Four Barrels, One Dog

After months of seeming hibernation, I got the chance recently to step out and explore my neighborhood again. And My Beloved City did not disappoint.

Down a quiet little alley in the Mission there was rumored to be an amazing cup of joe to be had. So the intrepid Sake and I ventured forth to find the mythical Four Barrel Coffee.

Background: The cofounders of Ritual Coffee Roasters are trying a new concept with Four Barrel. Its more coffee bar than café, with some seating, but it will mainly be a space to showcase their coffee to wholesale clients. So no syrups, no nonfat milk, no chai. (They WILL have soymilk, however. *whew*) There will be two La Marzocco Mistral machines and they will be sourcing single origin coffees(bye bye brokers), and doing their own espresso blend. Such dedication!

Could it be? Are we at the right place?

Maybe that guy can tell us something...
And lo,
here we are! Two guys, a dog, and a soy latte!
Seems until their front coffee bar is completed, the Four Barrel guys are serving steaming cups of coffee love out the back door.
I love My City....

Labor Day

Does anyone find it ironic that we celebrate Labor day by being as leisurely as possible?
.. I managed to fit a lot in.. and actually spent a good portion of it on my own. I took an invigorating run/walk with LCee this morning but other than that, opted to spend time alone with Sake, in my City.

First stop: Blue Bottle! Sake and I braved the line for a steaming latte. aaaahh. So soothing.
Then came a stroll through the Castro and lunch alone with the Bible. No, not that Bible, this Bible:

Clocking in at 840 pages, this sucker added 4.4lbs to my tote bag today. And I will go on record to say that this will be the only time Sienna "F&cking" Millr makes me her bitch.

Back to my Labor Day, I came home and actually labored in my yard, planted some Quartz Scarlet Verbena in my bottom terrace and did general clearing, trimming, and cleaning. One thing is always a guarantee whilst working on the yard, people always stop to chat. Today I met a gaggle of french tourists who not only delighted in my pretty flowers, but also took pictures of Sasa posing on the stairs. (See sidebar for an idea of her picture perfectness.)

After the outside, it was time to work on the inside. There was dusting to be done, along with two loads of laundry. What had come over me?? I guess thats what happens when I am left to my own devices. I realized at one point that it had been some time since I spent the day alone, nowhere to go, no one to see. Just Sake and I alone with my thoughts. I thought I would be lonely, but it was strangely enjoyable! And the day isn't even over yet!

Happy-Go-Lucky

I'm not by nature a happy-go-lucky person. (I don't think I am anyway... and for the sake of today's post I ask you to go with me on this one.) Which is why I find those little Simple Pleasure moments few and far between. Sure, they probably happen a lot more often than I give them credit for.. but I'm usually oblivious to them.

But this past Saturday I caught a moment. It was fleeting but lovely nonetheless; a moment comprised of some of my favorite things: coffee, food, and Sake.

Little Sasa was in need of a new collar, so we scuttled down to our favorite pet store in Hayes Valley and tried on a variety of pink collars. She was being such a good girl and almost seemed to enjoy each of the collars she tried on. But I digress. After we decided upon a pink and silver number, we walked down to Blue Bottle Coffee for a shot of caffeine. Delish. I was also eyeing the luscous chocolate macaroons but decided against it. But as I was fishing around for my $3... one of the gals placed a whole platter of the macaroons in front of me with a little handwritten sign... "FREE". My goodness! By the Will of the Gods, I thought,I am meant to have a macaroon! .... So I picked up a piece of chocolate heaven and sauntered on, Sake by my side, latte in one hand, macaroon in the other. Sake looked super cute and ladylike in her new collar, I could hear the *click click* of her steps, happy and proud to be out and about. The latte in hand was hot and soothing, bold with flavor. The macaroon was rich in taste and gooey in just the right texture( and free!).

Indeed, at that moment my friends, I most definitely felt bliss, happy to be alive, no care in the world.... And on a day like today... when I feel most decidedly NOT happy-go-lucky.. boy do I need to hold on to that moment!