family who's love for coffee surpasses mine. I believe this person begins their day with 3 cups... or 1 pot... darn I can't remember. But Tripp's daddy takes the #1 coffee drinker spot in our family for sure. And when we're all together, I love him for it! There's no morning where one wakes and wonders if their will be coffee ready.


Now, this past weekend we went camping with dear friends and here are the coffee photo shoot highlights. At the end of the trip, I had made a fresh pot of coffee - that no one wanted to drink. So, I dumped it all in my nalgene and brought that goodness home with us. Drank it this morning and thought, ain't nothin' better than campin' coffee. I share this thought with a fellow drinker and she agreed.

And of coarse one happy campin' couple photo.

Coffee and Pinning

I was just introduced to a new form of 'collecting images of things I love' on a site called pinterest. It takes web browsing to the next level and for this visual artist, it's just my kind of thing. So long daytime TV breaks, I'm going to take pinterest breaks.

Today, I came across this adorable coffee poster that is available on etsy! It's 11x17 and I'm going to ask for it for my b-day... coming up soon! Then, I think I may buy it in bulk for all the other coffee lovers I know!

Pics of the new place are coming soon. With working during the day and a sound baby sleeping at night, it's as bit challenging to bang around here!

Just keep working, just keep working, working, working...

Day 12: Working demands the comforting and nostalgic effects of coffee. Today, I brewed a 24 oz. frenchpress full of dunkin' vanilla coffee. It's the last day of a 3 day stretch at work this week. Which I hesitate to speak negatively of, since I am thankful for my job and thankful I only work 3 days. If it wasn't for David, I'd be still leaving my home 5 days a week to do the 9-5. I also really appreciate the company of my long-time coworkers and freelance buddies. They make the day feel like a day with friends.

These days away from my bud make me miss him all the more, but I am confident in the Lord's provision for us. Even if it's in the provision of coffee... which I do agree with Audrey, will probably be in heaven.

Thank you to Dori from Finding Nemo for the inspiration to keep on keepin' on even when you don't know exactly where you're going.

Darn Good Iced Coffee - Bottomless!

Who doesn't love a bottomless cup of coffee? Einstein Bros. has always offered bottomless refills to their coffee and I've been known to grab an end of day refill before quittin' time.

NOW, who doesn't love a bottomless cup of ICED COFFEE?! This morning, when I ordered iced coffee, they gave me an empty plastic cup. I thought... "No way!" and indeed, there was a big cooler of endless iced coffee right next to their delicious green 'Spontaneitea'. 

Get in on this people. Especially on a day that you have a lot to do, this stuff makes you very energized!

Cafe Latte Creamer

Is delicious and I feel it's the best one (of 30+ flavors including seasonal)! I've also googled coupons and found one on their website for $1.50 off any creamer. Okay, once again I'm distracted on the computer and procrastinating!


< Also, get ready to see a lot of this little guy in the next post to come...

Morning coffee, CIO, and handmade blog

This morning I reheated Monday's coffee, in a sweet cup from my friend Chelsey, to the trying sounds of a little CIO. According to baby lingo, CIO= cry it out. During David's 4 month visit to the doctor, we were informed it is now safe and maybe even helpful to allow crying in the crib. I've given it a go a few times now and so far it's most successful at naptime, crying lasts at most 10 minutes. Bedtime is still a challenge. He either goes down fast or pushes the bounds of CIO so much we've just got to hold the guy. As torturous as CIO sounds, I am glad when it works and stumped when it doesn't. And that about sums up baby tricks for you!

While looking for this gorgeous image of a coffee cup, I stumbled upon this incredible blog of handmade accessories! Love to browse etsy, but seeing all these pretty things in one line up is much fun too! Now, if only I didn't have such a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine...

One pot, one week

I need to publish a retraction to my previous entry on morning coffee. If you are able to brew fresh coffee every day, which then having a Kurig or french press would be ideal, then a cup and saucer is a perfect thing. However, I've been extending the life of my 8 cup coffee pot by keeping it refrigerated in a carafe for up to a week. Microwaving little cups of coffee is not so fun. Going back to the big mug... and microwaving it 5x between now and dinner. Sad, but this monkey coffee picture I found was so great, it makes up for having to post a retraction.

Morning coffee

is so much more enjoyable in a cup and saucer. Which if your a kitchen dish connoisseur like me, you have ample cups and saucers. Our Seattle friend, John and his wife Kara, recently came to visit and introduced me to the idea. During morning coffee, John grabbed four white coffee cups and saucers of my kitchen shelf and filled them with incredible steaming Seattle coffee. Tripp said, 'You really like those cups, huh?' To which John replied that he preferred the smaller cup which he could refill often with warm coffee. Brilliant. I'm converted.

I must also add, that I had a similar discussion with my fellow mom friend, Katheryn. When sipping room-temp coffee at 4pm, I commented that I had already microwaved that cup at least 2 times since the morning. These days with growing distractions, David, it can take a whole day to finish coffee! She laughed and totally agreed with me. Maybe all the more reason to enjoy coffee in a small cup and saucer.