Delicious Pairings with Starbucks and Walmart

Yesterday, I invited a few family members to a little book party I put together.  I had the opportunity to sample Starbucks' Willow Blonde Blend coffee, and Walmart's Lemon Sliced Loaf Cake, and wanted to see what the others thought about them.

My husband and I both frequent our town's Starbucks retail store and he regularly drinks Starbucks brand coffee at home.  He prefers flavored coffees like carmel and vanilla. I was curious what he'd think of the Willow Blonde Blend, as it features complimentary notes of citrus flavor.  I wondered if he, as well as my other guests, would be able to pick up on them with the addition of the Lemon Sliced Loaf Cake---a citrus-flavored treat.

Before the party, I shopped for the coffee at Walmart.  They have a special display in the bakery section featuring certain coffees that are meant to compliment the flavors found in some of Walmart's baked items.  I didn't have a hard time finding the display, but it was up a little high.  I think I would have preferred it at eye-level since there are several things to read on it.  I knew where to find the cake as I'd seen it before when shopping, but never would have thought to pair it with the coffee.  It was three aisles over from this display so the intended pairing wasn't obvious.

Jamie brews a great pot of coffee!

When it was time for me to try the coffee and cake, I was surprised by the bold flavor of the coffee.  I assumed, as did my guests later on, that a "blonde" blend would be lighter in flavor.  Instead, it was surprisingly rich.  We were not at all disappointed by the quality of the coffee.  One of my guests later commented on the lack of bitter aftertaste that she was used to in other coffees she'd tried.  Starbucks proved, once again, to be our favorite brand.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the lemon cake.  The lemon flavor in the cake was barely detectable, which made it difficult to pick out the citrus notes in the coffee.  The cake had more of a buttery flavor and was fairly dry---even though it looked moist in the package.

My guests were also not able to detect the citrus notes in the coffee.  We all agreed the cake changed it's taste, making it lighter and sweeter.  We found ourselves wishing we had something with a stronger lemon flavor to try out.  Since we knew the citrus flavors were there in the coffee, we were curious to experience them!  

After our taste-testing experiment, we took turns sharing book reviews.  Mom talked about a story of a princess that she's enjoying and I received applause for finishing Little Women.

We all really enjoyed our time together, sharing good books and treats.  Maybe we'll pick another #DeliciousPairings combination a couple months from now and do it again!

For more information visit: 
Starbucks on Twitter and Facebook
Walmart on Twitter and Facebook

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™.  All opinions are honest and are my own. #cbias #SocialFabric

Linking with:
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage 
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home
Titus 2sdays @ The Time Warp Wife  
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Through Life
Courtship Connection
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Inspire Me Wednesday @ Mama Buzz
Whatcha Work Up Wednesday  

Strengthened by the Service of Others

"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." 
                                       ~Isaiah 40:29

Yesterday morning I felt weak.

The demands of homemaking and mothering have been weighing heavy since I had Brenna six weeks ago and I just didn't think I could handle the day planned for me.  When I did get the opportunity to glance up at the clock after what seemed like hours of morning duties, I realized it was only 8:00 a.m.!  The thought of such a long day ahead was overwhelming.

Jamie and I have lived in Eastern Oregon almost our entire lives.  A few years ago, we had the opportunity to spend about 18 months in the Seattle area.  When we had to move back to Oregon, it was a huge disappointment and we've all been living in a little bit of a depression ever since.

One blessing about the move, however, is that we've been able to live within a couple blocks of my mom.  She is, of all our family, the most involved in our lives, and often takes the kids for a day of fun at Grandma's.

What a relief and a blessing it was to be able to ask her to take the eight oldest for the day.  It was humbling to ask for that day of rest but the baby and I needed it badly and I am able to handle today a lot better than I would have otherwise.

God does give us strength when we ask for it.  Often times, it comes through the blessed service of the people He's placed around us.

Thank you, Mom, for loving your family by serving them.  I have a lot to learn from you!

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

This article was published in the 99th edition of The Christian Home Magazine.

DIY Candy Jars Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

Who still has Christmas stuff up?  Up until the day before yesterday, that was me!

Usually I get my stuff down and put away before the first of the year but with new baby Brenna here this year, I sorta slacked off!

Anyway, it's all away now and my living room is back to it's Shabby Pink self again!  I even have candy in my candy jars!

These are so easy and inexpensive to make---I think everyone needs a set!

To make these, I used two dollar store candlesticks and two lidded jars from Walmart.  I took the plastic suction piece out of each jar lid and spray painted them pretty colors.  After they dried, I glued the jars to the candlesticks and added some pretty ribbon! 




<a href="http://www.bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc418/lostinavalon1/Homemakinglinkup.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a> I hope you'll join me this weekend for my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend!  I've got the linky up a little early as we're celebrating Lynzie's 13th birthday this weekend!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!
  
Finally, the most important part of this post.  I was made aware of a sweet couple who are wanting to adopt a little girl and have come up with a creative way that we can all help just a little.  Please visit my post on the Hill family and pray about what you can do to take part in their adoption plans.
Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

 



Also linking with:
HOME @ Rose Chintz Cottage 
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Strutt Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple 
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Watcha Work-Up Wednesday 
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Craft-o-Maniac Monday 
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Masterpiece Monday @ BoogieBoard Cottage 
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 
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What's In the Gunny Sack? 
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Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Through Life 
Tuesday Linkup @ Courtship Connection 
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good 
Watcha Work Up Wednesday 
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Inspire Me Wednesday @ Mama Buzz
HOME @ Rose Chintz Cottage 
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Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six 
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