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Now, a quick word from our sponsors.
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That's betterhelp.com slash getsleepy.
Hello Elizabeth, here the host of The Sleepy Bookshelf, another sleep-inducing podcast from the Slumber Studios Network.
I'm just dropping by here to let you know that I'm starting a brand new book on The Sleepy Bookshelf right now.
This season I'll be reading Rainbow Valley by L.M.
Montgomery. the next book in our Anne of Green Gables saga.
If you're interested, just search the Sleepy Bookshelf in your favourite podcast player and go to the most recent episodes to find this new season.
I hope to see you there, to put down your worries from the day and pick up a good book.
Welcome to Get Sleepy.
Where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy.
My name's Thomas, and I'm your host.
Thank you for joining us for the second part of Taylor's Seaside Adventure.
Don't worry too much if you've not heard part one yet, which we released yesterday.
Just to fill you in Last time she visited the beach of her childhood and she had just discovered a charming house which she'd never seen before.
We'll continue our story in just a moment, and a big thanks again to Chase for writing it and to Vanessa, who'll be reading it for us.
Before we join Taylor once again, let's take a moment to relax and get ready for a good night's sleep.
Once you're settled, allow your mind to empty as you let go of any thoughts or worries.
Then begin to slow your breathing, breathing in deeply and back out slowly.
Imagine that your breaths are like the ocean waves, slow and regular.
They are guiding you towards a state of calm.
And whenever you're ready, you'll drift into a restful sleep.
But for now, let's pick up where we left off and return to the beach.
This is where our story Beacon.
Taylor strolls down the wooden boardwalk, extending out into the ocean.
Awaiting her at the end of it is a spectacular house on stilts.
From where she is, it looks like a lighthouse or a teapot that fell from the heavens and landed in the water.
The house is a pale yellow color and is shaped like an octagon.
There's a white wraparound porch and a circular red roof with windows jutting out all around.
Rising up at the top is a single room that climbs high into the sky.
It seems to be almost all windows and it has its own wraparound porch.
This part of the building reminds Taylor of a lighthouse, while the red roof looks just like the lid of a teapot.
As Taylor gets closer to it, she realizes that somehow It is a work of art, much more than a simple house.
Filled with curiosity, Taylor knows she has to get a more in-depth look at it.
The wooden planks are supportive beneath her feet, but as she treads in some places, the weight.
Taylor stops halfway down the length of the walkway to prop her elbows up on the rail and gaze out across the ocean.
The view from here is astounding.
She doesn't know how far out she is, but it's far enough to feel like she is surrounded on all sides by water.
The sun is right at the horizon, dipping below it just a little and casting red, orange and gold rays of brilliance that sparkle on the water.
It is A moment of extraordinary beauty.
Not wanting to miss a moment of this magnificent sunset, Taylor stays there and watches in silence.
Just then, she hears footsteps on the boardwalk.
And as she turns her head in the direction of the sound, she realizes that an older woman is approaching her from the house.
The woman's hair is a bright, beautiful red, the color catching the light.
As she walks towards Taylor her paisley kimonos, The woman has an infectious smile that causes Taylor to smile back.
The woman finally reaches her and leans against the rail, smiling into the sun.
She introduces herself as Anne and asks Taylor how her day is going.
It is evident to Taylor that this woman is warm and kind, and she finds herself relaxing even more.
They exchange a few more pleasantries before settling into a comfortable silence as they both watch the sun go down.
The sky lights up in a shimmering rainbow of colors.
It is a magical moment and one of the best sunsets of her life, Taylor decides.
The two women stand watching until the sun has dipped beneath the horizon.
The waters are now an endless cascade of orange and indigo.
Taylor can't help herself.
She reaches from within her jacket pocket to grab her phone and snap a picture.
It's such a spectacular sunset.
She feels she has to take it with her as a memento.
Anne says that lately, the sunsets have been this brilliant, and at times, even better.
Taylor has a hard time believing it.
Then, Anne asks Taylor if she would care to join her for tea, an offer Taylor simply can't refuse.
