Something nice from Pinterest
10 Saturday Sep 2011
Posted pinterest
in10 Saturday Sep 2011
Posted pinterest
in29 Monday Aug 2011
Posted confessions
inTags
A month or so ago, I read a blog post about how coffee, with its demon caffeine, has us in its heinous grip and we would be better off substituting some less heinous morning beverage. The substitutions that the blogger and subsequent commentors offered were, well, less than inspiring. I have tried several substitutions and even enjoyed some of them–but James and I have always come back to the tried and true morning time coffee. It’s such a fun ritual in our home. James is the undisputed coffee maker (french pressed) and I am the coffee snob.
I don’t just love the caffeine pick-me-up. If that was it, I could drink dollar store coffee. I adore the flavor, the aroma, the look of deep rich full-bodied coffee. Part of the reason I’m not a fan of hot tea is that the brew reminds me of water. Don’t get me wrong! I drink lots and lots of water and thoroughly enjoy it. On very hot days, I will brew some iced tea and that is a wonderful drink as well. However, to start my day right, I like nothing better than a muffin or tea biscuit and a cup of strong dark coffee. Cream, no sugar.
Some people may say that I am addicted to the caffeine. True. I get a headache and am irritable if I don’t have coffee in the morning. But, I also get a headache and cranky if I don’t have something else in the morning–FOOD! So, if I’m a caffeine addict, so be it.
How about you? Are you a coffee lover? Strong? Mild? A certain roast? What is your favorite morning beverage ritual?
31 Friday Oct 2008
Posted Ponderings, recipes
inTags
coffee, cooks cove, fall visit, family, sweet recipe, texas, white oak
Here I am in White Oak, Texas, enjoying the early morning and waiting for my coffee to boil. That’s right, I said boil. Micah and Drew aren’t coffee drinkers so it’s always a little panick-y when I come to visit. Several months ago, Roger taught me how to make coffee the way it is made in Romania, so that’s what I’m doing this morning.
Yesterday, my lovely sister and I and the two girls went looking for thrift stores. We struck out with the first one: too smoky. Goodwill wasn’t much better but I did find a pretty awesome wrought iron bird cage. Can’t wait to get it cleaned up! At our third stop, Clothes from the Heart, we found a veritable treasure trove of nice things. Don’t let the name fool you, she’s not all about clothes. She had some furniture pieces, jewelry, fabrics and trim and much more! I may have to send her back on occasion. The little shop is right outside of Gladewater, Texas and is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Except she won’t be there this Saturday–she’s going deer hunting!
When we came home, Micah made me the long-promised Pockets of Lemon cake, as made famous by Grandma Thatcher. I’m going to go ahead and add the recipe here:
POCKETS OF LEMON CAKE
TOPPING
1 Can Pillsbury Lemon Frosting
1 8 oz. Carton Cool Whip, thawed
CAKE
1 Pkg Pilsbury white cake mix
1 ¼ C. water
1/3 C. oil
4 Egg whites
1 Can (15.75oz) lemon pie filling
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 13”x9” cake pan, grease and flour or spray with Crisco No stick cooking spray. Prepare cake mix as directed on package, using water, oil and egg whites. Spread batter in prepared pan. Drop pie filling by heaping teaspoonfuls evenly over the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until the edges pull away from pan and top is golden brown. Allow cake to cool in pan for 45 minutes or until completely cooled. In medium bowl, combine frosting and cool whip blend well. Spread over cooled cake. Best if served chilled. Store loosely covered in refrigerator. Yield: 16 servings
I would also like to give a parting nod to my friend Amanda who has recently (as of September) begun to blog. Please take a look at what she is doing over at Cook’s Cove. Bravo Amanda! You’re so comfortable with your words and your writing style is a true joy!