The Kari AnnAlysis

Posts Tagged ‘coffee’

This past weekend, the meteorologists I work with were calling for snow. Towards the middle of last week it looked pretty severe, but the closer we got to the event, the more the storm seemed to swerve away from us. That’s been the trend this winter. But, there was still a chance for slick roads and bad travel. I live an hour away from where I work so normally when bad weather is in the forecast, I drive up early and stay in the town where I work.

That was the case on Sunday. They kept pushing back when the storm would hit and come Monday morning, it was actually beautiful outside and the sun was shining, not a flurry in sight….at least not in my area. There were some towns in our coverage area that were hit pretty hard and have major power outages, so we weren’t totally off. Dang curving storms.

But, my Sunday wasn’t a complete bust for coming to Huntington early. I made a quick trip to the mall to pick up a couple of dresses that I had my eye on and passed up on Saturday when the hubs and I went shopping. They were too good of deals to pass up.  But my trip to the mall was very quick. I knew what I wanted/needed, I got it and got out. I am saving money for NYC so I didn’t want to spend too much.

So I happily took my dresses, Nook, notebook, laptop, iPhone and wallet to Panera. That’s normally a winter haven for me. When it snows or is supposed to snow and I know I have to stay in Huntington, I always spend time at Panera. I grab a coffee or some frou-frou drink, and depending on my mood, a yummy bagel or sandwich and soup. That was my plan for Sunday.

This weekend, my flavor was the light roast coffee and a strawberries and cream scone. Oh my, it was fabulous. As you can see in the picture, I cozied up by the fire place and got to work. I felt like a real author. I searched for a while for the first chapter of what will be the third book in the series I am working on, if I ever get it published. I couldn’t find it, so I started fresh. The words came to me and I did a little research, for the first time in my life as I took my new book from West Virginia to Wyoming…yes, fun right??

I got about 1600 words in and felt like I made a major accomplishment. I also sent a query to an agency. It felt like I got a lot accomplished…and of course I did some people watching too.

I am a major fan of people watching. I notice characteristics that I want to give some of my characters and I make snap judgements about people and then see if I was correct. I could not believe how many people prayed before eating lunch. Granted, I was there just after noon when the church crowd came. And in no way am I knocking them, but I have never seen such prevalence. Maybe something I need to add in when my leading lady comes back to West Virginia.

I wish that there was a Panera, or even a coffee shop, closer to home than an hour away. The closest thing we have is McDonalds and I just can’t make myself go to McDonalds and try to write books. It just doesn’t fit for me. I feel like I would get so much more work done if I had a place closer to home. I heard a little rumor that a company that is opening soon across the river from home, in Ohio, hopes to open a coffee shop. I promise I’ll come all the time if you do. It’s just so nice not to have a distraction of the TV or chores or anything. I now understand why writers hit up the local coffee shops.

Do you have a haven where you head to get work done? Mine at home is my bedroom because I

The Holiday Swap is one of my favorite things I’ve taken part of since becoming a book blogger. I didn’t end up getting my package until after Christmas, but that’s because I have my packages sent to work and it came Christmas Eve and I didn’t work that day. It was a pleasant surprise yesterday though when I got to work.

Yay for my goodies from Nari at The Novel World. How cool is it that my gifts came from California? I’m sure the person I sent to wasn’t as excited that her gifts came from West Virginia, but it’s the little things that make me happy.

And the big things inside this package DEFINITELY make me happy! Nari sent me Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty. Now I know what I am going to spend my gifts cards on from Borders. I have to buy the rest of the series I also got an awesome book mark that I can put a picture in. I’m sure there’s a far away picture of me and Mikey at the wedding I can stick in there. She also sent me some Ghirardelli coffee and some tea. And with the temperatures dipping in the teens and below in the next week, I need all the warmth I can get.

If you aren’t a frequent reader of The Novel World, check Nari and her blog out! And thanks Nari! I LOVE my swap gifts!!

So it’s no surprise how much I love pumpkin. From the moment they put them on the shelves, I am always picking up pumpkin blobs. For those of you who don’t live in Point Pleasant, blobs are two small pumpkin cakes with a spice icing in the middle. They are delicious.

Too add to my pumpkin obsession, last year I learned about the Pumpkin Spice Latte. This year, I’ve allowed myself one a week. Otherwise, I am going to go poor. But, I think I just saved myself a little time and money and found out how to have a little bit of pumpkin in a cup at home.

The Silver Bridge Coffee Company in Gallia County, Ohio now sells Pumpkin Spice Coffee! OMG! I just made my first cup and I am in love! I am a huge fan of the Starbucks latte, but this has a great blend of coffee and pumpkin and I can make it anytime that I want.

I learned about this company last year. My mom is a teacher and the owner’s daughter brought in a box of different flavors. My mom isn’t a coffee drinker, so she decided to get me a mint mocha that is fantastic for the holidays. It was delicious! I always used to just flavor my coffee with creamer, but I love these because all I have to add is a sugar or two. Plus, I love helping out a local business.

They have some great flavored coffees including a couple of cinnamon ones, chocolate caramel, and the next one on my “To Buy” list, dark chocolate cherry. Mmmmm!

If you are a fan of flavored coffee or know someone that is, check out their website. You can buy by the 6oz ($5.99) or 12oz bag ($9.99) or make your own samplers with three bags ($15.00).

I know I sound like a commercial, but I promise I wouldn’t be raving about this if I didn’t love it! If you’re going to take the time to put something on your blog, you know it’s the real thing!

If anyone tries this, let me know what kind you get and what you think!