Tuesday, September 09, 2014

good coffee + good books



i like to start my day with a good cup of coffee, and end my day with a good book. but ideally, i'd like to sit in a cushy chair reading a good book and sipping a cup of good coffee. there's just something about a good cup of coffee and a good book that makes me really happy. i have always loved Barnes & Noble for ingeniously combining the bookstore and the coffeeshop.

let's talk about good coffee and good books, shall we?



my husband makes the best coffee. he has the water to grounds ratio down to a science, and i wouldn't trade a cup of coffee he made for any other coffee. we have a reliable Mr. Coffee pot that gets the job done every morning. but recently, we discovered a new (to us) way of brewing coffee. 

i'd like to introduce you to the Bialetti 6800.


the Bialetti is an Italian-made stove-top coffee and espresso brewer. we have the 6-cup version. it is so easy to use...it's almost primitive. it's so simple, it makes our Mr. Coffee pot seem complicated. it works like an upside-down percolator. the water goes into the lower "chamber" and the coffee grounds go in the filtered funnel. put it on the stove over medium to medium-high heat, and wait for it-- the glorious sound of gurgling coffee and intoxicating aroma of hot, fresh brewed joe. a really good cup of coffee is yours in about 7 minutes.



   

the Bialetti would make a great Christmas gift for your fellow coffee snob connoisseur. (it's made of aluminum: 10th anniversary gift idea!) pair the Bialetti with a good book and a pound of coffee beans and wow- best. gift. ever. 
  



A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick // i finished reading this a few weeks ago, but the story has stayed with me since. it's based on true stories of three women travelling the Oregon Trail. i felt like i was on the journey with each of them- praying for their successes, empathizing with their losses, and celebrating their bravery.

50 Women Every Christian Should Know by Michelle DeRusha // speaking of brave women! to be honest i wasn't sure if i could get into this book. before bed especially, i prefer to read stories not facts. but DeRusha did this right. one by one, i'm learning about women who boldy stepped out in faith and impacted their families, their communities, and the Kingdom of God. DeRusha brings these women to life in such a way that is leaving me challenged and inspired by their courage, and mindful that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Kingdom Woman by Chrystal Evans Hurst and Tony Evans // this is on my night stand to be read next and i'm so eager to dive in. i met Chrystal at Declare last year, and she was there again this year, and fingers crossed she'll be at Declare again next year. i just love her. :) Chrystal co-authored Kingdom Woman with her dad, Dr. Tony Evans. i flipped open the book and saw this quote: You don’t have to seek anyone else’s approval for the life God has given you. and that right there is the message i need to read. i imagine i'll read it and then pass it on to my daughter to read, as well. this video says it all: http://youtu.be/rOjDmDQzEZk


happiness is a cup of coffee + a really good book.

wouldn't you agree?





*amazon affiliate links included.
i was provided with copies of the books for review. the opinions expressed here are honest and my own. 

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