It's a ritual. Morning coffee. Steaming hot cups of coffee brewed the way we like it. Our coffee tastes have evolved and we find that we are pretty sure we like it a certain way. The coffee makers we have used over the years include Mr. Coffee types, drip coffee makers, toddy coffee makers, espresso machines (almost had one plumbed into our house at one point) and our standby, the French press. We even traveled with a little french press and our own beans for a few years. We've tried countless coffee brands also. Well we do live in Starbuck's country where the coffee wars are fierce! For the past year we have used our standby french press and a store brand french roast, roasted by Starbuck's. One morning last week the glass carafe to the french press cracked! UGH! So off I went to explore new options. I roamed the internet, journeyed to kitchen stores and asked a bazillion questions. Finally I settled on this:
A Cuisinart automatic. It grinds the beans and keeps the coffee hot in a thermal carafe after it is finished brewing. We have had it a couple of days and I think I hit the right proportions this morning. The coffee is good and stays fresh in its carafe so that the last cup is as hot as the first. So we are happy again.
UPDATE: For those of you following the ever changing painting in the last two posts, here is the latest evolution. It has been in the house drying and I find it really speaks to me at this point. I don't feel a need to drag it back to my workspace.
30 comments:
Oh Jeane, this is so beautiful to me... I am thinking of an ice covered lake. In the center the ice is melting and water reflects the sky. Like the coming of spring... (or it could be a beaver pond!)
Your abstracts take my breath away... Roxanne
wow, it's been amazing watching the progression of this piece. It does make me think of that movie I recommended a ways back, They Mystery Of Picasso... where in seeing where he started and watching all the layers that went on top you'd never know how it looked the first round. I so appreciate being to see it happen this way.
And the coffee stuff--- Just your opening line made me want to crawl on my belly though glass to get one... I try not to think about not being able to drink it anymore (irreg heart beats! oy), but in just that little flash I remembered my rituals around it and the AROMA most of all. It was a nice little moment, if only in my dreams.
Hmmm I can smell the coffee! The image reminds me of photos I've taken of floating debris caught up in the flow down river - it has an earthy woody and watery feel to it - reflections too! love your new side bar pics!
Love the painting development!
Coffee! I love the smell of coffee even more than drinking it ... too much coffee makes my hands shake so I can't draw!
Oh, this is a beauty...chards to me, glass or in ice and the blue in the right hand corner is exquisite.
I have the coffee maker with the thermal carafe but not the coffee grinder attached...the coffee stays hot to the end...great choice. We drink tea now in the morning but I lust after the aroma.
thank you Roxanne - I guess the colors do suggest water - of course when I'm painting there is no conscious choices being made in the real world, only in my little 24 X 24 world.....
Hi Sydney - yes, I've seen the movie you refer to - it was amazing to watch him work, wasn't it! - oh, alas - your coffee days in the past - I have only the morning coffee now - anymore and I can't sleep - so many things we have to put away as the years progress....
two people mention water - well, I can see that - and I can also see it reminding you of floating debris - thanks, Rosie
oh, yes, Raph - the smell of coffee is half the experience, but too much, alas - I also get shaky with too much, so I keep it in balance...
thank you Mary Ann - I like tea also, but am definitely a coffee lover - I will keep drinking it for as long as I can.....
Great to see how the piece has been coming on. I just clicked to enlarge it, and for once, having and average size screen is a bonus because I got to see four quarters of the canvas close up. While this still leaves me wanting to see it for real, preferably from across my own living room right now, each section is beautiful in itself. And I just love the lower r corner where that bright of blue sits close to the dark.
I'm not a coffee drinker, but I love the smell of it. Magical to smell it here!
Wow!! OMG- yes- This piece has IMPACT.
There's so much action in this latest evolution..power rising from the waters..a ship on the swells..
Coffee deserves your devotion! What a great looking "pot"..it means business!!
nice work going on over here - I especially like the sketchbook page further back. These paintings are so textured - fab
You've kept all the right stuff, and the additions are perfect. Now stop.
#:-D
Seriously feels like water; shipwreck. I love how you've worked in the darks. Did you mention the size of this piece and I've missed it?
I'm toasting your new pot as I have my second, (and last) cup of the morning.
Cuisinart makes a nice coffeemaker.. we have the little 4 cup model which sadly does not grind the beans .. how big is the footprint on that baby? I would love one that ground the beans ..
And I love the painting ..
Hi Jeane,
Can you please tell me what your art is saying to you? Have to confess I preferred it in one of its earlier incarnations - but what do I know?!!
If I had the money, I think I'd buy a Saeco coffee machine that just about drinks the coffee for you after making it! But it costs A LOT!
WV is exessei: good name for a coffee machine!
