When I picked Nicholas up from school today, we decided to pop into the bookstore quickly to make sure there weren’t any magazines or books we couldn’t live without (as if!). As we pull into the parking space, Nicholas asks if he can have a drink there, knowing full well that a trip to the bookstore means a Mocha Frappuccino! It’s funny, all these years I have completely avoided coffee and tea drinks (can’t stand hot drinks!), so I have had zero interest in Starbucks and similar places … until I discovered Frappuccinos. And now, like the rest of the world, words like “venti” and “grande” are part of my everyday vocabulary. An interesting business model Starbucks is, and a genius behind it. Creating an entirely new vocabulary for their customers, and a brand unto themselves, is quite an amazing feat. With no real competition, they never have to have sales, coupons, or anything similar. Anyway, I digress.
After picking out a Dora book for Nicholas (his newest obsession – yes, I know it’s “for girls,” but hey, he’s picking up Spanish while getting into it) and a few magazines for me, we made our way to the coffee bar. Since when did they start serving Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes? It had to have been recently, ’cause I definitely would have noticed it before. Not being a real cheesecake lover, I am drawn to CFs’ though, not overly sweet and oh so delicious. So we order our Frappuccino, which they very kindly split into two cups so Nicholas could have his own, and a piece of Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake. OMG – cheesecake nirvana. So good, and so much fun sharing a little after-school treat with my munchkin. He had a blast.
The Husband took him and my stepdaughter to my sister-in-law’s for dinner tonight, which gave me a much needed respite to catch up on some work. Computer back to not working again, but hey, what else is new? Didn’t feel like cooking just for myself, and leftovers weren’t speaking to me, so I ended up getting Tortellini Alfredo from a local place. They seriously have the BEST Tortellini Alfredo I have ever had –Â I had to stop myself from eating the whole thing, saving some for tomorrow. To counterbalance the decadent snack Nicholas and I had today, I got a salad too …. and um, a cannoli.
A recent observant visitor set me straight on the dates for Martha’s new show. Her The Apprentice: Martha Stewart show starts September 21, and her new lifestyle show starts September 12, so if you’re a Martha fan like I am, set your Tivo now.
Planning on making some homemade pizzas for dinner tomorrow night, including a Thai one, so tune in to find out what we cook up.
Greg Behrendt, coauthor of He’s Just Not That Into You, was on Oprah recently and told the single women in the audience, “Don’t waste the pretty.” Oprah has applied that catchphrase to her philosophy on eating, and it makes perfect sense. “I won’t waste a single meal by eating food that doesn’t satisfy me. I for sure want to make every breakfast, lunch and dinner a moment of good taste.” So, take that to heart and start cooking food that really satisfies you, inside and out. Until tomorrow…
I’m with you on the frappuccino’s. I never liked coffee so just avoided places like starbucks until for some unknown reason (I think was had a coupon for a free drink) that we tried them and we have been hooked ever since. I try to limit to once or twice a week but man they are so good! I usually get a grande caramel!
I am with you on the coffee thing, but I still don’t like it. My soon to be nephew (as soon as I get hitched in April) LOVES Dora, and after watching it, I don’t think it is for girls. Its for all kids.
The B&N by me in central Jersey has had the Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes for a couple of years now – maybe three years or so. My favorite is the White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle cheesecake. Unfortunately my local B&N hasn’t had that variety for about six months! It must not have been as a big a hit as some of the others.
You can only get the Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes at B&N. Their coffee bar is not part of the Starbucks chain, the just offer the coffee. And how do I know this, you ask? I’m a coffee connoisseur. It was great to have the kids over, sorry you couldn’t make it.
The Sister In-Law
Joe – I actually had the Caramel one for the first time the other day. I like it, but still think Mocha is my favorite. And hey, thanks for your help with the channel thing!
Punky – glad to hear Nicholas isn’t the only boy watching Dora. As long as we stay away from the pink lunchboxes, I think we’re ok. ;)
Anon — ahh, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle sounds divine! They didn’t have that one here, only the Chocolate Mousse, and the less temptation, the better.
The SIL – Costco sells Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes too. I know they always have the regular one, sometimes they have others. I’d be asking for trouble if I bought a whole one though, unless company was coming!
i dont like hot coffee or tea either, i do love the fraps though, have to drink the “light” ones though,the others have too much sugar and calories.
that is one awesome-looking cannoli!
Randi – I tried the light one last week and didn’t like it (although I know the calorie count is better) – I tried!
Stef — it was yummy!