Starbucks Wraps, and a small step back to normalcy

mmm-yoso is a blog about food.  Cathy is talking today about different stuff in addition to food .

Hi.  There is no easy way to jump back into this. We are food bloggers and life sometimes gets in the way.  I'll write in that order today. 

So, a while ago, Starbucks in Southern California gave all of its outlets these cool convection ovens and introduced some breakfast sandwiches ... which can be eaten at any time of the day, as long as you live your life following the 'no rules' rule and eat eggs at any time of the day.  You can also have just about any other food they sell heated up in the convection oven also.

A few weeks ago, I noticed there was an offering of two different types of "breakfast wraps", so you know I had to try them...all in the line of  'research for the blog'.

Each wrap costs $3.25 (opposed to the $2.95 for the sandwiches, which are served on English Muffins) and each looks like this after being heated. 

The tortilla that is wrapped around the contents is more of a wheat one, with a chewier texture, and it is kind of crispy, in a good way, after being heated.

This one is the egg/bacon/avocado/cheddar wrap,

which, on cross section looks kind of stiff, but was quite squishy and perfectly warmed through.  The bacon is 'regular' bacon, not the pepper bacon or a turkey bacon, as offered on the English Muffin sandwiches.  The cheddar cheese adds a nice flavor and I don't know how the avocado says a little cool and not browned from being exposed to air, but it works.

The other Wrap offered is a vegetarian one (which is a good thing, since, for some unknown reason the only vegetarian breakfast muffin has been discontinued) consisting of egg, feta cheese, dried tomatoes and spinach.  I did not have my pocket knife with me to cut this one in half (some sort of "rules" at the Court House) and so, I took a bite and unwrapped the Wrap for you to see the contents. 

This one has very strong Mediterranean flavors and could be eaten more as a lunch than breakfast.  The tomatoes are concentrated in flavor, as is the spinach and cheese. 

I liked both of the wraps and I like the sandwiches offered and the price is right and the size is enough to get rid of hunger pangs for quite a while.

Starbucks- Numerous locations all around the world. 

A few things...

So, we have had the worst Natural Disaster in our lifetime happen right here in Southern California  this week (click here to read the last post with updated links)  I want all of you to know that I appreciate the kind  thoughts, words and prayers sent to Kirk and myself both publicly and privately.  It is times like this when you realize who your friends are.  In particular, Kirk and The Missus did not hesitate when I let him know that The Mister and I might be evacuated at one point and immediately offered that we come stay with them, with all of our animals in tow.  He did not rescind his offer even when I reminded him that we had four dogs and seven cats.

Yes.  I have that many four legged pets and even more canaries, finches and parakeets.  That was one fewer dog that we had the day prior.  On Sunday, our Oldest Girl dog, Witty, had her time with us end.    She was more than 14 years old and had only been with us for about three years.   I got to help her have a good three years here, after her first owner died, without once having to dress in the clothing she came with.

That is Witty on the bottom left, and her step brother, Extra, who we happened to find on the first day of the last fires ( four years ago), and who was unclaimed and also lives in our home, also running naked and free (except for the requisite collar and license, of course).

The last fire was worse for us.  We were evacuated and the flames got to 30 feet behind our fence. When we did come home, we did not have electricity for three days.  This time it hasn't been bad. Smoke, ashes and some road closures are nothing to have to deal wth.   

The photo on the left was taken

behind my house last night at about 6 p.m..  You can see how dry it is and, if you click onto it to enlarge, you can see two Mule Deer.  There were four total, but I couldn't get a photo of all at once.

The photo on the right was taken this afternoon of Gillespie Field in El Cajon, a few miles away.  You can see the CDF helicopters lined up and ready to take off and  protect us.  To all of our Protectors, who risk their lives for us, Thank You!!!

Kirk send me the most touching note this afternoon, reminding me that our little inconveniences are nothing in the overall scheme of things.    He said he was sweeping up ash...the right way, and putting it in the trash, when he realized he had better treat it with some reverence.  "Who knows, it may have been someones most treasured possessions."

Something we should all keep in mind when cleaning up after this tragedy.

Comments

[nhbilly]

Don't what to say but glad to see you guys still up and at it.

THanks!

[howie]

I'm glad to hear you're OK, Cathy. That's a shame about Witty. She looks like a real sweetheart.

[Omar]

Hi Cathy,

Having lived through a few of these fires (and some hurricanes back East, some earthquakes up north, and a couple of muli-car accidents), I decided a while back that God puts some of us here to take care of others, and if we do so, while we aren't offered invulnerability, we're made luckier than most.

