School is starting and I’m ready to take back my morning routine, with the help of Starbucks!
Leah starts school tomorrow and as much as I’m not ready for school to start, there is a part of me ready to take back my mornings. You know, “happy hour“? The time I wrote about way back when where I wake up early in the morning and have an hour to myself before everyone else gets up. I use that unplugged time to drink my morning coffee, read the newspaper, catch up on my happiness book and more. I treasure that time, but will be honest when I say during the summer, when getting up early is optional, sleeping in has won out.
I am slowly starting to take back my mornings. When I wake up early and have that time to myself, the entire household seems to run better. Because of my morning “me time”, I feel more organized and on top of it and ready to deal with the chaos that is getting 4 kids ready for school and out the door.
My friends at Starbucks know that a good cup of coffee is an essential ingredient to happy mornings at my house. They sent me a basket full of coffee related goodies…a box of Starbucks Pike Place K-Cups, a Starbucks tumbler and a Moleskine Passions Coffee Journal. I’m excited to let you know, they’d like to give one lucky Dine & Dish reader the opportunity to win the same thing!
To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite part of your morning is. For an additional entry, post a photo of your morning on Instagram with the hashtag #takebackmorning and tag @dineanddish and @Starbucks. (You can also use an older photo… just make sure to tag it with the hashtag and user names mentioned before). Return here and leave an additional comment on this post with your Instagram user name. All entries must be received by midnight CST on Sunday, August 10th, 2014. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified via valid email address.
Thank you for entering and good luck!
Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Starbucks. Starbucks provided me a gift basket similar to the one being given away and they are also providing the giveaway items. All opinions expressed are my own. In addition, this blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My favorite part of mornings is when the family is still sleeping and I start my coffee machine and dig into my devotional, Daily Hope with Rick Warren! It’s refreshing!
Posted on Instagram @mysweetzepol
I may sound crazy, but working out. I am usually up super early and at the gym. It gets you ready for the day.
My favorite part of morning is the moment my doggy sees me. She always acts so happy to see me even though all we’ve been doing is sleeping.
Posted on instagram as @soccermomknits.
Favorite part of the morning – the moment when the sun rays fall on our table where my Hubby and I enjoy our morning coffee. It’s our time and we love it!
My favorite part of the morning is enjoying a cup of coffee while browsing the internet before work!
Favorite part of morning is the sunrise!
Favorite part of my morning is drinking a cup of coffee while watching the today show!!!
My first cup of coffee.
The cup of coffee when no one is up but me and I can run through a few emails with no noise but the snoring of the dog.
School starts up in a week or so. We return for planning starting tomorrow. So my favorite part of the morning is 1) when I have time to meditate before heading in (it makes for a much smoother day teaching) or 2) listening to my favorite podcasts on my drive in through Griffith Park.
The best part of my morning is spending time with sweet puppies. It does the heart good to know they are so so excited to see me in the morning.
My favorite part of morning is the first sip of my Keurig coffee!
My baby girl’s smile when is come into her room to get her out of her crib, my cup of coffee and devotions 🙂
My favorite part of the morning is having a cup of coffee while catching up on my email and facebook.
Hashtagged a pic on Instagram 🙂 username is ejkellett, I’m private!
@ejkellett *
My favorite part of the morning is Starbucks on my commute while listening to Mike & Mike
I posted a photo on Instagram. My profile is private and my username is @dke11ett
My favorite part of the morning is what I call “the calm before the storm”… the time I have to myself when I check my email and drink my coffee before I head to work.
Mornings are my favorite part of the day – and the best part is having come in after an early morning run, am showered and am sitting down to a well-deserved bowl of cereal and a coffee 🙂
Love the idea of taking back my mornings… my favorite part is saying a few prayers in the quiet before the day begins. Lately, I’ve gotten too used to sleeping in a little longer than necessary! 🙂
Best part of my morning is coffee!!
