 *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series I’m always trying to do something I’ve never done before - to try something new. Whether it be a new recipe in the kitchen, read a book I never thought of reading, drive a different route to get where I’m going, expand my taste buds with a new brand of coffee, or visit somewhere I’ve never been… Well, in the spirit of that continued search, we finally made it to The Grom… Angie’s Grom, that is.     We had visited Angie’s Subs for the first time a while back - before the plague - and had intentions to then get ourselves on over to The Grom as well, but then everything shut down. And it only took us some freaking years to finally make it to the most local of local establishments in town here at the beach. Located at 204 3rd Avenue South in Jacksonville Beach, The Grom describes itself online as a colorful and quirky sandwich joint. They serve breakfast and lunch and coffee and sodas. And on weekends they also have a Sunday Brunch menu.  With a Facebook page and an Instagram, social media is the way to stay connected with the Grom online. So if you’re looking for an online menu before going in, check them out on social for the latest and their daily specials. The Grom is a daytime cafe - of which there are a lot in town. Their hours are normally 7am-4pm on Monday through Friday, plus 7am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday’s, with dine-in, takeout, and delivery having some limitations right now during the coronavirus situation we all find ourselves in.   Described as a local dive, or the beaches dive, I knew I wouldn’t need to be dressed in my Sunday finest to visit. A tank top, shorts, and some flip flops are more than dressy enough, and most people get their food while going or coming to the beach for the day. And with the early morning start, it’s a great, quick stop to get coffee on the way to work for the day. Angie’s also sells reusable drink mugs too for hot coffee refills to go. On this day, we were once again out on a morning walk with the pooch. And decided it was finally time to pay them a visit.  The vibe is fun and most definitely beachy. Silly, and most certainly colorful. There isn’t a dry or boring space on any wall. Service is fast-casual, paying at the counter, then waiting for one’s order to be called. Out the front door and around to the side, there’s a cute little outdoor seating alcove that we found ourselves situated at, enjoying the beautiful morning. I’ve been in love with the tall palm tree being hugged by a table and chairs forever and glad to finally sit at it.  For purposes of this visit, we ordered two hot coffee’s, to go. Plus hubby ordered the breakfast burrito/wrap meal - which comes with home fries. They also offer iced coffee - already premade and sweetened. We opted for the hot coffee, adding cream and no sweetner.     Our total for two coffee’s at $2.50 each, plus the single breakfast meal at $5.99, was $11.76, plus tip. The price for a cup of coffee is certainly one of the cheapest around, and the cup a generous size as well. Actually, word of mouth has it that Angie’s offers generous portions and remains extremely inexpensive. I would say that rumor is true. With our cups of coffee being quite large - comparable to a Starbucks venti size hot drink, and the portion of food in the to-go box, we definitely got our money’s worth. In fact, my coffee was so large I didn’t finish and put the rest in the fridge, to reheat the next morning. Fast, simple, and in and out. We took our order home to eat on the balcony. Another Sunday at home. Another week on the way. And another place I’d never been checked off my imaginary list… What something new did you do this weekend? And what something new will you be trying this week? ~ 
*Have you been to Angie’s Grom? What’s your favorite item on their menu? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: Hey - you there - If you’re looking for the rest of Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge, check out the links below: 72] Breezing Through Life @ Breezy’s Coffee Shop 69] Chaunie’s Coffee Truck 67] Delicious & Delightful Days @ The Delicomb 60] Welcome To Muffin Land ~ The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 44] Nothing Finer Than Coffee In The Keys ~ The Coffee Plantation Cafe 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 9] Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida Also - you may wanna browse through some more of my ponderings, and poems, here: 73] What I’m Missing Right Now 71] My 69 Week Break From Social Media ~ Why I Left & Why I Came Back 68] A Sunday Stroll 65] The Sea Life ~ Happy Easter 64] Stay-At-Home Sunday ~ Palm Sunday 63] Mercy & Comfort 62] PERSPECTIVE @ Seaside Sculpture Park 61] Bean’s Idea List ~ 15 Daily Activities For Well Beyond 15 Days 59] REACTION ~ To World War 19 57] First Watch on the First Coast 55] The Shamrock 54] Um, Open @ Angie’s Subs 51] Life Is Full Of Pasta-Bilities ~ Bean’s Red Sauce Recipe *Part of - Bean’s Kitchen - series  *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series If you’ve been patiently waiting for Starbucks to reopen their doors, you may want to consider checking out Breezy’s while you’re in Jax Beach. As the coffee giant closed their doors at the beach a few weeks back, those long days might have well been eternity. But a lot of the local shops, the small businesses trying to survive, having been doing their best to remain open - for to-go service. So as Starbucks remained closed, and in my infinite search to find every coffee shop around, I was reminded of Breezy’s. Located directly on A1A and 237 8th Avenue South, and less than three blocks from the sandy and breezy beach, Breezy’s Coffee Shop is the ideal cafe if you’re looking for a quick, yet relaxing, outing. It’s small, alright. And it’s quaint, and charming. And while Starbucks is my usual go-to coffee shop, I was extremely glad to find myself at Breezy’s doorstep on a sunny and cheerful day along the coast.      Situated in a bright yellow old beach cottage, the cafe is on the first floor of the home. There is plenty of outdoor seating around back on the outside patio. Although, for purposes of this visit, there was no on-site dining allowed due to the coronavirus - which was just fine for hubby and I. We were on a morning walk with our furry baby when we stopped in.      