Adventures in running a small coffee shop-

Life is interesting.  Things don't always go as planned, but how boring would it be if it did?  When we moved to our new home in Central CA, I thought that maybe I'd work, but maybe I would just run our little farm.  Well, the farm hasn't quite happened.  We are lucky to have a beautiful spot to park our little RV home, with rolling hills and wonderful weather....

But the farm piece we have finally admitted will be a little down the road.  So what to do with my time?  It just so happened that the little coffee shop in town was going through a transition and needed some help.  I thought, hey, why not try it out?

Little did I know, I would love it!  It is adorable, I get to meet lots of fun people - locals and travelers - and I get to bake as much as I want.  I have to say, it is such a huge change from what I used to do, but it is pretty rewarding to hand someone one of these homemade pop

tarts....

Or one of these muffins...

And people tell you how much they appreciate homemade pastries and food.  It is pretty nice.  

And because we are small, I can take a little extra time to get to know people and chat.  Yesterday I was excited to meet a couple women traveling through, one from Southern CA and her sister visiting from Texas, who love to knit, and we compared projects!  And now we are both connected on Ravelry. How sweet is that?  I just love making those kinds of connections.

So if you are ever traveling on Hwy 101 in Cali and see a turnoff for little San Miguel, come visit me at the Coffee Station.  I will tell you all about the little history of our tiny town and get you some yummy pastries or wake you up with some great coffee. 

Life takes you in different directions...and I am feeling pretty darn lucky right now that it keeps things fresh and interesting. Never a dull moment!

Ash

Busy times in the Summer!

Man...I have been so busy!  Not just work this time...also fun summertime activities!  But, it has definitely taken a toll on my blogging.  Sorry all my wonderful followers!

So just to prove I have not been completely slacking off...let me share some of the fun with you!

First...I have baking a TON of delicious bread in my new, gorgeous dutch oven!  Best investment ever! 

(You have GOT TO TRY out this recipe.  So easy and really, really good bread!  Find it here at Frugal Living NW!)

Then a couple awesome trips to the coast for fun and work....

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is always a good time!  And these sea lions were cracking us up on the bay!

Our friend's graduation!  Masters degree, schmasters degree.

Lots of times with silly animals!

(What is the cat doing?!)

Delicious food from our little garden...

Dirty Dash Eugene!  I am pretty sure we had THE BEST costumes!  Star Wars, baby!

Whew!  Lot's of exciting events!  

Stay tuned, as I also have to share an awesome table redux.  We took some interesting items to recreate a wonderful and sturdy new outdoor table.

More soon!  

Ash

Things to fill my 3 day weekend

I am excited, as I was just reminded by our CFO that Monday is a holiday!! So...this made me think about all the things I'd like to accomplish this 3-day-weekend...

Here are several things I think I might try:

Need to do some baking...maybe try these yummy sounding Nutella and Sea Salt Stuffed Sugar Cookies at Cooking Canuk.

Some sewing....Maybe this wonderful dress I found at Needles, Thread and Love?

Fun repurposing/upcycling....like finding some cool, old furniture to make one of these wall mounted cabinets  I found at Plow and Hearth or...

Maybe one of these awesome globes from Blue Velvet Chair's blog (which ties into my new biz...I am getting close to rolling it out...really!)

Which reminds me of something else I need to work on this weekend...my biz! But more on that very soon.

Happy weekend!

Ash

Baking days....

Yesterday's theme was apparently baking.....

First, I got a wild hair to finally do some sewing that has been waiting for me for some time.  One thing that I had cut out a long time ago (ok...hate to admidt it, but I think it was close to 3 or 4 years ago!) was an apron.  It has the cutest fabric and I have no idea why it got pushed to the side.  Look at the cute owls!

And I am happy to say it was finished early enough to go do some baking in it!

But first my man and I decided to get out of the house for a few while it was nice out and walked down to the thrift store nearby.  And I found this awesome french bread baking thingy....

(Gotta love the old school box it came in!) So you shove some dough in the middle of the glass Pyrex tube and it just expands in the tube....

 Then you bake it and get yummy circle bread! :)

Well...I wasn't done with bread.  A long while back I found a madeline pan and still hadn't made them.  So for the first time I finally tried it out.

They taste good...but maybe a little over done and I filled the molds a little much.  Oh well...it was a lot easier to make than I thought and practice will make perfect. 

Hope you had a chance to enjoy some yummy baked treats this weekend, too!

Ash

Loving having a weekend off!

I have been enjoying having the weekend off!  I am sometimes so torn between wanting to work, work, work, and wanting to play around the house....

Yesterday was mostly cruddy outside, so I spent much of the afternoon baking.  I love baking, but since it often takes some time, I do not do it as often as I like.

Here are a few of the yummies I baked....

Big ol' loafs of fresh bread....my fav!

German chocolate cupcakes!  I love using parchment paper for the liners. 

Yum!  I also made blueberry muffins, but those were gone into the family's belly in a matter of an hour...

Today I am off to play in the yard, run with my friend and work on the mess that is my house!

Talk to you soon!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Ash