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January Newsletter - 2011
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January, hmmmm...now that must mean something new is here! Yep, 2011, that is new...but you know there is about to be something new from The Alpaca Bean Coffee Co., LLC. We once had a medium roast coffee on our offerings, but you see we just weren't satisfied with it or with our ability to provide a consistent taste quality to that roast. We have contemplated this over and over and never could bring ourselves to taking that chance...a chance that we would offer something that was not received with the excitement our other roasts received...nope just could not - would not take that risk.
Then one day we set about roasting a batch of Bodacious Bolivian Full City...we were a bit distracted and dumped the roast before its time...but since we record every roast profile, we knew all the particulars of the roast. It was not the exact time or temp for a traditional medium nor could we call it a full city roast...so we took a sample, and then sealed up the remaining portion of the roast for later consumption. When we did the taste test on the roast, we found it to be very good as far as our tastes go, so I began to look up the particulars of the roast characteristics and believe it to measure up to a dark medium roast...or as some say, a Regular City Roast. Whatever the term for the product or our efforts that day, we have decided that a new "baby" was born to the Alpaca Bean Family. We named it Bo's Mucho Macho Medium and will soon offer it for sale. Some lucky folks have already received a free bag for taste test purposes...sorry if you were not the lucky ones...and you are welcome if you were! :o)
That accidental roast now has us looking at potentially rethinking our Peruvian Pronk roast...we will let you know how that turns out as well...if it is a go we may change its name so that we all will know that it is not the same Peruvian medium roast but a much improved one!
Keep an eye on the web site for the addition of at least one new roast and possibly two! Ain't life grand?!?
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 On A Personal Note...
The Beauty of a Mom's Love Expression...A Christmas Present
This time last year, I wrote you of my Mom's final enjoyment of her cherished grands singing beautiful hymns at her bedside while she was in hospice care. This year Judy and I are now holding onto the beautiful memories of her Mom and her Mom's lifetime: the times we shared with this wonderful lady and the times we only heard about, as we sat around the supper/dinner table. One thing was clear, Mom lived a full and wonderful life here on this earth and she shared her joy with all that came in contact with her.
You know Jude and I tried our best to make sure Mom knew that she was a cherished and full part of our lives as we shared our times and our home. But we never really knew if our feelings were understood or accepted by this lovely person...daily living stresses, health care issues, and too many obligations on our time often pulled us apart even when we were here together...
We all can understand the regrets we have for not always being available to meet every need...for not going that extra mile or spending that extra hour to demonstrate our love. We can look at all these things and forget the hours of fun we shared, the games we played, the sharing of interest in one special creature God placed on this earth - the Alpaca. The constant collection of interesting, and often strange, names so that when the next cria was born to Pinkie's 'Pacas it would have a name of distinction.
All of these emotions were coming into conflict as we approached the celebration of Jesus's birthday 2010. A celebration that would not include Mom, nor any of her witty sayings. It would only be another time to reflect on our loss and a time to wonder if this special lady really knew how special she was to us...a time filled with hope that she had enjoyed her life sharing a home together with Judy and I.
Then two days before Christmas Judy decided she wanted to send copies of her family tree to her sisters, but she did not have mailing labels. Because Judy thought she remembered her Mom having some address labels in her desk, she began her search there. While looking in the first drawer, she moved some objects to find an envelope with her and my names written across its face...in Mom's hand. She opened the envelope to find a letter from Mom that outlined her deep feelings for Judy and me...those feelings are, and will be, cherished by Judy and I as we hold them close to our hearts throughout our lifetimes.
I am writing this, not to add a punch line about drinking a great coffee, not to seek attention for our farm...no, I am writing this simply to say that we were and are blessed because we made a commitment. A commitment we were sure of in the beginning, at all times in between, and now after the moments have passed...the letter, the Christmas Gift, only provided the closure...thanks, Mom.
Peace,
The Coffeeman
PS: If you are given an opportunity to share a blessing, please be careful not to pass it up! You will always be thankful for that opportunity, each day...each memory.
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