Birthday weekend and the power of good food.

Last Saturday was my twentieth birthday, and it felt like any other day...


I think twenty is that median age where you surely have passed the teen-age and feel like you've been such an "adult" for a what have seemed to be a lengthy two years but not quite at the age where everything is available to you (mostly getting into some sweet concerts but happen to be at bars where the minimum age limit is 21, and of course...having a horizontal driver's license lol).
But of course, I am relieved to be rid of my teen years and anxious to start living a life that I can create, so happy content birthday to me.


Edwin and I had planned on celebrating out birthdays together (his was the very next day) a little differently...
We went out for breakfast both days and enjoyed some special treats.
After cruising down Central avenue, we came across Hob Nobs coffeehouse, a wonderfully renovated old- world house into modern day cafe.

Oatmeal and strawberries from HN's.

I have been dying to try this place all summer and we finally got around to it.
Nobs has amazing breakfast items and believe it or not, pizza that tastes like a slice of warm, handmade heaven.
We loved it so much, that we came back the next day for Edwin's birthday...and the next day for my second day of classes.

The waiters and cashier were probably surprised we weren't there again this week.









Needless to say, Hob Nobs is perfecto.
The rest of the weekend was spent with good friends and loved ones, and received some beautiful gifts.
It couldn't have been better.

:)

She was a daytripper...

Such a busy week before school,
Between training for the AZ Republic, doing photos for State Press Magazine, getting ready for my junior year in college (gasp) and finding time to stop and breathe, my poor neglected blog needed a fresh post;

Last Saturday morning Edwin and I decided to take a little day trip up to Flagstaff, AZ.
It made perfect timing because school starts in a few days and I considered it to be my little getaway, due to the fact that I missed this!
Bummer.
So without hesitation, I packed some snacks for us, brewed some coffee, popped in a new memory card in my camera, and off we went.
We stopped downtown for a while to check out some neat shops and had lunch at a nice little diner.
Afterwards, wanting to enjoy the crisp breeze and some change of nature surroundings, we drove out about 7 more miles to The Arboretum at Flagstaff.
This wildflower preserve garden is almost a mile-long loop of meadows, flower gardens, nature trails and green houses in one of Flagstaff's beautiful forests.
After wandering around the gardens for a bit, we figured we could walk off our food and go on a nature trail.

Walking through the trail

A field of purple flowers near a greenhouse

Yellow beauties

Amor

The serene meadow and absolute quiet beauty in nature hooked us...
We loved it, and and plan to go back in October when the weather will be more like fall.

We finally made it back around to the end of the trail and stopped in the gift shop for some sweet organic "nature-themed" t-shirts.

So inspired by our experience at The Arboretum, we threw on our new tees, and drove back downtown (looking like complete tourists) and went to a little coffee shop called Late for the Train Espresso.

Half hour or so of people-watching and some last minute browsing through shops later, we called it a night and headed back for the heat.

We were so pleased and relieved to have gotten away for a even a day.

(My apologies for the rhyme)

Goodnight, and until next time...

(Oops)

A coffee a day.

I have a firm belief that a good, strong but nicely crafted espresso will get my day off to the right start.

Even in the late afternoons or evenings I can polish off a steaming latte or ice cold brewed coffee.
And the usual response I receive when trying to put my adoration in metaphor is "Do you really need the caffeine?"...
No, truth be told. I do not.
The purpose is not for the instant jolt of energy (which almost never is a side-effect with me),
it is rather the sweet aroma and absolute decadence that my taste buds have come to acquire.
Not to mention the ever evolving theories on coffees' health benefits that can range from being a great source of antioxidants to possibly warding off different types of Dementia.
In lieu of my long-time relationship with this beverage, I have reminded myself to whip out my camera phone and
capture my daily coffee and pastry indulgences from local coffee bars during the week.
(I only wish I would have had my Rebel with me to have better quality images)


So enjoy and order up!

Lux Coffee Bar

La Grande Orange

Lola Coffee on Central

Lola Coffee on Roosevelt