Overheard in a coffee shop

Don't stop shopping, have some coffee and get back to it!

Small Business Saturday

CoffeeCat is awake "dark" and early on Black Friday, snuggling in my warm bed and thankful I am not out in the madness! I can hear the traffic building on the highway, but I won't be joining the crazed crowds at the malls and big box stores. Nope, CoffeeCat is snuggling deeper under the covers and thinking of . . . what else, but locally owned coffee shops!

Saturday is Small Business Saturday, promoted by American Express. CoffeeCat and MochaMutt like to latch onto this day as another opportunity to Shop Local, even (especially) if you're shopping with green money. The gifts I bought at locally owned coffee shops last year were a hit. Gift cards, mugs, freshly roasted coffee beans, and many more gifts are available, even for those who don't drink coffee.

CoffeeCat is still thankful for locally owned coffee shops, as I blogged about last year, and making plans to support them again this holiday season.

Thank you, fans, for sharing another great year with Triad Coffee Shops!

Giving Thanks

Mocha Mutt and Coffee Cat sing, bark and meow the praises of local coffee shops all the time, but at Thanksgiving, we can't help but think of all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for. For the majority of Americans, life is relatively luxurious compared to the rest of the world. Sure, we have our rough moments, our bad days, and our personal (and national) budget shortfalls. We deal with an illness or death of friends, family, or other loved ones. However, compared to how people in other parts of the world struggle daily just to survive, we have it so easy. So this Thanksgiving, consider the things you are thankful for - - and thank the people and/or the deity who make it possible for you. I've started a list - - what can you add to it?

Coffee - - an expensive luxury to many, but an obtainable, affordable part of our daily routine

Time - - Leisure time to spend with a friend at a coffee shop, or even the time to drive-thru for a custom-created drink; time to enjoy a musical or poetic performance at a local coffee shop or theater venue

Food - - while some go hungry, we have such an abundance we can eat for pleasure and special occasions, not just for basic nutrition

Service professionals - - while we can make our own food and drinks at home, it is such a luxury to have professionals who make it a pleasure to eat and drink without the drudgery of assembling ingredients, making the items, washing dishes, and cleaning up the kitchen afterwards. To food service pros everywhere - - THANK YOU!

Freedom - - of the many kinds of freedom we enjoy in this nation (including blogging) - - one of my favorites is the freedom to travel. And when I travel, of course, I find Coffee, Food, and Service Professionals to make the trip delicious. I have over 200 years' worth of free-thinkers, rebels, soldiers and outspoken patriots to thank for this freedom, so THANK YOU!!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!! What are you thankful for?

Coffee Road Trip: From the Mountains to the Sea

CoffeeCat has been enjoying North Carolina's natural beauty this fall with a fellow coffee-shop lover! Luckily, this friend loves the outdoors as much as coffee shops (if that is possible!). After a sunny fall day spent on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we drove into Boone and used our handy GPS to find a delightful coffee shop, Higher Grounds. Not only was the espresso delicious, we bought
some interesting blends of coffee to take home, and the baked treats were worth the stop, too.

Now, we are enjoying a sunny, warm(ish) weekend at Holden Beach. The trip would not be complete without a stop at Cappuccino by the Sea, a tiny coffee & gift shop on the Causeway. Hours are limited in the off-season, but we were lucky to find it open on a cold, rainy afternoon when we desperately needed a hot shot of caffeine! We were surprised to find fresh-baked treats such as pink coconut shortbread, pumpkin shortbread, and coconut-pineapple-something else yummy-covered with cream cheese Madelaine's. There's one family-style dining table in this tiny shop, so we enjoyed sitting for a spell and chatting about local goings-on with some local folks. Had it been warm and dry, we would have sat on the patio and sniffed the fresh sea air.

CoffeeCat fell in love with the coffee shop thanks to the Triad. I'm spoiled to good coffee, locally owned shops, knowledgeable owners who care about their customers, and local residents who support their neighborhood shops. So, when I travel, the first thing I have to find is a coffee shop!

Isn't life great in the coffee lane??

Dog, are my paws tired!

After a year and a half of blogging, CoffeeCat and MochaMutt have reached the inevitable conclusion that you can blog about Triad Coffee Shops, you can visit Triad Coffee Shops, you can enjoy the awesome events at Triad Coffee Shops, but you can't do all three all the time. Since the blog began, shops have opened and shops have closed, but we consistently have about 40 locally owned coffee shops in our "Coffee Shop Guide." And that's after limiting the blog to four counties - Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson, and Randolph. We have learned about (and visited) other great shops in counties such as Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Davie, but we just can't keep up with them all, so we pared down the list. We also do not include "chain" coffee shops and the many restaurants in the area that have an excellent selection of coffee drinks on their menus. With the exception of Krankie's Airstream, we also don't include the many drive-through coffee "kiosks" in the Triad. Other coffee shops in the Triad are "on deck" to be placed in our guide, waiting for a site visit.

Fans, when we started the blog, we had a few shops we frequented, and knew there were others, but we never imagined the extent of the Coffee Shop universe in the Triad. It has been amazing, exciting, and, of course, delicious to discover them all. And we are still going!! Because we like to travel, and know that our readers do, too, we've added a "Road Trip" section to our Guide page. If you find a wonderful locally owned coffee shop on your travels, please share it with our readers!! Post a comment on the blog or email MochaMutt to share your delicious find!

One thing we have decided to do is leave it up to the shops on our Guide page to let their fans know about special upcoming events. We tried to keep up with them, but there just are not enough paws to keep the keyboard typing. What we do endeavor to keep doing is to let you know about new shops in the Triad, extra special/unusual offerings, new tastes, and other interesting things. We just can't keep up with every band, art exhibit, reading, poetry slam, etc. at Triad Coffee Shops. Which we think is a fantastic problem to have. Can you imagine a Triad with only one coffee shop, or one rock band, or one artist's display, or one shop owner who can belt out the blues? It would be a truly sad place to live. Fortunately for us all, the Triad is alive and hopping with art, music, literature, poetry, performance art, charity fundraisers, book clubs, conversation groups, and the many many other activities that come to life at Triad Coffee Shops.

So fans, keep checking the blog for the latest and greatest in Coffee Shop life in the Triad. And link to your favorite shop(s) from our "Guide" page to find a special event that's right for you. Then, let us know how it was. As with all writers, we love to hear from our readers. Connect with the huge coffee shop fan base and let us know what you think!

