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God Gave Me the Child I Needed
There are stories that don’t begin where we think they do.Mine didn’t begin with Paul. It began with loss. When my firstborn daughter, Angie, was taken from me by the state, something inside me broke open and never fully closed again. I remember sitting outside the DHS building, convinced—irrationally, desperately—that my baby was somewhere inside
Love Has a Long Memory
What Adoption Leaves Behind — and What Love Restores I didn’t know it at the time, but I was searching long before I ever knew how to look. Adoption has a quiet way of shaping you. It doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it shows up as a question you don’t know how to ask,
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar – Day 12: Holiday Blend (Dark Roast)
A Cozy Finish to a Season Well Savored And just like that, we’ve reached the final cup. There’s something bittersweet about Day 12 of the Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar. Over the past days, each brew has marked time—quiet mornings, shared tastings, and small moments of warmth during a busy season. Today’s coffee feels like a
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar – Day 11: Jubilant Blend
Sweet and Beautifully Bright There’s something especially meaningful about reaching the final stretch of an Advent calendar. By Day 11, it’s no longer just about discovering a new coffee—it’s about the story behind the cup and the moments we slow down long enough to savor. Today’s selection, Jubilant Blend, truly lives up to its name.
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar – Day 10: Arabian Mocha-Java
Some coffees feel like a story in a cup, and Peet’s Arabian Mocha-Java is one of them. For Day 10 of our Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar, Larson opened the door to this historic blend, and it immediately stood out as something special. Arabian Mocha-Java brings together coffees from two legendary growing regions, creating a cup
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar – Day 9: French Roast (Dark Roast)
There are some coffees that don’t whisper — they speak boldly. Peet’s French Roast is one of those coffees. For Day 9 of our Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar, Larson opened the door to this classic dark roast, and right away you know you’re in for something strong and unapologetic. This is a coffee made for
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar – Day 8: Sun Catcher
Day 8 brings a welcome shift in the Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar with Sun Catcher, a blend that feels lighter, brighter, and perfectly timed for the heart of the holiday season. ??? There’s something about this coffee that feels uplifting—like a pause in the middle of busy December days. It’s the kind of cup you
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar – Day 7: Usuri African Blend (Dark Roast)
Day 7 of the Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar brings us a cup that feels especially fitting for the heart of winter—Usuri African Blend – Dark Roast. From the moment it’s brewed, this coffee lets you know it means business: bold, rich, and deeply comforting. Larson takes us through today’s tasting, sharing his thoughts on the
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar Day 4: Guatemala San Sebastián Review
Day 4 of the Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar takes us to Central America with the beautifully balanced Guatemala San Sebastián. This coffee is known for its smooth, comforting character and well-rounded flavor profile. With a richness that feels both approachable and refined, Guatemala San Sebastián offers a cup that’s easy to enjoy while still delivering
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar – Day 5: Off The Grid
Some days call for stepping back, slowing down, and savoring something bold and grounding—and Off The Grid felt like that kind of cup. This blend has a strong, confident presence from the first sip. It’s rich and full-bodied, with a depth that feels adventurous without being overwhelming. There’s something comforting about it too, like a
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar – Day 6: Aged Sumatra Blend
Day 6 brings us to Aged Sumatra, and this one truly feels like a winter coffee. From the very first sip, it’s deep, earthy, and smooth, with a richness that invites you to slow down. This is not a hurried cup—it’s meant to be lingered over. The body is full, the flavor is layered, and
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar Day 3: Big Bang Blend Review
Day 3 of the Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar features a fan favorite with a lot of personality — Big Bang Blend. Bright, lively, and full of character, Big Bang Blend is known for its vibrant flavor profile and smooth finish. It’s a coffee that feels energetic without being overpowering, making it a great choice for
Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar Day 2: Kenya Auction Lot Blend Review
Day 2 of the Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar introduces a standout coffee — the Kenya Auction Lot Blend. This blend is known for its bright, vibrant profile and carefully selected beans sourced through Kenya’s renowned auction system. It’s a coffee that feels lively and expressive, offering a refreshing contrast to darker, bolder roasts while still
Day 1 Is Here: Opening the Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar Together
There’s just something about the holiday season that makes coffee feel extra special — slower mornings, twinkling lights, and that first warm sip that feels like a deep breath for the soul. Today we are trying Major Dickason’s Blend Today, we’re opening Day 1 of the Peet’s Coffee Advent Calendar, and we couldn’t be more
Today I Learned Why We Drink More Coffee During the Holidays
Today I learned something fun — and it gave me a whole new appreciation for my morning cup of coffee during the holiday season. Believe it or not, December is one of the highest coffee-consumption months of the year. And once I started thinking about it, the reasons made perfect sense. Cold weather makes warm
Today I Learned About Christmas Eve Baking Traditions Around the World
Today I learned just how many beautiful baking traditions come to life on Christmas Eve — and honestly, it made me want to preheat my oven immediately. Different families and cultures celebrate the night before Christmas with their own special baked treats, each one filled with meaning, memory, and a whole lot of love. Mexico:
Today I Learned the Meaning Behind Christmas Lights
Today I learned why Christmas lights feel so magical — and it has absolutely nothing to do with electricity. Long before Christmas existed, ancient winter traditions used fire and candlelight to bring comfort during the darkest days of the year. Light symbolized warmth, hope, and the promise that spring would eventually return. When Christmas celebrations
Today I Learned Why We Say “Merry” Christmas (and Not Happy Christmas)
Today I learned something fun about the way we talk during the holidays — and now I’m hearing Christmas greetings in a whole new way! In America, we almost always say “Merry Christmas.”But in many other countries, especially in the UK, people still say “Happy Christmas.” So where did “merry” come from? Long ago, merry