Live Slow

We got our first lot of bags completed tonight. 
It's been a task that we've been working on all week.
We're going to be roasting and packaging tomorrow night,
and shipping them Tuesday. 

When I was stamping and writing on the bags,
after Becky cut, sewed and folded them,
I asked myself
"Why are we doing all this?"
I mean, it's a lot of work.
Just for a bag that we could buy.
Easily.
But that's kind of the answer.
It's not about ease.

It's about doing things slowly.
Living slowly.
It is less efficient
but it has so much more meaning.

But what I wanted to write about was the symbol that we use to stamp our bags. 
It is the bottom of a coffee mug,
a small mug,
the size I prefer.
I could drink out of a giant mug.
Again, it would be easier.
But the joy of coffee is the process.
So pouring, drinking, and finishing a cup is part of the process.
And if I had a big mug, I only get to experience that cycle once.
Whereas, having the smaller mug allows me much filling and refilling.
Perfect.
That's what I'm after.

It was probably all that filling and refilling that led to the idea for the stamp.
When I roast, I use a paper log to keep track of the data from each batch:
time, temp, airflow, developmental notes.
And I end up setting my coffee down on the log.
Inevitably I spill.
And I get this perfect coffee stain on nearly every log I have,
and nearly every piece of paper that spends a day in the roasting room with me. 

If there is a symbol for me that represents roasting
it's that ring of coffee left behind from a mug.
It just seemed fitting to stamp the bags with that.

I hope you all enjoy the coffee you receive this week.
We are super grateful for you all and for the opportunity to send you coffee.
Be well.