You know I like my coffee. For a couple of years, we’ve been using the pour over method to make our coffee. I was introduced to this method a few years back when I was coaching in Wisconsin and my apartment mate, a costume designer, said that her rules for essentials on the road were: good music and good coffee. She had a collapsible filter holder that she used when away from home. Anyway, she convinced me to try it and danged if the coffee didn’t taste better.
I was sold.
When I came home, I persuaded Don to try it. He loved it. We dragged an old brown Melitta filter holder out of our pantry – I’m not sure why we had it, but for some reason, we did. Eventually, I bought a newer design, also Melitta, but orange in color, so that we would have two of them – one for each of us. Fast forward to this year when I realized we would both be on the road a lot and that we needed another orange version because the new design allowed one to peek at the coffee level in the cup when pouring, thus eliminating the otherwise inevitable over-pouring.
That brought us to 4 different versions of the filter holder. (I forgot to mention that I own a collapsible version, as well.)
Since I’ve been in Hartford, I’ve been packing my holder when I go home for the weekend and then bringing it back when I return to Hartford.
Yesterday morning, I woke up and stumbled into the kitchen to make coffee. Filled the kettle. Turned on the burner. Got my mug.
Crap. I’d forgotten to pack my filter holder. Near-panic ensued. What the heck was I going to do? I tried holding the paper filter while pouring water from the kettle. It immediately collapsed from the weight of the water, grounds all over the mug. I tried the Keurig. Couldn’t get it to work.
So there I was, at 6:15 am, walking the streets of Hartford – not a pretty sight. I remembered that Starbucks sold a heavy ceramic version of the filter holder, so I walked a couple of blocks to the store. Nothing. Maybe they weren’t selling them anymore. Starbucks coffee is too strong for me. (I know that’s hard to believe.) So I walked a few more blocks to Panera and bought two large coffees to go. Back to the apartment. Didn’t like the coffee a whole lot, but okay. Thought I’d try the Keurig again. I packed some Peets into the mesh filter and managed to make a cup, but the Keurig filter only holds half of the amount of coffee I use, so this ended up being tedious and messy, with me trying to retrieve grounds that were floating on the surface of the coffee. But I got my required amount of morning coffee. Thinking I would just have to ‘tough it out’ until I went home on Saturday, I chalked this one up to leaving home too early in the morning on Tuesday with Stella still in my head.
After rehearsal last night – around 6:00 – I decided to try the new Starbucks, which is connected to the new Barnes and Noble at UConn. What the heck, I thought.
Bingo. They had two of them in stock.
It weighs a ton! And it’s huge.
But it works.
I was a much happier camper this morning.
That makes 5 filter holders.
On my way back from Starbucks, I shot a few photos.
Hartford is a center for Insurance Companies and Travelers is right there in the downtown area. It flanks the Wadsworth Atheneum and is now a neighbor of the new UConn Campus.
The moon over the Wadsworth Atheneum. I can’t recommend this museum enough. It’s gorgeous.
One of the oldest churches in the city is getting a steeple makeover. Just down the street from the church is Bushnell Park.
We’re in the midst of our last few days in the rehearsal room. We had a run-through yesterday and we’ll have one today and tomorrow. Then the whole kit and caboodle moves onstage on Saturday. That’s why I can go back home for a few days. The first few days in the theater are about all things technical and I’m not really needed. I’ll come back either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on where they are in the process.
I made Don show me Stella when we were chatting on FaceTime last night. He even lit a burner for me! She’s sure purty!
Happy Thursday.
“Tuesday Morning With Stella In My Head”. I hear music.
So do I, Tana!
I love the pour over method of making a cup of coffee! I’ve not had enough coffee on this trip but heading back home today so I can return to my regular schedule. It’s been a good trip, sad but good. I’m ready to head home. Ashleigh will go back and spend some time in Athens before going back to Calif. Hugs!
I’m glad you’re going to get back home, Linda. It’s been an extremely sad, difficult time for you. Much love to you.
I’m not a coffee drinker (I know, isn’t it crazy?!) but loved your adventurous story today. Glad you found a great solution!
Just cruising some blogs this morning while I wait for a contractor to show up and look what I found: http://town-n-country-living.com/charming-retro-kitchen.html. Scroll down a few shots and you’ll see a Stella look a like! I love the vent that they installed in the wall. Looking forward to hearing about your first cooking session once you’re home.
X Chy
Love the stove and the vent – We have to think about some sort of range hood in the future. I think that particular stove is a Wedgwood, another of my favorites! It has those cool salt and pepper shakers that are made of porcelain. Thanks, Chy!
Quite the coffee saga…but, I’m sure it is worth the effort. My London son has quite the coffee ritual himself…including grinding his own beans for every cup. I’ve had a cup, and it’s too strong for me, but he loves it. Lovely architecture you captured. I’m sure you are anxious to get back to Stella…and bake cloud biscuits! I saw the side by side pics on Instagram of the old vs new…quite the difference. Stella looks so ‘at home’ in your kitchen….I think your cottage was made for her! ;)
There’s something about the rituals involved with morning coffee (or tea) that is comforting! Thanks, Donna.