Lessons From the Road

Mocha Mutt took a road trip recently - - not a long trip, but far enough from home to make it a little exciting. What started out as a fun adventure turned into a ruff day for this caffeine-fueled canine. My first mistake was to leave the Triad without stopping at a Triad Coffee Shop for fuel. About halfway through my trip, I absolutely had to stop for a morning snack and a chai latté. I had an intense headache, so I wasn’t thinking clearly enough to search my GPS for a locally owned coffee shop (my second mistake). Desperate for something to wash down my pain reliever, I stopped at a chain coffee shop (my third mistake). While the barista was perfectly nice and friendly and gave my drink her full attention, the drink, and the experience, just wasn’t the same as I am spoiled to having in the Triad. I did, however, learn two valuable lessons that day. First, never leave the Triad without a stop at your favorite Triad Coffee Shop for food and fuel. Second, prepare an itinerary of locally owned coffee shops along your route and at your destination, so that no matter when the need for caffeine strikes, you will have options!

Mocha Mutt and Coffee Cat are going to start compiling a road trip itinerary on the “Coffee Shops Guide” of the blog. Please let us know about any coffee shops you have discovered in your travels. And, of course, always check the blog before you leave on a trip, or while you’re on the road, to find a locally owned coffee shop that isn’t in the Triad.

Happy travels, coffee shop fans!

UNC-G – the center of Greensboro’s coffee universe

Mocha Mutt recently went on an exploration of the UNC-G neighborhood, which is actually quite large and takes up a significant portion of central Greensboro.

In addition to the bookstores, drugstores, restaurants, and bars that typically serve a university population, UNC-G and the immediate area boast a great variety of coffee shops, which cater to students, professors, staff, their families, and local residents.

On the southeast corner of campus, beginning at the intersection of Tate & Spring Garden Streets, coffee shops abound. Within sight of this intersection is Tate Street Coffeehouse, which considers itself (rightly so) the “granddaddy” of Greensboro Coffee Shops, and Coffeeology, which prides itself on the knowledge and culture of coffee.

Further along Spring Garden Street, headed west, you will find The Coffee Break at the corner with Chapman Street – step inside for a variety of drinks and snacks, gift items, and great window seats for people watching.

Less than a block east is Spring Garden Bakery and Coffeehouse. In the past, it was primarily a place to get great baked pastries, muffins, cakes, etc., and a quick cup of coffee. However, new owners recently expanded the store, which now has a large seating area for customers, a great selection of baked goods, and lots of electrical outlets for those of us who just have to be “plugged in” wherever we go.

Still further west on Spring Garden, you’ll encounter Moulin Rouge Café at 3612-D Spring Garden, in a small shopping center catering to the international community surrounding it. Moulin Rouge prides itself on coffee brewed “to perfection.” Across Spring Garden, on Merritt Drive, is the recently opened Wildwood Fruit and Coffee Company. The husband and wife team operating the store have created a great combination of coffee selections, fruit smoothies, bagels, and bakery items.

With most of these shops, you may find parking a challenge – unless you know where to look! Most of these shops have limited on-street parking in front of the building. In addition, Coffeeology, The Coffee Break, Spring Garden Bakery, and Wildwood all have parking lots behind their buildings. When in doubt, ask the shop’s staff where to park - - they have a vested interest in making sure you can enjoy your visit and can linger without fear of parking tickets.

Coffee Shop fans - - let us know how your tour of the UNC-G Coffee Universe turns out!

Coffee Love, Cat Love, What's Not to Love?

It's no secret CoffeeCat loves, loves, loves, locally-owned coffee shops. How could our Triad Coffee Shops possibly get any better? Wanna know? Hmm? Give up? Ok, I'll tell you! Drum roll, please!

1) A coffee shop song performed on stage (CoffeeCat drooled!)
2) A "kitty ditty" performed on stage (CoffeeCat wanted to run berserk as cats do, but refrained)
3) 3 awesome singer-songwriters on stage with guitar and piano (CoffeeCat is soooo jealous!)
4) coffee bar with espresso for all (bzzzzzzzzzz)
5) good friends to share coffee shop with :-)

Songwriters in the Round at Community Arts Cafe was THE place to be this Friday night. So where were you all? The Underground Theater had a small group of fans, but there was room for plenty more. This cozy yet classy setting is gorgeous and . . . .what's not to love when you can take 20 steps, get a latte (or wine. or beer. or milk & cookies), and walk right back into the concert?

No hand stamps, no outrageous ticket prices and surcharges, no yahoos spilling beer on you as you push through the crowd. Best-selling, award winning songwriters on stage, making the audience feel as if we were in their living rooms. CoffeeCat doesn't like to gush (oh, who am I kidding?), but this is a little treasure in the City of the Arts that we should enjoy!

"Encore" to Kristy Jackson on piano, Lacey Greene on guitar, and Vicki Genfan, creator of "slap tap" guitar. I hope they're not allergic to cats, because CoffeeCat will be following them around the Triad! The next Songwriters in the Round is Friday, Nov. 11.

Cats love treats at the coffee shop!

And "Bravo" to Jim and Cathy Tedder for making their vision of an artists' incubator a reality. This is a place for artists of all kinds to gather, perform, learn, and best of all, DRINK COFFEE. Honestly, does life get any better?

Change of Pace

Saturday morning music at Cafe Roche was a great way to kick off the weekend! Jazzy music and tasty caffeine are the BEST way to wake up for your weekend! CoffeeCat and MochaMutt will be on the lookout for more jam sessions at Triad Coffee Shops. Stop by our Facebook page to let us know what's happening at your local coffee shop!

Last year, CoffeeCat blogged about the great combo of books, animals (Mutts comic) and coffee shops at the 2010 BookMarks Book Festival in Winston-Salem. CoffeeCat is looking forward to Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the downtown arts district. No matter where you live in the Triad, this festival is worth the drive! And need I mention our downtown coffee shops???? Check the Coffee Shop Guide for addresses and info.

Here's a great site to get previews of this year's festival: http://bookmarksmarkyourplace.wordpress.com/

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Cayenne! Oh, my!

It has been an interesting couple of weeks in the Triad. First, an unexpected (aren't they all?) earthquake. Dogs, cats, residents of the NC Zoo, and critters everywhere were going berzerk in the hours before the event. Fortunately, humans carried on as usual, and some didn't even notice the quake. Thank goodness it was mainly a source of amusement for newscasters and water cooler conversation groups, and didn't do much damage in our area.

On the heels of "The Shake," meteorologists started forecasting gloom and doom with Hurricane Irene, first expected to hit our coast as a Category 3 or 4 storm. Fortunately, Irene chilled somewhat and hit land as "only" a Category 1. Irene did plenty of damage and destruction in North Carolina, so we are glad she weakened before she paid us a visit. In the Triad, Irene was primarily a tropical breeze event, so we can consider ourselves lucky.

