Coffee The Elixir Of Life

I really do mean it I think coffee is the elixir of life and it is my husband's fault. I never drank coffee until after I was married to Michael. I have been drinking this wonderful little wake up tool for almost thirteen years now! I do get a bit on the cranky side if I don't have my coffee, down right sad in fact. Probably doesn't say much for me, but that is ok I don't have many favorite beverage or food items, so I'll take it.

I do know that Americans started to drink coffee during the Revolution due to the stamp act and other taxes put on items coming into America on tea and of course other items. To protest they stopped drinking tea and turned to coffee for a bit of time. Lets not forget the famous protest "The Tea Party" in Boston harbor throwing crates of tea over board off the British ships bringing in goods. The colonist did go back to drinking tea after the Revolutionary War was won. But of course in the end coffee won out. Thank you for that I really don't care for tea.

Where did coffee come from Ethiopia around the 15th century. Earliest evidence of drinking coffee is from about the middle of the 15th century. Appears that it was served during religious ceremonies at Sufi Shrines of Yemen.

Ok so that was a little history on coffee, just a little. What my favorite thing about coffee is enjoying it in the morning with family or even just in the car when dropping my son off at school. Meeting my cousins at our favorite coffee shop to chat and catch up on the latest family gossip. I love going to the book stores most of them have a coffee shop right inside. Perfect to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and enjoy a good book. If my son and husband are there great way to catch up on what is going on with our son's friends and school, also my husbands work. My son gets the coveted chocolate chip cookie and chocolate milk. Then just perfect to browse and enjoy all the books.

Lets not forget the perfect ending to an evening out that wonderful cup of coffee at the end of the meal. That holiday family time at Christmas or Thanksgiving and your ready to pass out from to much food and maybe confusion with so many people around. That is when I want to say show me the coffee.

What is enjoyable also is sitting out on cool spring or fall evenings with a mug of coffee. Get to enjoy the neighborhood and hang with friends. Just sitting around talking about what is happening in the world at the time. Also nice to get the know the folks in the neighborhood. In the busy world we all live in now we don't seem to know the neighbors like we use to. Great way for the kids to be able to enjoy extra play time and being able to keep an eye on them at the same time.

Just remembered one of my favorite times to enjoy coffee and maybe with a little rum or whisky (shhhh). Halloween, the Dads take the kids trick or treating and the Moms man the homes. We sit out front with bowls of candy chatting and enjoying our beverages of choice. Another nice community time. Always fun, even on those cold, rainy or even snowy Halloweens. Of course I only have one. Have to stay alert for the little ones in the area. Nothing like the adult that gets carried away and ruins for the kids. There's a good story there but I guess a hub for another day.

My Perfect Mug Of Coffee, not very creative but I love it.

1. My favorite mug.

2. Chocolate Syrup

3. French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

4. Whip Cream

5. Coffee

5. I do the chocolate syrup to taste, french vanilla creamer , coffee, mixed all together topped with whip cream and yummy! I'm ready for the day.

On those rainy or cold weekends my family and I enjoy to make Rich Crumb Cake to go with our coffee. Lovely time to sit on those weekends to catch up and enjoy each others company.

Rich Crumb Cake

Cake: 3 cups unsifted flour 1/2 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda 3 eggs

1 teaspoon salt 1 cup sour cream

1 cup butter, softened 1 12-oz. pkg. (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided

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Topping: 1 cup unsifted flour 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened

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Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar and brown sugar; beat until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture alternately with sour cream. Stir in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Spread into well-greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with topping (below). Bake 40 to 45 minutes.

Topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and salt. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Add remaining cup of morsels; mix well.

Makes one 13x9x2 inch crumb cake.

Little tip be careful not to soften the butter to much for the topping mix. If you do you need to add more flour and it makes the topping dry to the taste.

My son likes to enjoy his cake with a big glass of milk white or chocolate either works for him.

Hope you enjoyed the hub. Happy coffee drinking and enjoying your cup of Joe in your favorite ways. It is Sunday off now to church and then a movie. Rainy here today, perfect movie day.

Thanks for reading,

Alison Ruth

Nothing beats coffee