December 2012 Coffee News

-Gathering Against the Dark
-Coffee Harvest Has Begun
-Spice it Up!
-VFC Out and About
-Holiday Gift ideas

On our oldest son's 18th birthday last month, we posted several baby pictures to Facebook including a group shot of all of his cousins from his first visit to Honduras. Since most of his cousins are now on Facebook, we created a virtual reunion of sorts by tagging them in the photo (which you can check out yourself on our Facebook Page). The holidays are a time of coming together in all kinds of ways and we celebrate and reflect on that below, give an update on the coffee harvest which is just getting underway, and provide a few ideas for spicing up the holidays.  

Gathering Against the Dark
When we first moved to Minnesota in 1991, not only was Guillermo the sole member of his family here, but communication back home was limited to a few letters a year and an occasional phone call to his brother's work place since he was the only one in the family to have a phone in Honduras back then. Truthfully it was pretty hard for Guillermo to be that far from his family. Thankfully things have changed. These days, we regularly chat with our nieces and nephews through Facebook and talk by phone with his siblings and parents. Communications about coffee shipments and payments happen via text and email. And several family members have settled here in Minnesota and regularly stop by to say hi. We're expecting a houseful when we all gather next on Christmas Eve.

As we approach the shortest day of the year and the darkness of winter deepens, it makes sense that our habit is to gather together, perhaps to hold off the darkness and give ourselves courage. As you gather in the coming weeks with friends and family, consider how you might make this a year long practice to join together with others around the causes that concern you most. Here are just a few of our favorite groups that give us hope and inspiration:

*Addressing Climate Change -- Post Carbon Institute and 350.org
*Promoting Sustainable Farming -- in Minnesota Land Stewardship Project and in Honduras Sustainable Harvest 
*Economic and Community Development -- in Minnesota Neighborhood Development Center and around the world Kiva
*Personal and Spiritual Growth -- PPUMC and Aslan Institute

Whether it be climate change, sustainable farming, violence, poverty or something else, there are people already working together to make things better and find a way forward. Add your energy to the growing circle and join in.

Coffee Harvest Has Begun
The news from Honduras is that the 2013 Coffee Harvest is under way. As the red coffee berries ripen to a beautiful red over the next few months, they will be hand picked, processed and then dried to await shipment to us. Honduras continues to climb in worldwide coffee output industry experts say. However, the spread of Coffee Rust (or "rolla") throughout Central America could be a problem. We'll have more details about our own family's harvest next month (so far "La Rolla" hasn't been a significant problem for our farms thankfully). In the meantime, check out our photo slide-show of the coffee harvest process.

Spice it Up!
As we expected, our holiday flavors have been a hit. We've been selling lots and if you would like to order any with your December order, we encourage you to contact us quickly! The flavors that were chosen for 2012 are: Wind Chill, Gingerbread Spice, Drunken Uncle and Almond Toffee. All four of these flavors are available in 8 oz packages, whole bean and ground and in limited quantities of decaf for $6.50. Visit our website for descriptions and details. Our regular flavors continue to be available during this time as well.

In addition to these coffees that come already flavored, we've had two customers offer up flavoring tips you can do yourself. Trish says she adds a few shakes of ground cardamom to the Maximo's French Roast in her coffee grinder most mornings. Bonni adds half a stick of cinnamon to the Alma's Full City Roast she grinds for her pot of coffee. Let us know if you have any unique ways of spicing up your Velasquez Family Coffee.

VFC Out and About
We've been busy the past few months getting the word out about our coffee. On November 17, we enjoyed a very successful day at the Green Gifts Fair. For more local gift ideas and green living resources, check out the Do It Green Directory and the Buy Local Gift Guide. Nationally, we're proud to once again be in Green America's 2013 Green Pages -- also a great source for your holiday shopping. We were pleased to be featured in Edible Twin Cities Nov/Dec feature article on "The Buzz on Local Coffee." And the Park Bugle featured our ad in their holiday shopping guide.

This coming weekend, there are two fun events where you can buy Velasquez Family Coffee and do some holiday shopping:

*Holiday Happenings by Pies and Aprons, 193 Pennsylvania Ave E, St. Paul, Friday, Dec 7 (3-8), Sat & Sun, Dec 8 & 9 (10-4). A fun family event and holiday market featuring vintage and upcycled goods, local handmade artists, organic and sustainable floral selections, live local music, drinks, and scrumptious pies and food truck fare. Mini-workshops, Photos with Santa and Train rides too! 

*Sibirica Boutique - 996 Oxford St. N, St. Paul, two weekends - December 8, 9, 15 & 16 from 10am-6pm each day. Featuring handmade gifts from talented local artists.

Finally, earlier this week, we sent out a promotional postcard to about 2000 people in two neighborhoods in St. Paul and folks are starting to respond. If the postcard arrived at your house, feel free to pass it on to someone who might be interested in our coffee. Referrals are our best source of new customers.

A Few More Gift Ideas
Of course, coffee also makes a great holiday gift. Buy a 3, 6 or 12 month coffee gift subscription. Let us mail coffee to your family and friends. Order extras for those last minute gift giving needs. Read our November Newsletter for more ideas. 

And if you just want inspiration for making the holidays simpler here are two great resources:
*This Green Life Green Your Holidays
*The Center for the New American Dream Simplfy Your Holidays

Housecleaning Help
If you could use help getting your house ready for the holidays or if you are looking for long term cleaning services, give our niece Cinthia a call at 651-487-1231 or 651-285-3067 or email her at rodriguez20007@gmail.com for a cost estimate based on the size of your house and the frequency of cleaning you need.

As we end this email and this year, we want to take the opportunity to thank you for the privilege of providing you with coffee. It brings us great joy to be creating connections and happy mornings over fine cups of coffee. Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo!