January 30, 2014

The Stained Glass Roaster

For the last month or two, Andy has been interested in learning to roast his own coffee.  So he found a green bean dealer in Mississippi and ordered himself two bags.  These are ethically harvested, unroasted, green beans; one from Uganda and the other from Costa Rica.
 


The set-up:  1 hot-air popcorn popper  ($6.99-Goodwill)    1 strainer (my kitchen)  1 large bowl & 1 damp towel (my kitchen)

The directions

And the fun begins.   First, measure carefully the green beans, pour them into the heated, running hot-air popper.   Then start the timer and wait, listening carefully for the first crack....   such an intense smell!

 
Stir

Waiting patiently for that second crack.

Watch the chaff blow all over the kitchen.... the damp towel does collect some of it.

At the beginning/middle of the second crack the time is up.  Quick, dump the beans into the strainer and...
 
rush them outside to cool immediately.

He has succeeded at roasting his first batch of beans.

He dreamed it and accomplished it.  I think when he goes pro, he should use this name:  The Stained Glass Roaster.   What do you think?  Ready to order some beans?  

**Random facts according to Andy:  East Coast is known for their lighter roast-this is at the beginning of the first crack.  West Coast is known for their French or Vienna roast-this is well into the second crack.

January 29, 2014

Highlights from Our Holidays (Part 5)

Christmas:  a good time to slow down, be God-stuck, enjoy family, laugh, eat, be crazy together, and be blessed by the little things.  Quite possibly this has been my favorite Christmas ever.  God is good!


Snow!!!  When we moved I was a bit sad, I never thought we'd see snow here.... Such excitement!
The joy of just a little snow.




Christmas is a time for family pictures.

Christmas is a time for licking beaters!

Christmas is a time for silliness.

 

Christmas is a time for Rainbows in my backyard.


Christmas Sunday.


Clayton posing by the Church Christmas tree.

Christmas Eve....



Opening the traditional Christmas Eve jammies.

Stylin in their new PJ's

No, we don't believe in Santa.... but we did have a little fun writing a note (which I didn't get a picture of) and putting out a plate of cookies ( which I also didn't get a picture of) and then Santa (aka Mommy) came along and ate the cookies (which I for sure didn't get a picture of) and Santa graciously left a note for the kiddies.

The note Santa left the kiddies.

Christmas Morning!   Ahh the excitement, the anticipation, the wonderful crazy chaos... 

Here the kids are opening gifts from some special friends of ours.  Thank you L&J!



I really enjoy watching my kiddies facial expressions when opening gifts.



Blessed chaos!   We got to Skype with lots of family and that was wonderful!


Our next door neighbor brought over a little gift for the kids.   O the hours of joy this gift has brought!



The end of a long, wonderful day.


December 26th~  The day after Christmas found us hiking up those pant legs and playing in the surf.


Happy feet!


We celebrated New Years Eve by meeting some Emmett friends for lunch and having a small party with some neighbors, friends, and bacon wrapped figs.   The party was over by 10pm, the kids tried to make it to midnight, but were unsuccessful.   So 2014 just kind of snuck on in. 
This is my last post Highlighting our Holidays, we will now get on with life.