Thursday, June 20, 2013

Camp Coffee. And Sunflowers.


Doug and I aren't coffee snobs. We like our basic coffee made with our own coffee pot every morning - Starbucks really doesn't do much for us. And when we camp, we take some of our basic coffee grounds and brew them up in a good old fashioned percolator on our camp stove.

 
Several years ago, Doug ended up with a coffee maker that plugged into his truck's cigarette lighter. We were so excited to take it camping and have some fresh brewed coffee at camp - and we were pretty sure everyone would see us as coffee hero's around camp. We got it all set up that morning at camp, plugged it in, and we waited. We waited. And waited. And finally: a drip. Waiting. Waiting. Another drip. Our friend Steve walked by the truck where we stood (waiting) and said, "I'll be on my second beer by the time that thing is done." Camp coffee fail.


And then there was the time I bought a coffee press because I thought it would be so handy on a camping trip. You put the grounds in (which had to be coarsely ground which meant having to buy special coffee and have it ground just right), pour some hot water over it, wait four minutes, press the handle down and voila! TWO small cups of coffee in the midst of six other people waiting in line with empty cups. Plus, there was a little bit of {good natured} ribbing about the fanciness of a coffee press at camp. Tough crowd.


We always went back to the tried and true, old fashioned percolator. And then recently, the unthinkable happened. The little bulb for the top of the pot broke, rendering this coffee pot useless at camp.


After shopping around we finally did find a replacement coffee pot, and we broke it in on our last camping trip. It worked great, perked enough coffee for Doug and I with plenty to share, and is all nice and shiny and new looking. For now.


But just because that top-knob-thingy is toast doesn't mean this vessel is of no further use.
We'll just fill it with some different kinds of wonderful from here on out.

13 comments:

Karen said...

We use a coffee press when camping, but it makes enough for four, so we're good. I love your old pot as a pitcher, and the sunflowers are gorgeous!

Melissa said...

What a fantastic use for the old coffee percolator! We don't drink coffee around here - I always say that we're saving that for when we grow up . . . while I sip a nice cold Coca-Cola! Totally enjoyed your sunflower photos this morning (my favorite flower & color),

Beverly said...

Glorious reuse of the pot! We used to camp with friends that made sure to get a site with electricity so they could plug in their coffee maker. I love making percolated coffee when camping, it takes me back to my Grandmama's

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

I do love to see a bunch of beautiful sunflowers. When I saw your post title, I thought it was going to be about a different kind of Camp coffee. That liquid that comes in a bottle. Not sure if it is just a UK thing? My Grandpa always had some in the pantry and it made me think of him.

scrappyjacky said...

And you couldn't have chosen anything more wonderful than sunflowers....my favourite flowers....they look made for it.

Alison said...

The sunflowers look wonderful in your old coffee pot!
Alison xx

Amy said...

I'm not a coffee drinker so I don't miss it if we are away. TE drinks coffee but will have tea when on the boat or camping ... I think for the reasons you have outlined today - it is hard to get the right vessel to make it right!

Sian said...

Well, look at that..a story of a life in coffee makers. I like it :)

..and sunflowers. Of course I like sunflowers

Miriam said...

That's exactly what I would do and do all the time. I am a great re-cycler/repurposer (just invented that word) The sunflowers and the pot are made for each other.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Great photos today. We used an old drip filter perched on a carafe - boil water and pour it though. Sometimes we'll also use an espresso maker.
Rinda

Rachel Brett said...

It looks perfect filled with pretty flowers :)

Anonymous said...

Great reuse of it! Your sunflowers are looking great.

Lisa-Jane said...

I think it is a perfect receptacle! I'm a bit confused as to how it worked in the first place though. We've got a stove top coffee pot, is that similar do you think?

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