Merry Christmas to us!

For Christmas this year my dad asked us to make him a list of items we wanted so that he could purchase stuff rather than give us money--as he normally does. We're always down for some money, yet thought it would be fun to have gifts to unwrap for a change. So I headed over to Chris' Coffee Service and sent the links to a few things we've been needing and wanting to get, just never have. Come Christmas day we opened the following items thus making us that much closer to being true home baristas. Or whatever.

First, the Bumper Tamper Stand:


This bad boy is a major step up from what we were using...a folded up bar towel. Okay, so it wasn't high-tech by any stretch of the imagination, it was a tad messy, and I'm sure it screwed up our tamping "skills" but it worked. Needless to say, this item was looooong overdue in our repertoire. It has taken some getting used to, however we're quite glad to no longer be using the towel.

Second, a REAL tamper!


I'm torn on this one. We need it, we so need it, I need it. I need to grow up and stop using the Espro tamper and learn how to tamp like a true espresso brewer. But damn it's tough. I honestly can't tell if I'm applying enough pressure, too much, or not enough. Of course "he" has had no issues with the shots he's pulled. They've been awesome, actually. I know over time I'll adjust and get the hang of things. In the meantime, don't be surprised if I sneak an Espro tamp in here and there.

And, here's a close up of the tamper stand/bumper thingamabob:


Last, but certainly not least, cappuccino cups from Italy in the size they should be! Ours are the 025 ones, although I thought they would be the 020 ones.


Yes, yes, ladies and gents we have been using cups that are much too big. I believe they hold 8 ozs. total...gasp...for shame! The problem is that I have diligently been trying to find stylish, whimsical, fun cups rather than plain brown or white. This is easier said than done, unfortunately. Finally I got tired of milky cappuccino's and gave in. I like brown but I really like my cappuccinos to taste as they should.

There's been a lot of changes now, a lot of realizing that I need classes. Badly. But it's all been in good fun! So, thanks dad!! We are mucho appreciative!

Tag...I'm it!

Jen tagged me. And because I totally dig her, despite never having met her, I will do this for her. Really you guys all want to know more info about us (me), right? RIGHT??

So the guidelines are that I am to tell you seven things about myself that are true. Do I add "him" in too? Nah, he's not as interesting as me anyways. ;)

1.) I wanted to be a veterinarian from the time I was 8 until I was in high school and found out how long I'd be in school for. Oh, that and I suck at math and science. Bummer.

2.) I cannot stand to have my wet hair get under my shirt when I'm getting dressed after a shower. It freaks me out. Ick.

3.) My favorite color is yellow, however there isn't much of it in my house.

4.) If I had the option I would have at least two more dogs. Total animal lover!

5.) I used to hate beer, especially dark beers, until I met DH and he taught me how good beer can be. Now I actually like trying all the new beers we come across and looking for certain ones to try.

6.) When I was in labor with our son, I watched Jaws. I love that movie.

7.) I have no fashion sense. My typical outfit consists of jeans with a comfy top and shoes that I like. Or pajamas. I love me some pajamas.

That was so riveting. I had you on the edge of your seat, didn't I?! I.am.so.fascinating. Look for me to be named one of People's Most Fascinating People soon. It's coming...I can feel it!

I'm supposed to tag people, yet I don't know who to tag. So I'll leave that part off. I'm such a slacker!

Ch...ch...ch...changes

Okay Cuppa fans, we have big news! After much consideration and life changes, we decided to make the move to Portland (still Oregon, not Maine). It was a tough decision as we have many friends in Bend and have called it home for over seven years, but in the end we think it was the right choice for us.

Now what does this mean for the website? Nothing except that any "local" reviews we do will obviously be based in the Portland-Metro area. We will continue to buy coffee from other places around the US and write about them as well. I am hoping to keep the site updated more often given we will have more places to try out and I will be working less these days (woohoo!!). So keep checking back for new blogs to come and maybe even one or two when I make trips back to Bend.

How it really works

As I'm sure I've mentioned before I am not a techy kinda girl. When it comes to gadgets, whatchamacallits, and humdingers I get lost very easily. My brain is of the creative type so that is why I rely on "him" to help me out with anything mechanically related. Even though he has never blogged on here, and I doubt he ever will, he is there behind the scenes translating for me and telling me his opinion on everything I write about (such as espresso beans and mugs). Of course there are times when I have to ask him to explain things that I know how they work, I just don't know the why or the names. This is never pleasant because he delights in taunting me with my confusion and his knowledge of EVERYTHING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. For instance, when I wrote about the cleaning of our machine recently, this is kind of how the conversation went...

She: "What's that thing where the coffee goes through first?"
He: "Are you blogging again?"
She: "Yes. What's it called?"
He: "What's 'what' called?"
She: "That THING. You know, the THING! The screen thingies. Are there two of them or is it just one and what do they sit in? Anything?" (as I physically touch and look at the machine itself)
He: "You mean the screens?"
She: "That's what they're called? Just screens? Nothing else?"
He: "Don't you know this? You should know this. You're blogging about it and it's your machine."
(silence. evil look.)
He: "No, they're just screens. There are two of them that fit together and are surrounded by the gasket. The gasket is the seal."
She: "I know that part. "
He: "Which part?"
She: "The gasket part and how it's a seal."
He: "Well at least you know something!"
She: "You know, no one will miss you if I bury you in the backyard. And the dogs would like it because it would give them something to roll around in other then their own poop."
He: "Didn't you used to be a drafter and work for both an electrical engineering company AND a residential home builder?"
(more silence. death rays beaming from eyes.)
He: "One would presume that you would be more technically inclined."
She: "Backyard, buddy. Backyard."