Perkdup

Today I spent the entire day organizing. Okay, trying to get organized. Alas, I am exhausted but I really want to catch up on some recorded shows - like "Glee!" So, I brewed a pot of Eight O'Clock Coffee's 50% Decaf . Is that cool or what? Already mixed and sorted - half caffeinated and half-decaffeinated coffee beans. The flavor is so rich and bold that it gives me the pleasure of drinking a great cup of coffee but it won't take me into extra innings. Eight O'Clock 50% Decaf - not half bad! Available at Walmart Stores or online at: www.eightoclock.com

I'm really not a big fan of Rooibos, but Celestial Seasonings' tea-masters have figured out a way to sneak it into their Decaf Sweet Coconut Thai Tea without the drinker really noticing. Celestial Seasonings is very good at blending flavors to arrive at their own unique pleasures. I'm not sure if I like this one as much for the flavor as I do the smell! I love how the cardamom and anise makes this one smell and taste like a cookie! www.celestialseasonings.com

"Everything But The Coffee" - Learning about America from Starbucks by Bryant Simon The first thing one might be inclined to do upon picking up this book, is to attempt to remove the "illusional" coffee ring from the front cover. Clever. It's part of the jacket design! But don't let that fool you into thinking this is a light read because it's not. I've only gotten through the first 30 pages and already I'm feeling like a bit of a "sheep." Why do so many of us wander into Starbucks every day on "auto-pilot?" Well, according to this author, it's for "everything but the coffee." We are consumers. We also like to think of ourselves as educated which means that we can't just drink any old coffee. Or maybe we're working from home and need a spot to meet a friend or colleague. Here's an excerpt: "Most have food, plenty of clean, drinkable water, and roofs over their heads. The bulk of our spend...

So, this blonde walks into a coffee shop and takes a seat. She says to the barista - 'How much for a cup of nuts?' The barista says, 'Lady, do you mean a cup of coffee?' The blonde says, 'No, I mean a cup of nuts.' The barista says, "Sorry, lady, but I have no idea what you're talking about.' The blonde says, 'Is this Aduro Bean?' Okay, enough of the blonde jokes. This coffee is worth trying for the name and the bag design alone! When I poured the beans out, I thought, "Wow, this really is blonde coffee!" And then I thought, "There is no way I'm going to get a rich cup of coffee from these blonde beans." I was wrong. It took me three pots - or actually two pots and one Chemex(TM) to get the cup I wanted. I underestimated this "Nutty Blonde" roast from Aduro Bean or you could say I judged a bean by its color. It's very different - very good - with a bit of a "tartness." If you don...

Okay, so I have found a new obsession :) Peet's. Petite Vanilla Scones. I didn't even know they offered these cuties because I've been ignoring the pastry case and focusing only on the coffee. That is, until the woman in front of me this morning ordered "Two petite vanilla scones." And then I ordered, "Two, petite vanilla scones, please!" I wasn't expecting much. Just another vanilla scone. WELL. . .lo and behold, it was as if a little French baker jumped into my mouth. Made my morning cup of Costa Rica blend explode in mouth and I just got all happy and then I thought, "Oh, Lord - what if I have to get two of these every day?" Does anybody have any idea which bakery is making these tantilizing treats for Peet's? (I think I just rhymed)

Experience The Rainforest In Your Own Home! Some like it dark and for those people, Caribou presents "Lacuna," a dark, bold coffee featuring a natural-processed Ethiopian coffee and Central American and Guatemalan coffees. Some like it "in-between" and for them, Caribou offers "Lakeshore Blend" , a medium-roast blend of coffees from Guatemala, El Salvador and Ethiopia. Featuring a washed Ethiopian coffee, Lakeshore Blend is smooth and fresh, featuring delicate citrus notes and a silky body. www.cariboucoffee.com I like them both - but if I had to choose - oh, wait - I don't have to choose! I can have them both :) The Rainforest Alliance is a Non-governmental organization (NGO) with the published aims of working to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. It is based in New York City, and has offices throughout the United States and worldwide. The conservat...

My daughter made a special Mother's Day treat to go with my coffee today. Red Velvet Cupcakes and Cannoli! A taste of the South. . .a taste of Southern Italy :) As you can tell from the box, these confections went very quickly! Happy Mother's Day to Me!

I thought I read Earl Grey and Lavender. So I went back to my desk and thought ,"This tastes like vanilla and earl grey." So, I had to go dig in the trash for the tea and low and behold it is called Earl Grey Crème and on the website it says it has French vanilla. Do I know my tea or what?? So anyway, now I know what I’m drinking…it is bloody delish! Totally Earl Grey and Totally creamy. Reviewed by Greta B.

Coffeemate(TM) introduces a new line of World Cafe Collection (TM) liquid and powder creamers. They were sampling "Italian Sweet Creme" in San Francisco this morning. If you like your coffee sweet, you'll love it - if you don't like sweet coffee, then you'll want to stick with the Original Coffee Mate (TM). One thing everyone who was sampling seemed to agree on - those little tiny paper cups are adorable! www.coffee-mate.com

Designer coffee is not just for those "well-known" coffee chains anymore! Oscar and Grammy award-winner Jennifer Hudson's artistic talents include more than singing. Now through May 31, you can find her "one of a kind" artwork on the side of your coffee cups at 7-Eleven . "Hudson’s personal design will benefit her designated charity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Featuring a brightly burning candle as the focal point, the cup is inscribed with the words “Light of Peace” in Hudson’s handwriting." And, by the way, 7-Eleven makes really good coffee.