I thought I’d share with you my most favourite kitchen device of the moment… But first a little story…about the gentleman who introduced this little gem to me… Mr V.  Don and I have both known Mr V since he was our primary school principal. His wife was my first grade teacher, and their daughter was in my Kindergarten class and friend all through 12 years of school and to the present day.  You can do that when you grow up in a small town.

It so happened that their elder daughter was the same age as Don, and was his classmate.  She married a fellow who was from our town and a friend as well. We have lots of connection with this family!

When we return to visit the US, we often visit the V Enclave, who have migrated to a beautiful place in central Florida (a couple of the children live elsewhere, but the two from the above description are in Florida).  Mr V, who is now in his mid-eighties, has always been a quietly confident, and very unique kind of person. He was, and is, the quiet achiever…a zen-man, happy within himself, accepting of life, comfortable to be who he is. To begin with, he did most of the cooking for the family.  Back in the 50’s and 60’s in small town America, that was almost unheard of.  And he did not make ordinary food. He made amazing food… homemade pasta and ravioli, Italian Christmas pie, brandied fruit, red velvet cake. OMG.  These were such exotic creations in our little town, and to my palate.

In addition, he and Mrs V collected antiques, furniture, glassware, a huge number of salt cellars as well as other ornaments. Mrs passed away too soon. We weren’t finished enjoying her and her laugh. The last time we caught up with Mr and the Florida Enclave, they presented me with one of the salt cellars from their collection.  I was unspeakably grateful, and it has pride of place on my sideboard.

Mr V also made quilts.  And he knitted.  Almost every visit he has discovered something new and tells us about it.  He is lovingly supported at home by his children and he still insists on making beautiful meals when we visit, despite his frail health. Recently we visited, and we stayed at his house. In the morning he pulled out his little coffee cone to make coffee. What’s this??? I was on that baby, like white on rice. How does it work? Where can I get one?

It has become my morning ritual.

What an inspiration Mr V has been and continues to be.  Every morning I drink my coffee and think of him and his family and our good fortune for knowing them.

My coffee cone cost $5 in the USA (Amazon.com) truly a bargain, but I have located one here in Australia that is less than $10 (plus freight) and so with the freight difference ends up costing about the same… and they sell filters too.  I use unbleached filters that are easily composted.  The beauty of it is, ease of clean up, the perfect amount of coffee each time, no grounds in the bottom of the cup, and the perfect brew each time. My husband doesn’t drink coffee and I am not fond of reheated coffee, so making it fresh, one cup at a time is ideal for me.

Above is the coffee I use. I’m sure grinding my own would be awesome, and I see a birthday in my future. Are you reading dear daughter and husband????

xx Ardys