Another interesting event that has been much less publicized is the invention of the Spicy Mayan Mocha at Cafe Roche in Winston-Salem. Sarah Hummell, owner and chief barista, likes to study the drink, its many variations, and create something new and delicious for her customers. Just this summer, she and her husband Justin have created an espresso steak rub and Bananas Foster Belgian Waffles. Sarah's newest creation is based on the Mayan tradition of combining peppers and chocolate. The Spicy Mayan Mocha combines cayenne pepper, espresso, Gherardelli Chocolate, and steamed organic milk, topped with a sprinkling of cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and ground cayenne. For the non-coffee drinkers, the Mexican Hot Chocolate includes the same ingredients without the espresso. What a tantalizing combination!

Sarah is a great example of the many local coffee shop owners and staff who put time, thought, and effort into creating a pleasant and unique experience for their customers. The local coffee shop is not bound to a menu created in a far away board room by executives and focus groups. Each of the shops on our Guide page has a unique atmosphere and menu, and owners and staff who rely on excellent products and service, not mass marketing, to bring us back to the shop time and time again. For that, we are thankful!

Share your favorite coffee shop experiences with your fellow readers by posting a comment!

Show us your local!

Buy Local. It’s a huge fad right now, and hopefully will survive from fad to a way of life for future generations. Triad Coffee Shops know all about local. Not only are they locally owned and operated, they rely on local businesses for their menu items and services. The Coffee Shops also supply their specialties to other local businesses, weaving an intricate web of interdependence and interest throughout the Triad.

By necessity of climate and geography, the coffee and tea served by local shops must come from far-away places, however, most coffee shops use local roasters for their beans, such as Larry’s Beans, Carolina Coffee Company, and Joe Van Gogh and Chad’s Chai & Tea Co. in Davidson County supplies interesting tea combinations to several local coffee shops.

Many of the coffee shops featured on our Guide page boast particular menu items they create themselves, such as fudge, gelato, cakes, pastries, sandwiches, and much, much more. Several coffee shops feature dairy products from Homeland Creamery in Julian. Local farms supply fruits and vegetables for daily menu items, and the list goes on.

Café Roche, in addition to Homeland Creamery ice cream, features a Winkler Bakery Moravian Cookie in its custom designed Moravian Star latté. The Wet Whistle Co. features numerous North Carolina wineries for its impressive wine inventory and it’s Friday night wine tasting events.

Krankie’s coffee can be purchased at Krankie’s, of course, and at the deli at Whole Foods in Winston-Salem, at Camino Bakery, and other Winston-Salem locations. In an ultimate story of symbiotic relationships, Camino Bakery grew out of a local baker’s success at baking treats for Krankie’s customers. Now, baker Carrie Clifford has her own storefront café, bakery, and wine bar, and serves Krankie’s coffee to her customers!

Nearly every Triad Coffee Shop features work by local artists, photographers, jewelry makers, and even quilters. For example, Tate Street Coffee has regular art shows, Chelsee’s features local artists on a monthly basis, and Java K’s has a wide variety of art pieces on display and available for sale. Casanova’s offers craft shows and tomato and wine tastings.

Local coffee shops also feature local performing artists: bands, poets, comedians, etc., whether booked and scheduled in advance, or impromptu open-mic and competitive performances. Rev’s features live music several nights a week. Community Arts Café is a haven for the literary, performing, and visual arts. Nearly every coffee shop on our Coffee Shop Guide hosts live bands on weekends.

There are over 40 locally owned, independent coffee shops featured in our Coffee Shop Guide. Although not every one of them can be featured in this post, we can guarantee that each and every one of them gives their customers the opportunity to support local entrepreneurs. So, get out there and support them!

It's ablog time!

Well, for Mocha Mutt, it's always ablog time!

No matter what task awaits me on the laptop, the blog always beckons. I put off banking, budgeting, meeting planning, writing letters (actually e-mails) home to mom, and lots of other "shoulds" to check in with local coffee shops and see what's happening. While blogging about coffee shops and animal rescue is not a "should" in my life, it's definitely one of the most fun parts. There are always good drinks, good eats, and nifty events at Triad Coffee Shops. Even if there are no special events planned, there are always local, interesting people to meet. In a world immersed in electronic media, large crowds of people, and impersonal interactions, the local coffee shop is a great merging of worlds. I can work (blog!) on my laptop, but at the same time visit with friendly baristas, meet local residents, bump into neighbors, help someone "just passing through" with directions to their desination, and any number of other things. The local coffee shop is one of the few places you'll hear "make yourself at home" from the owner or staff, and they are sincere!

Some sad news on the coffee shop front - several local shops have closed in the last few months, and that is always cause for sadness and nostalgia for Coffee Cat & Mocha Mutt. However, it just emphasizes to us that we should enjoy the coffee shops we have, and appreciate their hard working owners and staff with every visit. We never know when life or economic circumstances might make it necessary for our favorite shop to close its doors.

But here on the blog, we'll do our best to let our readers know of shops opening, shops closing, and where you can find a welcoming, pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy life.

Winston-Salem is HOT!

CoffeeCat isn't talking about just the mercury!

Chelsee's hosted live music two nights in a row! Keep your eye on this arts district treasure for more entertainment! Hint: you can do some shopping while you're there - Chelsee's has a neat collection of gift items and cards for one-stop birthday shopping.

Speaking of gifts, I'd like to pat myself on the back for buying coffee shop gift cards for my nieces' Christmas gifts. I've enjoyed some quality time with them over hot chocolate, milkshakes, smoothies, and (for me) iced coffee. As they say, 'tis better to give than receive  . . . but CoffeeCat says, if you can give AND receive, why not?? Shout out to my coffee shop buddy Catherine!

Check out today's Winston-Salem Journal business section for news on the rising price of coffee, featuring Krankies staff & customers. Mary Jane Skelly says it best: "Coffee for me is like a necessary expense. So whatever it costs is what I will pay for it because it is something that I need to function." Hear hear!

So, even if budgets are tight, remember you can buy coffee beans from most coffee shops and brew 'em at home. CoffeeCat likes this option when I am too groggy from a cat nap to get out to the coffee shops!

When stuck in a heat wave . . .

Stop, Drop, & Roll

Stop into your favorite local coffee shop,

Drop onto a cozy, comfy sofa or easy chair,

Roll a smooth, iced drink past your parched lips!

