Pick-me-up

It’s that little lift you need in the middle of a long day, or that shot of adrenalin before an important meeting, or even that stimulation to keep you awake as the hours grow late. For me, it’s espresso. Visiting Italy on my honeymoon I was introduced to this puny but potent powerhouse. It’s served in a mini coffee cup, called a demitasse, has a little saucer beneath it and usually a tiny spoon to stir any sweetener you choose. In Italy, it is offered after meals. I quickly embraced the tradition and I now delight in the little pick-me-up it conveys. My thanks to Italy, the coffee bean, and my eagerness to try foreign customs (although the three glasses of wine with dinner may have had something to do with it) for introducing this petite pleasure into my life.

Nikon D800 Tokina 100mm f/2.8 macro @ 100mm f/14 ISO 100 2sec

Cuisine

This is not a food blog; let me clarify that right here. I should also mention that I have seen WAY too many Facebook pictures of people’s food. The problem I find with most of them is that the food often looks like what to avoid at a restaurant rather than something that makes me salivate and check my watch to see how close dinner is. I’m not a “food photographer” but when something looks delectable there’s usually a camera close by.

I never drank coffee until my honeymoon. We were in Rome Italy and the waiter offered us an espresso after our meal. Trying to appear as an accomplished world traveler I agreed. Turns out, I love espresso. I usually order one after a nice meal whenever I am out, and I’m actually a little saddened if the waitress offers a coffee instead. Thinking back to that first tiny cup of vibrancy, I wonder about the decision. I wanted to experience Italy. I wanted to see it, hear it, and embrace its wonders. I wanted to taste it like an Italian would after a grand meal. It changed my life, that little cup of joy. Many of the foods I eat here in the states taste very different when prepared far from home. The seasonings, the soil, the latitude, and the government regulations all influence fine food, so when I travel, I try to soak up the local cuisine. Places known for their palettes often light up tastebuds I never knew I had. So don’t forget to dazzle all your senses when you travel.