Enjoy A Delicious Cup Of Morning Coffee With International Delight Simply Pure Coffee Creamer

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #IDSimplyPure #CollectiveBias

I'm definitely a morning person, and so glad I am. I love getting an early start to my day and feeling like I have plenty of time to accomplish what I need to do, and enjoy a little quiet time for myself before the rest of my family wakes up.

I start every morning with a big cup of coffee. I honestly feel like my brain can't function without that first cup. For years I used milk and sugar in my coffee, which was totally fine. But kind of boring.

I'm happy to say that now I get to enjoy a really great tasting cup of coffee because I recently found International Delight Simply Pure Coffee Creamers.

They come in three delicious flavors, Vanilla, Caramel, and Hazelnut. Simply Pure is the perfect everyday creamer, and made with only 5 simple ingredients.

Besides my coffee, another thing that is important to me in the early morning is to look at my vision board. A lot of my friends and family keep saying that they would like to make one, but just never get around to it. I feel like it's definitely worth the time to make one because mine have inspired me to work hard to make my dreams become reality.

I love making vision boards for whatever you want to have happen in your life, whether it's a new job, a new home, or even something like being more in touch with your own feelings.

When I'm fully awake and onto my second cup of coffee, I usually have a little something to eat, sometimes fruit or toast, or even a slice of one of my favorite coffee cakes that I like baking.

Since everyone in my family are coffee lovers, I bought all three flavors of Simply Pure Coffee Creamers at Walmart. Honestly, all of the flavors are yummy, but the Caramel just might be my favorite.

I like that when you use Simply Pure, you don't have to use extra creamer to get great flavor in your coffee. And it's made with real milk, cream, and sugar. Yum!

Have you ever made a vision board? It's super easy, and fun to do.

Start out with some of your favorite magazines, they can be old or new. I like to go to my local library to buy them for only a quarter. The magazines can be of general interest, or more of a theme, like mine are.

Since what I would love to have is a new home, I picked out decorating magazines to cut out pictures and words that have meaning for me.

You just need magazines, a poster board, a glue stick, and scissors. And the ability to let your imagination come out and play.

Just start out cutting pictures that you like or that appeal to you. I had fun finding pictures of pretty rooms and houses. And words like Cottage, Vintage, and Family really spoke to me.

When you have found enough pictures and words, start arranging them on the poster in whatever way looks most appealing to you.

Now glue everything down. Don't worry if things are a little messy, or it's not perfect. Your vision board is only for you, to inspire you and help you dream your dreams.

This is my finished vision board. I was a little surprised that I picked out the picture of the yellow kitchen cabinets because I really thought I only liked white cabinets.

And my board is a little more country-like that I thought it would be. I must like informal country decorating more than I thought. And that's one of the great things about doing a vision board is to bring out your inner thoughts and desires that you normally might not pay much attention to.

If you're like me and love a delicious tasting cup of coffee to get your morning started, Simply Pure Coffee Creamers are for you.

And they're great too for that afternoon cup of coffee that can give a real pickup when the day is long and tiring. For me, coffee is something I always welcome no matter what time of day it is.

Be sure to look for all three flavors of International Delight Simply Pure Coffee Creamers at your local Walmart in the dairy section.

You can also find more Simply Pure inspiration by going here.

Have you ever created a vision board? What would you make your theme or idea for it be? I'd really love to know, so leave me a comment please.


-Post written by Patricia

Starting Mornings My Way With McCafé Coffee

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #McCafeMyWay #CollectiveBias

One of the things I've come to learn about myself as I've gotten older is that I need my morning routine. I need to have quiet time for thinking, planning my day, and my yoga practice. But before I do any of these things, I need a great cup of McCafé coffee.

I'm a true coffee lover, and that first cup of morning coffee is really important to me. I recently discovered McCafé coffee pods that I can use with my Keurig machine to brew up a delicious cup of coffee in no time at all.

Since I live with my daughter and her family, which includes three of my grandchildren, I like enjoying my coffee before everyone else wakes up. I adore my grandchildren, but it's so nice to have some me time before everyone's busy day begins.

The Premium Roast coffee pods are my favorite for my first cup in the morning. They have a wonderful aroma, and taste. I also love the French Roast, too.

