Sweet & Savory ~~ Spearmint Tea

There's nothing quite like a cup of hot tea on a snowy winter day!  It warms your body, soul, mind and spirit.

I grew the spearmint plant during the summer and fall months in one of my wooden backyard planters, trimming it before the first frost.

Secondly, I tied the bundle of leaves with a piece of string and suspended it from an old shower curtain until the leaves were completely dried.

I was in for a real surprise when I prepared my first cup of tea by placing a few of the dried leaves inside a tea strainer and poured hot water over the top. This yielded a far more intense flavor than making tea from the dried leaves inside a tea bag which I had purchased several months prior thereto. 

This whole exercise has given me some great planting ideas for the spring of 2017.  What variety of tea should I try next?

Stay warm, and enjoy!

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Science With The Grandkiddos

During one of the grandkiddos' recent visits, they made two ice cube trays of citrus slices.  These have been such a nice relief during our recent one hundred degree temperatures.

Depending upon the ages of your grandchildren, you may have to slice the lemon or lime into small wedges for them.

If your grandchildren are old enough, they can read the instructions for themselves:

1. Rinse a lemon or lime, dry with paper towel, and cut into small slices or wedges.

2.  Place one wedge into each compartment of the ice tray.

3.  Place the ice tray in the freezer overnight.  Invert the tray to remove the cubes.  If you only desire to use one or two at a time, they can be removed from the tray by grasping the citrus wedge.

4.  This is a fun way to explain to young children how water can be a liquid and a solid.

5.  Other suggestions for the citrus wedges ~~ place them inside a glass of iced or hot tea or a citrus drink!

Happy Reading & Learning.  Stay cool!

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