Perkdup

I love San Francisco. You never know what treasure you'll find. And when you least expect it, out of nowhere, up pops a simple pleasure to put a smile on your face. I'm ashamed to say I had no idea that Specialty's Bakery (home of arguably the best brownie on the planet) now has an Intelligentsia Coffee store inside its location on Pine Street. Imagine my delight when I discovered it during lunch today. I was so excited that I couldn't wait to get off work and rush in before they closed to pick up a bag of Late Harvest, Finca Matalapa, Los Inmortales, El Salvador . Intelligentsia's website describes it as: Dense and anchored in character, this Late Harvest selection brings flavors of homemade cherry cola and cranberry. Fudge and Tootsie Roll pair with a tart acidity and marmalade snap. The finish is buttery and long. I'll be the judge. Morning can't come fast enough! (Stay tuned for my review)

Since it's Saturday, I get to have my morning coffee in bed. I'm watching all of the coverage of "Hurricane Irene," praying for my family and friends on the Eastern Seaborg. At the same time, I'm enjoying breakfast in bed which happens to be a Nimble Bar by Balance Bar (Yogurt Orange Swirl). It's made especially for us girls. Nutricious and delicious and good for you. "Nimble" is fortified with rich antioxidants, beta-carotene and 10 mg of FloraGLO(R) Lutein. www.balance.com

Stumptown Coffee Roasters make Mondays not only "do-able," but make me want to "Do It!" Their latest offering NICARAGUA FINCA LA AMISTAD does not let you down. It picks you up. Way up. I wanna touch the sky! Stumptown says: "An enticing aroma of nutmeg and hazelnut melds together with flavors of vanilla wafer, caramel, butter and chocolate malt in the cup." I say, "Bring it!" I think my cup is dancing. Now stop smiling at your mug and get those kids off to school! (A direct trade coffee) www.stumptowncoffee.com

It's a gloomy Wednesday morning and I'm feeling pretty good. Even though my coffee is blue. Marmelade Blue Haiti Coffee. I actually never knew that coffee was one of Haiti's best kept secrets. A secret to me anyway. This gourmet coffee not only tastes good, it's being grown and sold for a great purpose. Haiti Coffee is working to rebuild the Haitian coffee industry in order to help Haitians redevelop their agricultural heritage. With every purchase of this delicious Haiti Coffee , a portion of the profit goes to helping the people of Haiti. A good cause. A good cup. It's a win/win. Marmelade Blue is a medium roast with a smooth body. Sort of reminds me of another "Blue" Coffee. Can you guess which one? Haiti Coffee's Marmelade Blue is being roasted by Humboldt Bay Coffee Company. For more information on Haiti Coffee: 1-800-276-7440 www.haiticoffee.com Do something good for yourself and for the people ...

You know I love coffee. I also love news. Newspapers, television news, internet news. More news. More better. But this CBS mug has special meaning. My friend is moving to New York in a couple of weeks and she was having a yard sale. I went to the sale to say goodbye to her and her husband and what should I spy but a CBS logo mug. I said, "You can't sell this! This is a collectible. I mean it's part of your past!" She and I met many years ago when we were both working for the local CBS-affiliate. I worked in - what else? News. She worked in programming. Anyway, after about three minutes of my convincing her that parting with the mug would be sinful, she handed it to me and said, "Here." So, every time I drink from this cup, I'll think of her and all the memories we shared at that special time in our lives when we were young and excited and working in an industry we both loved and when news was really newsworthy. Enjoy yo...

They're sweet. They're salty. They're sweet and salty. And delicious! Balance Bar introduces Sweet & Salty Chocolate Almond and Sweet and Salty Peanut Butter from their "Bare Flavors" collection. I'm practically addicted to the Sweet & Salty Chocolate Almond already. And if you love peanut butter - well, I guess you know which flavor you'll enjoy. Don't skip breakfast. Balance your day with a nice cup of coffee in one hand and a Balance Bar in the other. Suggested Retail Price: 1.69 (Certified Kosher Dairy) www.Balance.com

How "K"ool is that? Good News! Now you can enjoy the great taste of Dunkin' Donuts coffee in your Keurig Brewer at home. Bad News! Dunkin' K Cups are only available for purchase in Dunkin' Donuts stores. So, if you're like me and don't live anywhere near a Dunkin' Donuts store, better hit the road! www.dunkindonuts.com

Nothing like a weekend getaway. But if you can't really "get away," you can always escape. This morning, I'm enjoying hotel coffee in my very own living room. Hotel Blend is the new roast from Community Coffee . It's part of their "Special Blends" collection. The thing I like about Community Coffee is that it's not trying to be something that's it not. It's so unpretentious. And good. Hotel Blend is a medium roast coffee that has just enough kick but is smooth enough not to overwhelm my weekend palate. Because it's Saturday and I don't want to jump start my day. I just want to ease into it. This definitely makes it on my list of favorites. www.communitycoffee.com

TGIF. To the 2nd Power! Wow. What a week. So many changes. So little time. I wish I could say that the week flew by, but it didn't. I can say that I couldn't have made it through without you though. Every morning, as I sat at my computer and read emails which demanded to know "What is your answer?," I sipped you while you were steaming hot and even when you got lukewarm, you were still a comfort to me. Mocha Java, Blue Mountain, New Orleans Blend and French Roast. From every corner of the world, you pushed me along. Finally, I was able to see clearly. But not without you to lift the daily fog. I can't wait until tomorrow when we have quality time together. No stress (hopefully) and no rushing. Dear Coffee - I (heart) you and thank you for your friendship. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This is the mother of all Mondays. Mondays are always rough, right? Yes, they are. But today my cup has one extra lump of stress. I have a decision to make and I have to make it fast. Stick with what I know or risk it all for what's behind Door Number Three. Sometimes there is no easy way out. Life used to be so simple. What happened? Oh, yeah, that's right. I grew up. Anyway, whatever I decide, I figure that desperate times call for desperate measures. So, I went into the cabinet, reached way back and pulled out my private stash. Starbucks Jamaica Blue Mountain . In the Chemex. That's right. I pulled out the big guns. Because days like today don't just get better on their own. Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns. Wish me luck. Peace, Dottie