Book World.

I don't know how or why you read books or maybe you don't even like reading, that's OK; I don't like jogging and I'll probably never do it.  But. I do like reading books but not for all the normal reasons, like the "calgon take me away moments", yes they are nice, not for the mysterious adventure or whatever. I like to read to learn about new, unusual and different things and places that appeal to me.  Today I'm going to talk about a book that I chose for the month of December its rather "Chrismasy", but the truth of it is the setting an different cultural daily customs appeal to me.

Winter Solstice - setting London and Scotland. 

Lets jump right into the tea. They don't drink just any TEA in this story, its special; Lapsnag Souchong! Seriously.  (The author) goes on to extol the virtues of this particular tea, of course.  And fits of all fits you certainly can't just go to the local grocery store here in America and buy it. When you do ask if they have it they look at you like they are on Candy Camera and you made it up.  I have to order it on Amazon, and you know I will, because that's why I read to save money on air fare, and not have to fly to strange places to drink tea that an author described as "comforting and smokey flavored."  

OOH, and all the cool homes have CLAY sinks and don't think i didn't look those up on google images!! I certainly did! very nice they are to, along with all the other cozy details described in this book.  Painted dressers for dishes, which are just pine china cabinets here in America, but they seem to use them as practical cupboards there.  I used to have one but i think people would have frown on me dragging it in to the kitchen and putting the coffee cups and other daily dishes into it, I would have painted it cream and distressed the edges with dark paint; and maybe hung colorful triangle bunting on it also; I have a feeling i would have been divorced much sooner.

Lets not forget "lumps of peat" in all the fireplaces.  This one might elude me.  I do think there is an on line seller that you can buy it from but possibly not just -ONE- lump, I only want to smell it burning, I might not even like it. (But it frustrates the dickens out of me to not, KNOW what it smells like)  

See- here is more of that TEA mentioned again and she rubs it in that you can "pick it up at the grocery."  That's just a poke in the eye. 

And this fellow in the book just happened to find his, CLAY SINK in a ditch by the road!! The gall, of him.

So, I've let you into my inner world of reading, its not just a casual time suck. I read to experience what I could if I were a true traveler, which I'm NOT!  I'm a sofa explorer, I go no further than the sofa, LOL.

Well, I've had a blast in Scotland this Holiday season and just so you know it was a terrific visit and everyone had fun, me and all the other characters. 

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