Year: 2010

I like espresso.  Regular coffee is OK in a pinch but espresso rules.  At home we mix espresso with our coffee – we make pressed coffee.  I like my cappuccino and had been looking around for a machine that wouldn’t break the bank when I was visiting a friend in Vancouver and she had a Bialetti.  It is a single cup stovetop coffee maker. 
I looked in all the usual places when I got back to Calgary but couldn’t find.  At the Home Interior Design Show this past weekend at the Stampede grounds I found a booth that had all sorts of electric ones.  I asked the girl there about stovetop espresso makers and she told me they had some at the store.  She was quite nice.  She gave me their card: Myric Electronics – their address is A-13 Meridian Road, SE., Calgary.

I went up there on Monday and found exactly what I was looking for.  The owner was very helpful and also treated me to an espresso while we chatted. 

I also got one of those thingys to froth the milk for my cappuccinos and lattes.  I’ll still do the sit down in some of the nicer coffee places but I think I’ll probably save myself about $100 a month or more.  And it is a nice little ritual that gives me a break while working at home.

And really, I do, now, make a pretty good cappuccino/latte!!

From the Tea House at Agnes Lake

It is a couple of hours to drive to Lake Louise from Calgary with the construction and all but well worth it.  We drove up yesterday and went on the hike that took us up to Lake Agnes and the Tea House.  The top is a little over 1000 feet above Lake Louise.  The trail is wide and well kept and an easy walk for the most part except for some muddy sections this time of the year.  It is all upgrade on the way up – no breaks unless you stop.  I think it is about 3.4 km each way.  About half to 2/3s of the way up you will come to Mirror Lake.  At the top we sat outside and had our tea and coffee and took some pictures.  Quite a few people on the trail and at the top.  Languages and accents from all over the world.  The view from the top and some spots on the way up were spectacular.  If you are not hiking regularly, you will likely feel some sore muscles for a day or two afterward.

Tea House On Agnes Lake, Alberta

Working at one of the booths in the Market place selling Thentix last week at Spruce Meadows.  I wanted a capuccino and someone told me there was a Starbucks on the grounds.  I went and waited in line, got my coffee, went back to my booth and took a sip.  What a disappointment.  Tasted like watery coffee, not even strong coffee much less expresso.  I had my co-worker try it just to make sure I wasn’t be too harsh.  Nope!  I went back and told them – the girl told me it was because it was a single.  I didn’t have much hope for the replacement cup at that point.  Anyway, she made another and it wasn’t really any better.  I spoke to another vendor that I work near and she said it is pretty much the same every year.  If you want a Starbucks while you are at Spruce Meadows, get it one the way.

This isn’t really a hike – more of a walk if you are just going around this man made lake.  Take the road to Elbow Falls and keep going past the gate that is closed in the winter.  Go to the end of the paved highway – if you go straight at that point you will be on gravel – the route there is called PowderFace Trail.  It goes all the way through north to the highway but, well, I think you need the vehicle for that.  Anyway, hang a right there and you will come upon Forgetmenot pond.  It is quite pretty there and the area is quite photogenic.  There are some other longer trails there – we didn’t have time to try any out the other day when were there – we were out driving late in the day and ended up here.

Here are a few pictures of the road in and the area:

The first two photos are the road past Elbow Falls on the way to Little Elbow Campground and Forgetmenot Pond.  The third photo is the river running behind the pond.

Above are more views of the pond.

Yes, we almost got caught in the hail storm that day.  The next one is near the pond.

I hope you enjoy these photos – It’s a beautiful drive out there and there are plenty of trails.  Lots more info on the trails here: Elbow Valley Map

We were in Bragg Creek a week and a half ago and wandered into the Liquor/Wine Store there. I always like to look in different stores – always different selections.  The fellow in the store asked me if he could help with anything and we stared talking wine.  Turns out he purchases the wine for the store and is quite knowledgeable – and even better – his tastes apparently coincide with mine.  He turned me on to a couple of South African wines that I had never tried before – we like them so much we went back later in the week and got some more.  Got to chat some more with Percy about corks, screws tops and the benefits of both.  I recommend chatting with Percy if you go there – whether you are a novice or experienced wine drinker.