Goodbye Starbucks

I bought an espresso machine for $5.00 from CSN Stores a few weeks ago.

5 bucks.

  

For those of you who follow me on Twitter . . . you often heard my groaning for a Starbucks vanilla latte.  I suppose if I lived farther away from Starbucks . . . I wouldn’t even think about having a vanilla latte all that much. 

The store is just so close that I thought someone less housebound might stop by with such a beverage as I was daydreaming about.  Said St. Nicholas would knock on my door with the cheery beverage in their hand and say, “Grab your Bible, run upstairs, enjoy your coffee, and I’ll watch the kids while you rest.”

It’s a nice thought . . . dream . . . pipe dream, isn’t it?

I could walk to Starbucks if I wanted to.  BUT then WE would resemble a flock of geese headed to the local thawed watering hole.

After many attempts through Starbuck’s comment website, My Starbucks Idea, to encourage them to give moms with newborns six weeks of free lattes, I decided that I needed to take matters into my own cup.

With my just-in-the-neck-of-time gift certificate from CSN Stores, I bought this retro Delonghi espresso machine . . . that featured a rebate.

The Hottie was glad that my “habit” got moved to home.

I’ve probably made over 12 lattes and countless steamers for the boys.

I would say that already it has paid for itself.

And I haven’t purchased a Starbucks since. 

Thanks, CSN!!!

I was not paid for this post, nor do I have to return my espresso machine.  I am allowed and have given my honest opinion of said product and the excellent shipping service I received from CSN.

Overwhelmed at the Mall

I went to the mall yesterday.  My visit, which was necessary in order to make a return (something that I had bought on-line), made me feel like I had been stuffed into a very small briefcase.  

I don’t EVER want to go back.

This large building that houses stuff  SHOULD be spacious but instead, sounded like an orchestra tuning for a concert; looked like a carnival on steroids; felt like an over packed closet, and smelled like roses given too much manure.

I don’t know how people shop in public.

Me?  I like to shop from the comfort of my couch.

As I traipsed through this . . . . this . . . . this . . . .  stimulating structure, I searched for a spiritual lesson.  But to be honest, I was so overloaded with stimuli that I could not think for quite some time.

My only thought (I actually have two):

• for a celebration that is about a Savior bringing peace to our hearts – the mall lacks peace in its quest to fill people’s hearts with things rather than Christ.
• to keep the reason why you celebrate Christmas in perspective, order on-line (like at CSN)!  Remember, CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish furniture, to a leather briefcase, or great cookware!  (Yes, that was a plug for CSN that is alerting you to the fact that I have an upcoming CSN review . . . but it also is a helpful suggestion.)

Cookies

Awhile ago I was desperate for any type of cookie toy I could get my hands on.  Since we are rather granola, or rather a moderately whole foods fanatic family, the thought of having a completely unwholesome toy being played with in the boy’ slightly dilapidated kitchen seemed rather contrary. 

Hypocritical.

But then I got pregnant.  I had cravings.  And I had (well, still do have) a blog post due over at Totally Tots.  The book I chose {sigh} is all about cookies.  Go figure!

Thankfully CSN Stores came to my rescue in a very timely manner with a gift certificate, of which I have previously mentioned.

You can probably guess what  I purchased.  Cookies.

They’re pretend. 

However, if they had been real, they would have still been hot from the oven due to the fact they were shipped to our house so quickly.

Thankfully, the boys don’t play with them ALL the time.  Then, I would know that I have totally deprived my children and taught them obsessive behaviors regarding desserts.

We have happily been preparing for our Totally Tots Once Upon A Book post by playing with this adorable Slice and Bake Cookie Set

and theses great Color Cookies.  (There are LOTS of hands-on learning opportunities with this game from Learning Resources!!!!)

But we also had to make some cookies.

Real cookies, I mean!  

I love writing for Totally Tots.  They make me eat cookies.  Just kidding.  It happened to be a perk for this particular book . . .

A big thanks goes out to CSN for allowing us to sample and review some of their delicious educational resources and toys!  (I was not paid for this post.  I also get to keep the “educational” toys.)

By the way, are you impressed . . . I typed this one handed?!  The other arm was cradling someone in pink!

A Hint to Work on your Wish List

I have a confession to make.  I ALWAYS have a wish list.    And that is a big hint for you to start your wish list. You are going to need it next month.  You just might want to order some bar stools over at CSN, one of my favorite places to make a wish list, with a gift certificate that you could win here at Granola Mom 4 God in November.  Not that I would be hosting a giveaway or anything.  (Shh!)

I know that Paul tells us to be content in all circumstances.  I, for the most part, usually am content.  Though, I still ponder moving back to Colorado or becoming a missionary with the Hottie through EMI. . .

The Hottie knows where to find my wish list on the computer.  He even has it saved on his Droid, or he used to at least.

My mom knows she can count on a long list from me for my birthday.  And my MIL asks me for the whole family’s wish list, skipping the part of even asking the future birthday man’s desires (this Friday in case you all want to send him a present).   You better bet that each family member has a folder devoted to their wants and desire that I have accumulated and typed into the computer after they mentioned an item in passing. 

I kind of need to have a wish list.  It is almost imperative.  I mean, what would I do when CSN writes me an email telling me I HAVE to review a product and I HAVE to pick WHATEVER I want? It’s rough being a blogger.

It would be so rude to turn them down.