COFFEE

I love coffee, but I am not a coffee snob.  I mean, I grew up in the Folgers era and still like their commercials (plus they signed Danny Gokey on for a jingle contest, so, you know).  I love Starbucks, but I grab coffee from McD’s and Del Taco sometimes, too.  I mostly like like it plain, black and piping hot, but occasionally imbibe the icy Caramel Frappucino as dessert.  And I prefer the bold, strong blends, although while in Maui 2 years ago, I became thoroughly addicted to the gentle Kona.  I know these things:

• I love the smell of the house as it brews and the morning ritual of it means more to me than the flavor of it.
• Enjoying it with friends at a shop in the middle of any day is a major treat.
• Some people take it all way too seriously.

Those things said, here are the coffees I had to choose from this morning when I opened my cupboard:

1. Great Value Decaffeinated.  Why ever do de-caf?   The CAF is what makes it great.  But because I am a caring person, I keep a can around.  Some people prefer it.  But I must not be that caring or else it wouldn’t be Wal-Mart’s “Great Value.” 
2. Archer Farm’s French Vanilla.  This is Stormie’s coffee of choice.  She adds all the cream and sugar and gooeyness to it she can.  I am not a fan, really, and sadly whenever she brews it, my next pot of plain. black coffee is French Vanilla, too.  It lingers.
3. Archer Farms Pumpkin Pie Spice.  Dave bought this for me because I do go a teensy-bit crazy over Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Lattes when they arrive each fall.  Here at home, though, I drink it black and though the picquant is pleasing, still, it does rather pale to the cream and sugar and whip-cream-on-top version.  But drinking it this morning as I write, that seems appropriate.  For it is sunny and bright and spring-y and not the warm, heavy comfort drink of autumn.
4. Folger’s Classic Roast Instant Coffee.  Why?  Well, have you seen the library episode of Seinfeld?  The one with the library investigator, Mr Bookman?  He made a compelling case for having a jar.  So I complied.
5. Barnie’s Coffee and Tea Company Santa’s White Christmas.  It is a bit much.  It has actual white chocolate shavings in it and vanilla, I think.  It smells wondrous while brewing, but I almost always regret drinking it.
6. Boyer’s Coffee Supreme Blend’s Rocky Mountain Thunder.  From our very own, local coffee company, a really dark roasted, rich and strong brew.  My current coffee of choice almost everyday.

Inventory complete.  For now.

Library Investigator Scene: Mr Bookman

Note to self:  More coffee out with friends!  And kids.