Hello, I just come over from Jo - the meme you have send her is beautifull. I will start reading your blog, it is very inspirational. I love the way you make the combination of texture and painting. Thanks for sharing it so detailled. Btw my creative blog you can find on www.dovadi.web-log.nl/fiberfusing (i'am from the Netherlands) Dorie
Annie - thank you so much - I love the blue space also....
Shayla, thank you - I guess that's when I rest is after I reach impact......
Coffee does deserve my devotion!, you're right Lyn! and the pot does mean business for sure! ha!
Hi Kate - can't get away from the texture thingy! the 'quiet book' is a really good practice for me, thanks...
thanks Daryl! - we talked....
LOL! Derrick, you do know something, you know what you like and that goes a long ways - well, let's see if I can explain this - for me?, I want tension, awkwardness, lines, layers, dark, light, a way in and a way out and this has all of that for me - so that's why it speaks to me......I'm honored you liked another part of this - it's all there.....
hello Dorie and welcome! thank you for your kind comment! I will visit you soon and see what you are about! please come back often!
Now that's a great looking coffee machine...I certainly appreciate good coffee machines...mine is a La Cimbali (bought it secondhand)...yes commercial with a built in water tank!!! I even have the proper cafe style coffee grinder (will post a pic for you)...I am not drinking as much these days??? but when I do, it has to be "real".
Jeane your piece has matured, I like it :) allot.
I love this painting. Wonderful evolution!
serious coffee drinkers! I totally approve!I was a barista for a couple of years and fell in love with good coffee! thanks, Jo - I'm feeling so focused on my art right now - going back to abstract was the right move for now! xxo
B & W - thank you so much! - it was a journey worth the undertaking....
Wonderful piece... it speaks to me of beautiful deep seas with floating debris. Love the colours and I do love your abstract pieces!
Mmmmmm.... I could almost smell the coffee brewing reading your post.
i have a similiar machine, from "Poling" sisters and friends... easy .
You really do, actually, have a great capacity to talk about process. I learn from it, and i like the last version on the other post a lot, too... like knowing it is hidden under this version...
This is very sculptural, rhythmicly sensual; the form reminds me of a large sculpture i have seen in a landscape-- feels flowing and alive, dimensional. WOnderful!
I love it....Stop! I wish someone would tell me that.....don't you love just being in that zone of pure creativity...no rules...lost in the moment...this is what your work says to me....Amazing!
Wow - this is a fabulous image. I love the sculptural quality it has.
Hi Jacky - glad you like it - LOL! coffee - one of my favorite smells....
Mansuetude - you really make me see clearly - I always forget how much I love abstract - it always feels like coming home - don't know how many more departures I will take - each time I come back, it feels more and more my own way of expression....I love when you come by...
yes, Nikki, I do love being in the zone - I don't always drop in, so to speak, but when I do, it is the best - much of the time it is just doing the work, but that has its rewards also! thanks for stopping
by!
Hi Patrice - good to see you here - yes, I like to have a bit of the sculptural - I like the depth...
Hi Jeane. I just posted about passing on an inspiration award. Congratulations! I nominated you. Enjoy.
I'm in love with your paintings. The use of the muslin really gives them so much more texture and appeal to me. They're really wonderful!
Your work is stunning and it is always a treat to see what you are working on. I'm new to your blog, but am so impressed that I've listed your name at my blog for the Passion for Painting Award.
Your work is infused with so much expression. Looking forward to visiting often!
Soooo important, morning coffee. My husband makes the best, and try as I might, when he is out of town I simply cannot duplicate it!
Love the new painting! And I don't know how I've missed adding you to my blog roll....but I have done so tonight!!
Love the header, love the doves. And the work in progress, of course!
thank you Annie - I'm honored and you would be one of the first people I would give it back to - funny huh?!
Hi Cathy and welcome - I'm flattered you like my work - the muslin is just wonderful to work with - come back any time - love having visitors!
Melinda - I'm completely flattered and honored by this award! - welcome! I hope you come back often!
Pamela - coffee is one of those things that can be the best or the worst! - personally I prefer the best! - actually the best coffee I ever had was in an Italian resturant in London about 20 years ago now - I have never forgotten it and never tasted coffee that good since!
thanks Leslie - I'm busy and finding life good!
Hi Jean. Great tribute to coffee ! I've been drinking it since before kindergarten and have memories of the old fashioned drip makers my italian great aunt used to make her coffee. I'm glad to hear a review on the Cuisinart with carafe. I have a Cuisinart too, and it's super, but not with the grinder or carafe.
As for your painting, what can I say other than it's stunning and melts me in the best way. I love the beautiful surprises I find when I visit here :) m.a.
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