Kofenya

My in-law family live in a small town in Ohio called Oxford, home of Miami University (not to be confused with University of Miami - which is in the part of the country that you would expect it to be).

I've always liked Oxford. It has a nice feel to it and, due to a high student population, a number of cool cafes. My wife provided me with the opportunity to escape for a few minutes so I headed uptown to get some coffee. I came across Kofenya (apparently Russian for coffee) which I hadn't noticed before, but has apparently been there for about five years. It's the kind of place that I would think of when I thought about a coffeehouse. Nice atmosphere without being dark and grungy, the buzz of conversation and the aroma of coffee that could be smelled before you entered the door.

Every other table had someone using a laptop (I really should get one - it would make blogging more fun), people were studying, listening to their ipods or just conversing. One woman was weaving bracelets and another couple of friends were talking about the difference between Christians and non-Christians. I wish I could have heard more of what they were saying - you don't get conversations like that much amongst college aged students in Dublin.

All-in-all it was just a cool place to hang out. Plus it was the sort of place that on a good day could make you feel younger than you are, but on a bad day could well have the opposite effect!

I hoping I can visit a couple of the other cafes in Oxford before I leave.

True to its name

Travelling to see the in-laws meant a flight to Chicago, rent a car and drive for about five hours. There are closer airports, but it would have meant changing planes and we wanted to keep that kind of hassle to a minimum with our kids - plus it means an excuse for a couple of days in Chicago on the way home.

We decided to break the drive up with a stop at a motel in the middle of Indiana. By the time we arrived it was about 8pm local time, but it felt like 2:00am. Of course, this didn't stop me from going out for a cup of coffee once the kids were settled.

The place where we stayed didn't have much going for it, but I couldn't resist heading across to the 'Iron Skillet' - a dinner connected with a gas station. The first thing I noticed was that it was a smoking restaurant with a small area reserved for those of us who were a little more picky.

I chose to sit in a booth, but what I really wanted to do was sit with the truckers on stools at the counter. However, I noticed that there were a couple of things missing that would make it obvious that I was a fake - a well worn cap, an abundance of hair. Oh and a truck.

Within seconds of sitting down my waitress came and asked if I'd like something to drink. I ordered coffee and it soon arrived. A classic diner cup with a rounded rim and a slight curve to the body. It was accompanied by my own pot of coffee for me to refill as I pleased - God bless America!

Of course, I couldn't just order a coffee. I needed something with it. So, although it was now pressing on for 3:00am for me I ordered a plate of blueberry pancakes and watched ESPN while I waited. Soon enough my order arrived: pancakes and crispy bacon, little tubs of whipped butter and a small jug of warmed syrup all served on - what else? - an iron skillet. Brilliant.

On my way out I noticed that they were doing a Thanksgiving special on Thursday, but while I was intrigued with the thought of turkey, sweet potatoes and corn served up on a skillet I think enjoying it with family will be far better.

Cafe Americano

We are in the States for a few weeks visiting my wife's family in Ohio for Thanksgiving. So I hope to blog a little about coffee on this side of the Pond...

ZZZzzzzz

Oh man, I'm tired this evening. I think life with three young children is beginning to catch up on me. I'm not sure coffee will help, but I'll give it a go...

Poor Girl

As I was going for coffee this evening I heard a clunk-and-crash coming from a lane way just off the main street I was walking along. As I got closer I saw young girl whose entire exhaust had just fallen off her car! I paused for a moment wondering how I could help, but seeing two people talking with her I kept on walking on the other side of the road.

When I arrived at the coffeehouse and placed my book on the table while I removed my coat I was struck by its title: Beyond the Good Samaritan.

I felt awful.

Playing the Game

It was a quiet evening when I arrived at my local coffeehouse tonight and the area where I sat, with six small sofas and about a dozen cube-seats, was only occupied by a young couple, early twenties I'd say.

They started to kiss.

Now when I say kiss I mean they were really going for it the way that young lovers do when they don't give a stuff who else is around. Look, I'm no stranger to seeing people kiss in public, but wow, this was something else. He was really making a move on her. I think he might of been wanting to taste what she had for breakfast!

And then the strangest thing happened. They stopped kissing, he ordered a blueberry muffin and then proceeded to explain how to play chess!

Now when I say explaining the rules of chess I mean he was really going for it in a big way using packets if sugar, empty cups and a half eaten muffin to illustrate how each piece moves. The lesson concluded with this quote:

"A good chess player will be able to think five moves ahead. I can only think two or three moves ahead."

Yeah, thinks I, and I bet that it isn't just limited to chess.

I know that look!

As the coffeehouse got busier this evening another couple sat in my section of the room. They were a bit different from the other couple. I could tell that straight away. Despite the fact that they were sitting on a love seat she was giving him the cold shoulder while he ate his caramel ice cream. Her arms were cross and her gaze was slightly downward, staring at nothing in particular.

He gave her a little playful nudge on her knee to which she responds by slowly turning towards him, and if looks could kill...

Ohhh, I feel for you, man.

I wanted to go over and ask if everything was okay, but because I has become quite good at ignoring a need this evening I decided to leave them be. Instead I said a quick prayer for them both and within a few minutes they were smiling at each other. They even shared some cake.

I felt much better.

It made me think of a friend (and boss) of mine who gave me some wise counsel before I got married regarding falling out with your partner from time to time. The reality is that couples will have arguments that hurt, but it's the kissing and making up that is fun.

I think these two could take some practical advice on how to do this from the other couple sitting across from them (who had by now managed to track down a chess set and were actually playing!)

Beating the Credit Crunch

This morning my wife suggested an idea for saving money - at least €3 that would otherwise have been spent on a latte: Make your own lattes at home without an expensive espresso maker and milk frother.

I've tried this before (without great success), but my wife had a twist on the frothermation. (That's a new word. It means the formation of froth.)

Simply make a pot of coffee as usual. Then fill an empty jam jar with milk. Put the milk in the microwave for a couple of minutes - or until just after you see it bubbling over - then put the lid on the jar and shake vigorously. The jar I mean, not yourself (unless you want the contents of your stomach to experience frothermation).

As it happened, yesterday evening's late snack was toast and we used up the last of the marmalade so we had a jar available to give it a go.

I wouldn't say that it was the frothiest coffee I've ever had, but it was certainly the orangiest!