Taking the "Bucks" Out of Starbucks by Weezilou

Taking the "Bucks" Out of Starbucks

There isn't a morning under this roof that doesn't begin without coffee. Like so many, Ken and I love Starbucks and, back in California, he'd bring home cappuccino at the start of each morning, but oh! the hefty price tag when you consider we'd frequent the place several times a day. We made the decision to get a nice cappuccino maker, buy the Starbucks espresso beans, and Ken learned to make wonderful coffees. It's our routine to start each day together over one...then two...cappuccinos. It's our time to plan the day and even what we want to fix for dinner. I love that quiet hour, just the two of us.

This morning it struck me that my daily photos should include a note of appreciation for Ken and this time we share daily. And that nice red cappuccino maker, a gift from some pretty special neighbours, deserves a nod of appreciation, too, for working overtime!
I love this shot of Ken! Both of you always look so happy, and that makes me smile. You hear so many stories of couples who aren't happy together, so I think it's truly something special when you find the ones that are. I love your morning ritual of sitting down together and planning out your day over cappuccinos.
August 25th, 2010  
Looks like good coffee. I only drink coffee at work since my wife can not stand the smell. When do you return to CA?
August 25th, 2010  
I agree with Melissa - seems like you two have always such good time together :)
August 25th, 2010  
maybe there is a little something else in the cappuccino bringing those smiles! just kidding louise!
August 25th, 2010  
That looks like a lovely cup of coffee! I have a BUNN coffee-maker - one of the best cups of non-espresso coffee I've ever had - keeps the water hot, so it can brew quickly - 3-5 min for a full pot! It was a splurge... as I'm the only one in the house who drinks coffee. I would love to have an espresso machine, but I am not sure it would be worth the expense since I would probably only use it 2-3 times a week... anyway, yours is lovely, and how nice to have a husband who will make you a great cup of coffee, and then share it with you :) My husband has learned to make me a great pot of coffee, and anytime he does I really appreciate it < 3
August 25th, 2010  
Being an official Barista, I must give Ken at least 10 stars...the foam is PERFECT...nice photos...enjoy!
August 25th, 2010  
Where DID you FIND this man, Louise? Ken, watch out that someone doesn't sneak up behind you one day and try to scrape a cell or two off for some cloning. You are quite a catch. Combined with the Louise's talents...you two have the makings for running one of the most successful bed & breakfasts in history! :-)
August 25th, 2010  
now that's a lovely way to start your day!
August 25th, 2010  
haha! love your title!
August 25th, 2010  
So nice to hear how you appreciate your husband and your early morning ritual! Here's to you Ken!
August 25th, 2010  
It's a great photo Louise, and I apprecaite your comments. It seems like the two of you enjoy each others company, and I am so happy that you share so many of your daily excursions with us. I look forward to the time my Wife and I can share more time together. It's getting closer and so much looking forward to some time to do things together.
August 25th, 2010  
What a gorgeous shade of red. I am not a coffee drinker but i do love my morning ritual with tea.
August 25th, 2010  
what a sweet tribute--and what a lovely way to start the day! you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home for that!!
great shot of your man, and i love that fiery red cappuccino maker!!
August 25th, 2010  
Isn't life after work grand? It takes one of us longer to wake up than the other…so I write my blog, visit 365, and walk my 2 miles on my treadmill, then we have our morning meeting! Looks like your day progresses the same. Life is good – coffee just makes it better. Great shot - maybe a cappuccino machine is in our future.
August 25th, 2010  
what time is coffee in the morning. ;-) this is so sweet ...
love the red elixir concoctor - a tonic for every ailment.
August 25th, 2010  
ty louise...i hadn't noticed it was 200. seems like a 1,000 some times!
August 25th, 2010  
Coffee...the other food group! By his happy expression, it's easy to see that Ken really enjoys making that morning cup of heaven!
August 25th, 2010  
What a great photo of Ken! I swear that you two must be the happiest people on the planet. I'm so glad you got the card. I ask Heather if you had gotten it yet because I was worried about the post office that I mailed it from...very strange little place. I just might have to take a photo of it one day...lol.
August 25th, 2010  
So sweet! And a lovely picture too.
August 25th, 2010  
great pic
August 25th, 2010  
what a SMILE! i love this!
August 25th, 2010  
mmmmmm coffee. Ken looks like a fine barista! Nice tribute to him
August 25th, 2010  
Boy, oh boy ... he makes coffee, too?!!? What a special guy! I love the idea of you two quietly planning your days over cappuccino!
August 25th, 2010  
That is a beautiful red espresso machine, and how lovely that you have this daily ritual! Very nice picture of Ken!
August 25th, 2010  
Ohhhhhh! That looks soooo good.
Reminds me I must make one for myself right now!
Great shot of Ken. Good man for making the coffee each day & love the machine - :D
August 25th, 2010  
Lovely shot of Ken. I have a Nespresso machine that uses pods. The one George Clooney advertises. I pretend my husband is George :)
August 25th, 2010  
I love it! I can really feel the warmth of your love for each other in this shot. Great cap machine - I love red appliances.
August 25th, 2010  
Louise that sounds like such a wonderful way to spend your mornings! I am growing more and more jealous of your guys life the more I learn. :)

