It's product review time!

While I haven't quite delved into the lucrative world of paid endorsements (blast you, David Beckham), I can give my unqualified opinion from time to time.

And this, gentle reader, is one of those times.

A few weeks ago, there arrived in my mailbox (and in the mailbox of my office) some coupons from McDonald's for their new line of McCafe coffees. I'd heard their java was right up there with Starbucks, and, having no Starbucks anywhere around, had considered trying it out.

The word FREE written on some of the coupons was just the thrust I needed to try them out.

(Note to companies - giving away something FREE, especially when requiring no additional purchase, is an EXCELLENT way to get broke folks such as myself to try your product.)

Since my area has finally decided that winter is here, and the heat isn't working in either my car or my house (and the temperature in my office is a bit too chilly sometimes as well) I went in for a cuppa yesterday.

A cuppa non-fat, sugar-free-vanilla latte.

Mmmm.

It was good.

So good, in fact, that I had every intention of using another free coupon this morning - only, I spent that time searching the bottomless pit of a hall closet for my scarf and the hat Amanda bequeathed to me a couple years ago.

I haven't figured out a way to get back over there yet, but I will, make no mistake!

I highly recommend these coffees, especially since an automatic machine makes them and that leaves very little room for "operator error" on the part of the employees.

I don't know how much their regular size costs, but it's got to be cheaper than the almost $4 I shelled out for one at Starbucks recently. That's the amount I usually spend on a whole meal!

They also have several non-sugar-free varieties, as well as whole milk, and if you like your coffee iced they'll do that too.

If only they'd work on their atmosphere a bit, they could give Starbucks a real run for their money!