Miscellaneous

Milestones: 50 Before 50

I started drafting this list on my 37th birthday. You can view the original post: HERE. I was inspired by a couple of other bucket lists I was creating during the BlogAhead challenge. It inspired me to create a list specific to myself. I took a little time to create a list of well-thought-out things… Continue reading Milestones: 50 Before 50

Coffee Blog

Sweet is at war with bitter

My coffee brand this morning is Cookie Jar Coffee. The flavour takes its lead from the salted caramel cookie. The cookie is chewy, but I know that won’t be part of my coffee experience today because I lack cookies. The coffee is a deep darkness in my mug. Sweet vanilla-caramel smell wars with the fragrance… Continue reading Sweet is at war with bitter

Coffee Blog

My go-to tea

Cinnamon Rooibos Chai is my go-to tea. I love it. The loose leaf is a reddish-brown colour that looks like thousands of tiny wood splitters mixed with small brown chunks of bark. It is actually a delightful blend of cinnamon and apple. It smells exactly as I would expect it too. It’s a spicy and… Continue reading My go-to tea

Coffee Blog

Weekend Coffee Share

First we look. The liquid in my mug is a burnt brown that fades into shades of cinnamon and peanut. Even in this summer heat I can see a faint mist rising. Then we smell. I take a deep inhale. The dominant smell is fruity and tangy yet sweet and raspberry. This smell is so… Continue reading Weekend Coffee Share

Coffee Blog

A Writing Sparkle Coffee Memoir

My mild taste for coffee turned into a full blown addiction. My nervous system needed the stimulant to function. I needed the caffeine because of the benefits of improved alertness, concentration, energy, clear-headedness, and feelings of sociability that it kindled. I was long past the person who needed a cup of coffee in the morning,… Continue reading A Writing Sparkle Coffee Memoir

Coffee Blog

Coffee & Inevitability

The hot liquid rolls through my mouth punctuating its presences with a sharp pungent taste that makes that first sip shocking. I’m not interesting in noticing any of the finer features in my mug today because I am feeling a little bitter this morning. One of my favourite coffee mugs has a rather long crack… Continue reading Coffee & Inevitability

Parenting & Other Life Stories

Horrified by Cheese Cake

It all started with my husband’s request for a birthday cake. “Yuck, CHEESE cake” My oldest son screamed. He was horrified. I could see his mind trying to fit together the idea of a moist spongy cake with that of all the various types of cheese that he was familiar with: cheese slices, melted cheese… Continue reading Horrified by Cheese Cake

Writing

A Parade of Monkeys for Darrell

Darrell’s 10th birthday party is tomorrow. All he wants is a parade. He has spent the last few weeks lining up his toy monkeys in honour of the parade he is sure he’ll get for his birthday. He has asked for only one thing, a parade of monkeys. He falls asleep wearing his monkey pajamas,… Continue reading A Parade of Monkeys for Darrell