spice is very nice

Happy Friday, Dear Readers! I must share my latest java discovery: pumpkin spice blend. A week ago I was developing a dangerous habit of buying my morning coffee from a national chain (that will go unnamed) and loving the pumpkin spice variety. Spice is nice, but the quality of coffee at said national chain isn't up to my beloved Peet's. As I was browsing our spice cabinet for something to add to the brisket I was cooking, I stumbled upon a cast-away jar of pumpkin spice mix. Bah, I thought - will I ever use this? Then the proverbial light dawned and I immediately made a pot of coffee in the french press and added about a teaspoon of the spice to the grounds. Hazzah! I had my pumpkin spice coffee made to order with my favorite beans, in my favorite mug, next to my favorite little baristas while we read Cat in the Hat (for the ninth time). 

splurge worthy

While searching the web for some fun yet useful Christmas gifts for Hero Hubby, I got sidetracked (how typical) and stumbled upon poketo.com. The logo alone had me convinced that I want everything in this shop, but the real humdinger is the ceramic drip coffee maker by Hario. I'm *in love* with this and have deemed it splurge worthy (it's hardly going to break the bank at $30.00, however). It's the "I'll never crab at you in the morning with my perfect coffee" gift for me him. Hmmm...

cappuccino update

 Remember this post? Well, I just made myself a mid-afternoon treat using chocolate almond milk in place of regular old milk. It foamed up beautifully and tastes so good I just had to share this little side of sparkle with you!

 {Perhaps these cappuccino brownies will be a splendid chocolatey-coffee fix for dessert tonight}

cappuccino time

It's no secret that I love coffee and all things delicious one can make with it. A french press girl in the mornings, I most definitely favor a cappuccino later in the day. With Friday afternoon already on my mind, I'm planning on slipping out with my two ladies to our local cafe and delighting in the foamy warmth of a (to-go)cup.  Someday I will posses my very own espresso machine (with direct hot water tap, of course) so I can enjoy an afternoon treat at home. For now, here is a cappuccino hack to try at home with you french press (if you don't own one, I highly recommend them)!

STEP ONE:

Brew espresso in your french press {2 tablespoons medium-grind espresso to every cup of near-boiling water}. Stir. Let it stand for 4 minutes, then depress the plunger. Pour 1/3 cup of espresso into the bottom of your coffee cup.

STEP TWO:

Microwave about 1 cup of milk for about 20 seconds. Rinse out your coffee press and pour in the hot milk. Foam it with the plunger and top the espresso with 1/3 cup of the milk and top the rest with the foam. Enjoy!

image via evan's kitchen ramblings

happy hump day

Ok, it's Wednesday and, as the post title says, it's hump day (get your mind out of the gutter) and time to celebrate the downhill coast into the weekend.  Alas, coasting into the weekend may be wishful thinking... my experience is typically an uphill slog.  Fancy mantras like "this too shall pass" and "keep calm and carry on" are cute, but I need a little more to get me through.  Enter coffee.  I adore coffee.  Not only do I relish each sip, I like to have fun with the drinking experience.  Here are my latest coffee crushes.

 

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