Coffee

Coffee.....

What is it about Coffee...

For years...never touched it. I did think it smelled great as I walked past the coffee aisle in the stores. Tried it once along time ago, didn't care for it then. Guess I just wasn't ready yet. I also loved walking past the coffee shops in the malls...it always smelled SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOD!!. Mom drank it, but she mostly had the instant, as back in the 60's/70's...brewing a small pot was just not practical, took too long in those old percolators. Later on, this would change.

Then something happened. In 1992, I discovered Coffee. It was odd how I found it. I was at the Ohio State Fair, and Maxwell House came out with their 1892 Blend to celebrate their 100th yr. They were giving out free samples, plus a free cup of coffee. Well I tried it, with lots of cream and sugar...and OMG...BABY!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE!! I ended up going back a couple times that day, getting another free cup. Next thing I know, I am stopping at a local Frisch's Big Boy, for a Pot of coffee and pie...at night even!! I just wanted an excuse to get the coffee lol!!

Then when I went to the local malls I finally stopped in and got a like a Venetian something or other, basically espresso with some flavoring..anyways..it was very strong...but I loved it. Seems I like my coffee strong. I can't stand the weak stuff they use to make at work.

Since that time, I have come to be what I call a coffee connoisseur, in others, I drink, but I can't drink all day, but I do love to have my moments with special coffees, such as lattes, and such. I do have to have my morning cups of coffee, typically no more than 3. But usually, rarely do I have it later on. Exceptions are Starbucks for a Lisa Special (Grande, non-fat, no whip, White Mocha) except I have mine Venti size and add an Orinoco Kicker (extra shot of espresso). I also love Iced Lisa Specials and other Iced Coffee concoctions during the day, especially on a warm summer day, or if I am in Vegas. Vegas is where I really treat myself with Coffee...I need the extra caffeine buzz to keep me up and going.

Back to Mom for a second, now that I loved coffee, I ended up buying a coffee maker, so when Mom would visit (at the time lived in an apartment) she would have me make her a cup. Then when we purchased a house, she would have me brew her a cup on the weekends. She still had her instant on the weekdays, as it was just too complicated for her to run the coffee maker, Mom wasn't the most technical savvy person around, I tried to teach her how to use the computer...that didn't fair too well.

Anyways back to my Coffee Buzz. Some of my fav places for coffee are Starbucks, Panera Bread (love the Hazelnut), and Tim Horton's (Canadian's make a goood cup of Joe), Cup of Joe's is also a fav for some unusual blends, such as Milky Way and Mounds Bar. But my trip to Ireland found me my fav. They brew it strong, but it is goooood. My flight over on Aer Lingus, the brew they brought with my dinner was wonderful!!! I had to get a second cup. Then the B&B I stayed at, Pauline also made a great cup of coffee, and I would start out my day with 2. Someday hope to go back just for the coffee HEHEHE!!

Anyways, my love affair with the Coffee bean will continue. As I am writing this, I am at one of my favorite places, Panera, with my Hazelnut Blend next to me.

Ahhhhh...Coffee...The Elixr of Life...