Oh my goodness. I am so happy that the wind has abated. The wind here in the city was so strong that I almost can’t describe it. Walking the 8 or so blocks to work was horrible. It was even worse coming home. When I turned the corner onto the little strip between buildings that leads to the back door of the apartment building, I thought my face would become permanently windburned!
Hartford can often be windy, with certain city blocks (like the one the theater is on) acting like wind tunnels. That strip I mentioned earlier is definitely a wind tunnel. As it is also right outside our windows, we could hear the wind howling for over 48 hours.
It’s sunny today, but very cold, and the local weather report says that this is the day we should find out which direction the Nor’easter is tracking. I’m afraid to look, so if you know, do me a favor? Don’t tell me yet. I need a little pocket of happy oblivion this morning, okay?
I stopped by a new coffee place yesterday. It’s called Blue State Coffee. There’s a Starbucks down the street, but I’m not a big fan. I think their coffee is too strong (and you know I like a dark roast, so it’s not as if I don’t drink strongish coffee.) And let’s face it, they don’t need my business, they’re doing just fine.
I really liked the interior. They offer lunch, as well, with some vegetarian and vegan options. Huzzah!
That’s my bag with a big box from Amazon inside. I had to order some reference books for my job. Lucky me, I got to cart it home during the ‘wind event.’
Anyway, back to Blue State Coffee. That’s Mackenzie behind the counter and she can make things like this:
A work of art. Too pretty to drink, don’t you think? I had remarked on someone else’s pretty latte and Mackenzie said, “Hang around a minute and I’ll make something worthy of a picture.” So I did. And here it is. Amazing.
With a possible Nor’easter on the way and my Peet’s French Roast supply getting low and the knowledge that I might not be able to get to the store before it hits, I had stopped in with the idea that they might sell their own coffee. Sure enough, there were bags of coffee beans, among them French Roast. I bought a bag of beans, which they ground for me, as well as a mug with their logo on it because I can’t resist those things. (I’ll show that in another post. I’m thinking it will be perfect for hot chocolate.) Mackenzie informed me that I was eligible for a free drink since I bought a bag of coffee.
So I chose my five o’clock in the afternoon beverage of choice: hot chocolate. It was good.
Another positive in this already positive experience with Blue State Coffee:
They donate to local non-profit organizations.
This is their mission statement: “Welcome to Blue State Coffee. Our mission is to create vibrant cafes that reflect, improve, and inspire our communities.” They are in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, blue states all.
This morning I made one cup of Peet’s. My second cup was Blue State Coffee’s version of French Roast. It was pretty darned good. Peet’s is still my favorite, but this will do in a pinch. I won’t be caught without French Roast in the morning and I won’t be frustrated because it doesn’t taste like French Roast.
I like this company.
More coaching this afternoon.
Happy Wednesday.
What a great find Claudia with Blue State Coffee — looks like a fabulous place – and **bonus** you can eat there too! Our wind has finally died down as well. It was beastly Monday night when I went to my yoga class — about 12 degrees and windy. But, the sun is stronger and days are longer…there is hope. Fingers crossed for the weekend (the forecast changes each day — if not each hour — I don’t think anyone really knows what will happen).
I had a great chickpea salad sandwich from Blue State Coffee today, Vera. With melted cheese! It was delicious.
I try very hard to never be without my coffee, or tea. Glad you found a good second choice to get you through. All I know is, we are not going to get any snow…and I’m thrilled! The wind and frigid temps were enough for me! Enjoy your day! ;)
We are getting it – along with the wind and frigid temps, Donnamae.
I’m glad you found somewhere to get your coffee. Since I don’t and never have, like coffee it always mystifies me how much people love it and HAVE to have it. My husband and kids included. This time of year I have a hot chocolate every few days, a Diet Coke every few days and otherwise it’s water. A little snow for us last night but it’s supposed to be in the 40’s this weekend so it will all be gone.
Blessings,
Betsy
It might be the taste (which is wonderful) and the caffeine – But that’s in your Diet Coke, as well – unless you drink the caffeine free Diet Coke? I don’t drink carbonated drinks, so it’s coffee and water for me – and hot chocolate of course!
If you can’t get more Peet’s, how about mixing in a little of the Blue State grounds into the Peet’s grounds to make the Peet’s last longer? Or are you a coffee purist??? I have to go make myself a cup now. My go-to is Peet’s, but I do like the Starbuck’s Christmas blend, which I try to buy annually.
I did that today, in a way, by having my second cup from Blue State. I may mix them a little and see what happens.
Here in Western Canada we have the Chinook Wind so we can relate to those winds. In cities they have a name for those winds passing along the various buildings. Walking you do have to lean into the wind . Take care……Nidia
It’s still windy today, Nidia, though not nearly as bad as yesterday and the day before.
It made me smile that you found a coffee shop named “BLUE STATE “. (Now,I could mention something about wondering what a coffee shop named red state might donate towards….. but I won’t go there. ) It sounds like a shop with a purpose and what a great mission statement! I can’t drink Starbucks, either, as anything I get there is so strong and I end up with heartburn.
