National Coffee Day 2011

Happy National Coffee Day to all the coffee lovers in the world (yep, including me)!! Here's to cool fall weather and a hot cup of joe (or cold, whichever way you like it). Have you had your cup today to celebrate?!

Caffeinated!
-D

Cross Stitchin'

Okay, so if you read the post from yesterday you know that I'm somewhat unemployed at the moment. Enter new hobby: cross stitching!

One day when I went down to visit my parents in Hickory while Brad was working, I picked up a stamped cross stitch kit at AC Moore since Michaels here in town doesn't carry them (lame!). Burton showed me a bit of the ropes, lent me a hoop (and needle after I broke mine within the first 10 mintues) and set me loose to complete my first cross stitch work of art! I went with stamped for my first so I wouldn't lose count and get discouraged! :)

Here is a before shot: needle, thread, hoop and alll!

Annnd After! TaaDaaa!
I think it's super cute, and it'll go somewhere in our
kitchen/coffee nook once we get settled out west!

I have found cross stitching to be wildly addicting and easy to catch on to! In this kit I did the satin stitch, cross stitch, backstitch, stem stitch and french knot. For you avid cross stitchers I know this isn't much, but I'm so excited about it!

The next project I plan to conquer is Christmas Stockings!! (Maybe) In time for this year... or next! Below are the ones we picked out! Before you look and think, "Man Alive, she's never cross stitching again after those!"; Burton is going to help me on the first one while we're still in town. They're beautiful though, don't you think?!

Mine (L), Brad's (middle) and (of course) Oscar's!

-D

JavaJavaJavaJavaJava

This recipe for 'Perfect Iced Coffee' is a MUST! It is of course from The Pioneer Woman and it makes a TON. So, probably for at least the first time I'd half it... especially if it's only going to be you drinking it. Did I mention it makes a TON!? I didn't take any photos of my coffee making, so I'm copying and pasting her recipe here! The link to it is above if you'd rather see her picture step-by-step instructions.

Recipe: Perfect Iced Coffee

Prep Time: 8 Hours  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)
• 8 quarts Cold Water (2 gallons)
• Half-and-half (healthy Splash Per Serving)
• Sweetened Condensed Milk (2-3 Tablespoons Per Serving
• Note: Can Use Skim Milk, 2% Milk, Whole Milk, Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Syrups...adapt To Your Liking!

Preparation Instructions

(Adapted from Imbibe Magazine)

In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature eight hours or overnight.

Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.

Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed.

To make iced coffee, pack a glass full of ice cubes. Fill glass 2/3 full with coffee liquid. Add healthy splash of half-and-half. Add 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (can use plain sugar instead) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust half-and-half and/or sweetened condensed milk as needed.

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**D's NOTE:

• For the coffee, I used Seattle's Best - Level 5
• I used paper towels in the strainer instead of cheesecloth (worked perfect!) and instead of half-and-half/sweetened condensed milk, I used some of the French Vanilla coffee creamer I had in the fridge. (Of course, any creamer you like will work great!)
• Mine ended up tasting like Starbucks.. yum :)

Enjoy!
-D




P.S. Did anyone get the movie reference in my blog post title?! Click here to see if you were right :)