Early Riser

I am a night owl. I have been for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, Gavan is too, which means I am easily swayed to stay up later than I should because I have a partner in crime.

It's not that I don't love sleep. I do... once in my cosy bed with eyes closed, and brain and body reaping the benefits of the REM cycle. In fact sleep and I are long-lost lovers, pining for each other across time and space. I could blame this separation of self and bed on the fact that we have very young children, but the real truth is, I just don't get there early enough. There's too much life to be lived to sleep it away, and the hours after the children are in bed are the only ones I have to myself, so my tendency is to extend them into the witching hours.

What I have discovered though, is that I actually love mornings. Especially summer mornings. There is something so calming about rising early, and soaking up the pervasive peace that comes with the dawning of a new day. I remember helping my brother with his morning paper route in my early teens, and the joy it was to see the sky turn from navy to cobalt to aqua and then a fiery crimson and gold as the sun stretched first fingers over the horizon.

Complete stillness save for the sweet notes of birdsong, crisp air, dew like gems adorning summer blooms, the fresh earthy scent of damp grass... all of this is enough to make me want to become a morning person.

Natural beauty aside, it is my firm belief that morning-lovers are healthier, more focused individuals. That they accomplish more. That they are steady, accomplished people who live organized, unfrenzied lives. Myth? I'm not sure, but I'd like to find out.

For now, because mostly I am a morning-person by default (read: Malachi alive and well before 7 am), I have discovered one necessary ingredient to a successful start to the day:

Coffee! I have always enjoyed it, but only drank it if it was made for me. Embarrassingly, I could cook a successful meal for company, but when it came time for dessert, I had to have someone else (husband or guest), put on a pot. Shameful, I know.

Mostly this meant, that coffee in the morning was a luxury reserved for weekends, when Gavan was around to make some for me. And then, I got a french-press for Christmas. Now not only can I make myself a pot, but I have the technique down to a science which results in the best cup of coffee possible at home. And if this perfect cup, can be enjoyed in solitude on the back porch in the early morning sunshine, I know it's going to be a good day.

My perfect cup:

1. Start with fresh Starbucks Sumatra Beans

2. Grind coarsely(about 10 pulses)

3. Add not-quite-boiled hot water to
grounds in press and stir.

5. Set timer for 4 minutes and
let brew.

5. Depress press plunger slowly.
6. Add fixings and enjoy!

7. Attend to children. Sigh.