Catching Up Over Coffee - December 2016 at Caffe del Mondo in Southington

My sister and I decided a while back to meet up once a month at a different coffee shop in Connecticut in order to catch up and see the state. This blog series serves as a review of the coffee shops we visit. 

December, 2016 - So much for meeting up once a month for coffee! For four months in a row we were good, but then life got in the way. My sister and I saw each other now and then with the rest of the family, but we didn't go out for coffee just the two of us, so it doesn't count for this blog. 

We finally got a chance to catch up over coffee in December. My sister has recently taken up sewing after watching 10+ seasons of Project Runway. She bought herself a nice Brother sewing machine and has found that she has some skill. I asked her if should would be able to make my wedding veil and she said yes. We decided to meet up at Jo-Ann Fabric in Southington so that we could also go out for coffee in a different town as well. 

Before I headed up to Southington, I did a quick search online and found a coffee shop that was close to Jo-Ann Fabric called Caffe del Mondo. 

The Caffe was rather small and quiet with a few rustic style wood tables and chairs. A long bench was built into the side wall opposite the door. To the left of the door was a charming fireplace with big comfy chairs. 

For food, my sister could not resist the gingerbread cookie and I had the cinnamon twist. For coffee, she had an iced coffee and I had a Milky Way latte. This turned out not to be our favorite place. My food was dry and the coffee was alright but not great. The service was average. 

Would we go back? Maybe for a quick coffee fix if we happen to be back in the area, but I'm not planning a special trip. 

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This post is one in a series of monthly posts. If you are wondering why I am writing this series, head on over to Catching Up Over Coffee to read the explanation. 

Then, check out the other places we have visited so far: 

Catching Up Over Coffee - January 2016 at Landmark Cafe in Manchester

Catching Up Over Coffee - February 2016 at Focaccia's Cafe in Shelton
Catching Up Over Coffee - March 2016 at Half Moon and Mr. D's in Wallingford
Catching Up Over Coffee - April 2016 at Cheshire Coffee in Cheshire

I Want To Do This!

I just read the article 'Connecticut State Parks “The Sky’s the Limit” 2015 Hiking Challenge' on the CT state DEEP site. Now I want it to be warmer out so I can go hiking. 

Maybe I am not the luckiest person in the world, but I might win some prizes along the way, according to the site! Stranger things have happened. 

So, here is how this challenge works:

Step 1: Go hiking. There are 14 places around Connecticut that count:

1. Norfolk: Dennis Hill State Park, Dennis Hill Pavilion, Route 272
2. Groton: Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, from the top of the monument, Park Ave.
3. Norfolk:Haystack Mountain State Park, Haystack Mountain Tower, Route 272
4. East Hampton: Hurd State Park, Split Rock Vista, Route 151
5. New Milford: Lovers Leap State Park, Scenic Vista along Falls Mountain Trail, Grove St.
6. Kent: Macedonia Brook State Park, Scenic Vista, 159 Macedonia Brook Rd.,  
7. Goshen: Mohawk Mountain State Forest, Mohawk Scenic Vista, 20 Mohawk Mountain Rd.
8. Litchfield: Mount Tom State Park, Mount Tom Stone Tower, Route 202
9. Voluntown: Pachaug State Forest Chapman Area, Mount Misery Overlook, Route 49 
10. Stafford Springs: Shenipsit State Forest, Soapstone Mountain Observation Tower (currently closed).
11. Hamden: Sleeping Giant State Park, Stone Observation Tower on the Peak of Mt. Carmel, 200 Mount Carmel Ave.
12. Southbury: Southford Falls State Park, Fire Tower, 175 Quaker Farms Rd., Rt. 188
13. Simsbury: Talcott Mountain State Park, Heublein Tower, Route 185
14. Hamden: West Rock Ridge State Park, Scenic Vista by the Upper Pavilion, Wintergreen Ave.

Step 2: Take 2 photos of yourself at each location. One with the shield sign and one in the park.

Step 3: Email photos of at least 10 locations above to deep.stateparks@ct.gov or mail them (no thanks). Info must include your name and home address.

Step 4: Wait to see if you won! Winners will be announced 1/1/16. 

More info on the DEEP site: 
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?Q=559438&A=4707

Books I Have Read in 2013

Brisingr (Inheritance, #3) 
by Christopher Paolini 

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Coming to the end of a series is always bittersweet. I finally found out how the story concluded, but since it was so great, I did not want it to be over. 

In this third book, Eragon and his companions finally get to confront the villain. The only part of this book that did not surprise me was that Eragon was able to find a way to defeat Galbatorix. I was a little surprised that he did not get the girl (Arya) in the end.

Besides those two points, Paolini was able to keep me guessing. I did not know what would come next.

I looked forward to the times when I was able to read this book, which says a lot about it. 

Books I Read in 2013

Reading is a fun pastime for me. This year, I want to write a little something about each book that I finish. At the end of the year, I will be able to see how many I was able to get through. I highly doubt that I will reach 300 like some of my friends, but it will be interesting to see how many I can fit into my schedule. Here is my 1st review of 2013 from Goodreads.com:


Eldest by Christopher Paolini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Following the story from the main character's point of view alone would have made this book a few hundred pages smaller, but not nearly as interesting.

Every few chapters, the plot is advanced by a different character. First we follow Eragon, then his cousin Roran, then the leader of the Varden, Nasuada. Fortunately, it is easy to catch up with each of them no matter where they last left off.

Although the book is 651 pages, it is an easy read and there are very few boring sections. The last 50 or so pages are jam packed with plot twists and excitement.

View all my reviews