Before Thanksgiving my coffee maker quit. No biggie, with Black Friday around the corner I figured I would just find a fantastic deal and replace it. My husband, on the other hand, promptly pointed out the Keurig. It makes single servings. It doesn't waste. It. has. buttons! Apparently coffee makers were not the 'must have' item this Christmas, so there weren't any great deals on the higher end machines and wondrous sales pitch aside, I went for the $10 Hamilton Beach on/off machine, concluding it would serve the purpose.
End of story.
Fast forward to that Sunday evening. Husband flipping channels between ball games and me mostly reading and occasionally glancing up to observe the "make or break" play of the game. Suddenly I was watching the QVC show case sale on none other than the Keurig coffee machine. Not just any coffee machine - but their premiere "Platinum Brewer". Oh, those people are good. In less than 5 minutes I wanted one. I waved the white flag of defeat. Forget that they come with coffee flavors I will never drink. Forget that they are the size of a small microwave. Forget their impracticable price. In less than 10 minutes I NEEDED one. My husband just sat there with a smirk on his face, waiting to make sure I really really wanted one. After all, he had told me just a few days before that it was the coffee machine I wanted and I had fanatically declined. But now, I wanted, no needed, no MUST HAVE one (did I mention that those QVC people are good at what they do?). He waited - I sent the kid for the credit card - he waited - I conceded to the world that he was RIGHT - he waited - and that I was WRONG. Viola - early Christmas gift that makes delicious coffees, teas and hot cocos at the push of a button. Just to get him back for making me plea for it - I was tempted to wrap the box when it came in (did I mention how he does not like to wait to open gifts) - but alas I caved and now our kitchen has a little extra bling and I am enjoying single cup servings of java.
and what good is a cup of coffee/tea/coco without a little treat, so I made some chocolate oatmeal muffins (recommended by Celine over at 2Peas)
Not only is it time to box up the holiday, it is time to relinquish the litany of abandoned or underachieved resolutions made 12 months ago. Personally, I'm not in favor of resolutions - and yet each January 1st I set at least a few for myself. Last year I set a goal to take a little time for 'me' and with the support of my family, I did just that with my photography. I also set a goal to give the family healthier meal options ---- that one had occasionally success, but I think we're on the right track. This year I'm setting 'family' resolutions (share the pain is my new motto!) with the objective to add more exercise to our lifestyle and to reduce the clutter. I suspect a lot of this will fall on my shoulders - but hope the family gets behind me again to make them a reality. [the 1980 comforters in the attic gotta go!] So its out with the old and in with the new. 
