Mainely Martha

As we near the end of 2016 I don’t think I am alone in wanting to wash this year from the books. There has been tremendous loss; personal, local, national and global. Then there was the presidential election… regardless of your political affiliation, we all endured the tumultuous campaign, the all-nighter election and now the post-election transition; painful!  Yet as difficult as this year has been, there are choices that you make to help you thru. One of my choices every day is my coffee. To face the day and the challenges it will present, I take it upon myself to be sure I get my coffee. And not just any coffee; I will make time to get my Breaking New Grounds coffee in Portsmouth. I will leave early, skip stopping for gas, drive out of my way, call in to a meeting I may not make it to in time, or just plain be late; if I have to face the day, I will face it having had a great cup of coffee. And while this is not meant to be the highlight of the day, it will give me a positive note to kick the day off and prepare to what is in my wake.

Food and drinks can make or break a day or event. When you go out for dinner and you forget to specify the vodka you would like in your drink…ruined! That drink can enhance or destroy your whole dining experience. And not only in your cocktail, but in your food. If you are making vodka sauce for example,  which I am tonight, I use my favorite vodka. Some may buy cheap liquor for cooking or baking, but I truly standby the idea that it is a key ingredient and should be the best or it can ruin your recipe just as it does your cocktail. My mother made an intoxicating rum cake (no pun intended) and she used top shelf rum, not the cheap stuff…and the quality does present itself in your first bite. Unfortunately, I do not have her recipe…yet another loss of this year;  my sister and I have been working from memory to re-create it. So stay tuned; once we nail it down, I will be sure to share it. But in the meantime, please don’t skimp on your ingredients when cooking…the food can help create and enhance such great memories.

So as I gladly bid farewell to 2016, there is the realization that with every end comes a new beginning and I relish in the hopefulness for what will come in 2017 and ready to face it head-on, but first…coffee.