Thursday, August 11, 2016

Free State of Coffee: Writing Home

With the oldest (step) son now back in the US and the youngest off on new adventures over in Paris, Michael and I have been taking advantage of some alone time on our holiday (before it ends on Monday) to check out new tea and coffee shops. Yesterday we visited two over in Mainstay-London and today, we popped in at two over in Holburn. We quite enjoyed puttering around in the early morning hours and discovering new shops along the way. Such as, the London Review Bookshop and the Blade Rubber Stamps, situated next door to it.

After picking up darling greeting cards to send family and friends, we cozied up in the Free State of Coffee just down the street from the Holburn Underground Tube Station. It was the quintessential coffee shop filled with old wooden tables and chairs, (some of which were quite comfy, adorned with dark green felted backs and padded seats), all atop old but beautiful wood floors. High above hung gold light bulbs while the windows were filled with giant gold and green lanterns. It was perfect for sipping on the best latte I've ever had, nibbling a croissant and writing letters. One never knows what they might find tucked away on the streets of London...
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19 comments

  1. I'm glad you and Michael are having such a nice time. I enjoy hearing about your adventures.

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    1. Thank you...it's been fun simply puttering about with no set schedule. Alas, we return to work (abroad) on Monday and all the fun and games must cease. hahaha :)

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  2. sounds like a nice few days :)

    Haven't been to London, too expensive for me lol

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    1. haha Yes, it's a bit pricey...thus why we're eating many meals from the house before heading out. :)

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  3. Sounds lovely!!! I love those greeting cards!!

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    1. Thanks, Stacey. They have some really cute ones here! :)

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  4. You are beginning to sound a bit like Michael, reading that last sentence there! Glad you are having a wonderful time in London!

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    1. hahaha true, that! Yes, we are. It's been nice having some holiday time with everything that's been going on. We start back to work (from abroad) on Monday....and caring for his mother.

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  5. aAexandra....Your comments came through. Thank you so much. It sounds like you are getting off to a wonderful start. I just love reading about all you and Michael are doing. I pretend I am there, too. Take care and have a wonderful week. genie

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    1. Glad my comments came through. Feel free to delete any duplicate ones. haha We've been having a lovely time. These past few weeks have been a nice holiday for us. On Monday, we both start back to work (from abroad, of course) while we begin helping Michael's sister and mother.

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  6. Sounds amazing, it is great to just find all these lovely places, like each day a new adventure.

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  7. I always felt like traveling Europe when young gave me the perfect perspective for the rest of life. We can, literally, start over and reinvent and choose new paths and new directions at almost every step along life's path. Some may be small, a new coffee shop, a new street to explore, but it's that seem feeling with which I always try to hold the larger changes in life too. My first time in the UK I was offered a job at a pub by a young couple who had just taken over a family business. . . I didn't accept, but I spent 24 hours coming to the realization that simply saying yes would change my entire life. . . and that change really was that simple sometimes. . . and I never forgot that. No regrets, I've said "yes!" plenty along the way in life and I've never let uncertainty or fear stop me when the feeling was right. Enjoy the new, the extraordinary and the vast array of opportunities that will undoubtedly, large or small, come along during this time. . .and say yes more often than not! :)

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    1. Wow, I'm sure you've looked back a few times and asked yourself "what if"....yes? no? Wonderful memories and I feel honored that my life's journey at this time is bringing back memories for you...hopefully, fond ones. :)
      xx

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  8. wow, impressive that you experienced your best latte in England! Don't tell the shops back in the US. So glad you are having a good time and finding sweet places.

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    1. haha Thank you. We are. Our holiday ends this week and are both back to work on Monday. xx

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  9. That sounds lovely! If you venture down to Devon while you're in the UK, let me know because it would be great to meet you! x

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    1. It would be lovely! Not sure if we're going to make it there but will sure let you know if/when we do! :)
      xx

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  10. HAhah, I have to laugh. Peeps mus think that all we do is drink...coffee! lol. Lovely write ups and photos and it has been so fun to sit with you and write cards and letters. What treats, all round!. :)

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