Saturday, November 26, 2016

California or Bust

On a bright and sunny day I took a flight to LA. A coffee adventure was my dream. A jeep with no top, was just added whipped cream. 
So off I drove to Orange County, C-A to find the #1 coffee cafe'.


Kean Coffee is their name. Roasting coffee is their game.
Upon my entrance my senses ignite, for the aroma was delightful, cheery, and bright. I strolled up to the counter to order a latte. They wished me well and said, "Have a great day!" I smiled and turned to find a seat. Comfy in a corner sounded good to me. It was in my cup that I was about to sip, when a creamy white heart touched my lip. I giggled and chuckled with delight for their coffee latte tasted just right! So, if you're ever in Newport one day, stop into Kean Coffee and enjoy their latte'. 
  


 Kean Coffee, in their New Port location. They were voted best coffee 2009-2015 in Orange County!!! 

If you are ever in the New Port area, this needs to be on your list of great places to stop in for coffee and a latte love!
(Check out their website for even better pics)




Back into the jeep I go, Hwy 1 moved very slow. Its was beautiful drive, with an ocean breeze and I played my Java rock as loudly as I pleased. It wasn't long before the day was done, so I pulled over and slept some.
My next adventure took me to a little shop. tucked discretely away in a techie spot. In Sorrento Valley is ZUMBAR Coffee and Tea. They roast and brew many great things. Not knowing what ZUMBAR meant, I asked the barista to define it. He said, "It's a spanish verb that means to buzz like a bee. Our coffee is great  try and you'll see."
I looked at the list of the great coffees they pour and went with the latte and then asked for one more. I was buzzing like a bee, like never before! 
  

Their lattes left us with a buzz of excitement! If you would like to know more about coffee or more about ZUMBAR click on the link. You'll be all the buzz about them. 


Back up the coast along Hwy 5 the beaches were full and the surf was high. Like the surfers who are out looking for their waves, I was in search for a great coffee, in Encinitas, that way. Like a wave that swells in the deep, it invited me in for a tasty treat. Better Buzz was my next stop and so glad that I did. This place was full and their menu made me drool. All the great choices from coffee to treats I could hardly decide what to eat.  They had a signature drink listed "Best Drink Ever", so how could I resist a coffee name so clever. My mouth wanted something more so the barista showed me croissants galore. It was the almond flavor that spoke to me, so my coffee enjoyed the yummy company.
As I sat to savor my drink, I noticed a word that made me think. Carved into a table was COMMUNITY. This made me stop and notice the people that were all around me. Could coffee really be more than just a drink? Does it connect us more than we think?  Like the bumble bee with its social need, a coming together is what we really do plead. Taking notes from the bumble bee, Better Buzz Coffee is a great place to be!


                                                                 Better Buzz Coffee!







                                                          J C Beans Coffee House
Back into the jeep I drove along Pacific Coast Hwy, not sure where to go. Not much time left on this trip and I wanted to find one more place to sip. When moments of deep thoughts began to stir, I came upon a name that looked very familiar. J C Beans Coffee House it was so cleverly called, how could I resist that name after all. This quaint little place on Dana Point was a book and coffee lovers kind of joint!
I ordered their "claim to fame blend" and found a seat to enjoy the days end. Killer Dana it was romantically called after historic swells, 12 ft tall. It was a brew that left me wanting to sit and enjoy this trip for a few more minutes.
My Cali. coffee adventure was good to me, but now I am Misto Sleepy!



Thursday, October 22, 2015

Imitation


This week I've had a lot going on and my mind has been in a thousand places, so I don't have my typical blog posting this week. What I do have is a 5 yr. old little girl who is completely convinced that she too must draw Joe C. Bean pictures. She has them all over the house! I am so impressed with her because with each attempt she is getting better and better. I love her passion for art! I love that she is my 3rd child because I wouldn't have had the freedom within myself to let my older children express themselves in this way. 
When I was praying and asking God about what to do for this weeks blog I felt He wanted me to share a few things about my life, coffee, and Him.   

My daughters Joe C. Bean drawings
Imitate:
: to make or do something the same way as (something else)
: to do the same thing as (someone)
: to copy (someone's or something's behavior, sound, appearance, etc.)

As you can see, my daughter imitates my drawings. She has been drawn to something that she loves and wants to be as good as me, in doing it. In the Bible we are told to be imitators of God. In order to know how to imitate God we have to know what that looks like, feels like and we need to know who He is. 
I love the translation of the Message:
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but give everything of himself to us. Love like that. -Ephesians 5:1&2 

As we get to know God we learn the different attributes/characteristics of God and this helps us to understand who He truly is. Putting it into practice allows us to become a better version of ourselves and more like Him. This takes time and practice!

When I visit roasters I ask questions about their techniques and how they brew their coffee. I'm wanting to imitate them so that I can go home, do the same thing, and have that same great cup of coffee. I am wanting to learn more about how to bring out some of the best character flavors from my beans. Most of the time the process is slow, but the flavor is so much richer and more authentic. This gives me more "joy in my mug", as I start my day!