I had been to Breezy’s only once before. It was about a year ago. And it was right around two o’clock in the afternoon. We walked in and were informed they were closing for the day. We made a quick purchase, and hadn’t been back since. I figured, no time like the present to head on back for a second outing. So if you are headed to Breezy’s you’ll want to make note of the somewhat limited business hours. They close at 2pm five days a week, and are open until 9pm for wine on Friday and Saturday evenings. So while it is definitely a local cafe, and an alternative to Starbucks, there’s nothing like the dependency of Starbucks’ hours of operation if you are a busy person like I am. Also due to the coronavirus, there was one copy of their menu outside the building. It was sitting on a bench. It was suggested that we look at the menu outside, then come on inside once we were ready to place our order - all to-go, obviously. So I went inside to order. And I was reminded of how much I cannot wait until dine-in is once again allowed. Such a cute little shop, with cozy seating, and newspapers ready and waiting to be read, all set out. Even if just chilling out for a few minutes to soak in some air conditioning, coffee shops remain a wonderful place, in my book, to cool off.     We both ordered two frozen lattes. To go along nicely with the hot weather on our early morning walk. And hubby ordered the sausage breakfast sandwich, which comes on sliced pita bread - he was given the ham sandwich instead - but enjoyed it just fine. I ordered a slice of the homemade banana bread - the infamous bread of the moment - during the pandemic. I highly recommend the banana bread. Our total was $19.80 for the two cold drinks and the two breakfast items.      And if you are a fan of seeking out and photographing all the local wall murals in town, Breezy’s is the place to be for that as well. The surrounding area buildings and alleyways are painted, so if you’re sitting outside at the cafe, you’ll have a fun time gazing at all the art while you’re soaking in the sun. Yes, it was definitely a gorgeous spring morning at the beach. And I was so grateful to be outside, walking, and with my doggy. We walked home the rest of the way with our cold and refreshing drinks. Passing Starbucks up, enroute home and merely two blocks away from Breezy’s… I immediately noted their first day of operation since the coronavirus had them closing their doors! Exclamation point well deserved. The drive-thru line might have well been a mile long according to my eyes. I was not the only one happy to see them open and alive once again. Arriving home, and grateful for my breezy and beachy outing… feeling all the calming coastal winds while out exploring... I made note of plans for the following day - I will most definitely be at Starbucks tomorrow. ~ 
*Have you been to Breezy’s? Have you missed Starbucks as much as I have during this crazy pandemic? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: Also, for the rest of Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - check out the links below: 69] Chaunie’s Coffee Truck 67] Delicious & Delightful Days @ The Delicomb 60] Welcome To Muffin Land ~ The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 44] Nothing Finer Than Coffee In The Keys ~ The Coffee Plantation Cafe 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 9] Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida Plus, if there’s a diner in town - I’ve been there! And if there’s one you think I need to visit - PLEASE - let me know! You can check out my visits to many local area diners, right here: 57] First Watch on the First Coast 50] Sundays Are For Diners ~ Super Diners 40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 19] Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 16] Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come  *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series Holy cow folks! Here’s my first dining review since the world went ahead and changed on us all… Today, I’ll be visiting an adorable local cafe in Jax Beach. And the only difference between this visit and any other dining review I present you with… is the fact that this is my first review since life as we all knew it imploded before all our very eyes. Yep, we’ve all been thrown for a total loop these last many weeks. And things are only getting stranger and stranger each and every day. And hour by hour. I’m thinking to myself… Maybe we’ve finally gone through the other side of that Black Hole I constantly theorize about. Or - a wormhole? Or maybe we’ve even been teleported to the edge of the universe. And then jumped right over into our real and true multiverse? Either that, or it’s just another day on this - our good buddy - Earth. Yes, Mother Nature is challenging us. And we are at war - with a virus. Either way, as I’ve said since the very beginning and even before that. I’m still going to live my life. I’m going to be alive - when I’m alive. I’m not going to be afraid. And I’m not going to cower. Don’t get me wrong - I’m still going to be safe. I’m still going to follow the guidelines set forth by our leaders. I’m simply not going to panic…. And I will keep living my life. Thus, what I mean is - I’m still going to go about my day. My job outside the home is still open. I work at what the government is now deeming an essential business during this crazy crisis. So I HAVE to leave the home. But I’m extremely happy to do it, and I would be doing it anyway. So in a way, I’m still technically living my “normal” life - while surrounded by much un-normalness. And I’m extremely grateful for my job. Even as things change now by the week, by the day, by the hour, and by the minute. Literally. And during my shift, I am also grateful now more than ever for my lunch break. And each day on my break, I’ve been trying to support an area business to grab some quick food. I have one hour to patronize a local drive-thru. I have one hour to get a drink of coffee or iced tea or some drive-thru food or take out, or drop-in-your-trunk food. And then get myself back to work, and back to sweating my behind off. But like I said - I’m still living. So Sunday Morning in America… I start my day. And I checked my social media as I usually do. I happened to see today's muffin specials at The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry, located @ 115 5th Street South in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.    