Coffee shop fans, this weekend threatens to break records with the temperature and heat index, but Triad Coffee Shops are breaking records of their own with the number and variety of entertainment options available. We have posted a sampling of them on the Events page, but there are sure to be others. Check out the Events page, the animal rescue events on the Howls & Meows page, and follow the links on our Coffee Shop Guide to find just the right event to put some cool fun into your weekend!

They came, they drank, they barked!

Mocha Mutt and Coffee Cat enjoyed a joint outing this evening - - the fundraiser for the Forsyth County based Sergei Foundation. Café Roché on Hawthorne Road was the perfect setting - plenty of patio space for the canine guests, who appreciated their own water bowl & frequent dog biscuit treats, plenty of staff and volunteers on hand to take care of the human guests and to answer questions about the Foundation, a wine tasting in the back and music in the front of the café made for a lively atmosphere that literally had "something for everyone." Daphne Nichols provided excellent musical entertainment.

And the winners are . . . .

Congrats to Krankies, Brew Nerds, and Cafe Roche - named The Best Coffee in Winston-Salem by Smittyheads! And a shout out to Smitty!
http://www.smittysnotes.com/best-of-winston-salem_2011.htm

Does life get any better?

How could life be better? It's a coffee and cat weekend. Friday: iced drink at Chelsee's during the monthly Gallery Hop and enjoying lots of artwork featuring cats in the galleries & gift shops. Saturday: volunteering at a fundraiser for Siamese Cat Rescue Center. Sunday: Relaxing in Krankies with coffee and writing about meezers (that insider language for Siamese!). The only way life could be better: if I didn't have to switch to decaf halfway through my writing. I am bzzzzzzzing with  good coffee vibes.

CoffeeCat hopes all my fans are enjoying life just as much as I am on this beautiful, HOT summer day. Next task: finding a sunbeam for a cat nap.

It's Coffee Shop season!

Or, as Coffee Cat would say, every season is coffee shop season!

Winter trips to the local coffee shop are a no-brainer - warm air, cozy sofas, hot coffee, baked goods - what's not to love?

Fall is coffee shop season - - with the days getting cooler and shorter, hot drinks, hot apple cider, pumpkin flavored everything - - you can't let autumn pass by without visiting your neighborhood coffee shop!

Spring -- yum - - fruity, cold drinks make their debut, and, with unpredictable weather outside, who can resist the predictability of climate controlled, comfy seating areas, cheerful, friendly baristas, and a wide selection of drinks and food?

Coffee Cat and Mocha Mutt are a little concerned that coffee shop fans will feel displaced in the summer time, and we just can't let that happen! Triad Coffee Shops have a wide & creative selection of iced coffees and teas, fruit smoothies (some tea based, some yogurt based) and many offer ice cream and milkshakes with ingredients from local creameries. Fans, it just keeps getting better in the Triad! Mocha Mutt can't wait to celebrate the summer season with a frozen hot chocolate - - the hotter it is outside, the better the frozen hot chocolate tastes.

Therefore, once again, it is Coffee Shop season. Take a friend with you to grab cool refreshment, or go alone and make new friends, see a band you haven't seen before, or join a book club or game competition you haven't joined before.

If you can't decide what to try, ask the barista - chances are, he/she have tried many of the seasonal menu items and can give you the "inside scoop" on delicious options!

Cheers!

Coffee Shop Hop

I recently enjoyed a weekday visit to a couple of Triad Coffee Shops. Usually, my visits are reserved for weekends and late evenings, so this was a rare opportunity to see another side of coffee shop life. The first coffee shop on the tour was a cozy, well-appointed shop with comfortable furniture, beautiful works by local artists, and a lively game of mah-jong in progress. While others enjoyed the social scene and a friendly competition, I settled into a comfy easy chair and sipped a yummy, iced chai latté (expertly blended by the barista!) and a chocolate chip muffin (warmed up to gooey goodness by the same very pleasant barista). These treats sure did make the pile of paperwork I had much easier to attack. Before I knew it, my snack was gone, I was slurping the last drops of my chai latté, and my paperwork was done. Yippee!!

It was time to move on to another coffee shop and more yumminess, and, of course, more paperwork. The next stop on the tour is a popular hangout for university students, professors, and employees. Given that it was a weekday afternoon, the coffee shop was more quiet than usual, but still had enough activity buzzing to keep me awake as I dug into yet another pile of paperwork. I didn't attack the stack alone, however. I had the company of a large, cold, strawberry smoothie. I had to be careful to pace myself, though, because the smoothie was so delicious I was in danger of chugging it down long before the big pile o' paperwork was done. But, all things come to an end, in this case the good (smoothie) and the bad (paperwork), and it was time for my weekday coffee shop tour to end.

The lesson of the day - - no matter how unpleasant the task that awaits you, it is much more bearable, perhaps even enjoyable, in a pleasant coffee shop environment with the tasty treat(s) of your choice. So, Coffee Shop Fans, pack up your chores, grab your coffee shop coins, and head out to try some of the awesome shops listed in our Coffee Shop Guide.

Get out and shop/drink/be merry

Today is a great day to get out into the sunshine & enjoy that rare event in North Carolina called "sunny & mild" as opposed to tomorrow, when it's going to be downright hot outside. If you love bargain shopping, walking in the sunshine, animals, or all of the above, check out the Howls & Meows page for a variety of fundraising yard sales & walk/run events to raise money for animal rescue. Don't forget to stop at a Triad Coffee Shop for an iced latté or frozen drink to take along with you!

CoffeeCat's Back!

Whew, a whirlwind of life has kept me otherwise occupied and away from the blogspot. Never fear, CoffeeCat never stays away from Triad Coffee Shops for long!!! Even though the pesky doctor put me on a caffeine diet! And exercise! And healthy eating! Oh no . . . . but all this means I'm happy, healthy, and fully entitled to coffee shop treats after a long walk.

