Earlier this week, Bella, of One Sister's Rant, posted a few photos of her coffee. Sounds simple, right? Except that these were Coffee Art! No joke, they're beautiful.
Many of us felt the urge to try it ourselves, as she explained over her at blog. So, here we go!
If you have any coffee shots you'd like to share, please link up at her blog and share the caffeinated love. My bestest pals, Eden and Amber, will be joining the love soon.
You'll notice an immediate difference between Ms. Bella's lovely shots and my own. Most of mine are all in a paper cup. Beautiful coffee, but where's the atmosphere?
And you know why? Most Americans, myself included, get our coffee on the run. We don't stop, sit, linger at a cafe with a friend, and enjoy. Well, we do occasionally, but that's a treat. In my opinion, we all need to SLOW DOWN.
In fact, a large Italian barista shook his head and finger at us girls when we were in Florence. (Ahhh, the trip of our fresh-faced youth.) "Americans always running. This is very American. You will stop and speak to us." He gestured to their standing bar. They had a huge, empty sitting area, but the standing bar was packed. When we pointed to the chairs, he shrugged. "Yes, you sit, but it is extra..."
So we lingered, we chatted, and we stood with our morning lattes in real cups.
Also, we admired the view. Hello, handsome Antonio Banderas look-alike.
More coffee photos over the weekend.
I will sit.
I will order mochas by the mug.
I will sip lattes gently from glass cups.
I will make this great sacrifice in the name of art.
I'm giving like that.
Lori, what a fantastic post! Your coffee shots look marvelous! And hey, while they may lack in European atmosphere, they make up for with plenty of charm! Look at that foam! Love the photos from Italy! And my goodness, had I known you during this time, I would have made you drink coffee daily just to get a look of the Antonio Banderas lookalike! Thank you so much for being a part of the coffee revolution! I'm looking forward to more of your coffee photos! :)
Posted by: Bella | 09/02/2011 at 11:14 AM
Okay, the coffee may be in paper cups, but man that's pretty looking coffee! I really want some now.
Posted by: Kelly Hashway | 09/02/2011 at 11:18 AM
Yes, yummy looking java, but I like my plain and steamy. Not frills for me. Great idea, ladies.
Posted by: Brenda | 09/02/2011 at 12:01 PM
Do you remember the glass case filled with wee breakfast baguette sandwiches? And the bartender that barked at me when I accidentally spoke to him in Spanish? How we softened the insult by having him give us a quick lesson on ordering iced coffee in Italian?
Can we go back? And can I have those slim brown arms again?
Posted by: eden | 09/02/2011 at 03:34 PM
Beautiful photographs. Wish we could all 'do' coffee together this weekend! Oh well, we're doing the next best thing right? I actually have my coffee in beautiful china mugs but loved the sentiments of the picture I posted so much that it just had to be the one. I will probably keep it up awhile because java's just part of the writer experience for many of us. Have a great one!
Posted by: Elizabeth Young | 09/02/2011 at 04:49 PM
Can we have a long distance cup? Sigh.
Coffee makes me miss you more.
Posted by: amber | 09/02/2011 at 05:54 PM
Also, I was searching for the photo I have like your second one before I saw your post and couldn't find it! So sad.
Posted by: amber | 09/02/2011 at 06:06 PM
Lori - This is a fab post...love the differences in culture that are emerging with our coffee!
Here's mine: http://www.everydaygyaan.com/2011/09/coffee-photo-revolution-part-1.html
Posted by: Corinne Rodrigues | 09/03/2011 at 10:03 AM
Hi! I'm visiting from the Coffee Photo Revolution. Your post was a wonderful reminder to slow down and smell the coffee. Enjoyed your trip photos!
Posted by: Kimby | 09/03/2011 at 05:24 PM
Paper cups or not, that coffee looks great! :)
Posted by: Ivana | 09/04/2011 at 02:11 AM
ahh...coffee IS better in Italy, eh? and hey--is that 'diabolical' café still around up on the top of Capitol Hill? just wondering...figured you might be able to tell us, hehe...
Posted by: J and S in Tucson | 09/05/2011 at 12:46 PM
BELLA -- I put in the Antonio picture just for you! He's not Javier, I know, but at the time, the loveliness that is Mr. Bardem was unknown to us. And thank you SO much for starting the coffee revolution. So much fun to work with you!!
KELLY -- You know, I think coffee is always a good choice! Wish we could share some coffee time.
BRENDA -- Classic choice! And thank you!
ELIZABETH -- So true. I have favorite mugs that I always reach for. And without coffee, the writing dream would disappear. Might as well be a plumber.
Posted by: Girl Parker | 09/06/2011 at 10:38 AM
AMBER -- I will send you those photos immediately. I MISS YOU. With or without cinnamon sprinkles and chocolate swirles.
EDEN -- How could i forget? Apparently, Spanish ice is NOT the same as Italian ice. =) As for the slimness... *emotional collapse*
Posted by: Girl Parker | 09/06/2011 at 10:40 AM
CORINNE -- I love that your post comes with an instructional video! And I totally agree - quality is definitely worth the wait. Thanks!
KIMBY -- Thank you very much. I had planned to run all over town, snapping pictures of good coffee - not a small goal in Seattle - I forgot we were having company this weekend. Change O Plan!
IVANA -- Thank you! We can't escape our culture. Even when I try, I end up getting the coffee to go.
J&S -- El Diablo Cafe!!!!!! Why didn't I think of that? That would have been a classic post. I may still have to do that. hhaaa!
Posted by: Girl Parker | 09/06/2011 at 10:45 AM
Haha, I remember traveling to Italy and having to pay to sit! And it really is true that they don't rush as much as we Americans do. In fact, it was very confusing at first, because the tradition in America is for the wait staff to ask if we want our check, but in Italy that's considered rude because you're seen as shooing the customer out the door. So my family spent an hour wondering why we weren't asked about our check!
But those coffee shots are beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. My mugs are sometimes pretty, but never my coffee. Because I make it myself and I haven't yet learned the fine art of pretty coffee.
Posted by: Annalise Green | 09/06/2011 at 05:00 PM
Do I spy a Zoka cuppa Joe? I agree with all, beautiful pics! I enjoy warming my hands while cupping a mug of coffee. I like the big soup mug ones. Yum!
Jen Hemming and Hawing Again
Posted by: Jen HaHA | 09/07/2011 at 05:53 PM