Coffee Heaven

I think everyone should treat themselves every few years to whatever their hearts have been desiring, and for me, that has been the dream of owning a quality espresso machine and grinder. That dream has been fulfilled.
I have become the proud owner of a La Scala "Butterfly" and Rocky Rancillio grinder. My other machines have been stored away for future properity(or the next hard rubbish day) and the new team take prize position on the kitchen bench. In fact, most all of the kitchen bench. They are a rather large combo. After spending 20 years pulling shots through three different machines I finally realized I've been wasting my life drinking crap! To make matters worse, these machines make you realise how much you don't know about pulling a perfect, or near perfect shot. It is the combination of grind size, tamp pressure and clamping force, as well as other factors, that helps define a good shot and I sadly need a lot of practise on all counts, but, I have the technology to attain the skill and the rest of my life to get it right.

On the cooking front, I'm planning the next moroccan meal. This time, it's to be Moroccan lamb cutlets with Couscous. I saw it prepared on telly and it looks fairly easy and very tasty.

Another batch of pale ale has been bottled for the coming summer. It's nice to see the empties being filled. I feel pretty sad seeing them stack up to uncountable numbers. Next up will be my final stout for the season, made from a can of coopers stout and a can of coopers dark ale with 200 g of honey and loads of fuggles hops. It's a winner after six months in the bottle.

I still haven't heard about my blacksmith course at this stage. The wheels of TAFE turn slow. Our rail journey come holiday is nearing soon and my ASUS laptop decided the crash a hard drive the other day so I hope the service team can get it up and running before we go. It seems the brand of hard drive fitted is well known for premature failure.

Had a ball at the Royal Adelaide show on Friday (first day). The weather was perfect and the crowds seemed low. I took plenty of photos and spent hours on the computer sorting, sizing and naming them all. I had my fill of junk food and thoroughly enjoyed it. I may even go again on my own if the weather holds. Fathers Day was okay but would have been better if I had got to see my son.

It's been heartwrenching following the hurricane news and seeing the way the government reacted over there. I don't know what to think. I know one thing though. The news is going to get worse once they tally up the carnage and cost in dollars and human lives lost.