Clever Girls

Our Family Tradition: Parties & Coffee

Have I ever mentioned how much I believe in aroma-therapy? There are certain scents that make me so happy and coffee is one of them. I absolutely love the smell of a freshly opened pack of coffee or freshly brewed coffee. For me, the smell of good coffee is almost as good as drinking it. Ahhh...

Safeway grocery store, in itself, is a feast for the senses.  The store is lit just the perfect amount, so it's relaxes you and puts you in a good mood. Everything is perfectly decorated.  The fresh baked goods smell so good that they are impossible to resist, and I was really impressed with the prices too. 

 When I was recently at Safeway, I picked up a bunch of different things, including flowers for a friend (which she loved). I also got some goodies from the bakery section, two veggie trays and some Gevalia coffee for my nephew's birthday party. The convenience of Safeway and the great prices on a variety of items make it easy to host a party whether it’s big or small.

In my family, whenever it's time for dessert, it's also time for coffee.  At the birthday party, we had cake, krispie treats, cookies and Gevalia coffee.  My mother-in-law was the one who first introduced me to the Gevalia brand. Did you know that Gevalia began brewing coffee in Gavle, Sweden in 1853?  This is where traditional cast-iron roasting developed its distinctively rich, smooth taste that’s never bitter. That must explain why it tastes so good!

I'm a flavored-coffee-kind-of-girl. For regular morning coffee, we usually don't do flavored coffee, but whenever I get to choose something special, I always lean towards a flavor. The Gevalia vanilla coffee is really nice and rich.  It also comes in a variety of flavors and roasts, most of which are available at Safeway.

Everyone at the party really enjoyed the coffee.  It was the perfect compliment to the treats from Safeway, and it gave me more energy for the rest of the night.

Do your family parties always include a pot of coffee too?  What are your family traditions?

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

 

The Office Depot REAL Change Project #TeachersChangeLives

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Until adulthood, I took my teachers for granted.  I appreciated them, but I had no idea how many hours they spent working from home, how much time they spent thinking about their students, and how much of their own money some teachers use for classroom supplies. Now that I have kids of my own, I see teachers in a whole new light.

My son has flourished in his first year of elementary school. He has adored his teacher from day one. I love her too. Why? Because her positive energy is inspiring and the kids feel it. Her confidence and cheerful spirit makes the kids feel at home in her classroom. She understands the children's need to engage with their peers and encourages them to share their thoughts. She respects them and they respect her. Subsequently, my son has learned a tremendous amount throughout the year and, as a mom, I couldn't ask for anything more!

My sister was a kindergarten teacher, and that's when I first realized what a huge undertaking it is to educate our children. I remember my mom shipping her boxes of classroom supplies to help her out.  Did you know...