The Art of Making Coffee

               

The Theme: A Mother/ Daughter moment.

The Stage: The daughter's (Chelsea) studio.

First Scene: The Coffee Machine

Daughter shows Mother her new coffee maker. Mother does not like coffee, but drinks it to be with daughter who does. Conversation full and delicious. Daughter tells Mother about the coffee machine.

            

Second Scene: Conversation and Coffee

Daughter: Tells Mother how she got the coffee machine and about the friend who gave it to her.

-Daughter chatters about the coffee machine, then comes back to original subject matter: "...Even though he doesn't drink coffee he knows I do and thought I would enjoy it. Isn't that sweet?"

Mother: Zeros in on one word and one word only: "He."

             

Scene Three:

Mother: Who is wide-eyed, curious, and with an agenda...wants to know about that one word..."He."

Mother's First Line: "I'll have one spoon of sugar please and (as the Mother stirs the sugar into her coffee,) ...is the friend who gave you the coffee machine a Boyfriend, or just a boy who is a friend?"

Daughter (who drinks her coffee straight black) says: A boy who is a friend.

Mother: Really?

            

Last Scene:

Daughter: Tells Mother that the boy and her are very best friends. How they study together. How he helps her since he is brilliant in Math, and that she helps him with his English.

Daughter continues deeper: "One evening while we were doing homework," she tells her Mother, "We both looked up at the same time, our faces were this close (daughter puts her face right up to her Mother's face...Mother wants to grab her daughter and kiss her like a baby and never let her go...but Mother resists and tries not to cry.) we leaned into kiss but pulled back instantly."

Mother surprised and gasps, "Why? Why didn't you kiss each other?"

Daughter: Explains to Mother that it would change everything and that they value their friendship too much to risk losing it over being boyfriend and girlfriend with each other.

Mother: Scratches head, though understands and drinks the coffee that isn't that bad after all.

Comments

[Katy]

Wise beyond their years! But I imagine there could be promise there, with friendship at the heart of it.

[Jeanne]

Love and hugs
Here's to many more golden moments and YOU
I love you
I love all that you share............

Life is always so lovely and fair
With a true friend beside us and offering to share.......
Love Jeanne

[nancy]

well chelsea is quite slick... :) (and i absolutey love her silver ring!!!)
wink anncy

[Caty]

hahahahahahaha!

so incredibly fun!

your way to tell stories are just wonderful Corey!

[Linda]

Ah, the love lifes of our children. It gets very interesting and you heart will break along with theirs when things go wrong.

[Sher]

Such moments can be sweet, enlightening and always memorable. As the mom of two grown children with growing children of their own, I have learned to never ask a question whose answer I really don't want to know. I'm also always suspicious of straight men who claim to have only friendship on their minds when in the company of a beautiful woman. Thanks to Billy Crystal and the movie, "Harry Met Sally", my opinion on this matter will always be jaded. Hugs, Sher

[Edi]

Perhaps that friendship will one day turn to love - just not the right time now. Very wise. I think too, you get a better idea of the other person when you are "just friends" and no one is trying to be a certain way or to impress the other.

I got a bit tearful myself at the part "Mother wants to grab her daughter and kiss her like a baby and never let her go...but Mother resists and tries not to cry.)"

I too have a dd - though many years away from affairs of the heart..but I find I am very emotional about thinking of my dd growing up one day. I went to a wedding recently - hardly knowing the bride/groom so I thought I did not need to bring any kleenix. I didn't think I'd have any reason to be teary-eyed.

Well the bride had a special song and slide show about her and her dad at the part where the father gave away the daughter. Talk about emotional. I don't think I was emotional for these people I did not really know - but rather thinking someday (probably) this will be my dd.

On one hand we want them to grow up, to be independent - on the other hand - we want them to be our little girls (or little boys) that still want to sit on our lap, that still want to hold hands with us...sigh

[pauline]

ah, those lovely mother-daughter moments. They only get better TICA...

[My Melange]

Oh Corey, I bet your heart was in your throat waiting for the answer..... She is growing up and you should know that she sounds like a wonderful young lady. Wise and witty like her Mom!!!

As a coffee addict...I also appreciated all the coffee shots :)

[Caffienated Cowgirl]

My mom was the one who taught me to appreciate coffee...and we have had many such conversations while enjoying a cup. Lock this memory away...you'll treasure it forever.

[Mimi]

Mother was very wise in the way she reacted to the comment "A boy who is a friend"
the "boy who is a friend"... may one day become A "Boyfriend"... and mother has not caused daughter to pull back and resist telling mother things in the future!!!
well put Cory..
Mimi

[Chris]

Wow. Chelsea sounds so wise for a young one. I think you raised her quite well!

[Mary]

Lovely moment - thanks for sharing. Chelsea is very smart and it's lovely that she shared this story of the boy who is a friend - well at this moment in time he is! You are just beginning on this journey where I know you will be such a wonderful confidant for her. I hope she is always happy when it comes to affairs of the heart.

[Shannon]

Is this the same boy she was talking about when you and I went to her apartment?

She has some major restraint! I would've been rolling around the floor with him, coffee and all, LOL.

What a sweet and romantic scene, even if it remained unrequited.

Chelsea is the specialest girl I know. I'm so impressed with how she conducts her life.

[lindsay]

Oh Corey! I never would've told my mother that story. So nice that she can tell you that. :)

[Mo'a]

Coffee and conversation...a good combination.
Chelsea sounds like she has her head on straight...that is not surprising considering who raised her :)
I love coffee...your coffee photos are wonderful.

[Paula]

Oh, Corey you are such a sweet mom. To have moments like that must be truly golden. Lucky, lucky you.

You are in my heart, warm and cozy today.

Smooch

[Travelingmama]

How wonderful that you can still have these kinds of conversations with Chelsea. I hope I will have that kind of relationship with my daughter as she gets older. You are so blessed!

[beachy]

Now I think we all know, all too well, that many women marry their "best friends"! I know I am totally jumping the gun here... but I applaud your daughter's insight and not wanting to change their friendship level. You are raising such brilliant children, Corey (and French Husband)!

[the farmers wife]

How smart she is.....it would change everything and perhaps neither one is ready for that.

[rochambeau]

Ooh weeeee! Sounds like there is a bit more love in the air. Can you stand it!!!!!!!!!

WHEW!!!!!

[Teresa~French Poppy]

Ahh, young love, or friendship. So sweet. But being a former coffee shop owner/barista, my eyes went straight towards the coffee! That is one heck of a coffee maker, the creme on top is perfecto!!

Teresa

[Massilianana]

How lovely that you and Chelsea share so much closeness and can talk about her love life ! I hope it will be the same between my daughter (7 and getting all giggly-blushing over Roger , a school friend - incredibly handsome , by the way !!) and I , later . So precious .
I love the refinement of Chelsea's student life : such a lovely service á café ! Très chic , mademoiselle !

[Marie-Noëlle]

Maths to English
glass to glass
cheek to cheek
eyes in eyes

coffee
friendship
sugar
...

[marie-Noëlle]

glass to glass
cheek to cheek
eyes in eyes

coffee
friendship
sugar

[AnnieElf]

Beautiful photos Corey that comemorate the perfection of the moments so well. Chelsea is very wise for one so young and it would seem that so too is the young man.

[Lorene]

What a lovely moment that was. I hope that my Daughter can be that honest with me while she is growing up. She is always saying to me "Mommy can I tell you something?" I hope that never changes. But I fear that sometimes I am not a very good listener. I better brush up on that. Thanks for sharing. And you are a real sport to go ahead and drink the coffee. I DON'T like coffee. Take care!