This cafe is the absolute cutest place in town. I’ve been before. But I’ve never been during the Apocalypse...I’ve never been during WW19. So, I’ll give it a whirl, I thought. And better yet, I’ll go, and then tell you all about it. So that you can also consider giving them a whirl on your next morning looking to support a local business, and when you want a fabulous cappuccino too. So according to Facebook and Instagram, The Muffinry was currently open and inviting us to come on over and pick up some take-out. While indoor dining is not allowed at any restaurant in the state of Florida right now, lots and lots of restaurants, coffee shops, diners, cafes, etc. are still trying to stay alive. They are trying to keep their operations up and running. But most of all and very importantly, they are trying to keep America both alive and fed during this Conona Crisis, and at the same time, keep our spirits up. The very least I can do is try to patronize local businesses in return. After all, I gotta eat any way you slice my ugly muffin. So, on this beautiful day at the beach, we went for a lovely walk. The sea mist was beautiful and refreshing. Lots of people out and about walking and biking on the local strip. Countless dogs being walked. And as we approached The Muffinry, I saw people picking up their order and walking to their cars. The beautiful and picturesque exterior of the cafe is beyond charming. I was so appreciative of everything I saw. Life was happening - still - all around me. Yes, any day and every day can be the best day of one’s life. The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry is housed in an absolutely charming old house. About a block from the beach. And yes once again, their location is beyond priceless. Surrounded by other homes, condos, sidewalks, and inviting and open parks, with the ocean on the horizon, The Ugly Cupcake has all the feels that perfectly define the local beach community here in Jax. They have outdoor seating tables and chairs and umbrellas. Now just sitting there - waiting to be used when life is “normal” again. When we can un-social distance ourselves from one another. The property entryway is lined with a white picket fence post front gate, which welcomes you into their front yard.       We were greeted immediately, outside at the front porch. They welcomed us inside and said we could come in if we wanted. We went in to pay and their payment Square is just inside the open front door anyway. But they have it set up to pay that you’re “inside” but not inside the building if you don’t need or want to go any further. While we obviously could not eat inside, I have been here many times, and never have eaten inside. The outside is sooo adorable, and besides, it’s Florida y’all. We are always outside anyway.  Pet-friendly establishment! Always, such a friendly establishment every time I’ve been - but this day was even better. I was so glad we could chat with them a bit, before continuing on our walk back home. They informed us they have yet to lay off even one employee - as of my visit on Sunday, March 22. And that they are actively donating during this crisis through their newly implemented program entitled “Muffin But Love” - and I just love that. They are truly helping pay if forward in this great time of need. 100% of the gratuity added to each check is being used entirely to pay it forward. So, if you go, please tip what you can give. They are putting that money to make food to pass on to those in the local community who have been affected by this new and unforeseen crisis, such as business and restaurant and bar workers who have since found themselves abruptly unemployed. And While The Ugly Cupcake has recently since been restricting their dining to take-out throughout the Corona Crisis, they have still been publicizing daily on their social media about their daily muffin specials. Fresh and very healthy muffins made fresh daily.   Muffins used to be on display behind this case - but for food sanitation purposes they are not in the back in the kitchen.     And on a somewhat sad note, according to their social media, starting this week they are closing their doors to customers almost entirely for the unforeseen future of this crisis. They will still be available, but through online order, with pick-ups once or twice a week. As they are trying to do their part to limit interactions and help stop the spread. But on a positive note - this is adaptation. This is the way forward. This is innovation. To stay alive. To stay functioning. We all must change in some way to persevere in an ever-changing environment. If you’re local during this crisis, please consider this wonderful and friendly and local community small business establishment. The next time you need a meal to go, a meal at home that you are too tired to cook for, or simply need to get out of your self-quarantine for a bit when going to the grocery store or pharmacy. Go ahead and place an online order. Stop by and pick up during the scheduled times they set. The Ugly Cupcake has lots of other foods beyond muffins. I’ve had it all before. And I’ll be happy to come back and review their hot menu for y’all once their kitchen is open to the public again.       But for purposes of this visit, we got their basics. We picked up a bag of muffins and two coffees. Specifically, we ordered two blueberry muffins and two double chocolate muffins. I then ordered a large 16 oz. cappuccino and hubby ordered and the large cold brew iced coffee with some really cool coffee ice cubes inside it - the creative way of not having one’s cold coffee get watered down is genius to coffee fans.      Doggie muffin!  Blueberry muffin.  Double chocolate muffin.  And, of course, because it would not be a visit to the Muffinry without something special happen, they sent us away with a dog muffin as a treat. What a special place in our local community. And as I write this review with joy and love and happiness, I can’t help but feel the sadness still ahead of us through this pandemic. An economic and societal crisis that is really only truly beginning. The ripple effect of everything that has occurred is sending shock waves throughout the world. To receive the doggy muffin during such times touched my heart. I’ll be back. When they open up again. I’ll be back for a full and thorough dining review - with a hot breakfast out on the porch. Oh yeah - side note - while we could not go upstairs this day due to the statewide indoor dining ban, The Muffinry does have an upstairs, outdoor porch. Breathtaking views await us all at their reopening. In the interim, if you’re here in town, go ahead and place a take-out order. Help pay it forward to our wonderful and amazing local community when you add gratuity to your check. Say hello. Say thank you. Stop to have a conversation. Remembering all the humans that are part of our shared and beautiful humanity, while you have yourself a very large - and very ugly - muffin. ~ 
