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Friday, March 23, 2012

Snow-Child Give-Away / Roast Your Own Coffee


I know that what happens sometimes is this: you’re following along gamely, trusting me, opening your mind to tofu and English muffin rings, meatless Mondays, boys wearing pink, whatever, and then suddenly I’m like, “Our composting toilet. . .” or “. . . the fact that our house is made out of spelt husks,” and you realize that I’m actually completely insane. (NB: we have neither a composting toilet nor a spelt-husk house.)
And I mention my fringy freakyness now because I’m about to suggest that you start roasting your own coffee.
If you don’t love coffee and/or money is no object in your household, then go ahead and skip to the end of this post and enter the Snow-Child give-away (Unless money is no object, and then you should buy it! And buy me a copy too, please, since I had to return mine the library. Thanks.) But if you love coffee and/or are pinching your hard-won pennies, then consider this: if you buy your green coffee in 5-pound bags from Sweet Maria’s, you end up with the very best, freshest, fair-trade coffee you ever had in your life, for around 6 or 7 dollars a pound (unless you need to buy the Kona, which is $19.10 a pound. . . but then again, you could buy the “Panama Dry Process Experiment Gone Awry” for $2.80 a pound!). You don’t need me to tell you that, with savings like that, you’ll be a millionaire in 5 years. Plus, there’s the Little-House-on-the-Prairie thrill of roasting your own. Even though they doubtless had a hard time finding anywhere to plug in their hot-air poppers.
Yes, a designated coffee-only hot-air popcorn-popper is all you need! Like this one. Or a thrifted one, or one you already have and aren't using would be perfect, of course! That's all you need--that and the green coffee itself, which you should buy from the fantastic Sweet Maria’s, who have no coupon code to offer us, and with whom I have no business arrangement, but who are eponymously sweet, and thrilled that you might be buying coffee from them. Their site has all the information you need on roasting coffee (definitely start here) but I’ll just recap the basics so that you see how easy it is. Also, you should know before you start that the roasting smell will penetrate somewhat such that everywhere you go on roasting days, people will sniff the air curiously and say, “Do you smell that? Like burning toast?” and you will have to say, “I’m sorry. It’s actually my hair.”
First you'll get your beans, which will be small and greyish-green and smell like old dirt. I am not so much of a coffee snob that I have the faintest idea about what beans I would choose or why, and so I kind of pick them randomly from the cheaper side. I have liked everything. A sampler is a fun and inexpensive way to start.
Next you will measure 1/2 cup of beans (or whatever maximum your popper identifies) into the popper and you'll turn it on. You should have a large metal colander or bowl ready. And you should do this outside, if you've got an outlet (I roast outside, in the snow even, crouched in my coat over the popper). Otherwise, do it near your stove and turn the fan on high. It will make a lot of smoke and roasty odor, which dissipates in about a day or so. Tip the popper backwards by wedging a folded-up dish towel under its front side: this will keep the coffee beans from flying out before they're roasted.
Now you should consult that Sweet Maria's link above on what exactly you're looking and listening for. But I'll tell you this: first some beans will fly out, and you'll readjust the dish towel. Next nothing will happen for a minute or so. Then the husks will start flying out. (You can catch them in the colander but, honestly, whenever I do that I end up panicking when I need to dump the beans in, and then I end up dumping the husks out of the colander onto the floor, so it's kind of pointless. Just commit to cleaning them up later, which is easy.) After around 3 minutes, the coffee will hit the stage called "first crack," which means you hear them popping, like popcorn. This is when you need to pay close attention. First crack will taper off and then, around a minute later, "second crack" will start, which is a series of very-close-together cracking sounds + smoke. I usually let it go into second crack for about 15 to 30 seconds, and then I panic and dump the beans into the colander and they're usually perfectly roasted. Sweet Maria's has advice on what to look, listen, and smell for, and they have very exact timings for different roasts, but I can never see anything, and have to go on sound and adrenaline alone. 
Once the beans are in the colander, you shake them around to cool them off and then, if you're me, you roast another batch right away. 1 cup of green beans makes 2 cups roasted, which fills my mason jar without overheating my popper.
Now clean up your mess.
Once the beans are cool in the colander, put them in a jar, cap them, and leave them to cure overnight. In the morning, they will smell not like old dirt anymore, but like the most amazing coffee ever.
And then you can make coffee. If it's 80 degrees in March, you can even make iced coffee!
(That's from this post.)
But are you here for the give-away? Little, Brown, the wonderful publishers of The Snow Child, are going to give away three copies of it! Right here, on this blog. Just enter a comment here, along with your desire to win, and you will be automatically entered. I'll end the contest on Monday at midnight and announce the winners on Tuesday. Good luck! (And don't be shy to write in about the coffee instead--I won't enter you unless you ask to be entered.)