McCafé coffee is made with 100% Arabica Beans, and harvested from the rich soils and mountainous regions of the foremost coffee growing areas of the world. And as much as I like using the coffee pods for time saving convenience, it's also available in premium coffee bags as well.

Using my Keurig lets me have my cup of coffee quickly and easily. I love just popping the coffee pod into the machine, with no measuring, no coffee filters, and no mess. After my cup is brewed, I add a little creamer, and I'm good to go!

I want 2015 to be the year of change for myself. I would love to earn more money, seek out new opportunities, and find a charming little apartment in the city.

With my cup of coffee and my calendar notebook, and before I open my computer, I use that time to think and plan. And as much as I do love my computer, there is just something special about writing things down by hand.

When I was a busy mom raising my five children, there was no morning time for me. I know that is so true for many moms today. My daughter enjoys getting up before her kids wake up, and having that first cup of coffee in quiet. It's so worth losing a little extra time sleeping in, and can make all the difference in a mom's day.

My morning routine includes a thirty minute session of yoga a few mornings a week. Nothing terribly strenuous like this book cover, but enough to help me stay healthy and fit. I enjoy yoga very much, and I'm excited to start going back to a local yoga studio in addition to my home practice.

After yoga, it's time for a light breakfast and another cup of McCafé coffee. Using the coffee pods lets me have a freshly brewed cup of coffee each cup. For me, drinking coffee that has been sitting in a pot for an hour or two, is not my idea of a good cup of coffee.

I first tried McCafé coffee at a coffee demo at Walmart. I got hooked right away. I'm actually quite picky about the coffee I buy and drink, so this had to taste great to win me over.

I was a little early for the demo, but I'm so glad I stayed to try the McCafé. Walmart has lots of demos, and I've actually found a lot of my favorite products by sampling them this way.

You can find McCafé coffee pods and bagged coffee in the coffee aisle at Walmart. Look for several different varieties of each product.

McCafé coffee is part of the Kraft brand that includes many of our favorite and well-known brands available at Walmart.
If you need more inspiration, check out the Cooking Up Good website. It has recipes, sweepstakes, loyalty programs, coupons and more! What's not to love? If you're looking for a new dinner idea or a chance to win some awesome prizes, be sure to check it out!

How about you? Are you someone who would love a less rushed morning? Do you have a morning routine that helps you get a good start? And how important is a great tasting, convenient cup of coffee to you?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please leave me a comment below. And thanks!!

Starting My Day Right With A Walk With A Friend and Breakfast From Nestle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

 I think that friendships become more important the older we get. When we are young, it seems so much easier to make and be open to new friends.

When I moved into my new neighborhood, I was so happy to meet some really lovely ladies that I have become friendly with. We have a lot in common, and I love chatting and spending time with them.

One friend in particular, Holly, has become my walking buddy, and we like to stroll around the neighborhood a few mornings a week. Holly loves breakfast but always says she doesn't want to cook just for herself.

So the other morning I invited her in for a super easy and delicious breakfast that was no trouble at all, and only took a few minutes to make.

I was excited to try out a new product called Stouffer's Morning Classics. I had bought the Sausage and Egg Scramble, which sounded so good.

With Stouffer's Morning Classics, I have more time to enjoy my mornings, and still have a great tasting breakfast.

Nestle makes some of my very favorite breakfast products. I literally couldn't start my mornings without my Nestle Coffee-mate creamer.

I've been a little addicted to several different flavors lately, but the Caramel Macchiato is my favorite right at the moment. It is just so good!!

I always have Classic Vanilla in the refrigerator too, for family and friends to enjoy.

When I do my grocery shopping at Walmart I like finding new food products to try. It makes me happy to share a new dish or tasty meal with family and friends.

I love that Taster's Choice Coffee is ready in a minute, and it's flavor is so rich and satisfying.

I've been drinking this for many years, and I'll often have a cup mid-morning or late afternoon.

 It was perfect for my breakfast with my friend, we had delicious hot coffee in just a couple of minutes to enjoy.

I can honestly say that I love potatoes and sausage so much I could eat them everyday.

But who has time to make a breakfast like this during the busyness of weekday mornings? I love the easy convenience of these Morning Classics breakfasts.

And you can turn it into a filling for an easy breakfast burrito by wrapping it in a tortilla and adding your favorite hot sauces.

You can find Nestle Taster's Choice Coffee, Coffee-mate creamer, and Stouffer's Morning Classics all at your local Walmart.