*Have you been to The Ugly Cupcake? What small businesses are you supporting during this Corona Apocalypse? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: Hey there, my fellow cupcake lovers - here’s some more local bakery, diner, and coffee shop reviews for you, all located right here in the Jax, FL area: 9] Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida *Part of ~ Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge ~ 16] Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come 19] Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 50] Sundays Are For Diners ~ Super Diners 57] First Watch on the First Coast Plus - check out these other fun adventures below - all from my Floridian Dreams: 2] 3 Wows Plus 1 Piece Of Magic I Experienced At Jacksonville, Florida’s Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens 3] The Dog Days Of Endless Summer 8] It’s Fall ~ In Florida ~ Y’all! 11] Eleven South Bistro & Bar ~~ Supper Club Of The South 12] Paint N’ Pints @ Intuition Ale Works ~ Downtown Jacksonville, FL 14] Finding Trinkets & Treasures @ The Jax Beach Vintage Flea Market 15] V Pizza ~ The Very Best Pizza In Jax Beach! *Part of ~ Bean’s Best ~ Award Winner 2019 18] Sea & Sky Jax Weekend ~ Fun In The Florida Sun, Sea, Sky & Sand 22] Saturday On San Pablo Island 31] Tuesday’s On First Street ~ The Jax Beach Art Walk ~ 32] Jolly Holiday In Jarboe Park ~ The Beaches Green Market 36] The End Of A Decade & My New Year’s Wish To You ~ 40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 44] Nothing Finer Than Coffee In The Keys ~ The Coffee Plantation Cafe 45] Dessert First, My Friends ~ Cantina Louie 52] Keeping Cool - And Creamy ~ In Key West 53] Totally Terrific & Tasty Thai @ Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine 54] Um, Open @ Angie’s Subs  I love bakeries. I love everything created and made by hand inside of bakeries. My favorite bakeries are the small ones - the local ones - the ones that aren’t part of any chain - the ones no one’s ever really heard of, except those who live right there in that same town alongside it. Sure, I seem to always find time and room for Dunkin and Starbucks, etc. In fact, where else do I run to while on a long road trip but for a Dunkin coffee to keep me awake while I’m driving? But what about all those bakeries scattered across the country that don’t have a drive-thru attached? The bakeries you actually have to get out of your car for, and go inside the building to place your order??? Those bakeries... tend to be the best bakeries.  I like to think that my passionate love of bakeries and their heavenly creations runs in my blood... My grandfather was a baker for well over forty years. And when he wasn’t working, both he and my grandmother were at home. They spent hours upon hours in the kitchen. Always cooking. And always baking. Some of my favorite memories with both of them include time well spent in that small kitchen. My sisters and I helped them cook all kinds of food. But my favorite foods they made were their baked goods, of course. My Papa taught us how to hand-roll the dough to make kolacky cookies. We always started by pouring flour onto the table-top - that was my favorite part - making a purposeful and deliberate mess. We rolled the dough and we put in the jellied fillings. We watched them bake. My grandparents made hundreds of cookies, each and every Christmas, before their health declined and they could no longer do it. It seemed to me that everyone they knew was given a large and heaping full silver aluminum tray of kolackys to take home and enjoy on the holiday. I’ve yet to be able to replicate those amazing cookies. I am continually determined to try though. I believe my grandparents teaching us these skills in the kitchen has held influence on my life and transformed my love of food, and really just helped me become the person I am today. Foods are tradition. And when my husband and I bake now, not making nearly as much at a time that my grandparents did in their prime, we are always sure to pass some goodies along to a neighbor, a friend, or to whomever we will be seeing in the coming days. This holiday season I am looking forward to baking chocolate chip cookies, frosted sugar cookies, and Angeletti cookies with my husband. It is now tradition in my home, and someday I’m going to replicate that kolacky as well… maybe even this year. When I lived in Illinois, there was an abundance of local bakeries. I could go in any suburb surrounding me, living just outside of Chicago, and find a bakery. There was never a shortage of places to pick up special cookies for Easter, a coffee cake to bring to a party, or a cake for a special occasion. And my hubby’s favorite item served at any bakery are always their frosted sugar cookies. Me - I like the chocolate donuts. Simple, basic, and the best ever. In my hometown, the Orland Park Bakery is one of God’s best creations. I make it a point to stop there at least once, and most likely always much more than once, every time I go up for a visit. Some years back, I remember one cold December day, my husband and I decided to make the trek all the way out to Chicago just to visit a local bakery and pick up their special St. Nicholas Day gingerbread cookies. My hubby had them in his youth every year, so we wanted to bring the tradition and memories back, and he really wanted me to try them for the first time. Well, being a self-proclaimed bakery connoisseur by this point in my life, I should have well known that making the very long trek fighting through Chicago holiday traffic and ridiculously sloppy weather to arrive at a bakery around two in the afternoon... is really not the best time to arrive at a bakery. Bakeries thrive in the mornings. They are the place to be - in the morning. After almost two hours in the car and arriving