146 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Gah! I said that I love your non-sequitur posts. I love you challenging my assumption that roasting coffee is for large corporations, not women with other jobs too. And begged you to tell us when you got your composting toilet. But completely forgot to say: Please enter me for the contest! The book sounds awesome!

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    2. I naturally assumed you deleted a post that was teasing me for writing "I won't enter you unless you ask to be entered." Seriously, what is wrong with me? You'd think I was leading a date-rape prevention class about strap-ons! Anyways. Consider yourself entered. You know. Consensually.

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  2. Anonymous10:51 AM

    I've been hearing a lot of lovely things about this book and would love to get the chance to read it. Thanks for the contest (and enjoy the coffee!).

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  3. I'd love to win!

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  4. Gob smacked. Never considered roasting coffee before - but as soon as I send this post to my husband he will be ALL OVER IT.

    And yes, please, enter me, it sounds charming!

    Also, I don't really want one, but I love that there's a composting toilet called Clivus Multrum. Is that not fabulous?

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  5. Wow, roasting coffee? Even for those of us who like our coffee dark dark dark? I'm intrigued.

    And I'd love to win the book! Enter me! (ahem)

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  6. I'd love to win the book!! Please consider this my entry...does my entry count double if I mention that I'm making the cold noodle bowl right this minute?? No joke. :)

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  7. Anonymous11:33 AM

    Did you see on the Sweet Maria site that they sell a whirly-pop for roasting coffee? Isn't that cool? I would never let me whirly-pop be used for anything else, we love the popcorn too much. That was one of the best Utah friend product recommendations ever! I'd love to be entered in the contest. --Cathy K

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  8. I would love to win the book! It sounds like a great book.

    And I'd say something about the coffee, but I don't drink it. (hopefully that doesn't disqualify me from the book! ;) )

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  9. My brother-in-law roasts coffee and we enjoy it so much. I'm trying to talk him into making homemade Choffy so I can try it:
    http://www.drinkchoffy.com/about-choffy/what-is-choffy/

    And I would love to read The Snow Child.

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  10. I have a running list of "Catherine Newman recommends," and would love to be entered to win this book!

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  11. Ann McG11:49 AM

    Please enter me in the contest, as I would love to read this book while curled up with a nice cup of coffee that I roasted myself. Thanks!

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  12. Please enter me in the contest, I'd love to read that book!

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  13. That book sounds so lovely! I'd be thrilled to win a copy from the sweet Little, Brown folks. I'd also be thrilled if I make the step towards Little House on the Prairie-dom enough to roast my own coffee. You make it sound enticing!

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  14. I'm more of a tea drinker lately, but I would love to read The Snow Child.

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  15. Oooh, I spent all yesterday trying to decide if I could afford to buy this new or should try to hunt down a used copy since I have no patience to wait on the long list at the library. Please enter me in the contest.

    I love coffee and am trying this for sure since I am very poverty stricken but would love to drink fair trade coffee and it is hard to get in this town!!
    I want to write like you when I grow up (which is hysterically funny since I am older than you are) Cindy s.

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  16. Anonymous12:43 PM

    I... like Molly... am also more of a tea drinker. I'd love to be entered to win a copy of the book.

    Since you are all DIY with stuff... you should look into the cheese making kits from The Cheese Queen. I made some mozzarella a couple of weeks ago and I felt like a scientist/candy maker. Totally fun!

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  17. Theresa12:50 PM

    Long time reader, first time commenter (what can I say, I'd love the book). And, I think I'll try roasting my own coffee! BTW, the Maple-Lemon Tofu is delicious. Thanks for many years of interesting reading, tasty recipes and good times. :-)

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  18. I'd like to be entered to win The snow Child:)
    Julie D

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  19. Love this post -- I totally get the panic/adrenaline approach to unusual culinary activities! But I'm only an occasional coffee drinker, so I'll skip the roasting and go right for the book giveaway. Thanks!

