Tea paraphenalia

It's been a slow process over a number of years, but I've become a Tea Person. I must have a cup within 30 minutes of waking up and I find it restorative at other times of the day in a way that even liquor is not (!!).

However, I fear the worst about what this might mean for my current disregard for cats and the art of macramé. If I'm ever given the gift of a teapot-shaped brooch or a fridge magnet that says "friends are like a pot of tea blah blah blah" I shall surely faint. For the time being, I want it hot, strong and milky. The end.

Or is it? Killing time before a flight at Heathrow this fall I wandered through the Harrods boutique, quietly laughing at the various teapot-shaped cookie tins, oven mitts and Christmas balls. And then I saw a cheesy little collection of tea mugs bearing the *humourously* combined names of London streets like "Faith St" + "Hope Lane" on one or "Milk Street" + "Sugar Quay" on another. And, well, um.... so, yes. This one had to come home with me.

It is the perfect size, the perfect weight, has the perfect handle and goes safely into the dishwasher. And I love it irrationally.

Carrot slaw

Winter approaches and we are once again staring down the barrel of a season without much in the way of locally grown fruits and veg. What we get are the contents of the root cellar -- rutabagas, onions, cabbages and carrots -- and much as I love and cherish these over-winterers, one gets tired of one's usual ways to cook them. And a 3-lb bag of carrots does seem to last an eternity.

Enter the Mediterranean Carrot Slaw: grate or mandoline some carrots, add a good amount of fresh lemon juice and a very hearty dose of salt (using lots of lemon and salt seems to be the key). Stir and let sit about 10 minutes while achieving other goals (I like doing some stretches or calling a relative whom I can only stand to speak to for 10 minutes or less). Stir well, drizzle with olive oil and enjoy. Chopped parsley, that other hardy fridge standard, is welcome here too.

We've had this with leftover meatloaf, chick pea curry, roasted chicken, and even salmon with couscous. It's crunchy, zippy, easy, cheap and delicious.