Coffee! And a little bit of quiet time before the kids wake up 🙂
Best part of my morning is about 15 minutes of quiet time, bible reading and praying. Then I’m up and at ’em.
The best part of my morning is a cup of coffee with hazelnut creamer and whipped cream!
The best part of the morning is when I get the hurried hugs and kisses as hubby whisks the kids out the door–he takes them to school! Then I settle in to finish my coffee in peace and quiet.
I like morning time because that is the time that I have to myself before the day starts
My favorite part of the morning is my run. It’s really hard to get up early, especially in the summer, but it’s so worth it.
My favorite part is the brief time when I’m the only one awake and it’s sooooo peaceful!!
My favorite part of morning is waking up before my toddler and eating a quiet leisurely breakfast, with coffee of course.
I love my morning quiet time with my cup of coffee and reading blogs before the rest of the house awakens.
I love when I wake up early enough to have those quiet moments to read a little or just sit on my porch and appreciate the peace before a buys day.
Drinking my coffee!
My favorite part of the morning is drinking my coffee on my way to work. Iced in the summer!
Favorite time in the morning is making my coffee (not just because of this post) and sitting down to read a little or watch the light come in.
My Instagram is mariahhumphries
sitting down with my coffee and reading my blog feed!
My favorite part of your morning is the first sip of a cup of hot coffee.
I do love morning coffee and holding the cup with both hands. A post you wrote taught me that!
My favorite part of the morning is when I sit down at the table with my coffee, schedule, & to-do list and map out my day. It makes me feel totally empowered to face anything that may arise.
My favorite part is that morning calm and quiet. Cup of coffee and my to do list for the day.
My favourite part of morning is breakfast! 🙂
We have a big bay window in our kitchen, and if I get up and make coffee at just the right time – right after the sun has come up, the light shines into the room in the most beautiful way. It always puts me in a better frame of mind to start the day!
I tagged and hashtagged an instagram pic that perfectly captures my favorite morning moment. @mermarty
My favorite part of morning is having half an hour to myself to drink my coffee and read the paper and get my thoughts together!
I like slow mornings, taking time to enjoy my breakfast and check my email/read up on news.
My favorite part is coming back from a great sweaty run to some delicious iced coffee!
I haven’t done it in a while, but my favorite part of mornings is truly that happy hour you speak of – makes all the difference in me feeling like a grown-up during the day!
I usually don’t get “me” time in the morning…. I am working on that. But I love sitting at the table and having my coffee while my kiddos eat their breakfast.
My favorite part is waking up at the crap of dawn( my youngest who is 8 said crap of dawn once when she was like 4 instead of crack of dawn. So now both sides of the family call it the crap of dawn), when it’s just me, the dogs and the bunny making noise. I watch read a book, read the daily mass readings and then start packing lunches and such.
posted one of the sunrise pictures I took one morning before most were awake. (instagram snapshotsbygidget)
My favorite part in the morning is starting my keurig and then waking up a sleepy, happy baby
My favorite part of the morning is when I have my cup of iced coffee. That’s when I feel ready to take on the day! 🙂
I love when the kids are settled with their breakfasts and I can sip coffee and check my email. For 3-5 minutes 🙂
My iced coffee 🙂
My favorite part of the morning is when I can drink some water and get ready for my day – my commute is short to work so I’m lucky to not be in such a rush!
My favorite part of the morning is when my own kids are off to school and I’m working in my classroom in the quiet. It is the last time for 8 hours I will have it. I drink my coffee, eat my breakfast and relax! 🙂
My favorite time of the morning is when I take my chai tea (Tazo, if course!) And Go out to do the milking chores on or small goat dairy. The animals in or care are so loving and true that it just instills such a peaceful feeling in me to start my day! Ever have a bad day? Go snuggle a baby goat…cures almost any woe!
My favorite part oh the morning is the quite and the good inner feeling of starting a new day.
My favorite part of the morning is the quiet time I get with my husband and dog before he heads out to work.
The favorite part of my morning is the first, quiet, cup of coffee of the day. 🙂
When the kiddos jump into bed with me and snuggle under the covers!
The first cup of coffee, with the house quiet, enjoying a little me time before the normal hectic day begins 🙂
Posted an instagram – rebeccaabramsphoto
My favorite part of the morning is that first cup of coffee and snuggling with my baby. He’s so sweet in the morning!
My fave part of the morning is when I get to drink a cup of coffee and check my email in peach while the kiddos are still snoozing! The perfect me time! 🙂 nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
That first cup of coffee while I’m checking out blogs in the morning
Posted on Instagram @livingranchodelux
The smiles I get from the kids.
Raincitymama
Breakfast and coffee!
My favorite part of the morning is pen on paper with a cup of something warm nearby as the sun rises in a beautiful way 🙂
Sitting with a cup of coffee and reading a book, while the house is quiet, is my favorite time of the day.
My favorite part of the morning is rising at the crack of dawn,letting my dogs out and watering my garden. As I sip on my coffee and watch the sun rise and my dogs frolic in joy.
My favorite part is getting up just before the sun rises and enjoying that 1st steaming cup of coffee on the front porch, watching the sun rise with my pooch on my lap. A quiet and meditative time just for me.
Posted on Instagram @gmitas.
My first cup of coffee is the best part of my morning
My favorite part of the morning is waking up and having that first sip of coffee til the last drop of coffee figuring out my day .
I think I would have to say that my favorite part of my mornings are waking up and seeing our dog get up, stretch and then come over and lay her head on my lap while I’m getting ready. It always brings a smile to my face and warms my heart!
My favorite part of the morning is breakfast!
My favorite part of the morning is waking up next to my kitty and playing with him before I get ready for the workday! (Then, of course, comes my first cup of coffee!)
Seeing my boys first thing in the morning – they usually have huge smiles!
@kcreatives
My favorite thing is that first sip of tea.
My favorite part of the morning is waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
Breakfast with my husband.
@_graceong
Having coffee with my hubby on the sun porch.
My favorite part of my morning is waking up and enjoying the silence while everyone else is still asleep.
My favorite kind of morning is one where I can enjoy my mug of coffee, have a purring kitty on my lap, and plan the rest of the day!
My favorite part of the morning is after my hubby leaves for work and the kids to school (or camp or wherever), and it’s just me & the dog and it’s so quiet!
Hitting the gym within an hour of waking up.
Getting four kids up and out – I can’t even imagine! You are superwoman to me!
The favourite part of the morning for me is cycling to work. It’s sunny and pretty along the water with just my thoughts to keep me company (and the odd pedestrian to dodge!).
Best part of the morning is a great cup of tea and a morning devotional.
Sitting at the table with my morning coffee while my 2 & 4 year old eat breakfast. It’s a chance to look at them as they start each new day & knowing they will never be that young again. I cherish each morning with my kids
My favorite part of the morning is drinking my coffee and fooling around online before I have to start working 🙂
The quiet time I have in the shower.
My favorite part of the morning is when I got out for my morning run. I think of nothing and it’s fabulous!
cup of cofee and crocheting go together to think 1st about how to do everything needed for the day
First cup of coffee with my hubby on our back porch (early morning when it is so quiet and cool out)!!! <3
My favorite part of each morning is when The Farmer presents me with a perfect cup of coffee that he has made…complete with the perfect dollop of milk foam on top!
My favorite morning is any morning that involves my favorite cup of coffee and some peace and quiet!
My favorite part of the morning is when I drink my breakfast tea in bed with my pet dog at my feet. I love that part of day before I scramble to get ready for work 🙂
My favorite part of the morning is when the kids are just dressed and washed up. Before they get all dirty again 😉
My favorite part of my morning is smelling my coffee brewing and that first perfect sip of the freshly brewed cup. Ahhhhhhh
Showering while my husband feeds the girls. It’s the only alone time I get.