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  20. Anonymous1:14 PM

    Would love to win the book.

    And have you seen THIS?! Genius!!!

    http://cuppow.com/

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  21. I'd love to win the book - thank you!

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  22. Jennifer1:20 PM

    I want the book! After reading your recommendation of it, I immediately reserved it at the library but apparently, so did a hundred other people and I can't imagine getting it for the next six months. Please, please, send me a copy!!

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  23. Anonymous1:25 PM

    The book sounded great--I'd love to win. And I may just roast some coffee beans for my husband :)

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  24. I want to win the beautiful booK!

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  25. Darcey1:37 PM

    I wish I had not donated my unused air popper several years ago, as this looks fun!

    My favorite meal to make and eat right now is lemon-soy glazed tofu and crack broccoli. So, thanks.

    Also, I would also love to win the lovely book (which I immediately wish-listed after reading about it here).

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  26. Jennifer S.1:39 PM

    We have three bookworms in my house who would love a copy of Snow Child. Enter me, please, and thanks for the great writing and recipes over the years.

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  27. Erin K.1:43 PM

    ooohhh...I would love a copy of the book. I put a hold at the library, but I'm number 69....who knows when that will come around!

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  28. I want this book, really. More than anyone else that has commented, so there. I also love coffee more than your average person, and have roasted my own on the stove before. I love the burnt smell of it, and how it lingers, but alas, my family does not. So I stopped, but still have some green coffee beans left. But, outside? With a popper? Genius. Although, I still freaked out when the coffee reached 2nd crack stage, even when I could see it. I'm a little scared about doing it blind. But I'll give it a go. Thanks for the post!

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  29. Please enter me in for the drawing. Also tried the "crack" broccoli and that is the only way my kids will eat it now. Homemade vanilla has been our hit Christmas gifts for teachers. Thanks for all the great ideas!

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  30. I think roasting your own coffee is intriguing, but what I *really* want is that book! Your review pushed it swiftly from my "Hmm, that sounds interesting" list to the "Must Read" list!

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  31. Melanie2:23 PM

    We order from Sweet Maria's and roast our own coffee, too! Some of my friends and family think it's odd, but they sure do enjoy coming over for coffee!

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  32. Please enter me for the contest! The book looks amazing. Roasting my own coffee? Hmm, let me think about it....

    BTW - I have LOVED every book you recommend. You must do it more often. Please.

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  33. I have strong desire to win. Because I want to read this book and I enjoy winning things. Thank you.

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  34. Samara Jenkins2:46 PM

    I would like to have a copy of this book, as I was truly bereft of winter here in the armpit of Ohio (snow belt indeed!). Plus, my kids like reading, so I must have done something right somewhere!

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  35. Ooh -- I would love to win a copy of that book. As a regular at the library, OWNING a good book feels like a luxury!

    Books and coffee -- you covered both of my favorite subjects today! :)

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  36. Please enter me in the contest, because we didn't have enough snow here in Ontario to make our own Snow Man this winter. ;)

    I really want to post a snappy comment to your "strap on" comment, but just can't do it! Chuckling here to myself though!

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  37. How can I turn down such a great book review! Please enter me in the contest for a copy of The Snow Child!

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  38. I would like to win that book. I will not roast my own coffee, however. But I do have a low-flush HE toilet. Does that count?

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  39. Anonymous3:17 PM

    Would love a copy of the book! And would also love (future blog post?) recommendations for vegetarian cookbooks with child-friendly (tween and teen) recipes. Thanks so much -- I truly love your writing & have been reading since the Baby Center days.

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  40. YAAAAAY book! count.me.in. and i can't drink coffee because it makes me sweaty and panicked - *without* the roasting, no less.

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  41. I am waiting for my reserved copy of this to be available at the library, but winning my own would be pretty swell. I just picked up The Grief of Others today, and given the fact that I am pregnant, we will see if that proves to be, ahem, a good idea or not.
    Thank you for the coffee roasting lead! I'd never even realized that was an option. Also, thank you for the strap-on date rape remark, as I was feeling like a horribly juvenile person for chortling away about the coffee website's promise to be "free of defects and taints."

