Wordless Wednesday - Goodbye 31 - Hello 32

My Last Week in my 31's..... a week drinking great coffee and spending time at the beach with Darbs! Its been a delightful week!! I love that  its beginning to feel a lot like Xmas to me ... I double love that I have my birthday celebration and then a mere 30 days later its Xmas time... Yay its Happy Times!!  15 coffees to go!!!! 

Heres to a second almost Wordless Wednesday!

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys

Learning to bounce back has been my 2011 challenge - the unedited version!!

 

I have been doing a bit of reflecting of late...  looking back at how I have got to where I am...It sure has been a Topsy turvy journey to date... This post has been a hard one to write, normally I’m pretty bright and breezy, so it’s been hard to do a back flip and look at the serious and deeply personal side to where I was when I took on such a funny little challenge.  

I am still perplexed when I try to remember the exact moment I decided to take on the Melbourne Coffee Review 100 best coffees challenge!!??! I think maybe it was a subconscious decision; one of those off the cuff dares to myself that I actually turned into reality! I think it was my way of saying "I am going to use my everyday love of coffee and see if it can heal my pain or at least distract me for awhile. It will keep me busy and will make sure I am not at home all the time moping about what could have been)".

That's my interpretation of it anyhow... I know before I took it on in February that I was feeling lost and my passion in life had gone MIA ... I was broken... Not that I would ever admit it to anyone... I had been through the toughest and roughest 6 months of my life... a relationship breakdown  that left me feeling bewildered, resentful but most of all really sad.. Even I can say I did an amazing job at immersing myself in setting up a new unit and settling in Darby, as best I could a 3 year old in the circumstances.... 

I then went about my daily routine in an adrenalin fuelled haze.....never really showing any emotion…Eventually the adrenalin began to fade and the repressed emotions began to emerge, and visit me, always in the most random of places... Crying at the grocery checkout...on the train on my usual commute to the city...  And almost always when I entered the cafe I had been to day in day out since I moved to  Seddon 6 years before...It was here that I felt the saddest, I almost felt I had an obligation to tell Andy what had happened.. Not that I needed too, it was probably pretty obvious, but it was here that it felt all too evident that my life had changed and it wasn’t going back to what it used to be…I spent my late 20’s and early 30’s here ….Saturday hung-over brunches in the sun (old days), A Sunday morning coffee dash before the park, a rare evening out for two, birthday dinners, birthday lunches, catch ups with friends, drinks etc etc.. I could go on forever...

I realised then that I needed to do something to make me feel better, I had to be brave and face up to how I was feeling and to tackle it head on...

When I try and explain to people that the purpose behind my challenge is not necessarily about the coffee... I seem to lose my train of thought...  On the surface it is about the coffee. I love my coffee and it is the reason I get up in the morning (some times)...And I have been to some amazing places and tasted some brilliant mind blowing coffees all while I have had my little man along for the ride. That is just scratching the surface of all the other positive impacts it has had on my life and how it is helping me to bounce back to being ME! It has been a joyous experience, and has helped me heal in a very unique way, I have stepped out of my comfort zone, I love capturing images, meeting coffee makers and I have discovered that I love to blog. I have so much resilience now (even being made redundant a few months back has been easy...)

I don’t recommend it for everyone going through a breakup (I have been hyped up on coffee quite a few times), but I can say wholeheartedly that is has helped me get through mine…. with a bit of buzz, my head held high and a frothy cappuccino grin!

Until next time... Life is too short to drink crappy coffee


Linking up with Diary of a SAHM for

Turtle wisdom!!

Its Saturday night and I am getting some advice ... from a Turtle!!! A very wise one at that! 
This quote from Kung Fu Panda  is really cute.... and shows how much I have been watching  kids movies!! (this one is near the top of Darbys list).. but Im sure this  would resonate with just about everyone....
There is so much untapped wisdom in Kung Fu Panda, each time I watch it there is another gem I love!!


