What I Love about My Local Coffee Shop

I do have a teapot and some tea mugs to share with you today, but first I want to talk about a quaint little place I call  ‘my cozy little get-away’.

           

We have a few different coffee houses in my mid-sized town, but I find myself hanging out more and enjoying the atmosphere at my local independent coffee shop. We used to have a tea house, but it closed a few years back. So I’ve been limited in that choice. I really enjoy going to this specific coffee shop to have a chai or lunch with a friend, get on my laptop with free wifi, and shop around in the connected bookstore. I find myself going a little early and lingering a little longer. Maybe it has to do with the fact that it is owned and run by my alma mater, Grace College. Maybe it’s the idea that there are mostly young college students that spend their time there (even though it is open to the public). Maybe it’s because it’s the only coalescing Christian bookstore and coffee shop in town. I think it’s a combination of all the above. It’s a small venue, compared to its competitors, which gives one a homier and relaxed feeling. I've even seen a teapot or tea cup available for sale in their store a few times. Of course, flavored lattes and cappuccinos are the most popular refreshments sold. But they also make my favorite vanilla chai, have an assortment of flavored bagged teas, along with a variety of smoothies, soups, and pastries/desserts. 

I really have fallen in love with the place and just felt like sharing some pictures.

 Relaxed seating area

 A busy day in “The Tree of Life” Coffee shop and café.

The connected bookstore makes buying readiing material convenient.

The store even sells an assortment of clothing items.

 A corner of the café, where photos and signs are for sale, too.

Here are some beautiful nativity displays available, too.

Here is a cute Christmas teapot they currently have for sale.

There are also matching tea mugs, a bowl, and serving tray

Laptop, chai, and a book! What a great combo!

Do you have a special place that you like to go that is your "special get-away"?

Because we don't have any local tea houses, I'm hoping to be able to visit some larger cities nearby and check out some of their tea houses sometime soon. And hopefully I 'll get the chance to give my thoughts on these, as well,  Until then, this coffee shop will do just fine!! : )

Have a great day!

 

Linking up at

EMMANUEL

I graduated from college almost 27 years ago. (Wow! That makes me feel old!) There are many memories of my college days. For some reason, one that sticks out for me was my first Christmas in the dorms. My roommate that year was from Taiwan. Our girl’s dorm hall had a door decorating contest. We spent a whole weekend decorating our door with a nativity scene, the words ‘Emmanuel, God with us’ in English and also in Mandarin (her native language). We won the ‘best religious door’ that year. Now, every time I hear the name, Emmanuel, I think about those days of door decorating. Too bad I didn’t take a picture of the door. It was really cool black and white cutout picture, similar to this...

I'm linking my post today over to
Pinning and Singing

 Once again, I find myself listening to a song by Chris Tomlin, called Emmanuel.(To hear this, you can turn off my playlist on the right sidebar by hitting the big 'stop' button.)

Emmanuel by Chris Tomlin

 

Also sharing this traditional song of "Oh,Come, O Come, Emmanuel" by BarlowGirl

Also sharing some pics from my Pinterest "Christmas Board" pages

{Born to Die}

 

{A beach Christmas}

 




{Peaceful candle centerpiece}

Source: chiccoastalliving.blogspot.com via Ann on Pinterest

 

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Source: 3chicspolitico.com via Ann on Pinterest

source: abtrenewal.wordpress.com via Ann on Pinterest

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Source: etsy.com via Ann on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Ann on Pinterest

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Also linking up at At The Picket Fence