I wasn't expecting to light a fire in July, but I had to find a way to ward off these blues that were slowly seeping in, and an afternoon by the fire with a cup of coffee was a great and mindful way to find my zen. Seeing the spatter of raindrops on the window, and the trees blowing in the wind, makes the heat from the hot flames feel like moments in heaven.
Today I was craving a strong coffee, a rich, thick brew, so I opted for my Moka pot which is quick and perfect for a rainy day coffee treat by the fire.
I particularly like this multi-fuel burner, for its dual function of keeping my kettle hot for longer without reheating the water, which is a good energy-saving hack.
On days when I have tea, it's also great for me to make a pot of tea which stays hot and it helps me to use my tea bags sparingly without waste.
Avocados smoked sausage and poached egg; Perfect with my coffee.
Nothing over the top, but tasty and healthy enough.
Being conscious of our daily habits, whether it's financially, environmentally, or our emotional well-being, pays off in the long run and helps to reduce manic stress. So creating a pleasant atmosphere, sourcing good quality coffee, at a reasonable price, and in my case, using wood that has been dried for over a year in the wood burner makes me feel like I'm living responsibly and conscientiously.
I find the smell of the fire enhances the ambience and has a soothing effect on my mind, and I remain mindful in the moment observing the mixture of natural elements which seem to be unfolding in harmony. There's water (raindrops), fire, and wood which I keep topping up to keep the flames ablaze.
It's a funny old world; As a child growing up in Jamaica, I would see fireplaces on TV and think oh that's so cosy and atmospheric, and thought I'd like to experience that one day. Well, I guess I'm living that dream.
Still, I watch the time on my watch as the natural light can be misleading, and I make sure not to go overboard with my coffee intake. So besides drinking coffee and watching the rain, I'm enjoying browsing and curating some wonderful content that keeps me in a positive frame of mind.
I don't take cream with my coffee and lately, I've realised that I do not drink milk or have many dairy products in my diet. However, a small portion of natural or Greek yoghurt with strawberries is a lovely round-off for my afternoon coffee breaks. The strawberries are noticeably sweet though, but it's summer after all. It might be psychological, but the vibrant red helps to lift my mood and I think the probiotics from the yoghurt is a great way to balance the acidity of coffee on my stomach, which prevents any form of discomfort.
These are just some fun pleasant efforts that I make to enhance dull days, as I'm not one to wallow in misery:)
I hope that you're having glorious weather and a lovely weekend, wherever in the world you are.
Thanks for stopping by Peeps.
All images were captured by me:)))