Sunday morning coffee shop blogging

[Simon's, Porter Square, Cambridge; 10:45am, 3/9/08]

In search of a change of scenery this morning, I drove over to Cambridge to Simon's Coffee Shop in Porter Square. I'd happened upon it once before, one freezing cold day around Christmas while looking for a few unusual presents (mostly at nearby Joie de Vivre, an old favorite from way back that still delights) and knew I'd come back. Definitely not Starbuck's, Simon's has a nice homey-hip feel, cozy with maybe a dozen tiny tables along the long wall. If you're lucky, you can snag one by the sunny front windows. (All the tables were taken when I got there, but I only waited 5-10 minutes before one opened up not far from the front.) The coffee is excellent, that's what they're known for, but they also have a nice selection of pastries. I had a flaky chocolate croissant (basically pain au chocolat) and a medium sized cup of decaf, 'cuz I'm naturally a bit over-amped and any more than minimal caffeine makes me near-psychotic. And we don't want that.

I spent most of yesterday at the office for a big client deadline. My boss came in with a couple of cartons of hot cross buns (tasty, though lots of sugar and white flour also don't do good things for me) and the project manager and another writer were in as well. Fortunately, putting in extra time doesn't happen too often, and I wasn't required to be there, but it's good to pitch in for the team. Anyway, it was pouring rain all day. Happily, by evening I was able to hook up with a friend and get some good pub grub and beer, while the rain wound down.

Given that almost half my weekend was consumed by having to work, I skipped my walking group's event today, and also a brunch meetup I'd signed up for, in favor of much needed unscheduled free time. After Simon's, I made a quick run to a shop and bought a bright yellow spring sweater, then stopped in at Wilson's Farm on the way home, where I picked up a couple of artichokes that were on sale, a bunch of asparagus (which has suddenly reappeared on our local shelves and I can't get enough of), a pint of strawberries that are all lovely misshapen fragrant things that must come from someplace other than the mass producers, a fat purple eggplant that I may turn into Asian eggplant dip for the sugar snap peas I also bought, and what else? Salad greens for lunch this week. Oh, and a "champagne" Ataulfo mango, first of the season that I've seen anywhere -- my favorite mango, with buttery texture and sweet flavor. Yum!

It's quite sunny today after the flooding rains of yesterday, albeit blustery. Plenty of time for a walk -- the sun won't set until 6:45 tonight. Even with this missed hour of "spring ahead" on top of my missed Saturday, this sunshine extending further into the evening feels like a bonus.

Comments

[Lucy]

Well I must say you do yourself well Leslee! I rather miss hot-cross buns, didn't know you had them over there.

Wish I could wear yellow...

[Planethalder]

Well, despite having to work, you made the most of the weekend you had left. Please post a photo of the yellow sweater.

[Neith]

Sitting here salivating at the thought of chocolate croissant and strong coffee! Probably just as well we don't have some place close by for those treats.

::grin:: yes, it doesn't surprise me caffeine is on your "do not use list"!

[leslee]

Lucy: I worked in a bakery for a couple of years when I was in high school, and we always had hot cross buns this time of year. Alas, I'm more drawn to the salty snacks than to sweets. Not sure one is worse than the other.

Planethalder: Hey, you can see it in the online catalog! I'm thinking of wearing it at Easter when I go visit my dad. Unless I get out shopping again in the meantime. :-)

Neith: What, has Starbuck's left a spot on earth untouched? ;-)

[mm]

I love this. A good reminder to give oneself permission to make Sunday morning a bit special ....

[leslee]

Thanks, mm. Glad you enjoyed it. I think I could make a creative project of exploring different coffee shops each week!