Home is whenever I'm with you

There's no place like home....There's no place like home....

While I have lived in Blue Springs for 18 years, and currently in Saint Louis, Iowa will always be my home. So much of who I am is because of the four years I spent in the tiny town of Lamoni, Iowa. My heart is forever connected with that place and the familial community I experienced (and continue to experience both near and far) from my undergraduate college of Graceland University.

I spent hundreds of hours (and probably dollars) at Linden Street Coffee House, the local coffee shop in Lamoni. I worked with two other friends on an entrepreneurship team to help market the Coffee House to the Graceland Community and fell in love. The coffees=amazing. The teas=amazing. The smoothies=amazing. The food=amazing. The owner=amazing. Impeccable study space. Small town charm. I loved watching Linden Street grow into a hometown staple. 

I recently went on a surprise visit to Lamoni to see a few of my friends the last couple days. I went three times in the course of two days. #noshame 

Snickerdoodle coffee and French Silk were the two daily flavors I had while there. NOM. 

Their Caramel Macchiatos are UNPARALLELED.  Eat your heart out, Starbucks. This morning, I had Stuffed French Toast. I. Died.

Here's a little peak of my first meal from Friday (I had lunch there too, obviously).

Warm Lemon Poppyseed Muffin and French Silk Coffee

Coffee: 9/10-Rich Flavor, not watery at all. French Silk isn't my favorite Linden Street Flavor, but I do love all of them. A little splenda and half and half made this a glorious caffeinated moment.

The atmosphere: 10/10. Peaceful. I was the only one in there; I came right before the lunch rush and right after the breakfast groups. Cozy. Lots of couches. Lots of familiar faces. Loads of love.

The muffin: 124245346/10. This muffin and I had a clandestine moment. We always do. Bless.

Overall experience: 9.5 out of 10 Caffeine Induced Roadtrip Showtune Serenades (5 hours each way, baby). 

Back to homework. God Speed.

ALL WORK AND NO COFFEE MAKES LYN A DULL GIRL

It still astounds me that the majority of my family doesn't drink coffee.

There are times when I've visited relatives...and...well...

I get a little scary in the morning. Look at that bed-head!

God bless my beautiful sister-in-law for buying a French Press to fuel my addiction.

The Mug: Product placement-Graceland University. 

The Taste: Pretty dec. Dunkin Donuts grounds with SF vanilla creme sweetener and a little half n half. By no means an astounding cup, but I'll take what I can get. I put a little tooooo much sweetener in it. But I'm alive. Thank God.

The Location: Buda, TX. Beautiful and perfect weather today. The morning was 20 times sweeter because I held my new baby niece for several hours while my broski and I watched Mythbusters. It's a good life.

Conditioning Zoey to love the Alma Mater. It's working.

Rating: 6.5/10 (Zoey time carries the score, obviously)

Sweet Disposition

A moment of love. A dream. A laugh. A cup. A kiss. A cry. Our rights. Our wrongs.

Was the Temper Trap singing about 2Schae Cafe...On the Corner's Hazelnut Coffee?

2Schae is just around the corner from my apartment and is quickly becoming my favorite new study spot. This family owned business just celebrated their seventh year in the biz.

They have a wide variety of beverages including seasonal coffee drinks and lattes. In addition to that, their food menu is boss with lots of healthy options (plenty for vegetarians too!). I had a veggie omelet and loads of Hazelnut coffee. They also have beautiful looking pastries, including mouthwatering cinnamon rolls. #heaven

The location: Adorable little spot on the corner of Union and Pershing. Safe, scenic area on the edge of Debaliviere Place and The Central West End. They have plenty of outdoor seating for pleasant fall days; inside there is are several high top tables with study room, lounging spaces, comfy couches, and   chairs with ottomans. The environment is welcoming and the people recognize you when you come back! Feels like my favorite coffee house in Lamoni, IA. Full of love, good coffee, and very peaceful.

The mug: precious. Eating in=reusable mug. Character. Environmentalism. Love it.

The coffee: Jesus. Heaven. Hazelnut. Perfectly brewed, with just a little stevia and half n half. Drink a cup and repeat.

The omelet: Nom. Give us this day our daily eggs. Zucchini, Spinach, Avocado, Cheese, and a smudge of salsa. So much yes.

Rating: 9/10 Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Need I say more?

Classic Australia picture. Aus Coffee>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>American Coffee.

There's No Place Like Home

Sometimes, if you want good coffee, you have to make it yourself. 

You are sooooooo beauuuuuutiful.....to meeeeeee

Or, you're a cheapskate and kind of lazy and don't want to leave your apartment.

Location: My Balcony-Saint Louis, MO

The Coffee: Linden Street Coffee House (Snickerdoodle Grounds), French Vanilla Sugar Free Creamer, Hazelnut SF Syrup made with joy, hope, love, and desperation in my reusable K-Cup

The Mug: Arizona Starbucks Collection, Courtesy of my bestie and AZ native, Brickell

Taste: Sweet and Satisfying; not quite as flavorful as I hoped. Sometimes I use too much water in the Keurig because my mugs are so big (Did I mention the desperation?!?); The grounds are impeccable, so the watery-ness is my bad. However, the syrups and creamer make up for my rookie mistake. 

Overall rating of Lyn's Balcony Coffee:

7.75/10-(Slighty above) Average Joe

National Coffee Day? Hi, That's Every Day.

Coffee. Sweet. Beautiful Coffee. The lifeblood. Source of all things good. A good cup of coffee is like a religious experience.

For the last three blissful years, I have enjoyed the sweet nectar of the gods. This caffeinated beverage has powered me through my undergraduate years at my ole alma mater of Graceland-No, Not the Elvis one-University. I owe many a success to this sweet, beautiful drink, and on most days, my sanity. From community development activities, to giant school projects, to sunday morning church services, to my general chipper-ness, I am indebted to coffee.

As I travel through my grad school experiences and beyond, I am on a quest to drink some great cuppas to fuel my passion for helping others. Here's a little glimpse into my life as a social worker and the awesome things I drink. Ratings of drinkables will be a must, particularly from Saint Louis eateries. Enjoy, my friends.