Dear ,

Spring has sprung, and with it, my patience has gone. I'm tired of planning and ready for doing. If you're own restlessness has reached its peak, grab for a glass of calming mint tea, especially satisfying when harvested fresh from the kitchen.

Growing Mint for Tea

Mint is ideal for container growing, especially from the kitchen counter, but when placed in the garden as well. Mints can quickly overtake your garden, and mints can also overtake one another, so it's best to spread them out.

With all the new mints on the market--ginger, pineapple, strawberry even!--it can be easy to be swayed away from hardy tea-making varieties. Spearmint is always a solid choice, but if you can get ahold of the plants, Swiss Mint and Moroccan Mint offer much more bang for the buck than grapefruit or chocolate.

Unlike certain other herbal teas, mint tea is best made fresh from new leaves, collected early in the day before the temps get too high. They also love to grow in spots where the sun reaches their leaves, so a sunny kitchen counter is the perfect spot.

How to Make Fresh Mint Tea

Warm your cup with hot water while preparing your tea.

Meanwhile, boil your water. Once your water is ready...

Pick four or five stalks of mint, gently wash them and then roll them between your fingers to help release their oils.

Let them steep five minutes before dumping out your cup and refilling it with freshly brewed mint tea. Flavor with honey or sugar.

Makes 4 to 5 servings.

While you're sipping on your favorite new tea, try a sample of a different kind...

Midlife Magic & Magnolias (Magic at Midnight Series)

by Meredith Carlisle

Fate's a witch... so is Alex. She just doesn't know it yet.

This is one of my favorite women's paranormal fiction of late. I'd recommend buying it, but you can get a glimpse by clicking on the above link.

Until next time,

Katie O'Keene ☆

P.S. Be sure to check out my series if you haven't already:

Designer to the Dead - paranormal cozy mystery

Little Bold Ladies - paranormal women's fiction