1. Catching-Up Before New Years
(LIFE/Joie de Vivre)

My body has been invaded by a horrible cold - the worst cold i've had in years... which has given me time to consider the many many things have been going on which i've made no mention of here soooo,

2. The Lazy Roaster
(EAT/DRINK/Foodie Research)

It's true. I was sooo lazy this weekend that i didn't want to roast my last 1.5 lbs of green coffee beans separately (1/2lb each of Rwanda Butare Bourbon, Classic Italian Espresso Blend, and Puro Scur

3. I am a junkie
(EAT/DRINK/Foodie Research)

...bwe Dandoni Estate and Sulawesi Toraja. I couldn't' stop drinking it! It's a caramelly, deep toned syrupy coffee which i took a little past a Full City roast. I know i know... i said the last roast wa...

4. The first rule of "Dinner at Itsy's" is we don't talk about "Dinner at Itsy's."
(EAT/DRINK/Today's Menu)

...e fabulous G over for dinner, well, because someone needs to make the dough. I also had her roast her own coffee to show her how easy it was... short of complaining about the smell of coffee-smoke in ...

5. Well at least one thing is going right...
(EAT/DRINK/Foodie Research)

This Sunday - my latest and greatest roast of coffee beans, Guatemala Fraijanes - Finca Aqua Tibia. Sweet baby jesus - this bean is wonderful! Tangy chocolate notes with an intriguing finish of cider

6. Puro Scuro Blend
(EAT/DRINK/Foodie Research)

So i'm getting better. My last roast was a 1/2 lb of Sweet Maria's Puro Scuro Blend. Here are the results!

7. Garden of Love
(LIFE/Esprit d\'escalier)

None of my ramblings on coffee or food today - instead, a poem by British born Kathleen Raine and intriguing paintings by Luke Chueh.  I know, i'm such an odd sap. This month has brought much to

8. When Pigs Fly
(EAT/DRINK/Foodie Research)

...beans and - angels will sing, pigs will fly around my backyard - and i will never again be obliged to any coffee roaster anywhere. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. I did manage a good roast...

9. Cold Brewed Coffee
(EAT/DRINK/Foodie Research)

In an effort to make use of the beans rendered almost undrinkable due to my poor coffee roasting skills, i took the advice of a friend and created some cold brew coffee goodness. After soaking 1/5lb

10. Coffee Roasting, Part II
(EAT/DRINK/Foodie Research)

Well i found something i am not good at and it's coffee roasting. I have eight pounds of assorted green coffee beans from Sweet Maria's to burn through (literally) and hopefuly by then i shall have a

11. Coffee Roasting
(EAT/DRINK/Foodie Research)

...en i can make it right? Why order something out that i can cook? Blah blah blah. I also love my morning coffee ritual composed of an Oscar Nuevo Simonelli espresso machine, Cunill burr grinder, and...

12. Sex Will Make You Go Blind
(Archived/LIFE/Daily)

... states to tell their single, youngish residents that they should -- how to put this so you don't shoot coffee through your nose? -- that everyone should avoid sex entirely, until they turn 30.&quot...