My Dream Job

Left to right, top to bottom. 1)Sometimes I get bored. 2)August the robobarista. 3)Love my partners. 4)Getting ready to walk to work. 5)Some spring coffee art. 6)Goofballs. 7)Sometimes it takes all the screens. 8)Perfect shots of espresso. 9)Running the store solo. 10)Snow days at Starbucks. 11)Tuesdays mean putting the big order downstairs, yup, all of it. 12)More coffee art. 13)Christmas signs I doodled. 14)Shift managers hard at work. 15)Stuff baristas take to work. 16)My store in the summertime.

I rarely write about work. But it's where I spend most of my time. These are a few moments from the last three years, and I realized tonight I don't have enough. I started with this company thinking it would be a summer job, but three years later it has become much more than that. Friends, community, partners, family even. We argue together, cheer together, dance, stress, laugh, pull together like a team, hurt each others feelings, and stand up for one another.

I'll have high standards for the next company I work for.

Turns out my dream job is the one I already have.

Morning Edition

I woke up at 6am this morning, rested, and ready for the day. The first great morning in probably a month, my late night schedule this semester has me up until 11 or 12 every night. It was a rainy gray morning but sometimes those inspire me. 

What did I do with the extra morning energy? 

Made James waffles and eggs for breakfast.

Did all these dishes while I listened to NPR's Morning Edition. 

Finished a New Yorker article and created a presentation for class tonight. 

I need a raise.

The Last of Winter, Hopefully

We are in the deepest, saddest part of winter. The earth is bare and cold, the trees have been empty for months, and James and I are both drinking more coffee than usual to try and keep warm.  

I feel like the poor daffodils in my grandma's front yard. Every year they push up through the frozen dirt and bloom in glorious yellow, only to be covered in snow again. 

Last week I took James out on a lunch date. We're trying to do more of those again, so I chose all-you-can-eat sushi in Brookline. We took the train there, and from the station walked through the neighborhood to our restaurant. We were cold for sure, but it was a much needed walk outside in the fresh air. We ate nine rolls of sushi together and because we were so full didn't eat dinner that night. 

Speaking of James, yesterday he helped me cook for refreshments at church, clean the house, and host a dinner here last night. I'm thankful for him. 

Are We Done With Winter Yet?

old tennis shoes
magazines
jackets
belts
pots and pans
socks with holes
frames
t-shirts from high school and college
books
boxes
summer clothes
christmas decorations
craft supplies
more books

What do all these things have in common?

They're all in the trash.

I've been purging our closets, cupboards, shelves, and drawers the last few weeks. Man does it feel good to get rid of all of this stuff. How in the world does it accumulate so fast? We are in the deepest, coldest part of winter and I can't seem to thaw out. It also feels like I've been inside our apartment for months and I've finally started to just pull stuff out of places I have it shoved and throw it away. We've donated as much as we can--Laurel taught me how to purge and make thrift-store runs in high school--but honestly so much of it has just gone straight to the recycle bin.

On the upside the contents of our hall closet doesn't fall on top of me when I am looking for gloves anymore (those are in a basket by the front door). Our games are stacked nicely and I can actually find the sweater I'm looking for in our closet. I've also brought home a few plants in the last couple weeks hoping they'll help keep me sane until we finally see glimpses of life from under the dirty snow.

I'm hoping my spring cleaning will give spring a hint.

Or a swift kick.

Coconut Crepe Cake

My friend, and wedding photographer, Briana recently invited me over to make this delicious coconut creme crepe cake with her. On a snow day I rode the T over to her house where we drank cups and cups of tea while creating this masterpiece. Between every crepe is a layer of whipped cream and coconut jam, and every once and a while you sprinkle sugar over the whole thing. 

Yum doesn't do it justice. 

So she, being a photographer, took pictures while we were making it. Then she submitted it to be published by Emma Magazine (an online publication) and guess who's hands showed up in all the pictures!? 

Yup, mine. It makes me feel a little bit special. 

Congratulations on getting published again Bri!

To see the full post: www.emmamag.com

Good Morning Sunshine

Brown eggs--I love them. I also love breakfast. My sister can sleep in until ten and then not eat until noon, she's crazy. The moment I wake up I start thinking about eggs and toast, fruit and coffee. James is on winter break this week, which means we get to wake up late and eat together. This morning I made sun toast with a heart shaped cookie cutter my gram gave me. We love to rub a little fresh garlic on the bread to bring out the savory flavors. Breakfast in New York was chocolate chip pancakes with berry compote. Monday was cinnamon rolls. Though the default lately is usually soft boiled eggs and toast. 

