Elevenses

It just now occurred to me, at 10:14 that it is 11.11.11 aaaand I have a feature called Elevenses.

Really? What kind of blogger would I be to not take ridiculous advantage of that? Probably not a good one. SO here is a wee Elevenses photos for your viewing-eye-candy-pleasure.

I think this one speaks for itself. Coffee and chocolate... where's the bad? Happy freaking weekend!

xo Shannon

Elevenses and Happy Freaking November!

Happy November! Is there really a better way to bring in a new month by an elevenses post? Not on this blog!

I enjoyed this cup at a local cafe with lunch amid a crowd of tourists. It was an interesting time. I have a confession to make. I don't usually like the coffee from this place. Enter your reaction:

You: What?! Shannon you don't like the COFFEE?! You love coffee!!
Me: Yes, fair reader. Don't despair I can explain.

So, I don't like *dun dun duuuuun* drip coffee. We've used a percolator or french press for so long that unless it's made with a steel basket, I can taste the paper. That's what this place uses, a paper drip. So I always taste the paper and it's gross. So we walk into this place and it's totally full except a table in the back so we run to it and let out a sigh of relief as we look over our menus and take off our coats. Andrew goes to get a cup of coffee and I give him a disgusted look as he winks and makes the journey through the tourist crowd to the coffee bar.

He made it back unscathed if not a little disheveled with a big steaming mug. And even with my knowledge of the paper taste of this place I couldn't help it. God forbid I'm ever in a life and death situation and I'm asked to turn down a cup of coffee. Seriously. I hope it's not you if it happens. Or Daisy.

He hands the cup off to me, I smell it - cautiously - and take a sip. Enter transformation into sunshine happy land now, complete with waterfalls and unicorns and rainbows. It was so good. It was a butterscotch flavor and a dark roast! The best part: no paper! I really think that's what lead off our great lunch. It was great to sit in our local spot and enjoy a married moment and of course, watch the tourists gawk over things they had bought and talk about our town. With a really great cuppa and a sweet Husband even the tourists don't seem so bad.

Do you have an experience like that? I'd love to hear about it! Also don't forget to enter the sponsor giveaway! It closes on the 3rd. And check out my side bar ----> there are some super awesome blogs to check out over there. Do it to it!

xo S

Elevenses

I find myself stopping to photograph my coffee moment more often than not these days. I think it has to do with slowing down my life a little bit in order to capture that moment. If you read my blog on a regular basis you know that I take a lot of photographs. But there is something about these photos - whether by my phone or dslr - that stand out to me. I think it's because my coffee time is my time. Even if I'm sharing it with someone, it's like this special moment set aside just for me to relax and enjoy. I'm going to start a feature here to encourage enjoyment of that moment, but also the realization of the moment. It's a small way I can take care of myself. Sometimes I may include words but I don't know how often that will be - I never know where that moment will take me and I kind of love that. I'm going to encourage you to do the same! You don't have to be a coffee drinker. Maybe you drink tea or orange juice. That's okay! Whatever your coffee equivalent is, take your moment and savor it. I'm going to commit mine to film so by the end of the month I can look back on my moments and appreciate them, see what came out of them. I'm excited to get started on this - if you'd like to start your coffee and camera break too please feel free. I may do a linky list if you'd like to join in. I'm going to call these posts Elevenses. I know, traditionally elevenses are taken in the morning but I'm documenting mine when I decide to pause and have it. Huzzah for being a non traditional maverick!

I thought sharing this with you today was a grand idea, especially given my post from yesterday. I used a photo of steaming coffee, which I've used several times on my blog because I just kind of love that particular photo. It was from a morning spent with Andrew on the front porch with absolute peace. I think it's fitting to start off this series with that photo. I also have to throw out a HUGE thank you for your support. Yesterday I was really nervous about posting that post.... I can't express to you guys how amazing it feels to have your support through this process. I got several comments and emails that made me laugh and cry all at once. It was brilliant! I'm excited to continue forward through this time to see what comes out of it - it can only be good.

xo S