Sewing the Seeds

As many of us are preparing for the final week of Lent and looking towards Holy week, we are also in the midst of challenging times. For some, being at home has created opportunity for family, friends, and even doing things we may never thought we would do.  

I began this week by planting my very first patio garden.  I have always thought about growing my own food but never really got around to it until now.   This is my first shot at any type of gardening and with the help of  some friends and Youtube, I was able to learn quickly. 

I found the process quite relaxing and subdued, actually.   These main containers will hopefully sprout spinach, leaf lettuce, a lettuce blend, and micro greens.  Experts say 50-70 days until harvest but sprouts should be visible within a few weeks if planted in early spring.

And finally, I wanted to plant bell peppers. Experts recommend starting indoors but here in Dallas, we should be in the low 80s here in the next few days.

I used a soil/fertilizer blend that someone had recommended and should only need to be re-fertilized every few weeks {maybe some of you experts can confirm that for me}

What hobbies are you enjoying/starting this week?  

All The Small Things

What would it look like if we lived for the small things in life?  Or do what we love without fear, pressure or striving for acceptance?  These little blessing in life are visible to us in our homes, in nature, and even in daily routines.  See what you can find around the house that gives you joy.

Stay in your pajamas the whole day!

This is one of my favorite cups surrounded by genuine letters from the 1930s.

I found these baby shoes at one of my local antique stores here in town.

Hippity-hoppity Easter is on it's way.  I've shared this belly bunny before.  He never gets old!

I'm hoping to start growing my own food pretty soon.  I live a plant-based lifestyle, so we'll see how that unfolds.  

Somnium Cafe Bar, Krakow Poland

One of the great things about the coffee culture, especially in Europe, is that it's often associated with community and social gatherings. The Third Wave, or specialty coffee movement has swept into parts of Europe in recent years and has cultivated many destinations such as Berlin, Amsterdam, and more recently, different cities in Poland. The Third Wave movement takes an interest in the entire coffee-making process, from cultivation to import, roasting to brewing; and especially in the economic and environmental impact of the organic {green} farms located mainly in Central America.

Krakow is different than many of the "touristy" areas of Eastern Europe.  It occupies its historical features while retaining a finesse and character that is unique only to them. It's coffee mirrors that same unique personality.  During my travels, I discovered Somnium Cafe Bar, which specializes in the art of coffee and is located in historic Kazimierz just south of Old Town Krakow.

I love European coffee venues because many of them are small and seat maybe seven people at most.  This tells me that I am going to receive some wonderful personalized treatment while experiencing craft coffee at its best.

My barista was extremely knowledgable and professional and talked with me about what kind of roast and brewing technique would be best for me.  We decided on the Colombian roast by Audun Coffee Roasters, a small-scale company based in Poland, brewed in the Chemex.

Taste Notes: Chocolate, bourbon 

Acidity: Low

My pour over was served in a corked carafe with a pink ceramic mug, and a side of woda {water}.  One of the things I look for in a coffee house is its unique style. Everything from the way the coffee is presented and served to the the seating arrangements to the art on the wall makes a difference in how the experience affects me.  Somnium has all kinds of little quirks strategically placed through out the shop.  I like to spend at least two hours even in a small venue because I see new things as I look up from every sip. My coffee was divine and exactly as the barista had described. 

Somnium had a good vibe and a laid-back feel.  The music was moderate but not over powering with a touch of modern to classic Indie. I watched people come and go as the afternoon ticked away while being inspired by the European architecture that surrounded my body, soul, and spirit.

I chose the small cobalt-blue tufted chair on the first riser next to the staircase. This gave me one of the best views of then entire rustic building including the outside.  After my pour over, the barista asked if I wanted something for lunch.  He made me a custom dish {not on the menu}containing a ham omelette over a field of greens. Thank you!

Their coffee portfolio includes various espresso-based options as well as alternatively brewed ones: cold brew, V60, Chemex and AeroPress. It might seem like the standard for speciality places, but in Krakow, these brewing methods are an art form unique to each designer of the craft.  The attention to detail and artistry varies person to person and day to day.  And that's what makes Somnium stand out in a town that already possesses so much character while offering a wealth of pride and joy to its community.

A Day of Simplicity

We live in a world that encourages busyness and non-stop activity.  In fact, many boast that working eighty hours a week, and getting only three hours of sleep is a sign of strength and will win them some sort of trophy.  I get that we need to work for the present and the future but sometimes we not only forget how to live, but we forget the basics like how to breathe.  And if it's not breathing...then it's not alive.

Try to enjoy the small simple things in life.  In a success-driven society, choosing simplicity may be a brave move.  I believe we are stronger when we go against the grain of the world and do our own thing.  I'll be the first to admit that many times I feel like I need to always go, go, go or I'll be wasting the day.

Here are a few items you can do {or at least think about doing} in order to help achieve simplicity, even for just a fleeting moment:

1. Choose a small meal.  A simple salad. Rather than the smorgasbord.  

2. Take a digital sabbatical instead of being overwhelmed with information.  Write in a journal. 

3. Be "unproductive" today instead of trying to get it all done.

4. Read past journals or letters.  

5. Choose a few minutes of solitude instead of trying to navigate through the noise. 

6. Give more, take less.

I know it's easier said than done.  But remember,  you need to take care of yourself.  Don't feel guilty about it.  You are the only you that you got!