At the mention of tea, Taylor asks if the house was meant to resemble a teapot as well as a lighthouse.
Yes, it was, Anne replies with a smile.
The whole situation feels whimsical and surreal, Taylor thinks, as they head down the boardwalk towards the house.
The closer they get, the more awestruck she feels.
It's an architectural gem, and it looks amazingly similar to an actual tea pot.
From Taylor's perspective, the right side of the house looks like the handle.
Anne tells her that it's actually a book nook extending out from the building.
To the left is an awning, which looks like the spouse.
It's incredible, Taylor exclaims as they stop right in front of the house.
Laughing, Anne ushers her through the door.
The second Taylor crosses the threshold and enters the house, she comes to an abrupt stop.
She looks around. taking in the contents of the room, all the exquisite details.
It's the most beautiful foyer.
Next, she enters what appears to be the living room.
It is spacious. a wide open circle with a domed, stained glass ceiling above.
There are two reading alcoves built into either side of the back walls and there's a large comfy sofa in the middle of the room with an ornate jewel-encrusted coffee table in front of it.
The walls are lined with shelves which have every kind of teapot that one could imagine, of every shape and size and in a variety of creative shapes.
Taylor looks around in amazement.
She knew that novelty teapots existed, but as she looks around the room she realizes that these ones are masterpieces of craftsmanship.
Each exquisite teapot is one of a kind.
One resembles with a cup of tea as the lid.
So clever, thinks Taylor.
Another teapot has a body that is a bright blue toaster oven, while its lid is a slice of bread.
There is even a lighthouse teapot that looks just like the house itself.
But it is the teapot resting on the nearest shelf that grabs Taylor's attention.
It's shaped like a pale turquoise conch and it looks like the shell that she just found on the beach.
Taylor walks over to the conch teapot and runs her fingers gently over its smooth ridges.
She can't resist lifting up the lid to peer within.
Anne chuckles at Taylor's obvious fascination.
She clears the sofa for them to sit, motioning Taylor over.
Taylor pauses for a moment, reflecting on how happy she is that she went on this excursion today.
It feels as though she has stumbled upon buried treasure.
This place is a teapot haven or heaven.
Taylor walks towards the sofa, her eyes roving over the room to absorb every last detail.
While Anne prepares their tea in the adjacent kitchen, Taylor makes herself comfortable snuggling into the folds of the sofa.
It molds itself to her body like it was made for her.
Anne comes back in, a remote in her hand.
She points it towards the fireplace that Taylor didn't even notice before, despite it being right in front of her.
A fire roars to life, its orange flames licking the air like shooting stars.
The crackling sounds create a cozy ambiance and an even deeper sense of calm.
There's nothing quite like sitting by a fire, Taylor realizes.
She closes her eyes in bliss, enjoying the warmth radiating off it.
She then covers herself with a fleece throw as she reclines back into the cushion.
A moment later, she hears Anne go back into the kitchen and the sounds of tea being prepared.
Everything else fades into the background.
This might be the most comfortable she's ever been.
The next thing Taylor knows, she is being roused from her nap by a gentle hand.
She opens her eyes to see Anne sitting next to her.
A tray with a deep red clay teapot rests on Anne's lap.
It looks rather plain, thinks Taylor, especially compared to the ornate teapots displayed all over the room.
She sits up, rubbing her eyes and asks how long she was out for.
Ann reassures her it wasn't long.
She places the tray on the coffee table and proceeds to pour out two cups of piping hot tea.
The teapot isn't that plain, Taylor realizes as she takes another look at it.
She admires its functional appearance as well as the fine detailed etchings around the bowl with birds in flight on the lid.
To top it off, the details are complemented by elegant gold accents on the very tops of the handle, lid and spout.
And it all looks so fluid.
The details are connected by a gold chain draped right along the contours of the teapot.
Seeing Taylor's reaction, Anne tells her that this teapot looks like the first teapots that were ever made.
She asks Taylor if she'd like to hear a story.