Since my neighborhood doesn't have a coffee shop, I seek out others' neighborhood coffee shops. I've noticed a pattern since I started exercising every day. My favorite walks all lead to coffee shops. Take a look at this . . .
1) Hanes Park in Winston-Salem is a great place to walk, run, bike, play tennis, and play Frisbee with the bow-wows. And once you start walking, you can walk right up the road to Krankies AirStream.
2) Ardmore neighborhood in Winston-Salem is a long-standing "walkable" neighborhood. The well-kept lawns and high volume of walkers, joggers, and well-behaved bow-wows make it an interesting walk. And, suspiciously, most roads lead to Cafe Roche.
3) Triad Park in Kernersville. It's off the beaten path, but a great place to meet up for long walks with Mocha Mutt and the bow-wows. And after the walk, head over to Juicy Java for a smoothie. It's a great motivator to get the walk done before closing time at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. on Wednesdays).
4) UNC-G campus . . . . hang with the college crowd and build your walking endurance (backpack not required) by walking the campus and then heading to Tazza Cafe, Tate Street, Coffeeology, or The Coffee Break. Better yet, walk to them all in one day and burn the cappuccino calories.
5) Downtown Winston-Salem. Wow, the best coffee shop trail starts at Cafe Prada, down 4th Street to Community Arts Cafe Coffee Bar, then Brew Nerds, Wolfie's Frozen Custard (serves Krankie's coffee), take a detour to Trade Street for Chelsee's, then back to 4th Street for the sojourn down to Krankie's Wherehouse. Sit and catch your breath, recharge with an ice cold coffee, then head over to Liberty Plaza and Kouboura Coffee. You will be totally abuzzzzzzzzzzzzzz with caffeine and endorphins!

In fact, I'm getting out of the chair right this minute and putting on my walking shoes! Coffee shops, here I come!

Will Blog for Caffeine

You will occasionally see the phrase on the blog "Coffee Cat needs more caffeine to finish this job." Well, I think I know why.

I have been trying to help Coffee Cat keep the blog "Events" page and "Coffee Shop Guide" updated for the past couple of months or so, and whew, it's a job that makes Mocha Mutt dog tired. There are 41 Triad Coffee Shops included in the Coffee Shop Guide. We know we are probably missing some too, but still, 41 locally owned, awesome coffee shops - that have events going morning, noon, and night, many for six or seven days a week. If Mocha Mutt and Coffee Cat need more caffeine just to let you know what's going on, imagine how much caffeine the coffee shop owners and baristas must need!! So, forgive us for missing out on some events, but feel free to comment to our posts, or email us your events, and we'll do our best to stay current with the most happening spots in the Triad.

Now, if you are a fan of local coffee shops, our dilemma is your jackpot!! You have 41 choices of venue which combine for thousands of delicious drink options, food choices that range from full meals to light snacks to gourmet desserts, and each shop has its own atmosphere, décor, and combination of inside/outside seating, music, reading material, wi-fi options, the list goes on.

So if you are sitting at home whining (Mocha Mutt hates whining) that there is nothing to do, visit the Coffee Shop Guide, pick a shop at random (or with good canine instincts) and go check it out! Bark at Mocha Mutt and let us post your good finds on the blog.

Happy Caffeine Hunting!

Are you the "type?"

Many, many years ago, when my knowledge of coffee shops was limited to being able to find a single coffee shop in Greensboro, I told a girlfriend I had gone to a local coffee shop to visit with another friend. She replied, "I didn't know you were the coffee shop type." Almost 20 years later, I'm still wondering what she meant by that. Since I eventually learned that she wasn't exactly a true friend, I'm assuming that her comment was not flattering.

However, in the last five years, I've begun to compile a composite of the "coffee shop type." I'll give it a shot ...

This morning, for example, I'm blogging in a local coffee shop that is full of children wearing sports gear and their parents. There are kids waiting in line to play a chess game. The kids have had a busy, active morning of athleticism, and are refueling their energy with snacks, hot chocolate, fruit smoothies, etc. It's noisy, chaotic, and I love it!!

Earlier this morning, the shop was humming with a small group of women who get together early, before their kids, husbands, and jobs pull them in many different directions. There was a steady flow of older customers, young adults, middle aged couples, shoppers on their way to or from their daily errands, folks on their way to work, and all of them just needing a customized caffeine drink and contact with a friendly barista before going on with their day.

Last night, there were so many local coffee shops hosting music, open mic, and other events that I couldn't even get them all on the blog's Events page. I logged into Facebook this morning and saw how many more events there are scheduled tonight than I could possibly hope to attend. Folk music, jazz, Christian music, blues, rock, you name it, somewhere in the Triad, it's at a Coffee Shop.

On weeknights, you'll find scrabble games, reading groups, poetry groups, foreign language groups, families coming in for a drink after soccer practice, couples getting coffee on their way home from evening church services, dads connecting one-on-one with their teenaged children. Some shops are perfect for quiet work, studying, reading, and quiet conversations with a friend or date, while others are a great place for meeting new, interesting people you wouldn't meet anywhere else.

Based on the overheard conversations, bulletin board postings, art work, board games, and lending libraries at Triad Coffee Shops, everyone in the Triad is "the coffee shop type." They might not know it yet, but they are!

We came, we saw, we feasted!

Mocha Mutt has a very kind friend who recently provided an excellent referral for a Triad Coffee Shop. Although coffee is not in the shop's name, it is definitely on the menu, and is the perfect accompaniment to the fantastic baked goods available - donuts, donut holes, bear claws, fritters, croissants, and other pastries. Mocha Mutt and Coffee Cat hit the road to Thomasville, North Carolina, and it was well worth the trip! Granny's Donuts and Sandwiches is a whirlwind of activity on both sides of the counter. Trays of donuts move quickly from the cooling trays to the hands of customers who stand in line for the delicacies. The line is sometimes long, but it is a noisy, joyful line of happy, friendly folks who know they are in for a sweet treat and a quick visit with friends, neighbors, and strangers who have a common goal - - a box of baked delights.

Like many other coffee shops, Granny's has free wi-fi and a great variety of iced and hot coffees, teas, and fruit-based drinks. After we "wolfed" down our donuts, we enjoyed hot tea and lattes and watching lots of customers come and go.

Lessons learned for coffee shop fans: break out of your normal routine and travel outside your hometown for a special treat, and when you find a local coffee shop with great drinks and food, tell your friends and neighbors about it so they can enjoy it, too!

Dogs Rule!

No doubt about it, the staff and volunteers of Red Dog Farm & Triad Stage sure do know how to throw a party! The 3rd annual "Dogs on the Catwalk" was a great show in a sold-out theater. Guests enjoyed food & drink donated by many area restaurants, had a chance to bid on hundreds of silent auction items, and, of course, saw an incredible fashion show of adopted and adoptable dogs. Thirty-one dogs and their owners dressed in coordinated costumes and wowed the audience with their creativity, antics, and overall adorable-ness.

TV personality Cindy Farmer and her dog, Bailey, got the party started, and local hero Susie, the inspiration for Susie's Law, closed out the "adopted" dog portion of the show. In between, dogs and their owners paid tribute to Carolina, Duke, the Oklahoma Sooners, Elmer's Glue, Olivia Newton-John, and the city of New Orleans. There was a "Lady in Red," a "Devil in a Blue Dress," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," Wizard of Oz, and even a tribute to the Little Shop of Horrors.