My favorite part of my morning is first smelling my coffee brewing and then having my cup right under my nose so I can get a big whiff of the wonderful aroma of fresh brewed coffee…..then finally taking my first sip while looking out my windows at what the day may be bringing.
My favorite part is that moment after everyone is out the door and a hush settles over the house for a half hour while I eat breakfast and read a little. On weekends it’s having breakfast with the family at a leisurely pace.
Best part of the morning is a mid morning cappuccino.
getting home from a work-out and drinking that first cup of coffee!!
IG: azulskies
My favorite part is sending my husband off in the morning with a nice breakfast sandwich and his green tea!
Spending a few minutes playing with my cats. Nothing like a laugh to get the day off to a good start!
The best part of my morning are the minutes of quiet before the rest of the household awakens.
I love, love, luuurrrvv getting up before everyone else…grabbing my cup of coffee and then plopping down on my front stoop. It’s cool, the birds are chattering, and I can see the sun coming up. No one needs me just yet and I can really sit and think about my day. What I have to do, what I want to do differently, etc. I finish my coffee, take a deep breath and then head back in the house!
My favorite part of the morning is making breakfast and enjoying a cup of coffee. (:
I get up earlier than anyone. For the same reason as you. I love the quiet before the house wakes up. A cup of coffee, my ipad, the morning news (turned down low). I love this quiet time.
My favorite part of the morning is my cup of coffee after a morning run.
I love sitting on the deck with my cup of coffee before anyone else is up. I just enjoy the sun on my face and the quiet around me.
I love mornings that begin with a liesurely trip through my email inbox with a cup of hot coffee in my hand.
My favorite part of the morning is my bowl of cereal with the morning news.
My favorite part of the morning is having a nice cup of tea.
My favorite part of my morning routine now includes a nice cup of Starbucks iced coffee. I found it near the ice tea at my local Wal-Mart, and it’s delicious!
seeing my girls faces!
My favorite part of the morning is taking my dog for a walk before going to work.
The favorite part of my morning is when Calum (2yr old son) wakes up with the giggles and wants to snuggle…
My favorite part of morning is when I walk through the house opening curtains & shades letting the sun shine in, taking a moment at each window to enjoy the garden views, they seem to change every day.
Getting my youngest son to school on time which doesn’t happen often but when it does I love it. Because then I have time to hit the Starbucks drive thru. But if I can’t I have my kcups at the office.
Cuddling with my dog before getting out of bed 🙂
Working out with my personal trainer!
my favorite part of the morning is having my first cup of coffee before going to the gym!
My favorite part of the morning is a cup of hot tea while settling in to begin the day at work. It means that becoming productive begins!
My favorite part of my morning is the fresh smell of my coffee brewing, and then of course drinking it outside on my patio in the summer.
My favorite part of the morning is making my one cup of coffee.
My favorite part of my morning is cracking an egg into my skillet to find out that it was twins!
My Instagram username is klalarae.
My favorite part of the morning is just sitting on the porch, with my coffee, alone, just listening to the birds wake up. Not really thinking about anything in particular…just enjoying life in general.
My large cup of coffee!
My favorite part of the morning is going in my 3 year old room and watching him for a few moments as he sleeps, followed by morning coffee at work before my day gets going.
My favorite part of the morning is the first cup of coffee.
My only favorite part of the morning is my Starbucks coffee.
Coffee on the deck and appreciate my beautiful view.
My favorite part of the morning is have a cup of fresh brewed coffee!
My favorite part of the morning (preferably a weekend morning) is lounging outside in cool weather with my dogs, iced coffee and my nook!
Additional entry w/instagram username: antsarie
My favorite part is definitely my first cup of coffee (of two)!!
I love that first sip of coffee in the morning. That and the first kisses from my little guy!
My husband and kids know that the only way they can get me out of bed in the morning to start the day is by bringing me a cup of coffee.
smiles from my baby! and then finally getting us packed up and into the car and that first sip of coffee!