[Shelley Noble]

This blog IS a living marvelous book! xox

[Pam Aries]

Perk~fectly darling story! Coffee and conversation..wonderful! You have a fabulous way of writing ..making the simplest story intriguing! Love it!

[Bonnie Buckingham]

Almost like the gazebo scene in P&P where
Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth. He gets that close and doesn't kiss her , although she has refused him. I'm glad your daughter knows the difference like this quote:
"Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right." Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

[Colette]

Ah, Chelsea. Not only is she a daughter to be so very proud of, but she also love coffee. She is the child of my dreams.

Naturellement, her parents, having had a huge hand in the creation of this dream child, have my utter admiration, too.

[amber]

But best friends make the BEST lovers-- ah, boyfriends, I mean. LOL! ;)

:)

[apt.a {berriehead}]

sitting here holding my breath too! waiting for those friends to turn into ???????? ok my little gal is only almost 11...I'm watching you and learning a LOT! cute chelsea & mom! co

[Christine]

Oh my! I was holding my breath, too. I could picture myself in your place (I don't like coffee either) having a similar talk with my daughters sometime in the (hopefully) distant future.

I pray my daughters have the same discernment as yours.

[Ellen Cassilly]

Delightful. I'm so happy for you both.

Ellen

[Dee]

Oh WOW! Can't wait for the next chapter on this one! How about you, Corey? :-)

[Alice]

Another great story to follow...I swear you must write a novel or too. I'm curiously waiting to see if daughter and 'friend' become more. Oh, how romantic and to be young again!

[Mari-Nanci]

Oh precious entry... Just precious.

You have such a lovely relationship with both your children. It is very, very heartwarming.

Mari-Nanci

[Mari-Nanci]

I tried. I did. But I simply can't seem to stop asking questions. -sigh-

Do I get any points for wanting to ask this before, and holding off then, maybe?

But this time, I can't hold off. You have mentioned Chelsea's studio, before. And I so wanted to ask, just what does 'a studio' mean, in France? A place for artistic pursuits, maybe.. Or sort of a separate apartment-like place... Or, what?

Remember, I do get points for resisting asking, that time before though. ,-)

Mari-Nanci

[Cheryl]

Corey, Corey! You do know how to tug on our heartstrings! I, too, feel like grabbing by oldest son's face, kissing him like a baby and not letting go as he goes off to enlist in the air force! Yikes! When we first dreamed of being moms I don't think we realized how heroic we would have to be when it came time to let go.

[Amy]

Alright....I am far too emotional lately....I'm all teary-eyed. Maybe because I see my daughter in Chelsea? Mature beyond their years...

Chelsea is a girl after my heart, though. Have you seen my blog lately? Someone asked to see my favorite coffee mug. When I posted the picture, I received a comment: "That's not a coffee mug! That's a bucket!" Ah well....I love my coffee....LOL

[tut-tut]

I know I won't like having such a conversation . . . Oh dear, she was just a toddler a moment ago, wasn't she??

[Fairy God-Mother]

Dear corey this brings back a memory for me,and the heart strings are being tuged at for two generations before,your mom my best friend cousin 7 years my senior was siting on the sofa with her date(your Dad)she told me they were boyfriend girlfriend,I responed with.... then you kissed? I'll never forget them blushing......, what a wonderful family they produced....I love all of you,

[Rosemary]

She is a great girl Corey!! I love her!
You are a fabulous writer!!
You always make my day,
Rosemary

[Tamara Giselle]

Wise beyond her years isn't she? Old soul?

No greater foundation than friendship for a lifetime of love.

[Candy]

Did Daughter have any idea she was talking to a world famous matchmaker? I'm glad you understood. They seem to be incredibly wise for their very young ages. I love that she told you that story. It shows how close the two of you are and that is so good. He scores high points with that coffee machine though - in the best friend category!

[TACE]

What sort of coffee maker is it? The coffee looks amazing!!!
That's sounds like it was a lovely, unique Mother daughter moment.