MochaMutt and CoffeeCat are astounded by the time, creativity, and love the owners and families put into planning for this event. For at least half of the dogs, their entire families were part of the show, kids included.

For those of you who know the blog, you know there are two things MochaMutt and CoffeeCat agree on - - coffee shops & animal rescue. And, sure enough, there is a connection here! Local coffee shops and many other locally owned businesses donated merchandise and gift cards for the silent auction. Thank you!! Funds raised on these items pay for veterinary care, food, supplies, and any thing else needed by the pets in Red Dog Farm's adoption network.

But that's not all - - after the show, a trip to a local coffee shop was in order. Too late for caffeine, but definitely not too late for an iced drink and a cookie bar! Thanks, guys, for working late on a Saturday night so we can get a little refreshment and enjoy sharing memories of the fashion show in a friendly coffee shop!

Mocha Mutt wants to know:

In honor of Spring (and so far it's been wonderful!), Mocha Mutt would like to try some special seasonal offerings of food and drink at local coffee shops. If you've detected any, please post your finds here, and Mocha Mutt will report back soon!

As promised, it was a hoot!

Coffee Cat & Mocha Mutt attended a book signing by local humor author Danny R. Roberts, and everything he says, not to mention everything he writes, is absolutely hysterically funny, including his dead-pan delivery of "I'm not funny."

It's been a long time since we have seen such merriment, fun, and fellowship on a Saturday afternoon.

This is exactly the sort of event that was made for a locally owned coffee shop. Rev's Coffee House in High Point was the gracious host for the event. There was plenty of space for Danny's fans and for Rev's regulars, as well as customers who just found the place. There were plenty of good eats and coffee, along with teas, sodas, and the essential bottled water. Thanks, Rev's, for the hospitality and thanks, Danny, for keeping the laughs coming!

Don't Try This at Home . . .

try this at a locally owned coffee shop! Where do I begin? I've been enjoying so many Triad Coffee Shops lately, but I still haven't been to every one of them. Whew, blogging is hard work, folks!

I enjoyed lunch at Tazza Cafe Bistro. Tazza has great, healthy sandwiches, breakfast, and desserts. You know that "oh, I need a nap" feeling you get after lunch? If you eat lunch at a coffee shop, you can either relax on their comfy couches until you feel restored (ahem, I said relax, not take off your shoes and start snoring!) or you can have fresh brewed coffee with your lunch to perk you right up.

I enjoyed the drive throughs at Krankies Airstream and Brew Nerds. Drive-through coffee shops are like a magnet for my car. It steers off the road toward the drive through lane, much to my delight! Drive through baristas are even friendlier than your everyday barista, if that's possible. These folks are always happy to see customers. Both Brew Nerds locations get a prize for most creative menus & artwork. CoffeeCat loves that they make being a nerd so cool - almost cooler than being a CoffeeCat!

Robust-ah!

I finally, finally, finally visited two High Point shops that Mocha Mutt sniffed out for the blogspot! Rev's and Robust-ah. Ahhhhh. Rev's specializes in European coffees and has some that you won't find anywhere else on the East Coast. It's also hopping with social activities. If you are looking for entertainment, new friends from around the globe, and great coffee, this is the place! Robust-ah's very knowledgeable and friendly barista impressed CoffeeCat beyond words! The comfy, gorgeous furniture is oh-so-tempting, and the treats are baked on-site. Can you believe it?

While you're in  High Point, go across the street from Rev's and have some coffee and treats at Manna Bakery. It's 100% Columbian - both the baked treats and the coffee.

Let's see, where else? Oh, yes. I've enjoyed a few quiet mornings writing in Krankies Wherehouse. By night, Krankies is a bee hive of local indie music, poetry, and art. By day, it's like a study hall for grown ups. It's full of people meeting to share ideas, work out business plans, and read the newspaper over coffee. All the conversation makes for great background noise to keep CoffeeCat awake and focused! And CoffeeCat managed to resist having an espresso brownie for breakfast.



True works of art at the CAC coffee bar



Oh, and don't forget the Community Arts Cafe, folks! It was featured in last Sunday's Winston-Salem Journal but . . . . no mention of the awesome coffee shop within! So, it will be our little secret. Check out the almost-daily performances - jazz, open mics, gatherings for artists of all types.

Whew! These are just a FEW of the great, locally owned Triad Coffee Shops. I'll be writing about more of them soon. If you have a suggestion for CoffeeCat's next coffee shop visit, please tell me about it! I'm always looking for more reasons to visit more coffee shops.

Good news, Bad news

Good news first: it's going to be coffee shop patio weather this weekend. Get out there and try a new coffee shop! Or stop by your old favorite as you walk the bow wow around the neighborhood.

Bad news: We lose an hour of sleep tonight. Be prepared! Pick up some freshly roasted coffee beans at your coffee shop for your Sunday dose. You'll need a cup at home before you even get to the coffee shop.

Even better: Plan a Lazy Day on Sunday. Need help? Watch your cat all day and do whatever the cat is doing. It couldn't be easier!

CoffeeCat has totally enjoyed our locally owned coffee shops in the past few weeks! I'm tempted to keep it all to myself, so the whole world won't discover my best coffee shop secrets. But I can't keep it to myself. I'll share everything I know about Triad Coffee Shops! Come back soon!

Ahhhh . . . .

CoffeeCat has gotten a good dose of Triad Coffee Shops in the past week or so and couldn't be happier! Coffee shop fans are sooooo lucky to live within 30 minutes of dozens of great places to get your caffeine fix.

Some fans get their coffee shop dose Monday through Friday, rushing into their neighborhood coffee shop for a cup to go. Some fans make great use of coffee shops as a meeting place for business conversations, a quick lunch meeting, or a meet-me-after-work-for-coffee spot. Whatever the need, there is usually a coffee shop that fits the bill! Even when you're driving down the road between errands, appointments, and work, you might see a drive-through coffee shop. Poof! It's like magic.

Then, there are the weekend coffee shop fans who find their favorite bands, artists, poets, and more at the coffee shop. It's a great atmosphere to enjoy music and the company of a friend. Even though many coffee shops also sell beer and wine, you won't really see folks going there to get drunk, as they do at the not-so-cool-nightlife-establishments we won't discuss here. We've been there, done that, folks, and now we enjoy our coffee shop luxuries. If anyone does have a little too much of an adult beverage, well, there's plenty of black coffee for them to chase it with.