Fav time have a cup of Starbucks with my hubby before we go to work. Great time of bonding for over 40 years.
Favorite part of the morning is when everyone is in the place where they should be, and I get to sit down, finally be still, and enjoy my first cup of coffee. Ahh…
My favourite part of the morning once school starts is the hour I have after the kids leave for school and I head to work. I get them out the door and then I get myself ready. It is the only part of the day that the kids aren’t around and there is peace and quiet!!!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
my favorite part of the morning is sitting down to a hot cup of coffee!
the few minutes I have to relax before I leave for work
the first cup of coffee in the morning before anyone else gets up
My cup of coffee (is my treat after tending to the cats, dog and chickens.)
I like drinking my cup of coffee slowly while I am eating my breakfast!
I enjoy a good cup of coffee while sitting on my front porch enjoying God’s beautiful country.
Favorite part is my new view and the fog that rolls in almost every morning …. that and hot coffee that isn’t interrupted with questions from the littles.
@naomihattaway (extra entry)
I love waking up and laying in bed while I play around on my phone
My favorite part of the morning is getting a starbucks!! My bank account hates me!
My favorite part of the morning is seeing my baby’s huge grin when he realizes I’m in his nursery with a bottle – just for him! He gets so excited, and it’s just heart-warming. My second favorite part of the morning is finding time to drink enough coffee to see me through the rest of the day!
my favorite part is during the quiet and calm before work starts at home when I can eat breakfast and drink my coffee
My favorite part is feeding my two dogs while i make my coffee. their faces when they see me filling up the bowls are priceless
My favorite part is brewing my favorite coffee, having my daily newspaper on my hands ready to read, and just noticing my little dog still asleep and not wanting to wake him up! *awws* *sips*
My favorite part is the scent of coffee filling up the kitchen as I get ready!
The best part of the morning is going out for a walk in the early morning. Thank you!
In one word: coffee!
I love the quiet part of the morning when it’s just me up and am so thankful to have finally gotten into the habit and gotten the kids used to it so if they do wake up they know to leave me alone until I close my devotional…and I love just as much my kids’ enthusiasm for each new day and sleepy, happy-to-see-me grins that tell me they feel safe.
My favorite part of the morning is after I’m done exercising and getting ready, and I have time for a cup of coffee and some fun reading.
My favorite part of the morning is when my 14 month old wakes up and always greets me with a happy shriek and smile.
Coffee with my husband before he leaves for work and then cuddling with my kids as they watch their morning video!
My favorite part of the morning is meditation! 🙂
I’ve never been much of a morning person, but my favorite part of morning is stepping outside and filling the bird feeders. I like seeing what’s happening in the yard, what birds and bugs are around, what the sky looks like, and how the plants and flowers are doing.
My favorite part of the morning is when I take my first sip of coffee before settling in at work.
Would have to say that my favorite part is waking up to meditation
My favorite part of the morning is waking up before everyone else and enjoying a cup of coffee and reading. I need a little bit of quiet “me time” in the morning.
My favorite part of the morning is the same as yours, Kristen… quiet time with my coffee and pondering my day 🙂 <3 thinking of you and Kelly <3
instagram photo posted @kitchengirljo 😉
My favorite part of the morning is having a coffee and checking email before the kids get up
My favorite part is the brief time I have some quiet in the house before everyone else wakes up.
Instagram name: asimplehomestd
My favorite part of my morning is waking up to hearing my sweet 8 month old baby girl playing in her crib, ready to start her day. She’s such a blessing in my husband and I’s lives! On those mornings when she wakes up super early I really look forward to a nice hot cup of coffee! Thanks for the opportunity.
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
My favorite part of the morning are those extra 5 minutes I stay in bed!
My favorite part is sitting down to drink some tea while I listen to music.
My favorite part of the morning is the 15-20 minutes I have to myself before everyone else gets up. I drink my coffee and read the paper then.
My favorite part of the morning is walking out in my backyard, filling the bird feeders, putting fresh water in the bird baths, checking my plants and just watching nature in my little back yard.