Fika Coffee, Krakow Poland

It's a cold rainy Sunday morning in Krakow, Poland.  Walking the empty streets, you can hear church bells in the distance with the occasional train moderately passing by as the wind nearly blows my hat off my head.   Fika Coffee is a hidden gem located on a quiet sleepy street between Kazimierz and Old Town Krakow.  After attending Sunday morning mass at St. Mary's Basilica, I arrived at Fika at opening.

This place is way cute! I hung my scarf on the hook and immediately claimed my window seat.  Like most craft coffee houses in Europe, it only seats about seven.  But don't let that fool you...Fika has a ton of character packed into its distressed walls.  Everything from the 1940s-style floors to the attention to detail around the shop. {And did you notice the coffee cup creating the letter "A" in Fika?}

Fika features Rocket Bean, a roastery located in Latvia that buys their beans from a bio-organic farm settled within a pine forest in Central America.  My barista recommended the Honduras for my pour-over.

Taste Notes: Fudge, prunes, hazelnuts

Acidity: Low

My barista put her heart and soul into creating my craft.  She took into consideration the weight, temperature, and added her own artistic flair.

The final product was served in a Kinto beaker with a hand-made ceramic cup with no handle.

The menu contains standard drinks as well as craft.

I was fascinated by this hallowed cubby within the distressed brick wall.  It reminded me of something out of an Edgar Allen Poe story.  I took the time to browse some of the literature that was provided.

My window seat was warm as the radiator heated the quaint venue.  I spent over an hour at what had become one of my favorite spots in Krakow.  It almost felt like the place existed just for me.  A few customers came and went during my stay.  I will always remember the joy and good vibe that was created within the walls of a true European experience.  You guys are the best!!

Merit Coffee, Deep Ellum, TX

The Dallas area is no stranger to great restaurants, the arts, and craft coffee.  Merit Coffee, based in San Antonio, recently expanded their brand to Austin and Dallas completing a total of eleven locations throughout Texas.  

Merit retains a true farm to cup coffee experience being fiercely focused on the art and science behind their craft. The owners take pride in traveling to farms throughout Central America taking part in cupping and negotiating face to face with local farmers.

The bar was extremely clean and organized. {You can see my pour over being prepared!}

These are the current offerings as the menu changes season to season. {Note the white-out}

The coffee steward recommend the The La Joya for my pour over.

Gonzanama Loja, Ecuardor

Taste Notes: Brown Sugar, Marzipan, Peach

Acidity: Low

 The shop retains a Scandinavian feel with Ikea-style furniture, subway tile, and industrial ceilings.

Major plus: The music was turned down so low that I didn't even realize it was on.  That's a good thing because it allows customers to enjoy their craft coffee experience without feeling rushed to leave. 

Merit Coffee is located in an historic area of Dallas called Deep Ellum just east of downtown.  Here you can find restaurants, boutique shops, specialty jazz bars, and industrial urban building art.

Isla Coffee, Berlin Germany

The world has recently seen a growth of what is called a "third wave" coffee movement, which is the next generation of coffee {post "Seattle", if you will}.   This artisan way of doing coffee focuses on things like sustainable farm crops, aesthetics, and a passion for excellence.

Modern coffee professionals are giving coffee the focus that wine has had for years. Agronomy practices are increasing rapidly along with genetic study and diversification. Tasting and valuing coffee is slowly catching up with the fields of wine, cheese, and chocolate.

Third wave coffee is often prepared by the cup such as pour-over
{V60, Chemex (pronounced kim-ex), and siphon} with attention to the grind of the coffee, the temperature of the water, and the brew time. This all takes place so that you, the consumer, can truly appreciate the unique cup of coffee in your hands.

I recently had the opportunity to visit a coffee venue of this type in Berlin Germany where the owners and the people involved have a passion for roasting and providing education and quality to their product.

I love Europe! Especially their coffee.  Isla is one of those small venues, {seats maybe 10-12 people max} that when you are there, you know you are getting the full experience.  This cute establishment is located in Neukolln, a hip, artsy part of Berlin that has recently been built up.

The white subway tile gives the place an industrial feel but still retains an aspect of home.

The staff was incredible!  Both staff members on duty took the time to discuss my interests and my taste preferences. {I loved the guy's reaction when I told him I just flew in from Dallas to visit}. We decided on the Honduras for my pour-over.

Taste notes: Chocolate
Acidity: Low, smooth with little to no bite

The featured bean this month was from Vote Roasters. The roaster was actually onsite this morning and uses a sensory analysis when roasting each bean, while buying from sustainable green farms.

She was curious how I liked it and I mentioned to her that I could drink this all day.  

Another one of my personal favorites is the globe light bulbs {sometimes called a dendera bulb}.  Which gives the place so much character coupled with the vintage building characteristics of Europe {You will never see ANYTHING like this in the U.S.}

The gentleman working the bar custom made a meal just for me.  {My kale and mushroom salad was not on the menu but was a hybrid of a few items}

I want to personally thank the owners, the roasters, and the staff for making my coffee experience unique and personal.  You don't get that everywhere {especially not in the U.S.}

 And I wish I had a chance to come back that day for some beans to take home but I just ran out of time.  I shall be back very soon!

Neukolln