"Yesterday is history...
tomorrow is mystery...
but today is a gift.. 
that is why it's called PRESENT"

- Master Oogway (the turtle from Kung Fu Panda)

Birthday love.... and the sharp reality of life (ouch)

I woke up this morning on the dot of 7am (no alarm clock required!) and it was so quiet, everything so still, I could only hear some birds chirping away in the distance and a little rain hitting the roof.. I realised it was so quiet without Darby here... But my body

is still so in tune with his morning rituals..

Darby was having a grown up sleepover with his Aunty Laura.. He was soo excited and happy, planning games to play with her and speculating on what they would share for dinner... He has been soo delightful and joyous to be around of late.. maybe he is turning the corner and losing the urge to have a hissyfit about everything (or he knows Santa is on his way!)

I don't think the joy though will last long today when I take him to get his 4 year old vaccination! Yikes ... I hated taking him to those appointments when he was a bub, but now it's even worse!! I am a big needle hater from way way way back, so I don't want to pass down that phobia..I can see why its such a common neurosis! 

 All the questions he will ask.. Oh boy... I have some answers ready.. but will they really stack up to being jabbed in the arm.. probably not for a four year old!  The "event" is being dressed up as a Teddy bears picnic... I feel bad I am coercing him into a fun event... to then come out the other end with a sore arm.... I just hope it's not that bad and he forgets all about it when the lollipop is handed to him and the big teddy shakes his hand!!

We might need to make a special coffee/milkshake trip this morning - to a place of his choice!! Hopefully he picks a good one! Although I needn't worry, he has such great taste in all things coffee!!

We are also gearing up for my birthday this week... I love love love my birthday... But last year was a tough one.. The first time I had felt really emotional and let it show... I nearly cried all day.. It was the first birthday I had been all by myself in 6 years! This year though, I realise I do have my little man by my side!!!

Darby has organized a candle (a frog one of course!) and is finalizing the cake flavor! When I ask what he is going to get me, he replies with "makeup"(knows me so well!) and gets my wallet out and shakes around my credit card!! Bless him!! He is Soo excited for me!!

So I am not dreading it nearly as much.. It's still going to be tough.. But I'll choose to say it will be different! Anyway I am not letting anything hold me back from a good old celebration...This year has been a year of real growth for me as a person so I have worked bloody hard for that number 32!!! And hopefully in a few short weeks I'll be celebrating reaching another number (100 coffees!!) that's when I'll have the big party!!

Until next time .... Life is too short to drink crappy coffee!!

Think I am 2 here!

Picnic at Hanging Rock! Rocking Number 7!

Turning the big 1 8 ... woo hoo

20... and dressed as a Tramp!!!! (Flamenco Dancer
With my bestie..(and still is) Shaz

Enjoying Veuve on my 27th!!! mmmmm

1st birthday as a mum! awwww

My first Wordless Wednesday

Ok so First time I am doing a wordless Wednesday an easy way to get a blog done for today - photos are easy for me yay! (oops ok so it doesn't count that I am writing here!!!!) ... so here come some pics of my week to date...Oh and the controversy for the week.... first coffee in 12 months sent back.... ok it was the wrong milk, but I couldn't drink it... tasted like I was drinking a Cow!! (Although it did take a lovely pic - 1st one below!)

Until Next Time - Life is too short to drink Crappy coffee


http://mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com/search?q=wordless+wednesday

What... no coffee on a Saturday???

Off with the fairies!! 

OK so I don't have anything really to report coffee wise today as I didn't have one - what??? How is this possible from the one addicted to coffee and on a very  short time frame now to get to 100!!

 I believe the culprit is Hay fever! This damn affliction has had the better of me in the last 24 hours...I have had several sneezing fits.. which I am sure look really ridiculous to any observers.. and really gives my whole body including my pelvic floor a great workout, but I am well and truly over it! I went through a packet of tissues... and I'm sure my eyes could not get any redder if they tried! My head felt like it was going to explode.. I felt like banging it against a brick wall for some relief!  After it ruined my girls night out, I knew I had to take the strongest course of action: hardcore drugs and plenty of them!

