Tag Archives: coffee

Flip Flops On The Rocks

Coffee Monday

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This weekend I took the time to rethink the homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte and, based on this recipe, I think I found the method and ingredients that work for me.

I hope you’ll enjoy it, too!

The first time I attempted this, I used 1 cup of coconut almond milk for the pumpkin mixture. I LOVE this stuff, but for some reason my coffee wasn’t creamy enough…I make our coffee strong and like it on the lighter brown side once I add my creamer. With the coconut almond milk in the pumpkin mixture, it was still way too dark and I didn’t particularly care for the flavor. {I will continue to use the coconut almond milk in my smoothies and on cereal/oatmeal, however, just not in my coffee}

: Perfected {in my opinion} DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte :

1 cup whole or 2% milk {I used whole since that’s all we had on hand}

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

Couple dashes of pumpkin pie spice

Mix until blended and heat slightly in the microwave. Add 1 tbsp brown sugar to the bottom of a mug and fill with freshly brewed coffee. Top with half the warmed pumpkin milk mixture and add whip cream and cinnamon for a special treat!

Makes 2 servings.

This won’t be something that I do every morning, but is a nice addition to a slow-moving autumn weekend morning.

*****

Annnnnd, since we are not quite experiencing the Fall temps here in So Cal yet, here is an easy iced version for an afternoon pick-me-up and a great way to use leftover coffee.

{just place your extra coffee from the morning in the fridge so it’s nice and cold when you need it}

: Pumpkin Hazelnut Iced Coffee :

Heaping tbsp pumpkin puree

Splash milk

Splash hazelnut creamer

Leftover cold coffee from your fridge

Lots of ice

Whisk pumpkin, milk and creamer together in a small mug or bowl. It may seem a little thick, but will be fine once you add the coffee and ice. Fill tall glass with ice, pour in pumpkin hazelnut creamer and then fill with iced coffee to the top of the glass. Stir well and sweeten, if needed. I just used the whipped cream as my sweetener! Don’t forget to add a little sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon to your whipped cream.

It is Monday, so turn it around and make a hot or iced version of this Fall fave.

Enjoy!

XO

Flip Flops On The Rocks

Bypass The Big Green Circle

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Want to save some money when it comes to your Starbucks/CBTL/Peet’s/etc. addiction?

Sure you do.

Want some strong, cold, iced coffee waiting for you in your ‘fridge every morning?

You absolutely do.

Cute Julie passed along this method via {a bit of sunshine}.

: Cold Brewed Iced Coffee :

Super easy. Super yum.

You will need:

French Press

3/4 cup ground coffee {I use French roast}

3 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp extract of choice {vanilla, almond, coconut ~ I’ve used all three and they’re all excellent!}

Cinnamon, optional

3 cups water

*****

Take your french press and add your brown sugar, extract and a couple shakes of cinnamon if you desire. Add in your 3/4 cup coffee and 3 cups water.

 Place into ‘fridge overnight.

In the morning {or for an afternoon pick-me-up} just press down the grounds and pour half the press into a tall glass with lots of ice. No need to add sugar, just your favorite creamer or a splash of milk!

{I get two servings out of one press}

Pop it into your cup holder and carry on with your day!

Be sure and give a little honk or a wave at your local Starbucks as you drive past!

{I’m not telling you to boycott your fave coffee establishments, just letting you know you can save a little green here and there when it comes to caffeinating yourself!}

Note: I enjoy the almond the most. Almond extract is easy to find, but it comes in itty bitty bottles. To remedy that, just run to your nearest Smart & Final and pick up a 16 ounce bad boy for less than 6 bucks…

Enjoy.

Funnies

Wake-Up Call

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8:10am.

Wal-mart.

Last year’s Easter jammies covered in black raspberry preserves from this morning’s toast.

Outer space socks.

Soccer cleats.

Imagine what a wake-up call it was at 5:40am when I remembered we were out of coffee.

Dunkin’ Donuts.

Cinnamon Vanilla La Creme.

An impromptu 68¢ {zero calorie} Cherry Limeade.

And I paid with my free $5 promo gift card.

That’s how I’m rollin’ this morning.

Bring on Friday the 13th!

 

Flip Flops On The Rocks

I Succombed

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It’s not that obnoxious, is it?

This is the new {trenta} size from ‘Bucks.

Only the iced teas, iced tea lemonades and iced coffees come in this 31 ounce size.

I always get extra, extra ice so for me this equates to a grande, really.

So, no you cannot order a trenta caramel macchiato with a bazillion and five calories.

Now that would be obnoxious.

Flip Flops On The Rocks, Friends

Passing Through

Our friends {and neighbors} from our old ‘hood in Nor Cal passed through Santa Clarita on their way to San Diego this morning.

They’re coffeeholics like us and we always meet for a cuppa Joe before they hit the road…

Today we changed it up a bit and met at Peet’s instead of ‘Bucks.

I was reunited with a drink that I’d like to think I {invented}, but could be totally wrong…the only reason I say that is because every time I order it they say, “Oooh, that sounds good!”

It’s an Almond White Mocha.

Starbucks no longer has the almond syrup, but Peet’s does!

It was bbbbrrrrr {42*} this morning when we set out…I know, I know…So Cal girl talkin’ here…

My AWM hit the spot.

I also LOVE the Almond Mocha Joy from Seattle’s Best. They use both almond & coconut syrups. YUM!

Might I suggest this beverage if you’re an almond & coconut lover like me.

Now to track these down so I can make them at home…

{via}

*****

I hope your Wednesday is full of mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolates or whatever it is that gets you through the day!

Enjoy!

Family, Food, Frugal Finds

Sleepless In SCV

Last night I was up 5, f-i-v-e, cinco, cinq, cinque, one, two, three, four, FIVE times!

All because Holden fed Riggs, our Border Collie, this:

Ugh! Don’t feed your dogs high fiber bran cereal people!

This is where Riggs will be ALL day:

This is what I will be drinking ALL day:

Maybe with one of these on the side:

That was rough!

But now to get Elliott to school for her Valentine’s Party…

and maybe swing by the Starbucks drive-thru on the way!

P.S. The Parisian Almond Créme you see above is my NEW favorite! If you love almond (yes, please!), try this…pour it in your coffee, sit back, close your eyes and imagine yourself strolling through the streets of Paris…that’s what I do.

Have a caffeine charged Thursday!

Au revoir.