Thanks to Starbucks for sending along some rare-origin blends. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. 

My father-in-law is very much on my mind this week, as the family has gathered together in Phoenix now for his memorial service. Last night we watched an amazing video that was filled with photos and videos all about Dad. And as I looked at photo after photo of him, one thing became very clear: this man LOVED a good adventure. His curiosity and love of new things and places took him all over the world. He was easily one of the most well-traveled individuals I’ve ever known.

My father-in-law also developed an enjoyment of coffee late in his life (which I think is unusual…most folks fall in love much earlier in life if they are going to fall in love with coffee at all!). So when I opened a recent package from Starbucks and discovered a collection of rare single origin blends from all over the world, I immediately thought of Dad. These bags of coffee, in and of themselves, are fun little adventures. They are different from the norm. They are cultivated with great care and love. They have a unique flavor profile you simply cannot replicate. 

They are, without a doubt, the kind of coffee my father-in-law would have loved.

These are such special bags of coffee, that I decided to pack one in my suitcase so that I could enjoy it on my trip. I’ve been experimenting with drinking it hot, or cold, or black or drowning in creamer. That’s how Dad would do it: by experimenting again and again until he found the most awesome way to make the coffee.

Starting with great coffee beans makes the process of experimenting easier (as every way I’ve tasted this blend so far has been yummy). But I have enjoyed the exercise of trying something different, and breaking away from my standard issue beans and my standard issue prep method.

I know almost all of you who read this blog have never met my father-in-law. But if I could make just one request of you: will you make one choice today that is the “adventurous” choice? Take a different route home from work. Pick up a fabulous bag of coffee and then make it a different way. Or go all out and book that trip you’ve been contemplating for far too long. That spirit of adventure is my father-in-law’s legacy, and I’d be so thrilled to know that he had an impact on your life as well by getting you to take a fun chance on something new today.