So I started taking Polaramine at 11.30am.. half hour later I was feeling very drowsy and within an hour I was asleep, not waking for a good 2 hours !  Not a great way to spend a Saturday, off with the fairies all day!  I also had to pick Darby up from Woodend,  I couldn't dare to  drive so I caught the train which was actually  quite relaxing!

I'm hoping I don't have to take any more tablets tomorrow as it seriously was a day waster and I will be craving coffee like nothing else! I'm already thinking about it now!! I'm planning on going to Richmond for my caffeine hit in the morning... here's hoping I am back to feeling less drugged and well just crap!  Night Night!!!

Until next time

Darby on the train!!

Adventures of Java Jane - Weekend Wrap

Ok so I'm trying  a few different things with my blog lately... mainly as a result of reading other blogs that have inspired me to shake it up a bit! Anything that allows me to be creative is a good thing! So here is the first of my Weekend Wraps.. my weekend in a collage of images... I think this sums up my weekend quite well... A trip to the beach, outings to drink great coffee (of course) lots of strawberries.. some Gin and Tonic.... and well my new obsession with wearing the brightest of bright lipsticks! I did omit however the cranky and moody 4 year old! I can save that for another time!

So Enjoy..... and feel free to let me know how you spent your weekend.. Id love to hear about it!
Until next time
 

Java Jane - Weekend Wrap by 

Wildfox Couture poncho sweater
$112 - shopthetrendboutique.com

MAC Lipstick
$15 - macys.com

HomeDecorators.com $169
$199 - homedecorators.com

TANQUERAY Tanqueray London Dry Gin
£25 - harrods.com

Saturday morning delight! - Porgie and Mr Jones

With a renewed vigour.. I am on a mission to get to 100 by December 31, so the weekend was a great opportunity to knock a few over and make sure I was on track.. I know I still have a fair way to go, but I'm getting so much closer to my goal !
So on Saturday I just picked a number  and headed there! So out of the hat so to speak I chose  Porgie and Mr Jones in Hawthorn. I have followed them on Twitter for quite awhile so I knew of them and have really wanted to go.. its was just about finding the right time to get over there. Saturday was gorgeous weather wise so it seemed like a great idea! 
Darby and I arrived at Porgie mid morning.. and I was surprised that it only looked quite small from the outside.. however we were lead all the way through a number of different rooms, including walking through the kitchen to the big sun filled courtyard with lots of tables filled with Saturday breakfast eaters! 
Our waiter Darcy took my coffee order, whilst Darby pondered the drinks list ..I was feeling peckish and decided I would have an early lunch. I opted for my usual Poached eggs on Sourdough.. I have never gone wrong ordering this very simple and superb meal!





My coffee arrived and we ordered Darby a orange juice.. which arrived in an old milk bottle... (cute touch). They churn out their tasty coffee on a La Marzocco machine using Allpress coffee beans! My soy cappuccino was creamy with a slight chocolate velvet  flavour with a touch of smokiness and clean finish, however the real winner was my poached eggs. They arrived and looked amazing, a simple dish with some real pizazz, with fresh basil and parsley shredded on top. (Basil is my favourite ingredient - I can't get enough of it!) The dish was finished off with a generous drizzling of  Olive Oil and cracked pepper. This simple dish was taken to a whole new level and I loved every bite! The basil and parsley teamed superbly with the oozy perfectly poached eggs! The best I think I have had! A big winner and I will be making the journey back over just for the eggs (and coffee) sometime soon!
Later that day I attempted taking Darbs to the beach, but it was a disaster, it was windy and hot and he was in a typical 4 year old defiant mood... so Ill just reminisce about my eggs and not the stressful parts of my weekend..

 I have made a fair run at my top 100, now sitting on 79! 21 to go in 7 weeks! So I am only looking at 3 a week! Easy peasy! I will be at my goal in no time! What a feeling that will be, Im already planning my celebration! 
Until next time, Life's too short to drink crappy coffee!!
   