The work you do on yoso (yoso-helpful?), added to those kindnesses you share each day with the people you meet in the world, may explain your good fortune. From Day 1, I have appreciated the information and perspective you offer on the blog, as I know others have. I imagine that you manage to lift up the servers and restaurant owners you meet along the way, as well.

Such kindness and support is its own kind of burden, but as I'm sure you would agree, it's also rewarding as hell. So thanks, sweetie, for taking care of us, and when you get cleaned up at home, please let us know about your next great meal!

Best,
Omar

[Cathy]

Hey, Bill..I realize it was kind of a downer post, but there was no way to do anything upbeat, nor to ignore the world around us in San Diego County. We are very fortunate and moving forward.
Thanks, Howie. She was a good girl and I know had a fun life and was active until last Friday.
Thanks for the encouragement, Omar. I grew up in Michigan, with Tornado Watch and Warning codes by county blasted on the bottom right corner of TV screens. I am glad we have a 'heads up' system out here also. I do have some posts ready from meals I had before the fires, but want to re-word them a bit....then move forward with meals eaten after the fires. Most likely with friends and neighbors...

[ed (from Yuma)]

Actually, this was a great post. Out here in Yuma, I was feeling the big disconnect with all my friends (some I still haven't heard from) over the mountains.

Events this scary do kinda put the small inconveniences in life in perspective.

Thanks for the lurching steps back to normalcy.

[mizducky]

Hi Cathy--glad to read that you and the rest of the mmm-yoso crew are maintaining some semblance of normalcy. My condolences on Witty's death--sad coincidence, or did the smoke just push her over the edge?

[dietchilicheesefries]

hey Cathy,

i'm just glad to hear you're all doing okay... but Starbucks sucks...

take care... from the 909... ;)
dccf

,

[cathy]

Hey, ed- I just remembered I wrote to you when it all started...trust me, brain freeze sets in and not much ends up being important. That, plus no electricity or cable, and we all forget to respond to the emails. Four years ago, when we evacuated and then came home to nothingness for another three days, a lot of priorities changed for us...up to and including the importance of not keeping the freezer too full...I do admit, while waiting for 'the phone call' I started to eat up (and drink) all those things I was saving "for an important occasion"...this was it. Thanks for staying in touch.
Hi, MizD- No, Witty was never as healthy as the others- hat a heart murmur, only weighed about 7 lbs, only had 7 teeth when I got her...she was pretty good, but never as active as the other four dogs...and she was bad last Saturday morning and I took her to the Vet, and home... and by Sunday morning, we knew her kidneys were failing along with some other additional unrelated problems and it was time. When she died, there were only fires in Malibu as far as I knew... Thanks for the kind words.
DCCF! I haven't seen you in more than a year! I figured a generic Starbucks post was a gentle ease back into all of this...and Starbucks/TMobile has free wifi all over Southern California, which is nice for all the displaced people... I usually only get a cup of coffee there anyhow...and so, it isn't a bad nor expensive place...

[yummieyummy]

Hi Cathy,

It's very nice to read this post from you. I think Starbucks is very community oriented. Their ice latte is always refreshing on a hot day. My favorite location is in Broadway, El Cajon. They know my drinks so well and also very friendly. After what happened, this is like a comfort place for me. I'm so happy to see most things around me didn't change much and sorry to those had loss their homes. Thank God everyone I know is still okay (just evacuate a little)!

[Carol]

Hey Cathy! I'm glad to hear everything is okay on your end. I'm so sorry to hear about Witty. Wise words from Kirk. We haven't started to clean up yet cuz we heard there's another Santa Ana heading our way. But when we do, I will certainly look at those ashes differently.

[Alice Q. Foodie]

Cathy - sorry to hear about your sweetie. I shudder to think...

Glad you're ok and weren't affected as severely this time as the last. I find it difficult to get worked up about any inconveniences I might suffer when I think about what some people have lost.

[Cathy]

Hi, YY- I do like Starbucks for the coffee and some of the food and the wifi...and of course the air conditioning in the summer...tha location is kind of small, but I have been there quite a few times. A couple of the locations I go to regularly do recognize me and know I get my coffee in a "for here" cup. Yes, we are all fortunate to be able to only have to talk about the fires.
Thanks, Carol. All I remember from the last fires was that no matter how much I cleaned, I would still find a corner or nook I had missed, so I am not in any hurry.
Hi, Alice..thanks. It is always difficult when you are a owner. I do know we gave the Little Witty a good life here and her step- sister, Staples, as well as Extra and big brothers Nutmeg and Bay Leaf also miss her. So much happened last week to all of us and it is confusing but also maybe will re-center us and our priorities.