Two and a half Men coffee mugs if we were having coffee

Anybody familiar with the television series Two and a half Men and the coffee mugs they use on the show? These mugs are 16 ounce horizontal striped mugs. The stripes are multi-coloured with shades of yellow, blue, reddish-brown, white and green. I loved these mugs and found a set of my own about 10 years ago when the show was in its fifth season I believe.

My version of these mugs are hand painted and handcrafted Rafael Rooster. They appear to be the same size as Charlie’s mugs and the pattern is that same varied width line that runs horizontal around the mug. My colours are shades of reddish-pink, white, green, yellow, and black.

Anyway, this morning I was struck by the memory that comes to me every time I decide to use one of these mugs instead of my Grumpy Dwarf mug. It is such a strong image that it is almost like I am reliving it. There isn’t anything overly significant about it; it was just a nice relaxing day.

It was the first house my husband and I bought together. I had returned from a run, showered, and I was eager to have a morning coffee. I’m not sure if it was late spring or early fall. Regardless, the sliding door was open allowing the sounds of the lawnmower to create a background of white noise with the smell of fresh cut grass traveling in on the cool breeze. I was seated at our dining room table with the breeze slightly ruffling the chocolate table cloth around my legs. My “Two and a half Men” coffee mug was the only thing on the table, and my hand was cupped around its side so the warmth from my fresh coffee provided a comforting contrast to the slight breeze. I was leaning back with my legs stretched out under the table gently crossed at the ankles and I was aware of a chill on my bare feet. My other hand held a hard covered copy of The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, it was braced against the edge of the table while I poured over the words on its pages. The day spread out before me was free from obligation and responsibility, it was just a quiet do what you want kind of day.

Perhaps that is it, that quiet do what you want kind of day, drawing that memory to the mug so powerfully. I haven’t had one of those days in a long time. Anyway, the memory associated to the mug is certainly a welcome one and it invokes that feeling of relaxation as I sip my coffee amid the chaos of life.

How about you, do you have any strong coffee or coffee mug associations?

If we were having coffee I would share with you on a separate note that I recently received an email recommending a well written 3 book series called The Warlord Chronicles. It was described to me as follows: “The Warlord Chronicles, by Bernard Cornwell, tells the story of Arthur’s Britain with a realistic bent. It’s well researched and set into the correct time period (the ‘Dark ages’ c500-600AD, so no shiny plate armour or gigantic stone castles but rather stone towers, low keeps, and wooden palisades). At this time it was the Britons (we call them the Welsh these days) who occupied everything south of Hadrian’s wall, but were a series of regional tribes. This is also the time of the Saxon invasion of Britain which would eventually create the Kingdom of England. The story is told from the point of view of one of Arthur’s commanders.” This link was attached for further information, http://www.bernardcornwell.net/series/the-arthur-books/

I have not personally read anything by Bernard Cornwell yet, but I have often stopped and considered his books when I am strolling around the book store. I have now happily added this series to my “to be read” list. Besides there is no better way to spend free time then with a coffee and a good book!

If we were having coffee I would ask you if you have read Bernard Cornwell, or if you have any great books you would like to recommend?

A big thanks to everyone for sharing.

By Shari Marshall – 2017