hello, new week…

making coffee with french press
I’m working with Brian on another makeup tutorial post that should be up on Wednesday, and an outfit post that may be posted as soon as tomorrow if I can finish. In the meantime…

Blue Bottle Coffee has opened a store not too far from us, and I sampled the Bella Donovan, their version of a Moka-Java blend. It’s quite complex, and brews up wonderfully in a French press. Their coffees can be ordered online too.

natural vetiver scented soap

While out and about this weekend, le Monsieur and I had a chance to sample some products from the Aesop skincare line, and were very impressed. (We vaguely remember having tried some of these while traveling, but can’t remember where.) This exfoliating hand soap would be a nice gift for gardeners, or good for anyone whose skin tends to get rough from exposure to the elements. Pumice is the only exfoliating agent; there are no microbeads.

So did you watch Game of Thrones? We’re all on equal footing now…both those who have read the books and those who haven’t. 🙂  We book readers can no longer sit smugly back knowing when the s*%t is going to hit the fan.

We’ve had good reports so far regarding jeune homme getting settled into the group home. We worry, of course, as it’s so hard to know how much he understands.

After a few weeks of crazy schedules and stressing out, I’m working on getting my eating habits back on track. At least Passover week means no bread, though le Monsieur and I are pretty liberal and do eat rice and legumes. Have to say though, a whole wheat matzoh with avocado is pretty tasty…

What’s your favorite type of coffee and preferred brewing method?

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32 Comments

  1. In the hurried AM I grind beans and brew Eight ‘o Clock Colombian in a regular Cuisinart drip pot. At about 4 in the afternoon, I take out my 3 cup Moka pot, and brew Lavazza “Creme e Gusto” coffee in that, and serve it in charming little Expresso cups, with chocolate cookies from Miette (San Francisco) or some other treat.

  2. I live 2 blocks from a big Intelligentsia Coffee location, so I buy whatever they have as their most current coffee, and brew it in a French press. I drink my coffee with fat-free milk (a travesty I know, but a girl’s gotta have some vices…), and I have to admit that I’m pretty heavily addicted. The worst part of getting flu a couple of years ago was the coffee withdrawal headache!
    hugs,
    Janice

  3. So glad to hear that jeune homme seems to be adjusting to his new home. I’ve been thinking about the three of you.

  4. I use Blue Bottle Bella Donovan as well. It’s so good, and the company is great. Glad your son seems to be getting settled in and I’m sure you’re anxious to visit him when that waiting period is up.

  5. Aesop products are brilliant. Although it’s an Australian company they have several shops in Paris so probably that’s where you came across it. They usually have a couple of sample tester bottles of heavenly hand cream on the outside wall of their shops – or just inside. Also some good restaurants have their products in the ladies’ rooms, eg the lovely one Michelin star La Chassagnette outside Arles and Skye Gyngell’s Spring restaurant in London. Best wishes, Pamela.

  6. I like Costa Rican coffee best. Fell in love with it this past winter while vacationing there. Happy to hear your son is settling in..it is worrisome…

  7. I’m also glad to hear your son is adjusting to his new group home. My 14 yr old son was born with Down Syndrome/Autism and now has PANDAS so we have our hands full. We will be in your shoes at some point in the next few years so I’ll be interested in hearing how the whole process plays out for you. Unfortunately our Governor in CT has decimated the Dept. of Developmental Services budget and we may end up leaving the state to get the appropriate services.

  8. So happy to hear your son is getting settled. It’s impossible not to worry when our children move forward into the world without us.

  9. Peet’s French Roast beans freshly ground (blade not burr) prepared in a french press. Add a drip of honey or agave and a splash of half and half. Yum! Haven’t tried any of the Blue Bottle beans yet.

  10. I used to make coffee in my french press when there was more than just me to drink it. Now with everyone gone, I prefer the pour over method since I usually just drink 1 cup in the am. Grind my own for each cup in a simple Krups blade grinder, love the richness of Peet’s Major Dickason.

