It’s early! The best time of day for me. I like to get up before the sun so that I can catch the rays rising in glorious shades of lemon and gold over the garden. I like to turn this time into coffee hour and savour the taste of a fresh brew while my house is still quiet; before the day’s rush begins.
The garden is a restful delight and the view over a steaming cup of Joe is invigorating. It gives me fortitude (which I damn we’ll need) to face the working hours. (Somebody’s gotta do it, right?) I write most of the day for various publications; that’s work so I often procrastinate (I lie, I always procrastinate) and I write something for myself (for Hive) with an aromatic coffee, a muffin (or croissant) and sometimes (I lie, always) a cigarette in hand.
My coffee has to be just right (I’m ridiculously fussy). I usually grind my beans, but sometimes (I’m lazy) I use ready-ground. Today is one of those lazy days. I boil up the singing kettle and enjoy its whistle (I know, I’m childish). Then I wait a few moments for the water to cool and then pour. The aroma wafts and for a moment all cares and worries drift off on a cloud of anticipation; coffee comes into focus and blurs everything else away.
I don’t eat much during the day so I’m prone to bake up a batch of muffins, fresh rolls or vegan croissants to enjoy with my cuppa. This morning it’s “cheese” muffins with non-dairy, vegan cheese. (I’m planning to post the recipe in plantpoweronhive) I get a kick out of the kitchen warming to the perfume of fresh baking while I brew my coffee. It's a sublime pleasure.
Finally, I sit, quietly drinking in the sunshine (generally, in South Africa you’ve got to wait for the sun to have light. Hehe, we’re very short on electricity these days) and enjoy my coffee “experience” while I’m still in PJs (don’t judge my PJ selfie, okay!). It’s a ritual, an indulgence and a necessity.
My Yorkie enjoying a vegan muffin (Don’t tell!)
All pictures are my own shot with my iPad and manipulated using Art Studio
