French Press Fridays

**Excuse the spasmodic behavior of my blog.  The look keeps changing as I'm trying to figure out how to work the "controls"....still.  Thank you.**

We made Peppermint Dust a couple of weeks ago.  It's easy, really, and quite fun to have on hand this time of year.  Throw a bunch of candy canes in your food processor, or blender, cover your ears, and set that baby on "pulverize".  Voila!  Peppermint dust!  Transfer it to a fun little jar and keep on hand to add to ice cream, hot cocoa or anything else that needs a little holiday cheer.  It's also good in, yep, you guessed it....COFFEE!

 

 

 

 

French Press Friday

I have decided....

Those are always exciting words, aren't they?  They conjure up thoughts of positive change, ambition, goal-setting and the anticipation of something new on the horizon.  Well, I have decided something.  No, I'm not giving up my French Press!  Am I crazy?!  But brace yourselves, because this decision is by no means ambitious or even very anitcipatory.  No, I have decided that...

my new set of dishes will be white or an off-white!

Not the model of amibition you were looking for, huh?  Hm.  I know.

Right now our dishes are of the melamine variety because we wanted the boys to be able to set and clear the table, and load the dishwasher without breaking the dishes.  Novel idea, huh?  Too many of our old dishes were broken accidentally so I went to Target and picked up some inexpensive melamine ones.  They are attractive and they work for us right now, which is perfect.  But a few years down the road when we graduate to "real" dishes once again, I'm getting white.  They will be so versatile and I can pair so many other things with them.  I went window shopping for some coffee mugs I might use.  Thought I'd share my findings.


Cute for summertime use, huh?  Having coffee or tea with a friend?







I love the print and colors on this set.







                  I like the green color and the pottery look of this one.





Nice for a winter table!








This one if Fiestaware.  I like the shape of it and all the versatility in color Fiestaware offers.






I'm sure they won't let me break up the set (!) but I love the polka dots!  Cute for Valentine's Day, maybe.





The crochet pattern on this one is beautiful!







So many beautiful dishes out there and so little time to window shop them all.  *sigh*  Hope you enjoyed this little browse through my world of dish-love.  What are some of your favorite ways to dress up your table?

(All mugs and dish sets found at Pier1.com and Kohls.com)

French Press Fridays

My, it's been a long time.  I've been extrememly introverted lately, when it comes to the relationship I have with this blog.  Weird?  Probably, but true.  Such is life as me. 

Much to share and it will come in bits and pieces, but for now here's something new I've been trying in my coffee.  Nothing earth shattering or ground breaking, but yummy.

I pour myself a cup of coffee, add my half and half and then stir in a bit of cocoa powder.  Yep, baking cocoa powder.  Just a bit since it is on the bitter side.  Maybe 1/2 to 1 teaspoon worth.  You can of course add sugar to sweeten it, but I prefer not.  Just the creaminess of the  half and half with a bit of chocolate.  And as a friend pointed out, getting that bit of cocoa is good for you!  The benefits of antioxidants....in chocolate...mmmm.

French Press Friday

Let me start by saying I know I have not done what I said I'd do.  I did not post about chores and charts and boyos.  I tried though!  Believe me I tried.  Yesterday, last night and again this morning.  But my pictures just won't load onto my blog site properly!  **fume, fume, fume**  So, I'll try todays post instead and see what happens.


Hubs got me a new bean grinder a while back.  Here it is...my Cuisinart beauty! 

It has various settings for how fine or coarse you want your coffee beans to be, depending on how you are brewing them.  Coarse for french press, medium for drip, etc.  There is also a setting for how many cups worth you wish to grind, from 4 cups up to 12 cups.  This smart machine grinds just that much into the resevoir basket and then stops automatically.  So it's super easy to go from this:


hopper full of aromatic whole beans

To this:



resevoir full of aromatic, freshly ground beans.

This makes a delicious pot of coffee, let me tell you.  I'm enjoying a cup right now.  There's more in the thermal carafe!  Come on over.

French Press Friday

The Perfect Porch

Although it hasn't been French Press coffee, I've been having my morning coffee on this front porch for the past week.  This is my parents's summer home in Ohio.  It may not be the most beautiful porch, but it is by far my most favorite porch!  I suppose that could make it the most beautiful, couldn't it? 

Some beautiful reasons:

JoJo reading in the air chair.  Every home should have an air chair somewhere.  They are wonderful!

 

Mouse on the porch swing.  What's a porch without a swing?!  (This pic makes his legs look longer than they are.  Wierd isn't it?)

The boyos playin' with old toyos.  I have fond memories of those Fisher Price playthings...


 More stories of summer vacation to come....

