my coffee is better than your coffee...

I love Caribou Coffee and I love their (relatively) new design.  For starters, they have what they call "'bouisms" which are the little sayings that are all over their stores, napkins, cups, etc.  Their cafes have more of a lodge/comfortable feel which is significantly cooler than an artsy/trendy feel (like Starbucks).  

And when it comes to their coffee, Caribou Coffee is smoother, richer, tastier than Starbucks' coffee which almost always tastes bitter to me.  When it comes to coffee drinks (i.e. flavored drinks with espresso instead of coffee) usually I have liked Starbucks better, especially because Starbucks is home to the amazing, incredible pumpkin spice latte.  I'm not sure what happened this year, but Starbucks' PSL is just not as good as it used to be.  Additionally, Caribou's Pumpkin Latte is 100% better than the one they had last year.  I'm completely sold to Caribou now... Anyway, moving on.

The Caribou cup pictured here ;-) has lots of different sayings and suggestions on it that make me smile.  I haven't been blogging a whole lot lately, but I'm going to attempt to fulfill most of the 'bousims on the cups.  Some aren't really suggestions... like the 'bouism above the logo: Technology is good but people are better... but in one form or another, I am going to blog about my attempts on following through on these 'bouisms.  Just for fun.  Let's face it, we all need a little something fun every now and then, right?! Help me out.  If a particular 'bousim inspires you, leave me a comment on that blog post.  :-) 

In other news, I'm about half way through my couch to 5K program.  I got up early again today to run, and the program had me warm up 5 min, run 8 min, walk 5 min, run 8 min, cool down 5 min.  Montana has no interest in leaving with me around 6:45... she looks at me like Are you kidding? You want me to get up off this couch and go for a walk when I don't have to pee? No thanks!  ...so I came back and got her for the 5 min cool down, which turned into a 5 min jog (I jog, she prances) and roughly a 3 min walk... She seems far more eager to get up in the morning once I've left her (to run) and come back to get her (to walk).  Though, she only lets me get so far from the house before she stops so abruptly it about trips me. Stop! That's far enough.  Home.  Now.  ...I want to go back to bed.  Such a rough life, Montana...

When made at home...

Starbuck's Caramel Apple Spice (~$4.00 per cup)

Made-at-home caramel apple cider (~$1.00 per cup)

Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte (~$4.50 per cup)

Made-at-home Pumpkin Spice Coffee
with whipped cream & pumpkin spice seasoning (~$1.25 per cup)

So, yes, my whipped cream (in both made-at-home pics) is mostly melted, thus losing some of it's picturesque appeal, but I assure you it did not affect the taste! I think my made-at-home creations are just as tasty, and far more economical.

Last night after I got home from church, I honestly just felt a bit homesick. Aside from being eager for the holidays and family time, sometimes it's just hard to come "home" to an empty apartment. I know better, but at times it seems like it just wouldn't matter if I went home at all, ya know? It is not like there is anyone waiting on me or even a pup to get home to. I sure do love this time of year-- fall, cooler weather, cozy blankets, hot tea/cider/coffee/lattes, and of course Thanksgiving & Christmas... But this is the first year I don't have quite as many people to share it all with. However, rather than feed those emotions, I decided to feed something else and started baking. Haha!

Best cure for homesickness? Homemade pumpkin pie (my favorite).
Thanks, Mom, Grandma & Grandpa, for the recipe!

I baked my first pumpkin pie of the season and only had 2 conversations with Mom about if I was following Grandma's recipe well enough... It sure is yummy! I'm not going to lie, it is always better when someone else makes it!! But, I had fun making it myself, too, and sharing it with my co-workers.

This afternoon I am taking my first hike with my new hiking poles. I'm hiking Mt. LeConte this weekend (chaplain again) and I want to get a feel for the poles on a short, easier hike before I trek up and down LeConte. Kelsey must have had fun on Monday, because she's coming with me again today! If anyone else wants to join us... please give me a call!!

In other exciting news, it appears that I will have a roommate pretty soon... I know, I said I would never live with anyone again until I was married, but I'm happy to make an exception in this case-- because this person is pretty special and I'm definitely looking forward to living with my sister!

I'll take it!

Sure, it may be "hazey" outside, but it is 68 degrees. Yes, that is correct. It is perfectly lovely outside. Further more, today is the first day of September, and that means...

In case you can't tell... that is a pumpkin spice latte. Yum. They are now officially avilable at Starbucks... I'm not sure when Caribou will have their "Wild Pumpkin" drink available, but for now, Starbucks has my business! I had to run a few errands this morning and the last stop before coming back to the office was to pick one up. Rarely will I spent $4+ dollars on a beverage, but I figure I had a giftcard and the beautiful weather today called for something special :-)

Coffee and shopping!

Katie and I met up in Murfreesboro today to go to Panera and hang out. SO much fun. I just saw her a couple weeks ago, but its one of those things... We went from seeing each other several times a week to not at all for 9 months! It's been a real treat to see her a couple times in the past month and to hang out with one of my best friends-- who is my age :-) ... We picked up a devotional book from Lifeway that we are going to go thru together and check in each week; I am very excited about that, too. Then we went up to the Avenues (a new shopping center) and did some window shopping after we made great use of her buy 1 jar get 1 jar free coupons for Yankee Candle. Good times...