Perkdup

  The weather outside is frightful. Here's a tip on some really good fuel for your sleigh. Summer Moon Coffee's Christmas Blend. Happy Holidays!

Caramel, Nuts, Butter.  Not Candy.  It's Coffee! I'm always in search of new coffees to try.  Often, I forget my old favorites. When I ordered a Philtered Soul at Philz the other day, Tesora popped up under specials (16.50 per pound on sale). I had forgotten how much I love this particular blend.  It's perfect for rainy days like today. Pairs well with a nice warm croissant. The sale only lasts until the end of December, so if you're not familiar with Tesora or Philz, here's the perfect opportunity. Available online at Philz Coffee

  I fell in love with doughnuts before I fell in love with coffee. Wouldn't be surprised if "donut" wasn't one of my first words.  Remember "Homer and the Donuts?"  (okay boomer) I was raised on good old fashioned glazed.  However, never met a fritter or maple bar that I didn't like. And like the third wave (or is it the fourth wave) of coffee, donuts (or doughnuts) are enjoying their own artisan craze.  Flavors and texture like you can't imagine. Johnny Doughnuts are amazing.  I first enjoyed them from their food truck, but now they have several brick and mortar stores.  If there's not a Johnny Doughnuts where you live - well, maybe you need to visit the Bay Area soon!

Unfortunately, I did not go to Hawaii. Fortunately, someone who loves me and whom I love dearly did and brought me back a bag of KONA FANCY from Coffee Works in Lana'i City. I only drink it on the weekends, but I want to be able to sip and savor every single drop while in a "hang loose" state of mind. You know what they say, "Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Coffee" Coffee Works 604 Ilima Street Lana'i City, Hawaii 808-565-6962

It just gets better with time.  Or, maybe I just forget how much I love it until the new season rolls around. Whatever the case, I was thrilled when I opened my Starbucks app and found out that one of my all-time favorites is back! Guatemala Casi Cielo Antigua.  When I read the description on the bag, I thought it was talking about me "Bright Meyer Lemon and Cocoa Nibs." Kidding.  Not kidding. Seriously, don't sleep on this one.  Grab a bag or two or three.  Because when it's gone, it's gone.  And if it's one thing we've learned from the pandemic, it's to enjoy the day.

Who doesn't love a good mystery?  Well, even if you don't, I suggest you not skip " The Husbands " by Chandler Baker. A little bit Stepford Wives (reverse) and a little bit of "Desperate Housewives" and a whole lot of intrigue. Just what this pandemic needed to escape the boredom of everything going on now. Can a girl get a little help from her husband?  The secret lies in the book. Amazon.com Review An Amazon Best Book of August 2021:  Women—especially wives and mothers—will love Chandler Baker’s insightful, deliciously funny, and cunning novel that puts a truly modern twist on  The Stepford Wives . Nora Spangler loves her husband, Hayden. He’s sweet and handsome, but not helpful. Nora is pregnant with their second child, trying to make partner at her law firm, house hunting—basically, taking care of everything. Then Nora visits an idyllic community where the homes are beautiful, the women are top line professionals, and their husbands? Unicorns who do laun...

So exciting to be able to walk into a Starbucks store and peruse rather than having to drive through. Grabbed a bag of the Black Label Reserve - can I tell you how excited I was to find this? Rwanda Hingkawa Reserve (R) That's a mouthful, I know. I feel rather proud of the fact that I'm getting my fruit in my coffee.   Blood Orange with Green Melon and it's from the ALL-FEMALE farmer coop of Hingakawa. Good stuff.

I have really gone back and forth about whether or not I should mention something here. But, I feel like we've become close enough over the years, that I shouldn't be holding back. I've been seeing a Nespresso . I didn't set out to cheat on my favorite whole bean and microroasted coffees.  It kind of just happened.  Blame it on the pandemic. My affair has been going on for over a year.  That was when my daughter gave up her apartment in the city and moved in here.   It was easy enough at first to pretend that the Nespresso didn't exist.   I never touched it.  Didn't know how to use it and had no interest in learning.  Of course, I'd had Nespresso before, but I'm a true coffee lover, which means that I don't do Nespresso.  That's like drinking diet coke.  You either go big or go home. Those frothy creations started to catch my eye and one afternoon, not wanting to take the time to make a pot or pour-over, I caved in. Don't worry....

  One great thing about the pandemic is that I get to try different coffees throughout my WFH day. Although, since my nephew brought me back this bag of 100% Maui Mokka from Pacific Coast Coffee Research in Hawaii, I've been drinking the same thing 5 days this week. This coffee is so smooth and perfect that I ordered another bag online this past weekend. It's the perfect staycation coffee.  Feels like I went to Hawaii without leaving my house. Produced by MauiGrown Estate, Maui Mokka is one of our favorite coffees to enjoy as a cold brew. In such a tiny seed, this coffee packs a fruity chocolate punch with tons of flavor. We carry it as often as possible, purchasing often enough to offer it year-round! Although many coffees produced at MauiGrown are mechanically harvested, this one is not. The size and shape of the tree and fruit make it that hand-harvesting is the only way to go and it definitely pays off in the cup. Variety : Mokka Processing : Natural/Fruit Dried Medium-da...

Have you ever been up around Buffalo Gap, Texas? Me either.  But I know someone who has.  And that super special, incredibly thoughtful person introduced me to Perini Ranch Steakhouse's Cowboy Coffee. Who would expect a steakhouse to have great coffee?  This blend has quickly made it to my top ten list.  You know, that ever growing, evolving top ten (did I say top ten?  I mean top twenty) list of all-time favorite coffees. These Texas cowboys really know their coffee. Best part - it's available online, HERE !

One of my Texas people turned me on to this coffee a couple of years ago.   What a great find. Small farms.  Hand crafted.  Roasted and shipped fresh. This is my first time trying the "Beefcake" Roast.  But, it won't be my last.  It's a medium dark roast with notes of cherry.  South American blend.  Texas tough. I'd order just for the smell when I open the bag.  The taste is the bonus. Ascension Coffee .  Available online.

  I love it when I find a new coffee at an old place. Often the newest thing is right under your nose.  Or, in this case, right under my mug. I thought I'd tried every Starbucks blend until I stumbled upon Siren.   I like it.  I love it.  I plan to buy more of it. (Rhyming is my New Year thing)  Chocolate + Citrus = Great Coffee The bright flavors of this medium roast are inspired—and created—by trailblazing women of the coffee industry. The juicy, citrusy and chocolaty blend combines coffee from East Africa and Latin America. Named for the Siren that symbolizes Starbucks, this blend honors the innovations of women, from farmer to roaster to barista. ( Starbucks.com )