mid-afternoon, what in the world was I thinking? We definitely should have gone in the morning for this adventure? But that was a different life I lived, and now I am fully awake by five am daily. Anything later - I tend to consider myself sleeping in. We parked and walked through the icy cold and the busy and festively decorated street to find the bakery, just about to close. The window displays were empty. And once inside, the shelves were near empty as well. Sold out for the day of all product. I was crushed. We inquired... And somehow, by some miracle of the bakery Gods up above, they still had a few St. Nicholas Day cookies left… We’ll take them! We were ecstatic. We took all that remained. Thrilled. We also snagged up a pre-arranged box of their sprinkle cookies simply because it was all that reminded for sale, sitting on a counter and patiently waiting to go home with someone. It was only after this outing did I learn that I could actually pre-order special product at bakeries to guarantee them available when I arrive to pick up. So we were on our way out of the bakery to leave them be as they closed up for the day. It would be many more years before I learned my lesson about “sleeping in” and my enrollment in my own 5am Club membership. To me, at the time, we had simply just ‘lucked out’ that’ they had some cookies left for us to purchase. We then strolled just a short ways down the street from the bakery and dined at a local Bohemian restaurant. It was an old building, and a place beautifully decorated for the upcoming holiday. It was an altogether lovely outing. An outing entirely revolved around bakery as the destination. When I moved to Florida, it was my definite perception and really became quite hard to find a good bakery. They weren’t nearly as abundant as they were in Illinois. And when we did find a bakery - it didn’t taste the same as up north! I am extremely biased though...Chicago has the best food, and nothing else even comes close. So it’s very difficult for me to compare the delicious food from the north with the different food in the south. Today, bakeries are still part of my life. I recently lost a lot of weight and made a complete lifestyle change these past few years. I am much healthier than I was during the earlier part of this decade. I had gained weight during a lot of inactivity, and now I have lost it all, and am quite happy to say that I am very healthy. I lost 83 pounds lost to be exact. I go into great detail on my weight loss journey here if you’d like to check out how I lost 77 of those pounds in one year’s time. How can I be so healthy now and still eat donuts regularly? The answer is simply moderation. And - Discipline. I can eat ALL THE THINGS. Just not ALL THE TIME. I believe that when one fully grasps and understands that simple and basic concept, it can truly be life-changing. And I love baked goods so much that I currently plan a once-a-month outing to our local bakery - Cinotti’s, located in Jax Beach, FL. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Declared on the top of each box. I lost 83 freaking pounds, while eating treats and breads and pastas and pizza and ice cream - AND - bakery, lots of Cinotti’s Bakery.  Summer time @ Cinotti’s  Back to school time @ Cinotti’s  Thanksgiving time @ Cinotti’s  Christmas time @ Cinotti’s  By establishing that roughly once-a-month outing, this allows for me to have the tasty treats that I love and never, ever want to give up, but also allows for discipline and patience in between outings. All that discipline and patience make for a stronger person. I don’t eat donuts every day - I eat them roughly once a month. And as I’m sure you’ve probably read in every magazine out there preaching at you on how to get healthy - don’t restrict. Don’t eliminate… Meaning, don’t erase foods from your life to get healthy. Learn to live WITH the foods you love. Because life is too short not to eat donuts. Just don’t eat them all the time. Simple, right? These outings are so important to me I classify them by name - and time-and-date stamp them into my iPhone calendar as well. I then share the calendar event with my hubby so he knows when we are going out for donuts. Yay! We have called these visits many things… Fabulous Friday, Wacky Wednesday, Tasty Tuesday, and Terrific Thursday. Whatever we call it isn’t important though; it's simply putting a name to an event on the calendar that is now tradition. Right now, hubby and I are living through our monthly ‘Totally Terrific and Tasty Tuesdays’ - That means we go to Cinotti’s, once a month, on a Tuesday. And my iPhone tells me as much, once a month. So simple, and sooooo delicious. And for our November visit to the bakery, our furry baby Madeline was officially included in this little tradition of ours…. When I happened to glance down while we were paying, and underneath the cash register area toward all the little holiday trinkets for sale inside the shop... dog bones! Better yet - BAKERY dog bones! I was thrilled once again. How absolutely and utterly adorable. Made with flour and peanut butter and really just a few simple ingredients safe for a doggie’s tummy, and with a label calling them Canine Cookies… I HAD to purchase them! When we got home Madeline had the single best treat she ever had in her life. I know this not because she told me in English, but because she literally cried out loud for more after she was done with her very special bone. Even dogs love bakery.  And now that I know there is life out there at five am, and that is also roughly when bakeries are usually turning on their lights for the day, we would never now show up at the bakery at such a late hour as two in the afternoon. When that time of the month arrives, and my iPhone vibrates and jingles to tell me it’s our Totally Terrific and Tasty Tuesday, we go outside and exercise before the sun rises, and then head right on over to Cinotti’s. We arrive there fairly early in the morning, when they are fully stocked and selection is overflowing. Parents are bringing in their school-aged children up to the counter so they can pick up a special treat on their way to dropping them off at school. I think of my Papa and all his years upon years of hard work in the bakery. I walk outside carrying my taped, cardboard box of goodness, and I miss him terribly. This box of bakery is a special way of remembering him. Yes, life is too short not to eat donuts. And we bring home our box along with some peanut butter baked dog bones to our very happy, little, eight year old puppy. ~ 
