We’re all feeling extra stress these days, but quarantine also offers a chance to notice and enjoy small, everyday pleasures. If you want an easy, creative way to brighten your mornings at home, try sprinkling cinnamon in playful shapes on your latte or frothed milk. We’re far from professional baristas, but this tiny ritual brings a lot of joy in our house.
I began adding little hearts or smiley faces in cinnamon to the foamed oat milk when making coffee for my kids—now adult children—as a simple way to show I care. When they were young I used to draw on napkins and shape their meals into fun designs, so keeping the tradition going felt natural and nice.
My daughter Courtney often shares her own attempts at latte art on Instagram stories, which always makes me laugh. Those imperfect designs are part of the charm and remind me how much fun small, handmade gestures can be.
This idea works for kids too: let them sprinkle cinnamon faces on hot chocolate, milk, or even toast. It’s an easy, safe activity that invites creativity and a few shared giggles around the kitchen table.
For our coffee routine I use a stovetop espresso maker and a milk frother to warm and foam oat milk—Oatly is our favorite—but any espresso or strong coffee and a simple frother will do. Then I finish each drink with a light dusting of cinnamon, shaped by holding the shaker close and moving it to suggest a heart, smile, or other tiny motif.
Maybe one day we’ll take formal latte art lessons, but for now teaching ourselves a few simple skills at home is a comforting way to spend time under stay-at-home orders. Learning small techniques—how to steam milk, how to hold a shaker, or how to freehand a heart—turns an ordinary morning into something a little more thoughtful.
What small traditions bring joy to your home these days?
More Posts on The Inspired Room:
How to Be Cozy At Home & Uplifting Music Playlists
Spring Shop – My Favorite Spring Decor
How to Look for Loveliness in Difficult Times
How to Find Joy At Home: A Simple Guide
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