(((Hugs&Mugs)))



Sunday, October 18, 2015

1000 Faces

Last weekend my husband and I were on our way to Asheville, NC, for the weekend.  Before we headed out we stopped over in Athens, GA for him to try 1000 Faces Coffee. I have to say they hold a special place in my heart because I had my first pour over coffee experience with them! 
1000 Faces Coffee  is a great place to not just drink coffee but to experience coffee.Their menu provides unique selections of freshly roasted award winning coffee. Using a "fresh" approach the coffee is prepared one cup at a time using a pour over method.  The baristas are passionate about coffee and enjoy sharing their passion!
During our visit we mentioned that we were headed to Asheville. They were very excited to let us know that 1000 Faces Coffee was being served at a local doughnut place called, Vortex Doughnuts. I have never been a fan of doughnuts, but I'm a FAN of theirs!!!! OH MY GOODNESS! I wish I could have tried every flavor they had! We walked the "wild side" trying a cinnamon and sugar vegan doughnut. Can it really taste this good to be vegan?!?
Nestled among some of the best brewery's in Asheville, Vortex is the must stop shop for the "All American" coffee and doughnut combo! The partnership they have is phenomenal!!!!

1000 Faces Coffee & Vortex Doughnuts

1000 Faces coffee
Cinnamon and Sugar Vegan Doughnut
and
Pumpkin Ale Doughnut


Check out and Like 1000 Faces Coffee and Vortex Doughnuts on Facebook.
 Coffee and Doughnut Heaven!!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to Vortex Doughnuts!!!!


Coffee Notes: I now have a Joe C. Bean Pinterest Page!!!
Please Follow me there to see all the fun coffee things I have to share, along with recipes and "flavors of inspiration".
Thank you for visiting my blog!!!
(((Hug&Mugs)))

Saturday, October 10, 2015

How Do You Brew?


As the autumn winds blow in a new season of colors
What are some of your favorite coffee flavors?
Cinnamon Apple, Maple Glaze, Toasted Almond, Vanilla Haze,
Pumpkin Spice, Crème Brule, Spiced Ginger, or Harvest Days?
I love fall and the coffee flavors that it brings
The warm cup in my hands right before the first bird sings
The friends that I will share with, before the day is gone
or the quiet moments when I get to sit alone.
Oh the how I love all the coffee flavors of fall!
                                                    -Jenn B. 2015


This week I have been on the road, so my blog is a bit short and sweet. I visited several roasting houses in the Carolina's and Athens, GA. I had a great time and loved every bit of it! I cant wait to share with you all the pics and new things I learned along the way!
I would love to hear from you and know what your favorite fall coffee flavors are.
(((Hugs&Mugs)))

Coffee Notes: If you'd like a sneak peek on the roasting houses I visited, check out my Facebook page. Please like it and share it with a friend. 



Friday, October 2, 2015

Two Story Cheers



Where they want to know your name!
This week's coffee adventures took me to Athens, Ga to Two Story Coffee. This trip was a special one because my dad was able to join me and it was National Coffee Day! I've been to Athens multiple times and had never seen or heard of this place. I actually found it through a blog piece written on Thrive Farmers.  The part that grab my heart was a story of a student that took his parents, who were visiting from Canada, to Two Story before having them see any other famous UGA spots. He wanted them to meet his "family". Something we are all looking for... a place where we feel like we belong!
So on that note I did another fun little parody, this week, to one of my dad's favorite tv shows, Cheers!

                                                          TWO STORY CHEERS
Cheers Theme Song
Making your way to UGA
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your classes
Sure would help a lot!
Wouldn't you like to get away?

All those nights when you've been up
With your head against a wall
And your coffee cup is empty
No filters found at all.
Yummy Latte!
As the rooster begins to crow;

Sometimes you want to go
Where the barista knows your name
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can cram
All the knowledge in your head
You wanna be at Two Story on S. Lumpkin.

Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee's dead;
The morning's looking bright;
With stains found on your t-shirt
And nothing clean in sight.
And your IPhone cracked onto the floor.

Be glad there's one place in the world
Where the barista knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to go where the coffee's made,
And the smell awakens you;
You want to be at Two Story on S. Lumpkin

Where the barista knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
Where Two Story knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
©Jenn Bryan 2015

You are a BIG and special part to this world's story! Thank you for taking your time to read this blog and I hope it made you smile!
(((HUGS&MUGS)))



Saturday, September 26, 2015

Perk Up and Breve

This week my coffee travels took me to Historic Madison, GA. In this quaint downtown area is a coffee house, Perk Avenue. It's located on the corner of Main and Jefferson Ave. When I pulled up I quickly realized that my sister use to work here and it took me back to some fond memories of my family.
                                                          Perk Avenue
As I went in I had already decided to choose something I'd never had before. Their list had lots of fun drink options! I began to think about what I wanted to "play with" this week, on my blog, so I ordered a Breve (a warm and rich mix of espresso and steamed cream). This coffee trip I did alone, which is unusual for me, but I enjoyed every quiet minute of it! Coffeehouses, for me, are great places to go breath, and just be.