While you would think you would find the Stouffer's breakfasts in the frozen breakfast food aisle, I found them with all the other Stouffer's items in the lunch and dinner section. Keep your eyes open for them because you don't want miss these great tasting meals.

I know that a big part of #MyGoodLife is sharing meals with the family and friends I love.

Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, or coffee with a friend, good food and beverages add to the enjoyment of life.

It's so easy to let Nestle and Stouffer's help you enjoy a great tasting breakfast without all the work.

How do you enjoy your morning breakfast routine? Do you eat a big breakfast, or do you just drink coffee?

I would love to know!!

#CollectiveBias

Finding The Best Coffee Maker To Help Me Enjoy My Morning Coffee Journey and A Giveaway!!

Like so many coffee lovers, my day starts out with that first cup of freshly brewed coffee. For me, brewing coffee is a special beginning to my day. So I am beyond excited to have just gotten this gorgeous new drip coffee maker from Mr. Coffee®, and it's ability to make my morning coffee taste delicious.

Since I live in the Seattle area, there really is coffee to be found everywhere, and I do my share of buying coffee when I am in the city.

But for me, waking up to a quiet, early morning cup, really is the best way to start my day.

I got my new Mr. Coffee® Optimal Brew™ coffee maker at Walmart, and while I was there, I decided to pick up a bag of coffee to celebrate. Yes, celebrate because I haven't had a new coffee maker in years, and I know this new beauty will be making me great coffee for years to come. For coffee lovers, a new coffee maker is a big deal for sure!!

When you have just bought a fantastic coffee maker, you have to buy some fantastic coffee to go with it.
Millstone® coffee is one of my favorites, and I always love opening a bag, and inhaling that delicious aroma. Especially if it's one of the flavored coffees they offer, like this Hazelnut Cream. It makes a rich and aromatic cup of coffee every time.

Millstone® coffee is available in light roast, medium, medium roast, and dark. Their flavored coffees are lightly roasted to allow the gourmet aromas and flavors to shine.

Love the flavored coffees!

Even though I spend a lot of time on the computer, my day starts with my datebook and that first cup of coffee.

It really is my special alone time, time to think about what I want, what I need to do that day, and catch up on mail, or read a new magazine.

I've been a mom for many, many years, and now I am a grandmother. I finally have time to drink my coffee at a leisurely pace, and it really is enjoyable. The special moments I enjoy with my coffee in the early mornings at my desk, are treasured.

Talking about how much I love coffee wouldn't be complete without talking about my father.

My dad was a Marine, and a gruff man who was busy earning a living for his family. He worked very long hours every day, but on the weekends, he made us pancakes. And every Saturday morning, he let me finish the last half cup of his coffee.

It was sweet with cream and sugar, and the aroma of that half cup is one that I can still recall to this day, some five decades later. That morning coffee was his love, shown to me in a way that he didn't have the words to express.

I also enjoy sharing coffee with my own grown-up kids. Plenty of heartfelt, happy and sad moments have been played out over cups of coffee for us.

The coffee maker aisle at Walmart was loaded with so many different kinds. Since I hadn't shopped for a coffee maker in years, I was surprised to see so many choices.

But I have trusted the Mr. Coffee® brand for decades, and it was actually the brand of my very first coffee maker. So when I saw this new Mr. Coffee® Optimal Brew™, I knew that was the one for me.

It brews 10 cups of coffee, and has a stainless steel vacuum-insulated carafe that keeps your coffee fresh and hot for hours. It also comes with a Brewing Pause 'n Serve feature, Water Filtration, Removable Water Reservoir, Auto Shut-Off, and a Removable Filter Basket.

Of course, it also lets you pre-set it so that you can wake up to freshly brewed coffee whenever you choose.

And see how great it looks!! I have a fondness for stainless steel appliances, so this is one I am proud to display on the counter.

Good looking and hard working are what I look for in kitchen products, and my new Mr. Coffee ®  has both features.

I picked up my bag of Millstone® coffee along with my coffee maker, and couldn't wait to get home to try them out.

Pairing Millstone® coffee with the Mr. Coffee® Optimal Brew™ coffee maker results in a great tasting, rich, aromatic cup of coffee, every single time.

Coffee is such an important part of my life, that I am quite picky about the coffee I use and it's brewing methods.