11/4/2019 0 Comments #20) My First Visit To A Cat Cafe ~ The Good, The Not-So-Good, and the Noble Cause *Part of Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series* Have you heard of the newest craze? Cat Cafes? They’re popping up all over the place. And as both a coffee lover and animal lover, they have really peaked my curiosity… You come for the coffee, and you stay for the cats.  I knew such places existed, and being an artist who paints daily, I even heard of cat cafes where you can have coffee, pet kitties, and paint at the same time! How freaking cool! But only recently did I find out that Jax Beach has its very own cat cafe - The Caffeinated Cat. Recently opened in August, I had read an article about it and was very intrigued by the concept. I had heard of such cafes in large cities like Orlando, and Chicago, but never one so close to home. I needed to go check the place out for myself. And after my experience there, I’d like to share my impressions, my opinions on some aspects that really may need to be worked upon, and what I believe is quite noble about the concept. So here’s specifically my take on the good, the not-so-good, and the noble cause of The Caffeinated Cat: THE GOOD: The cats are from Mayport Cats, and they need to find their forever homes. Run by both employee and volunteer, the cats are fed and seemingly well cared for by staff, and get to be cuddled and petted throughout the day by caffeinated and coffee-sipping customers. The Caffeinated Cat serves coffee, wine, and snacks. And there is a small room in the back that sells merchandise such as tees and cat toys.   There's plenty of outdoor seating on a large wooden patio deck with chairs, benches, and umbrellas. And then once inside, there’s a bar style seating area overlooking a large window into the cat room. The cats are all safely secure inside this second room. This allows for them to roam free comfortably, without staff worrying that they might escape each time someone enters or exits the Cafe.  I believe the main goal of the concept and facility is to help in establishing the human - animal connection. As a very passionate animal lover myself, I was very excited about my impending visit there. Some or most of the cats have special needs on top of also needing to find their forever homes. And when we walked in, the barista was tending to an injured feline at the time as well. And there were quite a few cats in the cat room - many more than I imagined they would have actually.  We came about 1-1:30 in the afternoon. Their hours on Saturday are 10am-8pm. When we were in the cat room, nearly every single one of the cats was sleeping, trying to sleep, or already in a very, very deep sleep. They were all really very tired precious little kitties. I had said as much and one of the staff members mentioned to me that the kitties had already had a very busy morning. A morning of pets and cuddles I’m certain. I can only hope that busy mornings helps transpire into adoptions for the furry creatures.  I ordered the Calico Cappuccino, and my hubby ordered the Persian Latte. We were given our drinks with felt/reusable sleeves; a neat concept to help reduce waste. And when you leave you drop the sleeve in a recycle bin for continued use.  We also took a punch card with nine circles. You need to purchase eight punches worth (eight drinks) and then the ninth drink is free - representing, of course, the nine lives of cats. THE NOT-SO-GOOD: The cats had no place to “escape” to. I had a cat for fifteen years. I’ve seen all kinds of cats at homes, shelters, and outside. I’ve been attacked by a cat (a cat I know personally) who ate away at my legs and I then needed a doctor’s visit and antibiotics to prevent disease and infection from setting in. I know from very personal experiences that cats need to feel they have an escape route. They are very sensitive and have strong personalities. They may like cuddles, and they definitely may not. Either way, they need to feel like they have a secure place to go.  There were many, many cats in the cat room. They had little nooks and crannies that they claimed as their own space, but there was no escape for them. If one needed to run away and hide in a corner, there really was no dark corner to hide in. No ‘cat door’ into another room for some privacy. Sure there were toys and tunnels and such, but just thinking back to my own cat in the past, if she felt like she needed her alone time she ran away to the upstairs or the basement where no one bothered her. These cats didn’t have such an escape room at all. And with visitors not possibly knowing their personality in advance, I could definitely see potential visitors needing a doctors visit and antibiotics just like me if something went even slightly wrong for a kitty. Plus, the hours of operation: Being a coffee shop, they don’t open even one day per week prior to ten am. Most people drink their coffee in the mornings, or right when they wake. The Caffeinated Cat not opening til mid-morning, and on Tuesday’s only being open from 2-7pm - I can foresee the coffee part of the experience not being too enticing for some. Also, the lack of cleanliness and sanitation was a major factor in my impression that this place needs a lot of work to continue operating and lasting as a mix of both adoptions as well as coffee shop. When entering, there is a very “dirty” smell. Obviously, many, many kitties living together and sharing litter boxes can create a stench. And it was most definitely a stench, not just a smell. I recommend ventilation. There was none. Fans, whether portable or just some kind of open window even, was desperately needed. It was small, and very quiet inside. A radio, television, or music on a portable speaker would help add to the “coffee shop” atmosphere, in the area outside of the cat room at a minimum. And…. the nitty gritty of the sanitation issues… The same person who was tending to an injured kitty when we walked in, happened to then be the same person who rang up our order, made both of our drinks, then went back into the cat room, no hand washing or sanitation at any time during that interaction. I also happened to ask for a lid so I wouldn’t spill or mix it any more than necessary with the kitties, and that same individual