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    1. dale in denver5:24 PM

      taints made me feel horribly juvenile for my chortling.

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  42. Enter me too! I love your book suggestions and I am always looking for new things to read. I just usually have to wait a long time for it to be my turn to get them from the library. And I'm curious about the coffee... will have to see if they ship to Canada or if I can get green coffee beans up here.

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  43. Please enter me too! I have a list of books that you have recommended; the first one I read was Good to a Fault, and it was so good I made my bookclub read it so I could read it a second time.

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  44. casio4:17 PM

    Please enter me in the drawing. I've got the book on request at the library, but I think I'm like number 184.

    The funny thing about your more fringe-y posts is how your chosen fringe-y activity almost seems believably do-able. I almost want to watch for a hot-air popper at garage sales this spring. That feeling should wear off once I log out. Don't get the wrong idea-I use a lot of your dinner recipes. But I don't think I'll be saving tuna cans to make english muffins.

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    1. dale in denver5:26 PM

      splurge the $5 and buy some rings from a kitchen store. they will pay for themselves with two uses. and so completely and totally worth it. i promise.

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  45. Please enter me in the drawing - have loved all of the books you've recommended.

    I don't think I could get it together to roast my own coffee though.

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  46. Would love to be entered for the book! Have been hearing awesome thoughts about it!

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  47. I would love to enter to win the book. I have heard great things about it and look forward to reading it. Thanks.

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  48. Would love a copy of the book. And am reluctantly admitting that I may be crazy enough to try the roasting..

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  49. dale in denver5:28 PM

    i'm with you all the way:

    book drawing - IN
    coffee roasting - just as soon as i get a popper
    composting toilet - IN, right after you
    spelt house - maybe a vacation cottage test first?

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  50. I want the book!! I'm not so sure about the coffee roasting...I'm still trying to talk myself (and my family) into trying the homemade english muffins!

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  51. I want this book, and have since I saw it at Costco weeks ago. I could check it out at the library after the other 90 people have read it, but I have a feeling it's going to be worth owning. If I won a copy, a large smile would settle upon my features, both with the knowledge that I'd get to read it sooner than planned, and with the ability to place it lovingly on my bookshelf for a future of lending it out as a favorite read. So here's to the luck of the draw!

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  52. Bess W6:30 PM

    Oh, I do love the idea of roasting my own coffee! Let's say the seed has been planted in my brain. And I would also love to win a copy of the book. Thanks for the chance.

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  53. Thank you for the great writing and recipes, Catherine! I would love to win a copy of Snow Child!

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  54. Anonymous7:17 PM

    Me! Me! Me! Book!
    I tried to tell hubby about the coffe but he acted all nonchalant and said, "she roasts it in an airpopper, right?" before I could tell him the punchline. He's been holding out on me!

    Jenny R.

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    1. Anonymous7:20 PM

      Then he chastised me for my typo: coffeE!
      :-)

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  55. You make coffee roasting seem only *semi* nutty. I would love to read this book. xo

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  56. I hope the 61st comment is the charm!

    I finally gave in and bought a coffee maker, but only my dad uses it when he visits. Despite that, I read the whole post, just like I read the (not quite kosher or vegetarian) bacon posts.

    Even if I don't win Snow Child, I'll continue to be a faithful fan.

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  57. Jessica Ford7:31 PM

    I'm not a coffee drinker, but I love to read and would love to win The Snow Child. I'm currently about the millionth person on hold at the library. My husband did try to roast coffee beans in a popcorn maker once. He didn't care for the coffee they made. But he didn't know to let them sit overnight either, so maybe we'll try again. I love your blog, by the way!

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  58. I used to live behind a coffee roaster, so when you started describing what it would smell like, I knew exactly what you meant. For the first couple of months that we lived there, we thought the bakery next door to the coffee roaster kept burning their goods!

    I, too, would love to read Snow Child, so please enter me in the contest!

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  59. I'm tempted to purchase a used air popper, but I think my cabinets might explode. Too bad I can't use the Whirley-Pop for the coffee. I've ground my own flour and made my own sausage, so why not coffee too!

    I would love, love, love to have a copy of Snow Child!

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  60. Mmmm...coffee to drink along with a copy of Snow Child. Sounds good to me!

