Random Blogmont Tip of the Day

I was heading to meet Debita this morning for breakfast and I needed to stop at the ATM.

The best place to stop on my end of town is Safeway...but the ATM was out of order. Annoying.

I was already running a little late and didn't want to go across town for a different ATM or use one that wasn't for my bank. As you know, using ATMs other than your own charges you service fees and junk like that.

Then my moment of brilliance.

I buy a cheapo impulse item from the self-checkout and ask for cash back! Clever!

No service fees at the self-checkout.

The 99 cents I spent on Tic Tacs is cheaper than the fees would be anway.

And now I have Tic Tacs!

 

Used Book Emporium

Books! Books! Books!
Everybody loves a new book. Or an old book. Or a new old book or an old new book.
Whatever your preference, this is a pretty good place to start.

They have oodles of stuff, good prices, and it's just fun to browse and see what you want that you didn't even know you wanted.
Amazon doesn't offer that bookish smell.
It doesn't hurt that my book-obsessed mum has loads of credit there that I borrow. :D
(You can take in your old books for store credit. It's now a never-ending loop I think.)

Personally I think it's good for a sudden attack of shopping syndrome. You can buy a few books for not too much, learn something, and spend a while browsing. It's a good deal.
I can't imagine why anyone would buy new children's books. They are insanely expensive and you can let your kiddo go wild throwing books in the basket for much cheaper here.

Stop in next time you're strolling down Main or check out their website for more info!
They need to get themselves a Facebook page, says I!

Update: Snarf's

I discovered that the Snarf's in north Longmont (just East of Main on Mountain View) does indeed serve breakfast!
I haven't tried breakfast yet but I certainly hope to one day soon.
My previous post claimed that Longmont didn't have a breakfast serving Snarf's...it was apparently all lies.

And look at my beautiful sammich. My regular Italian dream. Mmmm.

Abbondanza Pizzeria

I've been told I am mistaken about the name of the artist I wrote about previously, so....guess I'll have to do some research.

**Update** I had a lightbulb today...the artist I like (I bought a print of his a couple years ago after seeing it in Abbondanza, and the bird print below is his) is Bob Glassman. I was mixing up Glassman and Goff (owner of Abbondanza.)
So, thanks to whoever brought that to my attention...

I love pizza. I like Chicago style, NY style, frozen style, my own invented styles, all of it.
With the occasional exception of Old C's Double Deckeroni (omg) Abbodanza is almost always my top choice for pizza dining.

(I just now realized they have Zucchini Stix! Must have those!)

It's just good. It's not like anything mind blowing, no new pizza revelation, it's just good pizza.
They also offer an ideal pizza eating environment.
Downtown Longmont, Main St. people watching, the beloved brick walls, and games! Yay! It's an awesome place for kids because 1) kids like pizza, and 2) there are games on the tables.

I like getting the 2 slices and a drink deal.
When I'm feeling fancy I'll get the Greek or something with a little more flare to it.
According to the mom, the gluten-free is pretty good though she seems to not like to eat it when she can smell all the regular gluten-full crust floating around. Understandable, but at least you've got options.

It's been a while but we got the Dinosaur Eggs ages ago and they are terrific. It's like a little one meatball calzone! Perfect!



And an extra Blogmont bit of advice...if you're planning on pizza during an ArtWalk or Downtown event, go EARLY or be prepared to be smooshed in cause it is the place to be. They usually have a stand located on a side street as well if you're just looking for the basic cheese or pepperoni slices.

Like them on Facebook or check out the menu on their website: http://www.abbondanzapizzeria.com/index.html

Norm's Dog Biscuits

On a little roadtrip to Avogadro's in Ft. Collins we came across these doggy treats.

Norm's Dog Biscuits are all REAL ingredients. I could eat them...if I desired...which I don't. But I could!
Plus, look how cute the face is.
Turns out these are from right here in Longmont!
Simple, natural little treat for your pup (or you if you're in to that sort of thing.)
Our princessa Lola likes them, so they must be good.

