Me time, tea time? No, COFFEE TIME

Tuesday, Jan 8

I had a good week last week, and so I knew to brace myself coming into this week. I am just not that lucky that I can expect two back-to-back good weeks.

And, so far, this week has not disappointed.

Investor meetings scheduled for next week have suddenly been pushed up 7 days. Software changes which were working, no longer do AND now the key developers are sick. Really?!

And that was just Monday. Tuesday, I don’t want even want to get into it.

It’s days like this when I know I need little perspective, a little time to step back and look at my life around me. Some me time.

As if on cue, my wife comes home. She looks me in the eye. “Here”, she says handing a package to me. “You need this”. Then with a peck on my cheek she turns her attention to the children.

I look at the package – it’s a care package. “Where did you get this,” I ask?

Delicious Pairings Display at Walmart

“I saw it at the Wal-Mart in Jewett City, CT. The Delicious Pairings display,” she says. “I knew these would be there, but I could not find them at first. The Wal-Mart staff was very helpful, though, and took me to the display.”

Cream Cheese or Turtle?

Inside there is a bag of Starbucks Verona and Walmart Cheesecake Brownies (Walmart makes great pastries!).

I look at the package again. Perfect, I think. She knows I am a big fan of Starbucks, especially when I travel.

The Starbuck’s logo beckons with the promise of a bright day, and the cheesecake brownies are deep and rich in color. Truly inviting.

Delicious Pairing Paired

Wed Jan 9

Up early, drive to Boston for the meeting. Return home, and immediately get onto the first of two consecutive teleconferences. Urghhh! And, then, 2pm rolls around, and I smile, time for My #DeliciousPairings!

The Verona coffee brews dark and rich. The aroma fills the kitchen – is that a hint of cocoa? Ahhh….

The Caffe Verona Brews

I add a little heavy whipping cream (yes, you heard me – real cream, heavy whipping cream) to the coffee. This is a dark blend, and I can tell it needs to be mellowed just a tad for my taste. I take one of the cheesecake brownies out of the package. Heavy in the hand, I know this is going to hit the spot.

Delicious Pairings Beckon

I sit down with the coffee and brownie, look out over our snow-covered back yard, and take my first sip.

Me time!

The hot coffee is sharp on my pallete, bold & roasty, with a slight acidity and coffee bitterness that is wonderfully balanced by the sweetness of the chocolate and the more neutral cream cheese.

A smile comes to my face – yes, this is a perfect blend of flavors. Sip, bite, enjoy – and do it again!

Full Disclosure: My wife and I are members 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, but I gotta tell you, these opinions are all my own!