There's always coffee. 

New York, New York

 Mikey and James

Sunday morning we got up at 5am and packed our snow-covered car with overnight bags and our coffee tumblers--New York bound. As I had never been to the city I was actually full of anticipation and wonder at the unknown. We arrived on Mikey and Kristin's doorstep just in time for breakfast before church. Their little New York apartment is tiny but feels completely like home. After church we wandered from Times Square down through The Plaza and Central Park, popping into shops along the way to warm up for a bit. It wasn't snowing but it could have been--it was freezing outside! But the lights, the people, the exploring, and conversation were worth it to endure the cold.

In the afternoon we met Am and Cliff and continued exploring with them (I think the Mulligans went home to take a nap). We got dinner, walked some more, chatted with and got to know Cliff, and then headed down to see our favorite band, Branches, play at Rockwood Music Hall. There we met our friends Sam and Jayde (who had stayed with us last week on their way back from South Africa). Branches put on an awesome show, as always, and after we loaded up their instruments and took a cab back up to 181st Street.

After unloading the equipment we finally fell into bed, and slept soundly until about 8. The best part about sleep-overs is your friends are still there in the morning--I would know, we woke up with friends all week! Coffee, breakfast, good conversation--it seems that happens a lot at the Mulligan's. We packed up (all Branches' stuff actually fit in our car!) and drove north, back to Boston. We quickly dropped off the instruments and James dropped me off at work. The end of our adventure.

It won't be the last time we take a whirlwind trip to New York--but next time I think we'll chose warmer weather.

This New Semester

The morning James and I left Dana Point we all went down to walk along the beach. On days like today, when we wake up to snow falling outside in Boston, I think of this.

Spring semester has begun, and I keep telling myself--as I don my feather-down snow jacket--that at the end I will be wearing sandals and short sleeve shirts to class. This semester I am taking Book Editing and an Applications of Print Publishing class. They should go well together, editing and learning the computer programs that we use to build books. My Book Editing class is taught by one of my favorite professors so far, even though he gives an abundant amount of homework. I'm actually avoiding that homework currently, writing this. But I'll consider it my warm-up.

Lately, as always, I've been trying to find beauty in the small things. I'm enjoying hot coffee, my new calendar, a journal I only doodle in, fresh flowers in our house, the sunset out our living room windows, warm blankets, soft boiled eggs and toast for breakfast, my friends at work, waking up before the sun, wool socks, pictures of Laurel's babies, time to read, and game nights.

A Cozy January Day

I had the day off today. So, naturally, it was full. 

I spent the morning finishing Howard Schultz's first book, Pour Your Heart Into It. A story about the beginning of his company, my company, and the process of growing it from one small retail store into a global corporation. Reading about the decisions he made, how hard he worked, and the team of people he leads Starbucks with was inspiring. I appreciate Howard's vision and how much he cares about me as a partner. 

In the afternoon I went to New Covenant School, where James teaches, to help lace up ice skates. The kindergarten teacher is also a friend of ours, and she asked me if I would help her with her kiddos today. Even though I haven't ice skated since high school, I was ready. Kindergarteners have such tiny feet! Tiny skates! I enjoyed watching James help and encourage his students. They all call me Mrs. Pierce--love that.

For dinner I made cauliflower soup, a creamy, onion and potato based soup from one of my favorite cookbooks. It has mustard and olive oil croutons that go with it, topped with sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect for a rainy evening. 

Fireside Games

 My munchkin face.

James woke up this morning and said--

Ash we've been home two whole weeks and we haven't played Munchkin once. 

Complete with a pout face. 

Am got this game for James as a Christmas present. The moment he opened the box and began to read the rules he was hooked. James likes games with complicated rules, and it seems he also likes games with rules that can be played randomly, trump other rules, and used by other rules to win. Confused? Me too. I'll admit it took me a while to understand what I was playing. The best part was hanging out with my siblings and giggling at the silliness of it all. It also helps that we use peanut butter cups as markers for our levels. Miss spending time with these guys. 

I think we'll have a game night here soon.