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  61. hello! i always love a free book! and a good book! and this blog, of course.

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  62. Don't enter me in the contest because, based on your recommendation from the other day (and yes, the amazing gorgeous cover that I stare at now when I need to decompress from a bad day), I downloaded it on my Kindle. And it is SO great. So everyone else, comment so you can win one! Thanks for the recommendation. It's just the story I needed.

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  63. Heidi F9:15 PM

    Yes, please enter me! It sounds like a lovely story!

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  64. I'd love to read it.

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  65. Oh, yes, The Snow Child, I would love to hold this book in my hand (with maybe a cup of your own home-roasted coffee in the other, because I just don't see myself going the popcorn-coffee route)...

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  66. I don't know if I am going to take the plunge and roast my own coffee, but I do know I want to be entered to win a copy of that book.

    (If I do decide to roast my own coffee maybe I will finally try germinating those coffee beans seeds I have).

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  67. Tracy9:42 PM

    Enter me too, please! The book sounds wonderful.

    I'm not a coffee drinker, but if you ever do a post on growing and harvesting tea, I'll be all over it!

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  68. Shelley9:46 PM

    I would love to win this book. And, I am going to try the coffee roasting! I love coffee and drink tons of it, working overnights as I do, so am always looking for a way to cut my costs while keeping it still drinkable. Wish me luck!

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  69. Ha - my husband already accuses me of "casting a wide net" and I can just see the look on his face when he finds me on our back patio, hunched over a thrifted popcorn popper, yelping as coffee bean husks come flying at me, screaming at the kids for silence! so I can hear the beans talk to me. It's going to be awesome!

    As far as the book...I would love to win it, but really, I would love the thrill of winning anything, especially since I am 145th on the wait list at my local lib. I wish I could intuit the books you're going to recommend because I suspect that Jefferson County, CO has a huge Ben&Birdy following and had I, for some reason, wanted this book say, a week ago, I would have been 3rd on the waitlist. C'est la vie.

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  70. DeAnn9:49 PM

    True story: A few years ago there was a crematorium built one street over. Some of our neighbors were very upset. But truly you saw nothing, smelled nothing. The crematorium closed within a year, and the building was sold to a coffee company. They roast their beans there. It smells so bad. You described it perfectly - a little like burning hair.

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  71. I would love to win this book- please enter me! Thanks!

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  72. Huh. I tried to comment earlier and it disappeared. Mystifying. In a nutshell, it was: please enter me in the book giveaway and I might try the coffee roasting. I love all of your recipes so far - my husband is obsessed with crack broccoli. This weekend, I'm going to try your buttermilk biscuits recipe. Thanks!

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  73. I'm another first time commenter but long time lurker and lover of your writing and recipes (I have the sauteed veggies for Hotlips soup in the fridge, awaiting the chicken stock, which will happen after the chicken, also in the fridge, thaws...)

    The book sounds wonderful so I'm tossing my hat in the ring, with much gratitude for you and for this site!

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  74. LisaAnn11:12 PM

    I have been thinking about this book since you mentioned it, so count me in for the giveaway! I just might try roasting my own coffee. The lingering aroma can't be worse than when I make my own horseradish sauce for Easter!!

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  75. Anonymous11:32 PM

    I would love to read this beautiful book.

    For another beautiful book, check out the Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Phillip Sendker (translated by my husband, woo hoo!). It also has a gorgeous cover and I think you would really like it, Catherine.

    As for the coffee roasting, that's probably going too far for me, but the maple-lemon tofu was astonishingly good!

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  76. Me! I'm about to have a baby ANY day now (hear that baby? ANY DAY!) and could use something to read while nursing. You know, in a few months when I can see straight again...

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  77. I like books and think I would like this one! (@relytwu)

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  78. Interesting...but I couldn't imagine going through that whole process first thing every morning.

    Would love that book however!

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  79. Please enter me! And, incidentally, i love your blog and have sporadically followed you for years!

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  80. Yes, please, put me in for the book drawing!

    And, as always, you crack me up.

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  81. canadian fan9:14 AM

    Am ordering the coffee as I type, just hoping that they deliver to Canada! Roasting coffee actually seems a lot easier to do than the "Make your own crackers" suggestions which I bought the ingredients for and never ended up making....

