I did not start drinking coffee until after college- when I started my first position with Boeing Computer Services in Vienna, VA. The coffee stations scattered about our floor offered Brim or a non-decaffeinated brand and I chose the Brim.

At the time, I lived in Falls Church, VA- minutes from Tyson's Corner Mall. I purchased my first bag of fresh coffee beans [in the beginning I had the beans ground at the store] from a shop that had amazing aromas coming from its open doors.

My favorite flavors included:

Since then, I have owned many coffee [spice] grinders and coffee makers. I have mentioned before, my brother and sister-n-law gave me my first espresso machine for Christmas one year, which I never used before moving to Hanover. I used to use a drip coffee maker with freshly ground beans.

Since moving to Hanover, I have used four different espresso makers, including the gift from my brother and his wife.

Shown below, some of the espresso makers I have used. Not shown, a smaller Italian Bialetti Moka Express, Espresso Maker [similar to the larger silver one shown].

I love espresso. If I have nothing else during the day [this seldom happens], I will have an espresso.

This morning's brew [literally]....

In 2011, after more years of daily use than I want to admit, I needed to replace the Krups. I found the Krups a little more than I could afford, so my mother gave me the Mr. Coffee that I now use. Both brands make excellent cups of espresso.

Espresso Machines make great gift ideas. I have done a little research on espresso machines, grinders and beans and provided the results in some of my stores [Gift Ideas & Items I Have]: