It was like seeing an old friend again yesterday when I pulled my kotatsu out of the cupboard. What a freakin' wonderful invention! For those of you not in Japan....Emma, just what is a Kotatsu? Well, let me tell you! It's a table that is sandwiched between two perfectly warm blankets. But that's not all....on the underside of the table there is a little heater, keep you toasty warm on those cold Japanese winter nights! Ahhh, bliss!

There is no central heating here in Japan. As a result, I've become emotionally attached to my kotatsu over the past few years, we've spent lots of time together. I think when I finally get back to Canada I'm going to open a Chuhai and Kotatsu Import Company - - promotional offer: you get a free case of UmeChu with the purchase of a Kotatsu! Why didn't us Canucks invent the Kotatsu, the world can live without the phone and basketball -- but certainly not without their Kotatsu!