Taylor nods her head enthusiastically as she shifts into a more comfortable sitting position.
She's definitely in the mood for a going to be a good one and smiles and says that first they must begin with the origin of tea itself.
According to legend, tea was, like so many great things in life, discovered by accident.
It all started in the year 2737 BCE.
The Chinese emperor Shenang saw leaves drop in the water that his servant was preparing for him to drink.
After that, Anne explains people used pans to boil the leaves in water together and then wine ewers.
These were adapted to allow the tea leaves to steep over time.
But it wasn't until the 16th century, during that the first teapots were made.
Anne picks up the small clay teapot off the tray.
Just like this one, she says, the first teapots were made using special red-brown clay.
It came from the Yixing which is considered to be the birthplace of the teapots we know today.
It didn't take long for tea to spread to Europe, and the Yixing teapots found their way there too.
They were packed alongside stocks of tea that were imported by the Portuguese.
By the late 17th century, tea was growing in popularity in Britain.
The English teapot was born, along with the national hobby of afternoon tea.
Drinking tea even became a fashionable thing.
It was popularized by Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese princess who married Charles II.
Partly thanks be enjoyed among an elite gathering at lunch.
It was so stylish that families of high status would even be depicted drinking tea and paintings.
The tradition of afternoon tea is still practiced today. says Anne.
This is something Taylor knew already, but it's nice to know the background of such a popular activity, which is enjoyed in nearly every country in the world.
And now, she knows that it all began with simple clay teapot like this one.
All these other novelty teapots have nothing on the original, Taylor thinks to herself.
The tea smells heavenly, a delicious aroma tickling Taylor's nose.
She asks what kind it is, And Anne replies that it is chai, the national tea of India, which tastes like a warm embrace.
Taylor smiles and reaches for her cup, eager to have a taste of this embrace.
She takes her first sip. and feels as though she could melt into the sofa.
It is so soothing, and so delicious.
It's like nothing she has ever tasted before.
The tea is sweet, but not too sweet and a bit spiced and heady, with what tastes like cinnamon and a blend of spices that she can't quite name.
For the second time tonight, she closes her eyes in pure bliss, enjoying this perfect moment.
She hears a chuckle from Anne, who says that the tea she is drinking is a combination of cinnamon cardamom ginger star anise, peppercorn and clove.
As Taylor continues to sip on the enticing drink, Anne tells her more.
India is one of the largest producers of tea in the world, and chai is so popular that it can be found on almost every street corner, where it's sold day and night.
Taylor can certainly understand why it may be the most delicious thing she has ever consumed in her life.
She has already drained her first cup and asks Anne for another.
Before Anne pours them both another cup, she asks Taylor if she would like to help her make cinnamon apple scones to eat with their chai tea.
Taylor smiles and nods as she has always wanted to learn how to make scones.
So they both walk into the kitchen.
This room is just as inviting as the living room.
It's an open space with beautiful stained glass windows all along the curved wall.
At the far end is a door which leads out onto the wraparound porch.
Hanging from the kitchen ceiling is an impressive collection of copper pots and pans, as artfully arranged as the teapots in the living room.
Perfectly positioned in an hourglass vase is an eye-catching bouquet of flowers.
It's a lush arrangement of the loveliest pink roses, which are tucked alongside lilies, red and yellow tulips and a few well-placed orchids.
Taylor finds herself drawn to the flowers as Anne sets to work behind her, pulling out all the ingredients and dishware they will need.
Everything fades from Taylor's mind as she bends over to smell the flowers.
She closes her eyes, breathing in the irresistible fragrance.
The combined floral notes take her to a grassy meadow where wildflowers grow and the sun shines on her face.
The scent is so sweet, so pure.
She could stay here forever and rapture it.
But at last she opens her eyes.
Then she goes over to join as they lay out all of the ingredients.
There's whole milk flour salt, baking powder, baking soda and granulated sugar to sweeten the dough.
There's unsalted butter cut into small chunks, vanilla extract for flavor cinnamon, baking chips and coarse sugar.
