Monday, December 13, 2021

T Stands for Tuesday Book and Coffee

   Another Tuesday is upon us-Wow we are almost at mid December already. You are welcome to join us for T with our hostess Bleubeard and Elizabeth-link in my sidebar. Just show a  drink related photo.

 This past week seems like I have been busy-but not sure what I have really accomplished to share. haha I have been bouncing around with different projects.

  I did finish the book The Rise of Wolf 8 by Rick Mcintyre. So far this is a three book series of the author's observations with the Yellowstone wolf project. I found it very interesting and would recommend if you enjoy knowing about wolf family behavior.  I am going to take a break from this series and will read a book that was gifted to me from one of my slow mail and blog friends: O Rugged Land of Gold by Martha Martin-a true story living in Alaska The Foreword says it is a book about Spirit-I am anxious to get more into this one.


I have not done any Holiday baking or candy making as of yet. Have you?  We don't really have anyone to share these goodies with anymore so I am not going to bake too much. I will start this week to make up a few things for us.

   I love cut out cookies so will do gingerbread for sure and perhaps the sugar cookie cut outs as well.  I make peanut brittle and give that away to one of our workers-whom we haven't seen since early summer but I am sure he will check in.😀      I may play around with walnuts or pecan brittle too.

I did break down and buy a quart of eggnog-it was an off brand but was mostly natural ingredients, So have been enjoying a glass of that in the evenings.

  My drink share is my decaf coffee with half and half in this pretty Harley mug. Larry dug it out of the cupboard one day, it looked like Christmas with all the gold on it-which is not showing up well, so I snagged it the next day (smiles)


Do you grind your own coffee??  I have always searched for quality coffee beans and then grind up a container full. Over the years that we have been married in the past I had joined Gevalia coffee club. They always gave away really nice ceramic coffee containers-shown in photo-and also coffee makers. One year I even got a ceramic pour over coffee pot set up. We like the dark roast European style coffees and they had allot of those.  


Now I just look for quality coffees mostly online. This one was at Sam's Club and was such a bargain price wise-and it smelled really good too Last time I went to order they no longer carried this one, but I found two other brands for Larry to try


Gevalia even sent along this coffee measuring spoon one year


I wanted to share a photo of this tea bag after dried-I had shared this tea last week. As you see, these dry with lots of art possibilities


and I did treat myself to a few items from Crayola online. Around this time they have a very good sale So if I want something that is when I pick it up. Thought these would be nice for journal pages-as the few gel pens I have left have all dried up on me and are no good now.


I picked up this adult coloring book from Crayola too-I think I will enjoy this one
  I am not the greatest with coloring but I thought it might help me with colors for when I try painting again


This is a photo of what colors are included in each set


Years ago when my husband bought a very antique ladies desk for me, we also ran into two of these ink pots-Now I can finally use them.  I picked up the nib and this pen on Etsy-the pen was handmade


  I have been playing with calligraphy the last several days-this will take much patience on my part for sure. I have tried different things-I have the feather dip pen, then I found the two pilot parallel pens I had forgotten that I picked up last year. Even after watching videos online I am not doing well with the pilots at all-switching from the thin edge to the thicker side of the pen is not going well. I have given up on those for now.  

  Yesterday and today I set up my oblique dip calligraphy pen (in photo) and have been watching a lesson on Craftsy - Calligraphy 101   I love the feel of this pen allot but so far having trouble going from thin lines to thick The strokes are all mostly thick sigh.  So I am taking a break and will go back to it soon.  I know from reading and listening that I need less pressure for thin strokes but when I go to thick and back to thin-I can't get the thin line again.  The Craftsy class suggested to buy a zebra G nib to start--CJ if you lived closer I would pop over to you for a quick tutorial-hugs

I don't have a new sky photo to share so I am sharing one my favorites that was mostly purple from last month.  This one inspires me to try again at watercolor painting.


Happy T and new week everyone.



47 comments:

  1. Glad you finished your book. I hope it met your expectations.

    I haven't baked at all this winter, but hope to try making some cookies to give to my friends and neighbors. I haven't made cookies in years, so will need to buy practically everything except butter.

