Keeping With The Times

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Mint Tea Refresher Tips for the Best Tea

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Today I have a few mint tea refresher tips for the best tea experience! Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it’s especially delightful.

If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.
William Ewart Gladstone

Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!I recently purchased these sweet pots of Mojito Mint from a local greenhouse.Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. Most experts advise planting it in a container, up off the ground, or it will take over your garden! It will even send out shoots and sprout new plants where they land :)

When planting mint, make sure to provide good air circulation and well-drained soil to prevent rust or powdery mildew. If you see wilted leaves or dark spots, pinch off the affected leaves immediately and watch the plant closely.

How to Prepare Mint Tea

  • Harvest 1/2 cup of fresh mint (I use stems and all). Rinse and pat dry.
  • Place mint in the strainer that fits in your teapot. I love using my little cast iron pot I found at Chapters/Indigo. They don’t always carry these lovely little pots, but you can also get them from Teavana.
  • Meanwhile, to warm up the teapot, boil water and pour in about 1/4 cup. Cover and let sit for a minute or two (this is without the mint!)
  • Discard the water used to warm the pot.
  • Set the strainer filled with mint into the pot and fill with the remaining hot water.
  • Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Pour into cups, add a fresh mint leaf and enjoy!

Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!Did you know mint contains vitamins A and C, as well as Calcium and Iron?Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!
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Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!

Midwinter Getaway in Banff

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I’ve just enjoyed a little midwinter getaway in Banff, Alberta.

Over the years I’ve accompanied hubby on countless business trips. I’ve travelled with him from one end of Canada to the other (and back again.) We’ve hit every major city and some not-so-major cities. I feel quite blessed to have had the opportunity to explore Canada this way—while staying at the best hotels.

This week we’re at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta. We’ve stayed here a few times but it just never gets old. Simply exploring the “castle” is enough, but throw in Willow Stream Spa and Afternoon (High) Tea and it’s nothing short of luxurious.

I’m not shy about exploring or eating by myself when hubby is in meetings (who has time for that?) so yesterday when I decided to enjoy the ritual of afternoon tea, I requested a large table, in a corner, with windows on both sides …
Midwinter Getaway in BanffI didn’t want to bother the waiter so I took these photos myself … balancing my camera against my chin as I poured tea (hoping it would hit the strainer … and for the most part, it did!)
Midwinter Getaway in Banff Midwinter Getaway in Banff Midwinter Getaway in Banff Midwinter Getaway in Banffmidwinter getawayI really wanted to spread all the delicacies across the table amongst the teacups, linens, and silverware.

My plan would have been to stand on a chair and take a top-down ;) but for the most part I simply sat and drank my tea(s) while eating fruit, delicate sandwiches, scones, cakes, cookies, and profiteroles while enjoying the view …midwinter getaway

After a couple of hours I asked the waiter to pack up the leftovers and I headed back to my room. Needless to say, I skipped dinner last night :)

Today we’re heading home for one night and then we’re off to Quebec … I’m hoping to be able to share a bit of that as well.

Have a lovely day!