And I couldn't be more pleased with the results of using these two wonderful products together, for a great coffee experience.
#CollectiveBias

My daily #coffeejourneys are something that are very special to me. I love talking about coffee.

Guess what else I love? I love giveaways!!

So I am super excited to tell you that I am giving away one Mr. Coffee® Optimal Brew™ coffee maker and a bag of Millstone® coffee!!!


Enter in the Rafflecopter below, and one lucky winner will be able to enjoy their own delicious coffee drinking experience.

**Giveaway Has Ended the Winner is:
Entry #307 Cathy K. following on Pinterest


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Disclosure: *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts April 22, 2014 and ends on May 2, 2014 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. This giveaway will be fulfilled by Frugal Family Tree. This is a sponsored giveaway.

Coffee It Forward with Seattle's Best Rubi Coffee Kiosk #shop #Rubi2Go

My day starts like most Moms. I have my to do list, my child and there never seems like there are enough hours in the day to get it all done. On my days off from work I try to get as many things done to be productive with my time. What fuels this tired working and blogging Mom is coffee! I would be a mess without it. Normally I start the day with a cup at home with my husband then I grab another cup of coffee from a drive-thru of some sort. I have tried the cheap convenience coffee and the high end coffee that cost way more than it should as well. I do prefer quality fresh ground coffee so I end up spending more money than I want to and time spent in line at a store or drive-thru.

Recently while shopping at Save Mart I noticed a Coffee Kiosk that was brewing Seattle's Best coffee. I pondered for a bit if coffee from a machine would be good. I can recall from my childhood old brown square shaped machines that black thick gross coffee would come out of and I thought this is 2013 I am sure it has improved! Knowing that Seattle's Best coffee is a high end coffee, I decided to try it.

Moments in the Mornings with Coffee-mate Pumpkin Spice Coffee #loveyourcup #shop

The way to know that the Fall is here in California is not the weather or fashion trends it is the arrival of Pumpkin Spice flavored items in the store. Pumpkin Spice Coffee-mate coffee creamer is one of the first items I buy as soon as I see it in the store. There is no better way to start the day in the Fall than with a cup of coffee flavored with Pumpkin Spice.

Holiday Traditions with Starbucks Holiday Blend Coffee

As a child the holiday season was a magical time in our house. My mom would decorate, my dad would make egg nog and us kids would eat my moms home made fudge as we watched her sort and organize the holiday decor. I would eagerly await the moments my mom would sort the ornaments. I LOVED each and everyone of them. My sister and I would play with the doll ornaments, have the animal candle decor be our pets and even the nut cracker was included in our play time. My mom was sweet to let us gently play with the ornaments while she organized everything for the day we would decorate the tree. I have the sweetest memories of holiday decor organizing. 

Now with my own son we keep the same tradition for the day before the tree arrives. I get out all the decor to sort and organize based on the theme we will have for the holidays. I love looking at each ornament and recall where I got it or who gave it to me. Each of them represent a loved one or cherished memory. To me a Christmas tree is a loving representation of the years lived. Funny ones, cute ones, religious ones and holiday themed ones all decorate my tree. We also get out and clean the other decor like our mini singing tree, the nut cracker, lights and so much more.

This holiday season we are in a new home. I am so excited for a Christmas in the new place and to decorate this year. We are having our annual sort, organize and theme selection day. I brought out the bins of holiday decor and poured a cup of coffee to enjoy while I reminisce over each item.

Each year I look forward to the Starbucks Holiday Blend as a part of our tradition as well. I have been drinking it each year since I moved out of my parents home. My mom started sending the big bag of coffee for me as a Christmas present. The last few year I have been buying it earlier so I can enjoy the whole holiday season.

A sweet treat to go along with holiday decor organizing is a must have item. Some years is cookies or muffins or a chocolate treat. This year we decided to buy cinnamon rolls to compliment the flavors of the Starbucks Holiday blend. I shopped at Sam's Club for my items. I was looking for a display for the Starbucks Holiday blend so I did not have to look all over for one of my favorite Holiday indulgence but did not see it. I went down the coffee aisle and found the Holiday blend next to the other Starbucks roasts. We enjoy the bakery selection Artisan Fresh items that we find there. I did not see the cinnamon rolls up front or on display, they had apple turnovers on a display but not cinnamon rolls. I did see them in the Bakery section near the breads. I even spotted pumpkin muffins and mini cinnamon rolls.