    I haven't found egg nog in the stores this year, or I should say Scott hasn't since he does all my grocery shopping. I love it, too and can't wait to find some this year.

    I grind every pot of coffee I make right before I make it. I never grind my beans ahead of time, so everything is as fresh as possible, You are really lucky to have that scoop. BTW, i have three grinders, but use one for nothing but coffee beans and one for grinding spices that I buy in bulk.

    I have several friends who love those adult coloring books. I even bought them for my friends one year at Christmas. Even though I hate them (no grip in my hands), most people find them relaxing. That new calligraphy pen is beautiful. I bet CJ is going to like it.

    Thanks for sharing your Harley mug and decaf coffee with us for T this week, dear Kathy.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth, Years and years ago I always ground the coffee fresh for each pot of coffee-Now I grind one cannister full and the coffee seems to still taste pretty good.
      That is so nice that your friend Scot shops for you. since covid I have been getting up early so I can be at the store during the first hour of them opening up-very few people in the grocery store then.
      I am looking forward to playing with this new coloring book and yes the wolf book was excellent reading for me I loved it Happy T hugs

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  2. Although I bake several(usually) times a week , I have yet to bake holiday cookies and such,. Like you, we no longer have many people to give to and so I make fewer variations and less batches.
    Your books sound really interesting- especially the one about the wolves.
    How great to get a good bargain on new supplies- it's one thing I do enjoy watching for too:) Lots of colorful fun you will have.
    I do have a small coffee grinder and will use it for the flavored coffee my hubby like so much as that I buy in bean form.
    Lovely skyline to end your post. Happy T day!

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    1. I like to bake too, I am thinking of making more of the pumpkin bread it was really good and froze well too. I really am enjoying reading about the Yellowstone wolves-but there are parts of the stories that will break your heart for sure.
      now is a good time to find on sales on art supplies too. Happy T

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  3. I just started some baking this past weekend as my husband was asking for cookies. I get exactly what you mean about holding off and waiting a bit longer to start baking. I remember learning some calligraphy in high school art. Keep at it. It will come to you. And that books sounds good. Hope you share your baking with us next week. Have a wonderful T day and week ahead. Hugs-Erika

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  4. We never tried the coffee club coffee like Gevalia, but we've been trying various types of coffee and numerous coffee makers over the years. At the moment we grind the beans for each pot of coffee, and use a French Press. We buy the beans from a local roasting company.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. I really enjoy the French press too I use it allot for my decaf coffees (my body does not do well with caffeine) It's fun to try out different coffees and teas I go for organic, or small company roasted coffees too when I can

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  5. The Yellowstone wolves - I did see and hear them several times on our trips to Yellowstone. They always awe me. I have a book about the Sawtooth wolves and also saw two documentaries about them, fascinating.
    I haven't baked this year so far and I doubt I will. Maybe a cookie that my MIL gave me the recipe for, it uses a lot of marzipan and is delicious. Since my daughter is no longer living with us, baking cookies is not really fun anymore (we used to do it together). I'm not much of a cookie eater anyway, but give me some chocolate!
    Beautiful pen - I still have the fountain pen that I bought 30 years ago or so, and I still write with it. In Germany, every school child learns in elementary school how to write with a fountain pen.

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    1. I think that is a good thing to learn some basics like the fountain pen. I love listening to the wolves their voices are just so uplifting I do love to bake, but we just don't need allot of baked goods for the two of us so I bake up what I enjoy which is usually stamped cookies or cut outs

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  6. Oh, about the coffee. A friend of mine who goes to Hawai'i every year always brings me several bags of peaberry coffee beans. We grind them right before brewing the coffee. It is such a delicious coffee.

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    1. I love the kona coffee that comes from Hawaii but it is really pricey so I don't usually have any

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  7. I have been craving something sweet all day. I don’t even have a marshmallow in the house. Your ideas for cookies sound good! Who can resist freshly ground coffee in a festive mug. I used to dream of learning calligraphy but gave up on it a long time ago. I can just see your beautiful sky picture done in watercolors! Hugs and happy reading!

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    1. oh bummer I do have marshmallows-even some organic ones that are really good. I know the calligraphy is so pretty, if nothing else happens I hope to improve my penmanship

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  8. Sugar cookies would be yummy and lovelies. I am thinking to start physical journaling, i tried with crayon, now I know at least few gel pen would be easy thank you. Have a great day.