    And would love to win the book in the draw as well!

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  82. Tina G10:08 AM

    I would love a copy of the book.....the coffee? Maybe someday....after I make your bread.

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  83. Please enter me! I need something new to read.

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  84. Oh, Catherine! I want so badly to read this book. I've just finished grad school and need to round out my post-graduation reading (largely composed of steamy, paperback romances) with a really, really good book. Pick me!

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  85. Please enter me to win the book, thanks!!

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  86. Tracey11:02 AM

    We would love a chance to win The Snow Child, thanks!

    My daughter is fascinated with white birches. She would see the cover and yell "WHITE BIRCHES!" (and then we would LOVE reading it together...)

    And the roast-your-own-coffee looks like a great idea.
    And we already have a neglected air popper - yay!

    Happy Summer! I mean March!

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  87. Tracey11:09 AM

    Some of these comments seems a little risque...

    "Please enter me"
    "Yes, please enter me - now!!"
    (I made that one up)

    What kind of a blog is this, anyway?

    ;^)

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  88. Oh yes, please! I would love a new book!

    Also, I've been wanting to try coffee roasting for ages, but I think I'd try pan roasting first, since I already own all of the nec pieces-parts. My husband might have a stroke if I get another appliance. I keep sneaking them in and adopting an airy tone when he asks about them. "Oh this? I think we got the kitchen scale as a wedding present. Can't remember from whom. Tralala." He is not fooled.

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  89. My kids would love to win The Snow Child...living in Florida causes them to long for snow and stories of snow.

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  90. Please enter me in the contest. I'm curious about this book that you spoke so highly of!

    (and no, no coffee roasting for me, but sounds like a lovely smelling thing to try!)

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  91. maxanyamom3:24 PM

    I'll out my hat in the ring for this beautiful book. I think you are absolutely brilliant, and I know I will love this book based on your earlier post.

    Also - must say...roasting coffee in a hot air popcorn popper?!? I thought you were joking at first. But no! And now I regret that we gave away our hot air popper all those many years ago. But, I suppose if I really want to try this, getting a thrift shop popper wouldn't be too expensive even if I decide I can't stand the process! Hmmm...can't say that I will do it, but I am going to seriously consider it as my husband & I are serious coffee drinkers.

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  92. Susannah6:47 PM

    Awesome! I always love your book recommendations. I immediately went and put this on my hold list at the library after reading your post about it. I'm #81 on the holds list! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  93. I have a desire to win.

    Thanks :o)
    Sara

    lizardhippie@yahoo.com

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  94. I would love a chance to win this book. The coffee, on the other hand, not my cup of tea (to mix my metaphors!). Thanks for a laugh though, with the composting toilet and spelt-husk house!

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  95. The book sounds lovely. I'd love a chance to win it. And now I might actually pick up one of the kazillion air poppers I see at the thrift. I'd never, ever, make popcorn in one though. So hooked on the whirley pop.

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  96. I'd love, love, love to win. Please enter me into the contest. xoxo

    Thanks!
    Tina

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  97. Anonymous10:42 PM

    I would love to win the book. I added it to my "to read" list after you mentioned it in an earlier post. Thanks!
    Danielle

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  98. I would love to win the book.

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  99. WV Mama10:59 PM

    please please me! Pick me! It's been a hard and scary week and winning something from (almost) the only blog I read would so help tip the scales. really.

    xo
    WV Mama

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  100. Not that I would turn down a free book, but I am commenting because your description of roasting coffee completely cracked me up! I have been right there with you through almost every recipe and was making my own english muffins for a few months before your english muffin post. I even have made crackers a couple of times, unlike "canadian reader."

    But you just didn't sell me on the coffee roasting. Maybe it was a few too many mentions of smoke that scared me off...either way I got a good laugh out of the post, so thanks.

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  101. What does it mean that I got a little jealous when I thought you actually had a composting toilet?
    I'd love to win the book. I added it to my Amazon wish list when I read your review the other day. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  102. I, too, have read and really liked every book you've recommended. I love your taste in books (and food- mmm, dill pickle popcorn, with a little pickle juice subbed for the vinegar...). I'd love a copy of The Snow Child.