 I love the scent of the coffee! I do not normally drink black coffee but with the Holiday Blend I love the flavors of the roast and want to enjoy them. The complimentary notes for the Starbucks  Holiday Blend are ginger, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange and cloves. The flavor was amazing when I would take a sip of the coffee then a bite of the cinnamon roll then more coffee. The sweetness of the cinnamon roll complimented the bold notes of the coffee. Its a delicious pair for the holidays! #DeliciousPairings

I brew Starbucks at home all year long and I am never disappointed in the flavor. Its just like at a coffee house except I get to be at home nice and warm not out fighting traffic or looking for parking in the bustle of Holiday shopping. If you are looking to add a delicious drink and treat to your holiday traditions Starbucks Holiday Blend and Sam's Club Artisan Fresh Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for cold holiday nights spending time with your family. Even my husband loved it and he can be picky about his holiday treats! He commented on how he could taste the cinnamon in the coffee more after taking a bite of the cinnamon roll first. He asked if I made the cinnamon rolls since they tasted so great, for a moment or two I let him think I did but then told him they were from the Sam's Club bakery.

With the ornaments and decor cleaned and organized we are ready to buy our tree this week. We were inspired by the bag of Starbucks Holiday Blend and have decided to go with gold, green and white as our holiday theme colors. I look forward to the Christmas tree going up, I will be enjoying a cup of coffee and cinnamon rolls as I sit back and marvel in the beauty of it.



*I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric

Happy National Coffee Day!

Hooray! Today is National Coffee Day! We love Coffee in my family. I wanted share with everyone some info on the language of coffee and how to make some drinks.

In honor of National Coffee Day on September 29th, Eight O’Clock Coffee, America’s Original Gourmet Coffee, is demystifying coffee jargon—and explaining how to make a great-tasting specialty coffee drink at home, no fancy machines needed. Behold, your guide to creating a café coffee experience right in your own kitchen, courtesy of Eight O’Clock Coffee!

Latte- Traditionally, this is made using espresso and foamed milk. The milk to coffee ratio is 3:1.

• Make It At Home! Use a strong coffee, like Eight O’Clock Coffee’s Dark Italian Roast, and brew regularly. Pour some milk into a saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk milk as it heats to make it frothy. Pour some of the coffee into a mug, add some hot liquid milk and spoon the foamed milk on top.

Café Mocha- This is simply a latte with some type of chocolate flavor added in.

• Make It At Home! Prepare using the latte instructions. Before adding the coffee and milk, pour 2/3 cup of hot chocolate mix into the bottom of the mug, add coffee and milk and stir until the mix has dissolved.

Café au Lait- Similar to a latte, but usually uses strong brewed coffee instead of espresso and has a 1:1 ratio of coffee to milk.

• Make It At Home! Brew Eight O’Clock Coffee’s Dark Italian Roast, steam the milk and add equal parts milk (add this first) and coffee to your mug.

Cappuccino- Usually made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk.

• Make It At Home! Follow the same instructions as the latte, but pour equal parts coffee and steamed milk into the mug and top with frothed milk. It’s great with cinnamon or chocolate sprinkled on.

Macchiato- A traditional macchiato is a shot of espresso with a bit of milk foam. We usually think of the caramel macchiato, which is very popular at coffee shops in the US.

• Make It At Home! Make a tasty caramel macchiato using Eight O’Clock Coffee Dark Italian Roast. Heat milk in a saucepan and whisk until frothy, add a few pumps of vanilla syrup to your cup of coffee, top with milk froth and drizzle with caramel syrup.

Frappe- A frappe is a cold blended coffee drink with chilled coffee, sugar, milk or cream and ice blended together.

• Make It At Home! All you need is 6-8 ounces of cold coffee (we like Eight O’Clock Coffee Original Blend), 2 Tbsp milk, 3/4 cup crushed or cubed ice and sugar to taste. Combine ingredients in a blender. You can also add 2 Tbsp of your favorite syrup—caramel, chocolate, vanilla—some people even add ice cream to make it thicker. The possibilities are endless, so get creative!

Pumpkin Coffee- Virtually every coffee shop has some kind of limited-time-only pumpkin coffee, a delicious fall flavor.