[~Kim]

What a lovely and mature daughter you have! I love the mother~daughter time the two of you had over coffee.

I take my kids on dates to local coffee shops to talk now while they are little and hope it will continue when they are grown.

And, yes that coffee looks fabulous! :-)

[teresa]

Loved your story and the scenes which showcased it! I have a daughter who has a friendship flirting into a romance as well. I enjoy hearing he stories and the "fight". Things are so much different now in comparison to my younger days. I love how friendship is more important than romance....and how women are so much less dependant on guys for approval!! Glad you enjoyed your coffee.

[Hasmin]

Corey, such a cute story...I hope my daughter and I have moments like this and hoping that she turns out as smart, and with a good head on her shoulders like Chelsea. Loving the coffee cups/glass, sugar and creamer! :-)

[Theo]

What a gift. Tell her that my son called me one day to tell me he had slept with his best friend ( a woman) and what should he do since now everything was completely messed up..... I was honored he asked me and could only say, yup, that can sure mess up a friendship sometimes. It amazes me how wise our children can be at such an early age.... again, what a gift.

[liz elayne]

oh what a delightful story! i love the way you have shared it...i feel like i got to peek in on this beautiful mother-daughter moment.

[Tammy]

Oh Corey,
your words always touch my heart. this was so precious. I don't like coffee but I did while I was reading this. So beautiful and what a treasured moment for you both.

[Bethany]

Beautifully spoken...very touching too the part about wanting to kiss her as if she were still a child....I don't know if I will have the same restraint when my boy is that age and talkin bout some girl...sigh

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

I remember the moment clearly when I knew my daughter had met her future husband. My heart stopped and I thought, "goodbye my little girl". You reminded me of that day and now I sit here with a lump in my throat. You are a gifted writer Corey.

[Elaine L.]

That's interesting, since my daughter had a similar experience. She had a best male friend and neither of them wanted to take it any further, because they were afraid if it didn't work out, it would ruin their friendship.

I tell ya, this generation is a LOT more mature than I ever was at that age. I would have said "que sira, sira" and kissed the guy.

~elaine~

[un epu Loufoque]

Lord aren't the young sensible it sounds just like my Eldest daughter!I wonder if it is a French thing or a generational thing?

[Michelle]

Coffee! The beverage of love! I knew it :)

[Nora]

Perhaps mother requires a "stronger" beverage... And how adorably sweet is daughter?! This story made me smile.

[Cynthia G]

Corey
What a great subject "The Art of Coffee"
Who knows, better than the French,
what a good cup of coffee is (versus brown water) It's like fine wine....The bouquet
should fill your nose with an aromatic fragrance of rich coffee beans and the
nectar should coat your mouth like fine silk (before the sugar and cream)
But..Oh Oh Oh "Making Coffee"..SHE versus HE
I read the first lines, a few times thinking Oh! she made a mistake, SHE
meant HER ,and then just read on......
OH...MY..GOSH.. I felt a little sad for a nanosecond Then thought Chelsea
is all grow up......Intelligent and beautiful and has your lovely adventurous spirit for
life..( It's not every 18 year old, that jumps out of a plane) The stars are lining up for
her....and the brightest one will find his way to her heart
Maybe, just not yet
When I visit your Blog it's as if I never
left... thank-you for all the laughs

[Passementerie]

Ooh! Shame on you for putting milk into such fabulous-looking coffee! But perhaps you are a tea drinker... (may I shamelessly direct you to my own blog post for today, which is about tea?) but I see your daughter's point about the boy who is a friend. Stiill, I wonder if *he* agrees..? (Lovely pictures, too).

[Di Overton]

They never stop being our babies do they?

[Pam]

Thanks for sharing such sweet moments, and I'm only a sometimes coffee drinker, but that coffee looked divine!

[Stephanie]

That was such a cute story, and perfectly told. And...the coffee looks really good.