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  103. Hannah1:23 AM

    I would love to win the Snow Child! We just received 18 fresh inches of snow at our house in Northern Idaho on Wednesday and since that wasn't enough we received another 7 on Friday! And it's not melting....so please enter me to win.

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  104. I have made many of your recipes again and again -- but I'm afraid I am not likely to do the coffee...I am trying to wean myself of my coffee dependence and the possibility of having a scrumptious cup of deliciousness will not help me with that. :-(
    But I'd love to have the chance to win the book! :-)

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  105. I would love a copy of snow child, and no, we won't be roasting our own coffee, although I love the idea of smelling like roasting coffee

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  106. Eleanor6:23 PM

    I usually smell like the coffee that I have dripped down my shirt while talking with my hand that is holding my cup, so the roasting smell would at least be a nice change!
    I would love to win the book, although I'd probably spill coffee on it, too. :)

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  107. I would love to win a copy! After reading your post about it, I put it on my hold list from the library only to discover that about 90 other people have it on hold.

    I don't think I will be roasting my own coffee any time soon, but I am severely addicted to Mmm Sauce now, so thank you for that!

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  108. LOL - I was just gazing into our 2 lb can of Chock Full O' Nuts and contemplating just how much money we spend on coffee every month. I suspect not enough to prod me to roast our own :)

    I would love to own a copy of The Snow Child!

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  109. Nothing like a contest to bring the lurkers out of hiding! I don't know if I'll be roasting my own coffee, but thanks to you I AM addicted to Whirley Pop and dill pickle popcorn, which is the TV-watching snack of choice around here.

    Please do enter me in the Snow Child drawing. Many thanks! Both for the give-away and your lovely writing.

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  110. Carolyn10:10 PM

    This is great! I have been searching for a birthday gift idea for my husband and some beans from Maria's and instructions on how to roast his own coffee and ensuring we have the right kind of air popper will be a perfect adventure for him. Thanks a lot.

    And, please enter me in the Snow Child drawing.

    Thanks for everything - I always benefit so from your site.

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  111. Please enter me in the Snow Child drawing. After reading your description of it I was hooked. Thanks.

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  112. I would love to win a copy of Snow Child! And the thought of roasting my own coffee sounds like fun!

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  113. Melody12:21 AM

    Guess what?! I have a composting toilet!!! But my house is made out of plain old wood. I have been reading you since the babycenter days, gawd that was a long time ago! Love all the recipes, the maple tofu was a hit over here, even though I was forced to use lime juice. I love the roasting coffee idea, but am lacking in electricity.
    I would love to win the book!!!
    Xo

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  114. Not a coffee drinker but read the whole post anyway :) I once wasn't a tofu eater but made Maple tofu last week and must admit that it was a delicious recipe!

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  115. Looks like a lovely book! And I just wanted to say I am very impressed by your dedication to frugality - I wish I was as good!

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  116. Please enter me in the book drawing! Looks lovely!
    Not a coffee drinker but I like to know that I COULD roast my own beans, in a popcorn popper, should I ever want to. Love the "little house on the prairie thrill"...hahaha! I guess I fall into that category as I excitedly called my friend a few weeks ago to tell her I had made my own laundry soap, AND IT WORKED, and she said, "WHY would you do that? Not having to do things like that is one of the advantages of living in this day and age!"
    Have a great week Catherine!

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  117. I would sooo love to win a copy of Snow Child.....I added it to my Amazon wish-list as soon as I read your review on here, but I am holding off until I come into some spare money.

    Roasting coffee sounds like an interesting prospect! I will either have to stop making air-popped corn, though, or go buy another one. They aren't to expensive....

    That iced coffee looks DELICIOUS!

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  118. Love to win the book. Please enter me in the drawing.

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  119. First, yes, I'd love love love to give that book to my bookworm daughter who reads more than I did. So please enter me.

    And second, my husband started roasting coffee from Sweet Marias. Hooray for artisanal efforts! I don't drink coffee, so I couldn't care less, but it makes him happy and proud. He'll be relieved to know he's not the only one who smokes it (for his first batch our alarm went off multiple times...). And I like this b/c it's much less effort and stink and cleanup than when he brews his own beer.
    I am afsullivan (monkeytail at symbol) att (dot) net

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  120. I would love to win the book! I am super excited about trying to roast our own coffee. I knew there was a reason that I didn't toss out our air popper when I got a whirly pop! I spit out my water when I read the line about the Little House on the Prairie finding a place to plug in their air poppers!