• Make It At Home! Brew your own pumpkin coffee this fall or any other time of year you feel a craving coming on. Use 2 tsp of pumpkin spice for every 3 Tbsp of Eight O’Clock Coffee Original Blend. Combine the pumpkin spice with the coffee grounds and brew. Sweeten to your desire.

Espresso: A concentrated coffee brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans.

• Make It At Home!  Espresso machines are typically very expensive, but you can come close to the real deal with your regular coffee pot. Choose a dark roast, like Eight O’Clock Coffee’s Dark Italian Roast, and grind the beans as finely as possible. Double the coffee filter, and pack down the coffee grounds into the filter (use 1 tbsp for every 1/4 cup of espresso). It’s a great option that replicates the strong, bold flavor espresso and cappuccino aficionados love.
  

*I was not paid for this information post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others.I was sent samples of coffee.

They're Here.......

Did you see that movie when you were younger?!?! 

So scary back then lol. So ok its not the Poltergeist but the Pumpkin Spice drinks at Starbucks!

This means it really is Fall! The summer is gone and its time to get ready for Halloween and Thanksgiving. 

Yippy!

Have you had a Pumpkin Spice Flavored coffee drink yet?

CA State Fair Red Cup Showdown Competition with Jeff Mauro and Seattle's Best Coffee

Over the weekend I had the most awesome fair experience ever! I had the chance to attend the Seattle's Best Red Cup Showdown Competition. My husband and I go every year to the CA State Fair to celebrate the anniversary of our first date. This year was 14 years since our first date, it was a wonderful and memorable way to celebrate. Our son is only 2 1/2 so my husband and son arrived at the end of the competition, just in time to hear the winners announced. I was there from the beginning. Even having a chance to chat with the adorable Jeff Mauro, the Sandwich King before the event started. He is so personable and funny. A perfect host for a fun competition like the #RedCupShowdown.

The Ribbons for the winners

The event was held in the grandstand of the Cal Expo Horse Track. We have been there a few times to watch the horse races. This was the first time I have attended a food competition. I love to watch the cooking shows on Food Network and of course Sandwich King is one of them. Seeing it in person was awesome. The jokes Jeff told, the stories the contestants shared about the inspiration of their drinks and the smell of coffee in the air made it just about perfect.

The contestants from all over California had 5 minutes to make their drink from brew to final touches. It was exciting to watch the contestants in action. Before the competition started I sat down with a contestant to ask her a few questions about why she was competing and little about her. Her name is Kathleen and is from Sacramento, born and raised. She told me her inspiration story for her Seattle's Best Coffee Red Cup Showdown entry.

Kathleen a contestant I was lucky enough to meet

Here is what Kathleen wrote for the inspiration for her drink:

"Coffee comforts me. Coffee is memories of laughing and sharing with my family, those here and those gone, holidays, and Sunday mornings. Coffee is home and all that that means to me."

Her drink is inspired by Black Cake, a story and recipe that New Yorker Laurie Colwin shared in her book, Home Cooking, A Writer in the Kitchen. Laurie Colwin wrote for the New Yorker and Gourmet magazines about cooking while she cooked and told family stories over a cup of coffee. Kathleen was inspired to recreate the Black Cake in a coffee cup. She named it Orange Spice Brulot, for the burnt sugar ingredient, the translation in French.

This is what Kathleen said Black Cake is and how it tastes:

"Black Cake is a traditional West Indian fruitcake. It is made with burnt sugar, spices, and fruit all soaked in wine and rum. Orange Spice Brulot has the richness of coffee, the mélange of spices, the sweet candied orange, and the infusion of orange scented cream. The result is dark, burnt sugar sweetness with the intensity of a Black Cake."

After having the pleasure of meeting Kathleen I asked her if I could share her recipe with the readers of my blog. The scent of her drink as she made it for the judges filled the air. Its was wonderful!

Here is Kathleen's Recipe for Orange Spice Brulot:

 Ingredients:
1-cup Demerara sugar crystals
2/3 cup boiling water
2 large oranges
1 ¼ cups sugar
6 cloves
4 ½ tablespoons Seattle’s Best Coffee Level 4
3/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1-tablespoon orange zest
½ cup Half and Half
3 cinnamon sticks

Burnt Sugar Syrup:
1-cup Demerara sugar crystals
2/3 cup boiling water
Place sugar in small frying pan and melt on medium heat, stirring constantly until syrup
forms, about 15 minutes. Add boiling water slowly and stir constantly on medium low
until bubbly, brown and foamy, about 15 minutes. Strain into a bowl. Cool.

