Tea or Coffee?

Dad would answer, “Yes, please” to that question.  What would you answer?  My friend, known as Peady online, posed that question the other day on Facebook and it got me thinking.  I think it’s pretty clear if you know me, that I do love coffee.  But, I do love a good cup of tea, too.

So, let’s start with coffee.  I never drank coffee until I was well into my twenties and it started off as a Sunday afternoon thing after a yummy meal with the Munroe’s and whatever crowd they had over after church.   I’d have a cup, sweeten to the hilt with brown sugar and laden with milk or cream.  Hardly even tasted like coffee, more like a milky, sweet hot beverage!  Then I started hanging out with Janice and her and Trevor would make the most delicious flavoured coffee, again with lots of sugar and cream.  How was one to refuse such a treat??

 

I think it was when I was home with baby Lena that the coffee drinking started in earnest.  I know had a coffee maker before that, but it barely ever got used….until then! Coffee with Catherine became a regular occurrence and thus my addiction was truly born.

Now, my day always starts with a pot of coffee, which for my coffee maker equals two mugs.  I like it hot, black and with some honey or brown sugar.  If I have to leave before the second cup gets consumed, I throw it in a travel mug and lug it along with me.  I’ll drink it on the drive or when I get to work.  A good travel mug is key.  Forget the pretty ones with silicone lids, give me a Contigo travel mug that I can throw in my bag on my way out the door with worrying about it spilling everywhere.

I mentioned I like brown sugar in my coffee.  Have you tried it?  I’m amazed by how few people know about this wonderfulness!  It’s just prefect!  I’ll settle for white sugar but brown sugar is by far my top pick!

Now, tea, well, the best tea is at Mom and Dad’s, hands down, not doubt about it.  I’m not sure, but I’m guessing the difference is the water.  Plus, that’s the tea I grew up on and continue to share with Mom and Dad, pretty sure that’s why it’s the best ever.  I’m not sure how old I was when I was allowed to drink tea.  But it was always super milky with a little sugar added {Okay, a lot of sugar if I added it…. }  I know I was quite young.  But, still, to this day, there is nothing better than a cup of tea at the farm.  We like our tea weak.  We joke about just waving the tea bag over the hot water, yep, about that weak.  Nowadays, I just drink my tea black with sugar or honey, not unlike my coffee.

There is something special about sitting down with a friend over a hot cup of tea or coffee.  It’s an invitation to relax, share and connect.  It’s a time to slow down, take a deep breath and let go.  Wrap your hands around that warm mug, look into the eyes of your friend and ask, ‘How are you really doing?’  To me, having coffee or tea with someone is an invitation to a closer connection.  It’s about getting to know someone better.  Think about it, think about the people you invite over for coffee or make plans to get together with….is it just to pass time or to chat and connect?

And coffee at work is a whole other thing.  And I’ve never worked in a huge office building with loads of co-workers so I know nothing of the break room dynamic.  But, my experience is that ‘coffee’ at work can be a few different things.  First, it can be an escape….a chance for a change of scenery or just a chance to let your thoughts wander a little and enjoy a little comfort.  Secondly, it can be a ploy.  You can butter up your co-workers with the offer of a coffee run, it can be a peace offering after a difference of opinions, it can be common ground with someone you have little in common with.

So, where do I enjoy coffee? I love coffee at home, coffee with Catherine and of course, coffee with Janice.  Kristie’s husband, Ed, makes a mean cuppa, too.  If I’m in the New Glasgow area, coffee needs to come from Cafe Italia or the Coffee Bean, if I remember to have cash on me.  There’s a new coffee shop I want to try, King of Cups, too….I’ve been hearing good things!  In Truro, Aroma Maya, of course, and Noveltea!!  I miss getting downtown and popping in for a cup of something yummy!  On the road, you know you’ve got to hit a Tim Horton’s, and if I’m lucky enough to be in Tatamagouche, I’ll go for a Robin’s or treat from the Tipperary.….especially a butter tart – have you had one yet?!!?!  Best. Ever.   And a road trip to Cape Breton wouldn’t be complete with a stop at Dancing Goat!

I love drinking whatever hot beverage I’m enjoying out of a handmade pottery mug if I can.  I have quite a few mugs from Sara Bonnyman that I use all the time.  The mug I made at Thrown Together Pottery is also one of my favourites, as imperfect as it is….it is filled with character and good memories.  I’m not a dainty teacup drinker, although I can appreciate the beauty of teacups. But they don’t hold enough for me, too many trips back to the kitchen for a refill for this chick!

So, tell me – who do you enjoy your coffee with or a good cup of tea?  I’d love to hear all about it!

To be continued,

Lori