Glad you finally got your coffee [& yet another filter-holder-pour-over jobbie]. They always have plenty of them at my closest Starbucks – I see them through the drive-up window. I actually bought one once, years ago. I might have given up on it too soon, but I always had problems with it. Water spillage, grounds floating on the countertop etc. Just not coordinated enough to use it, I guess. Went right back to my Bodum glass French press. Wish I had a buck for every pot of coffee made in that little treasure. It’s going on 30 years old & I could throw quite the party. Maybe I could even buy a Stella! I do know one thing. Bon Ami will beautifully clean the coffee color stain that will eventually form in the ceramic holder. Like new again! Enjoy your Thursday. Peace.
#Resist
Yes, Bon Ami will work as will denture cleaner tablets! But Bon Ami is more versatile! Thanks, Janet.
Not a coffee drinker, just tea. I clean my cup/mugs with denture cleaner. I have a nasty habit of using the same mug for days , I know! I fill with hot water drop in cheapest cleaner tablet soak and then run through dishwasher. I clean glass carafe on husband’s coffee maker too, gross stuff. I haven’t been to Wadsworth is ages a very nice small museum. If you ever want a nice small museum to visit in western MA try the Clarke Art institute. A wonderful place they have the impressionist room with sculpture ‘Degas’s little Dancer age 14’ right in the middle of the room not glass ,just there. Wonderful. I saw that dream kitchen too, what a delight. I would sell my soul…if I had one!
Mary, What town in Western Mass?
Judy A-
Williamstown, MA
Yes, I’ve used denture cleaner to clean tea stains before!
I was in Williamstown a couple of years ago seeing Don in Pygmalion, but didn’t have time for a visit to the museum!
I started humming “Light My Fire” when I read that…. I bet you are counting the hours to head home again! So glad that this will be a less hectic trip for you.
There is definitely Fall in the air here. In the 40’s at night and 70’s in the day. Those temps are pretty low for this time of year, but they are wonderful! It would be perfect if this would last until about Dec. 21st and then bring the cold and crud for those who like it for a week or two, and back again to what we are enjoying right now. In a perfect world…..
Glad you have the coffee under control. That isn’t something to mess with first thing in the morning! My daughter started using that method last year and still loves it. Hope you have a great Thursday. I am thinking of lighting a Fall-scented candle. ‘Tis the season!
Fall in the air here as well. The mornings are cooler, as are the evenings. It seemed to happen so suddenly!
French press coffee for me….you have your stash of filter holders, I have four French presses….all different sizes but my favorite is the double walled stainless steel personal French press. It only makes two large cups of coffee, but I love the way it looks. I had to laugh out loud when I read that you made Don turn on one of Stella’s burners! Claudia, I love how excited you get and how appreciative you are of the extraordinary things in life! It makes me stop and appreciate, too. I really feel that you make me want to be a better version of who I am.
You brought a tear to my eye, Wendy. I’m humbled by your comment. Thank you, my friend.
That early morning light is so pretty. Love the city views!
But first—coffee. I saw that somewhere on the internet and liked it. Have been going to paint a sign with that saying for the shack. More for the To-Do list. But rituals are important, huh? Don’t enjoy having them interrupted. Nothing like a brisk morning hike, sans coffee…grrrr!
I don’t like anyone messing with my coffee ritual, Shanna!
I use the pour over method also, I have a Chemex and I love it! Admittedly I use it only on the weekends when I am off work, during the week I use my Keurig for convenience….but the coffee isn’t a patch on the stuff I make in the Chemex.
You’re right. Pour over is so much better!
i am not a coffee (or tea) drinker. not when i was in school or worked horrible evening and overnight shifts at a shelter. not even during the twelve years i worked part-time in a coffee shop while also working my full-time social work job. i recall my parents giving me a few sips of lukewarm coffee (with lots of cream in it) at the advice of a doctor when i was very sick as a child. but as good as it smells, i just never got into coffee. i most certainly do have other treats/necessities, though, and times when i’ve had to do without them, so can appreciate your frustration during the search this morning. glad your coffee story had a happy ending!
and glad you have a bit more relaxed schedule ahead so can spend more time with don and stella!
cheers to us all finding what we are looking for!
kathy in iowa
It does have a happy ending. Very happy I didn’t have to mess with the Keurig again this morning!
A girl has to have her coffee! Just like you I would do whatever it takes. Stella is amazing, reminds me of one we had when I was very young. My favorite part was the griddle.
I love the griddle, too. We bought an extra one, Deb. Someone suggested that on another blog. So we have the less shiny one to cook on and the shiny one for every day.
I can just imagine how pretty it wasn’t….and you dragging yourself around Hartford bright and early with no coffee in you…lol…that’s some coffee dedication there!
Anything for coffee!
Thanks for the photos. Glad you eventually had coffee tha twas good. I do not drink coffee,tea for me.
Marilyn
My grandmother always wanted me to like tea, but I never was a fan!