posted by Ali at Divine Domesticity
wing up I was a voracious reader. Now, the subject matter was usually vampires or other bad dudes from the mind of R.L. Stine, but I loved to read nonetheless.I’ve always preferred coffee to tea, and I’ve never been particularly girly, although I try to be domestic. As an adult, I was pleasantly surprised to so thoroughly enjoy, “The Teashop Girls,” written by Laura Schaefer. Though aimed at a younger audience than myself, *cough cough*, it truly was a delightful read that had me craving a comfy seat at a tea shop and a group of girlfriends to pal around with.
It isn’t easy to be a teenage girl in society these days. The pressure is so great to look a certain way, act a certain way, and most of these pressures lead girls down a bad road. I wonder how things will be for my daughter, who is not even two years old, when she is a teenager. It was with this in mind that I read the book, and I took great pleasure in it. In a way, it brings back the long lost memories of first crushes, your first real fight with a best friend, and looking at the real world with your eyes wide open as an adult.
One very special feature interspersed throughout the book is recipes and art in the form of journal clippings from the mind of the main character, Annie. What a delicious surprise!
I would heartily recommend this book for adults and teens alike. I challenge you to read it and not want to start your own tea traditions with your girlfriend, mom or daughter.
A lifetime ago I worked in a coffee bar that served iced chai tea. A special treat offered was an iced chocolate chai. At first I was very dubious at the combination, but let me assure you that it is absolutely delicious.
I use a shortcut of preparing this with an already made chai tea concentrate, which is so not in line with “The Teashop Girls” mentality, but as a harried mom of two, it is the best I can do some days. Enjoy!
Iced Chocolate Chai
Makes one servings
chai tea concentrate (I get a three pack from Costco that are delicious)
chocolate milk
ice
1. Fill a large glass with ice cubes. Add equal parts of chai tea concentrate and chocolate milk. Stir well and enjoy!
Recipe from Ali at Divine Domesticity
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genevieve le bel on 
Katy M on 
Great review, Ali! I’m a coffee girl, too, but your recipe sounds YUM!
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I loved this book!! If you want another review, check out mine: http://tanyadennisbookshelf.blogspot.com/2009/06/teashop-girls-by-laura-schaefer.html
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I will, Tanya, thanks!
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I read a lot of young adult books. Nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes it’s because my daughter brings them home, but sometimes I read them first and recommend them to her.
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I think many of us have read Twilight, which is a young reader. Many young reader books are great!
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Thanks for the review! I love herbal tea, and drink it hot or cold. I especially love to drink it while reading a book.
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