When traveling I like to purchase things that are native to that area. I recently found this book, Made in Italy, by Laura Morelli.
The book is divided into the different regions of Italy. It teaches you about the traditional handcrafted products of each region. It explains how to tell the difference between the ‘real deal’ and the cheap knock-offs. You’ll get an idea about how much you should expect to pay for a good product and a listing of a few places to find the artisans and their wares.

This book is a wealth of information.

When I was in Savannah, Georgia I found an interesting shop called The Salt Table. It’s a great little place that sells salt, honey, tea, sugar, popcorn and vanilla in different flavors. They also have various seasonings on offer.
We were able to sample many items and they were very good.

We purchased a jar of Wildflower Honey and Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt. I can’t wait to grill a steak with the salt. Mmmmm!
I also purchased these jars to store some of the spices I normally buy in bulk.

When I was in elementary school we periodically received a handout with a listing of paperback books we could buy through the school. Even though my mother didn’t have much money she always gave me money for books. I have such fond memories of those books.
I recently found one of those books at the bookstore and purchased it for my children’s library. The book is Caps For Sale.

Do you remember it?

When I was in Munich, Germany I purchased this smoker. There were so many to choose from, probably more than a hundred. Many of them had a Christmas theme, but I chose this cute little waiter so I could keep him on a shelf in my kitchen year round.
The top half of the smoker comes off at the waist and his chest is hollow. You place a lit piece of incense on the bottom half and replace the top portion. Smoke will come out of his mouth.

He makes me smile. Life is good!

This is a present from my sister, Julie. It’s a bottle of wine with a fur coat…isn’t it ADORABLE?