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    1. Hi, enjoy your journaling-I have fun had fun with it-I am mostly a fiber artist but I have enjoyed the mixed media allot

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  9. I probably really should read that book as wolves come back to (so far only East) Germany!

    Gingerbread. Hm. Will (maybe? Is that very sweet?) try this. So far I only know gummy-bear-ginger-bread men.

    A Harley Mug!!! Our Moped would be pleased (if she was still with us, we sold her).
    Yes, Ingo likes Henrý coffee freshly grinded - the German word is malen, which also stands for painting, LOL.

    HA!!!! Abd what do I find in your next pic?! Henry´s cousin!
    Think I´ll try tea-art.

    Uh-oh. Ingo will not look at your post! Other all the ink comes out again! LOL. And all the pens, too! Oh, when he was in hospital far(er) away he wrote me letters with green, blue, red, yellow etc ink... must look where I kept those!

    Beautiful last pic. - a happy T-day to you!

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    1. Good morning Iris, oh Wow looking at the tea bag it does look like a lion he is lying down and his head looking at us-fun
      gingerbread is not too sweet. that is so sweet Ingo wrote you letters from the hospital Happy T wishes

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  10. Lovely T post Kathy! You got some great new goodies. I did, too, I will show them next week, it's fun having new goodies, isn't it? A lot of my pens were dried up, too. Enjoy the coffee! Hugs, Valerie

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  11. The book sounds interesting, your coffee adventures and process sound fab, and I love that tea bag. I have ground my own coffee before but hubby is addicted to bad coffee so that is what we drink (strange but true - lol). No baking this year for me - not enough time. I think I am going to do a bread pudding made with old donuts since we are doing a Cajun Christmas this year (we pick a different theme each year). YOur new goodies look fun, Kathy. Happy T-day and many hugz!

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    1. I can relate some people, especially if they drink coffee out allot too just love Mawwell or Folgers-we could handle a dark roast of Folgers a little but not Mawell at all too bitter
      I love that you choose a them for Christmas foods-sounds fun. Happy T wishes

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  12. I haven't started any baking yet. Waiting to hear from the Eldest to see if there's anything special she would like when she comes for a visit. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do love the smell of freshly ground coffee beans. One of my happy memories was when my parents shopped at the A & P. You could get their 8 O'Clock coffee freshly ground. While my parents shopped, I liked hanging out by the grinder huffing the beans. Calligraphy takes practice and lots of patience. Have fun and Happy T Day!

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    1. Good morning, I never liked coffee but when I reached 21 I decided I was a grown up and needed to learn to like it haha My parents never drank good quality coffee either. I remember that at the A & P stores-thanks for the memories.
      I figured I was being too hard on myself-kept thinking something was wrong with the nib that it wasn't closing back up after the thick line-but figured it's me I will keep practicing

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  13. No Christmas baking for me. Love that you have time to read. Crayola has come a long way hasn't it? Very nice pen and lovely photo. Have a great day today.

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    1. Hi, I take the time to read in the evenings I used to always think reading took up to much of my time so I don't read at all during the day. Yes Crayola has some very nice products. thank you about my pen it is so comfortable to hold to-now just lots of practice with the thick and thin strokes

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  14. I've always admired calligraphy but never attempted it. I do still use a very old fountain pen when writing notes to mail to friends. Baking is limited here as there are only 2 of us and one of us (blush) will eat more than needed. One wouldn't want that cake to get stale would one?

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    1. haha we really limit our sweets now too, and it's always been just the 2 of us but I used to gift allot of Christmas homemade baked items, but since moving a couple times we just don't have too many close by friends any more

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  15. I haven't baked yet and won't do much. A cake and maybe a pie, and my husband usually makes some cookies.

    We did the Gevalia "thing" for a while back in the day. Great coffee! Now we look for local coffees, but our favorite is Peet's Italian roast which isn't local at all.