CoffeeCat enjoys everything our locally owned coffee shops have to offer. The coffee, the sandwiches and sweet treats, the conversations with friends & new acquaintances, the patios with pooches, the comfy couches . . . oh, I could go on and on . . . . but I'll save it for another post. Right now, I'm going in search of another coffee shop treat!

Life is Hectic

Cats in search of a coffee shop 

Blog posts are a little sparse lately, but that doesn't mean I haven't been enjoying our Triad Coffee Shops! The lovely spring weather last week had me all ready for "coffee shop patio" season, but now we are back in "curl up on the coffee shop sofa with a mocha" season.

Who am I kidding? I love any season as long as there's a coffee shop nearby. I hate winter, but I'm willing to tough it out because it's such a great excuse for snuggling with a hot mug, a cat, and a good book. Although I have yet to find a coffee shop that lets me bring the cat with me. And it's even harder to find a cat who wouldn't hide under the coffee shop sofa!

Check out the Events page and Howls & Meows for some great weekend entertainment & opportunities to save the world (or at least the furry critters in our corner of it!).

Take a hike!
Mocha Mutt got the weather reports a little confused. Last Saturday I decided it would be a great day to try out a coffee shop on our local university campus and take a long walk with a friend and my dogs. However, it wasn't until a couple of minutes into the walk that I realized it was cold, dreary, and verrry windy, so we were especially glad to visit with the staff of a locally owned (and heated!) coffee shop and enjoy hot drinks. We continued on our trek, but the wind made it difficult to hold on to the dog leashes without spilling the drinks, so we had a challenging time. We made it through the long, cold walk, enjoyed our cookies and hot drinks, and were very happy to get back to our warm, toasty house.

Today was a beautiful, warm, sunny day - one of those rare treats we Carolinians get to enjoy in February. Again, we decided an afternoon walk with the pups was a great idea. This time, though, just a week after our last campus adventure, we enjoyed iced tea as we walked, got to meet pedestrians, chase squirrels, and admire the daring moves of skateboarders. It was the perfect day for taking a hike with your best friend(s).

Tomorrow is forecast to be even warmer than it was today, so even if you don't have a canine friend to tag along, stop by your favorite coffee shop for a cool beverage and take a long walk in the sunshine.

Coffee & a Flick

Fans, I'll be updating the events page soon. But let me give you a tip: the Community Arts Cafe is coming alive! The latest is the Cinema Pub Winter Shorts Series - screenings of short, original films made right here in the Triad!


Now, the poster puts the idea of beer and pizza in your head, but that doesn't fool me. CoffeeCat can sniff the coffee a mile away. And I know there's coffee in that cafe!

Bad Idea

Never update the blog on an empty stomach. The coffee shop treats look so yummy - can't wait for my next coffee shop lunch, dinner, breakfast, or snack. Be sure to check out the sandwiches & more that many coffee shops offer.

And, in downtown Winston-Salem, the Big Eat continues through February, with Tuesday specials at a couple of downtown coffee shops. Check it out!

This blog's for you! & Coffee Road Trip: Durham

Coffee shop fans, this weekend is what I'm talking about! It's exactly why I created this blog - to let you know about the coffee shop events happening every day of the week at locally owned Triad Coffee Shops.

If you didn't get to check out one of the bazillion events happening this weekend, then I hope you have a better weekend in the near future! As for me, this was an animal rescue weekend, so I didn't get to attend any events . . . but the weekend isn't over yet!

http://www.joevangogh.com/

On the bright side, I did get a long-awaited visit to Joe Van Gogh in Durham. Although I could only stay long enough to have a muffin and half a cup of coffee, it was a great pick-me-up in the middle of a hectic day that involved about 300 miles of driving. Tell me, fans, how on earth can we do that kind of serious driving without a coffee break?

Joe Van Gogh is a great little haven near some of the best academic opportunities in our state - Duke U. and the School of Math and Science. Hold on, now UNC fans. I'll have a coffee road trip to Chapel Hill soon enough. For you State fans, check out our Coffee Road Trip: Raleigh. Wake fans - check out the Coffee Shop Guide for the great shops right here in the Triad.

Anyway, I enjoyed some locally roasted coffee at a locally owned coffee shop that's saving lives by donating to the fight against cervical cancer in developing, coffee-growing countries. Who says coffee drinkers can't save the world?? Just keep the coffee coming & we'll do the rest!

All in all, CoffeeCat is thankful for many things today - including the folks who support locally owned small businesses. If you want to be in the know, follow my blog and join us on Facebook.

Coffee Break - give me a double!

I'll confess. I missed having a coffee break with a friend on National Coffee Break Day. I was swamped with meetings and projects and the day just got away from me. I wasn't too concerned, seeing as how CoffeeCat pretty much makes every day a coffee holiday.

So, I made up for it by taking 2 coffee breaks today at Triad Coffee Shops. First, a coffee chat turned into lunch at Community Arts Cafe with a new friend. What a treat! How often do we enjoy conversation, getting to know someone new, bounce ideas off each other without cell phone interruptions and without stopping to look at the clock? Like, never!

As if that wasn't great enough, I took a coffee break with the kiddos (not mine, but kiddos nonetheless!) at Chelsee's. Kids love coffee shops, and they're perfect for a little family down time in the midst of a hectic, errand filled day. Why are they perfect? Because, while the kids are getting hyped up on hot chocolate and cookies, the grown-ups can get hyped up on coffee. Even Stevens!

When I first started sharing my coffee shops with my young nieces, I explained they have to be on their best behavior so they can go to a grown-up place. So now, they're well behaved and feel like they're getting special time with the grown-ups. And, vice verse, taking a kid to your favorite coffee shop can make you feel younger. Especially if the kids are not your own :-)

Fans, if you've been meaning to have coffee with a new friend, old friend, a kid or a grown-up, don't put it off. Do it! Whether it's 30 minutes or a few hours, you'll be so glad you slowed down to enjoy time at your locally owned coffee shop.

Over the River and Through the Woods

Yesterday, out of the blue, I saw my family's home video of the Blizzard of '93. It was March 14, the day of my grandmother's 80th birthday party. My family missed the party because we were snowbound at home two counties away. (No, this was not in the Triad!)

We had 3 feet of snow in less than 24 hours. It took a full day to dig our cars out of the snow drifts. The snow plow clearing our road wrecked and got stuck in a ditch. While the few people who made it to Grandma's party were eating cake and drinking punch, my family was digging cars out of the snow and hanging around in general disbelief.