Candied Orange Peels:
2 large oranges
¾ cups sugar + ½-cup sugar
1 ½ cups water
Zest one tablespoon orange and set aside for infusing Half and Half. Peel remaining
oranges into strips. Boil ½-cup water in saucepan, add peels and cook for one minute.
Drain, rinse peels in cool water and repeat boiling. Place sugar and 1 ½ cups water in
saucepan and bring to boil. Add cooked, drained, orange peels. Lower heat and simmer
for 15 minutes. Remove peels and place on parchment paper to dry for one hour. Place
½ cup sugar in small bowl and dredge peels in sugar. Place on new parchment paper to
dry for 1 hour. Store in container or plastic bag.

Orange Infused Half and Half:
Place 1 tablespoon of orange zest into ½ cup Half and Half. Let infuse overnight. Strain
peels out before using.

Coffee:
For each serving
2 cloves
1 ½ tablespoons Seattle’s Best Coffee Level 4
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Place in filter and brew with 6 oz. boiling water

In coffee cup, 1 teaspoon Burnt Sugar Syrup and 3-4 Candied Orange Peels. Pour coffee
over. Stir until syrup dissolved. Add Orange Infused Half and Half to taste. Garnish
with cinnamon stick.

Savor.

Jeff was great, he talked to all the contestants and made us all laugh

Many levels of Seattle's Best Coffee was used in the recipes from 3 to 5

Hearing the stories from the contestants made the drinks have character. Wish we could have tasted them along with Jeff and the other judges.

This contestant Joanna made super cute chocolate Seattles Best logos from chocolate and little pieces of Red Velvet cake to top her drink. She was also celebrating her birthday, Jeff and the whole audience sang to her. It was great!

After the 3 Rounds of Competitors made their drinks and the judges sampled them, Jeff and the other two judges took a break to go make their decisions. Everyone in the audience had their favorite entries from their stories, mine of course being my new friend Kathleen. Finally they judges came back to announce third, second and first place. I was thrilled when they announced Kathleen had won second place!!! I was so happy for her. The first place winner Liz from Lodi CA was very nervous about her entry, she almost left the competition! Thankfully she stayed and went on with the competition. Her drink was a Caramel Apple Coffee Drink, I thought it sounded perfect for a fair, who does not love a caramel apple at the fair. It just goes to show anyone to not doubt themselves, that we are our own worst critic! It definitely inspired me to realize we have to step outside our comfort zone sometimes to really shine. Congrats Liz, we will be cheering for you to win in New York.

Liz with Jeff after winning, she looks so happy!

Congrats Kathleen on your second place win!

The winners of the #RedCupShowdown in CA with Jeff and the other judges.

My son and I having our picture taken with Jeff Mauro. It was so exciting to meet him after seeing him win the Next Food Network Star and then on his own show Sandwich King.

After the competition my husband, son and I all headed to the Seattle's Best Coffee booth on the fairgrounds. We had the chance to get our picture taken in the Red Cup, spin the Seattle's Best wheel for prizes, taste a few of the Seattle's Best Coffee fair drinks and were given samples of the coffee to brew at home.

All smiles enjoying our day at the CA State Fair. Of all the 14 years we have gone this was the most memorable for me!

Seattle's Best Coffee is delicious and affordable. You can find it at Walmart and often coupons for the coffee in the Sunday paper. If you missed the Seattle's Best Coffee Red Cup Showdown at the CA State Fair, dont worry, Jeff Mauro and the Seattle's Best team will be traveling to more state fairs. There is still time (until July 27th to enter your recipe online at the Seattle's Best Facebook page under the Red Cup Showdown page.

Ohio - July 27 - 29
Wisconsin - Aug. 3 - 5
Illinois - Aug. 9 - 11
Iowa - Aug. 13 - 15


I also took a few video clips of the event. I posted them on the Frugal Family Tree YouTube Channel if you would like to check them out. The second place winner Kathleen is also a blogger if you would like to check out her site at I dine, I whine

*I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Seattle’s Best Coffee #CBias #SocialFabric #RedCupShowdown All opinions are my own and your experience may vary.