If you are like me, you are pretty skeptical of contests (yet, I seem to enter them anyways).  The joy of entering a contest is the “dream factor” that results from hitting the “submit” button.  Even the smallest prize can bring happiness because the pervasive thought of “nothing ventured, nothing gained”, takes hold.

Back in February, I had some down time and  submitted an entry for a “Roaster for the Day” prize.  I love to learn how to make stuff and roasting coffee beans has been on my list of things to learn, now that I have mastered bread, yogurt, ice cream and cheese making.  But, as usual, because I move at a rapid pace, I hit enter and forgot about it.  That is until Monday afternoon when I received a call that said I had won.

Wow, I won?!  The last thing I won was in 1995 when my name was called at a manager meeting.  I won a leather jacket for the now-defunct company, Side1.  I returned home with my prize and one of my employees salivated over the jacket.  I ended up giving it to her–she wanted it so much.

But coffee roasting with a mission is right up my alley.  There were 300+ entries for this prize so I feel pretty special and grateful.  Especially since I get to bring three friends along.  I also get to pick and name my roast, because Happy Cup will make bags with my custom name.  My husband suggested Turkish Phenomena Roast or Turkish Tornado Morning Hit Roast…ah, he knows me too well.  I also expect a year of caffeinated nirvana given the prize comes with 52 bags of coffee beans.

If you are not familiar with Happy Cup Roasting, check them out.  They are focused on giving people with potential, opportunities.  I have been a 12 year volunteer at Dress for Success and love helping women gain self-sufficiency, so their mission really “speaks” to me.  So in the end, happiness and doing good can all be found in a cup of coffee!

I will keep you posted on my roasting adventure!