Monday, November 19, 2012

Have a cup of coffee! #DDatHome #Spon


My favorite coffee cup - it's one of a kind.
Ah, Dunkin' Donuts coffee... I don't remember when I first discovered that coffee, but I do remember thinking that it was such a shame it couldn't be brewed at home. Yes, I started drinking it that long ago.

Way back in the stone age, when I was first dating Bob, there was a Dunkin' Donuts not far from where I lived. Conveniently, it was on the way to where he lived, and on my way to where my parents lived.

I think my car knew automatically that it should turn into that parking lot to pick up a large coffee for the road. Maybe a donut. But always the coffee. Particularly when the weather turned cold and the car heater was a little unenthusiastic.

Today when I was visiting my husband at the hospital, I reminded my him of that Dunkin' Donuts that we used to stop at and he grinned and nodded. Yup, it's a fond memory. Two large coffees, one with sugar and cream, one with just cream. One maple frosted donut, one marble frosted. There's a trip down memory lane. I can almost smell the maple.

Okay, I'll admit that I had a particular fondness for those maple frosted donuts, too.

But, dang, that coffee was sooooo good. And unlike some nostalgic foods that only the younger-me could love, I still adore a good cup of coffee.

For me, coffee is one of those "homey" smells. Like baked bread. When I was a kid, mom didn't bake bread, but there was coffee every day. I wasn't allowed to drink it, but it was there, in the background. Morning, lunch, and sometimes after dinner. Coffee was a punctuation mark for the day. Funny how you associate things like that.

In the morning, Dad had his first cup. I wasn't always awake - he got up at the crack of dawn, but there was that coffee smell wafting through the house. He worked close to home, so he came home every day for lunch and had a cup of coffee then, as well. And sometimes after dinner.

And of course, whenever there were visitors, they were offered a cup of coffee as soon as they stepped in the door. On holidays, coffee was served after dinner and the adults lingered at the table.

Eventually, I reached the coffee-drinking age, ordered it at restaurants, learned to brew my own, and started paying attention to beans. I might admit that I squealed just a little bit the first time I saw Dunkin' Donuts coffee in the grocery store. I'm serious. Squealed. Brought it home and said "LOOK what I FOUND!!!"


Yeah, I'm a little crazy. But you expect that. And I really, honestly, giddily, love Dunkin' Donuts coffee. I can't explain why I love it so much, I just do.

And for the folks who like a little variety, there are flavored coffees as well the original and decaf. The limited edition ones you'll find now are Mocha Mint, Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread Cookie. If you need a quick gift or a stocking stuffer, the seasonal bags have gift tags on them. Great last-minute hostess gift, eh?

Is there a Dunkin Donuts in your area? Have you had their coffee? Are you going to try one of the flavored versions, or are you a purist? Tell me YOUR coffee story!

Thank you to Dunkin’ Donuts® packaged coffee at grocery for being a sponsor. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Yum