"What's the deal?  It's an island!"
"Mainland rules don't apply"
              and
"Memoirs of an Island Girl"

French Press Friday

The following is what is born from a 9-year old waking me with spider nightmares at 4:00 AM and my inability to go back to sleep because my brain won't shut off.



"Coffee on the Porch"

I sit on my porch
In the sweltering heat;
No fan for my face,
No pool for my feet.

Hot coffee in hand,
You must think me crazy.
Go in and get ice?
Nah, I'm too lazy.



Enjoy your weekend!  Avoid the sweltering heat. And never be too lazy to fetch ice.

French Press Friday

Hubs brought gifts home from Africa.  For the two of us he brought...*drum roll please*....

COFFEE!

Isn't that red bag so very cool?  I just love it.  And inside said red bag are coffee beans, ready for the grinding.  And we thought it would be delicious. 

Not so much.  It was weak and tasteless.  Poor Hubby felt so bad.  But what was he to do about it?  Wasn't his fault.  We even gave the beans another chance by making a fresh pot using more coffee.  Hm.  Still not good. We wondered if the beans were just too old.  He said he would use the beans just to finish them up. 

"Why?!?", says I.  Life is too short to drink bad coffee!  Am I right or am I right?

So I made the Queenly decision I am so apt to do...and threw those bad beans away. 
But kept the red burlap bag.

Now the Africafe is another story.  Can you see that it is "instant" coffee?  This is the stuff Hubs drank every morning at breakfast and again at tea time while he was in Africa.  He enjoyed it, so I looked forward to trying it.  And it is pretty good!  It's a very fine, powdery coffee.  Not granular at all, like the instant coffees we are used to here in the states.  And it doesn't necessarily taste like your regular cup o' Joe.  But it has a certain richness and uniqueness to its flavor that makes it fun to sip while pretending you are enjoying the sights of the Serenghetti on an African morning.

So we'll save the Africafe to share with special guests.

 Please!  Stop by.  I'll make you a cup.



French Press Fridays

I sit here in the quiet, windows open, breezes blowing in, sipping my lovely sample of Gevalia coffee that came in the mail yesterday.  Why is it that getting free coffee in the mail causes me to do a happy dance??  Anyway, no french press.  Not today.  At least, not yet.  I started my blog time this morning trying to figure out why my link-up of a couple of days ago is NOT WORKING!  Grrrr....  Very frustrating.  But....I'll have you know.... I solved the problem!  Hurray for me!


Now, onward, to my grandmother's teacup collection.  Here is part of it.  Her tea service is in front.

A pretty white teapot with creamer and sugar bowl.  The larger white covered dish is probably for holding goodies.  And if you look to the far right of the teapot, you'll see more of the mess I mentioned earlier.  Just ignore it.  I usually do.  Here's the rest of grandma's collection

.

A much nicer display.  I really want to rework the organization and displayability (new word) of these shelves, but that's a project - and a post - for another day.  Each one of these teacups is different.  Each has it's own beautiful flower and unique shape.  Here are a couple of my favorites.

Isn't this one beautiful?  The inside of it shimmers iridescently like the inside of a seashell.  Such fun to drink from.  The shape of the handle and the scallops on the saucer are so unique.

With its pale pink color and delicate flower on the inside of the cup, I have to call this one precious.

Such beautiful, delicate blue flowers on this cup.  Violets maybe?  If they aren't, they sure are a close look-alike.

My only regret as far as these beautiful teacups go, is that I never got to use them with my Grandma.  I don't know why.  Sitting down to tea was not something she did, I guess.  But I was so touched when I learned that she wanted me to have them.  My mom has always been one to make use of the old antique, collectible type things.  So I follow her example and I use these cups.  I have shared a pot of tea with dear friends and it was so fun!  Another time, a friend and I shared tea and treats with her daughter.  The three of us drank with our pinkies in the air, trying our best to sound like English ladies.  It was wonderful. 

Putting Grandma's tea set to use for special, memory making days is so much better than letting it collect dust on the shelf (which it does!), only to be there for display.  I remember her every time I look at the cups.  But I remember her more deeply when I use them.

French Press Friday

While visiting my favorite coffee shop the other day I learned something new.  The barista told me - and I'll assume she knows of what she speaks - that the lighter the roast, the more caffeine.

I think I need to switch to a lighter roast in the mornings.

French Press Friday

I feel most obligated to post something on Fridays, now that I've given the day it's own special title.  Although today, there is nothing french press-y about it.  So much has happened the past couple of weeks that I don't feel I've had time to breathe, much less write.  Trying times for this introvert.  Happy, celebratory times, though, too.  And that's a good thing.  A very good thing.