Check them out on Facebook or their website: http://www.normsdogbiscuits.com/

Artist: Anne Hayes

Don't you love it when you find something new and unique that somehow fits into this perfect little space of life?

I'm not sure how often it happens but it's always an impressive turn of fate...or something.

I was attending the volunteer orientation for the LCJP (Longmont Community Justice Partnership) and there were several seemingly cool and interesting people there. We went around the group and each told what our ideal super power would be. Mine was to be able to speak and understand any language that has ever existed. Someone else actually said they were going to pick the same thing! How fun!

Anyway, a couple of us were chatting over break and one mentioned that she had an upcoming art show at the Longmont Center for People with Disabilities. This person turned out to be Anne Hayes. She's an awesome artist who has traveled the world and has super power dreams of making art in the sky. Whoa!

Anne tells us she has an exhibit called “Bare Naked Women and Their Birds.” (My mom loves birds!) Then she says she has a collection called “Women Who Live with Goats.” (My mom loves goats!) Anne gave me a flyer for her upcoming art show and while reading her bio, I see that she suffered a brain injury years before and it sort of guided in developing her art. My mother also suffered a brain injury years ago. They must meet!

We stopped by her art show and it was even cooler than I anticipated. So many women and birds created from nature. Anne combines found objects such as sticks, feathers, leaves, bits of fluff, seed pods, fabric, etc...to create unique and awesome art. (My mom also collects sticks, feathers, and nature bits.)
If you ever see a show I definitely recommend seeing the pieces in person. There are so many little details that you miss even if you go to the show twice!

And if you're curious...Anne and mom hit it off immediately. Hopefully they'll become great pals and go on twig hunting expeditions together. :)

"Brigette" now has a happy home in mom's house.

If you're interested in seeing more of Anne's art let me know and I can put you in touch with her. I believe she's in the process of getting a website of some sort up and running.

Santa Fe Coffee & Burrito Company

I used to love Swanky Frank's. It's smokey grossness was part of it's charm. But I'm totally biased about retro diner/cafe places. I could be eating with a rodent AT the table and I'd still think it was a cool place. I do like rodents though...

But Swanky Frank's is long gone and has been replaced by the Santa Fe Company.

It is charming and pleasant with NO grossness.

The first time I went I wasn't in the burrito mood so I went for a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and sausage. It was delicious. Nice homey pancakes. Mmm. Mom had a burger with AWESOME french fries. They should serve fries with everything there. Next time I go back I might just get breakfast with fries. Don't judge. It's basically the same thing as hash browns.

The owner is so sweet I could pinch his cheeks. He definitely wants to make sure everything is good and you are properly taken care of.

The second trip was pretty exciting. I got a breakfast burrito. And by “burrito” I mean-- tortilla wrapped monstrosity of tastyness. (This is mom's arm next to my breakfast.)

 

Aside from it's hugeness it was yummy. Usually when you get potatoes in a burrito it's more of a filler than a taste addition. These potatoes were so GOOD. I don't know why. It's a mystery. But they weren't mushy, they were flavor coated.

Mom got the oatmeal which was surprisingly exciting! She got a little assortment of raisins, Craisins, brown sugar, and cream. I ate several spoonfuls. It was good enough for me to pause on the burrito front and save it for later so that I could eat the rest of my mother's breakfast. It was also a very cheap, filling, tasty breakfast. What else can one ask for breakfast?

Mocha maybe...which I had. It was more coffee than chocolate, which works for coffee people but next time I'll ask for more chocolate. He came over and said he could add more but I was more interested in drinking it than bothering the sweet man.

I'm sure it gets busy busy at peak breakfast times but I always go a little later and it's very nice and the service is quick.

I would go there every single morning for breakfast if I had the funds for it. I look forward to trying more menu options but we'll see if I actually order something new next time I go or get the oh-so-exciting oatmeal! How do they make it so nice??

I also love the classic car that's always out front. So pretty...