My favorite part of the morning is kissing all my slow-moving sleepy bed-headed kiddos as they stumble into the kitchen for breakfast!
My oldest started a school that she needs to be bussed to so the two of us are up before everyone else. I am cherishing the one-on-one time I get to have with her before sending her off to school.
My favorite part of morning is my first cup of coffee and snuggling with my new rescue Yorkie Bella
Instagram name is Dthern
My favorite part of the morning is when the school bus pulls away from the curb and I start my second pot of coffee. 🙂
I love getting up early and driving to work with my morning Starbucks….it is so quiet and a more leisure drive with less people about….I can so concentrate on how good my coffee tastes with no distractions!
Favorite part of my morning…Seeing my Sweetpea’s smile!! 🙂
waking up hugging and kissing my husband and then getting that first cup of coffee.
Definitely the first cuppa!
I love the coffee and quietness of the house.
My favorite part of the morning is a nice cup of coffee on the back deck, listening to the birds chirping and just a few minutes alone to enjoy mother nature, before the morning begins!
Love my weekend morning where I can take it slow and enjoy a cup of tea while catching up on my blog reading.
My favorite part of the morning is that first cup of coffee and sitting on the porch — rain or shine — saying my morning prayers and enjoying the quietness of the day, watching the birds at the feeder and hearing them chirp away. My cat purring as she sits at my side waking up. And that wonderful “wake-up” call from my son. Those 30-minutes make all the difference in the world as I begin my day.
My favorite part of the morning is taking my dog for an early morning walk, coffee in hand. Such a wonderful way to start the day!
The beat part of my morning is enjoying a cup of coffee before the toddler wakes up.
I get a wake-up “call” from my furry baby who let’s me know it’s time to let her outside. Her yawns are so adorable!
Best part of the morning?No matter what is going on in the world- Knowing I get to be alive and enjoy another blessed day.
Love looking out from my bedroom window at the beautiful morning trees and sunrise.
@capcitycharms Pic shared and tagged. 🙂
Rolling out of bed with the sunlight streaming in my windows.
When I was growing up, I always wondered why my mom always got up before anyone else. I now understand it was her “alone time”. — her only time for herself. I find that I love my morning time with my coffee, as the world comes awake, to reflect and recharge without interruption
Waking up in the summer with the windows open to sunlight and birds chirping or a few loons calling.
I love the way the first cup of coffee feels so welcoming! 😉
Sitting on the deck enjoying a cup of coffee
Cool air through the windows as I sip my coffee in my pre-morning crazies quiet house.
My favorite part of the morning is looking forward to my new day. 🙂 life is beautiful and Starbucks helps
The best is a morning that one can sleep in! On week days, a morning is made lovely with kolaches & coffee.
My fav part of my weekend mornings is not having to drive in traffic
My favorite part of my morning is the drive home after my morning bootcamp. The sun has hardly risen and the summer air feels absolutely beautiful.
The best part is the rare days that I wake up without an alarm before the baby and get to enjoy some quiet time
The best part of my morning is my cup of coffee before the kids get up. I do a little reading, a little praying, and get my day started right before all the chaos emerges from the back bedroom!
My morning quiet time is coffee, feeding birds, pulling a few weeds and checking our garden…love it?
@karrieann00 tagged on IG!
coffee!!! and reading my bible.
Hitting the snooze button again!
Drinking my first cup of coffee!
my coffee and pet time
Hearing the birds singing!
My favorite time of the morning is sitting with my Nana drinking coffee (go figure), and also taking my dog on a walk! It’s so peaceful and beautiful in the mornings!
Getting ready for work while kids are still asleep! My quiet time..
Having my first cup before anyone else is up
My favorite part of each morning is when I wake up my son.
I live seeing my little girl smile in her crib!!!
Having my first cup of coffee while checking my e-mails.
having coffee and watching a few minutes of the morning news before everyone wakes and takes over the tv!