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  121. You are crazy, I think, but it doesn't make me love you any less -- maybe more, actually.

    I would love a copy of Snow Child.

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  122. That one is on my list to-read so I'd love to win! Love your blog, by the way, and am patiently waiting for at least the middle of spring to make the delightful rice/arugula/feta/cucumber salad concoction again. Wow is that a good salad.

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  123. Cynthia12:47 PM

    I would love to win a copy of Snow Child. I'm waiting for a library copy, but it looks like that may take quite a long time. Thanks!

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  124. Would love to win a copy of the book!
    Your next giveaway should be some of your "Little House" blend roasted coffee.

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  125. Marissa P1:09 PM

    The book looks fantastic! I would love to win a copy!

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  126. Jeanne Fisher1:22 PM

    I don't drink coffee but I loved reading your very detailed advice anyway. I would also like to win a copy!

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  127. Oh, I would very much like to win a copy of the book. It sounds wonderful!!

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  128. Laura D3:53 PM

    Oh, I would so love to win a copy of the book! And as for roasting my own coffee...I guess I always assumed that it was a difficult and rarified art form (that's what the local coffeehouses would have you think), but now I am dying to try it for myself! Thanks!

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  129. KGMom4:05 PM

    What a wonderful prize! Would love to win the book. My
    children are 8 and 10 and I still read or tell stories to them (almost) absolutely every single night. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  130. I can't wait to read this book. I have heard so many good things about it!

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  131. Enter me please! I want that book! I might my own snow child ;-).
    No coffee drinkers in my house, but I love that you are roasting your own coffee.

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  132. Anonymous10:41 PM

    Would love a copy of the book. But I think I will buy my coffee "pre-roasted". And ground already. And flavored, too. :)

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  133. shelleybb11:37 PM

    We would love a copy of the book for our school library. I'm the librarian at a small, progressive school in Montclair, NJ. But I went to UMass many years ago!!!

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  134. Oh, am I too late to enter to win the book? If so, I'll just tell you about my husband's coffee bean roasting habit.

    He roasts them in a frying pan on the stove while gently blowing the husks off. The husks stick to the wall, counter, floor, and every crevice they can find. He does this in the morning before rushing off to work, leaving the husks to decorate the kitchen in his wake. This drives me nuts, but he insists the coffee is to die for. Glad he understands that he might actually be killed for this habit!

    (The air popper didn't work for us....)

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  135. Anonymous9:15 AM

    if it's not too late to enter, i would love to win the book. i always enjoy your recommendations! and look forward to your recipes.

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  136. I would love to win the book!

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  137. Jennie4:10 PM

    I'm so glad you posted on this, and that you mentioned Sweet Maria's. I am lucky enough to live right near their warehouse, and they are indeed sweet in person. Try the Colombia Tolima next time! As for the chaff, I put a damp dishtowel on my counter beneath the spout of the popcorn popper. It catches almost all of it.

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  138. Thank you priest onome for helping me to conceived again in my life after so many years of bareness,if you are having same issues of getting pregnant i will refer you to try priest onome of ( priestonomeherbaltemple@outlook.com ), is a very strong spell caster that never fail .thank you once more priest onome for the smile you put in my life again.

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  139. my name is pascal from New zealand, am here to share this testimony on how me and my wife was able to be come parents. we tried for so many years to become parents but there was no success of child bearing. We went to different hospitals but they keep saying the same thing that i was the problem and my wife was perfectly okay. One day i decided to try traditional and spiritual help, i contacted a man who i came across on the internet called [DR ODOGUN] of solutioncenter1121@outlook.com i ask him for help and he told me that i was the cause of my wife inability to bear a child. I became more confuse and worried and at this time my wife was making moves for a divorce. I told the man everything and he decided to help me, he told me he is going to help me by either casting a spell or given me traditional medicine to drink, that i should decide on which one to take. At the end of the day i choose the spell casting because i wanted my wife to see it as a miracle because she was a strong christian. I did all he ask me to do and i got all the results i needed without my wife knowing and today am a father. Thanks to DR ODOGUN i will forever be grateful sir.

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