This is usually where I have some entertaining piece to promo the Cafe' I just visited, but  I feel more lead to share some personal thoughts. Just hang with me, you might just learn something "coffee-ish".

My husband just recently purchased a pour over coffee set up. It doesn't make the fastest cup of coffee, but the coffee does taste a lot better! As I am learning more about coffee God is continuing to show me new things about life through it.

I've recently learned that you should "bloom" your coffee when using a pour over method.
*A coffee bloom is the fast release of gas that occurs when hot water hits the coffee grounds.
*The majority of a coffee bean's flavor compounds are trapped in the CO2 gases. That's why your bag of coffee from the grocery store has that little hard piece in the front of it. Without it, the bag would go BOOM!
* More gas = more flavor and fresher coffee. It also means a BIGGER Bloom.

When we set aside time for God and let Him pour over us and our short comings, we are able to release all of our junk/"bad gas". ( I know you just chuckled!) When we take time to soak in Gods love and have a relationship with Him, it allows us to have a "better flavor" so that we are able to be a great aroma to this world. When we do this daily we will stay "fresher" and we'll produce a "bigger bloom" in our lives.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit for a moment, pray, and breve (breath)!

(((Hugs&Mugs)))



Saturday, September 19, 2015

Downtown Milledgeville with a Blackbird coffee cup (Parody)

Last weekend my coffee tour took me and my 3 children to Downtown Milledgeville for ice cream and coffee. The cafe was very full so we found ourselves sitting down in "The Nest". This is an area downstairs, for when they host their entertainment nights! My children ate their ice cream way faster than I wanted them too (because it was so good!), so my visit was a bit shorter than I wanted it to be. Still, I found this place to be a very nice cafe hideaway, tucked away in the heart of this downtown city.
This week instead of doing a "Ode to...". I thought I'd have a bit more fun with a parody. My kids helped me. :-)  We had so much fun putting this together for you! We hope you enjoy it!
Just sing!!! 
(((Hugs and Mugs)))
Brazilian-Guatemalan
Ice Brewed coffee







This drink
That ice cold
Joe C. Bean
drinks iced espresso
This one from Blackbirds          
them blackbirds
Roastin' coffee beans
drinkin' while brewin'
up in this city
got beans in the roaster
they gonna roast it up, so pretty

Cold Brew (Hot brew)
call a roaster and barista in
Cold brew (Hot brew)
Fix me coffee with cream in
Cold brew (Hot brew)
Write my name, you know who I am
Cold brew (Hot brew)
Get a coffee mug there, honey
Drink it down!

In need of their coffee (whuoo)
In need of their coffee (whuoo)
In need of their coffee (whuoo)

Cause Blackbird gon' serve it to ya
Cause Blackbird gon' serve it to ya
Cause Blackbird gon' serve it to ya

Saturday night and we in The Nest
Don't believe me just drink (ahh!)
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Hey, hey, hey oh!

Stop, wait a minute
Fill my cup put some coffee in it
Take a sip, pay the check
Barista! Get more beans!
Make a mocha, espresso, latte, iced brew
When you show up, they gon' roast out
Better than your home brew'd coffee

Cold brew (Hot brew)
Call a roaster and barista in
Cold brew (Hot brew)
Fix me a coffee with cream in
Cold brew (Hot brew)
Yo, write my name you know who I am
Cold brew (Hot brew)
Get a coffee mug there, Honey
Drink it down!

In need of their coffee (whuoo)
In need of their coffee (whuoo)
In need of their coffee (whuoo)

Cause Blackbird gon' serve it to ya
Cause Blackbird gon' serve it to ya
Cause Blackbird gon' serve it to ya
Saturday night and we The Nest
Don't believe me just drink (ahh!)
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Hey, hey, hey oh!

Before we leave
Imma tell y'all a lil' something
Downtown Milledgeville, with a Blackbird coffee cup
Downtown Milledgeville, with a Blackbird coffee cup
I said Downtown Milledgeville, with a Blackbird coffee cup
Downtown Milledgeville, with a Blackbird coffee cup

Come on sing
Jump on it
In The Nest and perform it
If you en'tain then own it
Don't hesitate to show it
Come on, sing
Jump on it
Visit The Nest and flaunt it
We'll it's Saturday night and we in The Nest
Don't believe me just drink (YES!)
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Don't believe me just drink
Hey, hey, hey, oh!

Downtown Milledgeville. with a Blackbird coffee cup (say whaa?!)
Downtown Milledgeville. with a Blackbird coffee cup
Downtown Milledgeville. with a Blackbird coffee cup (say where?!)
Downtown Milledgeville. with a Blackbird coffee cup
Downtown Milledgeville. with a Blackbird coffee cup (say whaa?!)
Downtown Milledgeville. with a Blackbird coffee cup
Downtown Milledgeville. with a Blackbird coffee cup (say where?!)
Downtown Milledgeville!

© Jenn Bryan 9/19/2015
(((Hugs and Mugs)))