Good Coffee

Williamsburg, 2016

It will come as news to no one who has ever had a newborn that my life lately is pretty stripped down to the basics: sleeping, nursing, firing off a few semi-coherent emails, picking kids up, feeding myself, buying milk. Coffee. Repeat.

Fortunately I have some very happy news on the coffee front. The Verb is back!!!! Relocated to Nassau Street, right by Manhattan Ave. I know this is sort of old news, but I just learned it was back yesterday and was so, so glad to hear it.

I was pretty sad when it shuttered a few years back, so it cheered me to no end to see Cisco (now the owner along with some very cool partners, which is wonderful) behind the counter. There were hugs. And he still makes the best lattes in all of Brooklyn. I am sort of reluctant to let others in on the secret, but it's only a matter of time, really.

The Verb

Williamsburg, 2012

So The Verb is closing.

I've been going there nearly every day for a decade, so to say this is sad news is an understatement. 'Lifeblood of the neighborhood' would also not be an understatement.

Back in 2004, I met Will there to discuss a potential roommate situation. The rest...falling in love, getting married, having two babies...is history. We have had umpteen cups of coffee there, and umpteen conversations.

That place is full of history for me. From whiling away the hours there as a somewhat wide-eyed, brand new New Yorker, dreaming of making it as a writer, to becoming that writer, a wife, a mother, taking my boys there.

It made me feel like I really had deep roots in this city, and it felt like home. Whenever I'd come back from a long trip, or an adventure, I'd go there and feel grounded and at ease. It's truly everything I love about Williamsburg.

Gentrification? I get it. We're a part of it. We weren't here first. But I'll still mourn it's loss.

11211 Love

Williamsburg, 2014

Breaking news in Brooklyn...I have added a new coffee shop to the rotation! I am a serious creature of habit, so this is indeed a major development. It's called St. Balmain and has a sort of Aussie, surf-y vibe (their cookies are called 'Bondi Bikkies' which I am willing to overlook since the rest of the place is pretty lovely.)

Crusty bread from Il Buco, a big backyard, lots of Antipodean accents, and some fresh, simple lunch options. Plus it's a great place to while away an afternoon looking at very plausible real estate listings. Dream big!

Easily Amused

Axel, 2012

Went for coffee this morning at Toby's Estate. Axel decided he was not at all tired and wanted to join in on the chat. Until he passed out on his papa's hand.

There was road work outside, and every time the door opened, Axel's head snapped up in surprise at the noise of the jackhammers. About three seconds after it shut, he passed out again. Like a tiny exhausted Jack in the Box. These are the small, everyday things that crack up his overly-caffeinated parents.

Lately

Axel, Williamsburg, 2012

Axel and I had an action packed few days while Will was away (he is now home, thank goodness.) It was actually less daunting than I had thought it might be, largely because I was busy with friends and had some help on Monday from a prospective new nanny. I mailed out our birth announcements, went to Baby Boot Camp, and had dinner with Axel's godparents.

Getting back into shape has been...slow going. Am sort of running on empty lately so the prospect of lunges and leg lifts isn't so tempting. Usually the thing that gets me out of bed is the promise of a very hot shower, strong coffee, and a rambling walk. But as I've kind of stalled with the weight loss and am feeling like I've lost a ton of strength I am trying to rise to the occasion.