I hope that snow storm takes a different path which is away from you. I am so happy that it isn’t headed our way, either. In fact, we are supposed to be near 30* by the weekend!!
Hoping your walk to work today will be a lovely one now that the wind has subsided.
I’m going to turn on the news shortly and I guess I’ll find out the path of the storm. Gulp. No matter what, Don will have to deal with much more than me, so I shouldn’t complain.
Lovely post. Never heard of Blue State Coffee before, but now I’m wishing there was one nearby. I like their name too – LOL. And I get your point re Starbucks. I visited Starbucks nearly every day FOR YEARS while I was still working – but haven’t been there 10 times since I retired 3 years ago. Because I know they’re going to be just fine without me. Now I like finding and supporting small businesses who really need me, instead of giant juggernauts who don’t. I’ve found a super great little family-run comfort food restaurant so far. Where you’re greeted with your first name when you walk in the door – just like “Cheers.” LOL. I wish I could find a Mom-and-Pop grocery store, but the big chains make that much too difficult for the Little Guy, I guess. I will check out Blue State online this afternoon. Stay warm! ❄️
I love smaller shops that are friendly – mom and pop businesses. I try to support them whenever I can.
I love French Roast and can’t stand to be without it!! I’m not a Starbucks fan either, I think their coffee is bitter. Love the mission statement of this place. You can lunch there also…even better. Stay warm. I’m not looking at the weather just in case.
hugs,
Linda
Yes, I think it’s bitter and there’s a definite aftertaste. I had a sandwich from Blue State today – ordered it to go – and it was delicious!
I really loathe the wind. There, I said it. I can handle the rain … as long as there is no wind. I have a 2 block stretch by my apartment that is pure wind tunnel, even when there is no wind. We’ve had some entertaining super hero moments on the way to the train station when the kid was younger.
Just think you are working your core and you’ve got that great coffee to keep you motivated ;)
now I need coffee. Not too strong for me either. Actually strong is okay, acidic is not.
I’ve stopped liking wind simply because we have so many trees on our property and I get worried about them falling.
Growing up in a suburb of Chicago right on Lake Michigan, I cursed the wind more often than I can count. Hated it! Stay warm and toasty my friend!!
I bet you did. Chicago sure gets the wind!
Love the beautiful blue and white logo behind the counter at Blue State Coffee. Looks like a great place to stop in for a cup and tasty looking food too. It makes me wish we had one in the Northwest. It’s great that they support non profits too. We need to support our local businesses, they really need us and I’ve found we get better customer service at these places too.
We get really strong winds at times, especially near the Columbia Gorge, so I know what you mean when you say it is windy. Hope that nasty weather misses you!
I like that logo, too. It’s a really neat business. Fingers crossed about the weather – I’ll soon know. Turning on the news at 6.
Claudia, That is a beautiful cup of coffee. That was a very good deal at the coffee shop. So nice to know. I hope you are keeping warm. We had snow and with it the bitter cold eased up. Take care, blessings, xoxo,Susie
Trying to keep warm. Yesterday it was so cold that the room I was coaching in never got warm and I had to wear a parka all afternoon!
Caffeinated coffee of any kind is a no-no for me. I have to drink decaf and finding a brand which is satisfactory is a chore. The closest I have come to a good cup is Green Mountain Brand. Still nothing like a full bodied cup of coffee.
The wind here has subsided today also but I fear it is only the calm before the storm. Would love to see this thing change course, but with each day it looms closer. Oh well, winter has reared its head I suppose. Hope tomorrow is a terrific day for you, Claudia.
I love coffee, too. I will have to try the Peets. I wanted to tell you I finished the first Susan Hill book. I have fallen in love with it! But so disappointed that Freya died. She was a character I really liked and was hoping would continue through the series. I know I will love the others just as much. Thanks again for recommending the series. Diane
Our granddaughter is a photographer with a fairly good business, but needs a little extra income and works as a barista. She has the joy of working in a library coffee shop and absolutely loves it. She makes those beautiful cups of coffee. Her husband is a youth pastor who also does coffee magic. They both love coffee so they have the perfect side jobs. They are in KC.
I admire their skills, Pat! Those cups of coffee are works of art! And a library coffee shop must be a little slice of heaven!
I always enjoy finding an independent type coffee shop – Starbucks being a last resort type of place now because of the company’s issues, exorbitant prices, and really lousy, mostly unhealthy food offerings. Like you, Bob dislikes their too strong coffee!
Our fave here in town is Sola, family-owned and they support local happenings. Also make great fresh food items, have art displays, music venue (granddaughter sings here now and then – her boyfriend and his dad play guitar and drums), and it’s a really cool place to hang out in – lots of HS students do homework there at a community type table. The atmosphere is great and I enjoy that when I stop for coffee – it’s a bright change from the solitude of the house sipping that early morning mug whilst watching birds and pesky squirrels, LOL!
Stay warm and safe –
It sounds like a great place, Mary. I’d hang out there, too!