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!