Saturday, April 7, 2007

Just Kidding...


...or are they?


“Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas” - Paula Poundstone

Friday, April 6, 2007

First Indoor Plant


It hasn't been named yet, but soon you'll be able to stop in and visit it.

Amy used to bring used coffee grounds home, lots of them, from a coffee shop she worked at, and we put them around our blueberry bushes. Worked great!


“There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.” - Minnie Aumonier

Thursday, April 5, 2007

What Oaks?



You would expect to see some Oak trees around, wouldn't you?

This is the sign for Sunset Oaks, where Insomnia Coffee Company is located. Looking west here on Baseline Road.

Fancy bit of flair on the Insomnia sign.


“Last night I dreamed I had insomnia. I woke up exhausted, yet too well rested to go back to sleep.” - Bob Ingman

Sign Here, Too


Good reading here. Plenty of drinks to choose from - should be fun.


Lady Nancy Astor - "If you were my husband, Winston, I should flavour your coffee with poison."
Winston Churchill - "If I WERE your husband, madam, I should drink it."

Order Here


Okay, so you got past Evan, Tyler, and Mike at the last sign. Now you have another menu at the drive-through window. Make up your own mind what you want.

Enjoy!


"The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce." - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Three Guys and A Sign


Evan, Tyler, and Mike will be standing right here when you come around the first corner of the drive-through lane. You won't even have to read the menu, 'cause they'll tell you what you want to order.


"Grown men have been seen fleeing after reading the menu posted outside."
-William E. Geist - N.Y. Times writer, but he was writing about a new "caviar restaurant," not about Insomnia Coffee Company

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Silence is Golden


I never even knew such a thing as a blender silencer existed. Some coffee houses have the noisiest equipment, as if to impress you that more noise makes better drinks. Evidently it just isn't so. People have come to expect espresso machines to be loud. Pavlov would have been thrilled to see how coffee lovers have been trained to equate noisy espresso machines with the reward of a delightful drink.

Less machine noise, more people noise sounds like a good plan. Machines just aren't good conversationalists. So don't expect Insomnia Coffee Company to impress you with noisy machines. Do expect fun conversation. You can even pick the subject.


“The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others.” - William Lyon Phelps

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Last One Out...


...turn out the lights.


"Brevity is the soul of wit." - William Shakespeare

"Brevity is the soul of lingerie." - Dorothy Parker

Practice Is Everything


Not that they need to practice the art of making coffee. Just a good idea to run some practice beans through the grinders and all. Once they know everything works well, you can expect the best drink you've ever had.


Practice is Everything - Periander

Mirror, Mirror, on the Insomnia Wall


Snazzy mirror. What else would you expect at Insomnia?

Lots accomplished today. Bathroom fixtures are in. More lights hung. Espresso machine, coffee grinders and more all in and working. It's all coming together and getting closer.


“Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.” - Kahlil Gibran

Monday, April 2, 2007

Great Weather


This is the time of year when the weather in Oregon is in transition. Time to wear layers that can be peeled off according to the constantly changing condition. It was 30 degrees this morning in Hillsboro, but the sun came out and it was a nice spring day. Evan and Tyler took advantage of it and went outside to do a little finish carpentry.

That's right, I said "finish" carpentry. Most of what's left now is finish work. Carpentry to finish. Decor to finish. Painting to finish. Plumbing to finish. Electrical to finish. Signs to finish... and on and on goes the finish work. The good thing is that after all the finish work, it will be time to open. Oh, of course there are the details like county and health inspections and extended testing of all the equipment, plus the dress rehearsal when everyone goes through their parts to see how well it all works together. But that will be just a blur and they'll be serving coffee and treats before they know it.

By the way, I'm sure it's okay to have some other brand of coffee if you just can't wait for Insomnia Coffee Company to open. I even saw Tyler the other day with a cup of coffee from a huge chain which will remain nameless (but you all know, unless you've been living on Mars). I'm sure it was one of those days they give free coffee, though.


Coffee=happiness... - Message from Hula Amy left on the Insomnia Coffee MySpace.