had to then play around with the lids (still no hand washing) to make it fit on the cup. She explained the lids do not fit properly and have to be played around with to work correctly. Without hand-washing between animal and human food interactions, I see major potential for disease and/or food poisoning happening here. After I was served my drink, I desperately tried to swallow a few sips, purely as part of my coffee shop challenge, and it was at that point it became undrinkable to me. I did try it though. THE NOBLE CAUSE: I came here to check the place out. I came here knowing cats need their own space. I came here knowing there are an infinite number of God’s precious little innocent and defenseless creatures needing a forever home to go to. I wanted to try to support a local business and organization that really is doing a very, very noble thing by trying to help people become aware of adoption, and get kitties placed into homes. Plus, the kitties are not stuck in cages while awaiting their futures. The Caffeinated Cat has fabulous potential as an interesting and unique concept. It just needs some work. In the meantime, lots of kitties need lots of forever homes and The Caffeinated Cat in Jax Beach is trying to do its part in helping out some very fabulous felines. And while the coffee was definitely not the best I’ve ever had - it was machine coffee and really nothing special at all - I didn’t really go there expecting to be served the fanciest drink in the world - I came there to cuddle with kitties. And to help spread the world that there are so very many little creatures in this world that need a loving home. ~   ‘Hot Kitty’ 36x12x0.75 acrylic on canvas
 I had literally been looking forward to this event all year - The 2019 Annual Jacksonville Beach Vintage Flea Market had finally arrived. This year the event took place on Saturday, October 12th, from 9am-3pm. And, competing for attention, the Jax Beaches Oktoberfest was taking place just down the street a bit - so there was definitely plenty to do in town on this long, three day, holiday weekend.  An open air sunny market complete with all kinds of vendors selling their treasures was an absolutely ideal Saturday morning for me. I grabbed the hubby and brought him along - with the promise of coffee - even though the promise of coffee was for myself too. I remembered last year that Chaunie’s Coffee Truck was at the market, and I had the best iced latte in the entire world while looking at all the various trinkets and furniture and art. But, alas, no coffee vendor this year at the Vintage Market. And I heard that Chaunie’s was over at the Seawalk Pavilion setting up at Oktoberfest this year. So coffee would have to wait for both of us until we were done browsing around.  However, there was a very small snack vendor selling to raise funds on behalf of the Fletcher High School Band. But I do think a coffee truck would have done great business that morning had they been there, as lots of folks had their Starbucks cups in hand while out shopping.  The market takes place up and down the blocks parallel the Beaches Museum. The streets are closed off to traffic and pedestrians are everywhere. We went fairly early just after it started at 9am, and the surrounding parking lots were already full. As we parked, shoppers were walking back to their cars with all kinds of neat finds; some things brand new, and some things very, very old.  I really enjoy that mix of old and new at this market as it provides something for most everyone’s tastes, interests, collections, and budgets. And for anyone with a creative brain, browsing through all the vendors can spur lots of ideas and inspiration. The other benefit of attending this market is its timing - it’s a fabulous place to find some holiday gifts and I was able to check a few items off my list while there.     For myself personally, I took home two very unique and homemade treasures that I know I will cherish forever. I absolutely love pottery and glasses and vases, and have an ever-growing collection in my home. For at least the last two years I had been on the lookout for the most perfect piece for the center of my coffee table. Shop after shop, market after market, over two years, I looked, and I patiently waited. I needed just the right thing, in just the right color. And I do believe it’s always worth the wait. I came upon Sea Le Vie, and it was there that my two year search ended in a flash. Before I even knew the price I said this was it. And my find was literally only $8.00. I have paid a whole lot more for mass-produced, not hand-made, pieces.  Plus, I was also able to speak to the creator. I think she was aware of how excited I was with my find, as she told me that she loves it when someone loves her work enough to take it home with them. I immediately understood her comment, as nothing brings me more joy than when I sell a painting to someone who is truly interested in what I paint; and loves and enjoys the art I create enough to hang it upon a wall in their own home. And her aqua painted glass piece that I purchased is now sitting in my home in front of me on the center of my coffee table - the most perfect piece that I am glad I patiently searched all over for, and ended up finding so close to home.  About half way down the block, and sitting strategically perfect amongst all of the many vendors is the Driftwood gift shop. This place is adorable and no visit to Jax Beach should end without at least a quick stop into this lovely store. Creative and colorful seasonal decor alongside a variety of unique merchandise from local creators on display, there are seemingly endless items to browse through and admire. And if you are looking for actual Driftwood - this is definitely the place to go.       Priced at $25.00, the second item I purchased at the market was a handmade coastal Bethlehem manger scene depicted with oyster shells, to add to my Christmas decor. I have been collecting oyster shells out on the beach since our move to Florida, so these pieces really caught my attention right away.  