Have a Brewlicious Friday! Life is a lively effort. Have some coffee and get to it!
With love and xox, Boots the Badass Coffee Babe
And while you’re jubilating, check out these awesome Old Gringo Leopardito Western Boots & Texas Longhorn 16-pt Jingle Bob Spurs & some darling belts to accessorize for a kick-up-your-heels yee-haw Friday!
What you need for this twist on a campfire classic: A good fire? Check. Dutch oven? Check. Campfire coals? Perfect. S’mores ingredients? Check. Time to make some Dutch Oven S’mores!
This is a whole different take on making S’mores. I know that 1) poking the fire with a stick is a whole lot of fun and 2) tempting the flames with a marshmallow at the end of a stick is even more fun. Will it toast up buckskin tan or will it incinerate into a lump of carbon?
This Dutch oven recipe takes the wondering out of the equation. And everyone can enjoy their S’mores at the same time once you lift the oven’s lid. Also, making the S’mores this way eliminates that marshmallow-eating Chubby Bunny contest (a campfire game for amateurs, at best) that has a tendency to heat up between competitive cousins and liquored-up uncles. [Spoken by the wrangler who has seen too many campfire scenes that cannot be unseen.]
This way, while your treats are baking away in the Dutch oven, you all can turn your attention to telling ghost stories or to playing a rousing game of Shoeking! instead and see who just might end up hiking back down the trail the next day in his stocking feet. [Note: Now this game of balancing your boot on your toes and flipping it back over your head and not into the fire actually is more fun with liquored-up uncles.]
I’ll never forget the summer I watched a whole troop of good ol’ boys — all of whom looked to be bearing the Divine Punishment — leaving camp The Morning After with most of them missing at least one shoe. All I could think was Those damned fools were playing Shoeking! There was something about seeing their hangdog expressions and the dust cloud that followed their shuffling sock-footed procession that still makes me bust a gut.
This shoe-less band of travelers, clearly having partaken in a goodly portion of Hooch the night before, was in such rough shape when they doddered past the cabin that they hired me on the spot to saddle up Eagle to carry the heavier items from their camp down the hill. I sympathized. Of course I did. But there was a part of me that was thinking that there was going to be a whole lot of footsore at the end of the trail along with all of the blame and cussing that I was sure to bear witness to. One buckaroo kept saying over and over, “My Gawd, my Gawd.” Whether he was intervening for his sole-less foot or for his soul-less quaff from the night before, I couldn’t tell. The other guys kept telling him to Zip It, Chet! — knowing that maintaining low morale wasn’t going to help a single one of them get down the trail any sooner.
Chet couldn’t refrain from his mantra of misery, so the rest of the boys started to call Chet “Mr. Tenderfoot” and other such insulting monikers with additional colorful embroideries. I tried not to crack up and just kept Eagle steered down the trail ahead of the shoe-less pack, thinking that there are some stories in life that you just can’t make up. This was one of those stories.
I just don’t know. Life is funny and it is strange. And thank God for stories that entertain the Disbelieving Parts that dwell within. I can’t really say that participating in this experience enriched my life in any way, but I did file it away in my mental folder labeled “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up.” You know the stories. The Fact-is-stranger-than-Fiction stuff. The stories that cling to our memories’ heels through time for no apparent reason. I would like to think that the things I carry with me have some edifying value from time past, but this particular tale? It simply makes me laugh my ass off when I think back to that day.
Truth: laughter is its own medicine and these boys had given me a goodly dose as a result of their misguided and high-spirited Shoeking! folly.
But sorry stories aside, let’s get back to stuff that really matters like coffee, chocolate, and campfires . . . My coffee pairing recommendation for the sweet side of S’mores? I am thinking a Guatemalan coffee for this particular sweet. There is nothing like Guatemalan coffee paired with chocolate . . . although Arabian mocha beans are pretty great, too. Check out this single origin Guatemalan coffee after you have stocked up on the S’more goodies. You deserve good coffee with your campfire treat. And what a cute bag that comes with it!
Or how about this certified organic, whole bean, single-country-origin bean from Guatemala?
It really is worth buying a Dutch oven. You can make so many different recipes that benefit from its even heat. You can use it hanging above the fire, in the coals, and in your oven at home. I love this homely old cast iron pot that eloquently says, “Good Cooking!” You won’t be sorry that you made the investment in something that is so versatile.
Boots, signing off and keeping my bootlaces tight! xox
Happy trails, good people!
Boots here. Looking at the best in camp coffee cups and picking out inventory for the Cabin Door Store. I guess I have become one of those gear junkies that likes to have the best when I head out on the trail. Long gone are the days when I used to wear wool knickers for alpine skiing on my humble, waxed, wooden cross country skis. I used to be a purist. Wool gloves, wool hat, wool socks, wool sweater. I carried wooden matches, a nice piece of pitch, and a Buck knife that was razor sharp. My cook box had Granite-ware plates, bowls, and cups. Allllll natural. Now? As much as I enjoy seeing those Janoy skis hanging up in the wood shed, I now have good gear that keeps me dry, warm, and safe and gets me places in the back country.
