MerryHeartCrafts.comMountain Momma… Country Living

CHAI TEA MIX

1 cup dry powdered milk

1 cup non-dairy powdered coffee creamer

1 cup French Vanilla flavored non-dairy powdered coffee creamer

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea

2 tsps. cinnamon

2 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. nutmeg

(Most recipes call for cardamom as an ingredient, but it so expensive, so I just use nutmeg instead…use whatever you have!)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl with a wire whisk.  Add small amounts to a blender or food processor and blend until it becomes a fine powder.

Store in an airtight container.  To serve – add 3 tsps. to a mug of hot water, add a dash of milk.

I got this recipe from Mrs. Nadine at http://nadinesnook.blogspot.com/

SPICE TEA MIX

2 cups orange flavored drink mix

1 1/2 cups instant tea

1 cup powdered lemonade mix

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Mix all the ingredients together with a wire whisk until well blended.

Store in an airtight container.  To serve – add 2 tsps. of mix to a mug of hot water

I got this recipe from Mrs. Nadine at http://nadinesnook.blogspot.com/

I thought I would show you all a picture of mullein.  The girls and I went gathering it this morning.  We got quite a lot.

I then looked it  (I think this might be a mountain term) and removed any that did not look good.  I have the first batch in the dehydrator now.  As I said yesterday, this is the first time I have tried drying it.    I will show you all pictures of it after it is dryed.   I usually just gather the leaves and make a tea from them, add sugar or honey and use it as a cold tea.  It is very good cold with a minty taste.   The problem with this is there are no leaves to gather in the winter.  I have never tried this as a hot tea but according to what I have read on line, you use 1 tbsp. dried mullein to a cup of hot water.  Let it steep for about 10 minutes and strain the liguid through a coffee filter or cheesecloth.  You will need to add honey to this, as it is bitter without a sweetener.  This is good for coughs and respiratory ailments.

I have finished drying the mullein and I thought I would just add the picture of it here on this post.

I will store this in an airtight container to enjoy over the winter.  It actually yielded much more than I thought it would.  Enjoy your day and God bless.

Another picture of Stripes.  Maybe she wants a shower.  Grace took this picture of Stripes in one of her strange places.  She lays in the sink quite frequently.  She also loves to get a drink from the faucet.   I think the word “spoiled” might come to mind.  Yesterday was lots of fun.  I went to my friend Vicki’s  and we made our own hot cocoa mix.  It is really good.  Much better than the powdered mix bought from the store  and I’m sure much healthier.  We read the ingredients of the store bought instant mix and it contained lots of things we couldn’t pronounce.  In case anyone is interested in making their own here is the recipe.  16 cups powdered dry milk, 1 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 5 cups sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt.  In a large bowl mix all ingredients well and store in an airtight container or zip lock bags.  To use measure 1/3 cup of mix into a cup and add hot water, stir.  This will make about 1 gal. of mix, perhaps a little over.  Vicki and I halved this recipe.  The powdered milk will be your biggest expense, so shop around for the best price.  I hope you enjoy this as much as we have.  God Bless.