The cafes I have left!
The First Pour - Abbotsford

Woodstock Espresso Bar  - Armadale

Gattica - Balaclava

Midali - Balaclava

Coffee Max - Camberwell

Collective Espresso - Camberwell

Peaberry's - Cheltenham

Espresso 3121 - Cremorne

Bean Counter Cafe - Fairfield

Ici Cafe - Fitzroy

Jasper Coffee - Fitzroy

Mixed Business Cafe - Fitzroy North

Porgie and Mr Jones - Hawthorn

Espresso Elements - Hampton 

Red Door Corner Store - Northcote

Parkers Cafe - Parkdale

Globe Cafe - Prahran

7 Grams  - Richmond

Richmond Rush Cafe - Richmond

Dimattina Coffee - South Melbourne

Crue Coffee Lounge - South Yarra

Cafe Racer - St Kilda

Galleon Cafe - St Kilda

Nineteen Squares - St Kilda

Home Barista Institute - West Melbourne

Orange  - Windsor

Hot and bothered after the beach!

To do it again.. That is the question??!?

This week Melbourne Coffee Review sent out the message that the Top 100 list was on it's way(Woo hoo) ... It's 3rd edition meant to be the best yet!! 

The book will only have 500 hard copies  printed, so I am putting in an order early... and it will also have a handy  Ebook and the easy to use iPhone application  - to help with the tracking for the crazies that go to all of them!!!!

So here is  my dilemma ... Do I do this list again, I know there will be many new ones that I may not have been too, so its still a challenge... and I get to redo all my faces again...... Or do I tackle something completely  new??!! It's been such a fun challenge that I'm not sure I want to stop... Maybe I can pick 50 and start there! Ahhh I'll ponder this for the next few weeks!! If any one has any thoughts, let me know.. I know going with my 'gut' will be what I do in the end.. But any guidance is most welcome!!

Until next time, life is too short to drink crappy coffee!!

In the meantime check out:

www.melbournecoffeereview.com

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Look how many I have left!?

Ok... so here is a post not about how many cafes I have been to this year .. but  the list of how many I have left until I reach the elusive  ever so close goal of 100 cafes before December 31!!! Ok, so I am being a little optimistic here to think I am going to get to these 24 cafes in  the 57 days left in the year.....but it is not too far from impossible...   I am  just not getting  my hopes up, but hey a little optimism never goes astray.. and from the 15th of December  I am out of a job.. so I should have plenty of time to get to a few....

At the moment I am also making a little movie of my coffee experiences from the last few months! (God I love my clever computer!) I have sooo many photos and  I needed to do something with them!  I am also attempting, wait for it...... a coffee table book!!! A coffee table book filled with shots of coffee, how original!  I don't think I will be taking many orders for these.. but you never know! I am very proud of my good old iPhone pictures!

Ok so here is a run down of the places I have to go.. let me know if any of these are any good.. and if you or anyone you know are ever after a coffee date.. Ill be taking bookings!!

