Garden Grounds Coffee Shop

So whenever I start these things I never know where to begin, or what I should write about first. I wind up wasting hours of my life staring at my computer screen trying to decide if I should go on my latest rant on Rush Limbaugh, list my reasons as to why the French New Wave is the best of all film movements, or list out what I have come to conclude is the absolute best plan for self-preservation in the event of a zombie invasion.

But, as I mentioned before, I can never seem to find that perfect topic, that perfect place to start. So I am going to start with what is right out my window:

The Garden Grounds Coffee Shop on Alma School Road and Southern Avenue.

Now I have been a Starbucks-whore for over 8 years now (HOLY SHIT!!! Has it really been that long?!). A day didn't go by when I didn't get my Iced Venti Mocha - I love those things!

And I am not going to go off on the Bux by any means, I still love them and their mochas. But due to recent changes in my life (a new carpool that leaves me at work for 8 hours a day without a car, and with the nearest Starbucks quite a ways away) I am having to walk across the street and rely on this new, indie hideaway to get my espresso.

And, well, it's not bad. I actually really like it.

I made my first visit a couple months back when they first opened and, naturally, ordered their version of a large iced mocha. Boo. It was not good.

But, a few weeks ago, shortly after this carpool started, I found myself desperate for my caffeine fix (bad, I know) and had no choice but to betray my beloved Starbucks yet again.

Well, I like it. I love the smell of the fresh coffee early in the morning. Lately, Starbucks smells of burnt sausage and overheated metal from their new morning sandwiches. The two people running the place (seriously, I think this is all who works there) are very nice and polite. AND, they make some great drinks! I guess they just needed a few weeks to get things going.