    What a lovely ink well. Happy T Tuesday

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    1. I always loved making Christmas cookies and there are sooo many to choose from to I look for local coffees too when I can, I just ordered a bag of Peets for Larry from Sams club
      thanks for noticing the ink well-I always loved these-there is two of them that sit in a wooden piece but I don't think that came with these ink wells. the top is silver too Happy T

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  16. The Z nib is very flexible but that might be too hard to control if you are just starting out. I like your oblique pen, I don't need one because I am left handed and can right that way anyway, but they are good for right handers. Years ago, one of my tutors taught us calligraphy using two pencils wrapped together in a rubber band. He said that was the best way to practice and understand how to make the difference thick and thin lines. Try that and see if that makes any difference to you. :) Happy International T Day! Elle/EOTC xx

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    1. thank you so much for the tip I just read too that the z nib was hard for a beginner-wondering why this beginner class suggested that one. I like the two pencil idea thanks again

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    2. I guess because the Z nib is very flexible but it is really hard to control. Hope you get on ok with the two pencil idea :)

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    3. Hi thanks for replying I couldn't figure out the 2 pencil practice technique-I am finally getting the hang of thick and thin with my pen though

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  17. Before you know it, you'll be making gorgeous letters.

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    1. Once I can figure out the pressure of thin and thick lines it will be good so far not working well

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  18. I've not hear of the Martha Martin book you mentioned. But I googled it and it sounds amazing. Let us know what you think (It's out of print)
    My hubby grinds his own coffee, that said he has a 'grind and brew' machine. But it sure smells delicious.
    Keep persisting with your calligraphy. I learnt to write with a nib and pen and I remember that pressing too hard just bent the pen. The trick is to push hard enough that the two parts separate slightly and then release pressure so that the two parts come together again. That's how you get the thick/thin idea. Don't give up. It's an art like many other things are.
    Happy T-Day,
    Hugs,
    Lisca

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    1. oh wow I didn't know this book was out of print. My friend had read it and knew I would like it too so she sent me the book. will let you know about the book-it does sound amazing
      thanks so much for the tips with the pen I seem to have trouble after thick going to the thin line right afterwards-I just ordered a different brand of nibs to see if it makes a difference-thought maybe not closing properly hugs

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  19. I got the tree up but not decorated yet. I haven't started baking yet. I am just trying to get the rest of the Christmas cards made and mailed out. I mailed the last of the packages today. My husband put together a Christmas mix, so that is done. I have a coffee grinder like yours but haven't used it in years. I just came across it the other day! That vanilla nut tea looks and sounds good to me. Have a great week.

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    1. sounds like you have a good start with the Christmas festivities This is a good brand of teas you have a good week too

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  20. Kathy your Christmas baking sounds like me...with just hubby and I and my brother and his wife there is just not much need. I will try to get some done for gifts to our neighbors but even so won't be many kinds. Used to bake Christmas cookies and sell trays many "moons" ago. I think it would be wonderful to take a calligraphy workshop. Watching someone really helps. Loved your last post on kindness. Do you think of each of us practice it the world would become kinder too😊 Hugs!

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  21. Good morning Debbie, I am going start doing a little baking today its not christmas without a few cookies smiles--and for us I use keto sweeteners, coconut oil etc. I have been watching videos for the calligraphy getting a bit better, that would be awesome wouldn't it-being kind to each other hugs

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  22. Thanks for the recommendation on the Yellowstone wolf project books. I will look that up. We buy whole bean coffee and grind up before making it. The antique ink pot is beautiful. I am sure with time and practice your Calligraphy will look wonderful. Enjoy!!

    -Soma

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    1. I have really enjoyed the books I have read so far on the wolf project-it can also be sad too. thank you I really love this antique ink pot I have two of them-yes I am being patient with myself to learn how happy weekend

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  23. I must say I haven't done a lot of cooking or baking this year...in lock down we made chutney...still got some! Hubby's the rea; cook in our house He makes the best chocolate chip brownies! I used to ground coffee, because I loved the smell, but it was always too strong, I just wished it tasted like it smelt! Sorry I'm soooo late for T for Tuesday! Stay Safe!
    (Lyn)

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    1. No worries-online no one is ever late-
      sometimes depending on the coffee I put less scoops of coffee in then they say to and that helps it not to be too strong.
      I like to bake and cook so I am usually baking something for us.
      Happy rest of the weekend-hugs

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