By the way since you seem to really enjoy seeing pictures and hearing about my travels, I thought I would let you know my wife and I keep up a blog documenting our adventures at http://harveysde.blogspot.com/ there should be a post on our luxembourg trip in a week or so. Cheers, Steve.
August 25th, 2010  
what a great way to start the day, looks like you have made a good job of training Ken to make a perfect mug of coffee in your Red.. coffee maker, for the theme, Many thank's for the birthday greeting'.
August 25th, 2010  
Coffee looks and smells soooo nice it's a bit like the smell of fresh bread in your home if you get what I mean, it's just a big shame to mr that I only like the taste when I'm pregnant and 3 kids is enough for me. Nice to see such a happy couple
August 25th, 2010  
Like Cheryl I noticed the foam too. That's talent that my local barista could learn from!
August 25th, 2010  
Nothing better than Starbucks beans in the morning. What a great picture. Great way to start the day, cappuccinos and a smile.
August 25th, 2010  
Nice job frothing, Ken. I'm going for my first cup right now...
August 25th, 2010  
I prefer Costa myself, the Starbucks in the UK always seem to give me weak coffee. Nice machine you've got there. Ken's looking good too!
August 25th, 2010  
That sounds like a great idea Louise! I was thinking about the photos the other day with Jetson on the shelf...What about a calendar...Shelf Life of a Dachshund...LOL. My brain is in overload...can't seem to shut it off.
August 25th, 2010  
you have such a happy husband, Louise! you make him so happy!!!!!
August 25th, 2010  
The two of you are so special. Just love the sparkle in his eyes when he looks at you.
You do realize that Dill will be trying to sneak into your luggage when you leave. He's going to be so heart broken.
August 25th, 2010  
My husband has turned me into quite the coffee snob - before him I could drink just about anything but now we are espresso elitists! We use a little stove top espresso maker but dream of owning a larger one like yours someday!
August 25th, 2010  
You two are such a cute couple. I love reading your comments on everyone's photos, you are always so nice!! :) I too have to agree about the price tag for Starbucks! I have it as an occasional treat as my weekly splurge :)
August 25th, 2010  
Great shot!!!
August 25th, 2010  
How cool that your cappuccino maker is red! And I love the coffee cups. How I look forward to the time when both Kirby and I are home each morning. We loved it when we were on our boat! So enjoy those moments together in the morning for those of us who can't do it yet!
August 25th, 2010  
Sounds like a perfect way to start a day. I hope we'd have time for such mornings but I need to rush for work. And I don't even drink coffee except cappuccino or caffe latte occasionally. I like your red coffee maker.
August 25th, 2010  
I love my morning coffee. A bowl of cereal, no milk, a cup of joe, and the morning paper. Read the paper, do the crossword, jumble and sudoku and my mind is alert and primed for the day. I am, however, not a fan of Starbucks coffee. Outside the house I prefer, in this order, WaWa, 7-11, Dunkin Donuts, and then maybe Starbucks.
August 25th, 2010  
Your time together sounds so wonderful. :)
August 25th, 2010  
Fantastic. What a wonderful bonding moment in the day. Just for the record - I had a Starbucks this morning - most unusual for me but had spare half hour and they were the most convenient stop. Love your mugs and Ken's smile and the coffee maker!
August 25th, 2010  
What a great picture and what a great couple the two of you make!! A wonderful moment shared every day, that must be so nice!
I always have my cappuccino when I come home from the horses in the morning (on days I don´t have to work), love that little moment for myself, out in the garden or on the couch if it's raining.
Too bad I still have to make it myself, Snorretje and Tijgertje don't seem interested in learning how to !
August 25th, 2010  
That is a great picture! Ken, in case I forgot to mention, Thanks! Your cappuccino was super! I know I thought it, but possibly forgot to mention during all the chatting... :)
August 25th, 2010  
Ooo that lucks yummy, how lucky you are! And thank you so much for your comment :)
August 25th, 2010  
What a perfect way to start the day! How lucky you are to have that time to sit and plan your day together over that lovely cappuccino
August 25th, 2010  
there's something comforting that can be said about routine. Even when it comes down to what you do to make a nice cup of coffee. I know that I take a little while to make myself a coffee but I enjoy every second of it. My last tip for you... if you like your coffee and are happy with it, dont listen to anyone who tries to talk you into better stuff. I made this choice and now I'm super picky about my coffee lol.

oh yeah and choosing a model depends on what the photographer wants. Brent and I are very similar in what we want to shoot... not nude, we prefer photos that tell a story or have a feeling to it. So we end up being very picky when it comes to models :)
August 25th, 2010  
What a wonderful tribute :) I am a coffee addict... drink it all day long, lol :)
August 26th, 2010  
He's a keeper. :)

I love how you start your day! I too am a coffee addict but my first cup of the day is always consumed either while rushing to the train to get to work or while already at work.
August 26th, 2010  
Louise and Ken - I am going to pretend to be there tomorrow morning at 9:30...now I have to get to bed....I have a date in the morning!
August 26th, 2010  
How perfect! Morning coffee with my husband is my favorite time of day also. Your looks much better! We have a cappuccino maker, but I am too lazy to fuss with it so early. Perfect lighting in your shot.
August 26th, 2010  
that's one happy man! so nice he's made coffee!
August 26th, 2010  
I actually have photos for Mon, Tues, and Wed., but I came home from work and fell asleep on the sofa. I'm in the bedroom now but my download cable is in the sunroom - Sytse has finally settled down from playing in there and I don't want to go in and get him started up again. Maybe tomorrow night - I have a meeting that will run into a reception so I'll be home a little later than usual.
August 26th, 2010  
Aww, very nice. Yes, I love my coffee makers, bean grinder, etc...my only vice these days!!
August 26th, 2010  
What a perfect way to start each day...and that is the prettiest coffee maker I have ever seen...I also love the mugs! And please tell "Clark" I said hello...it's been awhile.
August 26th, 2010  
love that cap maker! also appreciate a good cup of joe in the morning! so refreshing and helps to perk the eyelids up!
August 27th, 2010  
Great appreciation shot! I started doing the same thing with my lattes. I would spend so much each week, then realized how much I could really save buying coffee beans from my favorite local spot and make the same drinks at home!
August 27th, 2010  
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