The First Pour - Abbotsford

Woodstock Espresso Bar  - Armadale

Gattica - Balaclava

Midali - Balaclava

Coffee Max - Camberwell

Collective Espresso - Camberwell

Peaberry's - Cheltenham

Espresso 3121 - Cremorne

Bean Counter Cafe - Fairfield

Ici Cafe - Fitzroy

Jasper Coffee - Fitzroy

Mixed Business Cafe - Fitzroy North

Porgie and Mr Jones - Hawthorn

Red Door Corner Store - Northcote

Parkers Cafe - Parkdale

Globe Cafe - Prahran

7 Grams  - Richmond

Richmond Rush Cafe - Richmond

Dimattina Coffee - South Melbourne

Crue Coffee Lounge - South Yarra

Cafe Racer - St Kilda

Galleon Cafe - St Kilda

Nineteen Squares - St Kilda

Home Barista Institute - West Melbourne

Orange  - Windsor

Until next time.. Life is too short to drink Crappy Coffee

Trick or Treat and Naked Espresso Bar

We woke up this morning to Darby exclaiming with the excitement that you get when it is Xmas Day  " Its Halloween day mum, Im so excited!!!"... Who knew Halloween even existed in Australia  a few years back!??! I know as a kid it was only something that happened in America, and in  movies that I was too scared to watch.  It literally seems to be everywhere this year,  every shop has some kind of Halloween regalia... and yes I have been a sucker and bought into it, purchasing several scary masks that have been put to good use this week as well as some fake bats, some Jacko lantern posters and skull tattoos! 

Darby was adamant about getting fake spider webs and spiders to decorate the house... but I have resisted..  I despise spiders even the fake plastic kind, (they still look like they could move and who remembers the movie Arachnophobia - enough said!) ... and the thought of walking through fake spider webs gives me tingles!! ewwww! 

Fanged(Vampire)  Cupcake!!
Vanilla with Jam Filling
I didn't even get a bite!

So after a Halloween morning of procrastinating... The little witch and I decided to go into the city for our morning coffee treat. When I think coffee and the city, I only think of one place - Naked Espresso Bar ! I was desperate for their coffee.. I miss it so much! Every time I go, I get all nostalgic as I know I can't come here every (work) day as I did when they were formerly know as  Elevenses and around the corner from my work! So I make the most of it when I can get there.. Shanny and Tom are so welcoming and are amazing at creating coffee masterpieces! They still use Toby's Estate beans as well as some other beans from various cafes, Market Lane (and Axil I think)  for their alternate brewing methods: Pourover, Syphon and Aeropress, which  I much try someday, but its always hard to go past my signature Soy Cappuccino when it is made so well.   The coffee is always made with such love  and passion which translates to the cup as pretty darn magnificent!
From following them on Twitter/Facebook  I knew they were selling Sugadeaux Halloween cupcakes today so that was going to please my Halloween hungry Darb's.

We managed to get some good seats at the back in the bright yellow cafe... Shanny greeted us and had a seat and a chat and then we ordered away! Darby got the "Vampire Fangs" cupcake, a vanilla cake with a jam centre!! Mmmmmm, Edward eat your heart out! 

Shanny and the witch..... scary faces!

My Soy Cappuccino was superb as always... the best!! I do get whimsical, as I wish I could drink it everyday! Maybe I will put that it my job searching criteria.. "must be close to Little Bourke St." As we left,  Shanny was even happy enough to get a picture with Darbs  doing scary Halloween faces...cute cute and  cute! 

As Darbs put it as we walked back to the car 'Mum that is my favourite coffee shop.. They are so nice, I just lovve it. When can we come back for another coffee?"   Well I  couldn't say it any better myself...!  Such wisdom at such a young age!  

As for the rest of our Halloween, we decided on a walk around our block after dinner and I couldn't believe the amount of kids (and parents) out in force and costume. Most likely as a result of a very nifty idea  by a local resident  - a flyer was  sent around our block, encouraging those that wanted to participate in trick or treating to put a printed pumpkin sign out the front! Such a clever idea.. and so many people willing to participate and have fun with it! I haven't seen that many zombies, skeletons and jack o lanterns in my life! 

Darby and I visited over 25 very happy and sometimes very scary houses in our neighbourhood. I was even befriended by a local dad who was dressed as a Monk and getting top ups to his red wine as he walked around... not a bad idea for next year! His house had a lot of effort put into it, including a Zombie Grave , out the front, spider webs everywhere and when the doorbell was pressed the Michael Jackson classic "Thriller" started playing! 

 It was great to see such community connectedness in such a small area! ... Both Darby and I had a hoot, and we have enough lollies and chocolate (as well as marshmallow eyes), to last us till xmas! I cant wait till next Halloween!!! 

Until next time....

The Low Down 

Naked Espresso Bar  -  390 Little Bourke St- find them on Facebook and Twitter

My magnificent coffee

Demolished......