I'm still a little sad that we missed her party, but everyone has great stories to tell of the Blizzard of '93. I told Grandma that the Governor declared her birthday a holiday. She had a good laugh - it was actually a state of emergency. Same difference, when you're the star of the day!

Grandmas need love too!

Anyway, I won't say too much about blizzards because winter isn't over yet, and so far it's been very wintry! So, on the topic of grandparents - why not treat yours to coffee at your favorite Triad Coffee Shop? If your grandparents aren't around anymore, borrow someone else's for a few hours. Take a grandparent to a Triad Coffee Shop just for the heck of it.


Spend a little time chatting about the old days, and let your grandparent(s) fuss about kids today. If you're 40+, you'll probably agree.


If your grandparents live over the river and through the woods, as mine did (literally!), a Triad Coffee Shop would be a wonderful treat. Or, get some coffee to go and drive it over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house.


She'll be happy to see you. She'll say you didn't need to bring coffee (she just bought a 3 lb. can of Maxwell House, you know). And she'll beg you to stay a little longer. So do it.


Just be back before the next snow on Tuesday . . . . or pack a bag just in case.

Have you had your coffee break?

Today is National Coffee Break day, celebrated by the National Coffee Association. If you haven't enjoyed a locally owned coffee shop today, there is still time!

Today is a good day to fall in love with a new Triad Coffee Shop or visit an old favorite. They're all listed on our Coffee Shop Guide. If we've missed one, let us know, fans!

Be honest. Have you ever regretted a visit to a Triad Coffee Shop? Never! (Shh, you don't have to tell us about the awful blind date. We'll pretend that one never happened.)

Have you ever wasted a dollar spent on mood-elevating caffeine in a cup?

I didn't think so! Enjoy your coffee break to the fullest!

Tuesday! Tuesday!

Well, on top of the Big Eat every Tuesday in January, there are more Tuesday specials at Triad Coffee Shops. Every Tuesday, Krankies Airstream gives fabulous, almost-50% breaks on espresso drinks.

This Tuesday - yep, Jan. 18, Tazza Cafe Bistro is offering a free coffee, free hot chocolate, or free V8 fusion from 7 to 11 a.m. Celebrate the new look & the new menu with Tazza!

Also on Jan. 18, Happy 9th Birthday to my coffee shop buddy Catherine!

Coffee shop fans, please tell us about any other deals you find out there! We'll be right here waiting, waiting, we'll be right here waiting for you.

Oops, the 80s rears its head again!

The Big Eat (and drink!)

What is the Big Eat? Some great deals at downtown Winston-Salem restaurants every Tuesday night in January. And by restaurants, we mean coffee shops, too. Each participating restaurant is offering 50% off a signature dish. Get all the details here: http://www.dwsp.org/theBigEat.htm

Here's a sneak peek:
Brew Nerds - 50% off a coffee drink
Chelsee's - Buy one, get one free coffees or cakes

So, check out the specials at many downtown restaurants, then hop over to a coffee shop for coffee & dessert. Today is Tuesday, right? So do it! Do it now!!

And please let CoffeeCat know of any other coffee steals you find. Bzzzzz.

Short & Sweet

French toast and French roast. Does breakfast get any better than that? Tell me about your favorite breakfast & coffee combo!

photo from www.culinaryarts.about.com

Resolution Status

Keeping my New Year's resolution. Today's choice was El Salvador brew.

How do people survive meetings without coffee?

Seriously. I need to know.

Deconstruction of Coffee Art

It's time to deconstruct Have Sticks, Will Travel. McColl Center for Visual Art invites us to "Getting Sticky With It" to help "deinstall" the coffee stirrer installation and leave with a keepsake. They'll serve sticky buns, juice, and coffee.

I'm not sure why sticky is the theme, because the installation was done without glue! Why not call it, "Get Stirry With Us?" But anywho, how often do you get to help tear down a work of art?

RSVP and payment ($5 non-members) are required in advance. It's this Saturday at 11 a.m., so hurry!

CoffeeCat Resolves: Drink More Coffee

Last year, I did the best I’d ever done at keeping my New Year’s resolution. I wasn’t perfect, but I made some improvements. The trick was, choosing something that was more important to me than the usual things of losing weight, saving money, or exercising more. Those resolutions aren’t successful at the start of a new year. They’re successful when you’re ready to take them on, and Jan. 1 just isn’t the optimal time for many resolutions.


So, earlier this week, I flippantly posted on Facebook that I resolve to drink more coffee. But this statement is one of those things said in jest that is only half a joke. Resolving to drink more coffee will help me build on last year’s resolution, so I think I can keep it.

My first coffee shop visit of the New Year:
The Coffee Break in Greensboro. Beautiful setting,
great coffee, friendly people. Happy New Year to me!

When I say I’ll drink more coffee, I’m thinking of more than just caffeine. Here’s what my resolution means to me:

1) I resolve to enjoy the things I love. I work hard at my day job, volunteer jobs, and helping family & friends. I put a lot of effort into helping others and doing my part to make the world a better place. I don’t do as much as many others do, but I do as much as I can. So, if I want to spend a little extra to buy coffee shop coffee to brew at home, I think I will!

2) I resolve to enjoy Triad Coffee Shops. As I’ve said before on this blog, it is a luxury to pay someone to make coffee for me and a luxury to sit in a well-furnished, warm, inviting coffee shop. But I’ve also written about the great things that coffee shops do in our communities and in the communities around the equator that grow coffee. Our little luxuries support farmers, college students, small business owners, and nonprofit organizations. Enjoy!

3) I resolve to make a resolution I can keep. I never resolve to start something new on Jan. 1. Rather, I look back over the past year and think about what I’ve enjoyed, what has gone well, and what I need to improve. If you read this blog and my Facebook page, you know that CoffeeCat enjoys animal rescue, writing, and working hard in general. Embarking upon 2011, I can say that I’ve enjoyed getting involved in animal rescue, but I can’t do it 24/7 like the true, heart-and soul rescuers. So I’ll continue the other things that worked well for me, too – writing, blogging, and supporting local businesses. Doing all of this requires energy, so for that, I will need coffee!

4) I resolve to be cheerful. I’m not a naturally cheerful person, as those who encounter me before my first coffee know. But over the years, I’ve learned something that is backed up by research: coffee is a mood elevator. When I’m blue, just a few sips of coffee get me in good spirits. When I run out of steam, coffee gets me going. So, for the sake of world peace (at least my corner of the world), I resolve to drink more coffee.

So, coffee shop fans, what do you think? Will coffee help you achieve your resolutions in 2011? Best wishes for a great New Year, friends!