My wife and I went shopping for Christmas gifts yesterday, and the snow here was steep and deep. This is the consequence of shopping late, I reminded she who must be obeyed, without a reply.

We walked, looked at the lights, shopped, and my nose went from dry, to red, to runny, and to frozen. Thoughts of tropical Brasil, and the warm beaches of Fortaleza ( Air temp at 25-28 C, with ocean temp at 24 C, warm breezes, Caipirinhas, ) kept me going.

" It would be nice to be at Porto Das Dunas now, wouldn't it ? I said. " Yes. So make it happen then " came the reply. I thought of a reply, but my jaw was not working very well in the cold for a snappy comeback. So we did the next best thing.

We stopped and went into the local Nespresso to try the new Christmas coffee, see the machines, and warm up. I had a demonstration of the new " U " Nespresso machine, more automated than our Citiz and travel Pixie, with a better design. It now provides 3 coffee cup sizes, and brews the coffee the minute the pod opening is shut and closed.

I like the nice contoured appearance, but the magnetic placement options for the drip tray, etc. we do not need as we cleared everything off our kitchen counters into drawers and cabinets. If one has a problem with the lack of counter space as many do, then this is the model to choose.

I decided to load up with some extra sleeves of coffee pods for holiday guests, and was offered a free Aeroccino frothing machine as a reward. Someone we know will now be receiving this as a gift, as we have one, but do not use it much. I asked if this promotion was local or worldwide, and was told that the offer was also being promoted in Europe (220-240v) and North America (110v).

Thoroughly warmed again with the exception of our feet, we reluctantly re-entered the Arctic Europe conditions here for a few more stores, returning to the SUV with (in my opinion) too many bags and boxes. Despite my gloves, my arms were now stretched down around to my boots, the large heavy Nespresso bag being the main culprit. Circulation was finally restored to my fingers after an hour or so of driving home.

But I did enjoy a decaf Nespresso last night which was very good with the fire going !