I've always enjoyed my morning cup of jo. Most mornings, when I'm home with Husband, he gets up first, makes coffee, and brings me a cup before I even get out of bed. For a few years, our routine was to stay in bed for a half hour or so most mornings, sipping coffee, petting the cat and chatting about the day ahead. Now that I'm living on my own during the week, I have to make my own coffee - which has taken some getting used to.
On the upside, my desire for coffee makes it easier to get out of bed in the morning, and I find I'm mostly enjoying the new routine, though I miss Husband and Jackie Blue of course.
Neither of the apartments I've rented since Labour Day has a drip coffee maker, so I've had to rely on older technologies to make my morning cuppa - first a small stove top expresso maker, and now a French press. Each has pros and cons but, overall, I prefer the French press because it mellower coffee and I can make two cups at once. My main criticism is that the coffee isn't quite as hot as I like - but I used boiling water to warm my mug this morning and that seemed to help.
It's interesting to me that such homely details have taken on so much significance this fall - I suppose because it's the small pleasures -- like good coffee, a comfy bed and a well-stocked kitchen -- that make me feel a little less lonely and more self-sufficient.
I find being away from Husband and Jackie Blue during the week tough, but fortunately it isn't for much longer. I haven't firmly settled on a retirement date yet but expect to be finished full-time work in 10-15 weeks, after which I may work part-time for a few months. Much will depend on whether my boss decides to replace me. For now, I'm doing what I can to enjoy city living and being on my own more than usual - and good coffee is an important part of that.
On the upside, my desire for coffee makes it easier to get out of bed in the morning, and I find I'm mostly enjoying the new routine, though I miss Husband and Jackie Blue of course.
Neither of the apartments I've rented since Labour Day has a drip coffee maker, so I've had to rely on older technologies to make my morning cuppa - first a small stove top expresso maker, and now a French press. Each has pros and cons but, overall, I prefer the French press because it mellower coffee and I can make two cups at once. My main criticism is that the coffee isn't quite as hot as I like - but I used boiling water to warm my mug this morning and that seemed to help.
It's interesting to me that such homely details have taken on so much significance this fall - I suppose because it's the small pleasures -- like good coffee, a comfy bed and a well-stocked kitchen -- that make me feel a little less lonely and more self-sufficient.
I find being away from Husband and Jackie Blue during the week tough, but fortunately it isn't for much longer. I haven't firmly settled on a retirement date yet but expect to be finished full-time work in 10-15 weeks, after which I may work part-time for a few months. Much will depend on whether my boss decides to replace me. For now, I'm doing what I can to enjoy city living and being on my own more than usual - and good coffee is an important part of that.
French Press rules! Pre-warming mug is one trick, but also pre-warm the filter before you shove it into the coffee. Pre-warm the thermos for that second cup. I'm the one that makes coffee for Linda, but she has to come get it. It was fun experimenting with different levels of grind, but I've got it about right now.
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