1/18/2008

A warm drink and a good book

Jenny once commented that my household is full of little collections. Or big collections. And she's right: rubber stamps, teapots, posy vases, Anne Taintor magnets. And tea books. I have a lot of them. Eighty-eight at the last count, including the little gifty ones and a few that are little more than pamphlets.

(Jenny points out that she actually said that my household is full of collections of little things, like said posy vases.)

The tea book collection started while I was in college. I'm sure Susie had books about tea before me, but I loved the illustrations in the books, and of course, the very event of the tea party, which we had to one degree or another most nights during school, and mostly in my room.

The collection grew slowly, winning me a 2nd prize book collector's award at graduation. And I haven't really stopped since. And now I have 88. Scary. Scarier still that there are 14 books on my list that I would love to add to my collection if I find them!

I have many favorites, but here are some highlights:

Tea at the Blue Lantern Inn - A social history of tea room - fascinating!
The Agony of the Leaves - Good book all round, but I especially like the bits about the author introducing good tea to Chez Panisse
A Decent Cup of Tea - an early one, written by a many with spicy opinions
A Proper Tea - good, solid recipes and fun party ideas
The Book of Korean Tea - most intriguing new book - Thank you Susie and MamaMooseNose

Next to read from the collection: Tea with Jane Austen

The tea book collection has expanded to include some off-shoots: books about entertaining and table-setting, manners, coffee, baking, jello dessert (it's just a thing, don't ask), flower arranging.

What does all of this say about me? What are your suggestions on how I can harness my craft lovin', tea drinkin', book collectin' ways into a career path. May I arrange your flowers for you?

1 comment:

Simran said...

Tea is the drink that whenever you want to drink you can drink. I had newly tried Nettle Tea it was amazing.