My Coffee Cup Connoisseurship: A Love Letter to My Favorite Mugs
When it comes to coffee mugs, I’m a bit of a connoisseur, with a collection that includes both practical tools and sentimental treasures. Each one has a story, a reason for its unique place in my home. Here, I’ll explore my favorite mugs, ranging from a durable, no-fuss stainless steel cup to more delicate hand-thrown pieces with personal history.
Utility Wins with Stainless Steel
Let’s start with my go-to mug, a massive double-wall stainless steel souvenir from a Walker Stalker convention. Its durability and ability to retain heat even when I’m distracted at my age (let’s keep the age part a secret, shall we?) make it invaluable. The coffee-stained interior may be a bit grimy, but it fits well into the “no one else would ever use it” category. The sippy cup lid, while not included in this particular mug, would certainly help in maintaining its contents' heat and not making a mess on the go.
Aesthetic Prowess Meets Sentimental Value
For those mugs that hold a special aesthetic and personal significance, I’ve collected a variety. One of them—a hand-thrown creation from an artist in Joshua Tree—is a masterpiece in miniature. The handle’s ideal fit around my hand, the perfect thumb divot, and the precise balance of glaze and desert background make it a true desert art specimen. Each sip is a nod to the Joshua Trees that inspired its design. I also have a matching shot glass from the same artist, a curious pair that always leaves me with a smile.
Legacy of Art and Craft
One of the very few belongings I transported from my home in Israel to the United States is a delicate 8-ounce mug, a middle school souvenir. It might be small, but its thin and delicate design, combined with charming watercolor cats and a garden scene, makes it a beloved keepsake. I haven't used it often due to its small size and my tendency to break coffee mugs frequently, especially since moving to Seattle. I've gone through three mugs in the past year alone!
A Family Tradition
Lastly, I must mention the mugs that mean the most to me, given to me by my father. Dad has a passion for art and craft shows, and his travel around the tri-state area has led to an endless collection of unique mugs. When he moved, he offered these finds to me, and guess what? I adore them. Each mug holds between 3-4 cups of coffee, a perfect match for my visual artist’s mug that I keep by the coffee maker.
From the dependable stainless steel to the intricately crafted Joshua Tree art, my collection of coffee mugs is a testament to my diverse tastes and personal history. Whether it's utility or sentimentality, each mug tells a story, and I’m grateful for the memories they bring to my mornings.