I attended the EVE conference for pastors' wives two weekends ago.  I think it was our 7th year...?  Not too sure about that.  But the numbers keep growing and the wonderful topics just keep coming.  I do so wish we could extend it a bit, from one night to two.  But that's a hard thing to do for some of the women.  Most of them, maybe.  Lots of littles at home.  It's encouraging, though, to hear from more and more members at church how they, too, wish it were a little longer....for my sake...for the sake of the other wives.  These members know how much we give, and sacrifice, for the sake of our husbands' ministries.  They like knowing that we, the wives, are being cared for and fed, too.  It is encouraging.

And then last weekend, my oldest....my baby....my firstborn....my companion through the seminary years....was confirmed!  I teared up during the service when he, with the other confirmands, answered the questions himself that were answered for him at his baptism. 

"Do you renounce the devil?"
"Yes, I renounce him."

Do you renounce all his works?"
"Yes, I renounce them."

"Do you renounce all his ways?"
"Yes, I renounce them."

"Do you believe in God the Father Almighty...in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord...in the Holy Spirit?"
"Yes, I believe..."

Proud Mama.  Proud Daddy.  Proud family.  If I could, I'd add a picture right now.  But that will come.  (A stop at Best Buy for some computer gadget is on my to-do list today.  Then I can transfer pics more easily...)

We celebrated with a house full of family and friends.  What a wonderful time it was!  Bud enjoyed all the attention, I think.  No, I KNOW he enjoyed it!  And the gifts that come with the event, of course.  Such a showering of love and well-wishes for him.  A strong demonstration for him of those that love him. 

I just enjoyed watching  him.  Taking pics.  Trying to preserve this day, these memories.  Another First for my oldest, my baby. 

French Press Friday

DAY DREAMING

I'm sitting here with my hands wrapped around my hot mug of coffee.  Mmmm, it's especially delicious today.  And I feel rushed and ill prepared for the day.  It's my procrastination.  I have some specific ideas for my Friday postings, good ones, too...I hope.  But I can't write about any of them today because they need photo accompaniments.  And I have not done the photos yet.  And I don't have time right now.  And I cannot seem to figure out HOW TO GET THE PICTURES FROM MY PHOTO CARD ONTO MY LAPTOP!!  That frustrates me a bit, can you tell?  (Any advice?)

So today, let's daydream. 

I'm on the front porch of the island house my parents have in Ohio.  The home is a victorian one with many, many rooms that the grandkids love to run through.  It sits on Lake Shore Drive, two houses down from the hustle and bustle of "downtown".  The porch faces Lake Erie and is a favorite place for the adults.  We can watch the kids play ball in the yard, swing on the tire hung from the tree, and tumble in and out of the hammock.  I prefer to sit on the porch swing or in the air chair.  I like the gentle swaying motion both offer.  It matches the rthym of the lake water.  I sip my coffee and inhale deeply the scent of the island.  Fishy lake water, fresh mown grass, boat exhaust, coffee.  I listen to the sounds of my children, the visitors walking by, the breeze in the trees.  I close my eyes and can't help but smile.  This is contentment.  This is what heaven will be like.

Where do you go in your daydreams?

French Press Friday

On this Good Friday, we had hot cross buns with our french press.

And Bud was in the living room with JoJo and Mouse...teaching them how to shoot rubber bands.

A blessed Good Friday to you all.

Cinnamon

I was very recently introduced to a new type of cinnamon, called Vietnamese cinnamon.  I always thought cinnamon was cinnamon.  I didn't know there were different kinds.  Kind of like basil.  I can't just go to the nursery and pick up a basil plant for my garden.  I have to choose which kind of basil.  Oh boy.  Me and decisions just don't mix well.  I just figure this is God's way of telling me I am now old enough to handle choices.  I can learn to decide.  I'm a big girl now!  Anyway, back to cinnamon.

A friend of mine has a certain affection for spices.  I do, too.  We learned that about each other recently and it led to a wonderful conversation about cooking, baking and a new spice shop in Omaha I have to find.  She opened up her spice cabinet for me and started pulling out jars and bottles of beautiful spices; some I was familiar with, others were new to me.  Vietnamese cinnamon (a.k.a, Saigon cinnamon) was one of the new ones.  The smell is just heavenly.  I have had a difficult time putting into words its scent.  It is very much like the cinnamon we are used to, but different enough to make you say, "Wow!  That's nice!"  So I Googled "Vietnamese cinnamon" and hit upon the King Arthur Flour website.  I'm familiar with King Arthur Flour and figured they might know what they were talking about when it came to baking goods. I'll share with you again the fruits of my research.

Vietnamese cinnamon is sweeter, more aromatic than the Indonesian cinnamon we find in grocery stores.  It is ground from the dried, cultivated bark of cinnamon cassia grown in Vietnam.   It has a higher oil content and therefore disperses more evenly through baked goods.  So your goodies will taste more "cinnamony" through and through.  KAF compares this cinnamon and regular cinnamon to a cup of rich espresso and a cup of watery coffee from a highway vending machine.  I think this makes the difference quite clear, don't you?

Which brings me to why I'm writing about cinnamon on French Press Friday.  I poured myself a mug of the heavenly, black goodness, added my half and half and then sprinkled on a good measure of Vietnamese cinnamon.  And...it...was...delicious.

Have a blessed weekend!

French Press Friday

It's Friday already?  Wow, this week went fast.  I really thought I had posted more than once this week.  Maybe I'm just posting in my head....

Last week I introduced, or re-introduced, you to french press coffee.  A friend had a concern about the amount of cholesterol in coffee, specifically french press.  That fact was new to me, so I decided to research a bit about it and share my findings.  Do with it what you may.

The oils, called terpenes, found in coffee tends to be what increases the cholesterol.  These are typically removed by filters.  So, when we use our coffee makers that require filters, we do not need to worry about the impact our morning cup o' joe has on our cholesterol levels.  This made me very sad because I love my french press coffee!  Do I need to give it up?!  I continued my research.

It seems that a healthy person with low cholesterol levels may not need to worry too much about the effects of coffee.  (Happy!)  But what about my friends and family who DO need to be more careful about cholesterol?  For some reason, the following did not surprise me:

"People try to pin a culprit" when it comes to coffee and cholesterol, "but people do not live in an isolated world," says Dr. Gail C. Frank, a professor of nutrition in the department of family and consumer sciences at California State University Long Beach. According to Frank, there are "several pieces to the coffee story," including not only whether people drink filtered or unfiltered coffee, but how much they drink and what they are doing besides drinking coffee‹such as smoking. (link)







It's true.  We don't live in an isolated world.  So many of our choices affect so many aspects of our lives and it seems coffee and cholesterol follow that same truth.  So are you ready for this no-brainer?  If you are a friend or family member who needs to be mindful of cholesterol:

  Eat healthy foods.  Get some regular exercise.  Don't smoke.  Drink plenty of water. And don't go overboard on things that aren't beneficial for you! 

 Here's another good article.  Easy to read.  Nothing about it screams "the sky is falling!!" if you know what I mean.  Just good common sense.

French Press Friday

**WARNING! THIS POST MAY PRODUCE A STRONG URGE FOR COFFEE**

Good Friday morning to you!  At our house, Fridays have become known as French press Fridays. Friday is Hubby's day off, so we take some time to enjoy a cup (or several) of French press coffee.  We take a lot of time to enjoy it.  We sit on the couch and talk, read, share what we're reading.  It's wonderful.  So, in my Queenly fashion, I thought I might officially dub Fridays as "French Press Fridays".  There.  They are now so dubbed.

In case you don't know about French presses, I thought I'd provide you with a little enlightenment.  The above picture shows the gorgeous coffee being poured generously out of said French press.  Ohhhh, it looks so good....(and I've already had 2 cups!).  The taste is richer and more aromatic than coffee from a drip brewer.  Although there's nothing wrong with that!  We use a drip brewer most mornings.  But back to our French press.  According to Wikipedia, the first French press (or press pot, coffee plunger, coffee press) was patented by Attilio Calimani in 1929.  It was very rudimentary, basically being a cheesecloth screen fitted to a rod and pressed down through a pot of boiling water. 

Here's another picture.

You can see the post that goes down through the middle of the carafe and the filter attached to the bottom.  Generally it goes like this.  Coffee beans are ground to a coarser grind than would be used for drip coffee makers.  What beans do you use?  That's up to you to discover.  I have used several different roasts, but by far our favorite is Kenya AA.  I haven't been able to find them in the stores anymore so I order 3 bags at a time from Amazon and store them in the freezer.  The ground beans are then put into the press along with hot water.  The ratio is usually 1 rounded tablespoon to 1 "cup" (4 oz.) of water.  Give the "sludge" a stir with a plastic spoon or wooden chopstick so as not to crack the glass.  Then you let it steep anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your personal taste. Slowly and evenly, press down on the plunger.  This forces the grinds to the bottom where they will be trapped by the filter.  Then pour the delicious beverage into your cup and enjoy!  I add half and half, myself.

Brewing coffee like this captures more of the coffee flavor and it's essential oils because they don't get trapped by the paper filter used in drip brewers.  And this wonderful contraption can be used to brew loose leaf tea, too!  How handy, right?  Just do it the same way you would with the coffee.  Put the loose tea in the carafe, then the hot water, stir, let it steep, and pour.  I would transfer all of the tea, after it has steeped, to a warm teapot so it doesn't sit in the water, making the tea too bitter.  Coffee, however, can sit in the press, waiting to be enjoyed as a second cup. 

This beauty to the right is an insulated press made especially for travel use.  I'll be setting aside some money for one of these.  It'll make camping this summer that much more enjoyable!