This will be sprinkled on top of the scones before baking to produce a perfect crusty top.
Taylor and Anne peel a few tart Granny Smith apples and dice them.
Then they sprinkle ground cinnamon on top, as well as some lemon juice on the apple chunks to prevent them from turning brown.
Anne has already preheated the oven, prepared a baking sheet with parchment paper and lined an eight-inch cake pan.
Next, they whisk the applesauce milk, vanilla and sugar together in a large bowl, before using another bowl to combine the dry ingredients.
They use a pastry blender to add the cut butter into the mixture until only the smallest pieces remain.
Then the apples and cinnamon chips are added.
After pouring in the milk concoction, they fold the mixture until there is no trace of dry flour.
An even 8 inch round of dough is formed by their combined effort as they gently press it into the prepared cake pan.
Then they place the dough into the freezer for a few minutes to make sure that the layers will be flaky and buttery and to prevent spreading.
While they wait, they keep chatting, Taylor is enjoying this evening so much.
She feels like she has known Anne her entire life.
It is such an incredible gift meeting someone so randomly, then sharing wonderful moments like these.
It seems like the universe pulled them together tonight.
They continue to talk and laugh while waiting for the timer to go off.
After the dough is retrieved from the freezer, Anne places it on the baking sheet, discarding the plastic wrap.
Then, she hands Taylor the knife and asks her to cut the dough into eight separate wedges.
Eight must be a magic number, Taylor muses as she completes the task.
She follows it up by lightly brushing the eight pieces with melted butter and sprinkling the coarse sugar all over the tops.
Finally they separate the scones on the baking sheet.
The two women amble back to the living room to pick up where they left off, as they sit together on the sofa and tells Taylor all about novelty teapots.
In the 18th century, teapot designs in Britain became somewhat extravagant.
Over time, more elaborately designed pots took over, ones that hardly seemed practical.
Essentially, says Anne, these were some of the first novelty teapots.
They were often shaped like fruit or vegetables.
For instance, an early example of a novelty teapot from the mid-18th century is shaped like a pineapple.
The fruit had been brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus and first appeared in Britain in the year 1668.
It was so rare and exotic, it soon became a status symbol.
In fact, people would even rent a pineapple for the night just so they could display it at their party.
A century later, the fruit was still considered a luxury.
Its exotic appearance inspired artists and designers, even leading to the creation of a quirky pineapple-shaped teapot.
These kinds of pots soon became sought after.
Potters came up with increasingly creative designs, turning the teapot itself into a kind of status symbol or even a work of art.
So That explains the existence of all of these, says Anne with a flourish of her hand towards the teapots in the room.
Taylor finds it all so fascinating.
She's almost a little disappointed when the timer in the kitchen goes off.
The scones are now ready to eat.
Anne makes quick work of retrieving the scones from the oven and brings them in on another platter to set down by their tea.
She hands Taylor a plate with two scones as she pours them another cup of the chai.
This word actually means tea, Anne explains.
Saying chai tea is like saying tea tea.
An interesting tidbit indeed, Taylor thinks to herself.
She delicately picks up one of the warm, flaky treats and brings it up to her nose.
Then, she breathes in that immediately makes her mouth water.
There's a distinct smell of cinnamon and apple.
She takes her first bite and it melts in her mouth.
It tastes like heaven.
All flaky, buttery goodness with just the right amount of cinnamon and apple.
She could eat it.
But with great restraint.
She focuses on one bite at a time, all the while sipping the chai which perfectly compliments the pastry.
These two things were meant to be enjoyed together. thinks Taylor.
She reaches for her second scone, and Ann laughs at her obvious joy.
It seems like no time has passed when both are done and everything is cleaned up.
The night's festivities are now coming to an end.
Anne asks Taylor if she would like some company on the walk back.
Surprised, Taylor asks her if she's sure.
Anne's prompt reply is that she just enjoys long walks on the beach.
They both laugh.
Then they leave the whimsical home, and with the star sparkling above them, them.
They head for the sandy shore.
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