This type of shell happens to be my absolute most favorite item to collect from the sand. Well, I can’t forget about shark teeth - but those are like finding a needle in a haystack - in three years I have found a total of two. And I do need to give my hubby full credit on both those finds. But collecting unique treasures from the beach has become an utterly enjoyable hobby of mine. I quickly fell in love with the beauty and smoothness and texture of oyster shells and am in the process of collecting enough to make a wreath of them for my front door. So my eyes are always open to hunting out these unique finds; and then when I saw this booth, I was immediately and completely enthralled. Specifically, the unique manger scenes really caught my eye upon first sight. The manger itself is made from driftwood. Various angels flying overhead, along with Mary and Joseph, are each represented by oyster shells of differing sizes, and set up in various ways and positions. The baby Jesus is represented by a most beautiful pearl, thus becoming the focal point of a breathtaking piece of hand-made, hand-crafted art. Then, the star above in the sky is represented by a starfish, but of course. And since I was never able to find a just-right and oh-so-perfect manger scene in the past - one that would immediately catch my attention and my heart - I knew this was the piece when it spoke to me most promptly. Perfection - priced at $25.00 - and I could tell straight away they were all handmade with love.  I spoke to the vendor and I was so excited. Naturally I wanted to know if she sold online. She is a local retired school principal, and makes all her creations “just for fun.” And she is not interested in selling online as she doesn’t want it to become “too big of a thing.” Well, she definitely has something going on, and if she ever went online it would definitely become a thing bigger than it is, quickly. I thanked her and her husband for the most wonderful treasure I was able to take home with me that day.  Browsing through the Jax Beach Vintage Flea Market was a very successful and lovely Saturday morning outing. A fabulous way to enjoy a leisurely, peaceful, slow-paced, and local community event, it’s a great way to kick-start any holiday weekend. And you may just walk away with the most perfect trinket or treasure to enjoy for years to come in your home. For myself, I know it was an extraordinary morning adventure, and afterward...we were off to find some coffee. ~
 *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series Just opened this week! Yay! I absolutely love trying new coffee shops! There is definitely something exciting and intriguing to me when I hear news that a new coffee shop is opening up in the neighborhood. What’s on the menu? How’s the variety and selection? What’s the vibe like inside? Do they keep good and flexible hours of operation? And most importantly, are the drinks delicious enough for me to come back? The answer is yes. On a hot Florida afternoon, my iced latte was cool and delicious; and yes, I will be planning a return visit quite soon. Sago Coffee is simply a fun, upbeat, and modern coffee house instilled with local charm.  I must admit that a personal goal and challenge to myself at least for a couple years now has been to visit and try as many different coffee shops as I can in my daily adventures and travels. I call it ‘Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge.’ And this hobby has only grown and strengthened due to how much fun and enjoyment I’m having with it. Don’t get me wrong - I’m still quite a fan of the big chain coffee shops and I do frequent them, but I’m attempting to give at least equal time and money to those non-chains… those hidden gems of the towns I visit and drive through. Those coffee shops that locals frequent and tourists and visitors are lucky to find either with a Google search or through word-of-mouth. Small business coffee shops have become very intriguing to me, and I haven’t met one yet I didn’t like.  Sago presents a very simplistic menu of hot and cold coffees - including espresso drinks, pour overs, and hot teas. Plus a basic seasonal drink menu as well, with three autumn themed drinks currently being offered. Served in the most adorable glass cups that remind me of an old fashioned mason jar with a modern twist, each glass means one less to-go cup being tossed after a single use. If you are dining in you can request glass - and they still have to-go cups available if you are taking your drink with you.  Visiting in mid-afternoon, the first thing I noticed was that the entire place was packed. A good sign? Parking is certainly at a premium and we parked down the street as the lot was entirely full, with cars waiting for open spots in the small lot. The first feature I notified was the massive and fun garage style windows - and lots of natural light flowing inside... this presents a very warm and open, breathable feel. Edison style lighting throughout and upbeat and lively modern music playing on loud speaker, the vibe is definitely beachy - modern - friendly. Coffee shop chic. Sago offers a variety of seating options. I chose the comfy leather couch to sit and work on my iPad, but there were also single chairs with end tables for drinks to rest upon, long tables, high-top tables, and an entire different seating room off to the side as well. This adjacent side room flows nicely into the main seating area and could easily be utilized for business meetings or study groups, set up almost as an office conference room, but very multi-purpose. In today’s modern age, business transactions of all kinds occur daily at coffee shops, and Sago Coffee is most certainly aware of and prepared for those business meetings to succeed in a warm and friendly environment.   The price was fair and average to all the other surrounding local coffee shops - nothing too extreme at all. Merchandise was offered for sale on a shelf adjacent to the cash registers, including bags of coffee for home brewing. I’m already considering taking a bag home with me on my next visit.  And lastly, I love the hours of operation. Sago is open for all the early birds such as myself, who wake up daily before the sun does. And they are open for those who need that quick late afternoon and evening energy zap and WiFi after dinner. Students will appreciate they are open evenings as a great place for studying as well as meeting for group projects.    So come on out to Sago for your next coffee outing… I would definitely recommend trying Jax Beaches newest coffee shop in town. You won’t be disappointed; and you will leave awake, energized, and ready to take on the rest of your day with a smile. ~~ 
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