  11. Glad your son is on his way to growing up without Mom and Dad by his side. It will be new for him… and new for you. OMGosh– you’re officially empty nesters!! CONGRATS. On the coffee scene… I am a Intelligensia fan, and Peet’s Major Dickenson is a second runner-up. We’ve only done French press for the past 10 years. Love delish coffee!!

  12. Yes congratulations on your son’s progress . As to coffee my son and I agree that the best we ever tasted was a particular Ethiopian Mocha which Betty’s (Yorkshire/Swiss café & tearooms) carried a few years ago . We haven’t found its equal but our current Organic Ugandan is very good . We have 3 large and 3 small cafétières (French presses) so as never to be short of a clean one !

  13. -i love my bialetti -it makes even an average coffee like lavazza taste like illy.
    yes, being a mom is a lot about worry. i know you have unique worries but i am impressed & inspired by your ability to live your life & find fun- with your schedule no less!. not articulate i know but it’s morning here..

  14. Caffe Umbria, Bizzarri Blend is my favorite coffee. Love the name, but it is a beautiful medium/dark roast. My in-laws love it and my husband claims it makes the best mocha, with a healthy dollop of Dilettante semi sweet chocolate mixed in. I like it with just a splash of soy creamer.

  15. We tried Blue Bottle coffee at one of their coffee shops when visiting San Francisco last year, we thought it was great. We have a great coffee culture here in Australia. We purchase our coffee beans from a local importer and try coffee from all over the world as well as locally grown coffee. We have a Saeco coffee machine, grinds the beans, (coffee at the touch of a button). Love it.
    So pleased to hear your son is settling in to his group home

  16. Good luck to your son.
    My sons, who didn’t have developmental issues, were in and out of our house for a number of years as they finished up their educations and found themselves. I hope your son adjusts well, but in case he lands back at home for awhile, don’t redecorate his room just yet…. Otherwise, you deserve your break, so enjoy yourselves.

  17. Starbucks Cafe Verona in a french press is my coffee of choice, but most mornings it’s Seattle’s Best #4 in the press. I know, I know — but the press makes it very tasty!

  18. Unfortunately for me, I am an unsophisticated coffee drinker. Dunkin’ Donuts is my speed. The Starbucks type coffees taste bitter and harsh to me. Must be something to do with my taste buds. There is an establishment here that roasts its own brand, Utica Roasting Company, that is gaining popularity and is found in different establishments in Upstate New York and I am developing a taste for it. Perhaps there is hope for me yet.

    1. And I would be remiss if I didn’t say, blessings to your son and, hopefully, peace of mind to you and your husband.

      1. Oh Kristien, My best friend and I had the same coffee experience! We used to say, “If it’s not Dunkin’ Donuts why bother?” I thought the exact same thing about Starbucks and my friend still won’t drink it. Since I live in CA now I needed to learn to adjust. I drink the Starbucks Blonde and make it in a coffee press. It’s quite smooth, though nothing like DD. It’s my first stop when I get back to New England. 🙂 (Yes, they sell DD ground in the supermarket but it’s not the same!) I am wondering if the one Susan is showcasing here is smooth and mild in flavor. Cheers!

        1. I will have to try the Blonde so I can enjoy a cup when I am out of my element. Good to know there are kindred souls out there.

  19. I’ve been a fan of Blue Bottle since their early days of a kiosk outside the San Francisco Ferry Plaza. This is about 7 years ago. I asked the owner, James Freeman, how to make his superb New Orleans-style iced coffee, and he graciously told me how. Here’s my blog post in the subject, written after so many friends raved about my coffee! It’s very hard to find ground chicory. Whole Foods used to have a better bulk herb selection, but stopped carrying chicory years ago. There is one health food store near me that stocks it.

    http://makaimama.blogspot.com/2009/05/there-will-be-sludge-coffee-primer.html?m=1