And as for my blue granite camp cup that kept me company around all of those fires? I still bring it along, but I now use it for my morning Bircher muesli. Some old favorites I’m just not ready to quite give up yet. And speaking of Bircher muesli, I am thinking that I will share my favorite recipe with you tomorrow. It is perfect for the trail, for camping, for glamping, and for home. You can make it the night before and have it ready to go in the morning if you are running late.
I digress! Get me started on camp gear and one thing leads to another! Have fun checking out these most-excellent options for keeping your coffee hot. Oh, and don’t think that you have to be sitting around a smokey campfire to enjoy these fantastic options. I can think of a time or two in recent history when I was running for a city bus in Seattle and my fancy die-hard camp cup was the perfect commuter cup as well. Nothing says coffee like a great cup! And in these colors? Lime, plum, teal, burgundy, red, orange, stainless . . . these colors put the fun in functional out on the trail and on the city bus.
Click on the links or the images below and peruse these cups that are some of the best in camp gear. It really is the littlest things that make for the best experiences. Enjoy this fun stuff!
Signing off. xox Boots xox
Today . . . have some coffee and outdream yourself!
Coffee. Just the prescription for a Saturday morning of smiling and dreaming.
Have fun today, Saturday Joe drinkers!
Love, xox Boots
What a great way to start a Friday morning — enjoying a cuppa Joe and listening to the fire crackling in the cookstove while the coffee boiler sweetens the air with caffeine molecules. My kind of morning.
There is nothing like a rainy morning with a fire in the stove and a pot of coffee steaming its richness into the toasty cabin air. The only thing that could make it more idyllic is a few loaves of bread baking in the oven. These unassuming, humble pleasures. They truly are what make for a full present moment.
I love the sound of rain on a tin roof. The smell of wet wool sweaters. Heck, I even like the smell of wet dog. There is something just so comforting about being tucked inside on an unseasonably-cool, late spring morning. The kind of morning that gives me the inspiration to pause and to appreciate life at its simplest.
After this crazy-wet week of wind, rain, and bluster, I made hay and created my own sunshine. I painted and read and wrote and washed windows on the inside of the cabin. I made a really good dinner that required more than one pot, and I folded some laundry. I mucked out the barn, and I replaced the salt lick with a brand-spankin’ new one. Yes, some days, it just feels good to attend to the quiet things.
If it is raining where you are today — or if you feel a little dreary on the inside — create your own sunshine. Do something out of the ordinary. Take one step closer to completing that project you have been dreaming about. Turn off your computer and call a friend. Pour yourself another cup of coffee and curl up with your journal. Go for a walk with a giant umbrella. Rescue a few stranded worms. Stomp happily and deliberately through a puddle. When was the last time you intentionally got your pretty boots dirty? What’s stopping you?
What’s stopping you? The question that sounds so innocent and easy and, actually, involves a lot more than a one-word answer. Today, I am pulling on my favorite pair of Wellys and I am going to go hunt some puddles. Nothing stopping me today!
I couldn’t resist adding these fun and fanciful Wellys for your Friday (below). Be it raining or shining, these boots are just the ones to have at the ready for some puddle-stomping fun. And if you do encounter a puddle, do some serious damage! What’s stopping you?
And are you missing the sound of the rain? Do you now live in the desert and hearing raindrops? Click on the video below. Listen to the rain and relax. Even better . . . go boot shopping while you listen. [Yes, I am aiding and abetting.] Rain boot shopping! There are so many great styles that combine cuteness with function. I finally broke down and bought a pair (the pink polka dot pair below) for going into town. I feel pretty darned fancy and fun when I wear them, too!
Click on the images or the links below and do some daydreaming about what it would feel like to just let loose and have some spontaneous fun. I am thinking that these boots are the perfect inspiration. So cute!
http://amzn.to/1WVMZGJ
http://amzn.to/1sI6XrV
Oh, and attention all Seattle-ites!
Check out these nifty rain-boot socks! I never cease to be amazed at how clever people are when it comes to thinking things up!
Fashion, function, and FUN!
Happy muddy, puddle-stompin’ trails! xox
Boots the Badass Coffee Babe
Be a cool cat and check out this short video that shows you 6 unique ways to drink coffee and some cool items that are perfect for creating that new and interesting iced Toddy beverage.
I think sometimes we forget to try different. We get into our ruts and feel too busy to try new options.
Life is short. Try something new. Your experiment into the unknown might become your new favorite. Watch the video and see if these aren’t some fun ways for you to shake up your morning coffee routine! There’s nothing like adding a little bit of difference into the morning brew.
Click on some of the fun ideas below that will kickstart your iced-coffee enjoyment for the summer. What about try making some mocha, caramel, coconut milk, coffee popsicles for your sunshine-y coffee break out on the deck?
And how about making some caffe mocha popsicles on a hot summer afternoon?
Love this! Take a moment today to dream about where your “When I’m Gone” place is . . . and then go there, if only in your mind. It might be Paris or it could be that high mountain lake where you go camping every year. Take some time today. It only takes a moment. Shut the door, put your feet up on the desk, close your eyes, and just imagine. Breathe. Dream. Open your eyes. Life is good, isn’t it?
“He who travels has stories to tell.” – Irish saying
Tell your story.
Boots here. I’m back to finish up this series on Toddy Coffee. This post is all about drinking . . . drinking Toddy as both a hot and a cold beverage. After a sip of Toddy, you are going to want to stand up and salute the day with vim and vigor!
You now have your concentrate all good to go. [Note: Be sure to keep your Toddy concentrate refrigerated.] It is recommended that you start with a ratio of 1 part coffee concentrate to 2-3 parts water, milk or whatever non-cow liquid you prefer. I know that soy is a common moo-juice alternative, but heck, why not step into a new paradigm and try cashew, coconut, almond, rice, or hemp milk? Whatever your moo-free preference, experiment and find the one you enjoy best. Doesn’t a caramel sauce & cashew-milk iced mocha sound?
[To read an interesting article on these alternative “milks,” (with info on calories, protein, carbs, sugars, fats, and saturated fats) check out http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/the-best-cows-milk-alternatives.html]
Mix your Toddy beverage to taste, making your coffee as strong or as weak as you prefer. This is going to be a Goldilocks thing. Try it. Taste it. Adjust it. Find your Just Right.
ICED COFFEE: For iced coffee, Toddy is truly the best. Simply pour the Toddy concentrate and water, milk, or moo-free alternative over ice. No need to double-proportion your coffee grounds for a hot-brew method to get a good iced coffee.
HOT COFFEE: Combine your Toddy concentrate with steaming hot water for a bolder, gentler cup of hot coffee — kind of like an Americano — but not really. Once you tasted the carmel-ly smooth flavor of Toddy, you will know what I mean.
You really want to experiment with all of the fun ideas. Here are a few more:
Toddy is versatile and so convenient. There is never a need to feel strapped for time in the morning as you are dashing out the door. If you are a fan of the Snooze Alarm, you can even get your drink ready the night before in a pint jar, put it in the fridge, do your crazed morning dash to work, and heat up your coffee right in the pint jar in the office microwave. Voila! Fabulous coffee with no morning hassle.And speaking of campfires, doesn’t this look like a fun addition to your summer evenings out on the patio or deck? Grab the S’more fixings, pour yourself a coffee nudge using your Toddy concentrate and indulge in the fact that you are in the great outdoors and only just a pebble’s throw from your own door.
What a hoot this stand-alone fire pit would be on your patio! It would really open up your summer to the great outdoors. Just click on the image or link below.
I hope that this little foray into the world of Toddy has been fun for you! I remember back to when I first tasted it with that fussbudget sister of mine and, at the time, I had to admit to her that it tasted really good. I generally forego Toddy during the winter months, as I like a fresh, hot brew. But the summer? It is so perfect!
And hail all of you hikers, campers, and glampers! Think about how great Toddy would be out on the trail. Put it in a coffee-tight container and you would be good to go for your entire trek.
And you can click here for a comprehensive PDF from the Toddy experts. There are all sorts of cool recipes in here for lattes, mochas, iced coffee beverages, smoothies, and even ice cream!
And check out this Kindle option for learning more about Toddy:
[Subscribers read for free!]
Happy Toddy Trails!
xox Boots
Boots the Badass Coffee Babe here! And I’m back to talk more about Toddy! In the last post, I talked about equipment and the chemistry behind why Toddy tastes so darned good.
This post is going to be all about how to make good Toddy. Getting set up, directions, dos and don’ts, how to store your finished Toddy . . . all of this fun stuff to learn!
First of all, here is a demonstration video — brought to you from the Toddy gurus — that walks you through all of the steps necessary to start brewing.
And here are a few tips from me that urge you to be mindful as you go about brewing your Toddy. Some of these are a repeat of what the expert in the video advises, but I am not afraid to go overboard when it comes to helping someone else avoid a kitchen disaster. None of the points below can be overstated!
While your Toddy is brewing, put it somewhere SAFE. The definition of SAFE in Toddy lingo is a place where . . .
There is a theme here: Use good water and don’t tip the dang Toddy over!
Okay! You now have 12-24 hours to wait until you can pull the plug and drain your Toddy into the glass decanter.
Boots here until next time then when we pull the plug and taste some Toddy!
Click on the image or the link to view the Toddy brewing system!
And while you are dream-shopping, here is a really good water filtering pitcher. This pitcher delivers great-tasting water!
Click on the images or the links below.
Or how about this kicky purple pitcher?
Cabin Door Coffee 