No, I do not mean Rice Krispies , but they are a food product that I will always hold dear with positive memories: my Mom’s favorite late night snack. This “crackle” comes from a wood-burning fireplace. There’s nothing quite like it. All the sounds, the smells, and the sense of warmth as it saps the heat from the rest of the house. That’s a shame, but the fireplace room is its own haven of content.
There is something about the world that seems all right while you read in front of cacophonous fire. Just as long as you read sections of the newspaper that have nothing to do with real world issues. Start with the Sunday Styles section of the New York Times and rush to the back, to the wedding stories. They are so much fun. Of course, there are the Bill Cunningham party photos. Skip over the real life, potentially sad articles, and go for the morning fun and begin your day with a relaxing tone.
Then, you can ease into that splendiferous cup of espresso. Did I mention I made it to Wegmans. From earlier posts, you’ll know it’s not around the corner but worth the drive. I get less expensive gas in Virginia and then head over to the shopping mecca which somehow seems to do as much damage to my credit card as a trip to Costco. Bad financial week, hit both of ‘em in a matter of a few days.
Now it’s time to analyze what it is about their whole bean dark roast espresso that keeps me hankering for a true cup. Maybe it’s the price. Certainly doesn’t hurt that the 32-ounce bag of beans is under $10. Flavor wins from the bean’s oily richness that engulfs the coffee machine’s bean holder. It transcends any other coffee bean experience of late. Hit the buttons, grind, and punch up a double espresso.
Now the morning has promise, a crackling fire ,and a true cup of espresso. I haven’t even started the potatoes yet. More on that later.
Crackling sounds and a steaming cup of coffee. A perfect pairing.
Some mornings are so perfect. You glance through the paper, and you see it: The phrase, the headline, the sentence that puts the day into perspective. Today it jumped. Right in the middle of a grocery ad–there it was: “Cheap Is Chic”.
We’ve heard enough about the fact that we are destroying our own universe. I’ve decided singlehandedly to make the difference that will save us. Seriously. First, it started with having to take boxes of newspapers, cans, and glasses 10 miles away to a recycling center. I mean a serious place, where you separate and sort. I’d only read about this kind of commitment, but I immediately became hooked trying to figure out if I put everything in the right container. After a few trips I realized that I was going to become Recyclewoman. I was making a difference. Before making this commitment I almost reveled in the joy of NOT having to recycle. Put it all in the trash can. One single receptacle and gone. Outta here and with less chaos.
That’s a tough admission so early in the year, but I feel I need to level with you, my readers. I got up this morning with great anticipation to return to my fancy, but well deserved, coffee maker, the 
Everywhere you turn today, someone is ready to give you advice. That’s how new year’s begin. It is an almost inherent ritual that we take a measure of ourselves. We make promises and pledges and feel uplifted with a clean slate. We can start anew.
It’s that day, the one that marks the end and morphs into the new. I know I’m supposed to say how I regret this and that and promise that I will whatever this coming year, but the 31st has its own special significance.
bin, some beautiful beef, some cheese, and the mezze bar. I somehow manage to cheer loudly if my total stays in the $100 range. After all, I came out for the beans.