These are a few of my favorite things

Two of my favorite things about visiting my parents (aside from the two of them) are Boomer

(who got his teeth cleaned on Friday - doxies have penchants for plaque and tartar build up when they get older- and was just diagnosed with having high blood pressure!  Yikes!  But all is well; he's on meds for the short term until it's under control.  Also, in case you can't tell, he's totally eyeing that pillow and thinking, "I'd really like to French you."  The pup has a love for upholstery.  And blankets.  And Kleenex.  And, of late, the kitchen trash can.)

and the Nespresso milk steamer my sister and I gave my mom for Christmas this past year.

 You have no idea how hard it was to take that pic and not have me showing up in the reflection.  I'm definitely hiding behind the counter.

Nespresso is amazing.  There are no words.  You may be wondering what makes it so great and why anyone needs this product. I don't really know what makes it so great, other than I love what it does to my coffee.  Probably no one really needs this product, but it's a perfect gift if you have parents like mine who can afford all the things they need and pretty much take care of their wants on their own, too, which leaves you and your sibling(s) wondering what the deuce to get them when their birthdays and Christmas roll around.  For the record, this is a terrible gift for people who take their coffee black.  But if you know a coffee with milk person, this is great.  What exactly does it do?  ALLOW ME TO SHOW YOU IN A SERIES OF HORRIBLY-LIT PICTURES!

You've seen the outside of it.  This is the inside, with the frother piece inside (there's a different fitting that doesn't have the spiral coil if you just want warmed milk for an amazing cafe au lait or other heated milk beverage):

See those markings on the back wall?  You're supposed to use those as guidelines for how much milk to pour in.  I sometimes use those and other times don't.  You probably should follow the guidelines, but for one person, that makes more than you need.   Just go with your gut and fill 'er up.

Put the lid on and press the button on the front.

The button will turn red, which means magic is happening.

After about 20 seconds (if that), your milk will be nice and warm and foamy.

Grab your favorite mug (if you are at my parents' house, it will likely be one of these Clementine Hunter mugs or Royal Doulton Tapestry because THOSE ARE FOR BREAKFAST! and if you've met my mom, you've heard her speak and there's no denying she's Southern so of course there are special dishes for breakfast, or if it's Christmas, you'll receive your coffee in Spode Christmas Tree mugs because why would there not be Christmas china if we have breakfast china?), fill it with coffee, and top it with your milk.  It tastes like pure indulgence.

So if you are a coffee drinker or know someone who is, go buy a Nespresso milk frother thingy.  It's on my list of wants but it makes waking up at Mom and Dad's so much more fun knowing that I get to have fancy milk!  I only wish they'd had it while I was crashing with them pre-wedding.